AN INTERVIEW WITH AWARD WINNING AUTHOR LYN HORNER!

Please welcome my friend Lyn Horner to A Writer’s Life. Lyn and I are in the same writers group and have been friends many years. Here’s her interview:

Lyn Horner

Caroline: Tell us about growing up.

Lyn: I was born in San Francisco, CA, but grew up in Minnesota, where my mom was from. We moved back there when I was four years old. I had two half-siblings from my father’s first marriage, but never got to know them. I’m married to my high school sweetheart, have two grown children and several grandkids.

Was I ever a bookworm! I loved reading and even enjoyed researching historical school assignments at the local library. Guess I should have known I was destined to be a writer, but back then I dreamed of being a famous artist. That led to my first career in fashion illustration and art instruction.

Caroline: Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Lyn: My favorite author is Diana Gabaldon. Her characters are like old friends I’m compelled to revisit every so often. Other authors I love are Linda Howard, Iris Johansen and Judith Ivory. As you might guess, my favorite genre is historical romance.

Caroline: Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?

Lyn: At the risk of sounding trite, I love the quote from Forest Gump: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” It’s so true. Taking the bad with the good isn’t easy, but there’s always a surprise just around the next corner.

Caroline: Where do you prefer to write?

Lyn: One of my favorite places to write is in my recliner with my laptop. Another is on my bed with research books and papers scattered around me -- far away from the kitchen and the refrigerator.

If I’m blogging, checking email or chatting online, I often have the TV tuned to a news channel in the background. When working on one of my books, I need quiet, with the exception of soft music on occasion.

Caroline: Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Lyn: I’m a plotter. For my first book, I tried writing by the seat of my pants, but it didn’t work well. My characters kept running off in odd directions, forcing me to drag them back onto the main path. This cost loads of time and teeth-grinding frustration.

Caroline: Me, too. Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Lyn: Yes, I often include real historical figures as peripheral characters and actual events to draw readers into the time and place. The most dramatic event I ever incorporated in a story was the Great Chicago Fire on 1871. It formed the backdrop for White Witch, the prequel to Darlin’ Irish, Texas Devlins, book one.

Caroline: Do you set daily writing goals?

Lyn: I work every day but I don’t set word count or page goals. I’m a fussbudget about finding just the right words. Some days I might write only a few paragraphs, others several pages. Cranking out a whole chapter in one day is rare for me.

Caroline: What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Lyn: First and foremost, I hope my stories take readers out of the workaday world and carry them off on an adventure into different times and places. Ultimately, I want them to love my characters and care what happens to them.

Caroline: Share a fun fact readers wouldn’t know about you.

Lyn: I love mint chocolate chip ice cream – way too much!

Caroline: Can you give readers a blurb about your latest book?

Lyn: I’d love to. Dearest Irish (Rose’s Story) is the third book in my Texas Devlins trilogy, which features three unusual siblings. Descended from a secret line of Irish Celtic Druids, each of the three possesses a rare psychic talent they hide for fear of persecution. Rose Devlin, the sheltered baby sister of the family, has the extraordinary ability to heal with her mind, a gift that has caused her great pain in the past. She also harbors a more terrible secret that threatens her chances of ever knowing love.

Choctaw Jack, a half-breed cowboy introduced in Dashing Druid (Texas Devlins, Tye’s story), straddles two worlds, honoring loyalty to his mother’s people while struggling to walk the white man’s road. Like Rose, he keeps shocking secrets. If they ever come to light, he stands to lose his job, possibly his life. Yet, after accidentally discovering Rose’s healing gift, he risks everything, kidnapping her in a desperate attempt to save his dying mother. As he spirits her away to the Indian Territory, they are threatened by natural forces and individuals who hate the sight of a white woman riding with a red man. But the greatest risk they face may be caring too much for one another.

Caroline: This sounds as intriguing as your other books. How about an excerpt?

Lyn: Here you go:

In her rush to get going, Rose arrived at the corral earlier than usual. Jack wasn’t yet there. Hearing a clang of metal striking metal, she thought it came from behind the barn. Curious, she strolled in that direction and found a large, open shed, from whence came the metallic hammering. It was a blacksmith’s workshop, she realized. Acrid heat struck her as she approached the open portal.

Wearing no shirt, the smith stood working at an anvil with his back to her. Even so, she recognized Choctaw Jack by his long, midnight black hair, tied back with a leather thong at his nape, and by the healed red scar across his left shoulder blade. But what was he doing here, working in the smithy? No one had ever mentioned he was a blacksmith.

Coated with sweat in the heat from the forge, his muscular arms and torso gleamed like molten copper. Rose stared in awe as he skillfully wielded his hammer and tongs. A strange excitement curled through her insides at the sight. She must have made some sound, for he stopped in mid swing and pivoted to face her. A startled look crossed his face; then he pinned her with his black stare.

“Miss Rose,” he said with a nod. “Didn’t think it was time to meet you yet.”

“Uh, nay, ’tisn’t. I’m early. I-I heard the hammering.” She gestured toward the heavy tool in his hand. “I didn’t know ye were a blacksmith as well as a cowboy.”

He shrugged one shoulder and mopped his face with the bandana draped loosely around his neck. “Pays to know more than one way to earn my keep.”

Nodding, she cleared her throat nervously. “No doubt my brother and the Crawfords set great store by your skills.”

“Saves them a trip to the blacksmith in town,” he replied with another one-shouldered shrug. “While I’m here.”

“Mmm. And what are ye working on?” Rose asked, hoping her questions didn’t annoy him.

“I’m making up extra horseshoes. We’ll need them on the drive to Kansas.”

“Ah, I see.” Feeling awkward, she stammered, “Well, I-I’m sorry for disturbing ye.” She ought to turn and leave, but her feet seemed rooted in place. Her gaze skittered across his broad, glistening chest then darted uncertainly to his chiseled features.

He cocked a raven eyebrow and laid aside his tools. Setting hands to his hips, he sauntered forward until he stood no more than three feet away from her. His mouth curled into a smile. “I don’t mind being disturbed by a pretty lady.”

“Y-ye flatter me, sir.” Flustered by his compliment, so unusual coming from him, she fiddled with the open collar of her shirt, touched her cross and stared at the ground.

“No. Just speaking true.”

Intimidated by his male scent and sheer size, she backed away a couple steps. She peeked at him from beneath her lashes, seeing his smile give way to his usual expressionless mask.

“You afraid of me?” he asked, tone hardening.

“Nay, I-I . . . .” Hunting for an excuse for her nervous behavior, she blurted, “I need air is all. ’Tis hot in here.”

He crossed his arms, muscles bulging. “A smithy has to be hot.”

“I know.” Rose cleared her throat again and licked her dry lips. “But I’m not accustomed to the heat.” Which was true. Extracting a handkerchief from the cuff of her sleeve, she dabbed at her damp forehead.

“If you can’t take heat, Texas isn’t for you,” he said in a challenging tone.

Miffed, Rose met his onyx stare and snapped, “I’ll get used to it. Excuse me. I’ll go wait by the corral.” She started to turn away, but his voice stopped her.

“You sure you still want to ride out with me?”

“Of course.” Her pulse pounded in her ears. In truth, she was a wee bit afraid to be alone with him, away from the safety of the house – perhaps more than a wee bit – but she couldn’t bring herself to admit it. Besides, she dearly wished to take Brownie for a real ride. “I’ve looked forward to this day,” she added, lifting her chin.

He stared at her for a moment and said, “It’ll take me a few minutes to finish up here. Then I’ll clean up and fetch the horses.”

“Fine.” Nodding, Rose swung on her heel and hurried away.

Jack watched her hasty retreat. She might deny it, but she was afraid of him. Once again, he wondered if it was his being an Indian that spooked her. Scowling at the thought, he reheated the horseshoe he’d been forming and hammered it into shape, reminding himself that he wanted nothing to do with the red-blonde girl with shy blue eyes. Eyes that reminded him of beautiful blue agates he’d once seen mounted on an ornate cross.

Caroline: Where can readers find your books?

All of my books are on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/author/lyn.horner.award-winning.books

Most are also available at Barnes and Noble. Here’s the link for Dearest Druid.

http://tinyurl.com/l64ctss

Caroline: How can readers learn more about you?

Lyn:

http://lynhorner.com

http://lynhorner.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/TexasDruids

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lyn-Horner/161787403863487

Caroline: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you?

Lyn: Since I’ve experienced clairvoyant dreams in the past, I strongly believe we all possess untapped psychic powers. This is a topic I hope to explore further in my writing.

Oh, I agree, Lyn. Thanks for sharing with us today.

Thanks for stopping by!

INTERVIEW WITH B. J. SCOTT, AUTHOR

Readers, our guest today is B. J. Scott, writer of Celtic novels. B.J. is talking about her new release, HIGHLAND QUEST, her life, her other books, and her virtual blog tour with Goddess Fish Tours.

Caroline: Please tell us something about growing up?

BJ: The oldest of three children, I was born in Welland, Ontario, Canada, a small town about half hour from Niagara Falls.  As was common in the day, I was married after high school and have a son and a daughter, both grown with families of their own. Sadly things did not go as planned and we divorced after fifteen years. However, I met my current husband a few years later and we are very happy living in our century old home in a small town on Lake Erie with our four dogs and one cat. While I loved to read and dabbled in writing, I would have been considered a jock since sports were a big part of my life. I was on pretty well every school team, volleyball, gymnastics, soccer, field hockey, badminton, track and field, cheerleading. The only one I did not do was basketball. Too short lol.

Caroline: Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

BJ: There are so many authors I admire.  I always enjoy a good Nora Roberts trilogy.  I love Julie Garwood and Dianna Gabaldon’s work. While I do enjoy a good contemporary, romantic suspense or paranormal ghost story, historical romance is my all time favorite.

Caroline: You named three of my favorite authors. What’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?

BJ: I enjoy reading, a variety of handcrafts, antiquing and camping.

Caroline: Reading and antiquing are hobbies for me, I used to do handcrafts, but count me out on camping. It's La Quinta Inn for me. ☺ How long have you been writing?

BJ: I have always been one to jot down stories and to keep a diary, but started to write in earnest about twelve years ago. I took some creative writing classes at College and the teacher suggested I try writing a story for Harlequin. I worked on a variety of stories, but put it aside for a while when real life became too demanding. About three years ago the bug hit and I started writing again.

Caroline: Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

BJ: Because I work full time as a child care provider for special needs children, and have a small business on the side, I find I need to write when and where I can. If I have my choice it would be in the easy chair, beside the fireplace with the TV on in the background. I don’t like to work in total silence. I have a net-book and take it with me where ever I go. Not one to sit at the PC for hours at a time but do use it occasionally for my writing.

Caroline: I can’t imagine when you find time to write. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

BJ: I am a little of both. I usually have a storyline planned and know how I want the story to unfold but don’t always write a book in order and it changes often. Nothing is set in stone and sometimes the finished product does not even resemble the outline.

Caroline: Perhaps you’re a plotzer. ☺Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

BJ: I write historicals and often they are centered on historic events so have some characters from history in my books. My main characters are always fictitious.

Caroline: I imagine you don’t, but I always ask if my guests set daily writing goals?

BJ: Setting a goal with my busy life would be impossible. I am also one who must have the muse talking to me in order to write. That means there are days I do not write a single word and other when I write from the minute I get up to the time I go to bed.

Caroline: What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

BJ: If my story provides a few minutes of enjoyment or escape from stress or problems then my goal is met.

Caroline: What long-term plans do you have for your career?

BJ: I would love to be able to write full time, but right now that is not in the cards. A lottery win or a great contract would make a huge difference ;)

Caroline: I do write full time, but I still wouldn’t mind a lottery win. Since I never buy a ticket, that’s not likely to happen. Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now.

BJ: HIGHLAND LEGACY is the first of the series. I am currently working on the third book in the series. HIGHLAND HOMECOMING takes up where HIGHLAND QUEST leaves off. The focus is on Alasdair, the oldest brother and least likely to fall in love or take a bride. But when he finds an unconscious woman on the beach, he has no choice but to care for her, causing him to question his chosen path.

First of the HIGHLAND trilogy,
still available

Caroline: What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

BJ: Write what you love and know. Write often and don’t give up your dream. Use rejection or critiques to your advantage in order to hone your craft.

Caroline: What interesting facts did you find when researching HIGHLAND QUEST?

BJ: I am a history buff so anything I learn about Scottish history is of interest. But one area I found fascinating was about the Highlanders’ strong belief in magic, spirits and superstitions. Their entire culture revolved around it and one aspect I found very intriguing was the gift of second sight. In my book, Fallon, the heroin has the gift, but considers the ability to see the death of friends and family in advance a curse.

Caroline: My Scot-Irish grandmother had “the sight,” which she called a curse for that reason. What made you want to write about the Highlands?

BJ: Scottish historicals are my all time favorite books to read. I am fascinated by anything Celtic or Scottish and having a Scottish, Irish, and English ancestry, it seems a logical choice. While I have never been to Scotland, it is on the top of my bucket list.

Caroline: So this is a series, but how many books will there be?

BJ: As mentioned in an earlier question, HIGHLAND QUEST is the second book in a series of three. It focuses on three brothers, Connor, Bryce and Alasdair Fraser, all very different in their personalities and their outlook on life, but they share a fierce family bond and dedication to king and country.  While it is a series, each book is written in a way that they can stand alone. I give just enough details in each that a reader can read them in any order and not be confused or lost. Right now there are three books in the series. Two already published and the third a work in progress. There is the possibility that the saga can continue later with the children of the characters in the first three books.

Caroline: Sounds inviting. How about a blurb?

BJ: Here it is:

HIGHLAND QUEST BLURB

No longer content in the shadows of his older brothers and on a quest to find his destiny, Bryce Fraser's chosen path is fraught with danger, passion, and decisions. Can his unspoken love for spirited, beguiling Fallon be triumphant in a time of war and uncertainty, or will they both fall prey to the devious plans of a traitorous laird from a rival clan?

Caroline: And how about an excerpt for readers?

BJ: Here you go:

HIGHLAND QUEST EXCERPT

Loch Ryan, Scotland, 1307

“Wa . . . water,” Bryce mumbled, but there was no one there to listen.

 His throat was parched and he ran his tongue over dry, cracked lips, but his action offered no relief. An entire loch lay only a few feet away, but he couldn’t muster the strength to drag himself to the bank and quench his thirst.

“Cold . . . so cold.”

 Despite the sun beating down on him, he’d swear he was encased in ice. His life’s blood seeped from his wounds, soaking the ground beneath him. He tried to raise his head, but the excruciating pain radiating across his chest stole his breath away.

Was this what it felt like to die? If so, he prayed the Almighty would be merciful and take him now.

Bryce moaned, a shift in his position bringing on another nauseating wave of agony. He sucked in a short, sharp, gulp of air and stretched his arm out as far as he could, his fingers grappling in the dirt.

If only I could reach my sword. 

Beads of perspiration dampened his brow. As the strength slowly drained from his body, drawing a simple breath became more difficult. The end grew near. No time to make amends for sins of the past, and he had committed his share.

Regrets? He had those, too. “Fallon.” He whispered her name then heaved a ragged sigh.

HIGHLAND QUEST BUY LINKS  

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQKYPU0  
Soul Mate Publishing http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/highland-quest/  
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highland-quest-bj-scott/1114002946?ean=2940016110769&isbn=2940016110769
Kobo  http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Highland-Quest/book-3h45k9pPxkaA9JX__x0mRw/page1.html?s=W28tjCmTwESL-eKO_pW68A&r=1 

Caroline: HIGHLAND QUEST sounds not only like a great book, but the trilogy sounds fascinating. Best wishes to you, B.J., for your writing and for lots of sales.

AUTHOR B. J. SCOTT BIO

B. J. Scott, Author

With a passion for historical romance, history in general, and anything Celtic, B.J. always has an exciting work in progress. Each story offers a blend of romance, adventure, suspense, and, where appropriate, a dab of comic relief. Carefully researched historical facts are woven into each manuscript, providing a backdrop from which steamy romance, gripping plots, and vivid characters—dashing alpha heroes and resourceful, beguiling heroines you can’t help but admire—spring to life. A member of RWA, World Romance Writers, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, and Savvy Authors, B.J. also writes contemporary, paranormal, time travel, and romantic suspense.

C.S. Lewis first captivated B. J.’s imagination in the fourth grade, and her desire to write sprang from there. Following a career in nursing and child and youth work, B.J. married her knight-in-shining-armor, and he whisked her away to his castle by the sea. In reality, they share their century-old home in a small Canadian town on the shore of Lake Erie with three dogs and a cat. When she is not working at her childcare job, on her small business, or writing, you will find her reading, camping, or antique hunting.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authorbjscott
Website:   http://www.authorbjscott.com/
Blog:   http://authorbjscott.wordpress.com/


Thanks for stopping by!

AUTHOR LYN HORNER INTERVIEWED

Lyn Horner, Author

Please help me welcome Lyn Horner to A Writer’s Life. Lyn, readers love to get to know authors. Please tell us about growing up.


Lyn: I’m an only child. Born in San Francisco, I was raised in Minnesota, my mother’s home state. My father was a Texan and it’s from him that I inherited my love of the Old West. I’m married to my high school sweetheart. We have two grown children, six grandkids and a passel of cats.

Caroline: I love cats, but only have two. I notice that you also have a memoir titled SIX CATS IN MY KITCHEN. Would you like to give us a small peek at that book before we go on to DARLIN' DRUID?

Lyn: Thank you. I also invite you to try my memoir, SIX CATS IN MY KITCHEN. Six special cats are the headline-grabbing stars, but I touch upon subjects such as grieving the loss of loved ones, living with a disability, and coping with major life changes.

Quoting reviewer Todd Fonseca, “Through her prose, Horner’s love of life, cats, and wonderfully engaging humor comes through in this high energy memoir. Reading Horner’s story is like chatting with a best friend over coffee on a Sunday afternoon – few things in life are better.”



Caroline: Your book sounds inviting. Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Lyn: Diana Gabaldon is my favorite author. I adore her Outlander series. I also like Linda Howard and Iris Johansen. As you might guess, my favorite genres are historical romance (especially Scottish, Irish & western romance) and contemporary romantic suspense.

Caroline: We share a love of the same genres. Isn't Diana Gabaldon a lovely person as well as a great writer? How many books do you read a month? What are you reading now?

Lyn: I don’t read as much as I used to because I’m busy writing. Such a burden!  Even so, I read five or six books a month. Right now I’m re-reading KINSMAN'S OATH by Susan Krinard. When I find books I like, I often read them again and again.

Lynn's Memoirs
and her 6 cats

Caroline: So do I, and each time I get something new from them. When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge? I know you love your cats, but do you have any hobbies?

Lyn: Let’s see, I love to read of course, and I love movies. Some of my favorites are the "Lord of The Rings" trilogy, "Avatar," "Gladiator," "Last of the Mohicans," and "Red River" (the original black & white version with John Wayne and Montgomery Clift.) Gardening is my only outdoor hobby.

Caroline: At our house we're very grateful to Netflix so we can watch our favorite movies and TV series. Describe yourself in three or four words.

Lyn: Determined, imaginative & somewhat reclusive.

Caroline: Would you like to share any guilty pleasures that feed your muse?


Lyn: Dark chocolate, Celtic music and steamy hot baths. Oh, and an occasional margarita.

Caroline: You and I have a great deal in common. How long have you been writing?

Lyn: I’ve always enjoyed writing, but from the time my folks gave me a rudimentary oil painting kit, I set my mind on becoming an artist. I got my bachelor of fine arts and worked as an illustrator and art instructor for several years. Then I had two children, we moved, forcing me to quit work, and I found myself isolated at home with two small kids. To save my sanity I began to write as a hobby. That was well over twenty years ago. The ups and downs since then could fill a book.

Caroline: Writing does have a lot of ups and downs that mirror life. Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

Lyn: I work on a laptop. My favorite places to write are in my recliner or on our bed with books and research notes spread around me. If I’m writing a blog or answering interview questions I can do it with the TV on, music playing, or my husband talking to me. But if I’m working on a book I need quiet. Solitude is best.

Caroline: Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Lyn: I’m a plotter. I use stickum notes to work out major plot points, then develop a loose outline. It undergoes changes as a book progresses, but having a plan keeps me on course toward my goal.

Caroline: Same here. What did we do before Post-It notes? Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Lyn: I am very often inspired by real events in my western historicals. For example, I use the Chicago Fire and our country’s first transcontinental railroad in DARLIN' DRUID. Most of my characters are purely fictitious, although I did include the real commander of Camp Douglas, Utah, as a peripheral character in DD.

Caroline: Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily?


Lyn: I set goals but don’t always meet them. I write nearly every day, starting by 6:30 or 7 a.m. First I check email, comment on some writing forums, and maybe write a blog. When all the “fun stuff” is done, I go to work on my current project. With interruptions for household chores, it’s more of the same until late evening, sometimes into the wee hours of morning.

Caroline: I'm so not a morning person and tend to be more creative late at night. What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Lyn: Most of all, I hope to give readers a rollicking good adventure that draws them in and won’t let go of them until the very last word.

Caroline: What long-term plans do you have for your career?

Lyn: I will continue to write my stories and publish them as ebooks. If I’m lucky enough to build a loyal following of readers, I will be proud and grateful. Beyond that I’ll take one day at a time.

Caroline: Well said! Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now?

Lym: Sure. I’m writing book II in my Texas Druids series. Titled DASHING DRUID, it’s the story of Tye Devlin and Lil Crawford, troubled souls who find both comfort and conflict in each other’s arms. Like his sister Jessie, the heroine of DARLIN' DRUID, Tye possesses a psychic gift inherited from Druid ancestors. He can experience other people’s feelings – he’s empathic in modern terms – an ability that may save those he loves or get him killed. I hope to publish this book by late 2011.

Caroline: What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Lyn: Learn your craft, research settings and time periods carefully, and write the best book you can. Join a critique group and edit, edit, edit! Be persistent. Don’t let rejection letters stop you. Keep writing, keep submitting, and consider publishing your own eBooks. They are now outselling all forms of print books.

Caroline: Tell us about your latest release.

Lyn: If psychics live among us, if they existed in ages past, is it possible such gifted beings also inhabited the American Old West? They do in my Texas Druids trilogy. Meet the Devlins, whose hidden talents lead them across prairies and mountains, into the land of cowboys and Indians, with consequences not even a Druid seer could predict.

Set in 1872, DARLIN’ DRUID is a blend of epic adventure, stormy romance and family strife, peppered by flashes of Druid magic. Jessie Devlin, daughter of Irish immigrants and survivor of the Great Chicago Fire, is descended from the “Old Ones,” her mother’s name for their ancient Druid ancestors. Gifted with visions of the future, Jessie dreams again and again of an unknown man who saves her from death. A prophetic vision convinces her the man is real and sends her west in search of him. But will her quest lead her to love or into a deadly trap?

Caroline: You've hooked me! I do believe in psychic abilities and several people in my family are psychics of one type or another.

Lyn: Here's the excerpt:


A woman’s shriek rent the air, interrupting his ruminations and jerking him to attention. The sound had come from inside the depot.


“What the devil?” he muttered. Cutting a path between startled travelers, he shoved open the door and stepped into the building. The stuffy interior reeked of tobacco and sweaty bodies. Finding a gap in the crowd, David caught sight of a red-faced young corporal. The trooper bobbed and weaved, arms raised to fend off blows being rained upon him by a woman in a brown poke bonnet. Her weapon was a heavy looking black reticule.


“Scoundrel! I’ll teach ye some manners, I will!” she vowed in a furious Irish brogue. Swinging wildly, she sent the corporal’s blue cap flying.


“Take it easy, lady!” he cried. “I didn’t mean no harm.”


Wondering what offense the man had committed, David shouldered his way through the crowd until he stood directly behind the woman. Slim and a head shorter than himself, she wore a calico gown, the same drab color as her bonnet. Some settler’s wife, he assumed. But where was her husband?


“No harm, indeed! Stand still, ye heathen, and take what’s comin’ to ye,” she ranted. As she spoke, the yellow-haired corporal spotted David’s uniform and threw him a desperate look.


Feeling duty-bound to step in, David cleared his throat loudly and said, “Excuse me, ma’am, but perhaps that’s enough. The corporal might be needed in one piece when he gets back to his post.” His remark drew laughter from several bystanders.


The woman snorted angrily. “Indeed? Well, I don’t give a fig whether the lout is in one piece or twenty!” So saying, she landed a solid whack on the corporal’s noggin that made him yelp.


“Get ’im, darlin’!” a man in the crowd shouted, egging her on.


Afraid the young soldier might retaliate, David reached out to grasp the woman’s arms, stopping her in mid-swing. “Ma’am, if you’ll just settle down . . . .”


“Let me go!” she shrilled, attempting to wrench free.


He should have complied with her demand, but some primitive instinct made him slip an arm around her and haul her back against him. A sweet scent of lilacs and woman washed over him, and he instantly grew aware of her feminine curves.


She gasped indignantly. “How dare ye? Bithiúnach! Muclach! Take your filthy hands off me.”


Glad he didn’t understand Irish, David cursed under his breath when she rammed her heel into his shin. It didn’t hurt much thanks to his leather boots; nor did the small fists pounding on his arms. But her frantic twisting sent the wrong signal to his male parts.


“Calm down, you little wildcat!” he growled. Releasing her, he stepped back before he humiliated himself.


Whirling around, the woman drew back her arm as if to slap him, only to freeze when their eyes met. A choked sound escaped her lips and the angry color drained from her cheeks. Seeing her sway, David grasped her shoulders to steady her. Her hands clutched his forearms as he returned her wide-eyed stare.


Her eyes were sapphire blue, so dazzling that he had trouble breaking their hold upon him. When he did, he noticed how young she looked – eighteen or twenty, he guessed – and what a beauty she was.


His gaze wandered over her smooth, creamy cheeks and dainty nose then lingered on her pink parted lips. Forcing himself to look elsewhere, he noted the dark auburn curls framing her brow. Her ugly bonnet hid the rest of her hair, but he bet it would look like silk when she let it down.


Then he noticed how rapidly her breasts rose and fell, and desire surged through him, swift and strong. He felt a loco urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her. Reluctantly dragging his gaze back to her sapphire eyes, he wondered what had come over her. A moment ago, she’d been mad as a hornet. Now she stared at him as if she were seeing a ghost.


Dazed by the sight of him, Jessie wondered vaguely if she was having one of her visions. Her gaze kept returning to his gray-green eyes. Crowned by dark brows with an eerily familiar slant, they matched those she’d so often seen in her dreams. Could this tall, uniformed stranger be the man she had left home to find? She hadn’t expected her quest to bear fruit so soon. And the longer she studied his sun-bronzed, square-jawed face, arrow-straight nose and unyielding mouth, the more she doubted he was the one.


Those rakish features were hard, not gentle, and his hauntingly familiar eyes did not caress her like the ones in her dreams. Instead, they devoured her, making her stomach flutter and her heart race. When he boldly stared at her breasts, they tingled as if he were actually touching them. Stunned by her reaction, she inhaled sharply, catching the scent of shaving soap and virile male. She wondered if he would kiss her.


Caroline: Intriguing excerpt to add to the blurb. I'm sure they've made readers want to read the book. Where can readers find DARLIN' DRUID?

Lyn:
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ASNDES


Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?ean=2940012184290


Caroline: Anything else you’d like readers to know?

Lyn: See my vision of my book:

Caroline: How can readers learn more about you?

Lyn: My home page: http://texasdruids.com//


Blog site: http://texasdruids.blogspot.com/


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lyn-Horner/161787403863487

Thank you, Lyn, for sharing a new type of western historical with us today. Continued good luck with your writing career!

Thanks to you, readers, for stopping by.