Highland Cows vs. Other Cows

When I went to Ireland a decade ago, we had to pull over onto the side of the road because a herd of massive, black and white cows were coming down the road. I'd never seen cows so huge before! I was amazed then with the differences between American cows and Irish cows. Subsequently, did you know that dairy cows are black and white, or brown and white? (Holsteins specifically are the white/blacks.) Now, I never did find out exactly why the Irish cows looked so much larger, but I'm guessing, looking back at pictures, that it might have had something to do with sitting in a tiny car :)

Now onto the Highland cattle! I'd seen pictures before and always wondered about their breed. Highland cows are shaggy, with these long, thick coats. I finally got to see some cows in person when I went to Scotland--the Highlands specifically. They are beautiful.

Funny story... My friend and I stopped at a castle ruins. We parked near a fence and when we got out of the car, we heard these great snorting and scary mooing sounds. Glancing up, we saw four Highland cows barreling toward us, horns down. I was certain they'd come tearing through the flimsy fence to gore us. So I ran. Screaming. Hilarious really... My friend called me back over. The cows had stopped at the fence and looked up at us docilely. I'm guessing they'd just been excited, and maybe were looking for some treats. My dad has a cattle farm (beautiful blacks and browns) and they run over to the fence for us to give them treats all the time.

But these thick, shaggy coats--what's the deal? Why do Highland cows look so different?

The answer is quite simple. Highland cattle were bred to withstand harsh weather -- heavy rains, wind, freezing temperatures, snow. Their thick coats protect them, keep them warm.

Hope you all are staying warm this winter season!

Cheers,

Eliza

Hey, check it out! I have THREE new books out!

Something to entertain you this post-holiday season... A KILTED CHRISTMAS WISH,  something to keep you warm any night of the year -- THE HIGHLANDER'S SIN. And if you're looking for steaming HAWT check out the 3rd and final installment in the Highland Bound trilogy -- DARK SIDE OF THE LAIRD.

Down on her luck with men, Darla Strider wonders if she’ll ever meet her own kilted hero. Considering she lives in present day New York City, the likelihood of that happening is nil. She’s certain only a Christmas wish could make her dreams come true. Until the day Aaron Sutherland walks into her café, and changes her whole world.

Leaving his pain in Scotland for life in the States, the last thing Aaron has in mind is hooking up with a city girl. But one look at Darla and she’s got him singing All I Want for Christmas is You.

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Available as an ebook only

He stole her away… But she set him free…

They called him The Priest. Maybe because of his billowing black robes and the steel crucifix that hung around his neck. Or perhaps it was because those who met him were compelled to pray. But Duncan Mackay was anything but a saint. He was a sinner—a paid mercenary. Until he met her, and she made him want to change his ways.

Lady Heather Sutherland, has never been compelled to follow rules. And this time, she’s gone too far. Following in the footsteps of her brothers and cousins, she chooses to join the fight for Scottish freedom—and gets herself abducted by a handsome, rogue warrior, whose touch is sweet sin.

Duncan’s duty was clear—steal Heather away from Dunrobin Castle. What he didn’t expect, was to be charmed by her spirit and rocked by her fiery kiss. Now, he doesn’t want deliver her to those who hired him, instead he wants to keep her all to himself.

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Available in print, ebook and audio

Bound by passion. Freed by love.

When the damaged and tormented Emma first meets the equally broken Logan, they embark on a torrid, emotionally provocative affair that irrevocably changed their lives. Emma has sacrificed her entire being and just when she thinks Logan is willing to do the same, he holds back. Reluctant for their love to be a thing of shadows, Emma issues an ultimatum: commit or say goodbye. Fearful of losing her, Logan agrees.

In order to keep her, he must gain permission to marry from the one man he’s sought to avoid: his brother, the King. His appeal is denied and instead, Logan is seized and sent to the dungeon with no hope for escape. While in Hell, Logan’s dark past haunts him, threatening to consume him. He must fight to remain the man he’s become with Emma by his side and relinquish the control he’s held onto for a lifetime.

Fearing her lover is dead, Emma decides once and for all she must leave history where it belongs and return to the present. But when she tries once again to break the bonds of time, she is struck down. Emma must choose her destiny. Must answer the cries her body makes in the dark for her laird. They’ve always been strongest when together, but now Emma must find the courage on her own to see her fate fulfilled—and Logan returned to her.

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