Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Guest Post ~*~ Lachlan’s Bride By Kathleen Harrington



A SPECTACLE FIT FOR A PRINCESS

     In LACHLAN'S BRIDE, the love story of Lady Francine Walsingham and Laird Lachlan MacRath is woven around the historic journey of Princess Margaret Tudor on her way to wed the Scottish king, James IV. Margaret was the eldest daughter of Henry VII. The contract for her marriage brought with it the Treaty of Perpetual Peace, a cause of great rejoicing among the common people of both England and Scotland. The two countries had waged war against each other for centuries. (Does anyone remember Braveheart?)
     Margaret's journey began at her grandmother's palace in Northhamptonshire and ended in Edinburgh. Along the way, every village, town, and city staged a celebration to entertain the princess and her large retinue of noblemen and their ladies.
     In late medieval times, royal celebrations became magnificent spectacles of wealth. Kings and queens throughout Europe staged splendid pageants. The sovereigns of France took the lead in this theater of power. But the English king, Henry VII, also knew the importance of putting on a good show.
     These royal entertainments required supervising designers, artists, sculptors, actors and singers. (Think of a Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast and you'll get the idea.) A Master of the Revels would oversee the themes, sets, music, and verses. The pageants were often enacted by members of the court, dressed in costumes called disguises. The purpose of the spectacle was twofold. First, to entertain the members of the court. Second, to display the wealth and power of the royal family.
      Enormous pageant cars were wheeled into the banqueting hall, carrying lords and ladies costumed in classical dress and portraying the heroes of Greece and Rome. The entire pantheon of gods and goddesses shimmered in cloth of gold adorned with sparkling jewels, to the amazement and delight of the court.
       In LACHLAN'S BRIDE, Lady Francine Walsingham joins Charles Burby, the Master of the Revels, in creating marvelous spectacles at every stop along the way from Collyweston Palace to Holyroodhouse. An archery contest to honor the legend of Robin Hood near Nottingham, a gladiator match at the old Roman fort of Doncaster, an evening boat parade on the River Tyne, and a joust and tournament between the English and Scottish knights are some of the pageants presented in honor of Princess Margaret, the future Queen of Scotland. 
       I'm presently working on the third book of the Highland Lairds Trilogy, with the tentative title of KEIR'S STORY. I'm looking forward with excitement to the release of LACHLAN'S BRIDE, an Avon Impulse, on April 30th.
       Thank you for inviting me to share my thoughts with your readers. I can be found at the following places:
Twitter@kathleensbooks

Blurb ~*~


He is Lachlan MacRath, laird and pirate. And he intends to be her lover…

Lady Francine Walsingham could not believe this fierce Highland warrior is to be her escort into Scotland. It is whispered that Lachlan MacRath has magical powers…how else do you explain why her countrymen call him the Sorcerer of the Seas? But trust him she must, for a treacherous plot is about to reveal all her secrets…and Francine has no choice but to act as his lover to keep her enemies at bay.

When Lachlan first sees Francine, the English beauty stirs his blood like no woman has ever before. As luck would have it, they must now play the besotted couple so he can protect her ….and Lachlan is determined to use all his seductive prowess to properly woo her into his bed.

Buy Links ~*~

Author Info ~*~

KATHLEEN HARRINGTON, winner of the Colorado Romance Writers’ Award of Excellence, has touched the hearts of readers across the country with her sparkling tales of high adventure and unending love. Her historical romances have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA, The Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards, the Virginia Romance Writers’ HOLT Medallion, and the Phoenix Desert Rose Golden Quill. Her fabulous heroes have garnered the KISS (Knight in Shining Silver) Award. She lives in Southern California.




2 comments:

  1. Great Guest Post! Thank you for hosting today!

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  2. Thanks so much, Illustrious Illusions, for featuring my latest release, LACHLAN'S BRIDE on your lovely blogsite!

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