Under the Same Sky, by Genevieve Graham

Review by Lavender Ironside

Genevieve Graham’s debut novel, set dually in Colonial America and Scotland, is a sweet, inspiring romance spiked with just enough action and mystery to keep the reader turning pages just as fast as she can.

Under the Same Sky follows the lives of two people destined to be lovers, though they are separated by a vast distance.  Maggie is the eldest daughter of a poor farming family in South Carolina, gifted with “the Sight” -- the ability to dream the future, and sometimes the present as well.  She is also able to summon up images of a boy her age living in an unknown place, and she and the dream-boy grow up together, constant companions who never the less have not yet met. 

The dream boy is Andrew, a Scottish lad of the MacDonnell clan.  As Andrew and Maggie grow to adulthood, he, his brothers, and father are swept into the war with England; meanwhile, Maggie’s family is devastated by the murder of their mother and the girls’ capture and attempted sale into sexual slavery.  Unthinkable tragedies befall Maggie’s family and Andrew’s, and the two set out to build new lives for themselves, still maintaining their mystical connection and the comfort that their strange friendship brings.

Maggie’s path leads her to take up with the local Cherokee village, where she is allowed to hone her skill with the Sight without fear of being burned as a witch.  Andrew, meanwhile, feels compelled to leave Scotland and head for the New World – partly to seek out Maggie, whom he can feel calling to him.

Graham’s prose at the beginning of the novel is absolutely rapturous, full of lush imagery and a quietly confident voice that had me hooked immediately.  My one quibble with the book is that after a few chapters that lovely prose settled into a plainer, more straightforward storytelling style – not an authorial crime by any means, but I did find myself wishing for more of that delicious prose as I read to the novel’s final scene.  In spite of that one complaint, Under the Same Sky is a well-paced book, switching deftly between the two point-of-view characters at just the right moments and never lagging too long between scenes of tension or action.

Ultimately, this is a novel about redemption – either Maggie or Andrew could have turned sour after the tragedies they’ve faced, but both choose to turn to the promise of love instead, and both take comfort and find purpose in caring for people in need.  They are inspiring characters, and it is a delight to watch their romance develop.  Genevieve Graham is one to watch for historical romance readers.

Culloden Spirit by Anita Davison

A fabulous Victorian era Paranormal Romance

Overview

Carrie Gordon's season in her native York was an unqualified success, until the young man who paid her so much attention married someone else.

When her family takes a summer trip to her father’s ancestral home in the Scottish Highlands, her handsome Scottish cousin, Duncan McRae, takes an immediate dislike to Carrie, mainly due to her father’s plans to refurbish Cair Innes castle which is in need of extensive repair beyond the means of its present owner and resident, Iain McRae.

Carrie feels the vacation will be a disaster until she discovers a strange young man while exploring the derelict castle, However, she soon learns Ruairi McRae is not what he seems, and the battle he intends to fight was lost by his clan a hundred and fifty years before.

Will Carrie be able to accept that she cannot be part of Ruairi’s world? And when the Roma arrive to camp on Bucks Meadow as they do every summer, who is the beautiful gypsy girl Duncan won't talk about?

Review

I always enjoy Anita Davison’s novels, and I was eager to read Culloden Spirit, her latest release. I love a good Scottish historical novel, and this one promised to be a good one. It certainly did not disappoint.

Culloden Spirit is a Victorian paranormal romance about a young American woman, Carrie Gordon who travels to her ancestral home in Scotland, which is in desperate need of repair. Surrounded by the highlands, Carrie encounters her dashing cousin, Duncan McRae, and an endearing young man named Ruari. These two love interests form the basis of the story. As she slowly gets to know each of these fascinating men, historical secrets about her ancestors and the castle itself are slowly and very tantalizingly revealed.

If you’ve never read one of Anita Davison’s books, I encourage you to pick one up. She is a talented writer who paints vivid pictures of landscapes, clothing, and the social norms of the era. Her scenes are sprinkled with realistic character nuances that makes them real, as if they can leap off the page. Her strong writing skills and knowledge of the Victorian era lends realism to the tale, especially with the addition of an underlying paranormal element. With her lyrical prose, she stirs a reader’s emotion. A subplot of a mysterious Roma family living in the castle’s shadows added interest and variety. Intrigue, mystery, a strong romance, and a shocking surprise ending makes this novel a must read! Two thumbs up!

Freedom's Sword by J.R. Tomlin

Before William Wallace... before Robert the Bruce... there was another Scottish hero...

In 1296, newly knighted by the King of the Scots, Andrew de Moray fights to defend his country against the forces of the ruthless invader, King Edward Longshanks of England. After a bloody defeat in battle, he is dragged in chains to an English dungeon. Soon the young knight escapes. He returns to find Scotland under the heel of a conqueror and his betrothed sheltering in the hills of the Black Isle. Seizing his own castle, he raises the banner of Scottish freedom. Now he must lead the north of Scotland to rebellion in hope of defeating the English army sent to crush them.

Andrew de Moray is a man trapped between battles between Scotland and England. Captured by the English, he is held prisoner, but manages to escape. Free at last, he pledges his fealty to Scotland’s King John, and sets out to rid Scotland of the English. He teams up with William Wallace, and together amass an army succeed in winning some major battles.

The novel focuses heavily on the military and political aspects of this period and dwells only lightly on his personal life. The story also includes a subplot about Caitrina, the youngest daughter of a lord, who was being pushed to become a nun against her wishes, which I found quite appealing. Freedom’s Sword is a great introductory novel into Scotland’s early and turbulent history.

Tom Fleck by Harry Nicholson

Reviewed by: L. Greg Graham

Every once in a great while the lucky reader finds a book that he wants to go on forever. Tom Fleck is such a book. A good historical novel takes the reader into a world that he knows little of and allows him to walk around in someone else’s life. A very good novel makes the reader want to live there. This novel transports the reader to the windswept pastures and fens of northeast England at the time of the Battle of Flodden. At first, 16th century England appears to be a well ploughed field until you discover that Henry VIII and his many wives assert no royal prerogatives here, and Elizabeth launches no fleets of plucky Englishmen to fend off the Spanish Armada. Instead, we live with common men trying to survive one of the bloodiest battles in English history.

This is the story of a landless cowherd working the less than bountiful lands of a minor lord in the north of England. His goal in life is to own a few acres so that he can pasture his own cattle and live in a house with a roof that does not leak on him and his sister. What are his assets? He’s a pretty good shot with a longbow, he has a gold piece that he dug out of an ancient burial mound, and he has a dog that does a good job of running down rabbits and retrieving them. I have no intention of summarizing the plot. Why spoil the fun of going along with Tom on his ride up to the borderlands?

I will say however, that I have always held a fascination for the borderlands between England and Scotland during the 15th and the 16th century. In many ways, these people are much more the cradles of American democracy than any documents signed by King John at Runnymede. The attitudes these northerners hold are the same as those found in America a century later: advancement should be based upon skill and drive rather than on birth right; the absolute rejection of the belief that one’s station in life is determined at birth; self reliance, and a general distrust of authority.

Harry Nicholson could easily have set this story on the frontier in 18th century America. He wouldn’t have even had to change the names. Those border clans basically peopled America over the next century bringing with them their drive and spirit.

Nicholson’s descriptions are exquisite. His love for the land comes through on every page. This novel is practically a tribute to the landforms, the fauna and the flora of northeast England. The author treats the reader to the trills of the larks, and the ‘pee-wit’ cries of the plovers. We see the forget-me-nots, the speedwells, and the eyebright that grow along the lanes. During the Battle of Flodden, the author takes the time to describe a covey of partridge scared up by the sound of the cannon fire and the look of the trampled wild irises growing along a creek the day after the battle.

The author depicts everyday life. Lords and ladies are mentioned only because they must be, but the author’s eye is ever on the common people. Tom meets good and bad folk. The soldiers are not faceless extras. They are conscripts far from home who must fend for themselves. For them battle is a scary, brutal business where few are lucky to survive unharmed. Tom, on the eve of Flodden, recites his version the soldier’s lament that he fights for master’s he does not like against men he does not hate for a cause the means nothing to him.” Apparently nothing has changed over the centuries.

I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good adventure about people that don’t usually have their story told. I wish Harry Nicholson good luck on this novel, and I truly hope it is the first of many.

Isabeau by N. Gemini Sasson

Isabeau by N. Gemini Sasson

The fascinating life of Queen Isabella of France and her marriage to England's King Edward II is spectacularly portrayed in N. Gemini Sasson’s newest novel, Isabeau. This riveting story sweeps the reader into the turbulence of 14th century England, Scotland, and France with passion and detailed historical fact.

From the earliest days of her marriage to Edward, Isabeau learns she must compete for her husband's attentions. Piers Gaveston is her husband's favourite, his lover; a peacock of a man whom Edward showers with gifts of vast wealth. Edward's incompetence on the throne of England is evident to everyone. His apparent attentions to Piers angers politicians and leaders. As the misguided Edwards errs in his political judgements, Isabeau attempts to guide her husband. Not only beautiful, but highly intelligent with sharp diplomatic skills, Isabeau attempts to influence Edward's decisions to keep tensions both within and outside of England to a minimum, but it proves to be a daunting task.

Edward, however, is not so easily influenced and as time passes, matters worsen for him. His unpopularity reaches new heights. The attentions he lavishes upon Piers Gaveston ires his countrymen and soon Piers is executed. Isabeau is hopeful that perhaps now, her husband will turn his attentions back to her. It was not to be. Before long, she learns her husband has taken a new lover - Hugh Despenser, a dangerous, ambitious man who will stop at nothing to wield his influence and destroy Isabeau whom he sees as his enemy.

Isabeau's plight increases as Hugh Despenser manipulates Edward's every action. Isabeau finds herself separated by her children and sent to France to negotiate on her husband's behalf. It is in France that she reunites with Sir Roger Mortimer, a man she saved from the Tower several years earlier. Unable to deny their love for each other, the two enter into a dangerous liaison that will take them back to the shores of England where Isabelle leads an army to recapture the country on behalf of her son, Edward III.

From start to finish, the novel, Isabeau, kept me turning its pages. Lulled by the beautiful prose and stunning descriptions, N. Gemini Sasson breathed life into the woman known as the She-Wolf and portrayed her with sensitivity and great humanity. As I made my way through the story, I was impressed by Sasson's descriptions of people and places. Every detail of every scene was written with clarity, activating all the reader's senses. The novel spans nearly twenty years of her life and includes numerous characters of the era. The fact that the author has spent years researching English and Scottish history during this time is evident. For anyone who loves European history or biographical novels about influential women of days of yore, you must read this novel. It will bring you hours of reading pleasure. I guarantee it.

Review: The Crown in The Heather by N. Gemini Sasson

The Crown in the Heather – The Bruce Trilogy: Book I by N. Gemini Sasson

“Whenever we want something, we must weigh the cost of getting it. A farthing is a fair price for a loaf of bread. Two shillings for a yard of wool. But what price will a man pay to be his own master?”

This question is at the heart of N. Gemini Sasson’s debut, The Crown in the Heather – The Bruce Trilogy: Book I, and it is the primary concern driving the central character of Robert the Bruce. Heir to the earldom of Carrick, Robert grows up headstrong and impulsive. Under the tutelage of his grandfather and father, he learns to negotiate the politics of thirteenth-century Scotland. Yet he yearns to be more than one among many Scots held in the sway of the English King. Robert wants to be the ruler of a county free from the severity and abuses of its nominal leaders. His ambition is a direct threat to England and several of the Scottish nobles, who refuse to rally around his claim.

As Gemi says in her Author’s Note, folklore sometimes defines the truth of what we know about a character. Robert the Bruce has taken on an almost mythical status over the centuries, like that of King Arthur. I enjoyed so much of Gemi’s portrayal, but foremost is that her Robert is a devoted son and brother, a loving husband and father. He is also a king passionately dedicated to the preservation of his people and their country. Where he wavers in his devotion, is when his own ambitions endanger the lives of those whom he loves most, particularly his wife Elizabeth and daughter Marjorie. I could feel the struggle inside of him, thanks to Gemi’s skill. He became so real to me, conflicted by his desires, wanting the stewardship of his nation despite an easy temptation to capitulate and surrender the burden. His quest for the crown of Scotland almost guarantees that he will never have the comforts of home. Moments of joy with his wife and daughter are fleeting, snatched in brief interludes before threats arise. Robert’s passion for Elizabeth, like everything else about him, is larger than life. Varied historical figures complete the cast of the Crown in the Heather, most notably William Wallace of Braveheart fame; the nemesis of the Scots, King Edward I of England and his beleaguered heir, Edward of Caernarvon; John the Red Comyn, a one-time Guardian of Scotland like Wallace, and a host of other characters.

One among them truly stands out: James Douglas, whose story parallels Robert’s own. He is in danger of eclipsing Robert as the hero of this story. James suffers losses early on, followed by a cruel exile in Paris. His experiences toughen him, but his innate goodness defies his otherwise wily behavior and a tendency to rush to confront his enemies. If I can liken the Bruce to King Arthur, then James Douglas is his Lancelot. It is only in the latter half of the book that James becomes one of the more trusted members of Robert’s retinue, but he easily proves himself a capable fighter and constant companion. His portrayal left me so captivated that I promised Gemi I would just wait for Book II, rather than rushing off to learn more about him and his ultimate fate.

I have had the pleasure of working with Gemi for a few years through critique groups, and from the start, she amazed me with her natural ability to convey human emotions, as deftly as a professional artist sketches landscapes. Her characters are vibrant and resonate beyond the pages of the book. Gemi has earned my respect and admiration for her enthusiasm and dedication to perfecting her work. It was a tremendous honor and pleasure to read the final version of The Crown in the Heather. I eagerly look forward to more on Robert the Bruce and his faithful cohort, James Douglas, in Book II.

Tomorrow, win a free autographed copy of this book. Visit us again at Historical Novel Review.


Book: Kindle:

Book Giveaway: Clan by David P. Elliott

“Suddenly Elliot shuddered, just as he had when they first arrived at the cottage, but this time the temperature drop was accompanied by a strong feeling of nausea and a feeling that something was clenching at his heart. His vision was blurred and he felt faint. Suddenly his body was soaked, as he broke out in a cold sweat, reminiscent of his night terrors. Sweat ran from his hairline into his eyes and through his blurred vision he saw a hooded face looking at him from one of the windows.”

If you enjoy Scottish history, with a good dose of the paranormal, David P. Elliot’s Clan revels in both. The author is skilled at depicting and manipulating myriad emotions, with his vivid descriptions and powerful characterizations.

As Clan opens, a great medieval battle unfolds between two giants, William Wallace, of Braveheart fame, and William de Soulis, lord of the ancient Hermitage Castle. Both men survive and while Wallace goes on to the fate history has recorded, de Soulis’s life takes him in a different, and far more dangerous, direction. Centuries later in 2007, David Elliot, three times divorced and now jobless, contemplates his dreary past and the bleak outlook for the future. His daughter Kate convinces him to take a much-needed vacation with her husband Simon and their son Thomas, in the Newcastleton area, once home to generations of his clan, the Elliots. It was also the scene of hundreds of years of border strife between the English and Scots, as both sides fought for the Scottish throne.

Unexpected events and meetings with strange characters convince David that his journey is more than a simple getaway, but an opportunity to deal with the demons of his past, bring meaning to his dissolute life, and discover the power of love and family. Though separated by centuries, his fate is on a direct collision course with the will of William de Soulis, who reaches from the dark recesses of the past to reclaim his birthright and the destiny his enemies have kept from him.

Clan met all my expectations for a good read, but I was truly impressed at how well the author handled the various scenes, juxtaposed from differing points of view. In addition to Elliot and his family, the author also introduces us to Andrea Dettori, the shady leader of the Soulis Foundation; Thomas Truman, a seemingly harmless old man, with ties to Elliot’s past, and other engaging characters. I was engrossed throughout the chapters and had to pace myself and just enjoy the story as it unfolded.

I’m not one to scare easily, but the paranormal scenes especially spooked me, and I felt no shame in confiding to the author that I refused to read the book at night. In addition to the violent, soulless villains, the author introduces some of the most depraved and vicious creatures to ever terrorize on the page, called Red Caps. Whenever one appeared, I expected a bloody mess and the author always delivered.

Clan is currently available in several countries and has been featured at the Hawick Museum and the Liddesdale Heritage Centre in the Scots Borders.




PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT TO WIN A COPY OF CLAN, AND VISIT US FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH FEATURED AUTHOR, DAVID P. ELLIOT.

Review of Highlander - The History of the Legendary Highland Soldier by Tim Newark

‘Highlander – The History of the Highland Soldier’ by Tim Newark is a non-fiction book that spans the history of the Highlander Regiments from the late 17^th Century to now. It explores the individuals’ stories rather than presenting a bone-dry list of dates and accounts of casualties.

Over centuries, the fierce fighting spirit of the Highland soldier transformed the legend of the ‘wild savage’ of the North to a well respected member of the British Isles. The Gaelic culture of the clans was based on warring, loyalty, and honor in the Highlands and the Western Isles for a thousand years. In the early modern times, many Highlanders joined the first regiments patrolling the Highlands at first on private basis and later as standing armies. The journey of the Highland Regiments takes off when in mid-eighteenth century the Jacobites rose for their last time and subsequently were crushed on the boggy grounds of Culloden field. Young Highlanders were left with little choices to earn their living, and the only way of having a military career was by joining regiments. From then on, the Highlander Regiments stood their ground for Great Britain in many foreign countries, in Canada, in the USA, in India and many countries more. 

Tim Newark allows us a closer look what had happened on the battlefields by sharing the soldiers’ personal stories, derived from letters, diaries, and journals. It’s this human touch which makes the book despite of its blood-drenched battlegrounds readable and even enjoyable. The book debunks some myths and adds scantly known events to the time line. Admittedly, the reader should have an interest in military action and the history of the Highland regiments, but the wealth of personalized experiences makes the book recommendable and standing out from many other military history books. ‘Highlander – The History of the Highland Soldier’ is an excellent resource for all who want to learn more about the legendary soldier of the Highlands.

Highland Blessings by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

The story opens with the death of Bryce MacPhearson’s father in the Highlands of Scotland of 1473, who entreats his son to make him a promise that he hopes will end a half century of feuding between his clan and the MacKenzies.

In an effort to carry out his vow, warrior Bryce kidnaps Akira MacKenzie on her wedding day with the intention of marrying her to his reluctant elder brother, Evan. However, the timing is not ideal, for it is Akira’s wedding day to Gregor Matheson, although Bryce cannot know that Akira has already renounced her prospective groom. Dragged off on Bryce’s horse, Akira is horrified to learn she is intended not for the man who kidnapped her, but for his brother, Evan MacPhearson.

Humiliated, Akira fights Bryce and the two enter into a resentful but grudging alliance when through his carelessness, she almost drowns. He takes her home to recover, but then Akira learns Evan has little intention of marrying a MacKenzie and her humiliation is complete.

Akira forms a bond with the MacPhearson deaf-mute younger brother, Sim, but then her clan enters MacPhearson land to reclaim her and in a skirmish of misunderstanding, Arkira’s prospective groom and Evan are killed.

In order to keep his promise to his father, and now Clan Chief, Bryce forces the issue by marrying Akira by proxy and presenting her with a fait accomplis. Furious, Akira refuses to accept him at first, but her feelings undergo a change when she learns more of her husband’s character. Perhaps God has given her a higher purpose in this forced marriage.

An uneasy truce exists between Bryce and Akira’s brothers, Elliot and Gavin. Then a string of murders leaves a trail of suspicion and fear, so that Akira no longer trusts anyone and worse, Bryce doesn’t trust her. Before long, Akira finds her own life is in jeopardy.

Clearly, there is a traitor in their midst who must be uncovered, or Bryce may never get past his suspicions about his wife and neither can find happiness .

Highland Blessings is a gentle story which takes a sinister twist when the plot turns to murder. Akira is a confused girl who doesn’t understand what her role is and to whom she should feel loyalty. Feeling unloved by her family, she seeks a way to come to terms with what God has destined for her. Her battles become more complicated as she falls deeper in love with Bryce.

Jennifer Hudson Taylor’s Akira MacKenzie draws Medieval Scotland very well in her characters and their motivations, beliefs and loyalties. I found her heroine more reflective and soul searching than the usual romantic heroine, but then that could be because I have never read an inspirational romance before, so her internal conflict and its conclusion have a purpose.

For those who revel in stories of Medieval Scotland and the romantic Highlands in particular, you will find empathy with Akira and her battles, both emotional and spiritual.

The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots

The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots by Carolly Erickson is a sweeping 16th century saga that follows the tumultuous life of Mary Stewart from her days in France until her death. Mary inherits the throne of Scotland as an infant, leaving her mother, Marie de Guise, to serve as her regent. Although wed at a young age to the meek King Francis, Mary settles into the comforts of French court life and has little desire to return to her homeland. But when Mary is eventually widowed, it is the arrival of the charming and roguish James, Earl of Bothwell, that convinces her to return to Scotland with him.

Mary, however, is not prepared for the power struggles that divide her country and the anti-Catholic reception she receives and thus her authority is never firmly established. Bothwell becomes her closest advisor, but his obligation to marry another woman drives Mary to seek a husband elsewhere. When the self-absorbed Lord Henry Darnley arrives in court, Mary, like so many others, is drawn to his physical beauty, despite his selfish behavior. Although Bothwell warns her from him, Mary weds Darnley. The marriage is disastrous from the outset, the only blessing being the birth of her son, James. When Darnley is murdered, both Bothwell and Mary are implicated; but Bothwell manages to have his marriage annulled and he and Mary soon marry. Fighting the tide of public condemnation, they must take to the battlefield, where they are eventually forced to terms: Bothwell flees into exile and Mary is taken into captivity. In time, desperate to escape her Scottish enemies, Mary seeks refuge under the protection of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth of England.

But Mary has reason to believe that her cousin seeks her death and she manages to escape her English captors to visit the Pope, who supports her efforts to reclaim her throne. But hopes gradually erode as plans fail to materialize and, after a long period wandering, Mary once again finds herself a prisoner of her indomitable cousin, Queen Elizabeth.

Although Erickson freely admits that some of this book’s events are her own interpretations, it is an enjoyable and worthwhile read for those interested in Mary Stuart or the period. It may even have benefited from expanding on some events, as Mary’s story is indeed a complicated and tragic one. The prose is unencumbered and Mary’s transition – from an indifferent adolescent queen, to the young woman in love with a hotheaded Scottish earl, to the wiser, more regal ruler who bears the responsibility of her birthright with grave determination – is believable and engaging. Erickson’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth as a very complex, sometimes enigmatic and decidedly imperative figure adds an intriguing layer to this standoff between royal cousins. By far, the highlight of The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots is the enduring love story between Mary and Bothwell, which one only wishes could have had a happier ending.

Blue Bells of Scotland by Laura Vosika

Back Cover Blurb:

Blue Bells of Scotland
Shawn Kleiner has it all: money, fame, a skyrocketing career as an international musical phenomenon, his beautiful girlfriend Amy, and all the women he wants-- until the night Amy has enough and leaves him stranded in a Scottish castle tower.

He wakes up to find himself mistaken for Niall Campbell, medieval Highland warrior. Soon after, he is sent shimmying down a wind-torn castle wall into a dangerous cross country trek with Niall's tempting, but knife-wielding fiancee. They are pursued by English soldiers and a Scottish traitor who want Niall dead.

Thrown forward in time, Niall learns history’s horrifying account of his own death, and of the Scots’ slaughter at Bannockburn. Undaunted, he navigates the roiled waters of Shawn’s life-- pregnant girlfriend, amorous fans, enemies, and gambling debts--- seeking a way to leap back across time to save his people, especially his beloved Allene. His growing fondness for Shawn’s life brings him face to face with his own weakness and teaches him the true meaning of faith.

Blue Bells of Scotland is both a historical adventure and a tale of redemption that will be remembered long after the last page has been turned.

So begins the Blue Bells of Scotland Trilogy....

The First Line: "'Shawn' means 'self' and 'Kleiner' means 'centered!'" His girlfriend, an English major, flung it at him as an insult.

Review:

My What would happen if two men travelled through time and found themselves in different centuries and immersed in each others’ lives? This is exactly the premise behind the novel, BLUE BELLS OF SCOTLAND, by Laura Vosika.

Niall Campbell is a medieval warrior, military trainer, and future son-in-law of the laird of his clan. One day, he will assume leadership of the clan. But as the winds of war brew, Niall and his betrothed, Allene, argue. In a drunken state, Niall falls asleep. When he awakens, he finds himself thrust seven hundred years into the future into the life of a famous musician and womanizer by the name of
Shawn Kleiner. It is here that he learns the fate of his country and his people.

Shawn Kleiner is a famous musician, spoiled and arrogant, who wields his power and money to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself that will get him what he wants. After a spat with his girlfriend, Amy, he find himself immersed in the life of Niall Campbell in 14th century Scotland.

BLUE BELLS OF SCOTLAND is an entertaining, sometimes humorous, sometimes sad story, about two men propelled into adverse situations, which will forever alter their lives. Laura Vosika is a storyteller with a propensity for lots of details which truly makes this story vivid and believable. She skilfully weaves plenty of tension into the tale as the reader explores Scottish history. The main characters not travel through time, but they find themselves on a journey of self-discovery. As such, they evolve and change in a touching, sometimes heart-wrenching manner. It is this, along with a richness of detail, that makes this story larger than life. BLUE BELLS OF SCOTLAND, is the first instalment of a three book series. For lovers of time travel, medieval, or Scottish history, this story has it all.

Lady Macbeth by Susan Fraser King

This week, our featured author is Susan Fraser King, whose Lady Macbeth is now available in paperback. We're pleased to feature our review of the novel. Visit the blog during the week to win a copy of Lady Macbeth.

Forever etched in memory as a villain by Shakespeare’s play, the wife of the Scots King Macbeth is redeemed by Susan Fraser King’s portrayal in Lady Macbeth. The author breathes new life into the character of Lady Gruadh, nicknamed Rue in her childhood and relies heavily on historical details to flesh out the life of one of Scotland’s most enigmatic and maligned queens.

From Gruadh’s tragic beginnings, with the deaths of her siblings and mother, to her ill-fated first marriage, her ties to the Scottish crown weigh heavily upon her. Treachery abounds in the land as Vikings from the north, Saxons from the south and other Scottish lords set their sights on the crown. Union with the chieftain Gilcomgan of Moray places Gruadh at the center of conflict between her husband and Macbeth, who will do anything to regain his ancestral home at Moray. When Gilcomgan dies tragically in a fire, Gruadh marries Macbeth, despite knowing in her heart that he made her a widow and left her newborn son Lulach fatherless. She recognizes Macbeth’s true ambitions and despises him, but in time, Gruadh comes to understand her role in his life and in Scottish history. Through further tragedy and betrayal, Gruadh and Macbeth scale the heights of power in their quest to unite Scotland against its enemies.

I highly recommend Lady Macbeth to readers of historical fiction, lovers of Scottish history and those who want to be transported on an engrossing journey to the past. Ms. King truly brings to life a time where kings and queens shaped the destiny of their countries through intrigue and skilled maneuvering. The historical detail is rich, with well-known figures interspersed among a myriad of characters. In her portrayal of Lady Gruadh, King strips away the myths and legends surrounding a woman much maligned by history to reveal a queen who was foremost, a dutiful mother and a true partner to her husband.

Jen Black's Far After Gold

This week we are pleased to have our friend and fellow writer, Jen Black, author of Far After Gold, as a featured author on our blog. Please check back throughout the week for her author interview, book excerpts, and a chance to win a copy of Ms. Black’s latest novel.

Jen Black’s Far After Gold is a captivating, romantic novel that proves love can grow in even the direst of circumstances. When Emer, an island chieftain’s daughter, is captured by Vikings and taken to the Dublin slave market, she can think about nothing but escape. However, when Flane Ketilsson, a Viking warrior, buys her as his bed slave, preserving her virginity becomes her most prevalent concern, although escape is never far from her mind.

Despite her growing desire for the handsome, charming Flane, Emer refuses to sleep with him unless he marries her. But Flane proves to be the least of her problems. Katla, the steading chieftain’s daughter and Flane’s fiancée, is determined to get rid of Emer at all costs. In love with Flane and refusing to share him with anyone, Katla treats Emer cruelly, accuses her of stealing, and sets the hunting dogs after the girl when she runs away. However, Katla is not Emer’s only adversary. Gamell, another Viking warrior, wants Emer for his own and will stop at nothing to have her.

The attraction between Flane and Emer soon blossoms into love, which presents Flane with a difficult decision: choose Emer and destroy his chance to become chieftain, or marry a woman he doesn’t love and lose his Emer forever. But Flane thinks he can have it all, no matter what the cost, breaking Emer’s heart.

Will Emer and Flane’s love triumph over adversity, or will Flane’s pride, Katla’s rage, and Gamell’s wickedness destroy any chance they have at happiness?

Published by Quaestor2000 in January 2009, Far After Gold is a masterpiece. Also the author of The Banners of Alba and Dark Pool, Ms. Black’s latest book continues to showcase her talent of engaging, quality writing and storytelling. She creates a vivid, rich setting with realistic, charming characters that are easy to identify with, making it impossible for the reader to put the book down until the touching conclusion. I believe this book is one of Ms. Black’s finest works, and I can’t wait to see what she’ll write next.