Spotlight & Giveaway: The Highland Chieftain by Amy Jarecki

Posted July 26th, 2018 by in Blog, Spotlight / 57 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Amy Jarecki to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

 

Hi Amy and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, The Highland Chieftain!

 

Five Fun Facts about THE HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN:

Hello everyone, I am super excited to be visiting The Harlequin Junkie today. After a bit of a drought, THE HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN releases on July 31st and I am really excited about this story:
 
1. First up, I must say one of my favorite travel destinations is Scotland. I travel there every couple of years and I have been to many of the sites in this book, in particular Eilean Donan Castle and Urquhart Castle, though I had to rely on research for Castle Leod. Before I continue, I should say that the hero in the story is Laird Dunn MacRae and the heroin is Lady Mairi MacKenzie and their story begins with a big misunderstanding.
 
But more about the castles…
 
Eilean Donan was a MacKenzie fortress, but the MacRaes held the castle as constables for centuries and maintained a close friendly relationship with the MacKenzies. The castle fell into ruin after the Jacobite uprising of 1745. In 1912, Colonel MacRae-Gilstraped acquired the ruins of Eilean Donan and restored it at the cost of £200,000. The castle is now considered the MacRae clan seat, and being fully restored, it was an amazing tour (except no cameras were allowed inside). Fortresses that start out in medieval times always amaze me because they are like little villages complete with chapels, blacksmith shops, wells, vast kitchens and bread ovens (servants were often paid in bread). Eilean Donan is one of the most picturesque castles in Scotland and here you can see why…
 

 
Urquhart Castle was ruined by Cromwell in the 1600s, though there has always been some sort of fortress there dating back to the Picts. It sits on the famous Loch Ness and holds magic all its own…
 

 
I like to stand in the places I write about and draw inspiration—let the walls transport me to eras past and dream of people who once lived within.
 
2. One of the scenes in THE HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN shows Dunn and Mairi crossing London Bridge. Though I have been to London and have driven across London Bridge, the one that existed in 1712 was nothing like the plain thoroughfare crossing the Thames now. Old London Bridge (the subject of the tune London Bridge is Falling Down) was a city in itself as depicted in this oil painting from 1632 by Claude de Jongh (available on the Public Doman). I love writing scenes with visceral detail such as the picture below. It makes the setting so much more real.
 

 
3. I styled the hero Dunn after the heralded Duncan MacRae of Inverinate who was educated at the University of Edinburgh. A man of epic repute, he was renowned for his extraordinary physical strength as well as his poetic talent. He supported William (Reid) MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth (the hero in THE HIGHLAND GUARDIAN), and Dunn’s “claymore” was once displayed in the Tower of London as “The Great Highlander’s Sword.” And he looks kinda like this guy:
 

 
4. In the story it is our heroine, Mairi MacKenzie who experiences the most character growth. She has been recently jilted by the Earl of Seaforth and is not at her best in the opening chapters. However, if anyone can stick with her, it is Dunn MacRae! She’s a wee bit like this lassie. However, if anyone can stick with her, it is Dunn MacRae! She’s a wee bit like this lassie:
 

 
5. If you’ve read the Lords of the Highlands series, you might be familiar with Audrey Kennet, now Countess of Seaforth (from THE HIGHLAND GUARDIAN). She has a fun cameo role in this book and makes a few heroic things happen herself. This is a portrait of the real countess (Mary Kennet) and I think she was lovely:
 

 
If you enjoy Scottish historical romance, I invite you to join me as the brawny hero, Dunn MacRae weaves a path into Mairi MacKenzie’s heart and wins her love forever!
 
Happy reading ~ Amy.
 
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: Print copy of THE HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN (Lords of the Highlands Book 4) by Amy Jarecki.

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Leave a comment with your thoughts on the book…

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Book Info:

After being unceremoniously jilted by her betrothed, Lady Mairi MacKenzie is humiliated and heartbroken – but she’s not desperate. As the daughter of an earl, she won’t give her hand to just anyone, and she definitely isn’t swayed by a last-minute proposal from Laird Duncan MacRae. The powerful clan chieftain may be disarmingly handsome and charming, but he’s not a nobleman. Mairi doesn’t want his pity or his charity – even though his dark smoldering gaze makes her melt with desire.
 
Dunn may be a battle-hardened clansman, but he’s always had a soft spot for Mairi. For years, she tormented him with flirtation – only to reject him. But he’s not giving up. When Mairi is attacked by redcoats, Dunn goes after the woman he loves. Through brute strength and fierce action, he will protect her life at any cost. But to win her heart, he will have to show her the tenderness in his own.
 
Buy: https://www.forever-romance.com/titles/amy-jarecki/the-highland-chieftain/9781538729588/
 
 

Meet the Author:

Award winning and Amazon All-Star author, Amy Jarecki likes to grab life, latch on, and reach for the stars. She’s married to a mountain-biking pharmacist and has put four kids through college. She studies karate, ballet, yoga, and often you’ll find her hiking Utah’s Santa Clara Hills. For more on Amy and her books, please visit amyjarecki.com.
 
 
Disclaimer: All images used in body of the post are owned or provided by author Amy Jarecki from public domain. HJ has reproduced this post as presented by the author and is not liable for an issues arising from the use of these images, please contact the author directly. 
 
 
 

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57 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: The Highland Chieftain by Amy Jarecki”

  2. carol L

    I love reading about Scottish Highlanders. This sounds like another exciting adventure. Thanks for the giveaway chance.
    Carol Luciano
    Lucky4750 at aol dot com

  8. Cheryl C.

    I recently read The Highland Guardian, so I have been looking forward to this one.

  10. laurieg72

    WOW! Dunn sounds lake an amazing man. Definitely hero material! I find it hard to believe that Mairi doesn’t see his admirable qualities and his love for her. I’d like to read of his rescue of her and their ensuing love story.

  16. BookLady

    What a fascinating book! I love historical romance set in Scotland and have added this book to my wishlist.

  23. erinf1

    looks and sounds awesome! I’m getting ready to dive into this series and I’m glad to see I’ve got another book to love 🙂 thanks for sharing!

  26. Jana Leah

    I’ve been to Urquhart Castle & am looking forward to visiting it in your book.

  30. Shannon Capelle

    Love Highlander books but this blurb sounds like a really great book and id love to finish it!!

  33. Barbi Davis

    I had the pleasure of reading this amazing book and series. I loved every second of it !! Mairi finally gets her HEA. Amy is a wonderful author thst transports you to this era. I hope you pick up your copy today !!