Sometimes life throws you curve balls. And sometimes you get them all at once. Like this year when, along with several serious personal setbacks, I managed to land a contract to write a series of three romance novels set in the Scottish Highlands. Suddenly, I found myself doing research in a small Scottish village. Me? I’m Eden Elliott. The village? Glenkillen. The scenery? Gorgeous! Adjusting to a new way of life? Well, to say it’s complicated would be a huge understatement.
In Chicago, a typical day for me used to begin and end with lots of insecurity about my actual ability to write these stories, followed by hours of brain sweat while hunched over my laptop, worrying about the small stuff, like how much detail should go into the sex scenes. My best friend and famous author, Ami Pederson, says the more the better, but my own personal experience has been limited, and putting it on the page isn’t as easy as it sounds. Trust me on that.
Here in Glenkillen though, my world has turned up-side-down. I’m up to my eyeballs in much more than daydreaming about Scottish men with those marvelous lilting accents. On rare occasions, my days still begin the same. But ever since I discovered the sheep shearer’s body and got mixed up in murder and mayhem in the Highlands, they definitely don’t end the way they used to.
Learning to drive on the left (way wrong) side of the road is the least of my problems. I could go on and on, but I’d rather show than tell.
Join me, why don’t ye, fer a wee bit o’ adventure in the first of the series, Off Kilter. We’ll begin at the Kilt & Thistle Pub, stroll down Castle Street to the bakery for a Dundee cake, and after that, who knows. Anything is possible in the Scottish Highlands.
You can read more about Eden in Off Kilter, the first book in the new “Scottish Highlands” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on October 10 for the chance to win a copy of OFF KILTER. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet the author
Hannah Reed (also writing as Deb Baker) is the national bestselling author of the Queen Bee Mystery series, as well as the recently released Scottish Highland Mysteries. Her Scottish ancestors were seventeenth century rabble-rousers who were eventually shipped to the new world, where they settled in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. Hannah has happily traveled back to her homeland several times, and in keeping with family tradition, enjoyed causing mayhem in the Highlands. Visit her website at hannahreedbooks.com
Love the Bee series. I am looking foreword to this new one. Congrats.
What’s there to not like about the Scottish Highlands? Sounds like Eden’s adjustment to her new life will be interesting and maybe a little dangerous.
Been looking for this one… 🙂
Thank you for the chance to win it 🙂
I would love to start reading this series! Thank you!
I can’t wait to read this!
I love Scotland and would love to read/win this
Sounds like a great book! I would love to read it! Thanks!
I love books that have a cross-cultural theme—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
I loved her Bee keeper series and want to start this one.
I enjoy Hannah’s books, thank you for the chance to win.
I need a trip to Scotland in the worst way. Please let me win!
I can’t wait to start this series!
Really looking forward to reading this new series.
LOVE the Queen Bee mysteries and am really looking forward to this series as well!
Sounds like a marvelous read! Hope I win. I love the bee series and am looking forward to reading this one.
Ah – do love a Scottish accent!
Looking forward to this one
I love a good mystery…and if it is set in Scotland, all the better!
Looking forward to reading this! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!!
Sounds like a good mystery.
Scotland is one of my favorite destinations for a book. And LOVE this series!!!!
You are new to me. I hope to win to get to know you better.
Sure and t’would be grand to read this wee book.
Love her Queen Bee books and almost missed this contest. Would enjoy a start of a new series. Thanks for achance.
Scottish Highlands, you got me, I love the sound of this one, thanks for the chance to win it.
I have been looking forward to this novel coming out! So excited…..
I love Scotland! Can’t wait to read this!
Sounds like a hoot, lass!
I’ve not read any books by this author so this should be a refreshing read. Thanks for the interview.
Thanks Hannah! Thanks Dru! I’ve wanted to read “Off Kilter”, since first reading about it…looking forward to it.
You had me at “kilter”. it’s such a fun word.
Starting in a pub and then getting a cake…sounds good to me.
I officially without a doubt have the biggest obsession with Scotland, and since I love books, and cozies, I added those together and heck. I vote for me to have this book. Will bake cookies for everyone. Oh – and I LOVE Judy’s comment above mine!
I can’t wait to read this new series. I bet there is a lot to get into. I love the “start at the pub and go from there to cake, yes, I’m in. Thank you for the great interview and the giveaway.
Would love to win and read this new series! Went to Scotland last year! Thank you!
This sounds delightful! 🙂
I didn’t realize Eden was an author! Can’t wait to visit Scotland in this new series! Thanks you for the chance to win!
I love the concept for this series and look forward to reading this book!
This sounds like a series I would like to try. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Off Kilter.
A Scottish Highlands cozy mystery??!! Sounds great to me. I like the town name, Glenkillen.
Lauigl [at] carolina [dot] rr [dot] com
Such a great setting especially for a cozy mystery. Thanks for the chance to win.
I can’t wait to read this new series. Would love to win!
I’d love to travel to the Scottish Highlands—but I think I’ll have to just use reading your book and dreaming to get there. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
count me in on this giveaway!!!
thank you!!
contest is closed.