Author Mary Gillgannon

I don’t know why, but I consider Wales my spiritual homeland, and when I set out to write my first romance, I knew it would be set there. I discovered a historical 6^th century king and used him as the hero in The Dragon of the Island and a follow-up book, Dragon’s Dream. Quite a few years later I visited Wales as part of a trip to Ireland with my husband and son. We took the ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the island of Anglesey and got a rental car. My husband intended to drive, but after a few terrifying blocks, he realized he couldn’t adjust to driving on the wrong side of the road and the narrow streets. I ended up driving and somehow never got us in a wreck.

My favorite part of that visit was visiting an ancient passage grave called Bryn Celli Ddu. The 5,000-year-old grave is aligned to coincide with the rising sun on the longest day of the year. Despite being one of the most famous archeological sites in Wales, it’s tucked away among several working farms. I featured Bryn Celli Ddu in my historical fantasy The Silver Wheel, which is set at the time of the Roman conquest of Britain.

My next trip to Wales was a few years later with my daughter. My biggest thrill on that trip was visiting Deganwy Hill, which was the actual site of the stronghold of Maelgwn the Great, the heroic king in my first book. We climbed to the top of the hill at sunset and enjoyed spectacular views of the Welsh coast, including of Conwy Castle, glowing in the last rays of sunlight.

My third trip to Wales was with my husband, and we focused on seeing the countryside. Although we didn’t climb Snowdonia, we did climb to the top of a nearby peak. For someone who lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which has an elevation of 6,200 feet, it wasn’t too difficult. Snowdonia, although the highest peak in Britain south the Scottish highlands, is only 3,560 feet. We climbed in classic Welsh weather, but despite the mist and rain, it was thrilling to look out at the rugged, wild landscape and imagine myself transported back in time.

My most recent visit to Wales was my first solo trip outside the U.S. (One of my sisters was supposed to accompany me, but couldn’t because of a family emergency.) Traveling alone I could do whatever I liked, including visiting four castles in three days. I think I enjoyed Conwy Castle most of all. The views from the ramparts were spectacular.

I’m currently writing the second book in my Medieval Ladies series. This romance is set in Wales in the 13^th century. Of course, journeying there in my imagination makes me yearn to return to the real place. Health and finances permitting, I’m planning another trip to Wales in two or three years. 

View from Deganwy Hill

Me on the ramparts of Conwy Castle.

Me on our mountain climb near Snowdonia

 Me at Bryn Celli Ddu

Me at the base of Deganwy Hill

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Title: Lady of Steel, Medieval Ladies #1

Author/pen name: Mary Gillgannon

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, 1/15/18

ASIN: B078CJZQN8

ISBN: 978-1-5092-1833-2

Number of pages: 317

Word Count:  114,000

Blurb: 

One rapturous hour sparks unforgettable passion between Lady Nicola and Fawkes de Cressy. But when Fawkes returns from Crusade, he finds Nicola enmeshed in a dark web of castle intrigue. Surrounded by enemies, the battle-hardened knight and the aloof, wary woman must rebuild the bond between them or a sinister plot will destroy them both.

Buy links: 

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Steel-Medieval-Ladies-Book-ebook/dp/B078CJZQN8/

The Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/5499-lady-of-steel.html

B & N:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lady-of-steel-mary-gillgannon/1127750668

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ladyofsteel/isbn9781509218349  

Excerpt: 

Fawkes’s eyes flared with violent emotion. “You forget. I knew Mortimer. He tried more than once to kill me. I have no sympathy for him. None at all.”

Nicola let out her breath. Perhaps now they could begin again, and he would stop playing this game of cat and mouse with her. She nodded. “I’m very grateful you understand. I’d worried you might have heard tales of me, stories meant to portray me as wicked and manipulative.”

He watched her intently. “Aye, I have heard tales. ’Tis good you saw fit to reassure me. Perhaps now, perhaps we can…”

He let his words trail off and the atmosphere between them shifted. His dark eyes no longer seemed stern and implacable, but smoldered with frank sexual desire. The tension between them altered, erupting with blazing arousal. Fire started in her loins and spread outward, making her skin ache for his touch. She tilted her head, awaiting his kiss.

He hesitated, as if even now he feared to take this final step and give into what his body obviously desired. Observing his forbearance, she thought for the dozenth time of how different he was from Mortimer. Mortimer had been a slave to his emotions. This man sought control at all times.

But at last he brought his lips to hers. The blaze took them both.

Author bio:

Mary Gillgannon began writing historical romance soon after she discovered the genre. She loves how these stories allow her to portray the excitement and high stakes of past eras, yet focus on relationships and create a happy ending. She’s written seventeen novels, including romances set in the dark age, medieval and Regency time periods. She married her own hero many years ago and has two children. Now that they’re grown, she indulges her nurturing tendencies on five very spoiled cats and a moderately spoiled dog. When not writing or working—she’s been employed at the local public library for over twenty-seven years—she enjoys gardening, reading and travel.

Author website and social media links:

Website:  http://marygillgannon.com

Blog: http://marygillgannon.blogspot.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MaryGillgannonAuthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MaryGillgannon