Even as a child growing up in an Italian-American household, March 17th has always been one of my favorite days of the year. My dad loved to celebrate every holiday with a bang, and this day, celebrating the Irish culture, was no different. After donning our Kiss Me, I’m Irish buttons, we would head into downtown Manhattan to see the parade, and then go back home for dad’s famous corned-beef and cabbage. It’s a tradition I still carry on with my husband (who is, of course, Irish) and our kids.
Imagine how happy I was when I discovered that this time of Celtic appreciation had been extended for a few more weeks. Tartan Week in Manhattan runs from the end of March to the beginning of April. Scottish pride abounds at such glorious events as the Dressed To Kilt fashion show, the Tartan Day parade, The Scottish Village in Grand Central Terminal, and the 10K Scottish run in Central Park.
It was at the Scottish Village where I met the hero of my next Grand Central release, A Highlander Never Surrenders, in the flesh. His name is Chris Capaldi, model and former rugby star from Edinburgh. (Or as I now affectionately refer to him, Graham Grant—notorious Highland rogue.) Here’s how it went down. The Scottish Village hosts a small fashion show that was about to begin. I love kilts. I’ll watch.
Donning a kilt of black leather and matching jacket that he held closed at his chest, Chris stepped onto to stage like he owned it. His tousled mop of deep amber hair eclipsed killer green eyes that sparkled with confidence and a hint of wickedness. All he did was smile and a horde of women behind me started whooping and cheering in a dozen different languages. Oh yeah, he knew the ladies were digging him and he fed the frenzy by sliding the jacket off his bare bronze shoulders and curling his sulky mouth into a grin so salacious I swear every woman in attendance sighed at the same time. Six feet three inches of pure rogue. Grand Central was never so hot. 
Did I mention I love Scotland…and kilts? Oh, right, and St. Patrick’s Day! I’ll be celebrating today, but next week I’m off to the Scottish Village to see Chris again. Research purposes, you know. Sigh, someone’s got to do it.
Visit my website to read a free chapter of my August 2008 release, A Highlander Never Surrenders, and check out more pictures of Chris! www.paulaquinn.com/ timessquare.com – Great Scots, It’s Tartan Week!
Available now
Lord Of Desire
Lord Of Temptation
Lord Of Seduction
Available Dec ’07
Laird Of The Mist
Available Aug ’08
A Highlander Never Surrenders
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