May 20, 2015

Guest Post & Giveaway ~ Victoria Roberts

Kilts and Daggers
By Victoria Roberts



My Highland Spy, Book 2
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Scottish Historical Romance
ISBN: 9781402292033
May 5, 2015
$7.99 Mass Market Paperback

“This book begs to be read and reread.”—RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars on My Highland Spy

Ever since Lady Grace Walsingham discovered her uncle and sister are spies for the Crown, she has yearned for adventure. She’s counting the days until she can leave barbaric Scotland behind, even if she must endure Highland captain Fagan Murray’s company for weeks. 

Fagan has a simple mission: escort the haughty Lady Grace back to England. But nothing is ever easy. The sharp-tongued woman needles him at every turn. But when a menacing threat follows them on their journey, Fagan’s grudging tolerance for Grace turns to respect…and into a perilous attraction that could seal their fate.


Where would you set your books if not in Scotland? Why?

Thank you so much for having me here today.

That’s a great question. I’ve never thought about having the setting of my books anywhere else because Scotland is where my heart lies. But if not in Scotland, mmm…I’d have to say somewhere in Europe. There’s far too much history across the pond for me to ignore.  

Granted, I love to read about the beautiful gowns on the ladies and the dashing lords who sweep them off their feet. But if I wrote about English lords and ladies, I think my Highlanders would feel betrayed.

My great-grandparents hailed from Poland, Luthuania and Galicia, so perhaps the setting would be there. Then again, my great-aunt was from France. She married my great-uncle after World War II, refusing to wed him unless she could also bring her mother to America. That would be a story for sure.

A few years ago, my sister and I traveled to Antwerp, Belgium. She was on business, and I tagged along for pleasure. What a quaint town. I’m sure I could spin a few tales there, but I’d have to return for more “research” of course. Although there are an abundance of settings to choose from, nothing else comes to mind because there’s only place where I desire to be.

I love Scotland, and I enjoy taking readers on a historical adventure through the rolling hills of the Scottish countryside where they’re sure to meet some memorable kilted characters along the way. Alba gu bràth! 


Excerpt from KILTS AND DAGGERS by Victoria Roberts

“Mister Murray, I don’t feel at ease discussing these subjects with you.”
“Then call me Fagan. Mister Murray was my father’s name anyway.”
Grace looked around and then softened her voice. “Now is that truly appropriate?”
“I told ye before. Ye’re a long way from England, lass. Lest ye forget, ye’re in the Highlands now. We do things differently here.”
She lifted a brow. “How could I forget?”
“Ruairi said ye’ll be staying with us for a few weeks. More to the point, I already call Ruairi’s wife Ravenna.” He turned up his smile a notch. “Ye and I are practically like family. Ye will call me Fagan, and I will call ye Grace, or I could always call ye bhana-phrionnsa. I’ll be kind enough to give ye a choice.”
“Ravenna may permit you to call her by her Christian name, but I certainly do not, Mister Murray. Although you do make me laugh, I’m afraid you and I are far from family.”
***
When Grace’s eyes smoldered, Fagan knew he shouldn’t get too close to the flame for fear of getting burned. There was still enough time to take his leave. Otherwise, he’d be verbally sparring with a lass in the middle of the great hall. Ruairi would no doubt have his head for causing mischief with his kin so soon after the wedding.
Fagan slapped both hands on the table and casually stood. Instinctively, he took another step back in case the lass suddenly had a strong urge to reach across the table and throttle him—or worse. Nevertheless, once she heard what he was about to say, the table wouldn’t provide enough space between them.
“Verra well then. I think bhana-phrionnsa suits ye quite nicely.” When Grace’s cheeks turned scarlet, Fagan smiled. “Donna say I didnae warn ye. Remember I did give ye a choice.” He winked at her and then turned on his heel.
“Wait!”
He had a hard time trying to mask his smile. He turned around slowly and lifted a brow. “Aye?”
Grace flew to her feet, walked around the table, and closed the distance between them. She lifted her head, and by the way she was unsteady on her feet, he swore the daft lass was standing on the tips of her toes in a futile attempt to look him level in the eye.
“England and Scotland have been warring for centuries, Mister Murray, yet somehow Scotland has never won.” Lifting her skirts, she brushed his arm with her shoulder and took a few steps away from him.
That was until he called after her and stopped her dead in her tracks. “Cuine a chì mi a-ris thu, Grace?” When will I see you again? He made certain he said the words as though he spoke to his lover, which obviously had the desired effect because her whole body stiffened, and then she left him without a backward glance. Fagan’s mood was suddenly buoyant. He wasn’t exactly sure why he loved to unnerve Princess Grace, but he had one hell of a time doing it.

Buy the Book
MY HIGHLAND SPY (Book 1)

KILTS AND DAGGERS (Book 2)

About the Author

Victoria Roberts writes sexy, award-winning Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. Prior to ever picking up a single romance novel, she penned her first young adult novella at 16 years old. Who knew her leather-studded motorcycle hero would trade in his ride and emerge as a kilt wearing Highlander wielding a broadsword? Victoria lives with her husband and their two beautiful children in western Pennsylvania.

Connect with Victoria Roberts


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