The Black Swans
A Tale of the Antrim Cycle
Book One
N.W. Moors
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Sunday Morning Publishing
Date of Publication: March 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-0692397602
ASIN: B00U6I9PUC
Number of pages: 277
Word Count: 96,003
Cover Artist: N.W.Moors
Book Description:
Taisie MacDonnell loves Celtic music and when a traditional Irish group moves to her small town of Antrim, Maine, she's thrilled. She has no idea that becoming involved with Conn McLaren, the handsome pipe player will enmesh her in magic, a centuries-old enchantment and pursuit by the Fae.
This is a modern retelling of the Irish story "The Children of Lir".
Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.
Available at Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon CA
“Maybe I should put some lime green color on the other side, to contrast with the magenta.” Nola had pulled the rear view mirror over to the passenger side, her long black hair pulled down in front of her face. She was peeking through the strands over her eyes, studying herself in the dim light of the dashboard.
She tilted her head to the side, then pulled hair from each side of her head and held it out in front of her. The hair on the right side of her head had swathes of purple. “What do you think?” she asked, studying him from under her hair.
Owen had been driving the van for five hours without any breaks. The way from Montreal was mostly highway, but once he crossed into the United States, he was on two lane roads that climbed up and down mountains and were lined by thick brush and trees, occasionally marked by small towns and farms. He was mostly following the white line marking the middle of the road at this point, just trying to make it to his destination, and wasn’t paying all that much attention to what Nola was saying to him.
Nola squinted and frowned at Owen, then tried again. “Hmm, I wonder if I cut my hair like Finn’s….” This time she got his attention. He looked over at her, just in time to catch the grin as she swept her hair back behind her ears.
“I don’t believe it would look as good on you as that haircut does on Finn, but, hey, if it’s what you want, go for it,” Owen played along. Nola grunted and pushed the rear view mirror back over to an approximation of where it should be.
Owen reached up and positioned the mirror in place again. He used it to look in the back seat to where Finn sat, headset in his ears, listening to his iPod, his head bouncing to the music. His hair was a mess of colors and stuck up in short spikes. While it was a hairstyle that worked for Finn, Nola would definitely not be cutting her hair like her brother, not if Owen had anything to say about it. He liked her hair long and silky way too much.
There was a street light blinking up ahead and Owen braked, gradually slowing the van. They were approaching another small town or maybe it was just a crossroads. This one looked like it was a gas station combined with a dilapidated general store. Owen glanced down at the dashboard. There was about half a tank of gasoline left according to the gauge. And it was a good thing he didn’t need gas because the station was closed up tight. No one seemed to be around, just a dim light in the store and a crooked “Closed” sign on the front door. The only thing in the parking lot was a rusty pickup truck, parked over on the edge of the asphalt. He wheeled in anyway and stopped the van in front of the pump.
“I need to stretch a minute,” he announced and turned off the key.
Heads popped up in the back seat. “What are we doing?” said Finn who couldn’t hear Owen over the music from his iPod. Conn, who was sitting next to his twin in the middle seat, pulled his earphones off, mussing his long hair, and waited patiently, looking around the dimly lit parking area. He had been working on his laptop, probably on an arrangement for one of their songs, Owen guessed. There was no sign of Hugh who had been stretched out sleeping in the bench seat in the very back of the van.
“I need to get out and walk around a little,” Owen restated. “And I want to check the trailer.” Nola had already opened her door and was standing on the pavement, stretching her arms over her head, getting the kinks out of her back.
Owen got out, headed around the back of the building and stepped back into the trees. He was joined by the rest of the lads, Hugh wandering back last. He must have woken up with the slamming of the doors. It had been a long ride with no stops and Owen had drunk at least three cups of coffee out of the thermos jug that Nola kept in the front seat for him.
Once they had finished their business, Conn and Owen went back out front to check on the trailer. Owen crouched down and looked under the frame while Conn pushed on the tires. The rig looked fine. The trailer wasn’t very heavy, loaded mostly with sound equipment and camping supplies. Their instruments and personal items were in the way back of the van. Nola wandered out from the other side of the garage where she had gone to find a bit of privacy away from the guys.
“How much further is it to the pub?” Conn asked.
“I think that we have a couple more hours to go. It’s going to be late when we get there,” Owen answered. Nola came over and wrapped her arms around Owen’s waist, snuggling under the denim jean jacket he wore. He stood there, resting his chin on her head, while she rubbed the lower part of his back, pulling up his tee shirt to get at his stiff muscles.
Character Name: Conn McLaren
Character Bio: I’m the youngest son of Lir McLaren and his wife, Aobh, and twin to Finn. I play pipes in our band Na Ealai Dubha or The Black Swans and I arrange the music. With my siblings I am also under a curse by the Fae that has lasted centuries.
Describe yourself what is your worst and vest quality?
My worst quality is reticence. I hold back in my feelings and let the curse determine too much of my actions rather than fighting it. My best quality is loving my family.
What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?
I wish other people knew more about the music that I write.
What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?
Only a few people know about the curse that is on me and my siblings.
What are you most afraid of?
I’m afraid of the ending of the curse in case it also ends me and my siblings.
What do you want more than anything?
I want to end the curse and be with my one true mate.
What is your relationship status?
I’m in a relationship with Taisie MacDonnell.
How would you describe your sense of fashion?
Tee shirts and jeans when I’m not wearing feathers.
How much of a rebel are you?
I’m not much of a rebel – that would be my brothers, Hugh and Finn.
What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement is living with my curse for so many years.
What is your idea of happiness?
Happiness is being a normal man with a wife and family.
What is your current state of mind?
Optimistic – meeting Taisie has been the best thing to happen to me.
What is your most treasured possession?
My tin whistle – it soothes my restlessness.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My love of music – music brightens any day.
What is it that you, most dislike?
I hate deception, because I’ve had to deceive others for so long.
Which living person do you, most despise?
Maeb, queen of the Fae. She is the holder of the curse.
What is your greatest regret?
I regret my brothers losing their true mates.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Courage
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Loyalty
Who is your favorite hero in fiction?
Fionn mac Cumhaill, the great hero of Irish legend.
Which living person do you most admire?
I admire my mate, Taisie. She is the most loving and courageous person I know.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
To never wear feathers again.
What is your motto?
Magic, Music and Love.
N.W. Moors lives in Portland, Maine, land of lobster and pine trees. She is a voracious reader and avid traveler. She loves visiting Great Britain and Ireland especially. Researching trips meant that she tries to learn as much about the area as possible and uses those tidbits in her books. She enjoys interacting with readers.
Blog http://antrimcycle.blogspot.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009322893083
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/blackswansantrim
Twitter https://twitter.com/AntrimCycle
GR https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13572124.N_W_Moors
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/antrimcycle/
Thank you for hosting Conn's interview on your blog and all the rest.
ReplyDeleteNancy