Authors are often asked during interviews where they get
story ideas. Just Once in a Verra Blue
Moon is the second novel in the Highland Gardens series, Scottish time
travel romance with faeries. Sometimes the imagination is the best answer for
fantasy stories.
Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon occurred while doing research for the first story in the series, Just Beyond the Garden Gate. I planned for gemstones to play a role in the series. In The Power of Gemstones, Precious and Semi-Precious Stones, Healing Powers, and Mystical Properties by Raymond J.L. Walters, I came across a reference to moonstones. Moonstones are believed to possess extreme power. Cool! Among many interesting attributes, they are believed to enable a person to foretell the future.
Instead of Asia, I imagined the stones washing up on the shores of the faerie paradise Tir-nan-Óg—land o’ heart’s desire. No one really knows where Tir-nan-Óg is. Perhaps in Asia. Perhaps in another realm. Oh, and Once in a Blue Moon seemed like a good title. Almost. Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon. Perfect!
Blurb for Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon:
What happens when a twenty-first century business executive is expected to fulfill a prophecy given at the birth of a sixteenth-century seer? Of course, he must raise his sword in her defense.
Believing women only want him for his wealth, Finn MacIntyre doesn't trust any woman to love him. When, during Scottish Highland games, faerie magic sends him back in time to avenge the brutal abduction of his time-traveling cousin, he learns he's the subject of a fae prophecy.
Elspeth MacLachlan, the beloved clan seer, is betrothed to a man she dislikes and dreams of the man prophesized at her birth, only to find him in the most unexpected place—facedown in the mud.
With the help of fae allies, they must overcome the treachery set to destroy them to claim a love that transcends time.
Journey from the lush gardens of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to the Scottish Highlands of 1511 with Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon.
Excerpt:
A sweet smile curved the faerie’s lips and the edges of her ageless, green eyes crinkled.
Mairi relaxed against the pillows. The woman didn’t bring warnings of ill fortune. The faerie’s gray silk gown reminded Mairi of the ever-present Highland mists—a thought that made her frown.
“Why so sad, mistress? You have a bonnie wee one in your arms.” The faerie glided to the side of the bed and peered at the bundle Mairi cradled.
Why, indeed? The answer troubled Mairi more than the woman’s sudden appearance. Less than a sennight had passed since their child’s birth, yet her husband left this morn in anger. She hadn’t meant to quarrel with him, but he had set his course.
“My stubborn man is off to meet with the Campbell to secure a contract for the babe to wed one of his grandsons.”
She didn’t want such an arrangement for her bairn. She begged Iain that when the time came for the child to wed, he allow the lass to choose a husband of her own. Mairi wanted wee Elspeth to find love in the marriage bed, as she herself had.
“Be at peace.” The old woman reached down to move the swaddling away from the babe’s face, distracting Mairi from her glum thoughts. The faerie ran a finger along the bairn’s tender cheek. A pleasant smile transformed her as she gazed upon the perfect features of the precious lass. She glanced at Mairi and in a raspy voice said, “Just once in a verra blue moon love will…” The faerie’s brow puckered. “Oh, dear.” She tapped a finger against her wrinkled chin. “I simply cannot remember what I am to say.”
“Ah, yes.” Her face beamed. “When three, seven-year cycles of the moon wane…” The wise one placed her hand on the wee babe’s forehead and gazed into the infant’s eyes. “A strange warrior from an unknown far-off place will come wielding the mighty lost sword of the fae to save you from despair, dear one. Just once in a verra blue moon love will triumph.”
As silently and swiftly as she arrived, the faerie woman disappeared. The only evidence remaining from her visit was the sweet, otherworldly fragrance clinging to the air.
Mairi caressed her daughter’s smooth cheek, and the child cooed. “Well, my wee Elspeth, your da will not be pleased to learn the fae guide your future.”
Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon for Kindle: http://bit.ly/K-BlueMoon
Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon for Nook: http://bit.ly/BN-BlueMoon
Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon for Nook: http://bit.ly/BN-BlueMoon
Just Beyond the Garden Gate for Kindle: http://bit.ly/K-GardenGate
Just Beyond the Garden Gate for Nook: http://bit.ly/BN-GardenGate
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/DawnMarieHamilton
Giveaway: Dawn Marie will gift a Kindle edition of Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon to a
lucky commenter who answers the question: What is your favorite gemstone and
why? Be sure to include your email addy. Feeling shy? Email Dawn Marie at Dawn
at DawnMarieHamilton dot com. A name will be pulled out of the garden hat on
Thursday September 5.
