The Highland Chief / The Highland Curse by Dana D’Angelo-Reviews, Interview and Giveaway

THE HIGHLAND CURSE
(The Scottish Strife #2)
by Dana D’Angelo
Genre: adult, historical, romance, Highlander, paranormal

About the book: Release Date September 2, 2015

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

Adrina MacGill sees and hears things that no ordinary lass can. At first she attributes the visions and whispers as nothing more than her overactive imagination. But when everyone she loves is cursed by an evil enchantment, she’s forced to acknowledge the sinister reality. Following her inner guidance, she travels to Tancraig Castle where unexpected aid comes from a bold Highlander. But even though the handsome warrior repels her, she’s drawn to his electrifying kisses.

Duncan MacGregon scorns superstition and anything that isn’t rational and logical. When a pretty lass shows up at his brother’s castle he’s skeptical about her, and her fantastic tale. War is looming on the horizon, and he must strategize and gear up for battle. So when Duncan is commissioned to escort the attractive lass home, he balks at the task. Yet despite his resistance, he feels an irrational, scorching desire for the beauty. And as they continue their journey through the highlands, mysterious things start to occur. Was Adrina telling the truth after all?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE HIGHLAND CURSE is the second installment in Dana D’ Angelo’s adult THE SCOTTISH STRIFE Highlander historical romance series. This is Duncan MacGregon, and Adrina MacGill’s storyline. Duncan was first introduced to the reader in The Highland Chief #1. THE HIGHLAND CURSE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. There is a slight fantasy aspect to the storyline

Told from third person perspective THE HIGHLAND CURSE looks at the power of magic. Adrina MacGill approached Tancraig Castle in the hopes of procuring some assistance-our heroine believes everyone at home has been cursed by her father’s one-time cleric, but Adrina herself has some psychic abilities of her own. Our heroine is a seer with visions, and dreams of portents of doom. When the latest visions warn of her parent’s impending deaths, Adrina goes in search of aid, in the hopes of returning her father’s estate to its former ways. But a war between the English and the Scots has the MacGregon Clan stretched to the limits for men. Enter Duncan MacGregon, Laird Rory MacGregon’s brother, and the man who would become Adrina’s mate.

The relationship between Adrina and Duncan begins acrimoniously as Duncan wants nothing to do with the stranger, and believes her tales of ‘possession by magic’ are crazy and insane. But the more Duncan hears of the strange happenings at Adrina’s home, the more he begins to realize that perhaps Adrina is far from insane. What ensues is a cross-country journey where Adrina has several more visions that do not bode well for her family back home, and Duncan’s hardened heart begins to melt for the woman with whom he is falling in love.

We are reintroduced to Rory MacGregon (Duncan’s brother) and Darra (from The Highland Chief #1), as well as Darra’s mother Venora. Venora is a healer as well as a seer, and with it comes the realization that something is definitely amiss where Adrina is concerned.

THE HIGHLAND CURSE is first and foremost a story of romance set in the  Scottish Highlands of 1560 as war simmers between the English and Scots. As to the authenticity of Dana D’Angelo’s ‘historical’ accuracy in her storylines,  the author has stated the series is set in a ‘fantasy world’ of her own creation, but the backdrop of war is always a fascinating addition to any historical romance. THE SCOTTISH STRIFE series is not a series about the Anglo-Scottish wars but of a romance set against a culture and landscape where a long fought war has scarred the people of Scotland. The premise is engaging and entertaining; the characters are intense and magical; the romance is seductive without the use of sexual erotic imagery.

My only concern is the ‘supernatural’ path that the author has chosen to venture. I was not aware that the series would address supernatural elements such as magic, fae, Druids, and seers, and at this point, I am not aware if the remainder of the series will follow the same direction.

THE HIGHLAND CURSE is an enjoyable read with charming characters and a welcome happily ever after.

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Sandy

__________________

THE HIGHLAND CHIEF
(Scottish Strife Series #1)
by Dana D’Angelo
Genre: adult, historical, Highland, romance

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 2, 2015

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

With their father nearing death, Rory MacGregon and his brothers fear the inevitable. But their hopes are renewed when the ailing man names a renowned Scottish healer who defected to England years ago. Rory crosses dangerous territory to obtain her help, only to discover that the gifted healer would rather kill herself than save his dying father. Rory gauges that kidnapping the woman is his only option when the healer’s beautiful daughter appears. The spirited lass declares that she is also a healer, and offers to go in her mother’s stead.

Darra Berchelaine has heard many stories about the bloodthirsty savages from the north. When she learns that the devil Scots plan to abduct her mother, Darra must protect her at all cost — even if that means feigning co-operation and luring the brutish Highlanders away from the castle. But even as she schemes to escape from her enemies, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the brawny Highland Chief. Suddenly Darra realizes that the handsome Highlander is neither an enemy nor a savage. And the only thing she needs to protect is her heart.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE HIGHLAND CHIEF is the first installment in Dana D’Angelo’s adult SCOTTISH STRIFE historical, romance series. This is Rory MacGregon, and Englishwoman Lady Darra Berchelaine’s storyline.

Told from third person point of view using current day and memories of the past, THE HIGHLAND CHIEF focuses on the ‘kidnapping’ of Darra Berchelaine by Scotsman Rory MacGregon. Darra and her mother Venora are English healers, and Venora had a previous history with Rory’s father. What ensues is the attempted abduction of Venora Berchelaine wherein Darra offers herself up in exchange for her mother. Darra, an accomplished healer in her own right, finds herself a willing captive on a cross country journey that will find Darra and Rory falling for one another while trying to outrun the British Army, local bands of thieves, and eventually Rory’s family who despise Darra and everything she represents.

The relationship between Darra and Rory is one of immediate attraction but Darra is Rory’s prisoner, and the only person who may be able to save his dying father. The sexual tension between our leading couple is palpable; Darra is attracted to the man who has taken her from her family and home, and Rory fantasizes about the woman at every opportunity. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the over the top graphic erotic imagery.

The world building focuses on the struggles between the England and Scotland; the war between the countries; and the memories that allow the Highlanders to focus their hatred on a people they barely know. Cross-cultural barriers and a mutual hatred between the English and the Scots proves to be a continuous catalyst for battle and war.

THE HIGHLAND CHIEF is an entertaining and romantic storyline but there are some issues of spelling; typos and improper grammar that could have been corrected with a proper proofreader and editor but he errors did not detract from my overall enjoyment. The premise will captivate your attention; the characters are colorful, sympathetic and spirited; the romance leads to a happily ever after. There is always something magical about a Highlander and the woman he loves.

Copy supplied by author

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC:   Hi Dana and welcome to The Reading Café.

We would like to start with some background information. Please tell us
something about your self?

Follow Dana: Website  / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Dana:  Thanks for having me at The Reading Cafe! Ok, about me. I’m a stay-at-home mom, and have been writing historical romance stories seriously for the past three years. I live near Toronto, Canada, and am a die hard foodie. Readers will tell you that some food scenes in my stories made them feel hungry. So I’m coming clean and saying, “Sorry, I couldn’t help it!” I was hungry myself when I wrote those scenes.

TRC:   Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Dana:  In high school I decided that I wanted to become a writer. At the time I was really into reading romance novels, but I was determined to write literary works. Off I went to university to get my degree, and then life happened. When my second child was just about to enter Kindergarten, I dreaded the idea of going back to work. A friend told me about indie publishing, and so having my husband’s blessing, I continued to stay at home and work at my dream job.

TRC:   What challenges or difficulties have you encountered writing and publishing your stories?

Dana:  My biggest difficulty was/is getting self-disciplined. When my kids were young, I had the excuse of caring for them. But now both my kids are in school, and I technically have more time to work. If I can organize my day better and avoid distractions, I hope to write and publish more books.

TRC:   Would you please tell us something about premise of THE HIGHLAND CURSE-the
latest installment in your Scottish Strife paranormal romance series?

Dana:  Just to clarify, The Highland Curse isn’t really a paranormal romance. My Scottish series is set in a fantasy world I created. In this 16th century setting anything can and does happen.

With this particular storyline, I play with elements of the supernatural. In terms of the premise of the story, Adrina MacGill has special psychic abilities to see and hear messages from another realm. At first she tries to ignore the otherworldly messages but she discovers that an evil wizard has cursed her clan. Suddenly, she can no longer deny the warnings. Following her inner guidance, she’s led to Clan MacGregon for help. The hero Duncan MacGregon is a very logical, analytical warrior, and doesn’t believe in the fantastic or the supernatural. But when he spends time with the attractive lass, strange things occur around them. All at once, he’s forced to confront his beliefs about Adrina, and the terrible curse that’s placed on her people.

TRC:   Have you ever had the opportunity to visit Scotland for research purposes
or vacation?

Dana:  No, I haven’t visited Scotland for research or for pleasure, although it’s definitely on my bucket list. Right now my only research visits are to the Toronto Reference Library. And you know what? It feels like a vacation because I don’t take the kids with me lol

TRC:   How many books do you have planned for the series?

Dana:  I’m currently planning to write seven books for this series, but if there’s a demand for it, the series will continue longer, and possibly explore other families.

TRC:   What’s next for your Medieval romance novella series?

Dana:  I don’t have a Medieval romance novella series per se. The two novellas I have were written in an English Medieval world I created for the trilogy. At the moment those sexy Highlanders from the north are calling for my attention. Still, if inspiration hits, I’ll revisit Medieval England.

TRC:   How do you keep your story line plot(s) unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Dana:  Even though my settings are fantasy based, I put in enough authentic details in the stories to give readers a sense of the people, time and culture of the era. For example, 16th century Scotland was known as the “Age of Feuds and Forays” so my stories reflect the climate of the time, although the clans and monarch are make-believe. In terms of how I keep the storyline unpredictable yet believable? I outline my plots, and add twists and turns to keep readers guessing.

TRC:   When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Dana:  It’s both, I think. I have a plot outline, but I’m not so rigid that I would ignore the characters if they urged me to go in a different direction.

TRC:   The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Dana:  In my opinion, I think the storyline has to be a compelling one. You also have to make readers care and/or root for the main characters. If a writer fails to have these two elements in her story, then readers won’t relax enough to experience the emotions along with the characters.

TRC:   Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Dana:  I needed total silence while writing but then I discovered that I wrote better when there was upbeat pop music playing in the background. I don’t normally use music to influence my story direction, although I’ve found that it distracts my conscious mind and keeps that inner critic quiet while I work.

TRC:   What three things would you like to accomplish in the next five years?

Dana:  In the next five years, I want to double my yearly publishing output, get into Regency Romance, and then move into Contemporary Romance.

TRC:   Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Dana:  My husband is the main person I bounce ideas. Sometimes talking about my ideas helps me to see holes as well as come up with fresh solutions to plot problems.

TRC:   What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Dana:  I don’t know about authors in general, but I believe that the biggest misconception about romance authors is that we just write about sex. Yes, sex can be in the novels but that is only a small part of it. Many romance stories explore relationships and delve into a complex array of human emotions.

TRC:   What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Dana:  I love Mr. Darcy. But shhh, don’t tell my husband!

TRC:   On what are you currently working?

Dana:  I’m currently working on Griogair MacGregon’s story, which is book 3 of the Highland Strife series.

TRC:   Would you like to add anything else?

Dana:  Just a shout-out to all my friends and fans who’ve supported me and my works from the start. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Sushi

Favorite Dessert
Cheesecake

Favorite TV Show
Outlander

Last Movie You Saw
Big Hero 6

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Milk Chocolate

Secret Celebrity Crush
Chris Hemsworth

Last Vacation Destination
Montreal

Do you have any pets?
No

Last book you read
Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson

Pet Peeve
When the internet goes down

TRC:   Thank you Dana for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the new release. We wish you all the best.

Dana:  Thank you everyone at The Reading Cafe! I had a blast.

Dana is offering winner’s choice of any one (1) ebook from her backlist of books (The Highland Chief, The Highland Curse, Fallen Knight, Heart of a Knight, or A Knight’s Duty) to TWO (2) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.

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8. Giveaway is open internationally

9. Giveaway runs from November 21-24, 2015