I’m excited to welcome Cathie Dunn to the blog today. She’s the author most recently of A Highland Captive, which is out now.

Author Name:  Cathie Dunn

Book Title:  A Highland Captive

Book Genre:  Historical Adventure Romance

Release Date:  Available now!

Publisher:  Ocelot Press

How would you describe your latest book?

A kingdom without a king leaves a land lawless. After Isobel’s father is killed in battle, she ends up being abducted not just once, but twice.

What sparked the idea for your novel?

I love the period of the Scottish Wars of Independence. Such ages of great turmoil always interest me as it allows me to take advantage with my plots. Heiresses were often abducted and forced into marriage when there was either no king, or a king locked up or exiled. In this case, the country’s guardians were too busy to get involved in what would be a minor issue in a country attacked by its neighbour. In addition, the beautiful Scottish Highlands and Islands make the perfect backdrop.

How long did it take for you to write the book? Did you do have to do any research?

Yes, all my novels involve quite a bit of historical research. I’m fortunate to have amassed a small library of history books, and the internet is also handy to search for elusive maps and data (though you have to verify it more often). When I lived in Scotland, I took university courses in Scottish history which has provided me with a critical eye for details.

For you, what’s the hardest thing about writing?

Finding the time to write. I’m not a morning person, so getting up earlier wouldn’t help me. I must admit, I’m not really a disciplined person, which is what authors need to be to get the job done.

What do you love most about it?

I love the fact that you can completely lose yourself in a story. When I start to pick up where I left off, I drift into the setting, form of speech, political and personal plots, and I could sit at home in my porch, in my office, or I could be in a bar with a carafe of wine. I stop taking in my surroundings. I love that bit the most.

What are your interests outside of writing and reading?

I love visiting castles and ruins, which I always find hugely inspiring, and which often trigger new plot ideas. I have been fortunate enough to live in countries where there is an abundance of old buildings, and it’s something I wouldn’t be able to give up.

As I’ve almost always lived in a tourist town, I often (with or without hubby) go and sit in a bar or café, with a glass of wine, for some ‘people-watching’. You can learn a lot about people… 😉

Then, there are my pets, of course: our rescue dog, Ellie, and two cats, Tiger, nearly 15, Charlie Young Cat, a rescue.

Where can readers find you (website, blog, social media, etc.)?

I’m all over the place!

Readers can visit my website at www.cathiedunn.com

or my blog at https://cathiedunn.blogspot.com.

I tend to blog about historical things, research, trips, castles, etc.

I’m also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathieDunnAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cathiedunn

and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathiedunnwrites/

Thank you very much for hosting me, Sarahlyn. It’s been a pleasure answering your fabulous questions.

Thank YOU, Cathie! A Highland Captive is available now on Amazon.

A Highland Captive

Cailean MacDubhgaill, a knight from a small western island fighting for the Scottish cause, joins the battle at Falkirk but is wounded when he takes a blow to the thigh by an axe. Sir Eòin de Moray, uncle to his late friend, the former guardian, Andrew, helps him escape the carnage and takes him into a nearby forest, but is killed whilst fighting off pursuers.

Once Cailean has recovered from his injuries with the help of the healer Eithne, he rushes to de Moray’s manor on the northern shores of Loch Ness to convey the news to de Moray’s daughter, Isobel, but he is too late. He finds the manor burnt down, its people displaced, and Isobel abducted. Determined to honour the knight who had saved his life, he tracks Isobel down.

Finding herself taken away from her home against her will, to be married off to an English lord in service to King Edward I, Isobel de Moray ponders her fate when a nighttime raid on the mercenary camp sees her freed – only to fall into the hands of a strong-minded knight. The stranger takes her to his keep on the remote island of Eorsa, to keep her safe.

But Isobel has other ideas…

Author bio:

Cathie Dunn writes historical adventure romance novels.

She has been writing for over 20 years. In 2008, she studied Creative Writing at Lancaster University, with a focus on novel writing, which she now teaches in the south of France. She loves researching for her novels, delving into history books, and visiting castles and historic sites.

At the moment, Cathie is working on two novels: a time-slip paranormal romance set in the Languedoc in southern France, set in the present and the days of Charlemagne’s reign just prior to AD800; and the sequel to Dark Deceit. She is also plotting a murder mystery series.

Cathie’s stories have garnered praise from reviewers and readers for their authentic description of the past.

After many years in Scotland, Cathie now lives in the south of France with her husband, two cats and a rescue dog.