Story behind the title of DRAGON IN THE MIST with Nancy Lee Badger

Joining me today is multi-published author, Nancy Lee Badger, whose latest e-book release, DRAGON IN THE MIST, is set in Scotland on Loch Ness. Nancy has promised to explain her title choice, and why she chose this location. (And check out the contest that Nancy's holding for that fantastic window sticker. I WANT it!)

Thanks for having me today. I have wanted to explain the story behind the title since I released DRAGON IN THE MIST in August. This is the perfect opportunity. First of all, I love dragons. Scottish mythology is full of them. Who knew? I discovered this while researching Scotland for my first Scottish paranormal, DRAGON’S CURSE. There are pages and pages of information on dragons that supposedly lived in a variety of places. I read about a very famous myth concerning the Loch Ness Monster that goes like this:

When Saint Columba traveled through the country of the Picts, he had to cross the River Ness.* He came across Picts burying a man said to have been bitten by the water-monster. Not a stupid man, Columba ordered one of his men to swim across and return with a boat. The chosen man, Lugneus Mocumin swam off, but the monster saw him and charged. All on shore stood in horror except Columba, who raised his holy hand and inscribed the Cross in the air. He called upon the name of God and commanded the beast, saying, “Go no further! Do not touch the man! Go back at once!” The monster drew back, retreating to the depths of the Loch. Unharmed, Lugneus brought the boat back. Everyone was astonished. The heathen savages who witnessed the miracle were overcome and came to know the magnificence of the God of the Christians.

*for more information about stories like these, visit- http://www.fisheaters.com/animals13.html

The Loch Ness Monster in mythology is described as a wingless, serpentine-like dragon. I made my dragon female and gave her the ability to walk the shores of Loch Ness in human form due to a gift from a Faerie Queen. When writing fiction, an author has loads of leeway and paranormal writers can stretch the limits with world-building. I like to make sure my books are set in real locations. This was easy to do with Loch Ness.

Castle Urquhart on Loch Ness

My book’s first chapter depicts my heroine’s horrible outcome when she gives her heart to a human male. When he reveals he is already married, Nessía returns to her watery home after cursing the man’s entire clan. In present day, she again tries to find love. She meets Rory Hawthorn, an American geologist, when he walks inside the pub where she works. He has a secret, and Nessía is not going to like it.

Mist, in my title, is in reference to the thick porridge-like fog that blankets the loch—and a huge part of Scotland—most mornings. I think mist is very sexy. I do not know why, I just do. These are the reasons why I chose to title my book DRAGON IN THE MIST. I hope you will buy a copy, give a copy, lend a copy…whatever. Enjoy my tale of love, fantasy, and Scotland.

BOOK BLURB

Life without love is not worth living.

Nessía of the Loch has lived beneath the murky water of Loch Ness since ancient times. The pain of loneliness manifests in anger so strong, the entire valley shakes with earthquakes. In 1816, a Faerie queen pleads for her to cease the tremors and rewards Nessía with a human form. To stay human, she must find love. When the man she believes she loves casts her aside, Nessía responds to the betrayal by cursing the men of the MacDonald clan with the inability to keep a woman’s love. Only an act of true selflessness will break the curse.

After centuries pass, Nessía again searches for love. When Rory Hawthorn, an American scientist, arrives under the pretext of researching the earthquakes but in reality to research his MacDonald heritage and the curse, she believes she has found the perfect mate.

Amid stolen kisses, another earthquake, a steamy night of passion, and a broken heart, Nessía returns to the murky depths of the loch. When Rory dives in to follow her, he meets the green, scaly Loch Ness Monster. Assuming Nessía is in danger, he is intent on killing the monster and saving the woman he loves.

EXCERPT

Nessía wiped her hands, turned off the dining area’s lights, and stood at the open door. Staring at the loch, she crossed her arms to brave the cool breeze, then leaned against the doorjamb. Unwanted memories rose of the last time she lived in human form. A sigh escaped, the only sound other than footsteps on the gravel parking lot.

“Such a meaning-filled sigh. Anything I can do?”

The American—Rory—walked out of the dark like a Highland wolf of old. He stopped inches from her and she had to lean to the side to discern if he arrived alone.

“I thank ye for your concern, sir. A long day, ye might say. Where be your friends?”

“Kendra and Suzie? They went back to the B&B to…rest up. For tomorrow.”

“Urquhart Castle. You mentioned ye planned to visit the place. Great views of the loch, I hear tell.”

“What? A local and you’ve never walked the grounds?” Inches away, Rory raised an arm, then laid a palm against the doorjamb.

Directly over her head.

“I have seen it from the water. I do not care to trip over its ruins. But, have fun with the kids.” Nessía backed up, planning to lock the door, but his hand slid down to her shoulder.

“Don’t go,” Rory whispered.

His voice, as familiar as Monty’s sultry tone from long ago, made her hesitate a moment too long. Rory’s handsome face lowered until his lips brushed across her mouth. As his other hand gripped her waist, pinpoints of light followed the feathery sweep of his soft lips. A halo of desire, thick as morning mist, tangled around their bodies, and joined them as one. Had he noticed?

  

About the Author

Nancy loves chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander, the clang of dirks and broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. Nancy lives the dream. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, Nancy moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. She and her family continue to volunteer at the New Hampshire Highland Games each fall. Nancy is a member of RWA, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Sisters In Crime, FF&P Romance Writers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers. Nancy is a proud Army Mom, and she also writes romantic suspense as Nancy Lennea.

Check out her website www.nancyleebadger.com

and her blog www.RescuingRomance.nancyleebadger.com.

Follow her on Twitter @NLBadger

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/scmtx5

Title: DRAGON IN THE MIST

Author: Nancy Lee Badger

Genre: Romantic Fantasy E-Book

Length: 17,000 words

Amazon: http://amzn.to/pKlkG6

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/pzEYYh

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/oKGRDY

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