Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors

Inspiration can come from the oddest of places, and we as authors love when that happens. Whether you're watching a movie or television show, reading a book or magazine, or gazing at pictures of mysterious places, ideas can spark your muse into overdrive. And that's when the creativity flows. One of my books ( To Wed a Wicked Highlander ) was inspired by the following tale of Kenneth MacKenzie.  Kenneth MacKenzie, known as Coinneach Odhar or the Brahan Seer, was a legendary teller of the future in the early 17th century…or so the story goes. Some people have regarded him as a fictional creation of folklorist Alexander MacKenzie, and others have questioned the existence of the Seer at all. Be that as it may, there is a long tradition of claims to be able to foretell the future and about folks who have the “second sight.”  But was the Brahan Seer fact or fiction?  Legend tells the tale that Coinneach fell asleep on a fairy mound (watch out for those ...

The wait is finally over! The second installment of my award-winning Highland Spies series is released tomorrow. I had so much fun with this one. For those of you who loved Declan and Liadan from my Bad Boys of the Highlands series ( X Marks the Scot ,) I think you're going to love the banter between Fagan and Grace in Kilts and Daggers . These two were destined to despise each other, especially since Fagan is a Scot and Grace is English. Here's a little snippet. Kilts, daggers, and men in the throes of battle—that’s what she tried to overlook while standing in the great hall of her brother-in-law’s home. Granted, the kilts and daggers belonged to the Sutherland clan, but she couldn’t understand why her sister hadn’t taken down those dreadful tapestries before her wedding day. Why would someone want to depict the ghastly scene of warriors on the battlefield, especially on such a celebratory occasion? That was not something she would permit on the day of her own ...

Photo courtesy of Starz Every week the clan and I tune in for Outlander, but believe it or not, Jamie and Claire are not the only reasons why we watch the show. Of course I love the brawny men in kilts. I think that's pretty much a given. But my family and I thoroughly enjoy the breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands. Between the lochs and streams, heather-draped moors, formidable castles, and the Scottish Gaelic, what's not to love? Outlander definitely has the ability to take you away to another time and place. Duone Castle photo courtesy of New York Times bestselling author Grace Burrowes I've had an interest in Scottish Gaelic ever since I started writing my first novel. Learning the language is my way of giving back to the genre that I love to write. I've taken Gaelic classes, purchased books, and one day I'd love to do what Grace Burrowes is doing right now—taking Gaelic classes at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig college on the Isle of Skye. Lady Gr...

On Valentine's Day, Mr. Roberts was kind enough to give the whole family the gift that keeps on giving. The flu . Yep, the entire Roberts clan is down with the sickness. As I sit here curled up with an afghan, hot cup of tea, and box of tissues, I'm gazing out the window at the sub zero temperatures and wondering if this brutal torture will ever come to an end. I live in Pittsburgh, and gloomy winter days are what this time of year is all about. Yeah, well, I'm done with that. Finished. I've had enough. Bring on the sun and my 70 degree weather. My poor dog, Zoe, won't even brave the cold. Once we let her out the front door, she quickly does her business, then bolts around the back of the house to be let back in--all in less than one minute. lol Due to this lovely weather upon us, my kids haven't had school for the past two days. My husband is in construction and hasn't worked for the past two days. And guess what? On top of that and the flu, every...