Devil In A Kilt–A Devilish Hero…and a fantastic prize! Back to Blog
Update: Thanks for all the wonderful comments!!! Nicole picked her winner and the prize goes to…Edie! Congrats, Edie!!!
Hi, everyone! For the next few days, I’ve lined up some fabulous guest authors–I hope you enjoy their posts!
First up is the amazingly talented Nicole North–she’s got a great new novella out from Red Sage. Nicole, welcome!
I know your thirty days of demons are over, Cynthia. But your June theme inspired me because the title of my story in Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures is Devil in a Kilt. What manner of devil is this? Not a literal devil, but a Highland chief of the 17th century who’s had a curse placed on him by a witch of the Dark Arts. Gavin MacTavish’s clan believes he is possessed by the devil and most of them have fled in terror. This devastates Gavin because he simply wants to be a great leader for his people.
But even before the curse, folks had nicknamed him MacDeevil, partly because of his incredible skill in battle, and partly because of his wicked eyes–pale blue with a darker rim around the outside of the iris. When he gives people the evil-eye or a vicious glare, it’s extremely intimidating. But he doesn’t scare the heroine.
Gavin is gorgeous with dark hair, but he received an injury in battle and has a straight slash scar down one side of his face. Even this injury didn’t frighten the ladies away, before the curse. But after the curse, when he started shape shifting into a hawk at dawn and back into a man at dusk, the women and most everyone abandoned him. Surely he was evil if he could change form, they thought. But Gavin isn’t evil, just misunderstood and lonely. He would give almost anything to break the curse, become a normal man again, and have his clan return home.
But he has a few obstacles to overcome first. One of which is that the dark witch who cursed Gavin may want to punish him, but after seeing him in action, she might like to capture him as her sex slave too.
Even cursed, bad boy warriors in kilts need love…
Excerpt:
Gavin glanced out the window at the Highlands and the first faint trace of dawn peeking over the eastern mountains.
It won’t be long.
A yell echoed from down the corridor, the ravings of a madman. His father. One day that would be Gavin, talking to ghosts and shadows. But likely when he sank to that level, he would have no roof over his head. Or else his sparse clan would lock him in the dungeon to die alone. Since he had no heir, his greedy, grasping cousin would become laird. His clan would rejoice when their devil laird was dead.
“Damnation! Alpin willna unseat me. The craven whoreson.” Draping his plaid around his waist and holding it in place, Gavin strode from the bedchamber and down the corridor toward his father’s room.
“There ye are, lad,” Crocker said, his sparse gray hair sticking out in all directions. “Thanks be to God. He’s a right lunatic this morn. Asking for ye, he is.”
“What the devil is wrong with him?” Gavin stepped inside the chamber.
“I dinna ken.”
“Gavin! Gavin!” his father screeched from the four-poster bed as his body writhed, his long gray hair tangled. “The lass. Ye must look for the lass. Ye must marry. For the sake of the clan. For the sake of yer very soul.”
“What lass?” No lass for miles around would so much as glance in his direction. He used to have to drag them from his bed and send them on their way. Now, he couldn’t pay one to give him an hour’s pleasure.
He would like as not turn them to stone, or they would end up possessed by the devil, as he was thought to be.
Gavin waited for his father to tell him which lass he referred to, but the older man now lay still with his eyes closed, apparently asleep. Mayhap he’d meant the lass from Gavin’s arousing dreams. But she wasn’t real, and he’d never seen her face.
Fingers of dawn light gleamed over the mountains and Gavin’s animal nature surged forth, beyond his control.
“Damnation! When will it end?”
He moved toward the open window, helpless to resist the call. Just as he reached it, a moment of pain sliced through him. His body transformed, and great glossy-black wings appeared where once he had arms, and talons on his feet.
Taking flight from the window, he became one with the wind, the Highlands and the bright colors of dawn.
***
Devil in a Kilt, Red Sage Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures July ’09
Blurb: A trip to the Highland Games turns into a trip to the past when modern day psychology professor Shauna MacRae touches Gavin MacTavish’s four-hundred-year-old claymore. What she finds is a Devil In a Kilt she’s had erotic fantasies about for months. Can Shauna break the curse imprisoning this shape shifting laird and his clan before an evil witch sends Shauna back to her time?
***
Which is your favorite kind of hero and why? A bad boy, a demon, a Highlander, a cop, a cowboy, a vampire or something else? Do you like a hero who is really dark or who has a sense of humor? I’ll choose a winner from the comments to win an autographed copy of Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures.
Bio: Nicole North writes sensual and erotic romance novels and novellas. She is the author of paranormal erotic romance novellas Devil in a Kilt, Red Sage Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures, July 2009; Beast in a Kilt, Red Sage Secrets Volume 29; and (contemporary) Kilted Lover. She lives with her husband in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, but wishes she lived in the Scottish Highlands at least half the year. Though she holds a degree in psychology, writing romance is her first love. Visit her at www.nicolenorth.com
Secrets Vol. 27 Untamed Pleasures book trailer video
http://www.nicolenorth.com
http://fierceromance.blogspot.com/
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I like a hero with a sense of humor. There is definately something about a guy who will kill for you or die for you. But I also like a regular guy in an extraordinary situation who has to do something far out of his comfort zone to save/win the girl.
My favorite bad boy? So dificult to qualify. Dark, passionate, focused…any man who knows what he wants and doesn’t let anything stop him. On the other hand, I don’t like it when he ignores the heroine’s wishes,makes him come off too selfish. It’s a fine line, I admit. 🙂
Oh, you meant hero! *G* Well there you have it. Strong, dark, I’ll even go with evil depending on the story.
Hello Nicole,
I don’t have one specific hero that’s my favorite. If the author draws me into the story, it doesn’t matter what or who the hero or heroine is. I just love a good story. I’m not picky I’ll read all genres. I’ve liked both heroes who are dark and others that are funny. Thanks for the contest. Have a great day.
Kelly, I’m with you on that! I love a hero with a sense of humor. On the opposite side of the coin, I also love a hero who is serious so the unintentionally funny heroine can play off him.
Isabel, I know what you mean. I like a man who goes after what he wants. It is fun when the heroine distracts him. 🙂
Roberta, I also love all sorts of heroes and genres. Give me variety! 🙂
Thank you again, Cynthia, for allowing me to be here today!
Great blog. Nicole, your story sounds delicious. As for heroes, I love all sorts of them, from the carefree and fun to the wounded and tortured. Right now, in my current WIP, the hero is brooding and serious. His tortured background doesn’t allow him to let loose. However, when he meets his heroine, that soon changes. It’s a wonderfully delicious metamorphoses. I have to say, he’s been my favorite hero to write.
Arianna 🙂
Thanks, Arianna!! :)Your guy sounds like my kind of hero! I love those transformations.
Hi Nicole,
I just heard that Vol. 27 in on back order at B & N. Woohoo!!!!!
I like an alpha hero of any kind, except not too tortured. Humor is a great plus.
Carly
a great example of my favorite kind of hero is Cadeon The Kingmaker from Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series. he’s a rage demon (wwwwaaaayyy hottt) and he is definitely of the tortured persuasion. he’s fiercely in love with a nerd (which is awesome that every herione doensnt have to be the stereotype of sexy and smart, this chick is neurotic to a “t”) and he goes to some pretty extreme lengths to keep her safe and away from other horrible monsters. plus, he’s got some one liners that brought me to tears laughing and pulled at my heartstrings. so all in all, my hero is a fiery hot demon who prefers nerds (like myself), has the tortured past history (to keep him a little dark and brooding), and who will go above and beyond to keep me out of harms way. my knight with horns, big sexy horns. 🙂
Thanks, Carly!! I love those alphas too!
Sarah, he definitely sounds hot! I’ll have to check out this series. I love it when the hero and heroine are absolute opposites.
🙂
I love bad boys with a hidden heart of gold. I like knowing that they can be crazily exciting and yet underneath totally reliable and caring.
I could watch that trailer over and over and over again, Nicole. Oh, wait. I have… 😉 Very hot!!! Must watch again… *wg*
Great excerpt, and I love the blurb. I like heroes with a sense of humor, but I also like alpha, dark and tortured heroes. I guess a tortured hero with a sense of humor would be ideal.
Jody, I’m writing a bad boy now. Love them!
Calista, thanks!!! So glad you like the video! 🙂
Edie, thanks!!! Yes, that would be ideal. A hero who’s seen hard times, but can still smile or laugh given the right reason.
I like the bad boys but vampires are my favorites!
A Highlander will get me any time, especially one with a slightly wicked side, though with a sense of humor Throw in time travel and I’m completely hooked. Devil In A Kilt is a “got to read” book. I’m putting that volume on my list.
Joan
Teresa, I love reading vamps too!
Joan, thanks tons!!! Hope you enjoy it!! 🙂
Oooh, this sounds great…I want to read!!
My favorite kind of hero is Alpha…yeah, I know, be more specific, but it’s hard, because I love cops or authority figures, but they are usually different in paras and historicals….they might not be DEA, FBI, or Homicide, but they’re still the law keepers. Doesn’t matter whether they’re human, vamps, Demons, Shifters….I love them all!!
Thanks Melissa!!! Those alphas are incredibly popular, with good reason! I love it when a really alpha guy is telling the heroine what to do and she says, “Stop bossing me around!” And he comes back with something about trying to protect her. See, deep down he cares, even though he may not always say it. 🙂
Hi, Nicole! I’m not sure I’ve have one type of hero who’s my favorite–I tend to love a variety! (At least in my reading ;)) I definitely love heroes with a sense of humor though–being able to laugh and to make me laugh is very important. And I do sometimes like an unlikely hero–someone who’s a little quiet or unassuming or not prone to grab the spotlight, but who’s smart and hardworking and wired to do the right thing. Maybe the guy-next-door type 🙂 On the other hand, Gavin’s sounding pretty hot! Congrats on Devil in a Kilt! Adding that one to the TBB!
The troubled, injured, highlander does it for me! He has to be good-looking but marred in some way to make him a bit more human. And I like mine human, from about the 1400- to 1700 time span, single but ‘looking’, and a man who supports his family, his clan, in all things.
Shall we talk about ‘the plaid’? Bare legs and shoulder with a broadsword in one hand, his woman in the other?Wow! I have to go find a cool washcloth for my heated face NOW!
Hi Nicole & Cynthia! I generally like my heros to be paranormal bad boys. I like them to be dark, but it’s kind of fun to discover that underneath it all, they also have a sense of humor that maybe they didn’t even know that they had. I do kind of like the bad boy cops too. Of course it doesn’t hurt if they can shapeshift too ** Grin **. Have a fantstic weekend!
Great fun, Nicole. However, I gotta stop visiting your blogs. I’m getting fixated on that lovely chest!
My favourite hero is a Paranormal highander with a sense of humour. More storylines are believable in the paranormal!
Hi, Fedora, thanks!! I love variety too. And I enjoy bringing all sorts of heroes to life from the charming adventurer who teases to the brooding dark bad boy. The quiet boy next door type is another favorite of mine because he usually has a hot surprise in store that you didn’t expect. Each is special in his own unique way. If you read the book, I hope you enjoy it!!
Hi Nancy, glad you like the injured highlander type! A hot man in plaid is a wonderful thing! LOL You’ve pegged Gavin and my story except he’s only human half the time because of his curse. 🙂
Hi Barb, paranormal bad boys certainly are fun and hot! Shifters have that extra facet which makes them interesting. Have a great weekend too!
Hi Pat, No don’t stop! I love it when you check out my blogs!! 🙂 Got to have my eye candy around for everyone to enjoy!
Hi Chey, glad you are already a fan of paranormal highlanders. They’re an entertaining lot! That’s one reason I love writing paranormal so much, almost anything can happen and it’s still believable.
Thanks, everyone, for commenting! I just heard my book has shipped from the printer! I’m excited! 🙂
Love me some dark heros. No reason why, but if they are kind of angsty, it makes me like ’em more. Kind of adds to the bad boy factor too, you know?
Hi everyone!! 🙂
I like my heroes to be funny. Don’t know why but I enjoy the book better when I can laugh, you know?
I know what you mean, Lyoness. Dark heroes have probably experienced pain at some time in their past, either physical or emotional, and maybe they haven’t healed from it. That’s what draws me to those types. They need love whether they admit it or not. I love it when they finally do admit it. 🙂
Hi RachieG, absolutely! I’m glad to see a variety of preferences here! I do love a book that makes me snicker from time to time. Or laugh out loud. 🙂 The heroine is the funny one in Devil in a Kilt. Her modern snark and dry humor plays well against Gavin’s dark determination.
I don’t have a favorite; so long as the story flows without sounding off, that it is to some degree believable and the hero and heroine loveable. Be they vampires and shifters or simply firefighters and seals, I love them all
I like alpha heroes, cops, wolves, vamps, and cowboys!
My favorite kind of hero would be an alpha male, whether it is a cowboy, seal, were, vamp, etc. I find alpha males very sexy. I do like them to have a sense of humor.
This sounds like it will be a really good read. Gavin seems like a great hero. As for my favorite kind of hero, I like them all. I really haven’t met a hero I didn’t like, from the dark, brooding demon, to the carefree boy next door. As long as the hero is well written, no matter what kind of hero he is, I’ll like him.
Hi Nicole,love a Highlander hero, even better in a paranormal. I like all sorts, from the darker, brooding alpha types to the nerdy guys who use their brains and wit. All depends how they come across to me. Even the darker types can have a sense of humor at times, even if sarcastic, lol.
Oh…a Highlander bad boy, and better, a shapeshifting Macdeevil in a kilt. I love tortured highlander alpha heroes. They’re so easy to love.
Thanks for the giveaway Cynthia. And great excerpt Nicole. Hope to read your story soon.
The tortured heroes are the best. But, sometimes you want a change of pace and go for the humor. But, all te alphas are definetly a go-go.
Thanks, everyone for commenting and letting me know your fav kinds of heroes!! Go Alphas!! 🙂 Lots of variety in profession.
Thanks Karin, Pam and Armenia for your kind words about my highland hero! I confess I’m hooked on writing highlanders! 🙂
If you read the story, hope you love it! 🙂
I like mine to have sarcastic/funny humor, it just makes it that much more interesting. At least that way I can love and hate him at the same time! Weird, I know.
Hi Nicole, great interview 😀 Very excited to read your new Devil In A Kilt.
My type of hero would be a werewolf. I just love that whole alpha, protective nature they have for their women 😀
My favourite heroes are the ones who have hot, sexy bodies, a great sense of humor and who are (just a little bit) on the bad side 😀
Alex, That love/hate thing can be a lot of fun as can a sarcastic sense of humor. Michele, thanks!! 🙂 I love werewolves too or any protective man. Ilona, yes, a hot sexy bod is a must!! 🙂 A little bad is also good! 😀
I’, prolly a bit late here, but being in Germany makes me a bit confused with all the time zones….hehe!!!
Anyways, I am a fan of the rather dark hero. Moody, secretive, but when he falls….then whoa!!!!
Valerie
I love dark heroes. The bad boy image is soooo irresistable!
I like the Highland heroes the best & I like him to have a sense of humor.
Hi Valerie, not late at all! I bet living in Germany is fun and interesting! I also love to see a dark, moody hero fall in love. Sigh. Tamsyn, I think the dark bad boys are going to win this competition. 🙂 CherylS, my heart belongs to those Highland heroes for sure! Thanks everyone for commenting!!
This is awesome! Thanks so much! Nicole, I can’t wait to read your story!
You’re welcome, Edie! Hope you enjoy it!! 🙂 Thanks again everyone for commenting and telling me about your fav heroes!! 🙂 Another huge thanks to Cynthia!!
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