Welcome Lane McFarland

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?

Doune Castle

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.

Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye

*** 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 . . .