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Showing posts with label celtic mythology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celtic mythology. Show all posts

Monday, July 13, 2026

Of Ravens and Wolves: Magic demands its price

 




An ancient goddess awakens for vengeance. Mortal bonds of love fracture. And a past life’s magic demands blood.

 

In the sequel to Of Water and Dragons, Nemu, now mortal, and Ambiorix must fight to survive in the wild lands of the Caitt in northern Caledonia where they escaped capture after Ambiorix deserted from the Roman army. But another, more sinister danger also hunts them, a result of Nemu’s actions in her immortal past life. She thought she could leave her divine wrath behind her, but now she must confront her powerful enemies. Unable to escape her cursed immortal destiny, their idyllic world is about to be shattered, and their fierce bond put to the ultimate test. They will either rise together or fall.

 

If you love deep emotional stakes, fated bonds, indomitable heroines, rich historical detail, and high-stakes romantic fantasy set in a world of Roman soldiers, powerful Druids, and vengeful Celtic deities, buy Of Ravens and Wolves today to plunge into a world of magic and passion!

Excerpt:

The Caitt priestess waited for Nemu in the deepest shadows. She gestured for her to sit beside her on a flat rock.

“You are one of the Ancient Ones.” Her voice sounded hollow, ringing through the pines and into the night.

“As are you.” Nemu searched her eyes for the truth, but the priestess could mask her thoughts well. “Why have you sent for me?”

The skinned wildcat head draped over hers like a hood, the fangs flashing sharp and deadly like twin crescent moons. The priestess’s eyes resembled a cat’s, unblinking and yellow in the darkness.

“I did not send for you. You came to me for an answer.”

A nighthawk screeched nearby.

“You know about my dreams.” Nemu swallowed hard.

“Do not follow the raven. Follow the wolf. The wolf will show you the way.” The night devoured her cryptic words.

“And I will know what the dreams mean?”

“You will know who you really are.” The gleam in her eyes softened, reflecting pity.

Nemu looked away for a moment. She turned back to the priestess and found herself sitting alone, the space beside her cold and empty.

*

Review Quote

“Heckart’s work offers beautiful poetic descriptions rich in detail. Reading this book is a sensual pleasure. It is especially a joy to read about the idyllic agrarian lifestyle and the sense of people’s connection to the land, to the tribe, and to the spirit world. The richness of detail in descriptions create a powerful aura that positively fills this world.”

Reviewed by Snapdragon at the Long and the Short of It







Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Winter's Requiem: Three female rivals, one ancient curse… #paranormalromance #historical

 


Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y6BMP7H


The eruptive conclusion to the Dark Goddess saga is packed with adventure, intrigue, and magic.

Three powerful females hold the fate of the world in their hands in this epic paranormal historical romance set in mystical Scotland.

To find the traitor that still threatens Dal Riata and Aedan, Domelch journeys down a perilous path into certain danger. Brigit is drawn back to Gartnait, but her unrequited love for the sullen king forces her to make a harmful decision. When Cailleach awakens in a different body in enemy lands, she finds herself powerless and is captured by an enemy prince. In his arms, lost memories return, and the truth of the Dark Goddess’s tragic past leads Cailleach into a world of rediscovery and dangerous choices.

To prevent eternal winter, all three must make difficult choices and sacrifices to break an ancient curse that threatens to destroy everything they care about.


Excerpt:

“Why do I sense ye are up to something most foul?” He narrowed his eyes and peered at her, suspicion shadowing his blue depths.

The loud talking around them at the king’s table quieted. She sensed people watching them. “Perhaps we should take this discussion outside.”

Aedan stood, grabbing on to her elbow. “Please excuse our hasty departure. Continue yer feasting,” he announced, steered her out of the hall, and led her behind a storage hut shielded by bushes.

Domelch wriggled out of his grasp. “Aedan, you have to cease this...this overbearing nature of yours.”

“Overbearing, eh? Because I care about ye? It is one matter for ye to gather in the grove for yer pagan prayers, but it is another altogether to be so friendly with one such as she.” His hard voice softened. “I worry of the dangers. I do not want to lose ye.”

“We share some of the same recurring dreams. Somehow our pasts are intertwined, and I need to know what that means.” She stroked his stubbly cheek. His concern, though overbearing, touched her. “You will not lose me. I promise to use caution.”

“It deeply wounds me that I cannot persuade ye otherwise, but I fell in love with yer untamed spirit, and I suppose I will reap the effects of that. Sometimes I wish...” He looked away, his jaw tightening.

She knew he was going to say he wished she were a Christian woman. “Oh, Aedan.” Her pain-filled heart bled for the sorrow she caused him by reverting back to her old beliefs.

Aedan’s hard, dark gaze made her shudder. “I know ye have been practicing magic over the winter. Do ye think I cannot smell yer bitter herbs? And yer chest of witching tools has been moved.” He shook his head in a sign of discontent. “I worry yer witchery will do great harm.”

Her ire rose, and she bristled. “Do you feel that in your heart or is that what the monks prattle on about? I do not mock your prayers to your God,” she said quietly.

He gazed at her, the light in his eyes softening. “Vera well, but I cannot plead with ye enough to use caution, especially with Brigit.”

She understood he was torn between his Christian beliefs and the part of himself that understood the old religion.

“I love you, Aedan. I will never love another, but you have to let me live my life as I wish.” She implored him with her eyes. “I cannot be imprisoned in a cage.”

He reached for her, clutching her shoulders in a tender grasp. “And I would not wish to crush yer spirit, but I cannot still this dread I feel. What are ye planning?”

She sighed. “You will not understand. I told you I am helping Brigit, which will help me as well.”

“Tonight is the full moon. Is it tonight ye make plans for magic?”

“Yes.” She decided not to lie to him.

Defeat dimmed his eyes, and his expression hardened like stone. “Ye are like the wild cats Gartnait keeps, unfettered and defiant.” His hard expression changed to tenderness. “I love that most about ye, but it also fills my heart with uneasiness that ye are venturing into danger, and I will lose ye.”

“You will not lose me, Aedan, not unless you force me to live a life not my own.” She conveyed her resoluteness to him with her unflinching stare and silently vowed never to allow anyone to enslave her again like Cailleach had.

“God’s teeth, lass, ye must have cast enchantments over me because I cannot deny ye.” His eyes smoldered behind thick, black lashes, glimmering with frustration and affection. “I can command one thousand warriors to do my bidding, but I cannot rule over ye. It excites me as much as it brings me to my knees. Nae other could affect me so.”

His words frightened her as if they were a veiled warning, and dread sat like a stone in her stomach. “You have command of my heart. Is that not enough for you?”

“I do not know.” He clenched his jaw, his eyes misting.

“Aedan? What are you finding so difficult to say to me?” Fear stabbed at her gut.

His gaze wavered as if he wanted to avoid looking into her eyes. “What I’m trying to say is that if it comes to choosing between ye and my kingship,” he said, swallowing hard, “I know not how I will choose.”

****

Enter a world of enchantment and passion


www.kelleyheckart.com

Monday, April 13, 2026

Beltaine's Song, A future king is destined to destroy the old ways. #destiny #paranormalhistoricalromance

The epic passionate and gritty Dark Goddess series continues with Beltaine’s Song, an ancient Scotland paranormal romance and coming of age story.

Spring heralds new beginnings, but it is also a harbinger of war.

Now king and queen of the powerful kingdom of Dal Riata, Aedan and Domelch must contend with more than Cailleach’s wrath. They must fight enemy kings and traitorous allies while struggling with their own inner demons.

Gartnait, their firstborn son, is fated to destroy the old ways. He grapples with understanding his true destiny, which is tied to a maiden only he can see. She’s either his ruin or his salvation.

Excerpt:

The boy could see her. Joy warmed her heart, but a shadow passed over and smothered the joy. Could this Gartnait be the one Fingal spoke of? The one who can see me will be the one to destroy me. Gartnait glanced at her, and she froze beneath his bold stare. The boy broke the gaze and turned to address the man but did not mention he could see her.

Brigit rose and fled across the meadow to the safety of the stables. She fell to her knees in the rushes, her mind screaming with uncertainty. A part of her told her she must kill this boy, but another part advised her not to harm him. She stood and brushed off the rushes stuck to her tunic dress.

“There you are.”

She spun around, coming face-to-face with the boy, surprised at his boldness. “You can see me.”

Fear and something akin to excitement quickened her pulse. Someone other than Fingal could see her.

Curiosity sparkled within Gartnait’s eyes. “What are you? You look like a goddess. My other teacher told me about spirits and gods of the land. Is that what you are?”

“Y-yes, but you must not tell anyone about me.”

“No one would believe me, and they might think me mad. It will be our secret.” He gazed at her with youthful innocence.

Gartnait’s innocent smile spread warmth through her chest. How can this sweet boy be the one who will destroy me? 

~~~~~~
Enter a world of enchantment and passion.

www.kelleyheckart.com

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Soul Echoes Complete Series

 





Of Water and Dragons: He's a Roman soldier. She's an enemy of Rome and half-Fae.
Of Ravens and Wolves: Magic demands its price.
Of Gods and Vengeance: Unravel the threads of fate.

Books with strong female leads who fight for their beliefs.