Aloha to Terri Brisbin and Scottish Historicals

Last year, I wrote a special post on historical events of September 11 at this link.   In 1297,  William Wallace led Scottish patriots to defeat the English Cavalry during the War of Scottish Independence.

"We come here ... to set our country free."

700 years later, on September 11, 1997, the Scottish voters overwhelming approved a referendum to creat an independent Scottish Parliament, the first step to fulfilling Wallace's dream of a free Scotland.

Historic Stirling Bridge
bbb.co.uk

Joining us today is an author who shares my love of Scotland.  Please join me in welcoming Terri Brisbin!  

Kim:   How did a mild mannered dental hygienist become a romance author? What inspired you to put pen to paper? Who (or what) helped you along the way?

Terri:  It sounds funny when you put it like that! Actually I did a lot of creative writing – short stories and poetry (very angsty teenage poetry) in high school before allowing my science geek half free rein and enrolling in Dental Hygiene school. Then all my writing was technical and centered around my profession as a Dental Hygienist. It wasn’t until later in life, while under a great deal of stress, that the ideas which eventually became books began to flow.

I would have to say that the romance authors I began reading in the early 90s were my first influence – Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsay, Jo Beverley, Jill Barnett and so many more. They inspired me with their wonderful stories. Then once I began writing, so many writers from my local RWA chapter (NJRW) were fabulous mentors and helped me along my path.

Terri contributed to the Manmouth Anthology.

Kim:  You wrote in your bio, 

Favorite places in Scotland: the haunting valley and hills of Glencoe, the ruins of Duntulum Castle on Skye, Dunstaffnage Castle near Oban, the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, Kirkwall in the Orkneys

What draws you to the above locals? Can you share a special tidbit about one of them?

Terri:  I wish I knew! All I know is that when I am in those places I feel like I am home. When I’m not there, they call to me, urging me to return. A bit about each place"? Sure!

Glencoe is a haunting valley with the Three Sisters rising above it. The main road follows the River Coe. This place is known best for the massacre that happened here in 1692 and I first visited it in 2002. Walking along the glen is an incredible experience.

Glencoe
mymodernmet.com

Duntulm Castle on Skye is a place I visited on my first trip to Scotland along with Sue-Ellen Welfonder and Lisa Trumbauer. A guide at Eilean Dunan Castle told us about the ruins and we drove across Skye to see them. At that time the ruins were open to the public, but they’re closed now due to deteriorating conditions. But standing on the stone wall and looking across to the outer Hebrides is a view I will not forget.

Duntulm Castle
undiscoveredscotland.co.uk

Dunstaffnage Castle near Oban is a place I wrote about without ever visiting it before! When I arrived there (on that first trip in 2002), I knew I had been here before—I’d even described parts of it without knowing about it! So, I then wrote its’ story in my book THE MAID OF LORNE.

Dunstaffnage Castle
undiscoveredscotland.co.uk

The Royal Mile of Edinburgh is chocked full of history, with surprises around every turn and down every wind and close. I was interviewed for the NBC Today Show in the White Horse Close which was where coaches left for London in centuries past. I got to visit the Signet Library more recently – a building from the late 1700s which has a rich history and not many of the public get to see. And there’s a statue on the front of one building that has inspired another story for me – one I’ve yet to write!

The Royal Mile stretches from Holyrood Palace (above)
to Edinburgh Castle
rampantscotland.com

Kirkwall in Orkney (on the island called the Mainland) is a city that goes back to the Viking era and even earlier. Walking the streets, exploring the Bishop’s Palace and St. Magnus’ cathedral, bring it to life for me. On my last visit, I hired an archaeologist to take me to Viking era sites in the city and all across the Mainland. Very special!

Kirkwall Coastline
msccruises.com

Kim:  You are the creator of the shocked Queen Victoria who frequently makes guest appearances at SOS Aloha. Can you share a tidbit about you that would shock the Queen?

Terri:  Her Majesty really gets around, huh?! Well, you might want to cover her ears for this bit of gossip –

Before I started to write, I attended the RT convention as a reader and I volunteered to help out. I ended up being assigned to help at the Cover Model Contest! But instead of handing out programs or showing people to their seats, I . . . . helped the cover model contestants dress!! Along with two others, we helped all those nice young men into and. . . out of their costumes, helped them with their tuxedos and I even helped smooth out the oil on John DeSalvo’s back and shoulders!!

If that was not enough, I also literally ran into Fabio, who was gracious enough to catch me before I fell. Sigh....that was lovely!

Did I shock the Queen?

Kim:  Yes, you shocked the Queen!  Tell us about your "Storm" series!

Terri:  My STORM series is a series of three novels plus a novella for Kensington’s Brava imprint about a woman who ‘catches’ and then betrays a Fae prince, resulting in her three sons being both GIFTED and CURSED by the Fae. With each use of their gift (which they are compelled to use), they lose a bit of their humanity and their lives. The only way to break the curse is with the freely-given love of their enemy or someone they betrayed. Connor has the gift of SIGHT and is going blind every time he has a vision. Gavin is a TRUTHSAYER and can hear the thoughts of others, but those voices remain in his mind even though he is going deaf. Duncan is a HEALER who can heal with his touch, but he is becoming an empty shell of a man, losing all sensations and his emotions. The novella tells the mother’s side of it all.  This is a dark, very steamy series set in the highlands and islands of Scotland when the Norse still ruled there. With its touch of paranormal magic, they are intensely-emotional stories.

Kim:  What's next for Terri Brisbin?

Terri: I’m working on a new Highland series for Harlequin Historicals which begins next September 2012. I’m referring to these as “Highlander-Next Generation” because they include the children of the characters first met in my previous, very popular HIGHLANDER series of books. I’ve already written the short HH UNDONE that will introduce the series and have just finished the first of the three novels. 

Mahalo, Terri, for joining us at SOS Aloha.   Terri is generously giving away two sets of books - print copy of UNDONE and print copy from her Storm series - to two winners.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about a person, place or thing that inspires freedom to you.

2.  This giveaway is open all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 17, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winners on Sunday, September 18.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii  

To learn more about Terri and her books, check out her website at www.terribrisbin.com.