Wild Women Authors features Susan Payne and Rescued by a Highlander a recent release out of the Wild Rose Press. First up is heroine, Lady Jillian, daughter of the Earl of Crawford.
What did you think the first time you saw Laird Gawain Macgregor? “I was exhausted from days of traveling and worried over my father’s declining health. We had just settled for the night when this booming voice came out of the darkness. I could only stand and fight."
What was your second thought? “That I was going to fail and the assassins my cousin sent would kill my father. I could only fight. I didn’t see another way.”
Did you feel it was love at first sight? “The man facing me was my
enemy not my savior. I had no idea who
the Laird was at that point. Love did
come, but slowly. It snuck up on
me. Gawain says he always knew his own
mind.”
What do you like most about Laird Macgregor? “He is extremely strong –
physically and mentally. He made a plan to save my father and myself along with
my father’s legacy within a few minutes.
By the time we reached the castle, he had everything thought out. Not that becoming the son-in-law to the Earl
of Trowbridge wasn’t a smart move for his clan.
It certainly was. It brought him
closer to the king and that is always a prestigious move. It didn’t take Gawain long to figure out things
to his benefit.”
How would you describe Laird Macgregor? “He’s handsome and strong,
and intelligent. He has strong family and clan ties. He saw an opportunity and
he took it. He also wanted to help my
father keep control of his lands. I felt
I was just a way for him to do so.”
How would Laird Macgregor describe you? “I’m sure Gawain was
surprised to find me a female. When we
first began combat, I was giving as good as I got, but my weakened physical
condition made me less able to keep a fight going. My cousin thought I was unwomanly. Gawain finds beauty in my wearing of men’s
clothes and my ability to hunt and fight if I have a need to protect myself or
my clan – our clan.”
What made you choose to be trained as a knight? “I was my parents’ only
child. Protecting an out-lying keep like Crawford Castle isn’t easy. There won’t be help from England and we were
too small to keep a large number of soldiers, let alone knights most of whom want
to belong to wealthier landowners or closer to large cities. They want combat and we were very peaceful up
until recently when my cousin came to usurp my father’s title.”
What is your biggest fear? “That our quiet way of life
will be disturbed by the unsettled happenings in the south. By the English
king.”
How do you relax? “I never learned needlepoint or tapestry, none
of the womanly endeavors I should know how to do. I enjoy swordplay with the younger men training
to become knights. Of course, cataloging and drawing artifacts unearthed from
the archeological sites keeps me busy as well as raising my son.”
What is the best piece of advice you ever received? “To use my smaller stature
to my benefit in a fight. I may not have as much strength behind my swings, but
I can move quicker than a large man.”
Thank you, Jillian for spending time with us. Now we’d
like to chat with Susan.
What event in your private life were you able to
bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? “My interest in anthropological
artifacts. My husband and I would go
through abandoned dump sites and collect old bottles. Interesting to know what people used and bought
hundreds of years ago. I don’t have the patience to do actual dig-site work,
but I take advantage of other’s work in museums.”
What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? “Like most writers, too
many. And every day the list grows. I
read mostly historical and read about 10 a month.”
Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on
the shelves? “Texas Ranger and the
Professor was most recently released.
A Regency Christmas Anthology will be released on November 4th
followed by Three Sisters on November 16th and Blind Faith
on December 9th. I already have two shorter stories ready for 2021
plus a full novel, so far.
On the ride back to the fortress, Gawain had not turned
around, knowing what the young woman looked like up in the saddle. Her legs
splayed to both sides of the animal covered with the tight knit hose most men
wore while riding through woods, the chainmail covering her more interesting
attributes. The short length of dark blond hair emphasized her chin and jaw
line which spelt beauty to his eyes. Her mouth, though most often held in a
mutinous frown, appeared kissable.
In fact, Gawain wanted to kiss it into a soft poutiness,
make those green eyes spark with desire not hatred. Even though he may have to sleep
with one eye open to prevent the little vixen from piercing him with his own
dagger in the night, he would think the experience of bedding her well worth
the danger. He knew a smile settled on his features as he imagined her
squirming under him once they were in his bed. Such thoughts had made for an
uncomfortable ride home.
To learn more about Susan Payne and the stories she creates, go to:
Website: http://www.authorsusanpayne.com
I love the premise of this story, Susan. I love spunky heroines, and heroes who can find it in their hear to love them.
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