I'm back!
Scotland was amazing--though how could it be anything but? I can't believe how quickly 12 days sped by. I traveled with fellow Scottish Historical Author Veronica Wolff and it really was the trip of a lifetime. We were mostly around Argyll (Campbell and MacGregor country), but also took a ferry to the Isle of Islay which was definitely one of the highlights. In addition to a fabulous local guide (Iain Watson from Doodlebus), we had an amazing run of good luck. Not only did all of our flights take off as scheduled and all of our luggage arrive on board, it stopped raining the day we arrived and didn't rain again until the day we left.
You'll be seeing what amounts to a photo travel journal over the next few months as I took plenty of pictures for my website of all the big places in my upcoming Campbell trilogy, but here is a picture of Veronica and me on Loch Katrine (above) in Trossachs National Park.
Sigh, when can I go back? I better hurry up and write more books so I have an excuse!
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22 comments:
Wow, it sounds like you had a lot of fun =] im glad it didnt rain for you guys, although I do like the rain, I imagine having it on a trip would be terrible. I cant wait to see more pictures of your trip. The two you have up are lovely!
And yep, I suppose you must write more, you know, just so you can go back to Scotland... ;)
OMG I didnt mention this, but OMG i read Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas, AHHH! it was good. I was a nerd and dragged one of my roommates to the mall with meon tuesday so that I could get it. I also picked up Julia Quinn's new book, however I havent read it yet (midterms suck).
-sighs- okay, Ive been waiting for you to come back just so I had someone to talk to about books. I dont have anyone here, they think romance novels are stupid feminine creations for lonely and dim witted women. I wont get into how angry that makes me,since I can argue quite well that I am not lonely or dimwitted. Anywho, I shall stop yattering on.
=]
What a great post, Monica! And great photos too. Sigh. I miss it SO much. I'm ready to pack up the family and move to Islay... :)
Natalie,
We had a fantastic time! Don't worry there will be tons more photo sharing. :) I'm trying to wade through them right now--I'm not so sure digital cameras are a good thing!
I bought SMAS yesterday and I'm staring at it, knowing that I won't be able to put it down if I start. Part of me actually wants to wait because I'll be so bummed when I'm done--I've been anticipating this book for so long. I tried to get JQ's book, too, but my B&N hadn't received it yet...so frustrating! I love talking books (especially romance). I usually find that the people who talk down about romance have never even read one.
Hey Veronica--I miss it so much, too. It went by way too fast. I think we'll be joining you on Islay. :)
Hello Veronica, I dont think I have ever chatted with you =] I just wanted to let you know, I havent read any of your books, but I have heard such praise about them. For the longest time my book stores didnt carry them (poopoo heads), however I did see them the last time I went. They are on my "to buy" list. I would have gotten them on tuesday, however with my meager college funds I only had enough for 2 books. Im not sure why I just blabbered on, but yeah =]
Monica, I know exactly how you feel about wading through pictures. Both of my parents have a knack for photography, and I just love my digital camera (it stays in my purse- which my mum calls a satchel cause its so big)
I understand about the book, I really shouldnt have started it on tuesday because I had a midterm wednesday and today. But alas, I read it, and did well on my exams. Its so good, its one of those books you read in one night (which I also did for yours).
I completely agree with you. the people who hate them, have never even looked at one besides to sneer at the cover. Luckily my parents have never been that way.I think its because i read a healthy variety of literature. Although, my mum did surprise me tonight. I came home for the weekend to visit and she asked me for a romance novel.
It was quite hard to decide, but I gave her Lisa Kleypas' first wallflower book (the name is escaping me). I would have given her yours but she specifically requested for that era. Shes recently fallen in love with all my jane austen movies (she keeps stealing them!)
She did love your covers though ;) (much to my dads dismay) and swears that yours are next when she found out they were about highlanders. (i grew up watching braveheart with her).
I am so sorry i rambled on so much. I think its because my brain is tired from the midterms! plus, ill be honest, i talk. A lot.
Natalie,
I've been wading through pictures all day and my head hurts...ugh!
How fun that your mom asked for a romance novel--and giving her a LK I think is a fabulous choice. LK is one of the best. (I can't remember titles either, BTW.) My other top pick for non-romance readers to give romance a try is Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I think she is masterful.
And re my books...maybe you need to have your mom watch Braveheart or Rob Roy to get her in the mood. :)
Whoo-hoo you are back! I can't wait to see more pictures of Scotland. The ones posted are beautiful. Were there any Gerry look-a-likes? LOL!
Just read the excerpt of Jamie's book and I cannot wait to get my hands on it. The tension and awareness between them is out full force.
Natalie--I'm waiting on my hard copy of Seduced me at Sunrise to arrive. I can't wait to read Win and Merripen's story. Seen a lot of great reviews. I definitely seconding Monica's SEP recommendation. She is fantastic. Her Chicago Stars series is my favorite.
Anywhoo--glad you are back and hope you are all settled back in now!
Hugs,
Ing
Hey Ing!
It's great to be back (kind of, LOL!) and yes, I'm definitely all settled back in now.
Alas, unfortunately no Gerry look-a-likes. I did look though. :) Our guide thought the American fascination with Gerry was hilarious, BTW.
Yea! I'm so glad you enjoyed the sneak peek of Jamie and Caitrina. I'm SO excited for you guys to read this book--this was a story I'd been dying to write (and basically got the whole idea for a Campbell series rolling).
MONICA,
I JUST READ THE HIGHLIGHT FROM THE UPCOMING HIGHLANDER BOOK AND I LOVED IT! CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE WHOLE BOOK! I REALLY LIKED JAMIE FROM HIGHLANDER UNMASKED AND AM GLAD THAT HE HAS HIS OWN BOOK. LOOKING FORWARD TO A COUPLE OF SLEEPLESS NIGHTS IN JAN. SINCE I'M SURE I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT YOUR BOOK DOWN AT BED TIME!
Hey Anna,
So glad you enjoyed the sneak peek! I think you're going to really enjoy Jamie's story--I can't wait for it to hit the stores! And keeping readers up is definitely the ultimate goal! I was up most of Saturday night with the Lisa Kleypas.
HI MONICA,
YOU RECOMMENDED LISA KLEYPAS TO ME A COUPLE OF MONTHS BACK, AND I JUST GOT FINISHED READING ON OF HER NOVELS (I THINK IT WAS CALLED MAGIC) AND COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. I'M DYING TO GET HER NEW BOOK! YOU ALSO RECOMMENDED GAELEN FOLEY AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HER KNIGHT SERIES!
Anna,
So glad you've enjoyed the recommedations so far! Gaelen and LK are two of my favs. Definitely read Mine before Midnight before you read the latest LK--they are connected and it was really good, too.
Looking forward to the pictures and details of your trip! And all the good luck with weather, flights and luggage...well, you're just lucky I wasn't traveling with you!
Too funny, Lexi! I take it you've had some bad travel stories? Nowadays it really was rare to have a smooth travel experience. I'm still going through pictures...it takes so long to organize.
Um, nobody in the family will travel with me. If something can go wrong with a flight, it goes wrong with me.
Okay, you're definitely too young to remember, but it sounds like schleprock from the Flinstones. LOL.
Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving Everyone!
I hope everyone has a good day!
I didn't know Canadian Thanksgiving was today, thanks, Natalie. Happy Thanksgiving! It's actually a pretty good Monday around here...
Monica,
I am so glad you had a wonderful time. I cannot wait until Jan. 27to read Highland Warrior! Keep the trilogy's coming!
Hey Shelley,
Great to hear from you! I'm so glad you are looking forward to Warrior! I'm already hard at work planning the next books! (Which is my lame excuse for not posting a new blog in a while...hopefully soon!)
I know I'm a little late but welcome back Monica! Sounds and looks like you had a great time in Scotland with Veronica...*I'm not jealous...really I'm not*
I'm still in the middle of a job-change. Finally word came yesterday that I got the job so beginning of November I have 2 weeks off in which I will hunt down and pester all my favourite blogs/authors!
And then it's back to the real world and a new job...waiting for the Campbells to grace my bookshelves...
Pearl,
Congratulations on the new job! How nice that you'll have a little free time between jobs to hang out on the internet. Hope you'll stop by here! :) Those Campbells will be on your bookshelves before you realize it...only a few more months!
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