Blythe Gifford – Living in another world – for awhile & a Giveaway!
WORD IN THE ROYAL COURT HAS SPREAD THAT THE WILD SCOTTISH BORDERS ARE TOO UNRULY. UPON THE KING’S COMMAND, JOHN BRUNSON MUST RETURN HOME…
Once part of a powerful border clan, John has not set sight on the Brunson stone tower in years. With failure never an option, he must persuade his family to honour the King’s call for peace.
To succeed, John knows winning over the daughter of an allied family, Cate Gilnock, holds the key. But this intriguing beauty is beyond the powers of flattery and seduction. Instead, the painful vulnerability hidden behind her spirited eyes calls out to John as he is inexorably drawn back into the warrior Brunson clan…
Thanks for having me today. I just got back from my annual writers retreat, so I’m a little fuzzy in the brain. For a week each November, I escape to a beach house with a bunch of other writers and I can pretend I live Diane Keaton’s life in “Something’s Gotta Give” – that of a wildly wealthy, full-time writer.
Well, I can dream.
Reading can give you that kind of escape, though, for those minutes you are lost in a story. Historical romance in particular whisks you far from the reality of cell phones and gas prices to a very different time and place.
Such is my hope for my readers as I launch my new trilogy. RETURN OF THE BORDER WARRIOR, a current release from the Harlequin Historical line, is the first of three about the Brunson Clan, a family of Reivers on the Scottish Borders during the early Tudor era.
CAPTIVE OF THE BORDER LORD follows in January 2013, and TAKEN BY THE BORDER REBEL in March 2013.
The term “Borders,” refers to an area encompassing both sides of the formal demarcation line between England and Scotland. It operated in many ways like a third country and even had its own laws. Reiving, or raiding, was a way of life, and not one that respected national boundaries.
Whether there was a formal war or an uneasy peace, this area was, in effect, a war zone for 300 years. And among the “wars” was one between the king and families like my Brunsons, a family that will kneel to no one.
The first book is the story of John, the youngest Brunson, who returns home after years of serving as a “big brother” to the young Scottish king. John is a man with something to prove, both to himself and to his family. As the only blue-eyed Brunson, he’s always felt as if he didn’t belong. Now, he no longer wants to. As soon as he enforces the king’s command for peace, he plans to return to his life at court and leave the valley of his birth for the last time.
But first, he must persuade Cate Gilnock to release his family from their promise to avenge her father’s death. Cate is a woman fierce as a warrior, but behind her eyes John senses vulnerability and secrets she refuses to share. Bit by bit, he falls in love with her, and with each step, he is drawn back into the life he thought he had left behind forever. Because of Cate, he discovers he is more like the rest of his family than he thought until, finally, he must decide: Is he truly a Brunson? Or is he the King’s man after all?
I hope the story will whisk you away to the world of the strong and stubborn Brunsons.
So, what time periods are your favorite escape? And why? A lucky reader who comments on today’s blog will be randomly selected to win a signed copy of RETURN OF THE BORDER WARRIOR.
Blythe Gifford has been known for medieval romances featuring characters born on the wrong side of the royal blanket. Now, she’s launching a trilogy set on the turbulent Scottish Borders of the early Tudor era, starting with RETURN OF THE BORDER WARRIOR, November 2012, Harlequin Historical. CAPTIVE OF THE BORDER LORD will follow in January 2013, and TAKEN BY THE BORDER REBEL in March 2013. The Chicago Tribune has called her work “the perfect balance between history and romance.” Visit her at www.blythegifford.com, www.facebook.com/BlytheGifford, or www.twitter.com/BlytheGifford.
Photo credits. Cover used with permission. Author photo by Jennifer Girard.
November 14th, 2012 at 6:39 am
Looks like such a good read! Thank you for the chance to be entered.
November 14th, 2012 at 7:53 am
My favorite time periods are The Regency era. The thing that attracts me the most to Historical Romance novels is being swept back to another time and place. A place where people lived laughed and loved and were finding their way to each other. I love to attend the balls with them, and imagine that the handsome hero is asking me for a waltz and also if he can call on me the next morning. I also like the fact that a lot of the heroes are damaged and are in need of some TLC. I could just go on and on about what I love about these books. I thank God for you Authors who make my reading experiences so very enjoyable.
November 14th, 2012 at 7:57 am
I love reading hisrom and yes, agree with you reading is one kind of escape. I love victorian, regency era
Your book sounds great, hope have a chance to win n read this book
November 14th, 2012 at 8:37 am
I like all different time periods and this one looks like an interesting setting since it must have been a place with little security.
November 14th, 2012 at 8:51 am
Thanks for stopping by, Miranda and Eli! Diane D, I do write wounded heros – and sometimes heroines! – who are healed by love. Maureen, you are so right. The Scottish Borders are much wilder than a Regency ballroom!
November 14th, 2012 at 10:40 am
With Tudor romances, it’s mostly about the court of Henry or Elizabeth. Rare to read one set in the court of King James. Brilliant one thanks Blythe for opening another part of history to me!
November 14th, 2012 at 10:41 am
Oh this book and its series sound wonderful… I love the Harlequin Historical books! Fav time period for escape… hmmm, enjoy them all, but to just pick one then I will say Regency. Thanks for sharing!
November 14th, 2012 at 10:43 am
I am torn between my love for ancient Rome and the highlanders of Scotland.
There is just something about a Highlander story that makes me wish I was living back a few hundred years. The wildness of the highlands with a gorgeous man to keep you warm at night
November 14th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Thanks, Amanda. I do tend to choose settings that are truly “on the borders,” that is, not quite the normal time and place. Colleen and Charlotte – Harlequin Historicals offer something for everyone, including Regency, Rom, and highlanders. (Of course, my Scottish lowlanders have a few gorgeous men, too!)
November 14th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
I like the Regency period and the opening of the West in America.
Your book sounds really good. I have yet to read a book of yours so would like the opportunity to do so.
November 14th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Historicals are my favorite and the further back the story, the more I seem to like it. So I would say medievals come first but that I still enjoy all the other time periods. I guess I stay away from contemporary the most. I want to be taken to another time. I’ve been hearing great things about your story – thanks for the chance!
November 14th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Historical Romance are my all time favorite. Love a man in a kilt. This sounds like a very good read.
November 14th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
History has always been fascinating to me, so I like many time periods, but since there are so many stories set in the Regency and lately, the Victorian era, I’d say they’re my favorite. I am partial to anything set in Scotland though, no matter what time period it is.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:54 am
I also love any of the Historical eras. But I am very partial to the Scottish Highlands and any year. As long as those great kilted men are involved.
Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
November 15th, 2012 at 3:42 am
Love the cover and a scottish book and clan book. Historical books are the best to read. Time travel is my favorites to read I like the feel of the time travel and the romance of it all.
Hugs!
Lisa
November 15th, 2012 at 7:07 am
Really appreciate every comment. Thanks for taking the time. And glad Scotland is high on so many lists! *Grin*
November 15th, 2012 at 11:01 am
Hi, Blythe! I’m a fan of many times and places–since I haven’t visited Scotland, it’s definitely high on the list, but there are also tons of fascinating eras that I enjoy visiting via stories. The Old West and ancient China are among those
f dot chen at comcast dot net
November 18th, 2012 at 3:29 am
Your book sounds wonderful! I am a huge historical romance fan! luv2scrap22 at yahoo dot com
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:05 pm
I like the Regency period for the fashion.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
December 3rd, 2012 at 8:47 am
I like reading about the future!
December 10th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
And the winner is…congrats # 19 bn100. Send your snail mail addy to chaoscat@ romancejunkies.com
Thanks everyone for stopping by!