1263, Scotland
Simon MacCoinneach’s vengeance runs deep. The blade is the only way to end the blood-thirsty Nordmen’s reign upon Scottish soil. His soul might be lost, but the mystical Healer he kidnaps from the isles could be the answer for his ailing mother…and his heart.
Isles-born Gwyn reluctantly agrees to a marriage alliance with this heathen Scot in return for the sanctuary of her younger brother from her abusive Norse father. Her brother’s condition is beyond the scope of her Ancient power, for larger healings steal breaths of life from her own body.
As Simon and Gwyn fight to outwit her madman father and a resentful Norse betrothed, Gwyn softens Simon’s heart with each merciful touch. Gwyn’s Seer sister foresees a bloody battle—and an end to the Nordmen—but Simon will also die. Will Gwyn save Simon on the battlefield even if it means losing her last breath?
Excerpt
“I’m your wife, and still I am guarded?”
Simon shrugged though she couldn’t see. He’d given up on excuses. “What must I do to prove I won’t flee? I signed your marriage contract. I said my vows.” Her voice broke on those words.
Was she crying? He laid the tray of food on her table and approached. He didn’t touch her, as much as he wanted to link his arm within hers as they’d done during their walks. He reached inside his ganache and withdrew her small, simple dagger. Unadorned with jewels or carvings, it possessed a bone hilt and a blade worn from use. Likely from tree limbs, flowers, and household use. His smith had sharpened it and cleaned the hilt.
“Here,” he said, placing it in her lap. Gildy had retrieved the sheath from Gwyn’s laundered gown.
Gwyn stared at it, her fingertips dancing butterfly wings hovering over the hilt. After a moment, she drew her hand around it and pulled it from its leather sheath. She rose and whirled on him, the dagger pointed out before her, barely pressing into his chest.
He didn’t retreat as he met her fiery, misty gaze.
She made no move to remove the dagger’s tip.
“A smidge to the center, Gwyn, and you’ll be square over my blackened heart.” He held her glower. The heat blazed in her entrancing blue eyes like the devil. He fought a smile.
Interview
What should readers expect when they pick up my book?
Ah, great expectations…we have them all when we pick up a book. First we judge it by the cover, then we skim the back blurb, and a few bold ones open it up, pick a random page, or skim the first pages. Admittedly I’m a bit of all three. I do tend to rely on those methods for books I choose to read.
What should you expect from A Hundred Breaths?
Mystical Ancients from the Scottish isles, a people with a long history that no Scot truly knows when they first appeared. These people harness the natural elements of Fire, Wind, Water, and Earth—for good only, of course. However, there are people, namely the Norsemen, who while conquering many foreign lands, stumbled upon these people and have exploited their powers. Enter a war of Scots and Norse, culture and religion, blade against bow. My story sweeps you across the machair of the isles to the enchanting Eilean Donan castle in the Highlands, then off to the spiritual haven of Dryburgh Abbey…and ultimately to a very timely battle. Who will win? And can love heal the heart?
The second book in this trilogy is also already published (A Hundred Kisses). Though written before A Hundred Breaths, it takes place 30 years after it. Here, the Scots are fighting to reclaim the throne from the English, and we delve into the mystical Silver Veil even more as a young woman discovers how influential her own Ancient ability is. This book is laced with secrets, haunted pasts, and a powerful curse.
And no trilogy would be complete without the third book. That one is being written. No spoilers today but you can expect the culmination of another spiritual element, a clash of wills, and a rewarding resolution.
What exciting story are you working on next?
On the horizon…in addition to writing the third book in the “hundred” trilogy, I have two more books being released this spring (dates TBD…any day now!). One is Soul of the Storm, a contemporary romance novella, part of the Deerbourne Inn series by The Wild Rose Press. The second is Will Rise from Ashes, a contemporary women’s fiction novel. The best places to catch updates on these books is on my website, Facebook, or Twitter.
Jean’s background is in science and she draws from her interests in history, nature, and her family for inspiration. She writes historical and contemporary romances and women’s fiction. She also writes articles for family-oriented travel magazines. When she’s not writing or chasing children, she enjoys tending to her flower gardens, hiking, and doing just about anything in the outdoors.
Social Media links:
Website https://www.jeanmgrant.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/JeanGrant05
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Jean-M.-Grant/e/B0728KFXP9/
Buy links:
Amazon
The Wild Rose Press
Barnes and Noble
Giveaway
Jean M. Grant will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning! Thank you for the book description.These tours are great and we have found some terrific books so thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me! And thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check out the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting and I love the cover!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteDid any books or movies influence any of the characters in your book? Bernie Wallace BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the question, Joseph! No specific books or movies really influenced this book but I did fall in love with Scotland years ago courtesy of Diana Gabaldon (Outlander) and Julie Garwood. I visited Scotland ten years ago, too, and fell deeper in love. When I dug into the Simon's backstory (he is in the middle book, A Hundred Kisses, 30 years after A Hundred Breaths) I discovered the Norse/Vikings were still present and causing a ruckus in western Scotland in the 1260s. It was an interesting time period to research! I even visited a recreated Norse ship that was sailed across the Atlantic ocean a few years ago.
DeleteThanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAn intriguing synopsis and excerpt and I like the cover. Thank you so much for the interview and giveaway. I have enjoyed reading about you and your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments! This was a fun book to write. I especially enjoyed my villain.
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt and interview. Sounds good.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read
ReplyDelete