A special Opportunity for Readers of my Blog!
I'm raring up for the release of HIGHLAND WARRIOR next Tuesday and want to give one of you an opportunity to be the "first on the block" to read it, LOL. I'll pick one name from the comments on this blog between now and Wednesday the 22nd at midnight PST to receive a hot-off-the-presses signed copy of Highland Warrior.
So here's what I'm wondering...
I was talking to one of my CPs the other day and we were trying to figure out what it is that draws readers to Scottish romance. Is it the history? The gorgeous setting? The Alpha/warrior heroes? Or something else?
I was thinking about some of my favorite Scottish authors and I realized I pick up different authors for different reasons. One of my all time favorites is Kathleen Givens--I love her for the history. But I also loved Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series and that is definitely because of the sexy, Alpha heroes.
What Scottish authors do you read (if any) and what draws you to their stories?
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21 comments:
A Garwood Highlander or Sue Ellen Welfonder.
I think it the tough, rugged dangerousness that we are attracted to. Although Ms. Welfonder said (I forget the word) that if you have Scot in your blood, which I do, there's an Pull in your blood for the place.
PS, I'd love to win that book! Thank you and good luck!
I read another author that writes about highlanders and scottish history and honestly I just couldn't get into it. First I am attracted to the cover and then when I read the back, I want to get the sense of a big strong warrior with a streak of emotion. When I read the book I love a plot that keeps me glued to the book for hours. I also like the fact that the hero tries to be in control but he is really not. I like to read about warriors who have a strong sense to protect, don't tell my husband though, don't want him to get a big head. lol. So honestly Monica, I only read your books when it comes to sexy scottish men.
Some of the Scottish romance authors I have read are Julie Garwood, Kinley MacGregor, Paula Quinn, Hannah Howell, and Sarah Gabriel. The thing that keeps me coming back to Scottish romances are the heroes. I love to watch a strong, masculine warrior fall in love. It is just endearing to watch a big alpha male become protective and possessive over a woman because of love. I'm also a sucker for a Scottish brogue. The history and setting definitely add to the stories, though.
Hi, Monica! I've mainly read your hunky Scottish heroes, but I do have some of Karen's on the TBR. I think for me, I like the combination of the gorgeous setting with the warrior who's ultimately "tamed" by an equally strong woman (not necessarily physically his equal, but certainly smart and tough enough to be his match).
Only a few more days!!
Thanks for the great responses so far.
Cindy, I'm a huge Julie Garwood fan, too. The Bride is one of my top 5 romances of all time and it's what brought me back to Scotland. I love what Sue Ellen said, I bet that does play some part in it for some people. Good point.
Dragon Lady, wow, I'm flattered! I think I'm drawn to Scottish (and most romances in general) for the reasons you mentioned. I read across sub-genres (Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Historical) but my favorite books are with the big, strong alpha protector heroes. I think those kind of heroes work really well in Scotland, Medievals, Vikings, Millitary/Black ops series, cops/fbi, and paranormal (which I don't usually read). Not coincidentally, those tend to be the books I LOVE.
Raven99 I loved Kinley's Scottish books, too. I wish she still wrote in the genre. I'm with you--it's all about the heroes. I love seeing these big strong guys felled by love.
Flchen1,
I think you are going to love Karen's books--her guys are awesome. I'm planning to go back and reread a few of them when I'm doing reading my RITA contest books. Great point about the strong women--I think that dynamic is so important, too.
For me is the history, the heroes, the landscapes!
I can't put into words why i love so much Higlanders Stories.
Ana,
All of the above works for me. :)
Hello Monica, its been a few weeks! I hope your christmas was splendid! I was in Virginia for the winter break, visiting my boy =]
Anywho, first before I really start rambling, OMG ITS ALMOST HERE! I am dragging my roommate to the mall so that I can get your book on tuesday =D
Alright, well when I was a youngen (okay so only a few years ago when I was in highschool) I absolutely fell in love with Julie Garwood's scottish novels. Part of it is her characters- you just cant help but love them. The novels have enough suspense and enough romance to keep you captured. A lot of the times I find other genres lack this careful dosage.
I LOVE Karen Marie Moning's books because well, lets face it, they are sizzling. Her alpha heroes are amazing and the mystical element to her stories draws you in.
I have read some of Hannah Howell's books, but sometimes I find them a hit and miss. However the ones I have liked are because of the sense of wild, dangerous romance that is so difficult to find outside of this rugged genre.
I love Kinley MacGregor and I think that is purely due to the fascinating stories she weaves. She brings in the magic, along with superb male characters and equally interesting female ones.
I recently read Mellisa Mayhue's 3 books (she has a 4th coming out the same day as you!) And for her novels I think it is (once again) the deep heroes and the sprinkling of magic.
And of course, your novels have always captured my imagination. You bring in just the right amount of historical context so that it feels like we are actually a part of the story. Your characters are very well developed and you just love them (in all of their moods). In many ways Ive also found that each of the characters need to make harder choices (which in the end means more when they end up together) because you know how much they went through to get there.
Ive found that in a lot of scottish romance novels, the detail is more specific. You know the politics of what is going on, or what colour the meadow flowers are. You know all of these little details that I find get missed sometimes in other genres. Its almost as if the wildness of the time and place of the novels pulls at our senses (and therefore we need more detail) than other genres. Scottish romance novels encompass the wild, romantic countryside that bards sang about. There is a sense of loyalty and honour not only in the alpha heroes, but also in their fiesty heroines.
Im sorry its so long- you know me. I just ramble.
Hey Natalie,
Not rambling at all--what a great response! (BTW, I had a great break, I'm sure you had a great time in VA. :) )
You and I read many of the same authors for many of the same reasons.
I love your point about detail. I completely agree. There's something about Scotland that just cries out for detail. I think that's the one thing I really miss about the old school historicals. They were always so meaty, complex and full of detail. Much more so than now.
Hello Monica!
In case my name leaves too much doubt - I am the "dear Mother" of blogger Natalie. I am pretty new to reading the historical romance genre but I have to say the Highlander theme is one of my faves... Of this theme I have so far read: Melissa Mayhue, Karen Marie Moning and of course you. I love the physicality of the men - they are truly a sight to behold - even if only in our imaginations. I think the whole middle-ages Scottish era itself has been represented as: big strong manly men who love with passion. Also the undeniable pull towards the "family man". These are men who are all about raising a family, taking care of their own. They just happen to be gorgeous and have that fantastic brogue.
Keep 'em coming!
I'm going to go read now...
Hi Natalie's Mom! I'm so glad that you've been enjoying the genre. I think you hit on the core for me: the big strapping lad who loves so strongly. Hard to resist that, isn't it?
Thanks to everyone for their wonderful comments!
And the winner is...Raven99! Please contact me at monica@monicamccarty.com with your snail mail address.
Curses! I'm too late for the contest, but that's ok. I'll get the book anyway next time I'm in the store!
I love Givens (I actually bowed down to her the first time I met her), Julie Garwood, Diana Gabaldon, Terri Brisbin. The first "romance" I read was by Arnette Lamb and I was hooked. I think I personally love the alpha heroes AND the history. Scotland is my happy place and anything that describes it and the ways of the people makes me long to be a part of that community and truly enjoy the story.
congrats raven99 =]
Hi Ms. McCarty
Just like others mentioned. Some of my favorites are Julie Garwood, Kinley MacGregor, and Hannah Howell and of course now you. For me, I enjoy the intense family bonds and undying devotion expressed in many books about the Highlands. It is apparent in how much each clan cares for each other and that when a love story develops that it will be just as deep. As a modern woman, it is nice that many stories don't make the woman all weak and submissive. Though the setting is hundreds of years ago, we as women can take away the strength, confidence, humor, and emotions from the strong heroines in the story as we all make that journey to find someone to call our own
Lexi,
I love your Kathleen Givens story. I was right there with you. She was actually the first published author I ever met in RWA. I went to an Orange County Conference and she was there signing her books. She was so kind and generous to me, it is something I will never forget (I actually mentioned her in the UNTAMED acknowledgments). We've stayed in touch and I just love her. I love all the authors you mentioned. I need to go back and reread some of those A. Lamb's--so good.
Mrs. DuBose,
Thank you so much for commenting. I love what you had to say about family. You know that is something I've never put words to but you are EXACTLY right. The clan and family are such a huge part of Scottish books, what a wonderful observation. And I agree about the strong women-I absolutely think we need to find something in the historical characters to identify with today. It's funny the bashing romance sometimes takes about weak females when I think it's exactly the opposite.
I'm forever bringing up the rear on this blog! Sorry. :-/ But I did want to thank everyone for listing their favorites. I have two TBR piles: one for the brain and one for the beach. My beach pile was getting down there! I've never read Julie Garwood or Kathleen Givens so I'll be sure to check them out - you know, since I'll be at the bookstore tomorrow for *some* reason! *happy squeak*
I really love it when authors combine those big, gorgeous, capable Scots with a hint of vulnerability and a large measure of chivalry. Gabaldon's Jamie Fraser is the prototype, I think. K.Moning's Highlanders are pret-near perfect for me; I love the extra dimension magic/time travel gives both of those author's series. We're talking about the Highlands! We've come to believe - nay expect - that anything could happen. :-)
Hey Val,
Great to hear from you. We have the same taste in Scottish men. I think KMM is just about perfect for me, too, but Jamie Fraser comes in a close second.
I'll be right there with you tomorrow at that bookstore...I can't wait. I've got a big list to buy and it's always a thrill to see my book on the shelves for the first time (assuming they unpack it in time, LOL!)
Ow Man!! In all the commotion with my new job I missed this opportunity to participate in the contest but will answer anyway, even if it is a bit belated.
Off course I read your books and what first drew me to them were the covers (must be honest here) but once I read the HIGHLANDER UNTAMED I was hooked to the setting, the history and the combination of them with the characters. I adore history and have this strange inexplainable fascination with Scottish history.
Before your books I read a Highland trilogy by Kresley Cole and those were not so focused on the Scottish but more on the emotions.
And off course my very first taste of the Highlands was with Moning's series. And like you those scrumptious alpha men did me in and got me addicted to the series.
Hugs,
Pearl
Pearl,
Sorry you missed the contest, but thanks for chiming in. I think covers have so much to do with picking up a book--I do it myself all the time. I was so fortunate the cover gods were shining on me. :) I'm a huge Kresley fan, too. I loved her Scottish books as well as the seafaring series she first started with. I keep hoping there will be a book three sometime, but with the success of her paranormal books I doubt it will be anytime soon. LOL.
I love all your books so far, i collect all kinds of books. From Parnormal [Christene Feehan, Sherylin Kenyou, Amanda Ashley and a few others. I like Kathleen Givens, Hannah Howell, Candace Camp and Karen Marie Morning. I think a good romance noval and nice glass of pop [sence i don't drink] is good way to relax after a hard day taking care of the kids. Thank You for making some of my evening some of the best!!!
Anonymous,
Thank you so much, what a lovely thing to say! I'm so glad you've enjoyed the books. We share many of the same favorite authors, BTW. I agree with you completely about reading being a great way of relaxing after a long day. I also love those lazy Sundays when there aren't a million things to do when I can sit and read all day. They certainly don't come around very often, but are fantastic when they do, LOL.
I apologize for the delayed response, I unknowingly turned on comment moderation and didn't see your comment until today. :(
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