Penyanyi : Guest - Nancy Lee Badger
Judul lagu : Guest - Nancy Lee Badger
Guest - Nancy Lee Badger
Good morning all! Today's guest is author . Nancy has a fascinating post for us today AND she's got a very generous 'Christmas' giveaway so make sure to check below to see how you can enter the drawing.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Moonstones, Herbs, and Magic, Oh My!
Writing a time travel paranormal romance requires one big
decision: how do I make my characters travel through time? Since my latest
books take part partially in New England, I could not use walking through a portal at the Scottish standing stones. (think
Stonehenge) I could use a magical amulet, which I do use as a prop, but neither
my heroine in My Honorable Highlander nor My Banished Highlander
own the magical gem. My heroines are modern day witches who barely practice
their craft for anything besides healing. In fact, they are both into herbs,
potions, and the power of stones. In their quest for more knowledge, they meet
an old crone who just happens to sell such items in her vendor tent at the New
England Highland games.
In order to facilitate my characters’ journeys, I researched
the properties of stones and plants found in both Scotland and New England.
Many exist, and I give them to my characters to help them travel in time.
Accidently, it seems.
In the first book in the series, Haven MacKay uses a potion
suggested by the old crone that consists of mint,
apple buds, and yarrow root.
Haven has used yarrow root to staunch
the flow of blood on injured friends, and is concerned to see the old witch use
it in something meant to be swallowed! Haven stashes it in her pocket along
with pieces of opal and quartz for attraction. You see, she
plans to conjure a man to love. She has failed in that department, recently.
When she adds a hunk of amber for
luck, strength, and love, she hopes for the best.
Research was the key. I used several books, the internet,
and a fascinating folded map of Scotland that included plants native to the
huge island. I have included a few helpful book titles and internet sites at
the end of my article.
An ancient book of spells is in Haven’s tent at the Highland
games, where she is helping her friend Iona by pretending to be a Scottish
villager. I had fun creating spells. I am also a fan of the TV series Charmed and simply followed their
example of a simple three-line rhyme. Here is an example:
Rain and fire, trees and grass;
I wish to be in my lover’s grasp.
Hear my plea so mote it be.
I made up several spells throughout both books, and the
results are fun. In the second book, Iona is prevented from speaking the spell
all the way through, with disastrous results!
Elsewhere in both books, Haven and Iona need to treat their
headaches. When Iona is stuck in 1598 Scotland without aspirin, she seeks out willow bark, the original source of
aspirin. When Iona treats a woman’s burned arm, she resorts to items she has
brought with her such as confervae, known
to the locals as linarich. She also uses the popular ragwort. The only problem is that some of the people who witness
her healing powers cry witch!
Minerals and gemstones have been thought to contain power,
which is why my third book’s heroine, Skye Gunn, wears a moonstone around her neck. Skye is a bit wild, and as the daughter
of the Laird of Clan Gunn in sixteenth century Scotland, she knows she has a
certain power over men. I chose the moonstone
because, besides its power to protect a traveler, it is balancing, reflective,
promotes well being and joy, and alleviates emotional tension. When she meets a
present-day blacksmith and must gain his help, things heat up and no magic
amulet is going to keep them apart!
The back covers of my books show a necklace made up of a
hunk of amber. Amber was created millennia ago from the petrified sap of long-dead
trees. Amber is related to the fire
element and the sun, which might be one reason my villainous sorcerer is after
it! Old Dorcas wears it to bring wisdom and balance to her life. As she tells
all who will listen, she is as old as
dirt and her amber necklace keeps
her going. When it is stolen, things turn upside down.
I have lists of reference materials that gave me the ideas
of which stones or herbs to include in my romantic story. The research was fun
and very enlightening. As I write, I keep a purplish hunk of amethyst by my computer, along with a
lovely green piece of malachite. My
research tells me that malachite is a
powerful healing stone that can also be used for money, love, and for centering
and balance. Amethyst, a more
commonly found stone, calms fears, is healing, and good for peace, happiness,
and love. Since it also is known to provide protection from negativity, keeping
it close while I write prevents me from making my villains TOO evil. Ha!
If you feel a story is enhanced by the use of herbs, stones,
and spells, I would like you to read my latest release in my Highland Games Through
Time series, My Banished Highlander
Here are some links
that could help:
www.babynology.com
(yes, some people name their kids after gems)
And some research books
I love are:
The Scots Herbal
by Tess Darwin
Crystal Therapy
by Doreen Virtue
Wicca &
Witchcraft for Dummies by Diane smith
MAP: Clans &
Tartans of Scotland/Collins/2008
My Banished Highlander
When his clan convicts Cameron Robeson of treason in 1598
Scotland, the last thing he thought his cousin the Laird would do was banish
him to the future. With a certain woman on his mind, he plans revenge while
surrounded by the sights and sounds of the modern day New England Highland
Games. His plans go awry when a comely redheaded lass wearing the Mackenzie
plaid lands at his feet.
Iona Mackenzie is worried about her friend, Haven, and
searches for answers among the tents at the games. Whom can she trust to help?
Her father? The handsome blacksmith? Or, the tall, golden-haired Highlander?
Romance takes a back seat because saving her friend is her priority, no matter
how great Cameron can kiss.
When a magical amulet and an angry sorcerer send this
unlikely couple back through time, more than one heart will be broken. Danger,
intrigue, and threats surround them, and feelings between Iona and Cameron grow
hot and steamy. They fight the sorcerer and search for Iona’s friend, the woman
he vowed to steal from his cousin. Will the strong-willed Highlander and the
present day witch stop fighting long enough to listen to their hearts?
With a letter in her hand and a Highlander at her back, what
could go wrong?
A little Bit About my latest series:
My Banished Highlander
is the second book in the Highland games Through Time series which started with
My Honorable Highlander. Though fine
to read as a stand-alone novel, I highly recommend you do not miss the first
story. I am working on Book #3, My
Reluctant Highlander. Both the first book and the second are available
everywhere digitally, and are also available on-line at Amazon and Barnes &
Noble in print.
FIVE (5) lucky people will be chosen to win a digital copy
of their choice of My Honorable
Highlander or My Banished Highlander.
Simply answer this question when you leave a comment:
What SCOTTISH ITEM or PERSON would you like to see under
the Christmas Tree?
Also, either leave your contact info, book choice, and
format with your comment OR email it to me with ‘STAR’ in the header to 01953nancyl@gmail.com
About
the author: Nancy Lee Badger loves chocolate-chip shortbread and wool plaids wrapped around the trim
waist of a Scottish Highlander. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and
raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, Nancy moved to North Carolina where
she writes full-time. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of
Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers,
the Celtic Heart Romance Writers, and is a proud Army Mom.
How to Contact Nancy Lee Badger
Website http://www.nancyleebadger.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/NLBadger
Where to Buy My Banished Highlander
Amazon Buy
link http://amzn.to/PAYBbX
Barnes
& Noble http://bit.ly/OREYO7
AllRomanceEBooks http://bit.ly/Qgdymm
Smashwords http://bit.ly/OIbim4
KOBO http://bit.ly/QbuM3F
ALSO
AVAILABLE IN PRINT! http://amzn.to/Su5a1G
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-- Lynda Again,
I told you it was a fascinating post, didn't I? Don't forget to enter her drawing, those books sound terrific!
Have a Blessed Day!
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18 Responses to "Guest - Nancy Lee Badger"
I enjoyed reading this blog. I've always been fascinated by many types of stones. Most of my jewelry is of natural things like amber and jade.
Your novels sound fascinating.
Wishing you every success,
Jacqueline Seewald
TEA LEAVES AND TAROT CARDS
Thanks, Jacqueline. I recently won a beautiful Amethyst necklace and earring set at a silent auction to raise money for the scottish Arts. A win-win situation!
Well, I totally love time travel, but would not want to travel further back than modern plumbing. LOL! The books sound very fun. I like Scotch shortbread, ate quite a bit when I was fortunate enough to visit Scotland some years ago. If I were to win, I would like the first book, formatted for my kindle. :-) Congrats on the books!
Hi Nancy, I just wanted to say thanks for visiting us (Apparently a lack of coffee prevented this from posting earlier, lol) I too enjoyed your post and your books sound wonderful. One of my favorite genres is TT with Scot heroes.
How interesting. This sounds like a fun read.
Thanks for all the information. I must tell you that I am going to find out what a moonstone looks like. I have just finished reading My Banished Highlander and it was such a good story.
What wonderful comments! Don't forget to leave your contact info so I can contact my 5 WINNERS!
I love timetravels, Nancy. Yours sounds like a great read. I like your idea of herbs and charms just as well as the portal for the jump to the past.
I'd love to travel back to pre-Roman Scotland--just to learn more about the Celtic culture. I'd want a 'take me home now ticket,' though.
I love all the thought you put into building your world and the research you took time to do. Things like that really make the difference and even more I appreciate you sharing these tidbits. I enjoyed them!
Oops! I always have trouble with directions. LOL! pauline at pauline b jones dot com. Thanks!
I'd like some shortbread under the tree.
My Banished Highlander in Kindle format
chey127 at hotmail dot com
Your books sound fabulous! I love shortbread, and I'd really like to have my own book of spells.
I'd like to see Sean Connery under the tree.
My Banished Highlander- pdf
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
ok - just a highlander in a kilt
LONG dark hair - maybe a scar
and nice BIG----- SWORD!!!
PicardsMom at yahoo dot com
1st book
MOBI
Wow! Such lovely, spicy comments. The comments must come to an end at 10 p.m. EST TODAY (Dec. 21st) and I will post the 5 winners tomorrow. Watch your emails for your new book!
Hi Nancy,
Love Scottish jewelry!
My husband might frown if I wished for a Scot in a kilt--unless it was him. lol
kmnbooks at yahoo dot com
AND THE WINNERS ARE...
Chey; bn10; Jacquline; Pauline; and Ana.
You will be contacted shortly. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!
Oh wow! Thank you so much!!!
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