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.
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Writing is a career best suited for people who don’t mind being alone. In fact, you had better love the solitary life if you mean to take up the pen…er…keyboard. I’m not saying authors are lonely. The truth of it is, we never are. We have dozens and dozens of characters roaming around inside our heads day in and day out. They become friends, family, familiar faces in our oftentimes-quiet world. (Unless, like me, you have 4 dogs and a cockatoo.) I don’t think authors realize what loners we are happy to be until something like a huge writer’s conference comes around to yank us out of our desk chairs and hurl us back into civilization.
This year’s Romance Writers of America conference was my first. Yes, despite being a published author for six years, I was a conference virgin. Of course, I had some idea of what to expect; workshops, signings, actually having a schedule that required me to get out of bed before 7:30am. Getting on the subway to Times Square and fighting to make my way through droves of tourists who’d stopped to take pictures of the Naked Cowboy or the Transformers premiere.
But this conference, aptly named Bright Lights, Big Stories, was so much more than I could have imagined. Sure, the Readers for Life Literacy Autographing was the most crowded affair I’ve attended in years, but an enormous amount of money was raised for literacy programs, so the slightly claustrophobic atmosphere was worth it. I gushed over some of my favorite authors like Teresa Medeiros, Christina Dodd, Julianne MacLean, and Karen Hawkins just to name a few. I chucked my t-shirt and jeans for a fancy outfit to wear to a cocktail party given by my publisher. My feet were screaming for mercy by the end of the night because I thought I was cool and walked the endless NYC streets from the hotel to the party. But, oh, it was wonderful finally meeting my editor and all the amazing people who make working with Grand Central Publishing such a rewarding experience.
The most exciting part of the conference though, was the Grand Central book signing. Meeting my fellow authors and the people who help turn my manuscripts into real books is great—maybe even better than being alone with my Highland heroes (for a few days anyway) but meeting the people who read my books was the highlight of the conference. They came from everywhere, Texas, California, and even the Netherlands. Seeing the excitement in their eyes, hearing how they love the stories I’ve toiled over, and being able to thank them in person for their support was priceless.
Yes, I like the solitary job of writing, but I already miss the crowds, the bright lights and the big stories.
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A big thank you to Paula for joining with us today!
To find out more about Paula Quinn, visit www.paulaquinn.com. And for a chance to win TAMED BY A HIGHLANDER, just leave a comment below. Good luck! 😀
I gotta read this book… that cover is fabulous!
I agree, great cover, and the story sounds fabulous!
love the cover and the book sounds great 🙂
I do so enjoy your books and this one sounds great as well. I’m looking forward to reading it. I was able to visit the RWA conference in Orlando last year and had a ball meeting so many of my favorite authors. It was a great day and I came home with a bag full of books!
I am loving that cover! Sounds like a book I want to get my hands on! Thanks for sharing! 😀
I wish I could have gone to RWA this year! Too many conflicts. Tamed by a Highlander has been added to my wish list!
What a lovely post Paula, thank you! And I bet that the Dutch fan you met, was my friend Maggie/Pearl! I really hope to be able to come too one year.
I am sorry to say, I have not yet read your books, though they are on my shelves. I have drooled over the covers of course (not literally!)
I really want to read this book. I love romance and I love highlanders. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Ahhhhhhh…..gotta love those “highland” men & love stories….sounds like a winner!! Great contest!! 🙂
The book sounds great.
This novel sounds great and I love Highland heroes. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like a story I’d enjoy reading. So please count me in, thanks!
Love the cover and enjoyed the interview. I would love to read this book thanks for the giveaway!
I love highlanders! Even more I love stories about lost loves and second chances. I find them the most emotional. I want to see how the couple overcome their trials and find their HEA.
I love Highlander stories! Your book sounds great.
I would love to read the book, it sounds really good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I love all of Paula’s books! I’m looking forward to reading this one! I’m drooling over this cover now too! LOL! Thanks for sharing today!
Love your books. Can not wait to read the latest in this series. I love Highlanders! Thanks fot writing such wonderful books!
Congrats on losing your convention virginity Paula! The RWA convention sounded like a great week of events. I’ve never been to RWA but I went to my very first RT Convention this past April. I had a blast! I was totally overwhelmed but I loved every minute of it. Congratulations on the new release, I adore Highlander stories.
I love this series and Tamed by a Highlander sounds like another great read!
I haven’t had a chance to read this series of books yet but I’ve heard rave reviews of them and your writing Paula! Thank you for the chance to read this. I’m glad you enjoyed NYC and the RWA.
You’ve been in my thoughts a lot recently. I’m extremely sorry for your loss.
would love to win this book by Paula. Have read the first 2 books for the series and have loved them. would love to get this to continue the story. thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
I can never get enough of those sexy Highlanders. I’m looking forward to reading Tamed by a Highlander.
Love the yummy Paul Marron cover!
Meeting all those authors must have been amazing!
I love Highlander books! AND that is one HOT cover you have on this book! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love Highlander stories and this looks like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
I love your books Paula! This one sounds fantastic!
I would love to win this. Thanks for the giveaway.
A Highlander in London + a Highland lass on a mission – sounds like a great story. And thanks for you notes on the RWC. I’d love to get to one of those one day. I’d have to bring an empty suitcase for all the books & stuff I’d have to get.
Hi ladies, thank you all for stopping by 🙂 I hope you get a chance to read Tamed By A Highlander! I did have a wonderful time at the convention and plan on attending them all in the future. And yes, Aurian, it was Pearl!
love the cover and the book sounds wonderful. i can’t wait to read it.
trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com
sounds like a good time had by all at the conference. looking forward to getting a chance to read the latest installment of this series.
Can’t wait to read this one! Missed ya at the RWA -It was so crazy in there! Thanks for the blog and a chance for a giveway!
vanetta at ymail dot com
Oh how I wish these men were real and not just roaming around in my head too! Love your books Paula…exceptional characters!
I’m a big Paula Quinn fan, love your books! I’m looking forward to reading the new release!!! 🙂
P.Quinn is a legend! i love this series and I think “Tamed” is my favorite…. of course I say that after every new storry in this series! If you haven’t read the other books in this series you are missing out on a romantic, action filled, suspenseful and perfectly written experience.
I love all the covers! 🙂
Loved reading your ‘life as a writer’ piece! 🙂
Sounds great.I’d love to win this.Please count me in.
Book sounds great!
You had to get up before 7:30 am? Oh, the inhumanity of it all, LOL!
Am glad you had a great time and thanks for offering a copy of your book to your readers!
Sounds like a great book! I’d love to win a copy, please count me in.
I do love me some Highlanders, love the cover. Sound fantastic!!!
OH wow….. Thanks for this wonderful chance!!!!
Please count me in!!!\
Oh oh so sweet highlanders are!!!
The cover is simply scrumptious! I really enjoyed Laird of the Mist, and I’ve been trying to collect what I can of your books to read. They are that good.
Thanks for sharing, Paula! Sounds like you had a wonderful time at RWA! I enjoy reading about highlanders, so thanks for the chance to win a copy of this 🙂
I agree too….great cover. Gotta have this book! Count me in the draw please!
It looks like a great story and it sounds like you had a great time at the conference.
This series sounds fantastic! Love me some Highlanders 🙂
Tamed By a Highlander sounds good. Love the cover.
Thank you all for stopping by! I loved reading your comments and hope that you all get to read Tamed. Good luck in the giveaway!
There’s just something about a guy in a kilt that makes you heart go pit-a-pat
wow this book sounds awesome! i cant wait to read it! thank you so much for sharing!
Love me some highlanders!
WOW, another writer of Scotish historical romance! Love those big, strong men in SKIRTS {{shudder, sigh}}!