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Sisters of Castle Leod

1/16/2023

Sisters of Castle Leod

by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard

Publication Date: January 19, 2023

Black Rose Writing

Genre: Historical Fiction

Finalist - 2022 American Writing Awards

Millions are fans of Diana Gabaldon's popular Outlander books and television series, but few know that Gabaldon's fictional Castle Leoch was inspired by a real Scottish castle, Castle Leod. The two sisters who lived there at the turn of the twentieth century were among the most fascinating and talked-about women of their era.

Lady Sibell Mackenzie is a spiritualist, a believer in reincarnation, and a popular author of mystical romances. Petite and proper, she values tradition and duty. Her younger sister Lady Constance, swimming champion and big game hunter, is a statuesque beauty who scandalizes British society with her public displays of Greek-style barefoot dancing. The differences between the sisters escalate into conflict after Sibell inherits their late father's vast estates and the title 3rd Countess of Cromartie. But it is the birth of Sibell's daughter that sets in motion a series of bizarre and tragic events, pitting sister against sister and propelling Sibell on a desperate mission to challenge the power of fate.

Sisters of Castle Leod, by award-winning author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard, is the emotionally charged story of two sisters torn apart by jealousy and superstition, and the impossible leap of faith that could finally bring them together.

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Review:

Sisters Sibell and Constance Mackenzie have grown up in Castle Leod with their father, the Earl of Cromartie. Sibell, the older sister, has found solace in books and the mysteries of the castle. Differing from Sibell, Constance thrives on adventure, horseback riding, hunting and athletics. When it is time, their father decides that Sibell will inherit the estate and titles that go along with it. Sibell takes her duties seriously and seeks to care for the people and lands that she is given charge of. With her marriage to Lt. Col. Edward Blunt, Sibell also secures hydroelectric power for the people. However, when Sibell's first child dies mysteries shortly after her birth, Sibell blames Constance for setting a bizarre chain of events in motion. Sibell breaks contact with her sister and sets on a path of spiritualism, hoping to see her daughter once again. Meanwhile, Constance travels the world, seeking to live a healthy life. However, Sibell sees Constance's actions as constantly undermining her and attempting to gain the estate.

Castle Leod is the inspiration for the fictional Castle Leoch. However, Castle Leod was the home to two very real sisters with amazing and magical lives of their own. The writing immediately caught my attention with the story of Castle Leod's ghost, the Nightwatchman. Through this story, I could easily imagine the atmosphere of the castle and could easily see the distinct personalities of each sister. The story is told through Sibell's point of view alone, diving into Sibell's duties as Countess, emotions and journey into spiritualism. Constance is still a fully formed character and force within the book, her life could definitely carry a book of its own. I did enjoy reading about the sister's interactions and how it seemed that Constance may have been purposely pushing Sibell's buttons or that Sibell always saw the worst in her sister's actions. Sibell's spiritual journey was a large part of the story, I was taken in by the mystery of past lives as much as Sibell was and was equally amazed at her strength in realizing what was true and what she simply wanted to be true. In the end, Sisters of Castle Leod is about the bond of sisterhood and creating your own path in the world.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Praise

"Heartbreaking and redemptive...a thoroughly engrossing story that will have readers quickly turning the pages." -Megan Chance, bestselling author of A Splendid Ruin

"This expertly written novel is a beautiful example of how historical facts can be researched and transformed into a work of art. To say this novel was difficult to put down would be an understatement. From the first page, I knew this would become one of my favorite historical novels." -Sublime Book Reviews

"A magical, mystical, mesmerizing tale of two real-life noble sisters of Castle Leod, caught up in shocking passions that cast them in opposition, yet desperate for reconciliation." -Rebecca Rosenberg, triple-gold seed-winning novelist of Champagne Widows

"With shocking revelations and twists throughout the book, the reader is never sure what each new chapter will bring. Overall, with an excellent plot and character development, this book is awe-inspiring." -Pacific Book Review

"Whilst the historical element of this novel can easily be compared to some of the great historical novelists, like Sharon Kay Penman, the ghostly apparitions and contact with the spirit world add an original view of a woman who was, in so many ways, ahead of her time." -Readers' Favorite

"The stage is set for sibling rivalry [in this] grand novel about two fascinating sisters of the Scottish Highlands at the turn of the 20th century." -Sheila Myers, author of The Truth of Who You Are

"...a carefully researched historical novel with a touch of the supernatural." -Gail Ward Olmsted, author of Landscape of a Marriage: Central Park Was Only the Beginning

About the Author

Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard is the author of two Amazon bestsellers: THE BEAUTY DOCTOR, a compelling historical novel steeped in mystery with strong elements of a medical thriller (Readers' Favorite), and TEMPTATION RAG: A NOVEL, a resonant novel ... about the birth and demise of ragtime ... luxuriously crafted (Publishers Weekly). Her books have been finalists for the Eric Hoffer Book Award and National Indie Excellence Awards, received a gold medallion from Book Readers Appreciation Group, and been named a historical fiction Discovered Diamond.

Elizabeth and her family live near Phoenix, Arizona.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 19 Review at Passages to the Past Wednesday, December 21 Review at Books, Cooks, Looks Friday, January 6 Review at Novels Alive Thursday, January 12 Feature at I'm Into Books Friday, January 13 Instagram Feature at Dive Into a Good Book Monday, January 16 Review at 100 Pages a Day Wednesday, January 18 Review at Little But Fierce Book Diary Friday, January 20 Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective Monday, January 23 Review at jypsylynn Monday, January 30 Review at Rajiv's Reviews Thursday, February 2 Review at Coffee and Ink Friday, February 3 Review at Cover Lover Book Reviews

Giveaway

Enter to win a paperback copy of Sisters of Castle Leod by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard! The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on February 3rd. You must be 18 or older to enter.

2 Comments

The Rose and the Thistle

1/2/2023

1 Comment

About the Book:

Title: The Rose and the Thistle: A Novel
Author: Laura Frantz
Genre: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Co (January 3, 2023)
Length: (416) pages
Format: Hardcover, Trade paperback, & eBook
ISBN: 978-0800742669

In 1715, Lady Blythe Hedley's father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies, forcing her to flee her home in northern England. Secreted to the tower of Wedderburn Castle in Scotland, Lady Blythe awaits who will ultimately be crowned king. But in a house with seven sons and numerous servants, her presence soon becomes known.

No sooner has Everard Hume lost his father, Lord Wedderburn, than Lady Hedley arrives with the clothes on her back and her mistress in tow. He has his own problems--a volatile brother with dangerous political leanings, an estate to manage, and a very young brother in need of comfort and direction in the wake of losing his father. It would be best for everyone if he could send this misfit heiress on her way as soon as possible.

Drawn into a whirlwind of intrigue, shifting alliances, and ambitions, Lady Blythe must be careful whom she trusts. Her fortune, her future, and her very life are at stake. Those who appear to be adversaries may turn out to be allies--and those who pretend friendship may be enemies.

Review:
In the Jacobite rising of 1715 Lady Blythe Hedley's father is a wanted man for supporting the previous Stuart King. In an attempt to keep Lady Blythe safe, she is secreted away to her godparent's in Scotland. A tower room in Wedderburn Castle with her faithful lady's maid, Elodie is now Blythe's home. Blythe's arrival, however, provides to be on the unfortunate day of her godfather's death, leaving her safety to the new Lord Wedderburn, Everard Hume. Everard does not mean to make Blythe's life difficult, but with his new duties, several brothers to care for and impending war, Blythe does not always feel welcome at Weddurburn. The tides turn for Blythe as Everard further disguises Blythe as a tutor for the youngest Hume, Orin and Blythe and Everard can enjoy each other's company. As tensions rise between the Jacobites and the British, Everard is pushed into service and Blythe is increasingly in danger. Now, their feelings for one another add another layer to their predicament.

The Rose and the Thistle is a sweeping historical romance that takes place during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715. I was immediately enamored by Blythe's character. I appreciated her distaste for the games of high society and her love of the outdoors, reading and learning. Blythe and Elodie's friendship was also endearing and true. I didn't previously know a lot about the Jacobite Rebellion and Blyth and Everard's points of view gave several insights into the feelings and motivations of the people and politics of the time. In addition, the author is a descendant of one of the Hume's exiled to America for his part in the Jacobite Rebellion. The writing reflected her passion for the characters, Weddurburn Castle and the upheaval that this time period caused. The romance between Blythe and Everard was sweet and took a natural progression as they were forced together, yet respected one another's boundaries and were able to get to know one another in a time of duress. With a surprising, suspenseful and exciting ending, I was captivated by The Rose and the Thistle.

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AUTHOR BIO

Christy Award-winning author, Laura Frantz, is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Proud of her heritage, she is also a Daughter of the American Revolution. When not at home in Kentucky, she and her husband live in Washington State.

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1 Comment