Author Archives: ggrussell

A Journey Along Scotland’s Coastline and into Spar Cave

Photo of Spar Cave

Coastal caves have always captivated me, and their presence in my books reflects this fascination. These aren’t just intriguing places to explore; they often carry rich histories. In Taming the Highland Beauty, my protagonists encounter Spar Cave, a hidden gem near Elgol on the Isle of Skye.

This tidal cave, adorned with glittering calcite crystals, boasts a captivating legend. In the ninth century, a local princess fell in love with a shipwrecked man, unbeknownst to the two of them, their fathers were sworn enemies. To protect their secret and avoid conflict, the pregnant princess hid her child within Spar Cave.

Sir Walter Scott’s 1814 visit brought fame to Spar Cave, immortalized in his poem “Lord of the Isles” where he described a mermaid within. This inspired Victorian-era excursions, unfortunately marred by the theft of numerous stalactites.

Initially muddy, the cave opens into a magnificent cavern of calcium carbonate, complete with a flowstone staircase. Ascending these steps reveals a breathtaking space, with a high ceiling and freshwater pools. A visit to Spar Cave is an unforgettable journey, offering a glimpse into the raw power and hidden beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

Do you believe in fairies?

Before I started writing about fairies in my Guardian of the Isles series, I hadn’t really given fairies much thought, though I have always believed them to be real. And yet, upon reflection I realized fairies have always been an integral part of my life, and perhaps yours as well.

When I was little, my mom told me that if I left a tooth beneath my pillow, the Tooth Fairy would come during the night and exchange it for a few coins. The first time that happened, I was utterly amazed! Of course, I passed the tradition onto my own children, leaving them not coins, but a crisp new dollar bill and sometimes a note from the Tooth Fairy when they started to have questions.

Then there was Cinderella, which has always been one of my favorite fairy tales. I always wanted to have a Fairy Godmother who could transform my fate, as she did Cinderella’s, from drudgery to enchantment. It’s no surprise that the word “fairy” derives from the Latin fata meaning “fate” and Old French “faerie,” meaning “enchantment.”

Other influences that fostered my belief were works of literature from James M. Barrie’s Peter Pan to J. R. R. Tolkien’s Elves of Middle Earth, and Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. So, when I came across a snippet of an article while researching the Isle of Skye that talked about the Clan MacLeod and their precious artifact, The Fairy Flag, I had to know more. Thus began the Guardian of the Isle series which focuses on the MacLeods of Dunvegan Castle and the real-life Fairy Flag which still resides within the castle, hanging in the drawing room for visitors to see and admire.

While all the books in the series have dustings of fairy magic within their pages, A Little Highland Magic, book five in the series, is where readers get to know Aria MacLeod more fully, and where she faces her toughest challenge yet—to bring a MacLeod babe stolen by the fairies back home to his family.

Join Aria as she returns to Fairyland with the Fairy Flag to barter for Keiran’s release along with Graeme Duff, the man whose duty it is to protect The Fairy Flag above all else. Aria and Graeme’s fantastical journey will hopefully have you believing in fairies, fairy magic, and all sorts of other enchanted beings.

The Fairy Pools

In Only a Highlander Will Do, I sent Tormod and Fiona on a “date” to the Fairy Pools located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It seemed like the perfect place for them to finally have some time alone, away from everyone at Dunvegan.

The Fairy Pools are a collection of pools, streams, and waterfalls in the Scottish Highlands that create a beautiful setting in the middle of the Glen Brittle forest. The Fairy Pools are said to contain a certain amount of magic in their unbelievably blue waters. On a sunny day, the water is so clear you can see each moss-covered stone in the bottom of the pools.

There is no legend associated with the Fairy Pools other than that which comes from the lore associated with the fairies and the MacLeods of Skye. The waters of the Fairy Pools might be bone-chillingly cold, but that doesn’t stop visitors from swimming in them. Their near supernatural atmosphere has made them one of Scotland’s most enduring natural wonders. 

The Fairy Flag of Dunvegan

Am Bratach Sith or The Fairy Flag of Dunvegan Castle is the most treasured possession of the MacLeod clan. Legend has it that this sacred banner has miraculous powers. When unfurled in battle, the clan would invariably snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. There are many tales of the flag’s origin but the one… Continue Reading

Black Cats: Lucky or Unlucky?

I am the owner of four black cats. Or do they own me? I’m never quite sure. Pictured here are Indy and Tye, two brothers we adopted three years ago. In A Temptress In Tartan, a black cat is mistaken as a witch’s familiar.  In the sixteenth century, it was largely believed that  black cats were… Continue Reading

The History of Chamomile Tea

In Romancing the Laird, my warrior-hero, Reid Douglas, enjoys a cup or two of chamomile tea every day to help him relax and recover from physical fatigue,. Which got me wondering about the history of chamomile tea. Here’s what I discovered. The name chamomile comes from the Greek word meaning “ground apple.” Records of its… Continue Reading

The Witches’ Well

I always think it’s fun to find out where writers get ideas for their books . . . that one thing that makes them pause and ask the question, “What if . . .?” That’s what happened to me while passing through Edinburgh Castle’s esplanade. I came upon a bronze plaque and a fountain featuring… Continue Reading

PNWA Autograph Party – September 14th, 2018!

Friday, September 14th, 2018 from 8:30pm to 10:00pm PNWA Writer’s Conference at DoubleTree Hotel Seattle Airport – 18740 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98188 Gerri will join 60 other authors at an Autograph Party that is open to the public. She’s also presenting two workshop: Creating Character Emotion and The Business Side of Romance and Women’s… Continue Reading