About Me
- Pamela Clare
- I grew up in Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, then lived in Denmark and traveled throughout Europe before coming back to Colorado. I have two adult sons, whom I cherish. I started my writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor of two different papers. Along the way, my team and I won numerous state and several national awards, including the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, I was awarded the Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism. Now I write historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense.
Seductive Musings
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Thursday, December 08, 2011
What is it about Scottish heroes?
While doing research for Defiant, book three in my MacKinnon’s Rangers series, I came across this historic cartoon, a drawing someone made and published long ago, decrying women’s curiosity about what is under a Scotsman’s kilt.
After laughing out loud, I thought, “Not much has changed in the past 200 years.”
It’s almost 2012, and “what’s under the kilt?” is still a question women ask — at least when speaking with one another or perhaps a solitary, kilted Scotsman, which most of us are not fortunate enough to encounter.
But here’s another thing about Scottish men that never got as much attention as it should have. A worldwide survey was done in which men were asked how much time they devoted to foreplay — a stupid term which seems to suggest that foreplay and sex are two different things. Guess which group of men reported spending the most time titillating their women? And who lasts longest when they do eventually get around to coitus?
Scotsmen.
It must be the romantic side of their culture. But add the kilt, a broadsword, a bit of swagger, and the accent — which I’ve always said renders foreplay unnecessary — and you have a man who is very near irresistible.
Maybe that’s why they play such a dominant role in romantic fiction.
So what do you like about Scottish heroes — particularly those Hielan’ men, aye?
Answer that question, and you could win a signed copy of Surrender.
Thanks to all of you who tweeted, posted on Facebook and otherwise helped spread the word about the reissue of the book. I really appreciate it! And here’s a wee excerpt of a favorite scene from Surrender to celebrate.
From Surrender:
Iain tried to ignore the ache he felt at the thought of leaving her and watched her as she went about the wifely duty of shaving him. It stirred him in a way he could not describe, the tender intimacy of this act, and he felt a kind of satisfaction he’d rarely known to think there would be other mornings like this—the scent of breakfast in the air, the fire burned to embers, perhaps a bairn or two sitting sleepy-eyed on the bearskin. And Annie.
Her brow was knit with attentiveness. Her breasts swayed enticingly beneath her shift, their crests dark against the white cloth. Her hair hung to her hips, a river of silk and sunlight. Unable to resist, he reached out, cupped a soft breast through linen, and brushed her nipple with his thumb. He heard her breath catch, felt her nipple tighten, saw the pulse at her throat leap.
Her hands stilled. “The sun is already up, Iain. We cannae—no’ now.”
“Is that so?” He did not relent, flicking the eager bud, shaping her breast, feeling it grow heavy in his hand.
He could tell she was trying to ignore her body’s response. She lifted his chin, shaved the right side of his throat, one stroke at a time, stopping to rinse the blade in a bowl of hot water. But her breathing was unsteady, and when he shifted his hand to cup her other breast, her lashes drifted to her cheeks, her head fell back and the razor clattered to the table.
His face still half-covered with shaving soap, his blood burning, Iain pulled her against him and closed his mouth over hers. She pressed herself hard against him, her hot little tongue twisting with his, her fingers curling in his hair. When at long last he broke the kiss, he couldn’t help but chuckle. She had shaving soap on her face.
She smiled and wiped the soap away with the back of her hand, her laughter like the sweet fall of water. “So it’s my beard you’ll be shavin’ now? You daftie!”
The idea struck him hard, made his blood run thick and hot. For a moment, all he could do was look down at her, staggered by the thrum of his own lust. Ignoring her surprised gasp, he lifted her, turned her, laid her back on the table, following her down to kiss a trail along the soft skin of her throat. Drawing up her shift in impatient fistfuls, his tore his lips from her skin, lifted the vexing garment over her head, and tossed it onto the bed behind him. Then he stood between her thighs, parting them, forcing her knees to bend.
She opened for him like a flower, her sex rosy, her scent wild and sweet—a blushing musk rose wreathed in golden curls. He savored the sight of her, the scent of her, his cock painfully hard and pushing eagerly against the leather of his breeches.
“Iain, wh-what—?
“I find I want you even more when the sun is up, a leannan.”
Annie felt his big hands close over hers, felt him draw her hands to her own thighs, forcing her to hold them back and apart. Heat suffused her cheeks as his gaze fixed upon her most intimate flesh and his eyes grew dark. His fingers ran lightly over her, parting her, brushing her most sensitive spot, the tip of one slipping inside her, making her moan.
Then he reached for the shaving soap.
It was then she realized what he was about. It shocked her to her soul, drove the breath from her lungs, excited her beyond reason. “Nay, Iain! You cannae mean to—!”
“Aye, I do.”
-----
And, as those of you who’ve read the book know, he does.
If anyone knows Patti P who posted an won a copy of Surrender last week, I haven’t heard from her. I’d hate for her to miss her prize.
Have a great day, everyone!
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23 comments:
I LOVE their macho-ness. They are strong men who know what they want and go after it! They also have the sexiest accent!! ...and they ones that i have seen are "to die for" handsome!!
(L-O-V-E your books!!)
bettysunflower at hotmail dot com
That sexy accent just makes me melt! They also seem to be so masculine and the kilt certainly doesn't hurt, even though you might think the opposite. I can't wait to read the extended version of SURRENDER!
During a girls night someone asked the question.....if there was one man, any man that you could be with just once who would it be? With out a moments hesitation my answer was Ian MacKinnon. There is just something so raw and masculine about him but tender too. Love him!
It's the Highland Scotch. Does a body good!
When I was in high school, we had this Scottish exchange student. He sat beside me in our Health class. I was completely smitten by his accent and his piercing blue eyes. Wow!
It was not much after that that I discovered historical romance--and I can't help but think that a small part of my love of Scottish HR can be traced right back to that Scottish cutie! I only wish he had worn a kilt...just once. lol
Whew, SURRENDER sounds blazing hot! I don't know how I missed it before, but it's definitely getting added to my Shopping Cart now.
Laura T
heartoftexasbooks[at]yaooo[dot]com
Well,the accent by itself is a huuuge draw,but when someone mentions a Scotsman I immediately think of a strong, fearless, muscular, protective man with a burr that make's your lady parts quiver,lol. Yup and yum! Me likey those scottish hotties!
Also,Don't enter me in the giveaway,as I've already won a copy.
Several things come to mind~~Their brogue, their build and good looks, and their dedication to their Clan and women!
For me, it's their honor - for their clan, for their woman. A man who is honorable is a man of worth.
Annie
alltherhage AT gmail DOT com
The accent, kilt, the smile, the quirky sense of humor, the accent, the kilt.....
Sheila
smulholland62@msn.com
The accent plays a big part - it can make a man who's not obviously handsome incredibly attractive (Douglas Henshall, Robbie Coltrane), and those who are good looking irresistable (Sean Connery, David Tennant).
But there's more to it than that - historically, the willingness to stand up for what they believe in even when all hope is gone is both romantic and sad, but makes for great heart-wrenching drama. My favourite fictional Scottish hero is Francis Crawford of Lymond, followed by the Mackinnon brothers of course.
Lesley
It's the entire package! The ruggedness of the land that shapes who they are, the politics, the KILT, their fierceness, the honor, and let's not forget the brogue...love that one in particular.
Any man that can pull off a skirt (LOL I know it's not) and look even more manly...I think that says it all!
The Scottish man: The dedication to family, the kilt, the accent, barely civilized on the outside but a marshmallow to those he loves.
Once I came across Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod, I was done for! Och, the ruggedness of those Scottish men does me in every time! And the accent? Don't get me started! I have told men I've dated, if he could just use a Scottish accent, it would really work for me ;)
And let me assure you, during my time in Britain, I discovered on several occasions that the proper attire under the kilt is... nothin' but bare skin!
I am a huge fan of Scottish heroes in my romances and have loved Iain and Morgan and have been waiting with much anticipation for Connor's story.
Lesley said it well! The ruggedness, masculinity... And, of course, the accent. I'm a lucky girl: my husband is REALLY talented with accents. And he knows which one to do when he's trying to get me hot and botheres!
Laura Sheehan
The accent, the kilt and their natural cheeky charm all combine for me. Thx for the excerpt! *fans self*
Of course I'm going to say the Kilt and the accent. But When the two are in a historical setting, it adds an element of danger and strength, since the setting is always rugged, and untamed. And you just know that kilted man can wield a sword as smoothly as he uses his hands to...do other things ;-)
I can't wait to read Surrender! I don't read enough historical!
I'm not sure if I can pick just one thing.
To me it's the whole package....kilts, muscle's, accent and honor. I also believe it's the whole 'what's mine is mine' attitude. They do not share and will fight to the death for what they believe.
Hi Pamela,
The Cartoon was so funny and yes we all wonder what's underneath that kilt. What I love about Scottish Heroes especially Highland men is the way they love so passionately. I also love their sexy Scottish accent, the way they stand for honor and unity and the way they exude manliness.
Crossing my fingers to win!!!!:)
I think it has to be that fascinating brogue! Of course, there are times when I am not exactly sure what's being said but that just adds to the mystique, lol.
Still want to know what's under the kilt and if it gets cold under there since they're a little flared. Love the accent, the Alpha-ness, manliness, sexiness, need I go on?
pennsdog at yahoo dot com
I just swoon at the accent - and the Scottish hero is strong but tender at the same time.
tmrtini at gmail dot com
Hey, everyone!
Thanks for your fantastic comments. I didn't get time to respond to your posts. I've been WRITING.
Yes, writing. A lot.
I'm working hard to get Connor's book finished, so I spent the entire weekend pretty much working.
Sorry to be MIA!
But thanks for your fun and thoughtful comments.
And I did use the Randomizer, and it popped back three winners:
Laura T, EllieC and Annie!
Congrats!
And please don't give up if you didn't win. There will be more drawings ahead, and soon they'll include UNTAMED, too!
Pamela
They're willing to work hard for what's dear to them, whether it's their land, their honour, their country, their women. It's second nature, never a question, just a given that they'll do what needs doing. And that's sexy as hell in a world where people are becoming more and more selfish.