Willa Blair shares the Scottish adventures of fellow authors

Willa Blair, award-wining author of Scottish historical paranormal romance, joins HEA to share the Scottish adventures of some of her fellow authors. Willa's latest release is The Healer's Gift (A Highland Talents Novella). Highland Talents book three, Highland Troth, is coming soon.

Here's the blurb about The Healer's Gift (A Highland Talents Novella):

Coira MacDugall paid with her life for her attack on the Highland Healer. But her victim did more than heal Coira's fatal wound that awful night. Now drowning in the unwelcome emotions of others, Coira wonders if her new empathic ability was meant as a gift or a curse.

Logen MacDugall must discover who killed three previous lairds if he hopes to survive for long in the position. He believes Coira's new sense can help him root out the conspirators, but after her disastrous time in the Highlands, the last thing she wants is to get involved with another laird. Logen must help Coira gain control of her talent in time to save him and their clan from those intent on destroying MacDugall.

Can Coira believe this laird truly loves her? Or will her memories lead her to madness again?

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

Willa: Having a passion for the history and beauty of the Scottish highlands, not to mention those sexy Scottish heroes (check some out here) has never been more popular. If that's you, you've got plenty of company! And if you're watching the Starz Outlander series, you're probably yearning for a highland adventure of your own by now.

To help you plan your trip, some of your best-loved Scottish historical romance authors are here to tell you about their favorite places in Scotland and how they've used those settings in their books. They've made the idea of a visit even more enticing by tempting you with pictures they've taken! Can't make the trip? No problem. Their books are waiting to transport you!

Eliza Knight, author of Highland Hunger

I've used the Isle of Skye in many of my books. Eilean Donan and Dunvegan have both appeared in my earlier novellas, my Stolen Bride Series, and now, in my Highland Wars series (Highland Hunger releasing now in "games"), I'm basing the land and castle loosely around Dunvegan, though I've renamed it Sitheil Castle, which is ironic because Sitheil means peaceful and Highland Wars is a series about a couple battling for victory in war games. The Isles have always held a sort of captive magic to me. You can feel the history and enchantment pulsing around you.

The home base of my Sutherland heroes from the Stolen Bride series is Dunrobin Castle. When I visited there last year, I actually got to sink my feet in the same sand as my heroes, and wander their grounds. It's such a beautiful, fascinating area. The spray of the North Sea, the gentle breeze. I really thought one of my heroes was going to ride up on his horse and ask me to fly away with him.

The Loch Ness area played a big part in my Highland Bound series. I based my Castle Gaeloch on Uruquart Castle. Again, another powerful place filled with history and mysticism.

Here's the blurb about Highland Hunger:

Highland Hunger, book one in my Highland Wars series, is releasing in five episodic "games" (followed by the release of the entire novel). Game One released on Aug. 11. Game Two, Aug. 18. Game Three arrives Aug. 25. Game Four, Sept. 1. Game Over, Sept. 8. The full novel will release by Oct. 1, and then Highland Sacrifice, book two, will release by Jan. 1.

An unclaimed land in the Scottish isles is ruled by the male and female victors in a series of war games every five years. Named Chief and Lady of the land, they rule the vast holding, and protect the people by divine right, until the next game begins.

After her brother's death, Ceana is named laird. The only way for her clan to survive the ravages of the Highlands is to join in the war games. Bastard son of a powerful earl, Macrath is placed in the games by his vengeful stepmother. He must survive for the ultimate retribution.

Ceana can't stand the arrogant Highlander who seems to be following her, and yet she can't seem to walk away. Macrath wants nothing more than to be rid of the troublesome need to protect the warrior lass. What starts out as a race to survive turns into passion to endure together.

May the gods be forever in their favor …

Find out more at www.elizaknight.com.

Tanya Anne Crosby, author of Highland Steel

My favorite location I've ever used in a book set in Scotland is Loch Einich. Surrounded by the Cairngorm mountains, it looks like a sparkling blue gem amidst a string of hills. Gorgeous, rugged and a little magical!

Here's the blurb about Highland Steel (coming Oct. 17):

The true stone of Destiny remains hidden, but now comes a new battle to determine who will hold the sword of kings.

Defying her laird and brother, Lael of the dun Scoti clan takes up her sword to fight beside the MacKinnons to return Keppenach to its rightful heir--to Broc Ceannfhionn. She'll risk everything to keep the stronghold out of the hands of King Henry's Butcher ... even her life.

They call him The Butcher, but not even Henry's henchman would hang a woman. Riding into the gates on winged fury, Jaime Steorling cuts the raven-haired beauty down from the gallows only to find himself a willing prisoner of her heart. In the end, only a bond of love between bitter enemies can bring healing to broken nations.

Highland Steel continues the tale that began with Highland Fire.

Find out more at www.tanyaannecrosby.com.

Glynnis Campbell, author of MacAdam's Lass

My favorite trip to Scotland was my stay at Roslin Castle with two other ladies, my BFF (author Lauren Royal) and our designated driver, Karen Nesbitt. The castle is located in a beautiful glade not far from Roslin Chapel, and we had it all to ourselves. The keep is only partially restored and is purportedly haunted by a lady in white, a dark knight, and a medieval hound. We encountered no ghosts, but it wasn't for lack of trying — we explored the bat-infested lower ruins at midnight! My latest books, MacFarland's Lass and MacAdam's Lass, are set in the lush forest surrounding Roslin, located about nine miles south of Edinburgh.

Here's the blurb about MacAdam's Lass:

Josselin Ancrum, a sword-wielding Scottish war-orphan-turned-spy for Queen Mary, has her eye on Drew MacAdam. She suspects the golfing "Highlander" isn't quite who he claims to be. While she serves up secret messages in the guise of a tavern wench, he seems to be courting the enemy English...when he isn't beating the Scots at their own game. Drawn together by fate, Drew and Jossy are swept up in their growing desires and the designs of their warring queens, until they uncover the terrible secret that binds their star-crossed souls.

Find out more at www.glynniscampbell.com.

Vonda Sinclair, author of My Rebel Highlander

One of my favorite places in Scotland is Durness on the far north coast. It is such a beautiful, moody and haunting place. It has wild, windswept beaches, a cave, mountains and lochs. I've used the setting in a couple of my books, My Brave Highlander and My Notorious Highlander. Durness is remote with a small population, but you will see lots of sheep and red deer. Sango Bay, one of the most picturesque spots in Scotland, is located there.

Here's the blurb about My Rebel Highlander:

Known for his wicked wit, fierce loyalty, and skills in battle, Robert "Rebbie" MacInnis, the Earl of Rebbinglen, loves freedom and has no plans of marrying anytime soon. But when his father, a powerful Scottish marquess, signs a contract betrothing Rebbie to an earl's young daughter, he is furious. If he has to marry, he's determined to choose his own bride, though he has no inkling who he would wish to wed until fate intervenes to remind him of one fair-haired, nameless beauty and the passionate night they spent together years ago. A night forever etched in his memory.

Lady Calla Ferguson, a penniless widow with a young son, is forced to seek employment as her cousin's companion in order to pay her late husband's massive gambling debt. Having been ignored or mistreated most of her life, Calla has become a resourceful survivor who will stop at nothing to get what she wants—safety and security for her son and herself. Wealthy merchant, Claybourne cares little for the money the Earl of Stanbury owed him; he simply wants the earl's beautiful, voluptuous widow and he'll do whatever it takes to get his hands on her, even kidnapping and blackmail.

When Rebbie happens upon Claybourne abducting Calla, he rescues her and hides her in a secluded castle deep in the wild Scottish Highlands. Calla conceals her passionate spirit beneath reserve and duty, along with closely-guarded secrets which, if exposed, could ruin both her life and her son's. Years ago, she lost her heart to a dark-eyed stranger she never thought to see again, but now he's her protector. Rebbie craves another pleasurable night like the one they shared in the past, and she cannot resist the fiery passion that echoes deep in her heart and soul. Soft but strong, Calla sparks within Rebbie a desperate hunger and a need to protect her. But will her secrets tear them apart?

Find out more at www.vondasinclair.com.

Check back with HEA next Monday for more Scottish visits with Willa and her fellow authors.