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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

The Call of the Highlands

By Hannah Reed.

It began as ideas often do, with a small spark out of the blue. Most flashes of insight (also known as moments of insane thinking) sputter and die a quick death. As they should. But sometimes one will ignite and take off, and there’s nothing you can do but go along for the ride. That’s what happened with my new Scottish Highlands mystery series. Once those thoughts came alive and were in motion, I wouldn’t have been able to douse them even if I had an ocean of water. They had to be written.

Mostly, I credit one of my more colorful ancestors, who managed to get thrown out of Scotland in 1685 after his capture and imprisonment in Dunnottar Castle for taking up arms against the king. These days the castle still exists as a ruin, sitting high on a windswept hill beside the sea. This character survived when many didn’t and was shipped to the new world. A real rabble-rouser, that one. Not an uncommon trait in my family line. I believe his adventure was the inspiration for this new series. It fueled my imagination.

And although the weapons have changed in the time that has elapsed between then and now, motives for murder remain the same.

So back to the present and a wee bit about Off Kilter.

Romance writer Eden Elliott arrives in the Highlands only to discover that the local sheep shearer has been clipped with his own shears. She better figure out the motive for his murder and the person behind the deed before she finds herself on the receiving end of more shear terror!

I hope you enjoy your romp through the ‘blades’ of the Highland’s slippery slopes. I know I did.

For more information about the story or about my other tales, visit me at hannahreedbooks.com




Berkley Prime Crime has generously offered a copy of Off Kilter to one of my readers. Please comment below before midnight on November 5, 2014. Entries from the US only, please.  Please don't forget to include an email address so I can contact you if you win.



17 comments:

  1. Okay, I'm going to be a bit selfish and say...I really HOPE I win this one! :)

    Thanks, Marlyn!


    patucker54 at aol dot com

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    1. Not selfish at all! Thanks for reading Stuff and Nonsense, Patricia!

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  2. Off Kilter sounds absolutely delightful! Being of Scottish heritage, I love books about my homeland. I surely hope I win the drawing!
    CocoIhle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks for reading Stuff and Nonsense, Coco!

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  3. I love the idea for this new series---can't wait to read Off Kilter (and would love to win a copy!)! :-)

    Nicole
    nicolev.girldetective@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I love your email address, Nicole! Thanks for reading my blog!

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  4. Looks like a great series. Not only am I of Scottish heritage, but I own a Scottish shop, so I love to read books that take place in the land that I love.

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    1. Thanks for dropping by, Charlene. Please respond with your email address if you'd like to be entered in the drawing.

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  5. I love her Bee series and I am looking forword to reading this new series
    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

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  6. This looks like a series I would love.

    kaye.killgore@comcast.net

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    Replies
    1. I'm sure you will, Kaye! Thanks for being a loyal reader!

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  7. I am Scottish and very proud of my heritage. This book sounds delightful and I am smitten ! I imagine a lovely tour through my highlands while enjoying this cozy. Seascapelife@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. The book IS delightful, Lexie. Thanks for reading Stuff and Nonsense!

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  8. A trip to Scotland - via this series - sounds wonderful!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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    1. Yes, it was very much a vicarious visit to the Highlands, Karen. Thanks for reading!

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  9. Scotland's always been a favorite place to visit in books that I've read. It's great to potentially have another to add to the group.

    robbfan141729@yahoo.com

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  10. looks fantastic, i need to read it! thank you for the chance to win :)
    jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete