My Love
Affair with Scottish Romance
I suppose with a last name like Cameron, my addiction to
shortbread and tea, as well as the Scottish
blood running in my veins, it’s seems natural that I’d write Scottish romances.
I didn't intend to become so entranced with Scotland when I
made the hero in my first Scottish Regency, Highlander’s Hope a laird who also holds a British title. I
thought Ewan McTavish was an anomaly.
But, I did give him a large family, and if you know anything about
Scot’s, they are a bold, outspoken lot and those characters demanded their own
stories.
Hence in the Castle
Brides series, two of the books are partially set in Scotland, and the
6-book spin off series, the Highland
Heather Romancing a Scot Series finds my characters romping across the
heather and moors of the Highlands getting into all sorts of trouble.
I am fascinated with Scottish history: The Viking invaders,
the standing stones, and they myriad of Scot’s superstitions. I adore the language and could listen to the
Scots speak for hours on end.
I’d like to include lots of Scots dialect and cant in my
writing, but much like purple prose, too much ruins the story.
I have a few
favorite words I use consistently throughout all the books, though with Heart
of a Highlander, my contribution to Gifts
from the Heart: an Anthology I
indulged my Scottish obsession to the fullest.
A true Highlander tale which tells the love story Ewan’s
mother and stepfather, I let the dialect flow.
The story is filled with Scottish Valentine
traditions and a bit of Scottish lore too.
Here’s
a short excerpt from Heart of a
Highlander
Giselle cast
a worried glance skyward. The clouds had deepened to slate, and snow fell
heavily. They needed to make haste. Even in good weather, the castle lay a good
fifteen-minute walk along a tapered track.
“Be ye sharing
yer pasties, young laddie?”
Giselle
started and spun around, her cloak swirling about her ankles. Her pulse raced
on tense little feet.
A roguish
grin on his handsome face, Hugh rested a broad shoulder against one of the rock
pillars supporting the gate.
Her missing
glove dangled from his fingertips.
“You startled
me, Hugh.”
Hand at her
throat, Giselle drank him in. Her irregular heartbeat couldn't be blamed solely
on surprise. Mon Dieu, no man should
be so disturbingly attractive. Mortal females simply didn't have the ability to
resist such chiseled, male perfection.
Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series
A disillusioned Scottish gentlewoman. Angelina Ellsworth once believed in love—before she discovered her husband of mere hours was a slave-trader and already married. To avoid the scandal and disgrace, she escapes to the estate of her aunt and uncle, the Duke and Duchess of Waterford. When Angelina learns she is with child, she vows she’ll never trust a man again.
A privileged English lord.
Flynn, Earl of Luxmoore, led an enchanted life until his father committed suicide after losing everything to Waterford in a wager. Stripped of all but his title, Flynn is thrust into the role of marquis as well as provider for his disabled sister and invalid mother. Unable to pay his father’s astronomical gambling loss, Flynn must choose between social or financial ruin.
When the duke suggests he’ll forgive the debt if Flynn marries his niece, Flynn accepts the duke’s proposal. Reluctant to wed a stranger, but willing to do anything to protect her babe and escape the clutches of the madman who still pursues her, Angelina agrees to the union.
Can the earl and his Scottish lass find happiness and love in a marriage neither wanted, or is the chasm between them insurmountable?
Excerpt
Shoving hair off her face, Angelina stepped onto the
lowest limb and hesitated a moment before taking his outstretched hand. She
nearly jerked hers away when a jolt of sensation vibrated clear to her
shoulder.
Once safely on the ground, she disengaged her hand.
“Thank you.”
“I’d bow before I introduce myself, but I don’t trust
him.” Gesturing toward the dozing bull, the man flashed perfect white teeth.
Of course they were. Just like Charles’s. And what a
bounder he’d turned out to be.
New rule.
Don’t
trust men with nice teeth.
She met the gentleman’s curious perusal.
Or
beautiful eyes and sinfully thick lashes.
“I’m Flynn, Ear—” A grimace shadowed his face. “Marquis
of Bretheridge. My estate, Lambridge Manse, borders these lands.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Should she curtsy? A little late for conventions. Best
to get on her way as soon as possible.
Not trusting the behemoth resting a stone’s throw away,
Angelina warily gathered her belongings.
The marquis’s focus sank to her bare feet.
Muddy toes, one bloody, peeked from beneath her soaked
and soiled skirt.
She swore his mouth quivered in amusement.
The first English peer she’d met besides her uncle, and
she resembled a street urchin. Aunt Camille would have apoplexy if she found
out. And Uncle Ambrose?
Gads.
Angelina didn't want to imagine his reaction. His
response would be unpleasant to be sure.
She made to turn toward the house. “Thank you, again.”
“Aren't you going to tell me who you are?” Lord
Bretheridge regarded her expectantly.
In another time and in another place, she might have—
before she learned not to trust.
 |
| Collette Cameron |
Award winning, bestselling author, Collette Cameron, has a
BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching. Author of the Castle Brides Series and Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series,
Collette writes Regency and Scottish historicals and makes her home in the
Pacific Northwest with her husband and five mini-dachshunds. Mother to three
and a self-proclaimed Cadbury Chocolate chocoholic, Collette loves a good joke,
inspirational quotes, flowers, trivia, and all things shabby chic. You'll
always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of
inspiration in her novels.
Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too
many hugs, or too many
flowers.
She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list.
Connect with Collette
Website: http://collettecameron.com
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/collettecameron
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7047979.Collette_Cameron
3 comments:
Hi, Collett,
I think you should add shoes to your list of things you can't have too many of!! Enjoyed your blog post and excerpts. You write lovely and enjoyable stories.
I was wondering because your stories sound so authentically Scottish (which I love) did you go to Scotland to research your novels? http://dianamccollum.weebly.com/
Thanks for guesting with us today, Collette! It is a balancing act using dialect - enough to flavor the story but not so much to distract from it. I enjoyed the amount of dialect in your "Heart of a Highlander"!
Shortbread and cream tea are a delicious combination. I also love scones and lemon curd-well, I love lemon curd so would even put a dollop on a piece of shortbread!
Hi Collette,
Great excerpt. I have Scottish heritage too. My ancestors hail form the isle of Skye.
Regards
Margaret
Post a Comment