Highlander's Forbidden Bride

You'll find Ronan's book cover posted on my website soon. I love it. Hope you do too! And you'll find more changes coming to my website. I'll keep you posted about both.
And it won't be long before I tell you all about the special contest I have planned for Ronan's book Highlander's Forbidden Bride, the last book in the Sinclare Brothers' series.
But fear not, I have another four books series I've already started writing... the Warrior King series.
Lots more going on as well and will let you know as it all unfolds!

Contest Winners!

Here are the winners of The Angel And The Highlander Contest.
Carolyn Hughes is the winner of the journal, pen and signed copy of The Angel And The Highlander. Plus she'll receive a few bookmarks of some of my previous books.
The following five are winners of signed copies of The Angel And The Highlander. They also will receive a few bookmarks of some of my previous books.
Camelia Williams
Laura Badmone
Ron Brown who entered for his girlfriend Ruth. How thoughtful is that!
Debra Guyette
Eva Minaskanian

Congrats to them all. And a special thank you to all who signed up for the contest.

And watch for Ronan's contest coming soon. It's an extra special one you're not going to want to miss!

Contest Reminder

Don't forget to enter my contest that runs until July 29, 2009. You don't have to visit Eye of Romance to do so (where the contest started). Just send me an e-mail at donna@donnafletcher.com with contest in the message box.
And here is what what six lucky people can win:
Top prize: a beautiful journal and pen and an autographed copy of The Angel and The Highlander.
Five other people will win autographed copies of The Angel and The Highlander.
So come on and take a chance.
Also watch out for a special contest coming soon for Ronan's book Highlander's Forbidden Bride.

The Angel And The Highlander In Stores Today!

Read all about Lachlan Sinclare, the third brother in the Sinclare series, in The Angel And The Highlander in stores everywhere today!
Happy Reading!

The Angel and The Highlander

I can't believe that next week The Angel and The Highlander will be in bookstores. When I started the Sinclare brothers' series I enjoyed getting to know Lachlan, but then he wasn't a man you could ignore. He was the charmer of the four brothers, the one the women found irresistible and the one who had no plans of marrying anytime soon. He enjoyed his single life and watching the problems his two brothers, Cavan and Artair faced when falling in love, he determined that love wasn't for him, he was sure of it.
So naturally, I pondered what type of woman would best suit him, who would be the one who would change his mind. As I got to know Lachlan better, I soon realized it wasn't so much the woman, but love itself that would change his thoughts. Of course I couldn't make it easy for him. He faces all sorts of obstacles and even when he thinks everything is all right, he discovers nothing is what he thought it was. Lachlan has to work to keep hold of the woman he loves and let me tell you he doesn't give up. He actually makes a decision no one expects him to make. He's a true hero.
And of course I didn't forget Ronan, the youngest of the Sinclare brothers, who has yet to return home. You'll find out more about what's going on with him, and perhaps you can figure out what's keeping him from coming home, if you haven't already.
I'll be reminding everyone again about The Angel and The Highlander's release, after all Lachlan wouldn't want you to miss his story.

To Write or Not To Write

I love writing romance. So why is it that I find other things that must suddenly be done before I get my butt in the chair to write? And why is it that once I am writing I don't want to stop? It's sought of a catch 22 situation, or damned if I do and damned if I don't. An age-old question asked by all writers one time or another, and one with no definitive answer. Though I sometimes wonder if I actually feel guilty about doing something I love, and therefore, I feel that I have no right to enjoy myself. So naturally I force myself to do the necessary or boring chores before I can reward myself.
Then of course there is also the problem of people thinking you don't REALLY work when you're home writing. I continue to remind myself not to answer the phone, let the machine pick up, but there's something about a ringing phone I just can't ignore. My writing friends will ask are you busy and if I tell them I'm writing, they always say I'll let you go, give me a call when you're free to talk. Some of my family do the same, and then there are those that don't and continue to do so no matter how many times you tell them. But I am learning and using caller ID to my advantage.
So to write or not to write is not really the question, since I always get my butt in the chair and write. I suppose the question truly is do I ALLOW myself to write or not to write. Do I shed the guilt and allow myself to enjoy my work? Do I tell those pesky people who don't think I REALLY work that I'm busy with a hot hunky Highlander and I much prefer spending time with him than talking on the phone?
As I said, I love writing romance. I love creating characters and bringing them to life and seeing what will happen to them, for they never fail to surprise me with a twist or turn until finally love conquers all. And that's another great thing about writing romance, you know it's going to end happily ever after.
So after writing this blog, I definitely have the writing itch and while there are other things that need doing,I'm going to scratch that itch and write and... not feel guilty for enjoying myself.
I invite you to do the same... don't feel guilty for doing something you enjoy.
Take a moment and let me know what you're doing that you enjoy. It will help me and countless others feel less guilty!

Sneak Peek

If you'd like to take a sneak peek read of the third book in the Sinclare brothers' series, The Angel and The Highlander, then pop on over to Avon's Love Gives Back. And after you're done getting a taste of Lachlan, you can read Return of the Rogue in its entirety there, though time is limited, so don't waste a moment.
Each month Avon offers new releases for sneak peeks and the authors choose a back list title to make available to their readers. I chose Return of the Rogue so that those who haven't read the first book in the Sinclare brothers' series would have the opportunity to meet the brothers from the beginning. And if you're new to the series, Artair's story Under The Highlander's Spell follows Return of the Rogue. The four book series ends with the youngest of the Sinclare brothers, Ronan. His book Highlander's Forbidden Bride has a tentative release date of January 2010.
It seems like only yesterday the Sinclare brothers introduced themselves to me and I began telling their stories. I loved being involved in their lives and cheered as each one found love. And I looked forward to bringing Ronan home to his family. I can't say I have a favorite brother, since all four have distinct personalities that I found more than simply appealing. They are each special in their own way.
So hurry and go read the sneak peek and see what Lachlan, the charmer of the four brothers is up to.

Romance Books & The Recession

It seems that romance books are experiencing "recession-busting sales" according to a Canadian article. People want to feel good and what better way than to read a book with a guaranteed happy ending. But romance books are so much more than simply a happy ending. It takes good characterization, a range of emotions and a strong plot to get to that happy ending.
Ask any avid romance reader why she reads a romance and by the time she's done telling you, you'll hurry to the store to buy one... one she recommended.
And while most believe it's only women who read romances, they'd be wrong. I was doing a book signing with two other romance authors in a mall bookstore when a man walked up and asked which one of us was Donna Fletcher. I raised my hand and smiled. He told me that he loved my books and read them on the bus on his way to work. I was stunned, not only that he read them, but read them on the bus to work. And, yes, he bought my book. He made my day and he hasn't been the only male romance reader I have had the pleasure to met.
There's tons of great books out there to read and tons of great authors, but there's something extra special about romance books. Once you fall in love with them, there's no turning away. You're hooked and I must admit, it's not a bad addiction, not bad at all.

Scottish Heather

During my writing session today I wrote about my heroine who stops to collect sprigs of heather. I often recall my trip to Scotland when I'm writing my Celtic historical romances. And one of the most memorable sights was the endless sea of heather that carpeted the hillsides. Heather is often referred to, and most appropriately, in the Scottish Highlands as "The Carpet of the Highlands."
The wild plant has been around since ancient times and its uses varied widely. Heather was used in bed stuffing, floor rushes, basket making, walls, roof thatch, brooms and it was weaved into some fences. It was also used in tea and ale. Then of course there were the medicinal uses ranging from treating nerves and depression to coughs and countless more that I'm sure were lost through the ages. While I have seen only purple heather, I learned there are other colors including orange, grey-green, yellow and the rare white, which was thought to possess magical powers.
Whether myth or truth, there is a story about the fabled heather ale. It seemed that the ancient Pictish Kings and the eldest son were the only ones who possessed the secret recipe of the divine drink. When the final battle took place between the Picts and Scots, it has been told that when the Pictish King and his eldest son were the only ones left, the Scots demanded to know the secret recipe. The king, fearing his son would break under torture and reveal it, told the Scottish warrior to kill his son first and then he would tell him the recipe. After his son was dead, the Pictish King refused to breath a word about the famous heather ale and its tasty secret died with him.
Robert Louis Stevenson even wrote about it in From Heather Ale, A Galloway Legend.
From the bonny bells of heather,
They brewed a drink longsyne,
Was sweeter far than honey,
Was stronger far than wine.
I can't write about the Scottish Highlands without mentioning the wild heather. And today when my heroine suddenly stopped in her tracks, I knew why. She couldn't resist the heather growing on the hillside, even though she was shackled to a warrior Highlander she barely knew and the king's soldiers were after them. She had to have a sprig or two of heather. And how did my hero react? That you''ll have to wait to find out!

Highlander's Forbidden Bride

Ronan's book has a title... Highlander's Forbidden Bride. A very fitting title for his tale and the last book in the Sinclare brothers series. I can't believe I'm about to start the edits on Ronan's book. It brings me that much closer to it being finished and me saying good-bye to the Sinclares. I have so enjoyed sharing their lives.
I shouldn't get melancholy too soon. After all, Lachlan and Alyce have their story to tell and it's an exciting one. You wouldn't expect anything less from a charmer like Lachlan.
So while I'm beginning the finishing touches to Ronan's story, get set for Lachlan's. He won't disappoint. He may be a charmer, but he knows how to love! Of course, Alyce teaches him a thing or two, and he doesn't mind the lessons.
Oh, for the spring, flowers blooming, love in the air and the release of Lachlan and Alyce's book The Angel and The Highlander!

A Big Thanks To Terra

I had a fun time blogging and meeting so many wonderful romance readers at http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/ yesterday, and so did the Sinclare brothers. They were delighted to see how many women were interested in their stories. Thanks much to everyone who stopped by!

A Winter Solstice Blessing

Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice, so to all my friends and readers who celebrate it I send you this blessing.

May the dawn of the Winter Solstice chase the dark away.
May it bring to you the promise of endless brand new days.
May all your sorrow vanish.
And all your dreams come true.
And may the light of the Winter Solstice always shine on you.

Website Update

My website continues to be a work in progress. Little by little you'll see it come together thanks to my son Marc's computer skills and in spite of his hectic schedule, that includes being author of the Adam Zero Last Man of Earth comic books (a proud mother cannot miss bragging). I'll keep you apprized of the changes, some not immediately noticeable, and others that can't be missed.

Presently the two unnoticeable changes have to do with the navigation bar. Press the Magic Quadrilogy bar and you'll see my Wyrrd witch books in the order they were published with a brief description of each. The Sinclare Bros. Series bar does the same, though the cover isn't yet available for The Angel and The Highlander. Actually, I just received the galleys for the book yesterday and I'm looking forward to giving it that last read before it goes to final print.

Any suggestions for my website are always welcome and rest assured there's more changes on the way.

It's Snowing!

I'm sitting by the sliding glass doors watching the snow fall. It's not a heavy snow and not expected to last, but it is coating the ground and tree branches. So I'm enjoying it while I can. I love the snow! Actually, snow is an important part of Ronan's book. A snowstorm forces Ronan to share close quarters with a woman he claims to hate. However, surprises wait for him and it's because the snow keeps him stranded that he discovers the unexpected.
For now, however, I'm going to make a mug of hot chocolate and enjoy watching the snow fall.

Book Lovers Group

I met with my book lovers group last night. It was our Christmas grab bag get together, and of course the only rule was that the gift must be a book. We're not a book club reader group that meets regularly to discuss a chosen book. We meet a few times throughout the year and come armed with lists of books we've read plus munchies and wine to enjoy. It's a great way of learning about books I might never have known existed.
There are no limits to what type of books we read, our common thread being simply our love of books.
Right now I'm going to recommend a few mysteries, thrillers and adventure books but look for other genres in the near future.
Vanishing Act by Thomas Perry, Jane Whitefield series, mystery
Creepers, and the sequel, Scavenger by David Morrell, thriller
The Eight, and the sequel, The Fire by Katherine Neville, adventure
The Divine Circle of Ladies Making Mischief by Dolores Stewart Riccio (1st book in this Wiccan series is Circle of Fire in case you would like to start at the beginning) mystery
Speak Daggers to Her by Rosemary Edghill, a Wiccan based mystery

Return of The Rogue goes to Russia

I just found out that Return of The Rogue sold to Russia. A special welcome to Russian readers. I hope you enjoy reading about the Sinclare brothers and their adventures in the Highlands of Scotland.

Pics of Northern Scotland

If you'd like to see some of the beauty of the Scottish Highlands check out this website...

http://www.northernsights.net/