SCOTTISH SCRIBBLES

SCOTTISH SCRIBBLES


"O Scotia! my dear, my native soil!
For whom my warmest wish to heaven is sent;
Long may thy hardy sons of rustic toil
Be blest with health, and peace, and sweet content"
Robbie Burns

Thursday, November 11, 2010

FICTION FRIDAY!!

Yep, it’s Fiction Friday again. Though this week I am going to step away from the traditional romance fiction and offer up some new titles I recently have found, but haven’t read. They are historical in the true sense but are mostly mysteries. I have also included two ebooks that looked interesting from one of the very first Ebook publishers, Awe Struck Press. So here are my offerings with hopes that there will more straight historical fiction in the new year:


Those of you looking for a book set in the late medieval period of Scotland you might want to check out author Shona MacLean who as created the protagonist Alexander Seaton in two books. THE REDEMPTION OF ALXANDER SEATON takes place in 17th century Scotland and Alex is a wayward minister who is now a teacher and when a murder occurs at his school and one of his few friends is named the murder, he sets out to solve this thriller journey the killer but also finds himself. Her second book in the series, A GAME OF SORROWS, has Alexander heading to Ireland to help his family who is cursed








Mystery writer Shirley McKay has a two book series called the Hue Cullen mysteries.

In HUE AND CRY, Hue is a young Scottish university student in 1579 at Saint Andrews, when a young teenage boy is murdered on the campus. As he has recently returned from Paris he is drawn into the complex passions and secrets surrounding one of the Regents of the university and the murder. Add to these secrets are the over bearing atmosphere of the

Protestant Kirk and the academic community and you have a great mystery.

.

She follows up with FATE AND FORTUNE where life gets complicated for Hue in 1580 when his father dies, a young woman is found dead on the beach at St. Andrews and he finds a law manuscript in his father’s belongings. He is encouraged to read for the Bar in Edinburgh and before you know it when he has the manuscript published there is another murder and he fears that it is connected with the one in St Andrews. Though as he begins to investigate the two murders the truth may be closer than he wants to know.


From Awe Struck Books here are interesting titles:

Beltaine's Song by Kelley Heckart

For each of them, spring's song has a different meaning. Now king and queen of the powerful kingdom of Dal Riata, Aedan and Domelch have more than just Cailleach'swrath to contend with. Aedan struggles with being a king and being a husband. Domelch struggles with her beliefs, trying to be the Christianwoman Aedan wed, but her heart still thrums with the voices of old gods. They must battle earthly foes—enemy kings and traitorous allies. For the first time, the arrival of spring heralds the sound of a harsh battle horn as their foes close in. Through all this turmoil, can their love survive?” Awe Struck books


Campbell's Reivers by Neil Grant

This new novel is based on the exploits of young Alex Campbell, sent off by his father to join the newly-forming Scots Brigade in the Low Countries of Europe. Romance having been found in unusual circumstances, the young man finds himself forced to part from his new love and leave his native Scotland to take part in the war between His Most Catholic Majesty, Phillip II of Spain, and Prince William the Silent, Prince of Nassau/Orange. Leading troops recruited from the Border area of southern Scotland, Alex rides at the head of his small band of 'reivers' into the pages of the tumultuous history of 16th Century Europe. Awe Struck books.

8 comments:

Pat McDermott said...

An interesting array of authors, Jody. I will check them out. Loved hearing Andy Stewart on your site. He's one of my favorite singers.

Anita Clenney said...

All these stories sound so interesting, Jody. I wish I had more time to read.

Unknown said...

I'll second Anita's wish, Jody. I loved reading about the books you listed today and will put them on my list of books to pick up. They look wonderful. By the way, I LOVE the picture at the top of your blog!

Blythe Gifford said...

I have read the Redemption of Alexander Seaton. Very interesting glimpse of a little known period of history. I'd have a tendency to call it historical mystery. Didn't know she had another book out, so thanks for the heads up!

Jody said...

Pat, I too am a fan, I loved the Silly Wizards. I think one of the Cunninghams has passed on. I think it was the fiddler.

Jody said...

Anita,
As do I. I am reading more now because I start back to college in Jan and Feb and then there is only time to read for class but that is ok because they are both Scottish history classes.

Jody said...

I love that picture as well. I wanted to post one of Edinburgh Castle with snow that I took off of one of the Webcams but I lost it in my file. I liked Eilean Doonan Castle and tha twhole area. One time I was there for about three hours and thewather changed five times in tha period.

Jody said...

Blythe I have this one on my ipad to read eventually. It sounded interesting to me and your right it probably is more historical mystery. I have read a few historical mysteries that I like, like he Cadfel mysteries.