We’re in for a special treat this week!
Please help me welcome my dear friend and talented author, Lane McFarland! Lane is sharing some gorgeous photos of her most recent trip to Scotland! I have also had the pleasure of reading Lane’s first series, “My Daughters of Alastair MacDougall ” and highly recommend them! Make sure you leave a comment at the end of the post for a special chance of winning one of Lane’s books!
Wee Darby and I are thrilled to have you with us, Lane!
Thank you for having me, Patty!
Tell us about yourself. Have you had other careers before becoming a writer? Are you a full time writer or do you have a “day job”?
My background is actually in accounting and computer systems. I worked as a financial systems analyst for a large corporation for many years, but left that life to sell financial software. During the day, I travel around the country giving presentations, but at night in the hotel room, or on the airplane, you’ll often find me writing. What a wonderful stress reliever to escape into worlds of intrigue with timeless love and happily-ever-after endings.
What genre(s) do you write in and why?
My passion is historical romance. Throwing my imagination into years gone by, researching dark periods of strife and violence, justice and quests for freedom, and dreaming of what it might have been like to live and survive during these hostile periods have been the most fascinating aspects of writing historical romance.
My Daughters of Alastair MacDougall series begins in May 1297, a time of unrest between Scotland and England. It has been such fun to research this period and imagine living amongst the clans.
Set in late thirteenth century Scotland, this series tells the stories of Laird Alastair MacDougall’s four independent and oftentimes, headstrong daughters coming of age in a country fraught with war and feuds amongst rival clans. Follow his daughters as their lives become intertwined with four fierce, rebel highland warriors bent on eradicating the English soldiers from their homeland. You can find out more about my series here: http://tinyurl.com/hmwsz5d
What do you like best about the writing process?
One of the best things about being a historical romance writer is I just have to visit Scotland and do research for my books! Or at least that’s what I told my husband. :0)
I was fortunate to travel to Scotland in October! The country is steeped in history, has unbelievable landscapes, and the people are so friendly and welcoming. We toured from Edinburgh to Inverness, to Skye and Glasgow, and many places in between where I was able to do some research for my new series.
Here are some of the places we visited.
*** Of course I have to interrupt here for a second 🙂 The Isle of Skye is where “Wee Darby” lives 🙂 I LOVE this area!!!! I’m thrilled Lane could share a few photos of this gorgeous country!
The dramatic cliffs of Skye
Can you tell us about your current work-in-progress?
Since my trip to Scotland, my writing muse has been pinging off the charts! I’m diving into my new series, THE TURNBERRY LEGACY. The first book, To Support a King, will be out next year. It is set in northern Scotland, near Inverness and the book takes you through Skye and into Ireland.
Here is a little bit about it:
The Turnberry Legacy Series
At the turn of the fourteenth century, danger abounds with Scotland’s leadership in flux. Amidst rumors of King Edward reinstating John Balliol to the throne, Robert the Bruce commands his most trusted men to resurrect The Turnberry Bond, a pact specifying loyal Scots and Irish nobles band together in resistance against all adversaries. Follow the rebel warriors fighting for the rightful king of Scotland and their struggle with honor and love as their lives become intertwined with the brave women who challenge them.
To Support a King ~ Book One
Plagued by atrocities he committed against innocent victims while pursuing his father’s killers, Laird Mangus MacAndrew pledged to defend and provide for his clan. But his leadership is tested when two of his ships are attacked and his crews massacred. Desperate to fulfill his obligation to protect the clan, Mangus agrees to help reinstate The Turnberry Bond. His mission—garner support for the Bruce and avenge the deaths of his men.
The MacAndrew clan provides Catriona Butler something her Irish home could not, a safe haven. But when she receives a missive her brother is imprisoned and will be executed unless acceptable éraic can be obtained, she must return to her homeland. Mangus agrees to take Catriona to Ireland and vows she will not become a distraction, but he longs to be near her. Catriona witnesses Mangus’s fierce anger and grows distrustful. After a life of suffering her father’s vicious temper, she is skeptical of anyone with a penchant for violence. She attempts to keep her distance, but her traitorous heart pulls her in Mangus’s direction. With the fate of the kingdom on his shoulders, will Mangus reunite the men of The Turnberry Bond? Can he pursue vengeance against his enemies without taking more innocent lives? And can Catriona free her brother and grow to trust Mangus, staying true to her heart?
How did you get into historical fiction?
Kathleen Woodiwiss introduced me to historical romance when I was a young teenager. I have been hooked ever since. The Flame and the Flower, The Wolf and the Dove, and Ashes in the Wind will always hold a special place in my heart.
Any advice you have for a blossoming author?
Don’t give up. Take workshops, do research, join writing associations, and critique groups. If it is your passion, stick with it and hone your skills, but most of all never lose the love and enjoyment of writing.
What is your favorite quote?
When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.” – Author Unknown
When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
Most of my time is spent on my day job, but on the weekends, my husband and I like to hike the North Georgia Mountains and surrounding areas of Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Alabama. We especially enjoy waterfalls and river hikes. We’re fortunate to live in an area surrounded with wildlife, and I spend time watching bears, wild turkeys, deer, and many other critters wandering into my garden.
Anything else you’d like to share with your readers?
I would like to thank my readers for their awesome support. I’ve made some amazing friends and I’m so humbled by their gracious comments and encouragement.
I love to hear from readers and I hope they will drop me a note. Here is my email address: mcfarland.lane@gmail.com
Website: http://lanemcfarland.com
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/LaneMcFarlandAuthor
Twitter: @LaneMcFarland
Thank you, Lane, for visiting with us today and sharing such a fascinating post! I wish you much success with your new series and hope you’ll decide to pay us another visit soon!
Thank you for having me, Patty!
Please help me thank our guest, Lane, for being with us today, by leaving comments for her! Lane will be giving away a copy of one of her books “or” an Amazon gift card of equal value to someone that leaves her a comment. The winner’s name will be announced this Friday, Jan. 13th, at 8pm EST.
And, as always, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again soon! And as Wee Darby always says, Bye for now . . .
Thank you so much for having me on your beautiful website, Patty!
You are more than welcome, Lane 🙂 Delighted to have you!!!
What a wonderful post and the lovely pictures of Scotland took me back to when Hubby and I visited. I’m going to have to check out your books, Lane. They look like they’d be exactly the type of reads I love.
Good Morning Maeve! So pleased you stopped by and commented! You will definitely enjoy
reading Lane’s books 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by, Maeve! We had such a wonderful time in Scotland. I’m hoping to go back again someday. What a beautiful country.
So good to see you writing a new series, Lane! It looks really good. Best of luck.
Hello Mairi! Delighted you stopped by 🙂 Yes, the new series sounds wonderful, doesn’t it 🙂 Can’t wait to read it myself.
Thank you very much, Mairi! I’m having a great time writing this series. 🙂
LOVED the interview with Lane….😊…. felt like we were at my kitchen table “sharing a cup of coffee” while we “visited”… can’t wait for the new series to be published!! It’s always such a treat to dive into one of Lanes books… 😉
Thank you so much for stopping by! I really appreciate your sweet comment.
Thanks for stopping by, GiGi! Yes, I agree with you, I always enjoy diving into Lane’s books too!
I hope you’ll drop back in and visit again soon!
As in all of your previous books, this one looks like a page turning adventure full of intrigue. I love the way you research historical facts and weave them into plausible stories. You are actually teaching history in a marvelous way! Thank You Lane! Thank you Patty for this interview. Becky Kidd
Thank you for dropping by and for your support, Becky! I can spend way too much time researching history. It’s been a wonderful part of my writing process.
Thanks again!
We’ll delighted to have you stop by and join us, Becky! So glad you enjoyed the post! Please drop back again soon!
I would love the opportunity to read one of your books Lane. I have heard many great reviews about your writing.
I love the pictures posted. I have been to Ireland and enjoyed every minute. I hope to get back some day.
Thank you so much for the sweet comments, Celia! We had a wonderful time in Scotland. I’m hoping to get back some day again too.
I appreciate you stopping by!
Thanks for dropping by, Celia! Isn’t Ireland lovely! Both countries are magical and will always hold a place in my heart 🙂
Those were some wonderful photos you shared, Lane. Katherine Woodiwiss also got me going. It began with Shanna. 😀
Hi Gerri and glad you stopped by! Yes, I loved reading those books as well 🙂 I remember Shanna 🙂
Thanks, Gerri! I had a wonderful time visiting those places in Scotland. 🙂 I loved Shanna too!
I appreciate you stopping by for a visit!
Stunningly beautiful post with the wonderful images and book covers. Just wonderful, a feast for the eyes. The whole thing is fabulous. Well done Lane and Patty.
Thanks for coming by and commenting, Beth 🙂 Delighted you enjoyed the post! Aren’t the photos gorgeous!!!!
Thank you so much, Beth! I appreciate you stopping by and your nice comments. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Lane … the Turnberry Bond series sounds interesting, if not intriguing. With the pics that you shared I can truly see how and where your inspiration comes from. Looking forward to reading the series. Best of luck….
Thanks for stopping by, Terry! Yes, the new series does sound fascinating 🙂
Thank you very much, Terry! I appreciate you coming by for a visit. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your writing journey, Lane, and I loved the photos. I lived in Edinburgh for four years and you really made me want to return . . .
Delighted you stopped by, Anne! I’ve visited Edinburgh myself and fell in love with it. My one set of Grandparents and Aunt lived close by there. I hope you get to return again soon for a visit. I left a large piece of my heart there as well.
Thank you for stopping by, Anne! I LOVED Edinburgh. What a wonderful place. I hope you get to go back soon.
I wish to thank Lane McFarland for sharing her gorgeous photos and telling us about herself and her fascinating books! I hope you’ll come back again soon for another visit, Lane! ((Hugs))
And thank you to everyone that stopped by, and for those of you who left posts. Lane has drawn a winner for a free book, and the winner is . . . . . . . Celia Palmer! Congratulations, Celia!!! I’ll be in touch with you soon so you can get in touch with Lane for your prize!
Thanks again everyone! Bye for now . . . .
Thank you again for having me, Patty!