The Book of Carraig by Andrea Matthews 💕 Guest Post, Book Tour & Gift Card Giveaway 💕 (Paranormal Romance)

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Almost a year after waking to find himself in twentieth-century New York, fifth-century Celt Ciarán Donnelly has finally returned to his childhood home, but Ireland is nothing like he remembers it. The realization is overwhelming and taking a toll on his relationship with archaeologist Caitlin O’Connell as well. Keeping his secret from her has been no easy task. Due to some quick thinking on the part of her Uncle Mike, however, Ciarán has managed to conceal the fact that he and the Celt that mysteriously disappeared from a local museum the previous year are one in the same.

Ciarán intends on keeping it that way, at least for the time being. Right now, there is another more pressing issue. He longs to locate the grave of his fifth-century wife. Her only crime was daring to love him, a guardian of the goddess, and for that he can never forgive himself. Even more urgent, he needs to figure out a way to wake his brother, Aodhán, and free him from the Dublin museum, where he continues to exist in the same centuries’ long sleep Ciarán had. At least, Ciarán hopes he does.

Of course, things never go according to plan. When a serial killer starts stalking the countryside, Ciarán may be the only one who can stop him. To do so, however, he’ll need to risk his own life, as well as that of his brother, thus revealing his secret and exposing the truth. But can he even defeat such a ruthless monster? Only the Book of Carraig holds the answer, but first, Ciarán needs to find it.

What do you do to relax and unwind?

Actually, I write, but without worrying about all the technical stuff. I can edit it later during the second draft. When I’m relaxing, though, I simply enjoy writing out the story. It will definitely need that second draft, and probably a few more besides, but for that moment, all that matters is the narrative and the dialogue. Sometimes, however, I even need a break from that. When I do, I turn to reading or researching my genealogy.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

That’s a difficult question since there’s not much about the story I didn’t enjoy writing. If I had to name something though, I guess I’d have to say it was fun mixing in little bits of the paranormal and Celtic mythology. That being said, I loved writing the characters as well, imagining how Ciarán would handle a world fifteen hundred years beyond his own, and how he would interact with other characters, especially his brother. I always feel every story should have a little bit of comic relief. And of course, I love the romance between Cairán and Caitlin.

Pen, or Typewriter,or Computer?

Pen first, then computer. There was a time I used the typewriter, but once the personal computer came along, it was so much easier and no more correction tape. When I first write down an idea though, or want to draw an outline, it’s still good old-fashioned pen and paper. I’m fairly good with typing on the keyboard, however, I can write it out a lot faster, something that’s vital when I’m trying to get an idea down. It also gives me a better visual if I decide to plot out chapters or do on outline. Pen and paper definitely came in handy while I was figuring out where to put in Ciarán’s flashbacks. It saved a lot of toggling back and forth on the computer.

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?

I imagine all of them becoming movies because that’s how I see them even as I’m putting the words to paper — or the computer screen nowadays. I see the scene unfolding on the screen, acted out, and hear the words being spoken. Not literally, of course, but in my imagination. Sometimes a scene might even have a soundtrack. Actually, I think picturing it that way enhances the narrative and the dialogue, making it more realistic and helping it flow smoother. And if someone decides they’d like to make it into a movie, all the better. It’s ready to go!

She held him close, savoring the scent of fresh linen and evening air that rose from his dampened hair. As they pulled under a streetlight, she lifted the saturated cloth momentarily to check his wound. It looked as if someone had taken a fireplace poker and plunged it through his shoulder. She wondered if he’d ever be able to use his arm again.

“I’ll be fine, Cait.” His voice was faint, barely about a whisper. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell ye earlier.”

“It doesn’t matter.” She brushed the dark hair off his forehead. “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” She leaned down and kissed him, deeply, passionately. For a moment, he responded, but then as he lifted his arm to embrace her, he gasped in agony.

“Ciarán!” A bolt of fear shot through her, for he had turned a sickly shade of gray.

“I’m all right. ’Tis just . . . I’m not feeling all that well.”

Caitlin glanced down at the dishcloth he was holding to his shoulder. The white material was now wet with his blood, as was the entire right side of his sweater. He began to shiver, and Caitlin wrapped Steve’s bloodstained jacket around him. Though he smiled, she could see it wasn’t much help.

“Steve, I think he’s going into shock. The bleeding won’t stop.”

Steve hesitated a moment before answering. “We should be there in a few minutes. Just keep the pressure on the wounds as best you can and try to keep him warm. There should be a blanket on the seat next to you.”

Now Caitlin really was worried. Steve was always so decisive. Why had he hesitated? She took the blanket from the seat and wrapped it around Ciarán. He seemed to be drifting away, oblivious to what was going on around him. Fear and panic caused a wave of nausea to rise from her stomach. Quelling the sensation, she called his name, softly at first, then louder, but still he didn’t respond. Her heart raced against her chest, and a sickly heat engulfed her body.

She was losing him, and there was nothing she could do. In desperation, she slapped his face, hoping that would bring him back to her, but even that was of little help. His eyes were glazed and distant as they pulled up to the hospital, and his skin had become cold and clammy, yet at the same time he was sweating profusely. Her nerves stretched to the breaking point, Caitlin wiped her handkerchief across his forehead, but all he could manage was a feeble smile just before slipping into complete unconsciousness.

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When a fifth century pagan priest is unearthed in Ireland fifteen hundred years after being entombed, archaeologist Caitlin O’Connell is convinced it’s the find of the century. The body is in perfect condition, right down to the intricate tattoos adorning the Celt’s skin. In fact, if scientific data hadn’t proved otherwise, she would swear he hadn’t been interred more than a few hours.

Eager to discover more about the mysterious Celt, Caitlin accompanies the body back to the New York museum where she’s employed, but before she has time to study him, the priest disappears without a trace. Rumors surrounding the event begin to circulate and result in the excavation’s benefactor pulling the plug on the entire expedition.

The rumors are not far off the mark though. After being buried alive for betraying his goddess and his priesthood in the dawning age of Christianity, Ciarán wakes to a strange new world. Alone and frightened in an unforgiving city, he stumbles upon the only thing familiar to him and seeks sanctuary within the church walls. With the help of the parish’s pastor, Father Mike, Ciarán slowly grows accustomed to his surroundings, though he’s plagued by dark dreams and the disturbing sensation that an evil from his past has followed him into the future. But a more immediate danger lurks on his doorstep.

Caitlin is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery concerning her missing Celt, and when she meets her Uncle Mike’s new handyman, Ciarán Donnelly, she’s convinced the handsome Irishman knows more about the theft than he’s letting on. Yet, even she can’t deny the attraction between them, simmering below the surface and blurring the lines between her personal and professional life. But will Ciarán’s secrets draw them together or shatter their future forever?

Andrea Matthews is the pseudonym for Inez Foster, a historian and librarian who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogical speaking. In fact, it was while doing some genealogical research that she stumbled across the history of the Border reivers. The idea for her first novel came to mind almost at once, gradually growing into the Thunder on the Moor series. And the rest is history, as they say.