eBook Launch of Book 3 of Nancy Jardine's Celtic Fervour Series

Hi, Vonnie! What a brilliant day it is to be visiting you. Today is the official ebook launch for Book 3 of my Celtic Fervour Series of Historical Romantic Adventures- After Whorl: Donning Double Cloaks. I know! That seems such a mouthful but Books 2 & 3 are interlinked follow-ons from Book 1, though I’ve also written them to be stand-alone novels. A challenge and maybe a bit of a risk, but since Books 1 & 2 have gained some wonderful, mostly 5*, reviews I’m happy with my writing choices.

I'm happy to have you here on your release day, Nancy. I thought we'd have a bit of a party to celebrate your achievement. A little bubbly and some chocolate covered strawberries always lift the spirits, don't you think?

 

Oh, I do. Never let it be said, I'd refuse some celebratory champagne. I've worked long and hard for today.

 

The stories all centre on my strapping Celtic warriors from the hillfort of Garrigill- though the series is not only about male warriors. Zoom back with me now to AD 74, Northern Britannia (present day Yorkshire in the north of England), to the hearthside of the chief of Garrigill. I’m about to talk to the main male character of Books 2 & 3 - Brennus of Garrigill - and thought you might like to join us. (I was so rotten to Brennus in Book 1, but he was such a lovely guy I was compelled to write him into his own story in Books 2 & 3)

 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Celtic-roundhouse-1994.jpg?uselang=en-gb

 Before you tell us about this fabulous structure, have some of my German chocolate cake. I made it especially for your visit today.

You're going to be dangerous to my waistline. Just one small slice. The Celtic roundhouse has low walls made of wattled willow daubed with what looks like dried mud; its roof is conical and thatched with mosses and dried grasses. Having gone through a short low tunnel it is smoky and dingy inside since there are no windows, a thick woollen curtain draught-proofing the one and only entrance doorway and blocking the natural light. Nara of the Selgovae, the chief’s hearth-wife, from Book 1, has just bid me sit down. (More details of the roundhouse, and who might visit it, are on my blog today- see URL below) Oh, my! Brennus has just ducked his way through the entryway and has thrust his spear into a rack. I wrote him in as a huge guy but to see him in the flesh is even more impressive-more than six and a half feet of him- wow! He was the tribal champion at single combat in Book 1 and he’s still got impressive rippling muscles. Thank goodness, he’s removed that lethal looking long sword from a sheath at his belt. Poor guy, though! As he approaches me, I can tell you the Battle at Whorl, between the Celtic Brigante tribes and the Roman Empire’s legions, in Book 1, wasn’t kind to him at all. He has some nasty scarring on one side of his face, a legacy of that battle, that makes him fierce-looking, but to me he’s still a fabulous looking guy. I stand up again and reach forward… 

 

Nancy: Hello, Brennus! I’m so pleased to properly meet you. My readers got to know you in Book 2- After Whorl: Bran Reborn, but I need you to remind Vonnie’s blog visitors about some things that have been happening to you lately, if you don’t mind?

(Hmm… he obviously doesn’t like a female trying to shake his hand. He’s looking at mine as though I’ve got some dread disease. I guess I forgot to write that into the manuscript- but then, again, that would probably be too anachronistic!)

Brennus: I do not mind at all. I am always willing to talk to you at Garrigill, although I do not understand what you are doing with that flat shiny object in your hands.

Nancy: Oh, this is my Ipad er…tablet. I’m going to take some notes as you speak to me since I tend to forget things very easily.

(Sugar! I don’t think I’m going to be able to use the camera and get out of here alive!)

Brennus: Things? I do not understand this word ‘things’. Forgetting I try never to do, and I commit words inside me that I can bring forth later. I do not understand what you do on that ‘tablet’ either.

(Oh, heck! He’s gone back to the weapon rack.)

Nancy: It’s okay. Put that spear and sword back and sit down, please!  You don’t need to look at me so suspiciously. My tablet isn’t a weapon, honestly. I’m just writing down your words so that I can tell…my friends…later.

(He still looks extremely unhappy with me but sits down on a low stool nearby. Now he’s gesturing at me tapping away on my Ipad)

Brennus: That does not resemble a Roman wax tablet and I do not see a stylus to write with. Is this some Roman device I have not encountered yet? Are you spying on me now?

Nancy: No, you know that I’m just your scribe. Not a spy. You’re the one who is the spy! I’m just introducing you to some friends of mine.

Brennus: Sit!

(Oh, oh! I did make him a pretty confident guy in Books 2 & 3, but …I guess I’d best remember the times he lives in)

Nancy: Can you tell Vonnie’s readers what you are doing back in Garrigill? Please?

Brennus: I can do that. If I can have some of that liquid refreshment in those strange cups you two seem to hang on to so tightly. It was time to re-establish my filial duties. You know well enough that I had stayed away from Garrigill for too many moons, and I needed to renew my contact with my brother Lorcan and Nara. They needed to know about my new task in life.

(He startles me when he whips out a really sharp looking knife from a pouch at his waist and grapples around for something in a stack of tools at the fireside. Ah, I guess it’s a whetstone since he’s grinding the blade against it.)

Nancy: Can you share your new occupation with us?

Brennus: Indeed. It will do no harm to tell your readers that after my recovery, I mean from the battles against Rome at Whorl, I needed a new occupation. In Book 2, you have me turn to a new trade as a spy, collecting information to pass on to my King, Venutius of the Brigantes. You even gave me a new name and it is as Bran of Witton that I do my spying.

Nancy: I did indeed write that in Book 2. Are you still leading the life of the spy as you double as a trader of furs and wools, to the Roman forts that have sprung up in Brigantia?

Brennus: Nay! You know I stopped my trading to search for Ineda after we were set upon by that cursed Roman patrol.

Nancy: I do know, and I’m sorry you’re still sad about losing Ineda. Don’t worry though, I’m a lot kinder to you in Book 3 and you’ve got some fine times ahead! But please tell Vonnie’s readers what you are doing now.

(He’s stopped using the whetstone and is staring into the weak firelight, the logs now almost burned down. He doesn’t look convinced about me giving him happier times.)

Brennus: You of all people know-since you are my scribe-that I miss Ineda every single day. Perhaps my god, Taranis, has decreed that I am not worthy of sharing a roundhouse hearth with a woman I give my wholehearted love to.

Nancy: I wouldn’t rule out a love life so quickly, Brennus.

(I’m having to suppress my smiles here since his stare is intended to force me to tell more…but I’m not going to. The readers will just have to find out what’s in store for him.)

Brennus: You are a cruel woman, my scribe! The women of Garrigill still choose me willingly to bed them, and I accept their offers when I need to assure myself I am a man with man’s needs, but enough of my lack of true loving. Since my king was defeated in battle at his Stanwick stronghold, my life revolves around the hillfort of Garrigill once more. I am now the driving pin of the spy network and am the one who receives news of all Roman movements in Brigantia though my brother Lorcan-the chief here at Garrigill-also has me train our young warriors in combat skills.

Nancy: Does that mean you want me to re-write you in as content to stay at Garrigill?  

Brennus: Nay! I remain still determined to find the one Celtic leader who will lead all Celts of the north in a huge battle against Rome, even if I have to journey far and wide to the Caledon tribes of the very far, far north. I do not relish such journeying, since I have come to like living at Garrigill again, but life goes on and the threat of Rome does not diminish. It is inevitable the legions will soon descend upon us. The druid Tuathal gave me the task to find one charismatic man who will rally the northernmost Celts and I will NOT fail him.

Nancy: Are you looking forward to that journey and another battle, Brennus?

Brennus: I think you already know that answer!  

(His slightly crooked, but oh so endearing smile tells me! What a guy!)  

Vonnie - I hope you’ve liked this tiny glimpse of Brennus, also known as Bran of Witton, the spy. You can read a lot more about him in Book 3- After Whorl: Donning Double Cloaks.

 

And now for a little *GIVEAWAY* There’s an ecopy of After Whorl: Donning Double Cloaks going to one lucky commenter on Vonnie’s blog today (or if preferred a copy of Book 1, or Book 2, if the winner hasn’t read them yet) All you need to do is say hello in that little comments box and tell me what you like about hunky Celts, or even Romans since there’s quite a nice guy called Gaius in Book 3 as well! Oh, and give me a way of contacting you, please.

 

There’s a Facebook Launch Party going on today (25^th March) and everyone’s very welcome to join the festivities – chances to win an ecopy there too.  Stop past if you’ve got a moment and say hi at https://www.facebook.com/events/1386740778259833/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming  

 

My blog also has some partying today at http://nancyjardine.blogspot.com  It’ll be great to have you visit and enter for another chance to win a FREE ecopy of one of my Celtic Fervour Series books!

After Whorl: Donning Double Cloaks is available from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/After-Whorl-Donning-Double-Cloaks/dp/1909841579/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394785124&sr=1-1&keywords=after+Whorl+donning+Double+cloaks

Nancy Jardine’s novels can be found in paperback and ebook formats from:

Amazon UK author page    Amazon US author page  Crooked Cat Bookstore; Waterstones; Barnes & Noble; Smashwords; W. H. Smith; and other book retailers.

Nancy can be found at the following places:   Blog    Website   Facebook  Goodreads   About Me   LinkedIn   Twitter @nansjar  Google+ 

Nancy’s writing time is shared with regular grandchild minding duties, tending her large garden, ancestry research and leisure reading. She’s currently writing a family saga based mainly in Scotland, and Book 4 of her Celtic Fervour series. She’s delighted to be able to share that Topaz Eyes (Crooked Cat Publishing) an ancestral-based mystery, is a finalist for THE PEOPLE’S BOOK PRIZE Fiction 2014. After Whorl: Bran Reborn - Book 2 of her Celtic Fervour Series (Crooked Cat Publishing) has been accepted for THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION 2014- the most prestigious prize for historical fiction in the UK.

 

Blurb:

Pursued by Rome.

AD73 Northern Britannia

After King Venutius’ defeat, Brennus of Garrigill – known as Bran – maintains a spy network monitoring Roman activity in Brigantia. Relative peace reigns till AD 78 when Roman Governor Agricola marches his legions to the far north. Brennus is always one step ahead of the Roman Army as he seeks the Caledon Celt who will lead all tribes in battle against Rome.

Ineda of Marske treks northwards with her master, Tribune Valerius, who is responsible for supplying Agricola’s northern campaigns. At Inchtuthil Roman Fort Ineda flees seeking fellow Brigantes congregating on the foothills of Beinn na Ciche.

Will the battle against the Romans bring Ineda and Brennus together again?

WHO'S UP FOR A MINI-TRIP TO AMSTERDAM? -- Nancy Jardine

, I've got an early Christmas present for y'all today. A free armchair tour of Amsterdam, a city I long to see. Although Calvin stayed there for a short while in his younger years, I've never had the pleasure. But today my Scottish friend and fellow Wild Rose Press author, Nancy Jardine, is taking us on a short tour of a city she loves, just as I love Paris. She's brought along a couple pictures from her trip to Amsterdam in April to share. And she's also brought along another gift, a copy of her latest release to award to one lucky commenter. So don't wander off...

 

It’s wonderful to visit you again, Vonnie, especially since it’s only 5 days since the launch of my latest ancestral mystery-Topaz Eyes-from Crooked Cat Publishing. I know you have an affinity with fabulous European places, especially Paris, and hope you’ll enjoy me writing about another brilliant European city. Amsterdam is only one of the cities that feature in Topaz Eyes, though in my blog tour spots I’m featuring the other places as well. (Details for those posts http://nancyjardine.blogspot.com)

 There’s a *GIVEAWAY* e-copy of Topaz Eyes going to one lucky commenter today, so read on to find out how it could be you! 

What do I love about Amsterdam? 

I have an empathy with Holland that has been acquired through many short visits, and a longer residence of three years. The fact that my two daughters were born in Holland has significant impact on my feelings for the country, though I have no family connections in Holland at all. My reasons for being there were similar to many others-my husband’s job was there for a while. It is relevant, though, that friendships made some time ago can give the basis for writing ideas at a later date. I wonder if the readers of Topaz Eyes would be able to work out what I have included in the novel that was, in fact, true for us as a family?

I always feel familiar with Holland when I return, even though my residence there ended some thirty years ago. I love all its cities for many different reasons, their quaintness and style a visual delight. They do say a writer should write what they know, so it was inevitable that I should include Holland in one of my novels.

Teun Zeger and Keira Drummond, in Topaz Eyes, have some very exciting moments in Amsterdam- a city of exciting streets and waterways. The canal system is extensive, the sizes of the canals determining their Dutch name. The canal that features in Topaz Eyes is part of the main Amsterdam canals system, the ‘grachts’ being wider waterways, forming the concentric rings around the old city centre.  

 

Browersgracht was my chosen site for a little bit of excitement. Very similar to many other canals, the streets that flank Browersgracht are cobbled; often very busy with car traffic and the typical plain bicycles that are almost interchangeable- and in fact often are. I’ve never cycled in the city of Amsterdam- though I did around the village I lived in, which was about a forty minute drive from the city. In Amsterdam I believe it is still common to park your bicycle and go back and find another in its place if yours is not securely locked up. Padlocking and the lack of, feature quite dramatically in Topaz Eyes at Browersgracht.

The main streets of Amsterdam throng with visitors and locals alike, the tall narrow buildings jostling with each other for space. Some of the quaint buildings seem lopsided, as though leaning against the next one, and in fact they are since in some cases the foundations are sinking. The architectural styles do vary a lot even though the general appearance might initially seem common. The roof tops and gables are fascinating to view, as are the painted hues of the brickwork.

 

Tourist venues are numerous and seem to be on every corner of the old city centre, which is quite extensive. A good tramp around is often easier than finding places by taxi or car, since traffic can slow the process down a great deal- though the cobbles are hell on the feet. A good pair of well-fitting Dutch wooden clogs can solve that problem, of course!  How does the heavy traffic affect Teun and Keira? Sorry… you’ll just have to read Topaz Eyes to find out. The museums are plentiful- the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh being larger venues, though there are many other small ones including Anne Franks House which I’ve visited on a few occasions. It’s a place that can affect one very greatly and well worth the usual lengthy queuing to visit. Years ago, I wandered around the museums many times with a baby in a sling, and later with the elder in a stroller, and never saw everything that was on offer.  

Of course if you’re so inclined there’s also the Red Light district that draws plentiful tourist traffic, day and night. And there’s the long pedestrianised shopping street- Kalverstraat- that has shops selling everything you can imagine. Kalverstraat also features a little in Topaz Eyes. There’s wonderful food on offer…and funnily enough that has popped into my Topaz Eyes as well!  I’ve devoted another whole blog to the writing of that part of the novel, since it involved a situation that writers need to beware of. (Again check my blog for that particular BEWARE post.)

I hope my little taste of Amsterdam has whetted your appetite. It’s such vibrant city that a visit at any time of day, any time of the year, to the central areas is quite fantastic.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be here today, Vonnie. I loved writing about Amsterdam and hope your readers enjoyed their mini-trip to this lovely city, too.

*Giveaway*

What details can you add about Amsterdam? It can be anything, so long as your answer includes the word Amsterdam!

Please leave your answer in the comment box, and your email address, to be entered into the draw for an e-copy of TOPAZ EYES.  (Draw will take place on 14^th December)

 

Topaz Eyes Blurb:

 A peculiar invitation to Heidelberg embroils Keira Drummond in the search for a mysterious collection of extraordinary jewels once owned by a Mughal Emperor; a hoard that was last known to be in the possession of Amsterdam resident, Geertje Hoogeveen, in 1910.  

Who among the progeny of Geertje – hitherto unfamiliar third cousins brought together for the quest – can Keira rely on? Distrust and suspicion among them is rife.  

Which one is greedy, and determined enough, to hire thugs to tail her… and worse… as she travels to Vienna and Minnesota?  Can Keira even trust Teun Zeger - a Californian she is becoming very drawn to – as they pair up to unearth the jewellery?  

As they follow a trail of clues, will they uncover the full collection before the hired gun kills them? Details remain furtive and undisclosed until danger and death forces their exposure. And who harbours the ultimate mystery item that is even more precious than the Mughal jewels?  

Greed, suspicion and murder are balanced by growing family loyalty, trust, and love.  

Excerpt:

“Would you ditch the mystery, Jensen, and just enlighten me as to what you think I have that interests you? And tell me why you couldn’t have asked for it in the letter you sent to me? I came here of my own free will – granted – but I’m not hanging around any longer if you’re going to drag this out, for I’m damned sure I’ve no idea what you’re referring to.”

Jensen’s reply lacked emotion, his face a blank screen, his gaze focused on Teun as Keira regarded the by-play.

“Teun. It may come as a surprise to you, but you actually know more about this invitation than Keira. At least you knew from my letter I had something of family interest you might be glad to take back to the USA with you. Keira had no such suggestion made to her.”

Tension rose in the room, which didn’t only radiate from Teun.

Keira sat uneasy, also unwilling to be in the dark any longer. “Would you please explain why you think I may have something you want, Herr Amsel?” She found herself reluctant to use his first name, considering the antagonism now mounting.

“All in good time, Keira. And please call me Jensen. I don’t set out to be anyone’s enemy. I believe each of you can provide access to items belonging to the collection. All the pieces are likely to vary in monetary value but, viewed as a complete entity, it will make an impressive display. It’s a historic set… and unique.”

 Author bio:

An ex-primary teacher, Nancy Jardine, lives in the fabulous castle country of Aberdeenshire – Scotland. Her husband mans the kitchen, her offspring only an hour’s drive away. When time permits, ancestry research is an intermittent hobby. Neglecting her large garden in favour of writing, she now grows spectacularly giant thistles. Activity weekends with her extended family are prized since they give her great fodder for new writing.

A lover of history, it sneaks into most of her writing along with many of the fantastic world locations she has been fortunate to visit. Her published work to date has been two non fiction history related projects; two contemporary ancestral mysteries; one light-hearted contemporary romance mystery and a historical novel. She has been published by The Wild Rose Press and Crooked Cat Publishing.

 

Author and buy details: http://nancyjardine.blogspot.com   http://nancyjardineauthor.weebly.com    http://facebook.com/nancy.jardine.56    Twitter @nansjar

Topaz Eyes is available in e-book formats and print from amazon.com  http://www.amazon.com/Topaz-Eyes-Nancy-Jardine/dp/1908910585/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_1  and e-book formats from www.crookedcatbooks.com

Book trailer Youtube video for Topaz Eyes can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgPf5kTAyi4&feature=channel&list=UL

 

Other books by Nancy Jardine can be seen on amazon.com  http://amzn.to/wwaGCv