by Ria Cantrell
Authors Note:
I hope you have enjoyed reading Celtic Spirit, where the past and present collide. It was such an emotional journey on so many levels. I have spent much of my life well aware of the spiritual realm and I wanted to create a story that was not just a love story or a ghost story, but a story of redemption and one that transcended time and space. In a world where few of us get second chances, I wanted to create a story that offered hope and the promise of love eternal; love ever-lasting. When we first meet Derek Campbell, he is a renegade and a misguided man who, because of his influences, is almost thug-like. He is in serious need of a come-uppance and the Clan MacCollum do just that to an extent in Celtic Fury. Somehow, even then, I knew he had the qualities worthy of redemption and so I wanted his story to be told.
It was at times, challenging to write both in the medieval era and present day, but I must say, I had so much fun. I enjoyed imagining what a medieval man would do if he suddenly found himself in the modern world. I had two choices. Either he could hate every second of a time that was not his own or he would embrace it with an enthusiasm likened to a child encountering new and glorious wonders. Derek was like that. He was very much a product of his time, medieval Scotland, but somehow learned to savor the progress of modern advancement. Of course, a healthy helping of love and passion aided him in his journey.
I think that characters need to have a sense of sexual tension and attraction. I also like the conflict that relationships thrive upon. I wondered if a medieval Highlander would be horrified by the likes of a modern, brassy New Yorker, and no doubt, he would be if such a thing could truly happen. I guess my adoration for romance made me create a story where love overcomes the impossible…even centuries of differences. I also like to think that when a loved one crosses over, the love doesn’t die. It is carried through space and time for all eternity. I know, I am such an incurable romantic!
If you want to meet Derek in his earlier days, please look into Celtic Fury, the first book of the series. The prequel to that story is Celtic Tempest. Knight Storm, which will pre-date Celtic Tempest, is already in the works. I look forward to sharing the story of Erik and Rhianna in Knight Storm in the near future. Bright Blessings to you ALL!
