Victoria Vane's Blog

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Put on your Easter bonnet and Hop to each of the historical authors’ sites to collect the decorated eggs. Collect all 30 for a chance to win $150 gift card!

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HERE’S MY EGG! GOOD LUCK!  

 

 

Scottish Butter Tablet Recipe By:Lizzie Mac  from ALL RECIPES.COM

Ingredients

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup cream or milk

4 1/2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup chilled unsalted butter, cut into cubes

1 dash salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Directions

Generously butter a 13×18-inch sheet pan or two 8×8-inch square pans, and set aside.

Stir together condensed milk, cream, sugar, salt, and butter in a large (4-quart), heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place over medium heat, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. When the mixture has reached a boil, turn heat to low, and continue cooking and stirring, until a candy thermometer reaches between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of the mixture dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. This should take about 20 minutes.

Once the mixture has attained a light tan color, remove from heat, and beat vigorously (but carefully!) with a wooden spoon until the mixture cools and thickens. Stop beating when you can feel the mixture turn from smooth to grainy.

Pour into the prepared pan. Don’t scrape any crystallized bits from the bottom of the pan, or it may cause the whole batch to crystallize. While still warm, score the tablet into 2-inch squares with the tip of a paring knife. Allow to cool 6 hours to overnight until set. Cut into squares with a serrated knife. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

 

I hope you enjoy this fabulous Scottish confection! Merry Christmas from Victoria Vane!

Holiday Cookie Exchange Hop Links



Lara Archer
http://laraarcher.com


Katharine Ashe
https://katharineashe.com/extras/cookies-fit-for-a-prince/


Lori Ann Bailey
http://loriannbailey.com/christmas-eve-cookies/


Tammy L. Bailey
https://www.tammylbailey.com/


Katherine Bone
https://m.facebook.com/AuthorKatherineBone/


Liana De la Rosa
https://www.facebook.com/LianainBloom/


Elizabeth Essex
https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.essex.37/


Tina Gabrielle
https://www.facebook.com/TinaGabrielle


Virginia Heath
https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor/


Piper Huguley
http://piperhuguley.com


Julie Johnstone
https://www.facebook.com/authorjuliejohnstone/


Kris Kennedy
https://www.kriskennedy.net/Blogsm


Elizabeth Keysian
https://elizabethkeysian.com/


Tara Kingston
https://www.facebook.com/TaraKingstonAuthor/


Eliza Knight
https://eknightauthor.com/2018/12/cookie-exchange-hop/


Elizabeth Langston
http://www.elizabethlangston.net/holiday-hop/


Jeannie Lin
http://www.jeannielin.com/blog/


Diana Lloyd
www.diana-lloyd.com


Nicole Locke
https://www.facebook.com/NicoleLockeAuthor


Alanna Lucas
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlannaLucas/


Deb Marlowe
http://www.debmarlowe.com/historical-holiday-cookie-hop.html


Madeline Martin
http://www.madelinemartin.com/blog/


Heather McCollum
https://www.heathermccollum.com/kitchen/


Maddison Michaels
https://www.facebook.com/MaddisonMichaelsAuthor/


April Moran
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAprilMoran


Kate Parker
https://www.facebook.com/Author.Kate.Parker/      


Emma Prince
https://www.EmmaPrinceBooks.com


Vanessa Riley
http://vanessariley.com/blog/2018/12/04/3-ingredient-peanut-butter-cookies/


Ava Stone
http://www.avastoneauthor.com/ava-s-scandalous-oatmeal-cookies


Jennifer Trethewey
https://www.facebook.com/jennifertretheweyromance/


Victoria Vane
www.victoriavane.com/blog


Harmony Williams
www.harmonywilliams.com/xmas-hop

After you have visited each site to collect the cookie recipes, e-mail the list of authors and their cookies to Heather@HeatherMcCollum.com with the subject line “Romance Authors Sure Can Bake” to be entered into the grand prize drawing. A winner will be selected randomly and announced Monday, 17 December by noon ET. Happy Holidays!

 

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American Royalty — 5 Americans Who’ve Married Up 

~ first in a four-part America’s Princess series by Sonja Rouillard, author of the Romance Readers Guide to Historic London

 

I love historical romances and my favorites are about commoners “marrying up.” Even better, if they feature an upstart American. So, you can guess that I’m over the freakin’ moon about the upcoming royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event since the House of Windsor is now fresh out of eligible bachelors, and the likelihood of boy George growing up to fall in love with another Yank is about as likely as me winning the lottery. So, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating this modern Cinderella story.

 

However, Meghan isn’t the first American to marry up. By my unofficial count there have been at least 35. But while all of the women were commoners—as in not of royal blood—most were not your average Joe…sephine, either.

 

Take socialite Betsy of Baltimore, who married Napoleon Bonaparte’s youngest brother in 1803. Sadly, her love match did not end well and she never become Queen of Westphalia (Google it). Or philanthropist Mary, who became the Countess von Waldersee in 1874. Born with the proverbial silver spoon, these and others like them were never really one of us, having started out life already in possession of the glass slipper.

 

But Meghan’s upward mobility is the real-deal, a fairytale, love story that also represents our cherished belief in “The American Dream”— get an education, work hard, and you can move up in the world. Here are five Americans of mostly humble-ish birth who found their glass slipper:

 

Lesser-known is gold-digging Peggy, Duchesse de Nemours and Duchesse de Vendome et d’Alencon. Born in 1899, she actually had some noble ancestry but no wealth, her family even rumored to have run a boarding house for a while. In her twenties, she lived in the fringes of New York society, attempting to hook a wealthy husband, including a Vanderbilt. The press dubbed her “Golden Peggy.” Eventually, she scored, big-time: Prince Charles Philippe d’Orleans (for fans of the fabulous Versailles on the tele, yes, he is a descendant of that Philippe). However, the French royal family did not approve, giving them a small allowance and forbidding her the titles; she prevailed in a court battle. With love but not wealth, it’s reported they had to resort to sheep farming in Morocco at one point. Peggy must have loved him dearly, for she stayed with Philippe throughout her sometimes-difficult life. But it was only after her death in 1993 that was she was accepted by the in-laws, being interred next to him in the Royal Chapel of Dreux in the Loir Valley where the duchess rests alongside many of the august relations who had snubbed her in life.

 

Perhaps most famous is Princess Grace Kelly, an Academy Award winning actress who married His Serene Highness Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. However, their marriage wasn’t quite the “love affair” that was lauded in the press. She met him while attending at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955, but then she returned to the U.S. Supposedly, they became pen pals, and when Rainier came to America eight months later he visited her. Talk about a short romance, after only three days he proposed, but it’s doubtful it was love on third sight. As in many romance plots, the prince was required to marry—either produce an heir or the Kingdom of Monaco would revert to France! They married in a glamourous royal wedding four months later, and, voilà, we have the legendary story of Princess Grace and her tragic death at 55.

 

III. Then there’s the rise of Viscountess Astor, who started life as Nancy Langhorne in a modest home in Danville, Virginia. Divorced after a bad marriage, she moved to England at age 26. In a time when many Americans were snagging nobles, she was supposedly asked, “Have you come to get our husbands?” She was known for charm and wit, and responded, “If you knew the trouble I had getting rid of mine…” She did “get” an Englishman—however, one born in the U.S before his dad, William Waldorf Astor, one of the wealthiest men in the world, moved the family to Britain. Dad’s extraordinary generosity to English charities earned him baron and viscount titles, which passed to his son in 1919, making Nancy a viscountess. What appeals to me about Nancy is her indomitable American spirit, if not always her politics. She broke an English glass ceiling, becoming the first woman to win and take a seat as a Member of Parliament.

 

Lord and Lady Astor lived an aristocratic life. You can play Lady of the Manor too by staying in Cliveden House (for a hefty fee)—their palatial estate is now a hotel. While you take tea, envision Queen Victoria joining you as she was fond of the place. Later, one of England’s biggest sex/spy scandals got its start there, the Profumo Affair, but that’s another story.

 

A recent royaling-up is Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah Zeid, formerly Sarah Butler of Texas. While not poor, neither was she uber-rich as are most of the living American princesses. She is, however, a highly-educated, career woman, which makes her choice of Middle Eastern noble unusual. But said royal is not your average stand-behind-me and wear-a-hijab kind of guy. All accounts indicate it was a love match when, in 2000, she married Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein, member of the Jordanian House of Hashemite and Crown Prince of Iraq. They live in New York with their three children, and what’s wonderful about this couple is that the focus of their lives is doing good for people worldwide. Princess Sarah works as an advocate for women’s rights and maternal/newborn healthcare, and he serves as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

 

Which leads nicely into the fairytale romance of Harry and the soon to be HRH Princess Henry of Wales to Prince for they are also a couple who have pledged their lives to doing good. Meghan’s unique among the marrying-up Americans because she’s bi-racial (African-American mom, whose ancestors were slaves in Georgia, and Caucasian dad). And, she’s a divorcee.

 

Famously, in 1937, King Edward VIII married a divorcee too, the humble-roots, twice-divorced Wallace Simpson, but he had to abdicate the throne in order to marry the American. It had even caused an uproar when he brought her to the palace to meet mum (the queen), because divorcees weren’t allowed at court. So, while she might have been the first to catch a British HRH, the only family jewels she got to handle weren’t of the crystal kind.

 

So, Meghan should thank her lucky diamonds (the ones in her wedding tiara) that times have changed, because apparently the House of Windsor is welcoming her with open arms. I like to think it’s due, in part, to the changes in Harry since he started dating Meghan. Was it just a few years ago that the wild child was caught on camera naked, playing strip billiards in Las Vegas? Not anymore. Now he’s polished and polite, sporting tailored suits and looking happy. And something tells me that the newly mature prince wouldn’t have settled for anything less than his family’s full acceptance of his bride. Harry’s doing his duty now in every way and he’s chosen the helpmate he wants at his side.

 

What I really like about their story is that Meghan appears to deserve her fairytale. She worked hard in college at Northwestern, becoming the first in her family to earn a degree. Then went on to pursue an acting career, eventually landing a lead role in the successful tv show Suits (a favorite of mine; start with the pilot—it’s one of the best episodes).

 

But here’s the good-karma, deserving part: Once she hit stardom, Meghan used her newfound power for good, working as global ambassador for major children and youth charities and as an advocate to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Had she instead gone for the Hollywood lifestyle of fancy cars and endless parties, she might never have met Harry, and it seems like their shared interest in African charity work helped them bond. Their third date even consisted of a five-day camping trip in Africa, described by Harry as the two of them in a tent in “the middle of nowhere.” Going forward, Meghan plans to work supporting Harry in his charity efforts.

 

The big day is May 19th and millions will be tuned in for the making of Princess Meghan when she weds her prince in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. And, yes, I know she won’t be styled like that, but did you know that Princess Diana couldn’t officially be called that either. The honorific was added by the people. So, this people—me—is adding it to Meghan and calling her Our American Princess.

 

And, heck, she gets to wear the royal jewels! What more does one need?

 

Says royal historian Marlene Koenig, “Her rank would be a princess by marriage of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland” (Town & Country, 11/27/17). Add to that, when she’s with her new hubby, the royal-blood Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will be required to curtsey to her. If she’s not with Harry, then she bends the knee to them. Yeah, I know, it’s complicated over there in royal land.

 

But one thing I’m very hopeful of, and fairly confident about too, is that Meghan will represent American womanhood with brilliant grace, poise, and style, making us all proud to call her one of ours.

 

Next up in my America’s Princess series is “Take a Walk in Meghan’s Footsteps” and later, how commoners—like you and me—can party along with the happy couple.

 

Sonja Rouillard

Author, Romance Readers Guide to Historic London

http://www.romancereadersguides.com

 

Resources:

St. Joseph’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, their current abode at Kensington Palace, Cliveden House, the Astors, and more, are described in Romance Readers Guide to Historic London.

http://theesotericcuriosa.blogspot.com/2009/12/franco-american-duchess-marguerite.html

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/g3220/american-princesses

http://www.unofficialroyalty.com/royal-tidbits-trivia/americans-who-married-royalty-by-susan-flantzer/

 

Photos of Grace Kelly, Lady Astor, Royal Wedding Hop, and tiara in the public domain.

Hunting – from Gaston Phoebus’ Book of Hunting Circa 1400

 

Making a quick foray to the kitchens, where Maesie, the cook, was kindling the fire, Malcolm scooped up the napkin-wrapped bundle of bannocks and the skin of cider that she always had ready for him. He was the best hunter at Kinlochaline and Maesie always made a point to reward his efforts.

“Nae parritch fer ye this morn?” she asked.

“Nae time,” he answered, cramming a bannock into his mouth and washing it down with a long swig of cider. “I am off to kill a stag.”

“Then we’ll all have venison for supper,” she replied with a nod of satisfaction.

Leaving the kitchen, Malcolm made a beeline for the kennels. At first sight of him, the hunting hounds began to whimper and whine. While his foster brother Lorne, always insisted on scenting his prey with a lyme-hound and running it to exhaustion with an entire pack of dogs, Malcolm took only a single sighthound to help locate and quietly stalk his prey.

“Come, Sorcha,” Malcolm called to his favorite, a quiet and mild-tempered deerhound. The limpid-eyed dog rose from her straw bed, languidly stretching her long limbs as he opened her cage. But all sign of lethargy vanished the moment she was free of the kennel.

With head held high, Sorcha moved at his side, easily matching Malcolm’s ground-eating strides as he crossed the bailey and exited the castle gate into the fog enshrouded landscape beyond. The morning air was brisk and the breeze hinted of salt from Loch Aline. He paused, testing the wind direction. The best hunting grounds were north toward the freshwater Loch Arienas. Although the animals he stalked could oft be found near still waters in the early hours, his scent would carry if he ventured in that direction. Adapting his original plan, he altered his course eastward to track along the northern bank of the Rannoch River toward the more distant Loch Teàrnait.

The fog had begun to dissipate from the land with the cresting sun, but steam continued to rise from the river, forming ghostly shapes that danced over the water. The music of song thrush and wood warblers mixed with the gurgle of the rushing waters. A kingfisher with its brilliant blue back and metallic copper breast suddenly darted from its perch on a low lying branch and dove into the water, rising swiftly in triumph with a small fish struggling to escape from its long, black beak.

The narrow but swiftly flowing waters of the Rannoch provided excellent fishing for both man and beast. It also formed the boundary between the estates of Kinlochaline and Ardtornish, a border he was warned never to cross due to a longstanding dispute between the two chieftains, Conn Mac Innes and Gillebride Mac Gilleadamnam, the erstwhile Thane of Argyll.

Malcolm had little interest in learning the entire history of their feud. Land disputes were common enough in the Highlands, particularly in hard times when men struggled just to feed their families, but it made little sense in Malcolm’s mind, to fight with a close neighbor when fish and game both plentiful. The lochs of Morvern teemed with salmon and trout, and great herds of roe and red deer abounded, gazing the moors and mountainsides. Hunting had become his chief occupation since coming to Argyll, although Lorne, by far, favored salmon fishing.

He imagined Lorne would be stirring from his own bed by now, but Malcolm preferred to hunt alone. With Sorcha as his boon companion, Malcolm spent half of his waking hours wandering the forests and hiking the mountain trails, and rarely returned empty-handed.

They had traveled the better part of a mile when Sorcha abruptly halted, her gaze locked on a copse of pine. Malcom did the same and then slowly, he reached for his quiver. Within the stand of trees stood a roe deer with twin spotted fawns. Raising her nose, the doe suspiciously sniffed the air.

Frozen at his side, Sorcha’s body quivered with anticipation as she awaited Malcolm’s command to chase. The doe took a tentative step beyond the shelter of trees, and paused again. The front half of her body was now exposed. It would be an effortless kill, but the fawns would not survive long without their mother.  They would be easy prey for the wolves.

With a sigh, Malcolm let his hand drop from his bow. “Nae, Sorcha,” he murmured to the eager hound. Grasping her collar with one hand, Malcolm waved at the deer with the other. “Off wi’ ye now!”

Startled to flight, the doe leapt away, her twins bounding on her heels.

Gazing up at him with her large brown eyes, Sorcha whimpered her disappointment.

He settled his hand on the dog’s shoulder. “Sorry lass, but we will find worthier game.”

I just love a tough hero with a tender heart! 

VENGEANCE (Sons of Scotland #3) is coming this summer!

A king’s grandson robbed of his rightful inheritance… . Domnall Mac William, the descendant of two kings, has spent his life desperately seeking the approval of the man who disowned him, and preparing for the day he will reclaim both the lands that were stolen from him… and the girl he loves.

A knight’s daughter who longs for justice….As a young child, Davina of Crailing lost everything she loved–her family murdered and her home burned. As an orphan and heiress, Davina is taken in as a ward of the king, but his motives are far from benevolent.

But her salvation will require his sacrifice…. In desperate need of a champion and protector, Davina turns to Domnall, but saving her will come at a great cost. When forced to choose, will Domnall leave Davina on her own to avenge the past, or will he surrender his own ambitions to find the missing piece of his heart?

BUY NOW FOR $.99 for a LIMITED TIME or read FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

The post VALOR: SONS OF SCOTLAND #2 by VICTORIA VANE appeared first on VICTORIA VANE.

[image error]Just gather all the hero names and enter them in the rafflecoptor on Elizabeth Rose's page. Care to guess who my Valentine hero will be? Start here and find out: 

 

 

 

 

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Valentine hop links

1) Elizabeth Rose

2) Victoria Vane

3) Lily Baldwin

4) Vonda Sinclair

5) Cathy MacRae

6) Amy Jarecki

7) Meara Platt

8) Lana Williams

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Here is my prize pack for the hop!

SIGNED COPY OF THE SKEIK RETOLD,

A SET OF PEARL AND RHINESTONE HAIR PINS

A PHOTO KEY CHAIN

AND A COFFEE MUG!

The post Hearts and Heroes Valentine’s Hop! appeared first on VICTORIA VANE.

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THE BASTARD OF BRITTANY by VICTORIA VANE
(World of De Wolfe Pack Wolves of Brittany #3)

 

Gwened of Poher has a legacy to protect, but duty has left her in a loveless marriage without children. Aside from the artistry of her needle, her life is unfulfilled. Until a Norseman offers to show her the kind of passion that she never knew existed.

Bjorn Vargrson blames himself for the tragic deaths of his wife and son. Prayers and sacrifices have done nothing to ease the weight of the burden he carries—the gods have abandoned him.

But when he’s offered a chance at a new life, he joins his brothers on a quest to conquer Brittany, only to find his heart is at stake. For if a man takes, he must also give, even if it means surrendering to love.

Buy now for $1.99 or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

The post THE BASTARD OF BRITTANY by VICTORIA VANE appeared first on VICTORIA VANE.

Hi Everyone!

I have recently returned home after an EPIC three week trip that included two fabulous conferences and ended with a RONE award for BEAUTY AND THE BULL RIDER! I had such a great time. 

My trip began in Spokane, Washington at the HISTORICAL ROMANCE RETREAT. This reader-centric conference, hosted by Delilah Marvelle and Renee Bernard is unlike any other and not to be missed by any lover of historical romance and historical clothing!  It included a historical gaming night, movie night, afternoon tea, multi-author book signing and a grand ball.

Here are some photo and video highlights that I hope you will enjoy!

HISTORICAL ROMANCE RETREAT













http://www.victoriavane.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/22189049_355974541526187_8712393747515572224_n.mp4http://www.victoriavane.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/22189798_2056189121263074_150309475809492992_n.mp4http://www.victoriavane.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/22153106_821750278027220_2826124399579496448_n.mp4

The post Three weeks of travel, two fabulous conferences, and a RONE Award! appeared first on VICTORIA VANE.

 Immerse yourself this weekend in a compelling Medieval Scottish romance!

 

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A man without a past… 
Abandoned at a monastery as a young child, Alexander serves two masters—God and the fading memories of his past life—the one he never got to live. As he nears the day to take his vows, he’s sent on a last sojourn into the real world, but what begins as a test of faith becomes a journey to manhood. 

And a woman who doesn’t know her own heart… 
Born from the line of two kings, Lady Sibylla Mac William is abandoned by her sire as a child and then ruled illegitimate. Though she lives a happy life under her uncle’s protection, Sibylla craves something more, but never could she imagine losing her heart to the would-be monk who unexpectedly arrives to tutor her brother.

Together, they will forge the future of a kingdom…
When dark secrets from the past come to light, Alex and Sibylla’s fates become inextricably entwined. Will Alex choose the safe and secure path he knows, or will he reject holy orders to embrace his true destiny… and the woman he loves?

 
Buy now for $.99 or read FREE on KU
 

 

EXCERPT

Twilight made a rapid descent on Cnoc Croit na Maoile, cloaking the forested part of the path in deep shadow and making the way difficult. Twice, she stumbled and a short while later, caught her foot on a root that sent her sprawling to the ground.

Alex was there swiftly to help her back up. “Are ye a’right, lass?”

“Aye. I’m nae hurt,” she lied.

He could clearly see that her face was scratched, her palms were scraped, and her tunic had been torn by a limb. He gently brushed away the dirt and tenderly kissed her palms before entwining his fingers with hers. “’Tis best if I lead ye now.”

Although the rest of the way was easier, Alex was reluctant to release her hand.

“Ye still havena told me what troubles ye, Alexander,” she said, breaking the silence.

“I’ve learned some things about my family since coming here,” he said.

“Aye?” She stopped to face him. “How did this come about?”

“Yer uncle recognized my sgian-dubh. He says he kent my faither.”

“He did? How? What did he tell ye?” she asked.

Alex drew a great breath into his lungs and released it on a sigh. There was so much he wished to confide, but what could tell her? How much did he dare to share? “Only that my faither was an enemy of the king.”

“The king has many enemies,” she replied, “especially in Moray. Did ye ken my máthair’s faither was a king in his own right? His lands stretched from one sea to the other, but his son, Angus, forfeited everything when he rebelled against the crown.”

 “My faither found himself in a similar situation,” Alex said. “There was substantial… property… that should have come to him by right through his faither, but the king disagreed.”

“’Tis the Cenn Mór way to do such things,” she said.

“Dinna ye also carry Cenn Mór blood?” he asked.

“Only a quarter,” she corrected. “And I dinna regard that part of me any more than my sire regarded his Scots blood. He was a lowlander by birth who chose to be Sassenach. I, on the contrary, choose to be a Highlander.”

Her answer evoked a chuckle.

“Ye should do that more often,” she said.

“Do what?” he asked.

“Laugh. ‘Tis the first time I heard ye laugh.”

“Monasteries dinna encourage much laughter,” he said dryly.

“But yer nae there anymore, are ye?”

“I am nae.”

“Then ye need to laugh more freely,” she insisted.

They’d emerged from the forested path, Alex halted and turned to face her. “If ‘twill please ye,” he said. “I will try.”

“Aye,” she said. “But ‘twould please me even better if ye would kiss me again.”

Alex instinctively leaned toward her, wanting to give her the kiss, but knowing where it would lead. “I canna, Sibylla,” he said, stroking her cheek. “This should ne’er have happened between us.”

“But it did,” she said. “Do ye regret it so much, Alexander?”

“Regret? Nae.” He shook his head. “I only regret that it canna be.”

He’d gone to the promontory seeking solace for his distressed spirit, and found balm in Sibylla’s kiss. He knew it was far more than carnal lust, but it was futile to think they could ever be together. “I am no one with nothing,” he said. “This can go nowhere.”

“But things can change Alexander,” she said. “I believe our destinies lie in our own hands.”

“Ye do nae have faith in Divine Providence?” He wondered again at her lack of piety.

“I do. I believe God sets many things in motion but the choices we make, for better or for ill, are ours alone. I believe ye came here for a reason, Alexander. I believe our meeting was meant to be.”

Alex, once more, recalled the eerie words of her grandmother. “Lady Olith said as much.”

Her eyes grew wide. “My grandmother spoke of us?”                  

“Aye.” He hesitated to say more, but found himself compelled to ask, “Is she right in the head?”

“She’s a seer, Alexander,” Sibylla answered. “She has visions.”

“Have they ever proven true?” he asked.

“Many times. She kent her son, Angus, would be killed in battle. She also kent that Domnall and I would come here… what did she say to ye?”

“I dinna remember it well,” he lied. He remembered every word but speaking more of it would only give credence to what he could not, would not, believe.

“Surely ye recall something of her words,” she insisted, “else ye would nae have spoken of it.”

“Sibylla!” A shout startled them apart before Alex could respond; it was Domnall galloping toward them. “What is this!” He flung himself down from his mount with an accusing stare. “Where have ye been, Sibylla? The entire clan is looking for ye.”

His gaze darted from Sibylla to Alex and back again, and then narrowed in suspicion as he took in Sibylla’s torn gown and scratched face.

He took a step toward them with his hand on his sword. “What were ye doing with my sister?”

“Nae, Domnall!” Sibylla quickly interposed herself between them. “’Tis nae what ye think!”

His gaze narrowed. “I ken what I see.”

“Alex did nothing amiss,” she said. “I fell out of a tree.”

“Ye fell?” He snorted in disbelief.

“Aye,” she insisted. “I was in the great oak at the standing stones when Alexander came and—“

His raised a silencing hand. “Enough!” Domnall pierced Alex with a challenging look. “What have ye to say about this, monk?”

“I dinna dishonor yer sister,” Alex said. “I give ye my sacred vow.”

Domnall considered him for a long, tense moment. There was no sign of their earlier camaraderie in his expression. Would he draw his sword? Alex fingered his sgian-dubh, praying he wouldn’t be forced to defend himself.

“In my experience, a vow is only as good as the man who makes it. And I still dinna ken what to make of ye. Come, Sibylla,” Domnall commanded. “Ye will ride back with me.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered to Alex as she passed, her gaze downcast.

Alex warily watched as Domnall lifted her onto the horse. Of all the sins he’d committed in his life, some might be worthy of mortal punishment, but a kiss certainly wasn’t one of them. Then again, if he had perished under Domnall’s sword, he could never regret meeting death with Sibylla’s sweet kiss still lingering on his lips.

 

Buy now for $.99 or read FREE on KU

The post VIRTUE: SONS OF SCOTLAND #1 is now live! appeared first on VICTORIA VANE.

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A BRIEF WORD ABOUT THE SERIES:

 

 

I’m so excited to announce the start of a brand new historical series! The SONS OF SCOTLAND represents a whole new direction for me with the kind of stories I have been wanting to write for years!

It all began about a year and a half ago through some personal genealogy research in which I traced my Scottish Clan Ross roots all the way back to the 12th century Highlands. The rest, as they say, is history!

This series will be exclusive to Amazon with print copies also available.

Pre-order VIRTUE now for only $.99!

A man without a past… 

Abandoned at a monastery as a young child, Alexander serves two masters—God and the fading memories of his past life—the one he never got to live. As he nears the day to take his vows, he’s sent on a last sojourn into the real world, but what begins as a test of faith becomes a journey to manhood.

And a woman who doesn’t know her own heart…

Born from the line of two kings, Lady Sibylla Mac William is abandoned by her sire as a child and then ruled illegitimate. Though she lives a happy life under her uncle’s protection, Sibylla craves something more, but never could she imagine losing her heart to the would-be monk who unexpectedly arrives to tutor her brother.

Together, they will forge the future of a kingdom…

When dark secrets from the past come to light, Alex and Sibylla’s fates become inextricably entwined. Will Alex choose the safe and secure path he knows, or will he reject holy orders to embrace his true destiny… and the woman he loves?

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