A Rogue in Firelight

Susan here, bringing you a cover reveal for my latest release, A Rogue in Firelight, the first book in the Whisky Rogues series, available in preorder for a May 17 publication date.

It’s a new edition of a previous publication in a gorgeous new version; two related books will be released this summer (A Rogue in Twilight and A Rogue in Moonlight) with equally stunning covers by artist Dar Albert. I’m also writing new stories for this series for release early next year. I’m thrilled with the cover—it captures the hero perfectly, and the addition of sparkles and even a tiny fairy are perfect too, since fairy legends are part of this book and others in the series. (The other covers are beautiful too! More on those soon!)

Reissuing a book in a new edition is one of the advantages of digital publishing, offering authors the opportunity to revisit, revise, update, tweak, and make a story fresher — and a new edition gives new readers a chance to find these stories. And I’m excited about these gorgeous new Dragonblade editions because I’m writing new stories related to these characters — new Highland heroes and heroines and further adventure-romance in Regency Scotland.

Here’s the full knockout of a cover–and a little about the book!

Can she reform him – or will she be the one transformed?

It’s a rainy, steamy summer in Edinburgh, 1822, when Ronan MacGregor, Highland laird, lawyer, and whisky distiller, is invited to meet King George IV during the royal visit to Scotland – but the so-called Whisky Rogue is cooling his heels in the castle dungeon, awaiting trial for smuggling, an awkward problem for the city. Enter Ellison Graham, the deputy provost’s daughter (and secret adventure novelist), tasked with cleaning up the Highland rogue for the royal introduction. Ronan has no interest in meeting the king and only wants to ensure safety for the people of his glen—while Ellison is eager for adventure at last. Neither expects a few etiquette lessons at a remote Highland estate to lead to mayhem, unmask a murderer—and bring unexpected love–and a touch of fairy magic–into their lives.

“Had me enthralled from the opening chapter and it just kept getting better as the plot unfolded.” – Amazon reader

“A wonderful story—handsome kilted Highlanders, whisky smugglers, intrigue and forbidden love, all set against the stunning backdrop of Scotland, and with a hint of fairy magic. A brilliant read!”
– Christina Courtenay (check out her newest, Shadows in the Spring )

A little about the story . . .

Whisky smuggling in Scotland was a very active and tricky business in the 18th and 19th centuries. Distillers, crofters, smugglers, and excise officers walked the Highland hills at night, running goods, including valuable Highland whisky, to the border and the sea to sell their excellent product. Some were criminals—on both sides of the law—and many Scots smuggled in part to provide for their families in the face of oppressive English laws.

With a hero who was a smuggler, distiller, and an advocate of the law, and a heroine who idolized Sir Walter Scott, researching this novel was endlessly fascinating, taking me deep into whisky production and the business of smuggling, along with Scottish customs and Scots law (which was so interesting, especially when I found a little legal twist for the story!). And King George’s visit to Scotland in August 1822 was great fun to study — a wild spectacle of pageantry and Celtic magnificence amid crowds of thousands. Each book in the Whisky Rogues series and new related books has a connection to the king’s visit. More about that later too!

How do you feel about Highland heroes, Highland whisky (and whisky smugglers), and Highland adventure-romance? And what do you think of the new cover?