Author Interview with romance author: Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Good Morning everyone, let’s all welcome romance author Sue-Ellen Welfonder and her Highland Warriors series with us today.

                                                                     

First off please tell everyone a little about your series?

SEW:  Highland Warriors is a Scottish medieval trilogy. I wanted to explore the deep love Highlanders have for their home glen. The glen in the series is shared by three clans and each one believes they have sole claim to the land. The three heroines are sisters of the warring chieftains and they are weary of the strife and bloodshed so they join together to end the feud by each vowing to wed a man from an enemy clan. 

Here is a mini-blurb for Sins of a Highland Devil:

When a king commands three feuding clans to resolve their dispute with a trial by combat, a proud Highland warrior soon learns that he’s fighting for much more than his beloved glen and that his greatest triumph will be winning the love of his enemy’s sister.

Introduce everyone to book one Sins of a Highland Devil hero and heroine.

SEW:  James ‘The Devil’ Cameron is a proud clan chieftain who, though fierce, is known for his honor as much as the strength of his sword arm. When the Scottish king orders him to fight or see his people banished, he has no choice but to enter a staged battle that will determine which clan is to possess the glen. Highlander to the bone, he believes the glen clans should resolve their feuds without royal interference. He never expects to find an ally in Catriona MacDonald, the fiery, high-spirited sister of his worst foe, but he does – and when they come together, their lives are forever changed.

What year are the story settings?

SEW:  Sins of a Highland Devil, book one, opens in 1396 with the other two books set progressively a year onward. This was the turbulent reign of King Robert II (Robert Stewart, grandson of Scotland’s great hero king, Robert the Bruce)  

Can you tell our readers a bit about the paranormal elements that are added in the story?

SEW: All my books have paranormal elements. Celtic legend and lore, Highland magic, belief in curses, second sight, mythical creatures and such, were all an integral part of life in medieval Scotland and so I enjoy weaving in these elements. Readers can expect the following paranormal threads in Sins of a Highland Devil: myth and legend, curses, magic, standing stones, ghosts, enchanted beasties, ancients who practice the old ways, and more.

One of my favorite magical elements is an enchanted white stag. He was created in honor of Big Boy, a friendly red stag who enjoyed greeting visitors at a viewpoint in Glencoe. Tame and trusting, Big Boy delighted travelers from all over the world. I’d seen him a few times on my own visits to Scotland and was heartbroken to learn he’d met a bad end. So I put him in this series and named him Rannoch after the Rannoch Moor which is where ‘his’ overlook is located.

For the readers out there who have never tried your books can you please add a few of your favorite teasers from the book?

SEW:  Sure, here are two with James and Catriona, and one with Grizel, the magical wise woman in the series…

Excerpt I ~ Sins of a Highland Devil

A Fiery Wench…

     The MacDonald wench stood at. He stepped closer to the wall, hoping he erred. Unfortunately, he hadn’t the edge of the chaos. On seeing her, James felt an even hotter flare of irritation. She was truly there, hands on her hips and looking haughty as always.

     Joining him, his cousin gave a low whistle. “She’s Catriona MacDonald, the chief’s sister. The wildest of that heathenish lot.”

     “I know who she is.” James did. “And she is wild - so prickly some say she sleeps in a bed of nettles.”

     Colin laughed. “She’s bonnie all the same.”

     James scowled at the lass. “So is the deep blue sea until you sink in its depths and drown.”

~*~

Excerpt II ~ Sins of a Highland Devil

         

 A Laird and a Lady Clash…

     “Lady Catriona.” His smile deepened, turning devilish.

     “You…” She took several steps closer to him, then stopped when she realized she’d moved. “You shouldn’t be here with me-” She started to tell him to leave, but broke off when he raised a hand.

     “I am no’ with you, regrettably.” His meaning brought a flush to her face. “If I were” – he gave her a look that made her feel naked – “rest assured you’d no’ be spluttering like an angry hen. You’d be purring in sweet, female contentment.”  

~*~

Excerpt III – Grizel & Gorm (her partner)

A Crone Interrupted…

    

     “What are you about, woman?”

      Grizel spun around, sending the peat-bricks flying through the air. Gorm stood just inside the threshold, his face stern. His usually merry eyes were suspicious. And his splendid, near-to-his knees beard riffled in an unseen wind, a sure sign that he was in a dangerous mood.

     Grizel glared at him, peering past his shoulder at the now-empty door stoop. Even the fine bed of heather and bracken that she’d made for her four-legged friend had vanished. Everything was gone except the rocks and whirling mist.

     “Glower all you wish, it’ll change naught.” Gorm’s beard ends fluttered wildly. 

     “Where be Rannoch?” Grizel thrust out her chin, ignoring the beard-riffling.

     “No’ doing the fool guarding you ordered him to do, that’s true.” Gorm shut the door and came forward, bending to snatch up one of the peats as he crossed the stone-flagged floor. “Thon creature heeds me more than he does you, if ne’er you noticed.”

~*~

What can readers expect next any upcoming releases?

SEW:  Books two and three in Highland Warriors will be out this autumn. Likewise, a holiday novella connected to the series…

Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel, #2

Seduction of a Highland Warrior, #3

Once Upon a Highland Christmas, series-related holiday novella

I also have a story in Meows and Mistletoe, a Cat’s Paw Cove holiday collection. It’s set in a Florida beach town full of cats, magic, and romance. The Cat’s Paw Cove series was created by Wynter Daniels and Catherine Kean.

    

Are you working on any more series or books? 

SEW: A spin-off on my Ravenscraig Legacy series, Scottish contemporary paranormals. I’m hoping to get it out this summer. After that  – so many ideas and too little time.  

~*~

Thank you so much for having me. If any readers would like a closer look at Highland Warriors, they can download Highland Interludes from my website. It’s a free mobi download and includes two series prequels…

Highland Interludes

http://www.welfonder.com/Highland-Interludes.mobi

The Foretelling is a series prequel that lets you meet the three heroes as lads. It sets the stage for the events that unfold when they are grown men, proud and powerful Highland warrior chieftains.

         

The Glen of Many Legends – A Tour is also a prequel but is set immediately before the series opens. With a fierce battle on the horizon, a danger that could destroy a sacred glen, one of the warrior chieftains makes a journey across the story world.     

~*~

Also, I’ll draw a reader from all comments for a Mobi file of Sins of a Highland Devil.

I’ll sign off by with my contact info…

Mailing list:

https://madmimi.com/signups/102456/join

Website:

www.welfonder.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/SueEllenWelfonderAuthor

Facebook Personal Page: http://on.fb.me/1N5fSqg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SE_Welfonder

Forever’s HISTORICAL ROMANCE blog tour + giveaway CLOSED

Title:Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel
Author:Sue-Ellen Welfounder
Source: Request from publisher
Genre: Historical romance
Format: Mass paperback

The second book in the Highland Warriors trilogy, in which three heroes make a pact to insure that a rival clan doesn't take over their glen and cause destruction. At the same time, three women will plot to marry these heroes to help insure peace.
In TEMPTATION OF A HIGHLAND SCOUNDREL, Kendrew Macintosh's reputation precedes him: he wields an ax with deathly precision, strikes fear into his enemies, and lusts after beautiful women. But Kendrew has never met someone whose passion rivals his own-until an unexpected encounter with a mysterious woman. Unfortunately, he soon discovers that the vixen is Isobel Cameron, daughter of an enemy clansman. Their relationship is forbidden and Kendrew breaks away immediately. Isobel has her own scheme. She has lusted after Kendrew for some time and plans to draw the fierce warrior back into her arms. But in the darkness, villainous forces are at play—an enemy is determined to keep the two lovers apart, even if it means death.

I didn’t care for the first book in this trilogy, but this one I really enjoyed. I loved and connected with the hero and heroine and the magical legends storyline was very compelling. I could really see the Glen of Many Legends come to life in my head this time around. I felt like I got to know more of these three ladies, the pact they have between them and how it’s going to work out for the next lucky Lady.

This story takes you into Lady Isobel’s fixation on making Kendrew her destiny and she pulls out all of the stops to capture him and his heart. I loved the way the author brought Isobel’s hammer mark into the story. I just love  reading a heroine that will stop at nothing to get her man even if it’s going into his territory and letting him have his way with her.

I really didn’t see Kendrew being a true scoundrel and I think that was one of the reasons I liked reading him more. He is funny, witty and downright loveable when he wants to be.

If you’re an historical lover this series is very believable and fun. I can’t wait for this next book.

Title: Lady of Seduction (The Daughters of Erin #3)
Author:Laurel McKee
Source: request from publisher
Genre: Historical romance
Format:Mass paperback

It's a mad, ill-advised journey that leads the usually sensible Lady Caroline Blacknall to the legendary isle of Muirin Inish, off the windswept coast of Ireland. Even so, she doesn't expect to find herself shipwrecked and then rescued by a man she believed she would never see again. A man who, long ago, held her life in his hands . . . and with it, her heart.
Reformed rake Sir Grant Dunmore knew he could never forget the beautiful woman he once endangered nor will he ever forgive himself. But history seems doomed to repeat itself, for as long as Caroline stays on the island, she is trapped in a secret plot that could forever free Ireland-or turn deadly for all. And yet, now that she is in his arms again, how can he dream of ever letting her go?

My first Laurel McKee book and I really enjoyed it. I loved the setting, the storyline was fantastic and so is the writing style of the author. I know I will be going back to read the first two books because I do believe I missed out on some things in the story. You get suspense, danger, secrets, and some smoking hot sex because these to go at it right of the bat. I believe the author done her homework research in writing this book it shows out nicely.

I recommend anyone to start at book one because like I said I felt like I was missing the connection between these two and I wanted to know what it was really bad. What I disliked most was it read like Grant went to this island to get away from Caroline, but when she arrives he just forgets he shouldn’t be with her and goes at it right off the bat and never stops, although he would mention at times that he needed to leave her. Caroline is quite clanging to Grant and she stays there with no fuss whatsoever. Let’s say it left me scratching my head at times in wonder why there wasn’t more tension between these two. I did like reading both characters Grant has a mystery about him and Caroline is tuff as nails and that’s what Grant likes the most.

Title:Tamed by a Highlander (Children of the Mist #3)
Author:Paula Quinn
Source: Requested from publisher
Genre:Historical romance
Format: Mass Paperback

A LOVER'S PROMISE
Connor Grant left his first love in the Highlands, vowing to return after serving in the king's army. Seven years later, he is still fighting for the crown, and his victories are legendary-both in the battlefield and in the bedroom. Yet he's never forgotten his bonnie lass. And he certainly never expected to see her amidst the splendor of the British royal court: beautiful, breathtaking, and tempting him past the point of no return.
A LADY'S DESTINY
The night he left, Mairi MacGregor banished Connor from her life forever. Now her heart belongs only to Scotland. As part of a secret alliance, she journeys to London in search of information . . . only to find herself face to face with the one man she swore she'd never trust again. Though Mairi's body still craves Connor's touch, she can't forgive his betrayal. But a traitor lurks in their midst and to protect her beloved Highlands, Mairi must make a leap of faith and join forces with Connor-even if it means losing her heart to him again.

Mairi MacGregor grew up in the shadow of her three brothers and Connor Grant. As a young girl, she was right there with them, getting into trouble. As the years passed, the relationship between Mairi and Connor blossomed into love. The night Connor leaves Scotland to serve in the king’s army, Mairi feels betrayed and vows never to trust him again. Connor had sent letters to Mairi asking her to join him in England, only for a short while, but she had refused.

It’s been seven long years since Mairi last saw Connor and now she finds herself stuck in London amid the lords and ladies, a guest at the court of the king and queen. The last thing she wants to do is run in to Connor. To make matters worse, Connor’s parents are among the guests. It doesn’t take long before Connor and Mairi are at each other’s throats. At times, Mairi’s tongue is as sharp as the blades she keeps hidden under her skirts, but Connor is no push-over either. Now, Connor is a different story. Of course, he is alpha all the way and he never stopped loving Mairi, but won’t admit it. And he does not want anyone else to have her. (The scene where the Queen summons Connor to her chambers to discuss Mairi’s “future” is fabulous!)

Mairi is a very strong, independent heroine, and she doesn’t like anyone telling her what to do. Unfortunately, this shrew was getting tiresome. Thankfully, her attitude gets an adjustment. Connor was wonderful! He would claim one minute Mairi was his, and then deny it with his next breath. He would want to pummel someone for looking at her the wrong way. (He does get his chance, but the repercussions are unexpected.) Yet, he doesn’t give-in that easily to Mairi.

Throw into the mix a real slime ball, Lord Oxford, who is courting Mairi and his equally creepy sister Lady Elizabeth. The Queen and Lady Claire (Connor’s Mom) add their two-cents to get Mairi and Connor moving along in the right direction. Of course, all entwined within the intrigue of politics and religion. TAMED BY A HIGHLANDER is a very appropriate title as the bonnie lass Mairi is indeed tamed by Connor!

Giveaway time. Thanks to Forever they are giving away Package includes 1 copy of each book. Open to US and Canada only.


Please leave a comment below with your email to enter. 
Giveaway rules and policy