How to Catch a Highlander! with Terry Spear

Today is the last day for me to post during the author spotlight and I have to say it’s been fun for me. But I couldn’t go without a word about Highlanders. I love writing about them. My mother’s family were from the Highlands and ended up in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The daughter of the Duke of Argyle ran off with a commoner MacNeill and ended up dying in Prince Edward Island, leaving her husband and three small children behind.




So it was a love story without a happily ever after, and I’m changing history to make it a HEA in both straight medieval Highlander tales and contemporary Highland werewolf tales.

Already out, Winning the Highlander’s Heart is an endearing medieval tale about two hidebound Highlanders, one who wants a Highlander laird for a husband, and the laird who wants an English bride because of all the trouble he’s had with Scottish lasses. They get into more trouble together, and definitely have difficulty seeing anyone else when they are in or out of each other’s company. Except King Henry plans to wed Lady Anice to one of his loyal Norman lords, and if Malcolm MacNeill isn’t careful, he might just literally lose his head in the bargain.

The sequel, The Accidental Highland Hero continues the tale with James MacNeill, older brother to Malcolm in Winning the Highlander’s Heart. A lovely lass is washed ashore after her ship sinks in the turbulent Irish Sea (which is where one of my ancestors was born—on the ship crossing the Irish Sea from Ireland to Scotland) and the MacNeill clan takes her in. But is she betrothed or kin to the enemy’s clan?




And then there’s the new Highland werewolf tales coming up: Heart of the Highland Wolf—which is about a Highland laird and pack leader who is forced to allow a movie production to be conducted at his castle after their money is stolen by an investor. Ian MacNeill is intrigued with a werewolf romance writer of werewolf romance tales, Julia Wildthorn, in ways he never imagined, while Julia, who is trying to uncover a family secret hidden in the walls of the castle and a way to get rid of her writer’s block, finds much more trouble than she bargained for.

In the sequel, Ian’s brother, Duncan, finds his own share of trouble in a bikini-clad botanist in tropical paradise as he’s trying to track down the investor who stole their money, while the lady is trying to do some studies for a class and is way too easily distracted by the wolfish Highland hunk.

One good thing about Highlanders—they have large families. So more hunks to follow! If you ever have a hankering for a Highlander, come check them out! Whether they’re medieval types, or contemporary werewolf types, they’re definitely worth reading about.

Who says history can’t be rewritten! Mine definitely have a happily ever after!

Have you ever envisioned being swept away by a Highlander?

Thanks so much for having me at Seriously Reviewed all week! And thanks to everyone who has taken time to stop by and comment! Have a super weekend!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”
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Setting the Imagination Free with Terry Spear

Today, I’ll be at work before I have a molar extracted. The tooth is cracked to the bone. Just a week ago, I was at Disney World at the 2010 RWA Conference enjoying all that Orlando has to offer, knowing that I’d have to have some major traumatic dental work done when I got home. But I’d really thought the tooth could be saved.

So when we have to deal with reality that isn’t much fun, what is better than slipping into unreal worlds? One of the shows we got to see at one of the Disney theme parks was a purple dragon challenging us to set our imagination free. After work and the extraction, I’ll be going home to read books, watch a movie, and if I’m feeling up to it, writing some on my newly contracted wolf books, and I’ll be setting my imagination free—free of the real world I exist in.

Some time ago, a fan wrote me saying she was in constant pain and was housebound and that my writing helped her to cope with the day-to-day drudgery of living. She said she read and reread my books over and over and they helped her to find other worlds to enjoy, to escape the world she lived in.

So whether we write nonfiction or fiction, we use our imaginations to create the worlds we write about. In nonfiction, we have to imagine how readers will view the work, will it hook enough, will it be interesting enough to capture readers’ imaginations. It doesn’t have to be dry and boring.
A co-worker of mine doesn’t believe in fantasy, or fantastical worlds, yet he loves history that is changed in a fictional way. So what is that? Maybe not as fantastical as some worlds, yet, it’s still not strictly historical either. Whether the story is based on fact, or purely imaginative, when all else fails, falling into another world is a great way to escape.

Have you have a time where you gave everything up just to sit back and enjoy a good story that made your own imagination soar?

Thanks for commenting on today’s post! Tomorrow will be my last day at Seriously Reviewed. I hope everyone is enjoying the blogs!

Terry
“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”
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Writing Romance and Attending the BIG Romance Conference!

I meant to write this blog before I left for the 2010 RWA National Conference, but didn’t have time and had run out of things to say after writing over 30 blogs for the big tour. So here I am getting ready for work and I’m so pumped from having been to the big romance conference—where writers share their dreams of writing romance—that I finally have some new material to write about!


No matter where we are in the publishing process, brand new writer, pro—has submitted something for consideration either before an editor or agent, published—has actually published a story, we’re all striving for the same thing. To share our stories with the world.

This was my first, first literacy signing—and I was so excited. The line wrapped around the building as women waited hungrily to meet authors whose works they love, to receive autographed copies, and to help support literacy. I saw some of my online students, FF&P and From the Heart chapter members, fans who are writers, and fans who are readers. And even had a lot of interest from new readers to the series. Some were just local folks from Orlando who came only for the literacy signing and bought MY books! Now how exciting is that??? I sat next to vampire romance author Kerrlyn Sparks, which was a real honor as well!

I met for the first time, Dominique Raccah, the publisher and CEO for Sourcebooks, the largest woman owned publisher in North America, and who was a lot of fun to be around! And Danielle Jackson, my brilliant Sourcebooks publicist. I spoke as the first time keynote speaker at a conference at the From the Heart Greet and Meet and had a blast! Thanks so much to Carolyn Hughey, our president, for asking me.

And this was my first, first Sourcebooks signing, where interested readers were able to take home free copies of two of my books. Some reviewers were there who plan to give them away free on their blogs! So keep an eye peeled!

I was able to see my wonderful editor, Deb Werksman, who helps me to write the best books ever, and even pitched a couple of books to her in person, for the first time! And this was outside of a Spanish restaurant where I enjoyed a Sourcebooks dinner with Dominique, Deb, and Danielle—again, a first!

So it was an extremely exciting conference for me full of firsts and no other will be quite the same.

Thanks to RWA for putting on a grand conference, despite the hardships of first having it planned for Nashville and with the flooding there, having to move it literally at the last moment to Orlando. It couldn’t have been any better than that for me!

Conference always inspires me to write—so are you ready for more wolves? Hunky Highlanders? Vampires? I sure hope so! I’m definitely ready to write them!

Terry Spear

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”

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Mixing Myths and Legends with Reality with Terry Spear

One of the fun things about writing urban fantasy for me is to mix myths and legends with a world that is real. What does that mean? Taking the fantasy element—vampires, or werewolves, or demons, oh my! And inserting them in Average Town, America where they co-exist with people like you and me (unless of course you’re one of these fantastical creatures I’m referring to…or I am).


I grew up on fantasy—the paranormal—ghosts and vampires and werewolves and gargoyles. Of witches and genies and all kinds of mythical creatures too many to name. I loved the Greek Mythologies and folk tales around the world—most giving a reason for something existing in nature. The peoples of those times were storytellers extraordinaire.

And that’s what I hope to accomplish while I’m writing my stories. A little suspense, a few thrills, some sexy romance, adventure, a way to suspend disbelief for a few hours and escape the world as we know it—the work week, the household chores, the yard work—and find a little romance, in a werewolf world, or a vampire world, or a medieval world.

It’s been so hectic at my library job because of staff taking vacations, or being out sick, and the numbers of patrons are increasing at an alarming rate without hope to add more staff. So what is a writer to do? Sneak off to the bat cave and write about—the world without weeding, or troubles (of a truly mundane nature), or paying taxes, or doing the dishes, or getting rid of the plethora of bugs involved in a home invasion worthy of a Stephen King horror novel.

Yep, it’s time for the writer to write about cooking with Devlyn and Tessa that’s totally sexy (HEART OF THE WOLF), or about playing tag werewolf style in family recreation, Chester Ryan McKinley and Carol Wood (WOLF FEVER), or ice skating that makes observers want to be in Alicia’s place with Jake Silver (DREAMING OF THE WOLF), or catching fish that’s good humored and turns into a bit of sexy play between Cassie Roux and Leidolf Wildhaven (SEDUCED BY THE WOLF), or taking a heated hike with Highlander Ian MacNeill and romance werewolf author Julia Wildthorn (HEART OF THE HIGHLAND WOLF), or participating in a Victorian celebration where Darien and Lelandi learn how much trouble dressing up can be when trying to dress down (DESTINY OF THE WOLF), or warming up when the electricity is out during a winter storm between Tessa and Hunter (TO TEMPT THE WOLF), and relaxing, or sort of relaxing in a hot tub in the snow between Cameron and Faith (LEGEND OF THE WHITE WOLF).

Now, do they have to weedeat or pay taxes? Or go to the grocery store or pay bills?

Hmm, that’s just plain boring. Although it’s definitely not all play and no work, but their work is a little more adventurous, and when they have to do mundane things, it turns out not quite so mundane as all that. 

Give me some adventure, some loving, some mystery and some fantasy, and life is great.

Someday, maybe I’ll write about yard work. I love to garden, by the way. But it’s the constant keeping after the mundane stuff—the weedeating, the pulling weeds, the mowing and watering—that I don’t care for because I don’t have time for it. But what if… I hire a guy to do my yard work, and when he shows up, there’s just something about him. Just something wolfish. A predatory look. An intrigue. He loves to take care of yards. Loves the smell of fresh cut grass, of the pinesap, listening to the wind blowing through the cornfields, making it sound as though a river is flowing nearby. And he draws a little too close when we’re discussing price. Tilts his chin up and takes a deep breath as if analyzing my scent. He seems more interested in me than he does in the yard and then he gives me a ridiculously low price and I’m too eager to accept. Because those eyes, amber with dark lashes framing them, and that smug almost smile touching his lips, and the way his gaze shifts to my mouth as if wanting to seal the deal with a kiss compels me to hire him.

Wouldn’t you?

Thanks so much for dropping by! Hope you have time to try out a werewolf tale, or two. Take the mundane to the sublime!

But truly, would you hire the hunk? And expect him to do a great job on the yard? Would you come out and work beside him? Offer him something cool to drink inside? See? No longer is the weedeating, mowing, watering and pulling weeds drudgery, but something sexy and fun and fantastical. 

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”

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When a Werewolf is in Trouble, What Do You Do? with Terry Spear

Some might believe that with their advance healing capabilities, longevity, an enhanced wolf senses, a mere You couldn’t be much assistance to a werewolf in trouble. But truly, my werewolves get into a lot of problems, and a woman who’s willing, can make the difference between life and death. Or…ahem, between loneliness or love forever after.


First, you might want to learn, before you take on this mission of saving a werewolf in trouble, just what kind of difficulties they can get into.

In Heart of the Wolf (#1), a pack member wants the red wolf, that belongs to a gray pack, but the pack leader wants her for his own. Fighting an alpha leader can be a deadly experience. If you were Bella, would you stick your neck out for Darien, and make his dream…and yours…come true?

In Destiny of the Wolf (#2), Devlyn’s black mood lifts when he discovers the woman of his dreams, only several want her dead. Now if you were she, would you continue to look into your sister’s death, or just give in to Devlyn’s interest in you and let him deal with all the trouble you’re getting yourself into?

In To Tempt the Wolf (#3), Hunter falls from a cliff, loses his memory, his pack mutinies, and he desperately needs someone to rescue him. If you were Tessa, would you brave a snowstorm, werewolves, you didn’t know existed, and allow yourself to be turned, just to have the hunk of a werewolf for your very own?

In Legend of the White Wolf (#4), Cameron’s whole world turns upside down as he tries to save his PI partners, clashes with Arctic wolves that aren’t exactly wolves, and well, suffice it to say he gets himself into a whole lot of trouble, including getting Faith into a heap of trouble. So what if you were Faith, minding your own business, just wanting to locate your father’s research, nothing more, then run into a hunky PI who just happens to be sleeping in YOUR bed? Well, not your bed exactly. It’s his hotel room and the clerk gave you his key by accident. So what would you do? Make the most of an embarrassing situation?

In Seduced by the Wolf (#5), Leidolf has trouble in the form of an abused pack, members who have never minded in other packs, teen troubles, an omega wolf, and more, when Cassie, wolf biologist shows up and he fears she’s seen one of his pack members in his or her wolf coat. But trips to the zoo, and not as a visitor, are only half the difficulties he faces, when he takes a little red wolf on. So what about you? Would you give up your wolf biologist job to settle down with one VERY available red wolf male???

But that’s not all!

Wolf Fever (#6), where Chester Ryan McKinley can’t give quit thinking about a psychic nurse who was newly turned. She is fighting shapeshifting and definitely doesn’t want Ryan to tell her what to do. Only when they begin dancing at a gathering, she’s wondering if there’s a whole lot more to Ryan’s interest in her than learning if she’s truly psychic. Would you attempt to learn what he truly wants from you, if you were Carol?

Heart of the Highland Wolf (#7), the cover just went up on my site, and what could be better than a shapeshifting hunky Highlander? So how do you snag one of those??? Well, when Julia Wildthorn, werewolf romance author arrives at the castle in Scotland, her mission is to overcome her writer’s block, and find a treasure left by her ancestors at her grandfather’s request. But when she learns the clan chief, Ian MacNeill, is also a gray wolf pack leader, what is a red wolf to do? What would you do???

Dreaming of the Wolf (#8), Jake is head over heels over a bounty hunter who is after a couple of Mobsters, and he intends to change her mind. But when he loses her, and they begin to dream mate, he can’t understand how this could be. She’s human, not a werewolf. But the situation gets worse. He must rescue her, discovering she’s been turned, and even worse, the police are investigating her for the death of two members of the Mob, another shooting, and she might even be pregnant. With who’s child though? Okay, so I know it looks bad all the way around, but do you think you could put Jake out of his misery, and say yes to being his mate for a lifetime of loving?

And yes, there’s more!

The Wolf and the SEAL just sold. Meara, Hunter’s sister from To Tempt the Wolf, was trying to locate an alpha male that could meet her needs. But when one of Hunter’s Navy SEAL team members shows up, the sparks fly. And not in a good way. So what would you do, if you were her? Give him a chance, or kick him out—as if he would easily permit it—while you’re trying to choose one of the alpha males you’ve rented cabins to on the Oregon coast that you really might be interested in making your own?

The Highland Wolf in Paradise just sold also. Picture Ian’s youngest quadruplet brother (the nice thing about wolf packs is they have more hunky males to choose from), flying off to an island paradise to locate the money a master thief stole from them and spirited away to offshore accounts. But when he arrives, he finds he has no accommodations, and one botanist who desperately needs a roommate. If you were her, and the gentleman with the Scottish brogue said he’d be no trouble at all if he could just stay at your villa for a few days, would you believe him? And allow it?

I hope that you said yes, you’d help out these hunky werewolves, because no matter how strong or alpha they appear, they do have their moments where they sure could use a woman’s help and lots of loving!

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”

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Interview with a Wolf Biologist, Cassie Roux, SEDUCED BY THE WOLF with Terry Spear

First, an interviewer must conduct some research into an interviewee’s background to do a thorough job of it. But as I attempted to learn what I could of Cassie Roux, I found more questions raised than answers. So here was my attempt at interviewing Miss Roux, who has been featured in scientific journals for her research of wolves and their behavior in an attempt to educate and dispel some of the misnomers surrounding wolves.

Terry Spear: I understand you’re a wolf biologist. What is your favorite aspect of the job, Miss Roux?

Cassie Roux: I love watching the wolves play and hunt and interact socially as a family.

Terry: Do you ever play with them?

Cassie: They’re wolves. And belong to the wild. If I were a wolf, I would. I’m just an observer and someone who loves to teach others about wolves.

Terry: I’ve heard that other wolf biologists believe you’re almost a wolf, yourself. That they treat you as though you’re one of the pack.

Cassie: I’m sure that’s because I have an infinity for animals. They just gravitate toward one. I’ve heard you also have an uncanny love of animals and they gravitate to you.

She cocked a red brow heavenward and I smiled. Who would have thought she’d have investigated MY background? But she was a researcher too. Still, the notion was intriguing.

Terry: I’ve heard you howl just like a wolf and can gather them to you.

Cassie: We all can.

Terry: Hmm, I didn’t know that. Not that I’ve ever really tried, but…

I shook my head, the notion inconceivable.

Terry: I’m sure I’d sound more like a frog croaking and the wolves would be well on their way out of the territory.

Cassie’s eyes sparkled with good humor.

Terry: There are rumors you were a wolf in a past life.

Cassie laughed.

Cassie: Sounds like a fellow biologist, Alex Wellington talked to you.

Terry: He greatly admires you. I understand you’re dating a rancher, Leidolf Wildhaven. How does he feel about your love of wolves? Seems like he’d be worried about them because he raises cattle.

I was afraid this might be a sore spot, but I couldn’t help being curious.

Cassie: He told me wolves are like man’s best friend. Now cougars, that’s a different story. He’s most concerned about them.

Terry: I see.

Although, I really didn’t. It was one of those questions that kept popping up in my mind. Why wouldn’t Leidolf be concerned about wolves? Of course in my mind, being that I love fantasy and mythology, I envisioned both he and Cassie were part time wolves—werewolves as it were. But I’m sure she would have thought me crazy if I’d even teased about something so fantastical.

Terry: What got you interested in being a wolf biologist? Some childhood trip to the zoo that encouraged your love of wolves?

Cassie smiled: Haven’t you heard? I was raised by wolves.

Terry smiled back: Ah, like Romulus and Remus.

Cassie: Sure, I was raised by a pack. That’s why I love them so much.

This was even better than I expected.

Terry: I’ve heard rumors…

Cassie: From?

I cleared my throat.

Terry: Fellow wolf biologist, Alex Wellington to get a little background for the interview. I talked to him. He said you might be marrying Mr. Wildhaven. If that’s so, will you be having a honeymoon with wolves?

Cassie smiled: We’d have to be married. Wouldn’t we?

I could envision Leidolf standing with arms folded across his chest as he watched his new bride hug a couple of wolves, ignoring him.

Terry: Would you continue to take treks into the wilderness to observe wolves, if you married him?

Cassie: It’s my life’s work, so sure.

Terry: Would Mr. Wildhaven join you?

Cassie: You’d have to ask him. I’m sure he’d be surprised to hear we’re getting married, though.

I knew better. I knew Alex was telling the truth, so I wondered why Cassie would deny it.

Terry: Tell me what is your favorite experience with wolves?

Cassie brightened: Seeing an alpha male and female choosing each other and becoming a mating pair. And then before long they’re having a litter of pups.

I knew from my research, Cassie hadn’t any family to speak of, so I wondered if the wolves had become her family. And I assumed unless Leidolf liked wolves as much as she did, it might be a sticking point between them. But as much as I was dying to know about that, I tried to remain professional and stick to the point of the interview.

So why I blurted out: I’ve heard rumors you’re a werewolf, I have no idea.

Cassie gave me a winning smile: How did you ever guess?

After that, we talked about lots of fun things, nothing to do with wolves or werewolves, but about hiking in Oregon, and swimming in California, and well, I thought it was a successful interview, didn’t you?

If you had a chance to interview Miss Roux, what would you ask her?



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For Cold Nights and Hot Dates! with Terry Spear

What does a wolf want for dinner? Well, a willing mate, of course. But to keep up his strength, a good dinner will definitely help.

My daughter once told me my characters never ate in one of the teen books I wrote. My mother said the same thing in one of the adult stories I wrote. Writing food scenes can be fun, if we want them to be important. So I’ve tried to lend importance to them in most of my stories. Conflict, fun, sexy, whatever mood I want them to be in to make the eating scene important.

In Heart of the Wolf, the eating scenes are definitely hot and sexy. Men don’t come to dine without wearing a shirt for dinner. But Devlyn’s a real wolf, so when he’s trying to make a point to Bella, he doesn’t wear the shirt. Or anything else for that matter.

And in To Tempt the Wolf, Tessa finds herself having to prepare multiple meals when she isn’t even hungry! But worse than that, Hunter’s already investigated her pantry to see what she can offer to others she doesn’t want to have over. The food scenes were always fun. In one, there’s a case of a couple of stolen food trays that end up in Hunter’s hospital room, courtesy of his newly turned pack members.

In Seduced by the Wolf, Cassie and Leidolf have to fish for their own food, but it is the catching and playing that makes it so much fun. And when they have a pack gathering to celebrate the return of a couple of their wayward wolves, and to show their appreciation for Cassie being there with them, she has a real show of wills with Leidolf, who crowds her in a protective, macho sort of way.


So here’s one of my favorite meals to feed to hungry wolves, and you never know what might happen after
he enjoys such a great meal!

For Cold Nights and Hot Dates–Mouth Watering Beef Stroganoff
by Terry Spear

   4 oz fresh mushrooms
   1 large onion
   1 1/2 pounds beef round steak
   (I use sirloin)
                                                       1 c water
                                                       1 tablespoon instant beef bouillon granules
                                                       1 tsp dry mustard
                                                       1/8 tsp pepper
                                                       1/2 tsp salt
                                                       ***
                                                       2 tbsp cornstarch
                                                       1/4 c water
                                                       1 c sour cream

Cut up onion, steak, and mushrooms. Add to 1 c water in large frying pan. Add beef bouillon granules (can substitute 2 beef bouillon cubes) and the rest of the seasonings. Cook until meat, onions and mushrooms are tender.
Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup water and once it’s a liquid paste, add to the stroganoff mix. Cook over low until the sauce begins to thicken, then add sour cream. Once the sour cream is heated, serve over hot wide, curly noodles.
For a more healthy diet, use whole grain noodles. Also, a 1/4 cup of red wine can be added for a little different taste.
The best thing is it’s quick, a great meal all in one, and leftovers are as delicious as the original meal!
Makes 4 (3/4 cup) servings
If you’ve read one of my books, any of them, what was a favorite food scene for you? And if not, do you think your wolf would like a hot meal for a cold night?

Terry Spear
“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”
http://www.terryspear.com/