Tag Archives: Scotland

Diana’s May Review ~ The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan

This is the second of Karen Swan’s novels set on St Kilda at the time of the evacuation, each from the point of view of one of the island girls. This time it is Mhairi Mac Kinnon who is in need of a husband and she is whisked of to the nearby island of Harris to look.

As you can imagine there are twists and turns as the islanders prepare for evacuation and life doesn’t quite turn out as expected for Mhairi. Add potential murder to the plot and it is quite a read, all the more special by its location on the remote island in the outer Hebrides.

I’ve really enjoyed immersing myself in both of these books, where the island has a character of its own.

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Filed under Book reading, Book reviews, Scotland, Scottish authors

Exciting News ~ Released today on Kindle

The scene is set, for this mid 19th century novella, in North East Scotland in the small village of Dunphail. The story leads us to the Channel Island of Alderney, off the coast of Cherbourg.

This is my parents’ novella, edited by myself, released in memory of them both.

It is the prequel to Riduna and Ancasta.

Janus ~ Gateway to Heaven on Earth

is released on Kindle today ~ 21st February 2025

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Filed under Alderney, Ancasta, Book launch, Channel Islands, Family History, Historical Fiction, History of Alderney, Riduna, Scotland

New Release Today: Janus ~ Gateway to Heaven on Earth

I’m delighted that this novella is released today: Janus ~ Gateway to Heaven on Earth by Patricia and Arthur Jackson

Dear readers, this announcement is close to my heart and the first book I have had published since I lost my parents during Covid.

Eventispress are releasing this novella as a tribute to my parents, the authors, edited by myself in recent months. It was originally published by The Daily Mail in one of their offers, and we have permission to republish it.

For me it is a prequel to my Riduna Series. Here is the blurb:

In 1857, was it fate that brought John Taylor, a Scotsman and corporal in the army, from the north east of Inverness to the island of Alderney? Was it another stroke of serendipity when Harry Hopkins, a nipper on the Heresa, sailed towards the island too? Their lives became intertwined with a small family who ran a hostelry and guest house, but was it love for two islanders Hannah and Elizabeth, or the magic of Alderney itself, which made them return to make Alderney their home, even if just for a little while?

The majority of the novella is set on Alderney, one of the smaller Channel Islands, UK. The strange thing is that it begins in Scotland, in Aberdeenshire, north of where I now live in Fife.

The e book will be released shortly.

All profits will go to the Alderney Museum.

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Filed under Alderney, Book launch, Channel Islands, Riduna, Scotland