Interview and Giveaway with Amanda Forester!

Hi Maidens! We've got a great author for you today! Her name is Amanda Forester and she writes Scottish Medievals and you know how much I love Highland stories! For more information on Amanda and her hot Highlanders, please visit her website. In the meantime, you can help me welcome Amanda to Under the Covers!

Amanda Forester

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Let's get started, shall we? Who is Amanda Forester? Tell us five things about yourself that readers wouldn't know.

Hmmm, interesting question. Five thing folks wouldn't know: 1) Even though my sleep habits would suggest it, I don't drink coffee; 2) I have been to England but despite my deep and abiding love for Scotland I have never set foot in the country; 3) I also have a deep and abiding love for chocolate (ok, maybe you already guessed that); 4) I enjoy travel by train; and 5) until relatively recently one of my greatest fears was that someone would actually read my writing!

Why did you decide to write Scottish historical romances?

To be honest I'm not entirely sure. I started off with the intention of writing a Regency and did a lot of research into that time period. Then for some unknown reason I sat down and wrote a Scottish medieval. Not sure what happened there, must be something to do with the kilts!

TRUE HIGHLAND SPIRIT is your latest release. Can you tell us a bit about this book?

Morrigan McNab learned to survive with a sword in her hand. Taking command, she is determined to protect her impoverished clan, no matter the cost. When an elusive French knight offers gold to fight against England, she joins the call to arms. Sparks fly on the battlefield as a forbidden passion smolders between Morrigan and Sir Dragonet. Yet Sir Dragonet holds a secret that will destroy the hope for a life together, and will make them rivals on a dangerous quest for a mysterious relic. As they fight beside each other against the English, and against each other to find the treasure, their love becomes a greater force than either can control.


What is Morrigan's greatest strength? What is her greatest weakness?

Morrigan is profoundly gifted with a sword, a skill not particularly prized in woman of her time. Her greatest strength is her loyalty to her clan to use this gift to support her people, even if they do not appreciate her sacrifice. Another strength is her ability to find the humor in situations and even laugh at herself at times. Her greatest weakness is her general attitude, which at least at the beginning of the book might be described as severely cranky.

Why did you decide to go with a French hero instead of a Scottish one?

A very good question, after all in a Scottish historical one does expect a burly Highlander hero in a kilt. The trouble was, Morrigan needed someone completely different from the men folk she was accustomed to. She needed someone who could surprise her, keep her off balance, and ultimately make her fall in love. Besides, I met Dragonet in The Highlander's Heart and kind of fell for him myself, so I needed to let him have a chance to be the hero.


If you could collaborate with another author, who would you pick and why?

There are so many fantastic authors I would be truly honored to work with, or just plain meet. If we are going to dip into the realm of fantasy, I would love work with Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer.

What book are you currently reading?

I just finished reading an ARC of a new Sourcebooks author Victoria Roberts. She will be coming out with a new Highland series this fall - definitely someone to look for!


What does a typical writing day look like for you?

Since I am still working the day job and have kids, my days are pretty much filled with working, childcare, and child activities. I don't usually get to sit down to my computer until about 10pm and then I generally work until much too late, and then get up and do it all again. Makes me tired just thinking of it!

My favourite book of yours is The Highlander's Heart. What is your all-time favourite book?

Each of my books when it is released becomes my new favorite. That way each of my children has a turn to be mommy's favorite! My all-time fave romance novel has got to be Pride and Prejudice. I know I am not alone with that choice - what can I say? It's a classic!

Quick-fire questions!

Sunrise or sunset? Sunset
Coffee or tea? Tea
Fave place to read? Anywhere, as long as I'm comfy and warm
Fave place to write? see above
If you could create a kilt, what color would choose? Sage green and black

Thank you so much for inviting me to guest blog today!

Amanda Forester is graciously giving away a copy of TRUE HIGHLAND SPIRIT, her latest release!

 

A steamy adventure set amidst the chaos of 14th century Scotland, where clans jockeyed for political prominence, and the French and English vied against each other in a never ending threat to Scottish autonomy. A feisty laird''s daughter, Morrigan McNab, holds the secret to the stolen relic sought by French knight Sir Dragonet. Attraction sparks between the unlikely pair as each loses their heart as they pursue the same prize.

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ARC Review: True Highland Spirit by Amanda Forester

True Highland Spirit

(Highlander #3)

by Amanda Forest

TRUE HIGHLAND SPIRIT is the third book in Amanda Forester’s Highlander series. I really enjoyed the last book THE HIGHLANDER’S HEART and found that I really liked this one as well, but for very different reasons.

Morrigan McNab is a tough girl, a warrior woman who just so happens to be a thief as well. Her parents are dead so she is forced to participate in highway robberies in order to support herself and her clan. She does this with her brother, the laird of the McNab clan in order to survive.

Right off the bat, we see her in action as she singlehandedly outsmarts others to get what she wants. When the group she steals from leaves a minstrel behind, they push him in the direction of their clan and race forward to get there before him, pretending as if they have never met him before.

That night, the minstrel catches Morrigan’s attention and when they are found alone, a kiss that wasn’t supposed to happen occurs and leaves the level-headed Morrigan a little flustered.

Fast-forward later and Morrigan is now the laird of her clan. She finds out the true identity of the minstrel when she stumbles upon him during one of her missions.

The sparks fly when Dragonet and Morrigan are together. While I instantly liked Morrigan and her tough girl antics, it took me a little longer to warm up to Dragonet. It wasn’t that I didn’t like him, but it just took me a longer time to feel something for him unlike David Campbell in the previous book. There is mystery surrounding Dragonet so once those secrets were revealed, I grew to love him more.

In addition to the romance, there’s quite a bit of historical detail that enhances this book. Forester continues to write stories that have enough mystery to keep a reader guessing while also balancing that perfectly with the romance. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.

 

 Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: The Highlander's Heart by Amanda Forester

 

The Highlander's Heart

(Highlander #2)

by Amanda Forester

This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for so long. I had no idea what I was missing out on until I picked it out of my teetering shelf and opened it. There was a surprise waiting for me inside.

Before this, Amanda Forester was a new –to-me author and as a highlander romance fan, I knew I had to try her books out. Within the first ten pages, I knew this book was different. There was historical accuracy. There were great characters. And there was a handful of charm that went a long way.

Isabelle Tynsdale is running away from her abusive husband, who after the death of her uncle has the intention of killing her to gain inheritance to her lands. She escapes on her horse, fleeing her home and the man who has hurt her greatly. When her horse decides to leave her, letting her fend for herself alone, she stumbles upon three evil men with the intention of raping her. Scared beyond belief and wondering if she made the right decision running from her husband for more dangerous threats , she is rescued by a barbarian. Later, she finds out his name is Laird David Campbell.

Their chemistry is instant and palpable. What I loved about this book is the fact that Forester first develops strong character in the hero and heroine. David is the barbarian highlander while Isabelle is the English lass with some sass. Then, Forester puts them together and it’s absolute dynamite!

There is a mixture of adventure, passion, politics and charm. Perhaps my favourite parts of the book are the dialogue between David and Isabelle. Their banter is enough to keep me reading for days, as is the subplot of David’s sister, Cait. I can’t wait to see what is in store for her.

Overall, THE HIGHLANDER’S HEART kept me reading into the wee hours of the night, making me laugh and fall in love alongside the characters.

 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon