In this post I’ll reveal the characters who took over and surprised me.

1. Logan Ramsay (Healing a Highlander’s Heart)—Logan was so larger than life that he took over the entire book, changed my plans for the series, and became the de facto leader of the Ramsay clan. Even though Quade Ramsay was the chieftain, it was Logan you all fell in love with, and right from the start. Logan was the person who broke through the Grants’ defenses and kidnapped the laird’s sister right from her own bed! He wasn’t the least bit nice to Brenna Grant—in fact, he was bossy, impatient, and rude. And you all fell in love with him. I had no idea! The character of Logan Ramsay jumped off the pages, demanding not only his own story, but the stories of his siblings, as well. He demanded his clan be a major part of the series, and he got it! Instead of a series of five books, Clan Grant became Clan Grant and Clan Ramsay, a series of eight books because he had three siblings. And your love for him still goes on! *Why? I believe his popularity extends from his love for his family. True, he risked life and limb to save his brother Quade, but once you all heard about how much he loved his family, you were all lost. I’d love to go into detail here, but I don’t want to spoil anything for those who haven’t read this novel yet. If it was something else, please tell me. I’d love to know. For this one, I say thank you, readers. I have loved writing about Logan, especially once he found his match in Gwynie.
2. Ashlyn (Journey to the Highlands)—Caralyn’s daughters, Ashlyn and Gracie, stole your hearts. I expected readers to fall in love with Gracie, but instead you all loved Ashlyn just a touch more. Why? I believe because she was such a fierce protector of her wee sister. Ashlyn was eight and Gracie was two in Journey to the Highlands. I think you were all lost when Robbie Grant found the two lassies out in the woods where they’d spent the night alone, both hungry. Robbie gave an oatcake to each girl, except Ashlyn promptly turned around and handed hers to Gracie. She explained her actions with a simple, “Gracie needs it more.” Robbie handed her another one, and Ashlyn slipped into her pocket to “save for later.” And you all know that oatcake went to Gracie as soon as his back was turned. The rest, as they say, is history.
3. Magnus (Ashlyn)—Magnus stole your hearts. This was a total surprise for me, but a pleasant one. I have a few guesses as to why: his big smile, his sense of honor, the fact that he lost his wife and child are just a few, or maybe it was the snowbank. But I don’t always know my readers’ minds because when asked, one reader said, “No, it was the dogs.” Who knew?
4. Maddie (Rescued by a Highlander)—Maddie was my first heroine, so I expected her to be popular, but she wasn’t. When my reviews began to come out on Amazon, my greatest criticism was that Maddie was too perfect, too sweet, just too…everything. She wasn’t too perfect to me. She did have flaws—she was too trusting, naïve, and timid (especially around Alex when he yelled), and she couldn’t stand up for herself. So why is she on my unexpected list? Because despite all the negatives I’d heard from readers, when I ask the readers who have read the entire series which heroine they love the most, they often tell me that Maddie is their favorite.

I love pleasant surprises. Thank you!

I made a decision this week that will disappoint some readers, and I am sorry. I’m not writing the sequel to The Duke and the Dressmaker. I know, I know…many of you have been waiting for it, but are you willing to go four months without another book about your favorite clan?

For most of you, the answer is no (or nay). You prefer my Highlander stories. Why? I thought I’d share the top five reasons readers have given me for why they love The Highland Clan Series and Clan Grant:

5. The hunky Highlanders and their code of honor. Mostly alpha but some beta— it doesn’t seem to matter. Readers want their fix of dreamy Scottish men, draped in plaid and armed with swords, spouting the importance of honor. In the book and on the cover.

4. The happy ending and the emotion. Sigh…it’s what we all want, isn’t it? Many readers have told me they love to laugh, cry, and even get angry with my characters. They’ll tolerate having their emotions ripped and shredded as long as the HEA is there. That emotion is what makes them care.

3. Finding true love. There’s something about the journey a woman goes through to find her true love that appeals to my readers. True, some of my heroines have fought through some nasty trials, but each finds happiness with a man who’s willing to fight for her, wait for her, and encourage her. That sounds like a dream come true to me!

2. Scotland…another sigh. The mountains, the scenery, the beaches, and the forests. What more could you want? Och, aye…let’s not forget the brogue. Though my novels are in medieval times, when Gaelic was spoken in the Highlands, we still love the thought of a Scotsman speaking in his own language, especially if he’s in a kilt. Aye.

And the number one reason readers tell me why they want more?

1. The clan and the series. Readers love the two clans at the center of my series, and they like to find out what happens after the happily ever after. They want to know how their oldest, dearest friends are doing, and the want to see the wee ones when they grow up. That’s why I bring the same characters back over and over again. You’ll see them not only in the next novel, but also in many more. When I asked my readers what kind of series they’d like to see from me next, they said they wanted it to follow the children of the first series. The elders of the two clans also appear frequently in The Highland Clan, guiding the youth as they come of age.

       Readers just can’t get enough of Alex and Maddie Grant, or Logan and Gwyneth Ramsay. So I keep writing…and I’m pleased to say I just finished number fourteen in the clan-Molly.

So a bow and a huge thank you, readers. It’s been so much fun!

Did I miss anything?

Keira