Part of the Emerald Isles Fantasies
series
Tullamore Castle Ireland is an enchanted place where the
unexpected happens. Phantom lovers materialize in haunted beds and a lonely
griffin patrols the ramparts waiting to reclaim its mate. And that’s just the
beginning.
For the adventure of a lifetime Maeve de’Burgo visits Tullamore to
study genealogy. Through a magical act and time travel she becomes embroiled in
a dangerous medieval romance and the unfinished life of her ancestor. Maeve
gets thrown back in time to be captured, ravished and cherished as a war
chief’s prize.
Ronan O’Griofa is a griffin-shifter, the most loyal of creatures.
He’s been trapped in limbo as the avenging guardian of Tullamore since 1332 AD
and longs to be free. When the soul of his wife returns to the castle he’s
granted the privilege of becoming a man for one day to be her lover, win her
heart and remind Maeve of a bond strong enough to last an eternity.
Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it
contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered
offensive to some readers.
Maeve
walked down a long carpet runner of elegant red and blue heraldic designs that
stretched the length of a football field. “From looking at the website I had no
idea how sprawling Castle Tullamore is.”
“The
castle as it stands now has been greatly expanded over the years. We are in the
oldest wing. There have been many times during the castle’s stormy eight-hundred-
year history when it has housed hundreds, perhaps thousands of people during a
siege. Tullamore and its surrounding lands have been peaceful for generations
but we still have a few old spirits wandering the halls who haven’t heard the
news. They are still on guard for invaders.”
A
chill traveled over Maeve. “Not malicious spirits, I hope.”
“No.”
Áine pursed her lips. “Protective ones. We have a few devoted souls who watch
over the castle with a wary eye just as they did in life. They’re noble spirits
and you’ll feel no threat from them.”
“Tullamore
is big on spirits, isn’t it?” Maeve didn’t mean to sound dismissive but she
feared she did.
“Yes,
the castle has more than its fair share. It’s not an exaggeration to say that
Castle Tullamore is a supernatural vortex. Things happen here that can’t happen
anywhere else.” Áine stopped at the end of the corridor in front of a massive
wooden door carved with winged griffins. “This is the O’Griofa suite.” She
slipped the brass key into a heavy brass lock, turned the key with a squeak and
pushed the door open. “Lovely, isn’t it?”
Maeve
stepped into the softly lit room and felt her breath catch. To her right a
crystal lamp glowed with the strength of a candle flame and shot tiny rainbows
across a pale marble table. A low fire crackled in the massive stone fireplace,
which smoldered crimson. The floors were polished dark wood offset by fine
carpets. The mantel was ornamented by two graceful stone griffins with wings
raised and heads bowed, which cast dramatic shadows on the wall.
The
entire room was filled with elegant art and unique furnishings from many eras,
but the heart of the room was the monumental oak bed with towering carved posts
and a vaulted canopy. The bed’s silk coverlet was a rich shade of viridian
green. The carved headboard displayed a victorious griffin screeching in
flight, with wings spread wide, and looked as if it belonged in an art museum.
Maeve
gaped with disbelief. “I get to sleep in that bed? It’s gorgeous!”
Áine
nodded. “Lady dé Burgo once slept in that bed, though ‘slept’ might be too
polite a term. According to legend, Lord O’Griofa didn’t let her get much
sleep. The bed was simpler too—it has been added to over the centuries but
elements of it are the original bed.”
I’m an artist, an
author, mother and wife. I write for Ellora’s Cave, Loose Id Publishing and a
couple new publishers to be announced soon. I try to bring a touch of the
mystical and a big sense of adventure to everything I write because I believe
there’s a bold, kick-ass heroine inside all of us who wants to take a wild ride
with a strong worthy hero. 
Click Above for tour schedule!
Thank you Crystal for hosting me today.
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