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Saturday, April 20, 2013

Texas Devlins and Book Cover Reveal


I was recently asked an important question by a fellow author. She wanted to know how Texas ties in with the Devlin siblings in my Texas Druids series. I answered her briefly, but I’d like to give a more detailed answer here on Sweethearts.

Jessie, Tye and Rose Devlin are offspring of Irish immigrants who fled their native land for the U.S. in the late 1840s during the Irish Potato Famine. Settling in Chicago, where the children grow up, the family might seem like others following the American dream, but they harbor a secret. The three siblings and their mother are descendants of a long line of Celtic Druids reaching back into the depths of time. Each possesses a unique psychic talent they keep hidden for fear of ridicule and ostracism.

A few years after the death of their mother, which sends young Rose running to a convent, Jessie and Tye live through the Great Chicago fire of 1871. You can read about their terrifying experience in White Witch, a novella preceding the trilogy. This prequel also showcases Jessie’s clairvoyant ability.

In Darlin’ Druid, book one of the trilogy, Jessie leaves home in search of a man she has seen in dreams and visions. Her quest takes her west via the transcontinental railroad. Along the way she meets Captain David Taylor, a Texan exiled from home after fighting for the Yankees in the Civil War, Their stormy romance takes them to Utah and a world of trouble, but they end up in Bosque County, Texas, the hero's boyhood home. The last third of the book takes place in the lone star state.

 
Book two, Dashing Druid, begins in that same location. Tye Devlin is an empath assailed by emotions from everyone around him. He’s learned to block out most of the "racket," but when he meets cowgirl Lil Crawford, he has no defense against her hidden pain, for it echoes his own. Feuding families and a perilous cattle drive -- a bow to Red River, my favorite John Wayne western -- test their love as they fight their personal demons. Their story concludes dramatically back where it started, in Texas.

 
Book three, Dearest Druid, scheduled for release at the end of April, also begins and ends in Texas. Although it’s a Native American romance, the tale centers around Rose Devlin’s power to heal with her mind, a rare gift that draws Indian cowboy Choctaw Jack to her in desperation. Their romantic adventure takes them to the Indian Territory, ca. 1876, but Texas has a hold on both of them that’s impossible to ignore.

And now, here's the cover for Dearest Druid.


As you see, the design is different from the first two books in the trilogy. As soon as I have a free moment I plan to change the other two covers to match this one. I'm also adding sub-titles and changing the name of the series. Some friends on Amazon's Meet Our Authors forum -- on the "Western Romance Authors Please Post Here" thread -- suggested using the family name. What do you think?

Click on the blue book titles to find them for Kindle and in print on Amazon. Soon to be available on Barnes & Noble.
 

19 comments:

  1. Great overview of your wonderful books. I tweeted.

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  2. I like how you combined real history with paranormal elements. I enjoyed reading about your books. I wish you eevery success.

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  3. OOOO! I like the new cover! Very dark, yet romantic! I'll keep checking for your latest release . . . I want to read it!

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  4. Great cover! It'll definitely draw readers!

    Best of success with your newest release!

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  5. Ooooh, that is an eye-catching cover. Readers may buy your book for that cover alone...not really. I know you have a good following of readers! Congratulations, and thanks for sharing it with us.

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  6. Ella, thanks so much! I'm glad you like the post.

    Sarah, I enjoy combining the two elements. Nice to know you agree!

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  7. Dear anonymous friend, I'm delighted that you like the cover and want to read the book! It'll be up on amazon by month's end.

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  8. Love the new cover, Lyn. Good review of all books in the series. I've enjoyed getting to know all the Devlins. Can't wait to read Rose's story

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  9. Thanks, Susan, I hope you're right!

    LOL Celia, I don't mind if someone buys the book for the cover . . . as long as they read it. And enjoy it, of course!

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  10. Cara, thanks for stopping by. I can't wait for Rosie's story to be up! Hope you enjoy it.

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  11. Lyn, I'm just now stopping by. Sorry, couldn't get here sooner but your new cover is fabulous! Congrats!

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  12. No problem, Jaye. I'm just getting back here myself. So glad you like the cover. It's gone through several versions, but I'm finally happy with this one. Thanks for visiting!

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  13. Congrats, Lyn! Love the combination of historical and paranormal!

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  14. Thanks, Lana. It's fun to combine two genres, although a bit tricky at times. I hope to continue in that vein.

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  15. Love the new cover and am so glad you took this opportunity to explain the connection. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and the other two are on my TBR list.

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  16. Ciara, I'm glad you approve! I was kind of worried that someone would object to me posting such a promo-heavy blog. That question I got on Amazon -- from Jacquie Rogers, I think -- gave me the idea to explain the premise of the series.

    Thanks for stopping by today. It's wonderful having you in our group!

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  17. Lyn, I think The Devlins would be a good series title, better than Texas Druids. The Texas Druids series title misleads people into thinking it's about a cell of druids worshiping the trees, etc. rather than psychics--almost like witches and covens rather than what the books really are.

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  18. Caroline, I think you're right. Now if I can just change the book titles without taking them down. I don't want to lose my reviews.

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  19. Interesting post!
    I got useful information.
    I would like to watch Dashing Druid...
    And pictures is good:)

    Thank's

    www.paperwritings.com

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