This spring I had the good fortune to visit my spiritual homeland—North Wales.

My husband and I did some climbing among the rugged peaks of Snowdonia National Park where we saw wild goats and enjoyed vistas of sweeping green hills, gleaming lakes and miniature waterfalls tumbling among the gray rocks.

I explored a magical forest with moss-covered trees and rocks and meadows lit with bluebells, foxglove and cranesbill flowers.

I walked the coastal pathway to Deganwy Hill, once the stronghold of Maelgwn the Great. I felt as if I was following in the footsteps of my characters and revisiting the enthralling world that once only existed in my mind.

I was inspired, of course. I caught glimpses of Annwyl, Maelgwn’s oldest daughter, making me yearn to someday write her story in The Dragon Princess. I also realized Iolar, the hero of The Fairy’s Child and The Halfling’s Tale, will eventually return to Uvaine, which is a fictionalized version of North Wales. 

I felt like I could stay in Wales forever, but my pets and garden are in Wyoming (and my husband would never move), so I reluctantly returned home. I spent the summer finishing Wicked Wager, the second book in my “Country Misses and London Rogues” series. The first one, Saint Sin, is currently out with several editors, so cross your fingers!

 I plan to release two novels as e-books this fall. Both the previously published Storm Maiden and my new Viking romance, Beyond the Seamist, feature fiery Irish heroines and tender-hearted but bold and brave Viking heroes. So if you have an e-reader, look for these stories from the usual e-book outlets in the coming months.

Happy reading!
 
Mary

P.S. Yes, I have red hair now—the color I should have been born with. My half-Irish mother had sandy hair, I married a redhead, my daughter has reddish hair and my son, a reddish beard. So, why not me?