Tuesday Book Club – Eva Scott with Untamed Celt

I wanted to tell the story of Alexa Aurelius who appears in Barbarian Bride. I wanted to find out what happened to her. See if I could give her a happy ending.

I have scoured the world (literally) for reputable books on ancient Rome. They are fascinating! Full of amazing facts and details of things like beauty rituals and marriage ceremonies. I try to weave this kind of thing into the story in a way that’s not preachy/teachy.

My favourite fact for this story was how Roman women used toasted ants as mascara! I wonder who came up with that?

This one follows hot on the heels of the others. We left Alexa at the end of Barbarian Bride as her and her mother decided to travel to Circassia and create a new life for themselves. We pick up The Untamed Celt with Alexa’s return to Rome after the death of her mother, alone and facing financial difficulties. Not to mention harassment from her mad, bad, dangerous to know stepmother.

I aimed the stories at the 1st century C.E. but am deliberately vague as there was a bit of a revolving door of emperors for part of that time and I didn’t want the story to trip up on any of them!

I’m leaving historical stories behind in favour of rural romance with Red Dust Dreaming set in the very heart of Australia. If you like sexy strong cowboy types and are partial to a bit of art and beauty then this book might be for your. It’s release by Harlequin Escape on the 8th of April.

BlurbAlexa Aurelius survived the destruction of her family at the hands of her stepmother, Claudia. Just when she thinks she’s on her feet and in control of her own destiny her stepmother reappears. Could Drust, the untamed Celt, be Alexa’s saviour or her undoing?

Excerpt

Golden light fell across the sharp planes of his face, softening them. She imagined what he’d looked like as a young man before the winds of time carved the granite countenance he wore. The toga was gone, replaced by a simple linen tunic of the finest quality. The outline of scars lay here and there upon his head. Souvenirs of how many battles? And yet he appeared relaxed, navigating the murky and treacherous waters of Roman society.

“I’ve been privy to many conversations concerning you of late.”

“Really?” Shocked, Alexa pulled her gaze away from Drust’s profile and skimmed the room. Who had been speaking about her? No doubt Portia’s story had made the rounds yet that had been a single day’s worth of gossip, and concerning Drust. He spoke of gossip before he arrived in Rome. “What are people saying? I have to know.” She clutched at his arm, not caring who saw.

They both looked down at her pale, soft hand a contrast to his skin weathered by a life spent outdoors. “They say you are in need of guidance, that you are running wild now your father is dead.”

She let her hand drop to her side and sighed. “What else?”

“They say your brother is an outlaw although no one believes he murdered your father. They say the Senate will force its will upon you before you are ruined beyond redemption.”

“Ruined?” She looked up at him, trying to read his expression. Did he think she was wanton and wild too? “Surely my behaviour is not all bad.”

He shrugged. “What matter if it is or not? People will say what they like regardless of the truth. There are fears your stepmother has designs upon your property, as you no doubt know. And there are those who jostle for the right to own your future.” He nodded towards three men who huddled together throwing furtive glances their way.

“Then there is you,” she said. “Let us not forget half of Rome thinks we are up to something unbecoming thanks to Portia.” She eyed the men cautiously, unsure if they were interested in her or in Drust. The evening begun with a room filled with friendly
faces, now there were predators at every turn.

“Rumour has it I’ve been busy seducing you.” It was the first time Alexa had seen a genuine grin on the man’s face. “Am I succeeding?”

She blushed furiously longing for a hiding place away from those storm-grey eyes running the length of her body, laying her flesh bare. “If this is your best effort then you shall die a lonely man,” she snapped.

Buy Link

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About Eva

Eva Scott writes contemporary romance set in her homeland of Australia and historical fiction set in the Ancient World. Her books offer passion and adventure in some of the most beautiful and intriguing places in the world. Her heroes and heroines are strong, sassy and ready to rise to their challenges, and learn a little bit about themselves along the way.

Having lived overseas for several years, Eva returned to study Anthropology before heading off to live in Papua New Guinea for a year. There she met the love of her life, author G.W. Gibson, who was stationed there with the Australian Defence Force. The rest is history, romantic history.

She now lives on the Redcliffe peninsula with her husband, small son and an assortment of animals.

When Eva is not writing she enjoys mentoring first-time authors, cooking up a story, practising yoga and getting out on the bay on her stand-up paddle board.

Web: http://www.evascottromance.com/
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