WARRIOR'S SECRET (Book #2: The Pict Wars) is available on preorder!

Exciting news! WARRIOR'S SECRET (Book #2: The Pict Wars) has a publication date: November 28 2019. Can't wait for you to meet Ailene and Muin!

Some secrets will break your heart. Friends to lovers and unrequited love set in Ancient Scotland.

Ailene is the bandrui—seer—of The Eagle tribe. With her role comes much responsibility. She lives a solitary existence and prefers it that way. Ailene doesn’t realize that her best friend Muin is in love with her.  

Muin is The Eagle chieftain's son. He's loved Ailene since they were children yet has never gotten up the courage to tell her. But with their island under siege from marauders from the mainland he's running out of time. 

It’s only when Ailene dreams of Muin's death that she starts to see her best friend in a different light … only has her change of heart come too late? 

➡️Preorder your copy here and it will be delivered to your Kindle on November 28th!

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Writing update

The Brides of Series is complete! I've been taking a well-earned breather after the release of Book #3, but thought it was time to give you an update about where I'm at with all my writing projects, and what's coming next!

➡️The Brides of Skye is doing really well--thanks to all of you for your support! As such I HAVE to write more Scottish Medievals (you've already been emailing me asking when the next series will be out!).

➡️The next series (coming in early 2020) is The Sisters of Kilbride. This story is set in the same world as The Brides of Skye, and kicks off around a year after The Rogue's Bride ends. The series is about three nuns ... yes that's right ... nuns! Only these women aren't your typical nuns. The abbess of Kilbride Abbey takes an unorthodox approach to her role--she teaches all the nuns how to fight and defend themselves physically should the abbey ever be attacked! As such, these three heroines are not to be messed with! Book #1 centers around a character who appeared in The Rogue's Bride: Gavin MacNichol, a widowed chieftain who has never forgotten the woman he lost his heart to years earlier. The only problem is that his lost love is now a nun ... and is determined never to have her heart broken again!

➡️In the meantime, before I get started on the new series I've got two books to complete! First off the ranks is Path of the Dark, Book #3 in my Epic Fantasy Romance series. I'm around 65% through the first draft. The story's getting quite steamy! I'm really enjoying the developing relationship between the hero and heroine, Elias and Ryana.🔥

➡️Warrior's Secret, Book #2 in The Pict Wars series is waiting patiently for me to return to it. And I will ... just as soon as Path of the Dark is wrapped up. I know those of you who loved Warrior's Heart have been waiting for the sequel--sit tight, it's coming!

➡️Keep updated on my works in progress here:
http://www.jaynecastel.com/coming-soon

That's it for now ... two more releases scheduled for this year and a new series for 2020! 💖

Just 10 days till THE ROGUE'S BRIDE launches!

THE ROGUE'S BRIDE is now available on preorder ... and will be released on June 20th!

Book #3 of The Brides of Skye series has been a real journey for me. Get ready for an angsty, complex, and highly emotional story of revenge, redemption—and love.

Some things cannot be forgotten—or forgiven. The widow trying to forge a new life for herself. The man she once spurned bent on revenge.

Caitrin is a widow left to rule her husband’s territory alone. The survivor of a loveless, unhappy marriage, she vows never to let another man control her. Instead, she finds herself in charge of a vast estate.

Alasdair MacDonald returns from war to discover his sister-in-law is chatelaine over his dead brother’s lands—territory that now belongs to him.

Caitrin has haunted Alasdair’s dreams from the moment she spurned him years earlier. He’s never gotten over it, or forgiven her for breaking his heart by choosing his elder brother over him. Now he has a chance for vengeance, to take her young son and her new-found freedom from her. Only he soon discovers that his long dormant feelings for the beautiful widow can’t be so easily set aside.

Release date, June 20th—preorder your copy today!

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THE BEAST'S BRIDE preview!

It's just four days now till THE BEAST'S BRIDE (Book #1: The Brides of Skye) is unleashed!

To celebrate I'm sharing a preview of the novel. This is a pivotal scene that takes place at the beginning of games that our heroine's father has put on in order to force her to wed. Enjoy!

A summer’s breeze laced with the scent of crushed grass feathered against Rhona’s cheeks. She sat upon the stands before the competition field and waited for the first of the strength games: the tossing of the caber.

Erected out of slabs of pine, the stands rose three tiers high. Much preparation had gone into this day. The MacLeod plaid—a crosshatch of yellow, black, and grey, threaded with red—fluttered from the ring that encircled the competition field.

Excited spectators chattered around Rhona, while crowds of village-folk gathered around the perimeter of the field. She sat in-between her father and Adaira, hands folded upon her lap. Since leaving the tower room, no one besides Adaira had spoken to her. Caitrin hadn’t come to the games, as her infant son had a fever, although Baltair was here. He sat farther along the bench, laughing over something with the man seated next to him.

Baltair had not greeted Rhona, or even acknowledged her—not something that bothered Rhona. But it stung that her father ignored her. Even Una stared right through her.

It was all part of her punishment. Rhona’s fingernails bit into her palms. How she wished she was far from here.

Men, clad only in plaid braies, their naked chests gleaming in the morning sun, walked out onto the field. Rhona’s throat closed at the sight of them.

So many … at least fifty.

Most of the faces she didn’t recognize, however, some she did. A blond, grinning young warrior called Connel, and Dughall MacLean. Of course—she’d known he’d compete.

The latter stood at the front of the group, dark blue eyes riveted upon the stands—upon her. Rhona ignored him. Let him stare, she thought. If he wins the games, I’ll scratch his eyes out on our wedding night.

But Connel and Dughall weren’t the only faces she recognized in the crowd. Rhona’s breathing stilled when she saw a big, broad-shouldered figure with short dark-blond hair and a scarred face standing at the back of the group.

Taran MacKinnon.

Confusion swept over Rhona, muddling her thoughts for a few moments. Connel and Dughall she understood, for both of them had made their interest in her clear.

But Taran?

Betrayal followed swiftly on the heels of confusion. She’d been furious with Taran for dragging her back to Dunvegan, yet she’d believed he’d had some sympathy for her plight. What was he doing competing for her hand?

Rhona clenched her jaw till it ached. She glared at Taran, willing him to meet her gaze, yet he did not. Instead, his ice-blue stare seemed unfocused, as if he was deep in thought.

Beside her Malcolm MacLeod rose to his feet. The chatter in the stands quietened, and the crowd of warriors waiting below shifted their gazes to the clan-chief.

“Welcome.” Her father’s voice carried across the field. “For some of ye, Dunvegan is yer home, while for others ye have traveled far to reach us. I greet ye all and thank ye for doing us this honor.”

A few of the warriors below cheered at this, while others beamed up at MacLeod. Malcolm then turned to where Rhona sat silently next to him. “Daughter, stand up.”

Rhona complied, hands still clasped before her. Dozens of hungry male gazes raked over her. She felt as if they were stripping her clothing from her. Rhona raised her chin, barely suffering the indignity.

“Aye.” Her father’s voice held a smug note as he continued. “Lady Rhona MacLeod is a fiery beauty. She’ll make one of ye a fine bride and bear ye plenty of sons … but ye will have to fight for her. The motto of this family is ‘Hold Fast’. The MacLeods face-down our enemies without fear, and we charge toward our destinies. I encourage all of ye to do the same.”

A cheer went up, and when it died away, all gazes fixed upon Malcolm MacLeod, awaiting his next words. Tension rose around them, and Rhona saw the excitement in the contestants’ eyes, their eager smiles. The sight just made Rhona feel ill.

Her father’s command, when it came, fell like an executioner’s axe, splitting the silence. “Let the games begin.”

💖🗡️ Release date: April 16th. Preorder your copy here! 💖🗡️

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NHG456F

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NHG456F

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AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07NHG456F

Book review: Desire Lines (Book #3: Welsh Blades) by Elizabeth Kingston

Another wonderful read from Elizabeth Kingston. I do love her Medievals especially, although they're not for the fainthearted. However, if you love realistic romance with a well-researched historical setting, and a story that will leave a lasting impression on you, I highly recommend Desire Lines. 

This novel tells the story of Nan and Gryff. She's an enigmatic low-born young woman with deadly skill in knife-throwing, and he's a high-born Welshman who has lost everything. They meet on the road, after the outlaws who have taken Gryff prisoner attack a group of travelers. Their choice of victims was a big mistake for Nan is accompanying the travelers ... and she's not the sort of woman you want to mess with!

I really enjoyed the developing love story between Nan and Gryff. They are both damaged and flawed characters with dark pasts and a fear of trusting others. As such this is a slow-burn romance (my favorite!), and the building chemistry between the two of them is explosive. Nan is a fiercely strong, independent woman who hides crippling fears and insecurities, and Gryff who is both strong and sensitive is the perfect match for her.

The author really brings this period of British history to life. The oppression of the Welsh and the difficult lives of those not born into the wealthy classes is all drawn vividly here. It's a dark novel in many ways, which is what makes the romance shine all the more. The dark merely makes the light shine all the brighter when our lovers have their happy ending.

I do recommend reading Nan first though (which you can get by joining Kingston's mailing list), as it gives a full back-ground to Nan's complex and tortured character.

A great read! Five stars!

Check out the book on Amazon.

Introducing The First-born Son: The Warrior Brothers of Skye Origin Story

Another month rolls around ... and I've been super busy getting a bonus story ready for you!

THE FIRST-BORN SON is the origin story for THE WARRIOR BROTHERS OF SKYE series. I wanted to give you a prequel to BLOOD FEUD, and a glimpse into Galan's decision to marry Tea. You'll also get to meet Galan's father, Muin, and see the development of Galan's relationship with his two younger brothers, Tarl and Donnel. I must say I really enjoyed telling a story from Galan's perspective again—he's one of my favorite heroes!

THE FIRST-BORN SON is a short story (around 7,000 words), and you can download it in both digital and audio format.

To get your copy, just click on the banner below!

A man cannot escape his destiny.

Galan mac Muin thought it would be many years until he'd take his father's place as chieftain of The Eagle tribe. But when the long standing feud between The Eagle and their arch-enemies, The Wolf, comes to a head, the young Pictish warrior starts to understand that inevitable change is coming for him and his people.

Some paths are written. Galan cannot free himself from the obligations of a first-born son.

New series announcement--and preorder alert!

Can't get enough high-stakes adventure and passionate romance set on the Isle of Skye?

Finally... I've been holding on to this one for a while! In addition to my Dark Ages Historical Romances (I'm still continuing with those, don't worry), I'm also going to be writing Medieval Scottish Historical Romance! And ... I'll be releasing all three books in the series this year!

THE BRIDES OF SKYE series is set on the Isle of Skye, over 1000 years after my Pict Wars series concludes--and it'll be focusing on three strong-willed sisters ... and the three men who love them!

Preorder alert!

The Beast's Bride (Book #1: The Brides of Skye) is now available to preorder - release date April 16 2019! 

The beauty who refuses to be wed. The beast who loves her in vain. A twist of fate that brings them together.

Rhona MacLeod is the beautiful, willful middle daughter of a clan chief the Isle of Skye. Desperate to remain free and bow to no man, she refuses all the suitors who ask for her hand.

Taran MacKinnon is one of Chieftain MacLeod’s most trusted warriors. He carries a secret passion for his chief’s middle daughter. However, Rhona has never been able to see beyond his scars and forbidding appearance that have earned him the name 'The Beast of Dunvegan'.

Frustrated by Rhona's defiance, her father makes a decision that will force his daughter to take a husband—games that will bring warriors from all over the island, and from the mainland, to compete. Rhona must wed the victor. Finally, Taran has a chance to prove himself. If he wins the games, he can possess the woman he wants—but can he win her heart?

💖🗡️ Preorder your copy here and it will be delivered to your Kindle on April 16th! 💖🗡️

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Excerpt from THE BEAST'S BRIDE

Taran MacKinnon watched the second daughter of Malcolm MacLeod walk away from him, heading out of the garden and back toward the castle.

Now that her gaze was averted, his own devoured her.

She wore a kirtle of green plaid with a straw-colored leine underneath. The garment was fitted, highlighting her statuesque form and lush curves, while a heavy belt around her hips accentuated the dip of her waist. She walked with a determined stride, her long curling dark-red hair tumbling down her back.

Taran’s breathing hitched as he watched her—the fire-haired woman he’d wanted for a while now.

Only, she didn’t return the sentiment. To Rhona he was merely her father’s warrior. Scar-face—The Beast of Dunvegan.

The name Dughall had thrown at him didn’t bother Taran, he’d heard it enough times over the years for the insult to lose its sting. But he didn’t want Rhona to look at him that way.

A bee buzzed by, on its lazy path to the bed of roses behind him. Taran inhaled the sweet scent of the flowers and closed his eyes for a moment.

Being near Rhona MacLeod was agony. She’d ensnared him, dug her thorns deep into his flesh. Standing close to her for a few moments had been both pleasure and pain.

He heaved in a deep breath, opened his eyes, and followed Rhona out of the garden. Sparring with her tomorrow would be sweet torture.

He could hardly wait.

WARRIOR'S HEART sneak peek

I'm super excited to share Varar and Fina's story with you! To get things started I'd like to share sneak peek from one of my favorite scenes in the book! Check it out below — and remember to mark your calendars for January 22nd!

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Dripping wet, her skirts clinging to her legs and her hair plastered against her scalp, Fina led the way back into the broch. The women inside hooted and pointed at the sight of her, soaked and bedraggled.

Fina stared directly ahead, ignoring them. She was saving her anger for one man.

Varar followed her upstairs to his alcove. They had just entered it, walking out onto the fur that spread across the stone floor, when Fina rounded on him.

“Stinking piece of dung,” she snarled, shoving him hard in the chest with her bound hands. However, he did not even budge. “Did you enjoy that?”

“Not really,” he replied with that same bored tone that he had used with his warriors earlier. “But it was necessary.”

“Liar!” she choked, shoving him again. It was like hitting a stone wall. “You loved every moment of it, especially letting them think you’ve been humping me.”

He arched an eyebrow, grabbed hold of her bound wrists, and pushed her away from him. Fina resisted the push, yet she found herself propelled back so she was standing on the edge of her furs.

“That was for your benefit,” he replied. He let go of her and crossed to the beam behind them, where he refastened the chain. “Better for you if they think I’m using you … better for you too if I let the folk here vent their rage. It was humiliating for you, but you weren’t harmed. They’ll stop baying for your blood now.”

Fina’s lip curled. “You must think me a dull-wit,” she growled. “You didn’t do it for me, but for yourself. You’re hoping I’ll be so grateful to you for ‘saving’ me that I’ll spread my legs.”

She had meant to keep that knowledge to herself, to use as a tool to gain her freedom in the coming days. But now the red haze of fury had descended upon her, she forgot her resolve. She wanted to lash out, to wound.

“You have a high opinion of yourself, Fina.” He returned to her and began unfastening her wrists. His voice was still an arrogant drawl, yet his face had changed, his gaze had hooded. “If I wanted you, I wouldn’t go to so much trouble.”

“Pig!”

The instant Fina’s hands were free, she lashed out. She struck Varar hard in the solar plexus with one fist, while she slammed the other into his jaw.

He grunted, reeling back from the force of her blows. But he recovered with alarming speed. Fina was not close enough to knee him in the groin. She was delivering another strike, this one at his neck, when he caught her fist and shoved her backwards.

Two strides brought the pair of them back against the wall.

Fina found herself pinned there by the hard, heavy length of Varar’s body. He grabbed hold of her wrists and yanked them above her head, slamming them against the pitted stone.

Panting from rage, Fina bared her teeth at him. “This is what you wanted all along, wasn’t it, Boar?”

They were pressed close. Too close. She could feel the hard, muscular length of his body through her wet clothes. Their position was far too intimate. Her breasts pressed against the wall of his chest, and he had pushed a leg between her thighs to stop her from bringing her knee up and injuring his cods.

He stared down at her. His dark-blue eyes narrow, his face hard. He looked angry, dangerous. Varar was so close she could see the texture of his skin, the length of his dark eyelashes. And she could smell him: a spicy blend of leather and maleness. A tendril of fear curled in the base of Fina’s belly, penetrating her outrage. Had she pushed him too far?

The moment drew out. Then, Varar’s mouth twisted. “I’ll take this as my thanks, Fina,” he murmured. “And worry not … you’re very welcome.”

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Enjoyed it?

Be sure to add WARRIOR'S HEART to your Goodreads TBR shelf! 

And if you can't wait for the 22 January, you can preorder your copy here:

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Love
Jayne x