Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Mackenzie Crowne Shows Jack How to Break a Curse
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*Jack slips away from the RWR and rows to shore, going up
river a ways, under dangling jungle and mossy trees to a little shack on the
river’s edge. Fortunately the woman who emerges from this house is less
alarming than the famous Tia Dalma. She’s beautiful with flowing auburn hair
and sparkling eyes*
MACKENZIE: Jack! I’m so glad you were able to make it. I was
wondering about you.
JACK: Me, luv? You need never worry. *glancing around
suspiciously* I am quite honorable…and punctual.
MACKENZIE: Indeed. Only 45 minutes late this time. You’re
lucky I had some Dancing with the Stars to watch.
JACK: I’m eagerly awaiting the day they ask me to join a
season. I have a little crush on Chelsie Hightower.
MACKENZIE: *grins* I’ve seen you run, Jack. Very um…graceful.
You’ll be a natural. *leading Jack to her center room table and pouring a glass
of rum* Have a seat, Jack—
JACK: *sitting and smiling up at her* You always did know
how to make a pirate feel at home, luv. Now as I said in my letter, I was
hoping you could help me with a little problem. I have been cursed—
MACKENZIE: Again? Oh, Jack. You’re a curse magnet!
JACK: What can I say? I’m popular, and there’s not exactly
penicillin for this kind of thing, or otherwise, there wouldn’t be an issue at
all, if you know what I mean.
MACKENZIE: I’m alarmed to say I do.
JACK: I had heard you were coming out with a new book, GIFTOF THE REALM, and it’s a story about a 300-year-old curse, and I’ve only had
this one a few years tops, and if you were able to break your curse, I thought
you could help with mine.
MACKENZIE: You’ve come to the right girl. I have some
experience in breaking curses. You see, in GIFT OF THE REALM the curse is… Hmmm,
let me give you some background about the book and the curse you speak of.
Beneath the fairie mound of Dunhaven's Door, two dreamers
meet their destiny. After a decade of trying to outrun her debilitating dreams,
Keely O’Brian returns to Ireland to face the ancient ring of stones and the man
haunting them. Within the stones, she embraces her fairie heritage and her
mystical gifts, but to break a three hundred year-old curse and end the dreams,
she must trust the handsome Halfling who shares her dreams and holds her heart.
When Keely reappears in his life, Colin Quinn’s fairie blood threatens to gain the upper hand. Compelled to assist the lovely Halfling, he agrees to help her break the curse on their families, but he'll do it on his terms—as the black wolf.
I don’t want to give away the ending, but everyone knows that together, two Halflings can stand against any power. Since GIFT OF THE REALM is a romance, you might enjoy reading it with one of your wenches. Your ladylove will surely wonder if Keely will be doomed for eternity, or if love is enough to break the curse. While you *winks* will no doubt relate to Colin’s arrogant plan to outwit the King of the Fairies.
When Keely reappears in his life, Colin Quinn’s fairie blood threatens to gain the upper hand. Compelled to assist the lovely Halfling, he agrees to help her break the curse on their families, but he'll do it on his terms—as the black wolf.
I don’t want to give away the ending, but everyone knows that together, two Halflings can stand against any power. Since GIFT OF THE REALM is a romance, you might enjoy reading it with one of your wenches. Your ladylove will surely wonder if Keely will be doomed for eternity, or if love is enough to break the curse. While you *winks* will no doubt relate to Colin’s arrogant plan to outwit the King of the Fairies.
JACK: *firmly* I don’t care about the rumor mill. I am no
fairy. I’m not even a half-fairy. Not that there is anything wrong, mind you.
Your fairies sound very…er…virile.
MACKENZIE: Oh, he is—Six foot-two with raven black hair,
cobalt blue eyes, and a sexy, dimpled smile, the mantel of authority and
influence rides easily on Colin Quinn’s wide shoulders. The power behind the
Quinn Empire, Colin is everything a man should be. Strong, confident,
and…beautiful. *sigh*
JACK: Yes, yes, he sounds great, but as I explained, I’m
more interested in the heroine, who is she and what is she like?
MACKENZIE: *grins* I think you’d like her, Jack. A tall,
curvy blonde, her exotic green eyes and pixie-like features tell of her fairie
heritage. Haunted by the dreams, her life hasn’t been easy, but she’s no coward.
If Colin can’t, or won’t, accept her love and join his destiny to hers, she’ll
find some other way to break the curse—even if she has to enter fairie realm on
her own.
JACK: Exactly. Just my kind of wench. *takes another drink
of rum and refills his glass, pouring generously* It seems as if this curse is
easily solved—what with love breaking the curse and what with HEAs being the
norm—though I don’t ascribe that love is ever easy or that HEAs don’t come without
sacrifice. I mean, I’m in love with a red-haired hellion and she is enough to
make me long to bury her at sea at least once a day. It’s a sacrifice to my
sanity, it is.
MACKENZIE: I’m sure the feeling is mutual, Jack.
JACK: I’m su—wot? Nevermind, tell me about your Call. How did
you get into this curse-breaking business anyway? I heard a rumor you had a
curse of your own?
MACKENZIE: Ah, yes. That I did. Several years ago, I faced
the nasty, evil curse, of breast cancer. I’m proud to report, with the help of
family and friends, and some very talented medical professionals, I’ve claimed
the key to survival. And there is nothing like coming face to face with
mortality to give a girl a good kick in the ars…um, butt. You see, I’ve dabbled
with my writing for as long as I can remember, but never gave it the respect it
deserved. I dealt with mastectomies, chemo and radiation, certainly I could go
the distance with something I loved. The moment I was well enough to think
clearly again, I began writing in earnest. GIFT OF THE REALM is one of the
results of my efforts.
JACK: You and the Bartender would have a lot to share with
each other, luv. Just don’t let her serve you the flaming Twinkies. She sets
fire to perfectly good rum. Burns all the alcohol out. What’s the point, I ask.
MACKENZIE: I’m with you. That sounds like alcohol abuse to
me.
JACK: What is next for you? What wrongs will you be righting
next…and will there be rum?
MACKENZIE: There is always rum, Jack. Or vodka…or wine. As
for what’s next for me, I’m writing, of course and my second title, a
contemporary romance, is set to be released this fall. THAT DATING THING is a fun
filled look at how the daughter of Wall Street’s most notorious stock swindler
juggles her need for anonymity with an attraction for a charming, assistant
district attorney with political ambitions.
JACK: Mackenzie, it was a pleasure visiting today, and well
worth sneaking out of a harridan’s bedroom, let me just say. I believe you’ve
given me hope to break my own curse. I hope you don’t mind if I take the rum
with me. But before I go, just tell me one thing, what is your favorite pirate
fantasy about me? Don’t be afraid to share. Use explicit details…
MACKENZIE: *laughs* Hmmm. I have so many fantasies about
you, Jack. I just don’t know where to begin. Let’s see. There would have to be
a deserted tropical island, and plenty of rum—that I would never think of
tossing on the bonfire—warm sand… pounding surf…
JACK: We’ll come back to this later. Okay, despite my best
efforts to be secretive, I believe we’ve been found by the crew. Crew, what
questions and comments do you have for the beautiful Mackenzie Crowne and her
new book, GIFT OF THE REALM?
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26 comments:
First off, inspiring story. Jack is right, you and Chance would have a lot to discuss. My mum and sister are survivors, so as a practical moving target, I honor your tenacity.
Though I don't read paranormals, fairy stories I can do. Nora snuck them in years ago (the Irish kind being the best, of course) and I was along for the ride before I knew it. I'm curious what made you switch from this other-worldly world to a straight up contemporary?
Hi Mac! Thanks for sharing your story and the GIFT OF THE REALM with us! It sounds like a perfect blend of adventure and goth. :)
What's next for you? What books will you be sharing next to the world? And what are you working on now?
Good question, Terri and one I'm not really sure how to answer. Keely's story came at me out of the blue. I've never written anything like it before, but as happens with the demanding voices in my head, I simply had to write down what they were saying. Ultimately, it was a blast to write. Thanks, for asking and stopping by.
Hi MsHellion. (great name by the way) I just discovered yesterday that That Dating Thing will have a June release. (Don't tell anyone, because it's like choosing one kid over another, but TDT has to be my all time favorite writing experience. I want to hang out with all of those characters)
I have a few stories in the works, all contemporary romance, including a sequel to TDT. (Love those characters)
Thanks so much for asking.
Oh, before I forget. (I'm a bit scatter-brained today) My stop here is included in the virtual scavenger hunt at my website. Visitors here today already have the answer to one of the clues. The person with the most right answers will win a free e-copy of Gift of the Realm, along with a $25 Amazon gift card. So, don't forget to stop in at http://tinyurl.com/8y3z9kv
Welcome Mac!
I'm a fan of fairie stories so this sounds fabulous!
When the hubby and I were in Ireland we went to the Hill of Tara and it was really amazing - there was a tree all by itself in the middle of the field - as you might know, a Fairie tree - and people had left trinkets in the tree to gain the fairie's favor.
They must have decided I'd be fun to play with, because while I was walking up to the tree I slipped, feel and landed in some lovely sheep poop. Yep, those fairies had a good time playing tricks on me. :)
Mac, never apologize for playing favorites. We always play favorites on this ship. My favorite rum is Tortuga; my favorite cookie is oreo; my favorite pirate is Marn--
We all have favorites around here.
LOL Oh yeah, Sabrina. Fairies love a good prank. One of the joys of writing GOTR was deciding what fairie gifts Keely would discover in herself. She was thrilled when I presented her with the ability to 'Zap' herself from one spot to another with just a thought.
I'm so jealous of your memories of visiting Ireland. I haven't been there...yet. It's on my bucket list.
Welcome aboard Mac!
I love Fairie stories as well. I love the lore behind all the legends and stories.
Thanks, Sin. I'm with you. I love the romance and murky possibilities inherent in folklore.
Jack shouldn't complain about the flaming twinkies, he still has access to my never-ending rum keg. It's my business if I like how settin' fire ta the rum helps ta give the twinkies a loverly sugary crust, and melts the chocolate chips inside...
*grumble...
Mac! Aye, sounds like we do have some similiarities ta our stories. With me, it were the heart. But sometimes, those episodes be all about kicking our behinds and getting us doing what we shoulda been doing...
I love a good Irish paranormal. And agree that Sabrina should be envied. I'm glad the faeries landed her on her ass... ;-)
And I love how you've switched it about with genres...
Wait, Maureen, Jack didn't mention chocolate chips! I recant my complaint. And yeah, nothing like a private meeting with Mr. Mortality to set you on the right path. So, glad your meeting turned out well.
Yeah, he wouldn't! Men do not understand the fundamental connection between women and chocolate.
This be the double stuffed flaming twinkie bar snack. We takes mini chocolate chips and stuff 'em inta the twinkie till it be bursting. Then we pour rum on it - I likes a nice dark spicy rum, like Kraken Rum! (Still hoping to hear about a Kraken Rum book tour...come on, you marketing gods!)
We lights it on fire! Then devour the gooey goodness...after the flame is gone.
I love how she keeps saying "we", as if she lets any of us anywhere near that bar. Or those Twinkies.
LOL Don't want to cause a mutiny. I just want a couple of those twinkies.
Well, the last time, three of ya insisted on picking up ones that were still sizzling and dropped them. And Hellion made me scrub the deck!
Mmm Jack... *falls into a daydream* Lovely discussion, Mac and Jack. *back to scheduled daydream*
LOL Calisa. That's the trouble with pirates. They're a distraction, especially the charming ones like Jack. Enjoy that daydream.
In which the term "flaming twinkie" is added to my vocabulary. I shall endeavor to find a way to use it in a sentence, every day.
...
Any-way...Six-foot two, with black hair and blue eyes....your hero sounds positively scrumptious. :)
Combine that hero and the Twinkies and we're talking DREAM DATE.
Okay, I'd take him without the Twinkies...
He is scrumptious, but then he's a Halfling. And since I got to decide what that means, I decided they get a little extra in the the holy s*$* department.
It's good to be the writer...
Sounds like it's better to be the heroine in this case.
Two right answers, since the writer often lives vicariously through her characters, it's a win-win situation.
Ladies, and Jack, thank you so much for your warm hospitality. I very much enjoyed sharing my release day with you.
Thank you for being with us. Not many can handle Jack so well. Or get him off the boat at all. Excuse me. SHIP. Might as well fix that before Jack corrects me.
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