Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Thunder on the Moor


                                                        Thunder on the Moor

by Andrea Matthews

 

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GENRE:   historical time travel romance

 

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BLURB:

 

Maggie Armstrong grew up enchanted by her father’s tales of blood feuds and border raids. In fact, she could have easily fallen for the man portrayed in one particular image in his portrait collection. Yet when her father reveals he was himself an infamous Border reiver, she finds it a bit far-fetched—to say the least—especially when he announces his plans to return to his sixteenth century Scottish home with her in tow.

Suspecting it’s just his way of getting her to accompany him on yet another archaeological dig, Maggie agrees to the expedition, only to find herself transported four hundred and fifty years into the past. Though a bit disoriented at first, she discovers her father’s world to be every bit as exciting as his stories, particularly when she’s introduced to Ian Rutherford, the charming son of a neighboring laird. However, when her uncle announces her betrothal to Ian, Maggie’s twentieth-century sensibilities are outraged. She hardly even knows the man. But a refusal of his affections could ignite a blood feud.

Maggie’s worlds are colliding. Though she’s found the family she always wanted, the sixteenth century is a dangerous place. Betrayal, treachery, and a tragic murder have her questioning whether she should remain or try to make her way back to her own time.

To make matters worse, tensions escalate when she stumbles across Bonnie Will Foster, the dashing young man in her father’s portrait collection, only to learn he is a dreaded Englishman. But could he be the hero she’s always dreamed him to be? Or will his need for revenge against Ian shatter more than her heart?

 

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EXCERPT

 

Will Foster crouched behind the crumbling stone wall, watching the Armstrongs approach over the opposite hilltop. They pulled up before what he could only assume was a small foraging party, for the strangers traveled on foot. But where had they come from? Moments before, nothing but harebells and thistle had filled that field. He scratched his head. Perhaps they’d walked from a nearby village. Not too clever with the Armstrongs on the prowl. Then again, maybe they were of the same clan, though he certainly didn’t recognize any of them. The Armstrongs, however, he knew all too well, and he thought it best to stay out of their way.

     

As he peered around the broken wall, one of the strangers turned. An angel amongst a pack of wolves, no doubt. But one of the men tugged her back to his side before Will could determine if she was their hostage. Though he was certain she’d seen him, she didn’t cry out, so perhaps she

hoped he’d rescue her.

    

 He inched a bit closer, staying low to avoid detection. Though he still couldn’t make out much of their conversation, the breeze did manage to catch a few words that caused his ears to perk up. “So, he’s a cousin to Archie, is he.”

     

Will scurried amongst the trees, coming to rest behind an ancient pine. He caught sight of the bonnie wee lass once more, standing off to the side this time. Instinct caused him to grasp the hilt of his sword. If he moved quickly, he could run out and rescue her before the Armstrongs realized he was there. Then one of the men spoke again, his words taking Will by surprise.

    

 “’Tis me daughter, Maggie,” the stranger said.



A Word With the Author


1.Did you always want to be an author?

 

That’s not an easy question to answer. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and would have loved to make it a career, but I never thought I’d be able to. Even when I went to college, the decision for me was between majoring in History or English. I chose history, not only because I loved research and studying the past, but because I didn’t think I could actually make a living as a writer. Fortunately, as it turned out, I’ve been able to use both in my writing career. So, I guess the answer to your question is two-fold. While I did always want to be author, I didn’t think it possible, so I chose another path for a while, though I have to say I think that experience has made me a better author.

 


2.Tell us about the publication of your first book.

 

It was a long time in coming. I actually started Thunder on the Moor somewhere in the early nineties, but I was working and raising a family, so it was only taken out when I had some time. In a way, it worked out for the best, because I learned a lot about writing in the meantime. Around 2016, I decided to join a critique group, going over each chapter a few more times, until finally in early 2019, I thought I had it where I wanted it to be. I sent it off to an editor, got a cover designer and a formatter, held my breath and pushed Publish.


3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in?

 

My all-time favorite romance author is Jane Austen. I read Pride and Prejudice in Freshman year of high school and Mr. Darcy still holds a bit of my heart. 


4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst?

 

The best part of being an author is that I get to do what I love. The worst part? I’m not sure there is one.


5.What are you working on now?

 

At the moment, I’m working on the third book in my Cross of Ciarán series about an 5th century Celt that wakes up in the twentieth century. It’s title is The Cave of Rúin Ársa, and it’s due to be released at the end of May.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Andrea Matthews is the pseudonym for Inez Foster, a historian and librarian who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogical speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. She is the author of the Thunder on the Moor series set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Border, and the Cross of Ciaran series, where a fifteen-hundred-year-old Celt finds himself in the twentieth century. Andrea is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society.

 

Buy Link: Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Moor-Andrea-Matthews-ebook/dp/B07ZS7V3TB

 

Andrea Matthews Historical and Paranormal Romance - Website -  https://andrea-matthews.com

Facebook -  www.facebook.com/andreamatthewshistoricalromance

Twitter – www.twitter.com/AMatthewsAuthor

Instagram – www.instagram.com/andreamatthewshistoricromance

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19718311.Andrea_Matthews

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/andrea-matthews

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

 

Andrea Matthews will be awarding an Ebook copy of books 2 and 3 in the series to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.



 

a Rafflecopter giveaway



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