SCOTTISH SCRIBBLES: 11/28/10

Wow just think it is only 22 days until Christmas, have you gotten your shopping done? Not me; not even close. Though it doesn’t help we have birthdays this month either. But for those of you looking for great stocking stuffers for your reading friends the following are new titles set in Scotland this month. Not as many as I had hoped but understand unless the book is a hardcover, mass market titles kind of get lost in the shuffle. But now you know what you can spend your bookstore gift certificates on.

HIGHLAND PROTECTOR by Hannah Howell (NOW)

Finally Ms. Howell has gifted readers with another installment of her popular Murray Family. Here we have the story of Ilsabeth Murray Armstrong who is framed for the murder of one of the King’s men and it is Sir Simon Innes whose heart won’t be swayed by a mere woman that must save her from a fate that is not of her making. That is if she can prove it beyond the touch her effect has on Sir Simon. Other books in the series include: HIGHLAND DESTINY (1998), HIGHLAND HONOR (1999), HIGHLAND PROMISE (1999), HIGHLAND VOW (2002), HIGHLAND KNIGHT (2001), HIGHLAND BRIDE (2002), HIGHLAND ANGEL (2003), HIGHLAND BARBARIAN (2006), HIGHLAND SAVAGES (2007) AND HIGHLAND WOLF (2007). Though it is important to note that all the books in the series are clearly stand alone books and can be read out of order. Though Ms Howell has done a great job of getting her backlist out in ebook format recently so check sites like Smashwords and the online bookstores for ebook formats.

THE RANGER by Monica McCarty December 28^th

Author Monica McCarty has the third book out in her Highland Guardian series which to me reads like “Medieval Navy Seals” with each member of the Guard having a particular skill. For me I have a lot of trouble suspending the known Scottish history of the period knowing that Bruce’s closest confidents were lowlanders like Sir James Douglas as well as the St. Clair family and wasn’t it a Highlander Lord Ross who allowed the Bruce women to be taken by the English? . Though Ms McCarty’s books are always well written, if you love the period of the war of Scottish Independence you should try this series. The other books in the series include: THE CHIEF (Book I) and THE HAWK (Book 2). Ms McCarty has two other trilogies set in Scotland that are well written and should be read by serious Scottish historical enthusiasts.

THE SCENT OF JASMINE by Jude Deveraux (December 28^th)

Ms Deveraux’s new book is set in the American south, Charleston 1799 and our heroine is southern gentlewoman Catherine (Cay) Harcourt who has been asked by her godfather to attend a ball and on the way take a packhorse laden with goods for an old friends son. That son just happens to be Alexander McDowell, a Scot who is a fugitive. When Alexander’s captors get too close he has to escape and takes Cay with him on the adventure of her lifetime while they flee to the everglades of Florida. Dare she believe his innocence when she learns he is accused of killing his wife? It is nice to see Ms Deveraux returning to her historical roots.

Now for a bit of holiday whimsy

The following are some books to look for in the New Year:

SINS OF A HIGHLAND DEVIL by Sue-Ellen Welfonder (January 3)

This is a new series by Ms. Welfonder with the premise that three knights promise to ensure their clan is the surviving clan of the three who the king has determined must fight to claim the glen of Many Legends. If you haven’t read Ms Welfonder’s books and she has an extensive back list, this would be a great series to start with. This first book is the story of James Cameron and Catriona MacDonald.

HIGHLAND MASTER by Amanda Scott (January 28 )

This is a new series called the Scottish Knights and after the last series set in the Borders, Ms Scott has returned to the Highlands with a story of conflict between a Mackintosh lass and a Cameron and a need for vengance. I have been looking forward to this new series.

THE IRISH PRINCESS by Karen Harper (Feb 1)

Ms Harper’s books are not usually romances but often are historical fiction with romantic elements. Though this book is not aScottish historical, it takes place in the court of Henry 8^th and the female protagonist is an Irish princess, Elizabeth Fitzgerald (of Irish and English ancestry) who seeks the protection of the English court where she secretly plans to avenge her father, the Earl of Kildare.