Today we're excited to share the cover reveal for the revitalized cover of Warrior Spirit, Book 1 of The King of Ireland series by Jean Carroll. The book is also available free for Kindle 10/14-10/18, so grab it quick!
Book Description:
Irishman Blackie O'Brien led a sinful and self-destructive life of women, alcohol and drugs. He was the best, winningest, champion steeplechase jockey in the history of the sport until a near-fatal racing accident ended his career.
But this was no "accident"- his ruthless ex-agent, Mickey Reegan orchestrated the whole thing. It seems that the luck o' the Irish has deserted Blackie once and for all.
And Blackie is no ordinary Irishman. This lusty young man is the direct descendent of Brian Boru, the most influential High king of Ireland. If Ireland still had a king, Blackie would be it.
Now, Blackie is a man without a career and without a kingdom.
Cheltenham
Warrior Spirit chronicles Blackie’s journey from the green valleys of Ireland to the privileged horse country of Middleburg, Virginia. As Blackie begins to despair over his future, in enters beautiful, young Meg, who brings her horses to Blackie’s family farm where he’s been recuperating from the accident.
Their sexual chemistry is immediate.
But Blackie’s family has other plans for him. They believe he’s driven by the spirit of an ancient Irish warrior and demand he find a place in Ireland’s political leadership.
From fighting off alcoholic temptations, thwarting an attempted rape of Meg, and stopping thugs trying to take his life, Blackie leaps over one hurdle after another. Will Blackie ultimately find the future he’s meant to have with the love of a good woman?
About the Author:
I started writing The King of Ireland series in 2008 when I had my second knee replaced. I was immobilized with ice on my knee for hours during the day and was, of course, bored to tears. The’King’ story was something I had played with in my head for maybe twenty-five years. Watching one more TV show, I decided to write it down. I wrote long-hand and quickly filled many yellow legal pads and kept on going. Luckily my sister-in-law was a very good typist, so I enlisted her help.
I made a lot of mistakes at first and along the way learned a great deal about the craft of writing and I’m still learning. I got a mountain of advice and help from agents, editors, contest judges, critique groups and friends. I found quickly that their was something called “word count” and it was frowned upon to have too much of it. So I had to pare my 300K word novel down to where somebody might look at it. Hence I now have a three book, one novella series and might add more if my readers get invested in my characters.
I love my characters by the way and feel very close to them. I got highly insulted when a friend said Blackie just wasn’t her cup of tea! I have a passion for horses just like my characters and have since I was a little girl and saw my first horse. Our property backed up to the Garrison Forest School for Girls in Maryland and they rode their horses through our woods.
I started riding when I was about eight years old and rode consistently until in my thirties and was lucky enough to have my own horse and pony for ten years. I did a lot of showing and did mostly jumping. Later I discovered dressage and became fascinated with it just like the main characters in my book. I retired in 2010 and briefly before that I started riding again and it was glorious to be on a horse once more. I’m retired from Johns Hopkins University where I worked for 27 years as an Electron Microscopist. The best thing is now I get to write full time and feel very blessed to be able to do so.
Excerpt: THE KISS
THE KISS
They got the horses ready, and led them out of the barn. She was getting ready to mount Cloudy when Blackie walked up behind her, leaned into her and whispered with his mouth against her ear,
“Would you like a leg up?”
Her heart flipped and she knew she was blushing from the huge rush she got. Meg wanted to just turn around in his arms and kiss him but she stuck her leg out and he flipped her into the saddle
“Let’s take a different trail today.”
“Okay, lead the way.”
He took off at a trot and she followed. They rode along the edge of a field next to the woods. Meg loved watching him ride he was so good.
Turning into the woods, Blackie slowed to a walk. The peace of the woods surrounded them like a bower; the breeze gently waving the branches; the birds singing their love songs.
He reined Sandman back to ride next to her. Quiet for a few minutes, he stopped, Meg halted Cloudy and Blackie stared at her. He moved Sandman over close, leaned in and kissed her gently on the mouth.
His lips were soft as he brushed them like a whisper over hers. The jolt and rush she got wasn’t exactly soft. She instantly wanted more but he had already kicked Sandy into a dead run.
* * *
Christ, what am I doing?
He jerked the horse away and put him into a gallop to cover up his surprise and embarrassment. Embarrassed! He’d never felt that way before, kissing a woman, even when he was a kid. The instant arousal caught him off guard, another reason to get out of there before she noticed. He knew her mouth would be that sweet. As he galloped off, he licked his lips to savor the taste of her.
* * *
She was startled. He’d caught her off guard. It took her a beat to react and then she took off after him.
Oh my God. He just kissed me.
She’d been wondering what it would be like to kiss him, but hadn’t expected it to be that gentle or potent. The kiss had plucked her like a harp string all the way to her toes.
But Blackie’s family has other plans for him. They believe he’s driven by the spirit of an ancient Irish warrior and demand he find a place in Ireland’s political leadership.
From fighting off alcoholic temptations, thwarting an attempted rape of Meg, and stopping thugs trying to take his life, Blackie leaps over one hurdle after another. Will Blackie ultimately find the future he’s meant to have with the love of a good woman?
About the Author:
 |
| The three guys who put up with my writing. |
I made a lot of mistakes at first and along the way learned a great deal about the craft of writing and I’m still learning. I got a mountain of advice and help from agents, editors, contest judges, critique groups and friends. I found quickly that their was something called “word count” and it was frowned upon to have too much of it. So I had to pare my 300K word novel down to where somebody might look at it. Hence I now have a three book, one novella series and might add more if my readers get invested in my characters.
 |
| Here is the real star of the show-Beauregarde-our 4 year old poodle |
I started riding when I was about eight years old and rode consistently until in my thirties and was lucky enough to have my own horse and pony for ten years. I did a lot of showing and did mostly jumping. Later I discovered dressage and became fascinated with it just like the main characters in my book. I retired in 2010 and briefly before that I started riding again and it was glorious to be on a horse once more. I’m retired from Johns Hopkins University where I worked for 27 years as an Electron Microscopist. The best thing is now I get to write full time and feel very blessed to be able to do so.
-------------------
Excerpt: THE KISS
THE KISS
They got the horses ready, and led them out of the barn. She was getting ready to mount Cloudy when Blackie walked up behind her, leaned into her and whispered with his mouth against her ear,
“Would you like a leg up?”
Her heart flipped and she knew she was blushing from the huge rush she got. Meg wanted to just turn around in his arms and kiss him but she stuck her leg out and he flipped her into the saddle
“Let’s take a different trail today.”
“Okay, lead the way.”
He took off at a trot and she followed. They rode along the edge of a field next to the woods. Meg loved watching him ride he was so good.
Turning into the woods, Blackie slowed to a walk. The peace of the woods surrounded them like a bower; the breeze gently waving the branches; the birds singing their love songs.
He reined Sandman back to ride next to her. Quiet for a few minutes, he stopped, Meg halted Cloudy and Blackie stared at her. He moved Sandman over close, leaned in and kissed her gently on the mouth.
His lips were soft as he brushed them like a whisper over hers. The jolt and rush she got wasn’t exactly soft. She instantly wanted more but he had already kicked Sandy into a dead run.
* * *
Christ, what am I doing?
He jerked the horse away and put him into a gallop to cover up his surprise and embarrassment. Embarrassed! He’d never felt that way before, kissing a woman, even when he was a kid. The instant arousal caught him off guard, another reason to get out of there before she noticed. He knew her mouth would be that sweet. As he galloped off, he licked his lips to savor the taste of her.
* * *
She was startled. He’d caught her off guard. It took her a beat to react and then she took off after him.
Oh my God. He just kissed me.
She’d been wondering what it would be like to kiss him, but hadn’t expected it to be that gentle or potent. The kiss had plucked her like a harp string all the way to her toes.
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GIVEAWAY:
$25 Amazon gift card (INT)
Ends Oct. 21
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