Happy Memorial Day!

Many thanks to all who serve and those who served before you. We are free because of the brave.

I Love Big Orange...Cows by Nancy Lee Badger

Welcome back to History Undressed, guest author, Nancy Lee Badger! Today she's sharing with us her love of Highland cows. Enjoy!

I Love Big Orange…Cows

by Nancy Lee Badger   

Orange? Thank the Highlands of Scotland for sharing the biggest, hairiest, cold-weather adaptive side of beef with America…the Highland steer. Known as Bò Ghàidhealach in Scottish Gaelic, these large docile animals are best known with their long horns and shaggy red coats, but are also bred in black, dun, brindled, and yellow. Although this animal, bred for its lean tasty beef, was developed in the Scottish Highlands and the Western Isles of Scotland, the Scots exported breeding stock worldwide. 

Their heavy coats protect them from the harsh climate of Scotland’s Highlands. High rainfall, strong winds, and hilly terrain are no problem. Even countries whose winter climates are even colder than Scotland have seen an explosion of herds. Their shaggy hair protects them during the cold winters, keeping the fat content low. They also have this uncanny skill to find food in steep mountain areas, or to graze on vegetation many other cattle refuse to try. Highland cows have a long history of living with humans, and the early Scots kept the family cow inside their homes during the winter.

I won’t go into the meat-producing aspects of the Highland steer. Instead, I will share photos I took at the recent Loch Norman Highland Games in Huntersville, NC. The festival is held at the Rural Hill Historic Site, a year-round historic village complete with a cabin, corn shed, blacksmith forge, and Highland cows. For the first time since I started attending these games, I was able to get close to the mama and her calf. Not too close, as Highland cows are highly devoted as well as protective mothers. Cows may produce into their late teens, which reduces the need for frequent herd replacement. Financially, they are a good bet.

The dad was brazen and begged for handfuls of corn. Did he notice men dressed in kilts and women in long dresses? Did he care that several fur-wearing men walked by with longbows across their shoulders. Did he worry that marching band members stopped to visit with dirks on their hips? Since bulls can weigh in at almost 1800 pounds, I was glad the sturdy fence was between him…and us.

I mention the cows in my latest release, My Lady Highlander, which is the first book in my Kilted Athletes Through Time series. Here is a short except:

“Are we close to the border?” Bull asked.

Izzy whispered, “Aye. The darkness will aid us in crossing the meadow unseen. If we be lucky, my former ale master has put up barrels of honey ale.”

“Let’s hurry!”

She laughed at his exuberance, slapping a hand over her mouth. Stealth would keep them alive.

When they reached the edge of the meadow, they crouched behind low branches. If the moon, hidden somewhere behind heavy clouds, reappeared before they traveled the distance across the meadow, they would be as visible as the Highland cows, mooing, to their left.

“What’s that sound? A cow?”

“Aye. Highland cattle, so stay to the right and watch yer step.”

“Great. I’ll probably trip, and land face-first in a pile of cow droppings.”

She chuckled.

“That was funny?”

“Nay. I was thinking…” She fingered the potions in her pocket. “I carry a potion bottle filled with what we call cow-cakes.”

“Why the heck did you bring that along?”

“That title be misleading. ‘Tis actually an infusion of giant hogweed, a potion that can burn the skin. ‘Twas the only weapon I could grab when we…were interrupted.”

“Don’t know where you’d use that.”

She shrugged. “Mind yer steps. If ye do step wrong, I shall do my best to get ye a bath.”

For more information on the breed, there are several breeding associations across the United States and Canada, and they can be found online. Please enjoy my photos.

About the Author

Fourteen books later, Nancy Lee Badger still loves chocolate-chip shortbread and wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander. Her stories tempt you with the clang of broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, she moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Triangle Area Freelancers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers.  

BOOK BLURB

Isobel MacHamish escaped a betrothal in ancient Scotland. She rebuilt her life in present-day New England, yet something-or someone-is missing. Arson, thievery, a stalker, and a handsome caber-tossing athlete turn her world upside down.

Bryce Buchanan saves a pretty woman-twice. Sent back to ancient Scotland-again-he is trapped between the skittish woman, and a man pressuring her into marriage. Battles, swords, a Scottish brownie, and a power-hungry laird make ‘Bull’ want to head home to New England.

To escape her former lover, and his murderous, father, Izzy finds her inner warrior. And, when the handsome athlete shows her what falling in love can bring, she is torn, because keeping her hands to herself, is one battle she will never win.

Connect with Nancy Lee Badger

Blog                                      http://www.nancyleebadger.blogspot.com
Website                                 http://www.nancyleebadger.com
Twitter                                  https://twitter.com/NLBadger
Facebook                              http://on.fb.me/KMGS4z                    
Goodreads                            http://bit.ly/Vd1Usg
Amazon Author Page           http://amzn.to/13ICHLq

My Lady Highlander Buy Links:

Amazon                              http://amzn.to/1i72gLV

Amazon Print                     http://amzn.to/QKTP2Q

NOOK                                http://bit.ly/1j9Eu51

Barnes & Noble Print         http://bit.ly/1qdbe0n

My Honorable Highlander, Nancy’s first book in her Highland Games Through Time series is part of 10 Timeless Heroes: magic & destiny unite lovers across time and space in this epic collection of award-winning, chart topping tales. From sweet to sizzling romances, 10 Timeless Heroes has a little something for everyone. Over fifteen hundred pages!

Amazon     http://amzn.to/RuFTub

NOOK       http://bit.ly/1ntUSi5

KOBO       http://bit.ly/1iydpJu\

Movie Casting for MY LADY VIPER

Every writer dreams of their book being made into a movie or television series, and I am definitely one of those writers! Even more flattering is the number of readers who've told me they would love to see MY LADY VIPER made into a movie. Watching the characters I've bled, sweat and cried over would be amazing!

If the film rights were purchased by a production company, this is who I'd suggest for the main characters... (Historical figure pics on the left, Hollywood casting on the right).

Anne "Stanhope" Seymour--Lady Viper -- played by Lena Headey

Edward Seymour--Anne's husband and brother to Queen Jane Seymour--played by Eric Bana

Anthony Browne--Anne's lover and a courtier in Henry VIII's court--played by Henry Cavill

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey--my villain, Anne's tormenter--played by Oliver Coleman

 

King Henry VIII--played by Kevin McKidd

Queen Jane Seymour--played by Rebecca Ferguson

My Lady Viper is available for purchase now in print/ebook/audio.

When Anne Boleyn falls to the executioner’s ax on a cold spring morning in 1536, Anne Seymour knows her family faces peril. As alliances shift and conspiracies multiply, the Seymours plot to establish their place in the treacherous court of King Henry VIII, where a courtier’s fate is decided by the whims of a hot-tempered and fickle monarch.

Lady Anne’s own sister-in-law, Jane Seymour, soon takes Anne Boleyn’s place as queen. But if Jane cannot give King Henry a son, history portends that she, too, will be executed or set aside—and her family with her. In desperation, Lady Anne throws herself into the intoxicating intrigue of the Tudor court, determined to ensure the success of the new queen’s marriage and the elevation of the Seymour family to a more powerful position. Soon her machinations earn her a reputation as a viper in a den of rabbits. In a game of betrayal and favor, will her family’s rise be worth the loss of her soul?

Read it on:
 Amazon

Release Day! MY LADY VIPER is now A

OUT NOW!

My Lady Viper

a Tales From the Tudor Court novel

May, 1536. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen.

When Anne Boleyn falls to the executioner's ax on a cold spring morning, yet another Anne vows she will survive in the snake-pit court of Henry VIII. But at what cost?

Lady Anne Seymour knows her family hangs by a thread. If her sister-in-law Jane Seymour cannot give the King a son, she will be executed or set aside, and her family with her. Anne throws herself into the deadly and intoxicating intrigue of the Tudor court, determined at any price to see the new queen's marriage a success and the Seymour family elevated to supreme power. But Anne's machinations will earn her a reputation as a viper, and she must decide if her family's rise is worth the loss of her own soul...

Praise for MY LADY VIPER…

“Author E. Knight proves that though there are a plethora of Tudor novels out there a writer can still create a fresh and unique view of one of history's most treacherous courts, that of England's King Henry VIII. Schemes and scandalous trysts abound in 'My Lady Viper', making for a very captivating read. Racy and deliciously sensual, once started I was hard pressed to put the book down. I eagerly await the next installment in E. Knight's stand-out Tales of the Tudor Courts series!” ~ Amy Bruno, Passages to the Past

“E. Knight breathes new life and new scandal into the Tudors. This is an engrossing historical fiction tale that readers will love!” ~ Meg Wessel, A Bookish Affair

“A brilliant illustration of a capricious monarch and the nest of serpents that surrounded him, My Lady Viper is an absolute must. Intricately detailed, cleverly constructed and utterly irresistible.” ~ Erin, Flashlight Commentary

READ IT!

Print/Ebook

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon Canada

Amazon Australia

Ebook

Barnes & Noble / Apple ITunes 

Audio

Coming June 16, 2014 -- Available for Pre-Order

Glamis Castle by Gwyn Brodie

Welcome back to History Undressed, guest author and friend, Gwyn Brodie! She's written a fascinating post for us today on Glamis Castle. I adore castle posts! Hope you enjoy!

Glamis Castle

by Gwyn Brodie

On my last trip to Scotland, my friends and I got a chance to visit Glamis Castle. The drive, or "avenue" as it is called, to the castle is a mile long and absolutely breathtaking. It is lined with great oaks planted in the 17th century by the 3rd earl. Many people stop along the way to take photos—including us!

Inside the castle, I felt as if I were in a fairy tale as we moved from room to room filled with beautiful antique objects, drapes and furniture, including a bed in the Kings Room dating back to 1660. One of the rooms is called King Malcolm's Room, named in memory of King Malcolm II who died at Glamis in 1034. It was the private chamber of the Lord and Lady. It is believed that his death was the result of assassination, a hunting accident or mortal wounds from battle.

The estate boasts many amazing gardens. One of which is the Italian Garden with its raised terrace, two small gazebos, and formal beds separated by gravel walks. There is also a water fountain and ornamental gates. While walking the Nature Trail, you might see red squirrels, roe deer or heron and you'll cross Glamis Burn, which has an arboretum featuring trees from all over the world, many of them rare and several hundred years old. The Dutch Garden is private, but can be easily viewed, and has a sundial from the 17th century.

Glamis is located in Angus, Scotland, and sits between the Sidlaw Hills and the Grampian Mountains twelve miles inland from the North Sea. The estate covers approximately 14000 acres and produces several cash crops, including lumber and beef. The castle's location has prehistoric traces, such as an intricately carved Pictish stone knows as the Eassie Stone found in a nearby creek-bed.

It is said that Glamis is the most haunted castle in Scotland, and perhaps in the United Kingdom. There are many myths and legends attached to the castle, but the most talked about ones have to do with a pageboy, two lords and a lady.

The ghost of a little pageboy sits on the stone seat inside the Queen Mother's Sitting Room. He was a mischievous little boy and was told to sit there for his punishment. On the coldest night of the coldest winter everyone retired to their beds, but forgot to dismiss the little boy. He obeyed the order to stay there and during the night he froze to death and was found the next morning still on the seat. It is said that his vengeful ghost has a habit of sticking out a foot to trip up the unwary visitor as they enter the room.

There is a secret chamber at Glamis, of which we were shown the location. As the tale goes, Lord Glamis and his old enemy, the Earl of Crawford, who was called "Tiger" because of his temper, gambled through Saturday evening late into the night. They were disturbed by the servants at midnight begging them to stop playing as the Sabbath was upon them. "We care not what day of the week it is," roared the Lords. "If we have a mind to we shall play until Doomsday." When the first cards were laid on the table early that Sunday morning, the door opened and the Devil stood there. "I will take your Lordships at your word," he said. "Doomsday has come for both of you." It is believed that they still play, and that if you listen at the walls of the room at midnight on Saturdays you can often hear the two lords sobbing and the shuffling of cards.

The Grey Lady, who is said to haunt the Chapel, was Janet Douglas, wife of the 6th Lord Glamis. When he died only a few years after their marriage, she was victimized by King James V who wanted the Castle and hated the Douglas family. He falsely accused her of witchcraft, her two small sons of treason and they all were imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle. The people of Edinburg knew the accusations were false and there were riots in the streets. The king tried Janet and executed her for witchcraft. She was burnt alive at the stake on Castle Hill in front of Edinburgh Castle in 1537 and her spirit returned to Glamis. 151 years after her death, she was seen entering the Chapel where she has her own seat and in which no one else is allowed to sit. She is the most frequently seen ghost at Glamis. We were able to visit the Chapel and sat in front of the Gray Lady's seat. I don't know whether I was hoping to see her, or hoping I wouldn't!

The most famous legend linked to the castle is that of the Monster of Glamis, a hideously deformed child born to the family. Accordingly to the story, the monster was kept in the castle all his life and his suite of rooms bricked up after his death. Guests staying at Glamis once hung towels from the windows of every room to find the bricked-up suite of the monster. When they looked at it from outside, several windows had no towels.

It is believed that the legend of the monster may have been inspired by the true story of the Ogilvies. Somewhere in the 16-foot-thick walls is the famous room of skulls, where the Ogilvie family, who sought protection from their enemies the Lindsays, was walled up to die of starvation.

The late Sir David Bowes-Lyon, while taking a late stroll on the lawn after dinner, reportedly saw a girl gripping the bars of a castle window and staring distractedly into the night. He was about to speak to her when she abruptly disappeared, as if someone had torn her away from the window.

I hope you have enjoyed hearing about Glamis Castle as much as I enjoyed visiting!

Feel free to contact me at:

gbrodieauthor@gmail.com

www.gwynbrodie.com

https://www.facebook.com/gwyn.brodie

https://twitter.com/GwynBrodie

Lady Sorcha MacPherson is betrothed to Archibald Campbell, the Laird of Clifftower Castle, where she is staying until her wedding day. Once she finds out what a cruel and vicious man the laird truly is, Sorcha’s plans change. She refuses to marry him and live the abusive existence she knows she would if she were to become his wife. One night, with the help of Campbell’s own guards, Sorcha, her two guards and maid leave to return home to Blackstone, where her brother, Alexander, is laird. The following day they are attacked by highwaymen before being rescued by the handsome, Galen MacKinnon, heir apparent to Moorloch Castle.

Galen is quite taken with the beautiful Sorcha. And she is most appreciative of his help—until he learns her identity and abducts her to exchange for his brother's freedom, because her brother is holding him prisoner! Campbell chases after them because he wants Sorcha, and especially her dowry. Galen vows the cruel laird—nor any other man but himself—will have her. Will their love survive the deceit, betrayal and danger that greet them at every turn?

READ IT! Amazon / Barnes & Noble

2nd Sneak Peek at MY LADY VIPER!!!

Good morning! Last week I gave you the first sneak peek into my new historical fiction novel, MY LADY VIPER (Tales From the Tudor Court), and today I'm giving you another! Enjoy!

MY LADY VIPER releases on May 1st!!!

Cont'd from...

I could not show that I grieved for this young woman, cut down in the prime of her life. I had to be completely focused now on my husband, his family and moving us upward in the realm. Keeping us alive. Keeping us in power. Personal feelings could not play a factor. The king’s desires, Jane’s needs, and Edward’s love and approval were all I sought to concentrate on.

As heartily as I had prayed for the king to intervene, I was now no longer as shocked as I should have been at there being no pardon. I stood, my face now void of emotion, as the executioner held Anne Boleyn’s head for the crowd to see. Although, it was said they held the head for the opposite reason, so the one beheaded could see the crowd and their body, now headless on the platform, blood pouring from the severed neck.

Was her mind still alive? How long would it take for her to pass? Her lifeless black eyes staring out at the crowd indicated she could no longer be with us. Catching sight of the Howards—Anne Boleyn’s family, our rivals—I quickly glanced away. I could not look at them. Could not meet their eyes when their beloved was dead and they’d done nothing to save her.

I’d done nothing to save her.

Cannons fired, their loud booms making me jump slightly. The firing of the cannons would let the king and all the realm know the deed was done, the queen was dead.

Cheers resounded in my ears, which shook me. The people were now glad she was dead? All the tears and remorse they’d shown her while she stood there, pleading for God to have mercy on her… I glanced around and was relieved to still see a few with tears in their eyes.

I suspected that most of the cheers were likely from courtiers whose secrets she’d held, along with the power to dispose of their lives. They cheered with relief. No longer would they have to worry that Anne Boleyn would betray them. No, they’d done that themselves.

Backstabbers, the lot of them … and I suppose I was lumped in with them, now. A moment of disgust swirled in my gut but was quickly gone when I thought of my duties to our family, to the realm.

The crowd rushed forward, perhaps trying to cut off a bit of her hair, collect her blood. The vile creatures would keep it, sell it, whatever their whim.

But her ladies quickly jumped from their kneeled positions, tossed a white handkerchief over the queen’s prone head, and tried to protect her body from the pressing spectators. Perhaps in death what little compassion they’d had for her in life came forth. No one was there to pick up the queen’s remains. No coffin was waiting for her severed parts to be placed inside. The four ladies, speaking in hushed, frantic whispers, gathered her head and body.

I stepped forward, feeling as though I should help. Good God, for as much preparation that had gone into the execution—the building of the scaffold, finding the swordsman—so little had been done for her in the end.

My husband’s hand on my arm stayed my movement, and I watched in dismay as the ladies wrapped their queen in white linen, tossed bow staves from an old elm chest and placed her body in its depths. Where would they take her? Burial plans had not been made, either.

I could watch no more. I turned from the gruesome, troubling scene, my gaze catching sight of Jane Rochford. She’d been the one who said the heinous things that condemned Anne Boleyn. Sex between brother and sister—Anne and her brother George. Lies, all of it. But those lies had been to our advantage, so none of the Seymours said anything against it.

Perhaps that was the reason for the disgust I felt for myself, now turned on Jane Rochford. Evil, vile creature. I could scarcely look at her.

But when I did, a smirk turned the corners of her lips. She looked happy.

“Lady Seymour.” She nodded toward me.

I nodded back but did not try to hide the disapproval in my gaze. She’d single-handedly seen to the death of her husband and the queen. I supposed she wanted to be in the king’s bed.

I tried to keep my thoughts from my face as I turned from the crowd. Did not they all want to be in his bed? But now, Jane would be. Our Jane.

There were rumors that His Majesty was riddled with disease from some previous maid he’d bedded repeatedly only to find out she’d been bedding the entire court.

I shuddered slightly, rubbing my arms to ease away my horror of it all.

I found myself craving the comforting touch of my husband. Edward spoke in hushed tones to two courtiers and the Spanish Ambassador. My mind still reeled and I couldn’t concentrate on what they were saying. But I did notice the absence of the courtiers’ wives.

More horror clawed at my insides as I reflected upon the plain truth of our situation now.

Life in great King Henry VIII’s court was like walking a double-edged sword—one false step, and you were massacred. I had to tread carefully in all things. We would all have to tread carefully. What happened to Anne and her family could happen to us.

If my true objective was to secure our status, a realm of our own making, then we needed to learn from the past but also move forward without another backward glance.

Because the past was filled with transgressions aplenty.

MY LADY VIPER--coming May 1st in ebook/print and soon to audio!

Check out my blog tour from May 5th - 23rd!

What are you doing on May 1st, 7-9pm EST? I'm having an online launch party with an amazing line-up of guest authors, prizes and more!

Perfiditas Review and Giveaway!

Leave a comment with your email address to be entered for a chance to win a signed paperback copy! Open internationally!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Publication Date: October 17, 2013

SilverWood Books

Paperback; 288p

ISBN-10: 1781321248

eBook; ASIN: B00FXY4GEE

Captain Carina Mitela of the Praetorian Guard Special Forces is in trouble – one colleague has tried to kill her and another has set a trap to incriminate her in a conspiracy to topple the government of Roma Nova.

Founded sixteen hundred years ago by Roman dissidents and ruled by women, Roma Nova barely survived a devastating coup d’état thirty years ago. Carina swears to prevent a repeat and not merely for love of country.

Seeking help from a not quite legal old friend could wreck her marriage to the enigmatic Conrad. Once proscribed and operating illegally, she risks being terminated by both security services and conspirators. As she struggles to overcome the desperate odds and save her beloved Roma Nova and her own life, she faces the ultimate betrayal…

Praise for Perfiditas

“Alison Morton has built a fascinating, exotic world! Carina’s a bright, sassy detective with a winning dry sense of humour. I warmed to her quickly and wanted to find out how she dealt with the problems thrown in her path. The plot is pretty snappy too and gets off to a quick start which made it easy to keep turning the pages. There are a fair number of alternative historical fictions where Rome never disappeared, but for my money this is one of the better ones.” – Simon Scarrow, author of the Eagle (Macro and Cato) series

“I can’t resist an alternative history and Alison Morton writes one of the best. Powerful storytelling, vivid characters and a page-turning plot makes Alison Morton’s PERFIDITAS a must read.”– Jean Fullerton, author of the historical East London novels

“Pure enjoyment! A clever, complex plot set in the beguilingly convincing fictional country of Roma Nova. Scenes and characters are sometimes so vividly described that I felt I was watching a movie. This compelling tale rendered me inseparable from my copy right up to the last turn of the page.”– Sue Cook, writer and broadcaster

MY REVIEW

An intriguing view of an alternate world, where the Roman empire didn't exactly fall and women rule politics, Morton has created a mysterious thriller in Perfiditas. I love alternate histories, and the author has done a wonderful job of creating a new, rich and powerful country, Roma Nova. Perfiditas takes us into a world that seems much like our own, but it is drastically different. Since I read Roman historicals, I liked the subtle undertones of history and smiled at the authors blending of it with a modern technological world.

(Check out the pics the author has on her site if you want to "see" Roma Nova.)

The heroine, Captain Carina Mitela, is tough as nails--hard core training, a superb detective, and all around superwoman--but we also see her softer side, the love of her husband, children, family. She was a character I easily connected with. I love strong heroines with unique personalities, and Carina definitely fits the profile.

What starts out as a simple plea for help from the woman who helps to train Carina, turns into something more mysterious and life-threatening. What seems at first to have nothing to do with herself, actually turns out to be quite a conspiracy and with Carina and her family stuck right dead center. A coup to overthrow the government ends up driving a wedge between Carina and everything she holds dear, and the only way to save the country/family she holds dear is to risk it all.

Fast-paced, well-written and full of angst, Perfiditas was a very entertaining read!

I would recommend reading the first book, Inceptio, because the majority of the world-building and character development takes place within it (though it is delved deeper in Perfiditas). We still see it all vividly in Perfiditas, but as with any series where a new world is created, and a history altered, it helps to start from the very beginning.

Buy the Books

Inceptio (Book One)
Perfiditas (Book Two)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alison Morton writes Roman-themed alternate history thrillers with strong heroines. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French, German and Economics, a masters’ in history and lives in France with her husband.

A ‘Roman nut’ since age 11, she has visited sites throughout Europe including the alma mater, Rome. But it was the mosaics at Ampurias (Spain) that started her wondering what a modern Roman society would be like if run by women…

INCEPTIO, the first in the Roma Nova series, was shortlisted for the 2013 International Rubery Book Award and awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion® in September 2013. The next in series, PERFIDITAS, published October 2013, has also just been honoured with the B.R.A.G. Medallion®. Alison is working on the third book SUCCESSIO which will be out in June 2014.

Connect with Alison Morton

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Amazon UK Author Page
Amazon US Author Page
INCEPTIO Facebook Page
PERFIDITAS Facebook Page