Today’s the big day.

My first ever novella is being released in The Ladies of Stone anthology. I never imagined I would be part of a collaboration with authors that I respect and admire, Eliza Knight, Madeline Martin, and Cecelia Mecca. My eyes water when I think about how they trusted to put their names next to mine and include me in such a wonderful endeavor.

My novella is set in the time of Mary, Queen of Scots. This was a new time period for me and I loved doing the research, because I’ve always been fascinated with the young queen and all the intrigue surrounding her.

When my husband and I lived in London, we were able to visit Edinburgh and Holyrood Palace, Mary’s home and the setting in my new novella. I believe that’s where my interest in Mary and my love of Scotland began.  I hope to one day return now that I have a better understanding of the queen and Scottish history in general.

My family and I were recently lucky enough to take a trip to Paris. While visiting the Louvre, everyone had their favorite exhibit; the Mona Lisa, Hamrubi’s Code, the Winged Victory, but mine was the Louvre itself. I found myself wandering the halls and thinking, Mary lived here when she was queen of France. It made the visit extra special to me that I was able to relate it to Scottish History and the queen who brings Leslee and Duncan together in The Highland Guard and His Lady.

Tonight, to celebrate the release of The Highland Guard and His Lady in the Ladies of Stone, I think I’ll have a glass of wine and start reading the other stories, which I have not yet had a chance to do. ? What do you do when your celebrating something special?