Willa Blair shares the Scottish adventures of fellow authors, part 2

Last week, Willa Blair helped us live vicariously through the Scotland adventures of some of our favorite Scottish historical romance authors. This week, she's got more from some of our favorite authors sharing their favorite places in Scotland and how they've used those settings in their books. In the meantime, Willa's third Highland Talents novel, Highland Troth, will be arriving any day now.

Here's the blurb about Highland Troth:

Years ago, after tragedy struck Jamie Lathan's family, Lathan fosterling Caitrin Fletcher was sent home, out of danger. Heartbroken, young Jamie never expected to see her again. He certainly never imagined he'd be called upon to escort her to be betrothed to another man.

But now, as their attraction reignites during the trip, Jamie's longing for Caitrin deepens, and he despairs to lose her again. The secret he hides, however, may prevent any chance for a future with her. Can Jamie find a way to claim her himself without starting a war involving three clans?

Caitrin is torn between her duty to make the marriage her father wants and her feelings for Jamie, the lad she's loved for years. When she meets the man her father has chosen, her secret Highland talent tells her he cannot be trusted. Can she refuse the powerful lord without revealing how she knows he's lying…about nearly everything?

Find out more about Willa and her books at willablair.com.

And now here are the authors Willa asked to share their Scottish adventures (or dreams of Scottish adventures) and settings:

Diana Cosby, author of An Oath Taken (coming Dec. 8)

My favorite location is Stirling Castle/Stirling Bridge, both locations which I've used in my stories. I find Stirling Castle and Stirling Bridge fascinating due to the rich history of each location, each a battle site that helped secure Scotland's freedom.

Here's the blurb about An Oath Taken:

A man of honor.

A woman of spirit.

As the new castellan, Sir Nicholas Beringar has the daunting task of

rebuilding Ravenmoor Castle on the Scottish borderlands and gaining the trust of the locals—one of whom wastes no time in trying to rob him. But instead of punishing the boy, Nicholas decides to make him his squire. Little does he know the thieving young lad is really…a lady.

Lady Elizabet Armstrong had donned a disguise in an attempt to free her brother from Ravenmoor's dungeons. And though intimidated by the confident Englishman with his well-honed muscles and beguiling eyes, she cannot refuse his offer.

Nicholas senses that his new squire is not what he seems. His gentle attempts to break through the boy's defenses leave Elizabet powerless to stem the desire that engulfs her. And when the truth is laid bare, she'll have to trust in Nicholas's honor to help her people—and to surrender to his touch…

Find out more about Diana and her books at www.dianacosby.com.

Terry Spear, author of Hero of a Highland Wolf

Dunnottar Castle was featured in A Highland Werewolf Christmas and my latest release, Hero of a Highland Wolf. The castle in Heart of the Highland Wolf, also seen in Hero of a Highland Wolf and A Highland Wolf Christmas was Crathes Castle. These were two of the seven castles I was able to visit when I went to Scotland. Dunnottar was used because of its prominence on the cliffs overlooking the North Sea.

Crathes Castle was perfect because of its gardens and ponds filled with swans and ducks. But I used the portcullis and gates from Eilean Donan. And I climbed the velvet hills of Fairy Glen, just like Grand and Colleen did, and saw the Highland cows in the field next to a river.

Here's the blurb for Hero of a Highland Wolf:

She's ready for change...

Colleen Playfair has never been to Scotland, but when she discovers she must spend a year and a day overseas learning to manage her newly inherited estate, she's ready for the challenge. She even has some ideas for improvements-if she can get past the sexy werewolf who seems convinced he's the one in charge.

But he's digging in his claws...

Grant MacQuarrie and his clan have been managing Farraige Castle for three centuries. The last thing he wants is a meddling American heiress trying to change the way things have always been done. He's more than willing to fight the she-wolf every step of the way, using every tool at his disposal. And if that means taking the lass to bed, well...all the better.

Locked in a battle of wills, caught in an attraction they can't escape, Colleen and Grant must find a way to work together...or face losing it all.

Find out more about Terry and her books at terrylspear.wordpress.com.

Victoria Zak, author of Highland Burn

Alas, I have not been to Scotland, though when I do go, I would like my first stop to be Dunfermline Abbey. The most important fact about Dunfermline Abbey is that it is believed that Abbot Bernard, King Robert the Bruce's chancellor, signed the Declaration of Arbroath, the document declaring Scotland's independence as a sovereign kingdom. To be able to visit a place where a huge turning point in Scotland's history occurred would be a dream come true. In my debut book, Highland Burn, my heroine grew up at Dunfermline Abbey and her father was Robert the Bruce. I found out that some of Scotland's bravest heroes have been buried there, including Saint Margaret of Scotland, David I, and King Robert the Bruce.

Here's the blurb about Highland Burn (Guardians of Scotland Book 1):

The past never stays in the past, it rears its ugly head eventually. James the Black Douglas knows this all too well. With a past that has left him vengeful and his dragon blood thirsty, his reputation as a ruthless warrior haunts his enemies in their sleep. As his allegiance stands with Robert Bruce, the King of Scotland, he must now repay a debt to the king and agrees to marry his daughter, Abigale Bruce. The problem is he doesn't want a wife. When flames start to burn out of control between him and the auburn-haired lass, he must decide to either kindle the flames of passion or shelter her from the truth and set her free.

Determined to keep his daughter safe and out of the hands of the English, Robert hides Abigale behind the safe walls of a nunnery. After eight long years of living her life in seclusion, Abigale is finally set free. But her new found freedom comes to an abrupt halt when she learns of her betrothal to the infamous Bogeyman – James the Black Douglas. She soon finds herself falling in love with the uncontainable and haunted man. Is her love enough to soften his hardened heart?

Victoria Roberts, author of My Highland Spy

The most photographed and recognizable castle in Scotland is without a doubt Eilean Donan. But there's another castle in Scotland that holds my heart, as well as the setting of my first series.

Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe was the ancestral home of the Campbells of Glenorchy. The castle was built around 1450 by Sir Colin Campbell, the first Laird of Glenorchy. During the 15th century, the Campbells held such a variety of lands that in order to properly oversee the vast undertaking, the clan split into other various branches in order to maintain control of their many properties.

The castle started out as a five-story tower with a courtyard and has amassed into something greater. During the early 16th century, Sir Duncan Campbell added a single-story great hall along the inside of the south curtain wall. The sixth laird, Sir Colin Campbell, built chambers north of the tower house and remodeled the parapet with corner turrets. Each laird tried to expand this structure to suit their needs. In order to travel to the castle at that time, most sources suggested access to Kilchurn was only by boat or low-lying causeway. At any rate, the castle was definitely a formidable site that sat on the northeastern end of Loch Awe.

Here's the blurb about My Highland Spy:

Laird Ruairi Sutherland refuses to send his only son away to be educated by the English. And he most definitely will not appear in Edinburgh to pay homage to a liege who has no respect for Scotland or its people. So he does what any laird would do—he lies to the king. The last thing Ruairi expects is a beautiful English governess to appear on his doorstep.

Lady Ravenna Walsingham is a seasoned spy who is sent to the savage Highlands to uncover a nefarious plot against the Crown. Playing the part of an English governess—a job easier said than done—she infiltrates the home of Laird Ruairi Sutherland, a suspected conspirator.

Ravenna soon discovers that the only real threat Sutherland poses is to her heart. But will the proud Highland laird ever forgive her when he discovers the woman he loves is an English spy?

Find out more about Victoria and her books at www.victoriarobertsauthor.com.