What Makes YOU Proud To Be Irish?

St Patrick's Day is just around the corner and I'm always amazed at the rush around the world to celebrate all things Irish.

Growing up in Northern Ireland in the 1980's, I never understood why people who didn't live here thought it was a great country. Bombs, army patrols and feeling like outsiders were all part of our lives here during The Troubles and left us somewhat embarrassed about our country.

These days though, we have much to be proud of! Belfast in particular has become a vibrant city, as our recent visitors will testify. We hosted the EMAs with Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez among the stars to grace the Odyssey Arena.

                                     Oh yeah, and we had a streaker!

Incidentally, the Odyssey is home to our own ice hockey team, The Belfast Giants, who have been in residence for the last decade and brought this fabulous sport to our doorstep :)

Our golfers have put us on the map recently too, with Rory McIroy as the current World Number One.

This year also sees the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic (the saying here is that an Irish man built the greatest ship in the world but an English man sank it!) With the highly anticipated opening of the Titanic exhibition centre already attracting millions of pounds in ticket pre-sales.

Of course, our magnificent scenery is a huge draw for tourists and film-makers alike and HBO's Game of Thrones cast and crew are a regular feature along our north coast.

                             One of these days my stalking will pay off!

So there you have it, I'm Irish, and finally proud.

What about you? Leave me a comment and tell me what it is connects you to the country or why you love it and I'll enter you into a draw for a copy of my novella, Pyramid of Passion.

Take part in the St. Patrick's Day Blog hop here  to win a stack of prizes, including Grand Prizes of a Kindle Fire/Nook Tablet and $90 Amazon/Barnes&Noble gift card.

And as an extra Paddy's Day present to you, here's a snippet of my next novella, In Her Element with Ana, my very own fiery Irish heroine. Pour yourself a pint and enjoy...

In Her Element Blurb

Ana Chapman is ready for a little excitement in her life. She gets more than she bargains for when she steps foot in the Blood Bar in Edinburgh to meet her writer friends. Spontaneous orgies and the supernatural are nothing compared to one ex-Fire Elemental, Zanaan, who stops at nothing to show her the time of her life.


In Her Element By Jorja Lovett

"You shouldn't be going through this alone." Zanaan whispered. "Relax and go with it."

"Go with what?" Ana asked as another wave of uncontrollable pleasure washed over her.

"That," he said, giving her a lopsided smirk. He bent down until his lips were almost touching hers. "This."

                                                                                    

She held her breath; her heart pounded, knowing she was waiting for that final kiss. She was a slave to her arousal—the tightening of her nipples, the dampness between her legs—all awaiting his touch. Her eyes fluttered shut, but the kiss never came.

The warmth of his breath skimmed across her skin, into her ear and down her neck until Ana couldn't stand it anymore.

"Mmm." She bit her lip, attempting to stem the pressure building inside, but she was too far gone. Her legs quivered in the unsteady heels, and she flattened her hands against the wall to steady herself. All at once, her release came—fast, furious, and feeling fucking amazing.

"Well, that's a first."

At the sound of his deep voice in her ear, she fought her way back through the haze in her brain.

"What is?"

"I've never made a woman come without laying a finger on her." He stirred that tingling sensation all over again.

"You didn't—I didn't—I've never—" she said indignantly, then gave a frustrated grunt.

"Get out of my way!" Embarrassed and confused by her behavior, she shoved him in the chest and made her escape, the sound of his laughter ringing in her ears.

In Her Element, part of The Blood Bar Chronicles.
Coming Soon with Breathless Press.