“Highlander Magick” in the Mystical Isle of Skye

I’m delighted to have my good friend, Patty Taylor, with me to share her new Scottish time travel fantasy romance and the inspiration behind the story. Also, she’s giving away a $10.00 Amazon gift card to someone who leaves her a comment, to be chosen Friday evening. 

Patty: Good Morning! I’m excited to be here and wish to thank my dear friend, Beth, for inviting me back to her lovely blog. I’d also like to thank each of you for dropping by and helping us celebrate my début release of Mortal Magick, while I share some “Highlander Magick in the Mystical Isle of Skye”.

Many of you have sent me kind comments regarding the true love story between my beloved parents. My mother, Evelyn, was born and raised in Northern Ireland and served in the British Army during WWII where she met my Daddy, a US Sergeant. Her love, strength, and courage have always inspired me to pursue my dreams. I have her to thank for introducing me to the magical world of “The Chronicles of Narnia” by CS Lewis. Two years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the statue of the enchanted wardrobe outside the Belfast Library.

To learn more about my Mum and see some photos of her beautiful homeland, please visit Beth’s original post with me: “The Magick of Ireland with Author Patty Taylor”. Beth and I had such fun that day. It was truly a memorable experience and one I will always treasure.

(Photo of Patty’s parents taken in Ireland.)

And now, I’m thrilled to share my lovely cover for Mortal Magick, a paranormal/fantasy time travel romance set in the 18th century mystical Isle of Skye.

Blurb:  When an immortal Highlander falls in love with a human witch, “Mortal Magick” soon casts a spell of its own.

Doomed for eternity to wander nights as half man and half creature, rugged Highlander, Duncan McCord, discovers his curse is the least of his problems when he sets out for a cure and rescues the beauty determined to help tame his beast. 

When a reluctant witch, Keara, gets whisked back to 18th century mystical Isle of Skye to learn lessons in magic, she faces the true test of love when she meets the man beyond her wildest dreams burdened with dark secrets from his past.  

Forced together to journey through an enchanted country filled with mythical creatures and magical lore, will they survive in a world where evil sorcery reigns, or will a shocking twist of fate tear them centuries apart?~

A wee excerpt from the story:

Duncan McCord wanted a woman. His entire body and soul hungered for a special lass’ touch. The one destined for his love, whom he would call kindred spirit. His stomach tightened, a pain ripping through him like the slice of a broadsword. This canna happen. Not now, not ever. Reality hastily slapped him back to his senses. He vowed never to be foolish enough to let himself fall into another vixen’s treacherous traps.

Dark, threatening clouds rolled over Scotland’s glorious mountain peaks in the distance. The muscles in his legs rippled, gripping both sides of his mount. His stallion, Goliath, snorted and stopped short in his tracks. His enormous hooves stomped the hard ground.~

One more snippet: 

Duncan lunged from the damp forest floor. His splayed hooves clip-clopped on top of a boulder. His nostrils flared from the irresistible lingering lavender scent. He cocked his head to the side, his keen hearing caught her every breath as each step she took brought her dangerously closer. “Aye, the damn fool-headed woman! She’s done wandered off again.”

He snarled at a shooting star plummeting to the ground. Like a bubbling cauldron of fire, it spit an outburst of flames across the moonlit sky. “Aye, the bonny wee lass is headed straight for a trap.” Clenching his fists, he veered back his head and wailed.~

(Giant’s Causeway)

Coming from a family of storytellers, I feel blessed in having both an Irish and Scottish heritage. When growing up, I was fortunate to hear tales of the wee people, the leprechauns, fairies of Ireland, the magical creatures and brownies of Scotland, the Brown Man of the Muirs, dragons, selkies, witches, and much more. Fascinated by these magnificent realms of magick, I couldn’t resist centering one of my stories in the enchanting Isle of Skye. I’ve been very fortunate to visit my family homes in both Northern Ireland and Scotland. I loved visiting the gorgeous Giant’s Causeway after hearing about the legend of the famous giant, Finn MacCool. 

(Fairy Pools)

The first time I saw photos of the gorgeous Fairy Pools, located southeast of the lovely Glen Brittle Forest, my imagination ran wild. I love mythical folklore and handsome Highlanders. After doing a bit more research on the enchanting Fairy Glens, the grand seal island, Dunvegan Castle, home of the famous Fairy Flag and Dunvegan Cup,  the fairy knolls and bridge, and the Quiraing, I soon decided this was the perfect “Beauty and the Beast” setting for my fantasy, Mortal Magick.

(Scottish Heather)

(Mystic Fairy Glen)

If you’re like me, you’ve got a soft spot in your heart for men wearin’ kilts! When I visited Scotland two years ago, oh my, it was a dream come true. Since I didn’t have the nerve to ask permission to take a few photos of some of the men wearing their kilts, I thought you might enjoy seeing several pics that were taken inside a tartan weaving shop located in Edinburgh. I was amazed how the styles have changed over the years.

I promised Beth I would share a bit about fairies and brownies, so this is the perfect time to introduce one of my favorite characters in Mortal Magick, the whimsical matchmaker known as “wee Darby”. Being part Irish Fairy and part Scottish Brownie, wee Darby is quite the unique character with his caterpillar eyebrows arched above a crooked pair of thick rimmed gold glasses, while ivy leaves sprout from a tousled mass of his bright carrot orange hair.

It didn’t take long to discover that, just like working with my clay and glass, the more details I added to this whimsical character, the more I found wee Darby worked his magick, and found a permanent spot in my heart. He soon became an important persona in the story, instead of simply a minor figure as originally planned. Since Darby is descended from the Brown Man of the Muirs, he inherited the love for animals and uses his special herbal cures, which he stores in unusual vials, tucked safely inside an old tattered coat. 

***A special Darby alert: watch for the image of wee Darby that will appear on my blog later this year, created by Beth’s artistic daughter, Elise Trissel.

A few interesting facts about brownies, not to be confused with sprites, pixies, or fairies. Brownies are small featured and range between two and three feet tall. Most Scottish brownies prefer living next to streams and waterfalls, but will occasionally visit farmers after harvest season. They have shaggy hair, wear tattered clothes, and are hard workers. People are careful not to leave gifts of clothing, for fear of offending them. If irritated, brownies can become mischievous and turn into nasty boggarts. But they can be soothed. They have a sweet tooth for honey and enjoy a refreshing drink of milk. In Scotland, the people refer to them as “Bockie”, and in the Highlands, they are the Bodach (Budagh). 

Brownies are also regarded as guardians of dragons. Darby, of course, admits to knowing a few. Since brownies are adept at hiding from humans, I wasn’t able to share a picture of these elusive beings. Instead, I found this image of a lovely fairy holding a wee dragon. In the upcoming sequel to Mortal Magick, Sea Wolf Magick, I have included a miniature dragon, Kalista, as one of the main characters.

I realize I haven’t touched on Keara and her feline familiar, Samson, today, and there’s much more to share, but I must save a wee bit for another time. Beth has graciously invited me back this fall after I return from visiting my family in Northern Ireland, and I will share more pictures then. I plan to do additional research for my new young adult, Irish fantasy trilogy while visiting the magical fairy Glens of Antrim, and will also take the official tour in Belfast, where CS Lewis lived. My cousin plans to take me to visit beautiful old Donegal for a few days, where she promises I’m in for a very special treat. 🙂  

(Dunvegan Castle)

A heartfelt thanks once again to my gracious host and dear friend, Beth Trissel, for having me here today, and to all of you who took the time to stop by to meet me and leave your comments. I hope you’ll enjoy reading Mortal Magick and would love to hear from you.

Before I forget, please mark your calendars for Friday, October 30th, when authors Lane McFarland and Mairi Norris will join Beth and me on Facebook, as we celebrate the evening of Mortal Magick’s official Samhain/Halloween weekend. Stay tuned for more details about dressing in costume for the occasion and bringing your pets. 

Also, stayed tuned for updates on Sea Wolf Magick–the sequel in the works. Get ready for two magical adventures: Journey across the Mystical Isle of Skye,  to the Enchanting land of Fire and Ice.

(Quiraing; Trotternish; Isle of Skye, pictured above)

Visit: Patty’s website and blog: http://www.pattytaylorauthor.com 

Patty’s Amazon author page:  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00ZE65O0Q

Amazon Purchase Link for Mortal Magick

Follow Patty’s Facebook Author Page

About Patty: Writer of fantasy, paranormal romance set in various places located in Scotland’s mystical Isle of Skye, the magical Glens of Antrim, Northern Ireland and the secluded wilderness of Alaska. Where shape shifters, werewolves, fairies, brownies and mythical creatures come to life. Writing romance with a wee bit of magick from the heart.

(Image of Patty outside the oldest pub in Ireland)

***Fascinating post, Patty! All of it. I look forward to your return to the blog.