By: Hanna Martine
Let the games begin
A Highland Games Novel
Genre: Romance Contemporary
Berkley Sensation
October 1, 2013
On Sale: October 1, 2013
Featuring: Jen Haverhurst; Leith MacDougall
304 pages
ISBN: 0425267512
EAN: 9780425267516
Kindle: B00BF08B96
Paperback / e-Book
Book Summary
Jen Haverhurst is on the verge of becoming a partner in New York City’s top event-planning company when her sister calls begging for help. The New Hampshire town of Gleann—where they spent many happy childhood summers—is in danger of losing its main attraction, the Highland Games. Jen reluctantly agrees to take over running the Games, as well as helping with their aunt’s failing B&B. But she didn’t count on Leith MacDougall.
Before Jen left town ten years ago, Leith was a summer friend who grew into something much more. Since then, he’s become a legend of the Highland Games, winning three years in a row. Now retired, he’s just about ready to skip town to chase his own dreams of success.
But when Jen tries to convince Leith to stick around and help revive the Games, their youthful romance is revived into a very grown-up Highland affair...
Dear Reader,
In my author bio I mention the fact that I got married in a haunted Scottish castle. On our two-week honeymoon we drove all over the Scottish countryside, spending one day attending the local Highland Games in Dufftown. I fell completely in love with the community atmosphere of the games, the overall joy, and the history surrounding the dance and athletic events.
Years later I found out that there's an annual Highland Games near Chicago (where I live). Upon attending, I was thrilled to learn that while the location isn't nestled amongst centuries-old castles and shepherds using border collies to drive their sheep around crumbling stone walls, the Chicago games themselves were authentic, the music divine, and the party super fun.
Two summers ago I spread out my picnic blanket under the sun, beer in hand, to watch the heavy athletic events. As I cheered on the incredibly strong athletes as they threw the caber and the hammer, tossed the sheaf, and heaved the weights for height and distance, I immediately thought: This would be the perfect setting for a romance novel. And what better romance hero is there than a modern man in a kilt?
At the time, I had just published the first book in my paranormal romance series, but the idea for a set of contemporary romances centered around the Scottish Highland Games was so strong I just couldn't ignore it. I sold the books to Berkley Sensation/Penguin shortly thereafter.
I am thrilled to present to you the opening book in my new Highland Games series, LONG SHOT. I hope you find Leith MacDougall and Jen Haverhurst as fun and sexy as I do.
All my best,
Hanna Martine
