A Highland Pearl
About the Author
The desire to write historical fiction has long been a
passion with Brenda B. Taylor. Since elementary school, she has written stories
in her spare time. Brenda earned three degrees: a BSE from Henderson State
University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; a MEd from Sam Houston State University,
Huntsville, Texas; and an EdD from Texas A&M University, College Station,
Texas; then worked as a teacher and administrator in the Texas Public School
system. Only after retirement could she fulfill the dream of publication.
Brenda and her husband make their home in beautiful East
Texas where they enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and
working in Bethabara Faith Ministry, Inc. She crafts stories about the
extraordinary lives of ordinary people in her favorite place overlooking bird
feeders, bird houses, and a variety of blooming trees and flowers. She
sincerely thanks all who purchase and read her books. Her desire is that the
message in each book will touch the heart of the reader as it did hers in the
writing.
Her latest book is the historical romance, A
Highland Pearl.
For More Information
- Visit Brenda Taylor’s website.
- Connect with Brenda on Facebook and Twitter.
- Find out more about Brenda at Goodreads.
- Contact Brenda.
About the Book:
A sweet romance blossoms amidst feuding and war. With her
reputation at stake after being accused of practicing witchcraft and hated as a
member of a rival clan, Maidie considers leaving Clan Munro and returning to
the home of her birth in Clan Cameron. Fierce battles, a tragic encounter, and
a handsome clan chief compel her to make crucial decisions in this haunting
romance set in the16th century Highlands of Scotland.
Maidie is summoned to Fàrdach Castle of Easter Ross-shire
to assist in caring for the wounded of Clan Munro after a battle with Clans
MacKenzie and Cameron. She dreads the task since her husband, Kenneth Munro,
was killed in an earlier battle. Maidie is a healer, taught by her mother, with
the skills and knowledge needed to tend the wounds of Chief Andrew Dubh Munro
who is seriously wounded.
People in the castle and those in the village of Drumainn
turn against Maidie. Angus, the castle physician, resents her for taking his
job in caring for the chief. She is hated by some, because she is a member of
the enemy Clan Cameron and came to live in Ferindonald, the Munro lands, with
her husband.
Maidie considers returning to the land of her birth in
Clan Cameron with her young son, Sven, but falls in love with Andrew while
caring for his wounds. Although her neighbors now call her a witch, she wishes
to stay in Drumainn because of her love for the chief.
Against an effort to guard his hardened heart from
another hurtful encounter with a woman, Andrew falls in love with the tender,
caring healer, Maidie. He wants her to stay in Drumainn, but his enemies, the
Camerons and MacKenzies, have other plans.
Four Stars
Copy received for an honest review
First, I've read so many highlander books in the past that it's difficult to find one that stands out as original. I'm glad to say that Ms. Taylor is able to produce an original story with very original characters.
Maidie was a fantastic heroine. She was authentic and very personable. Andrew was an equally great hero. Their love was so sweet and tender it was easy to love them as a couple! I especially loved that Taylor provided friction for this couple with the rivalry clan the Camerons and the MacKenzies.
This story was a mixture of romance and adventure!
For More Information
Title: A Highland
Pearl
Author: Brenda Taylor
Publisher: Bethabara Press
Pages: 350
Genre: Scottish Historical Romance
Format: Kindle
Purchase at AMAZONAuthor: Brenda Taylor
Publisher: Bethabara Press
Pages: 350
Genre: Scottish Historical Romance
Format: Kindle
A sweet romance blossoms amidst feuding and war. With her
reputation at stake after being accused of practicing witchcraft and hated as a
member of a rival clan, Maidie considers leaving Clan Munro and returning to
the home of her birth in Clan Cameron. Fierce battles, a tragic encounter, and
a handsome clan chief compel her to make crucial decisions in this haunting
romance set in the16th century Highlands of Scotland.
Maidie is summoned to Fàrdach Castle of Easter Ross-shire
to assist in caring for the wounded of Clan Munro after a battle with Clans
MacKenzie and Cameron. She dreads the task since her husband, Kenneth Munro,
was killed in an earlier battle. Maidie is a healer, taught by her mother, with
the skills and knowledge needed to tend the wounds of Chief Andrew Dubh Munro
who is seriously wounded.
People in the castle and those in the village of Drumainn
turn against Maidie. Angus, the castle physician, resents her for taking his
job in caring for the chief. She is hated by some, because she is a member of
the enemy Clan Cameron and came to live in Ferindonald, the Munro lands, with
her husband.
Maidie considers returning to the land of her birth in
Clan Cameron with her young son, Sven, but falls in love with Andrew while
caring for his wounds. Although her neighbors now call her a witch, she wishes
to stay in Drumainn because of her love for the chief.
Against an effort to guard his hardened heart from
another hurtful encounter with a woman, Andrew falls in love with the tender,
caring healer, Maidie. He wants her to stay in Drumainn, but his enemies, the
Camerons and MacKenzies, have other plans.
Book Excerpt:
Maidie rode behind the young warrior on a horse galloping
toward the castle. She removed one hand from around his trim waist to pull her
wrap closer against the biting wind then secured the kertch trying to fly from
her head. The old Cameron scarf was the only one she could find before rushing
out of the cottage when Tavish pounded on her door. She replaced her hand,
trying not to mind his grimy clothes and gamey smell, and held her bag of
precious herbs with the other. Tavish guided the horse between several tenant
crofters coming and going from the castle.
The wind whistled through large birch and oak trees
lining the road. Leaves of gold, red, yellow, and brown rustled in the wind
then floated to the ground. Maidie enjoyed the walk to the castle this time of
year, when a lass needed a midwife, but today she could not think about the
beauty. She looked back at Sven, who rode behind Maighstir Tam, and held
to a small leather bag filled with various implements she used in her work. A
chill ran through her, not only from the wind, but also from the dread of
seeing the terrible wounds of the injured.
They pulled to one side of a wide wooden bridge leading
to the outer bailey of Fàrdach Castle to let a wagon pass. Tavish waved to the
guard in the barbican as their party entered through the large, steel-studded
oak gates, under the portcullis, and into the outer bailey. The bailey teemed
with the life of humans and animals. Their various buildings, dwellings, and
shelters lined the curtain wall.
Tavish steered his horse dodging roughly dressed people,
went through a second gate in the curtain wall, then across a bridged moat to
the quieter inner yard. He waved to a guard on the rampart, and guided his
horse to the door of the castle’s keep. Stable boys rushed to take the reins of
both horses. Tavish quickly dismounted, then helped Maidie to the ground. She
held her bag with a firm grip. He then assisted Sven and Tam from their horse.
Large green eyes in the ashen face of her wee son searched hers. She patted his
small hand and rubbed his mass of red hair. He tried to smile, giving her a
small gift of comfort.
“All will be well, Sven,” she said to reassure him. Not
since watching his father die from wounds he received in a battle with Clans
MacKenzie and Cameron had she seen such fear in her son’s eyes.
“I dinna wish to go inside, Mam.” The boy drew back from
her touch.
“You may stay out here then. Just dinna leave the
bailey.” Maidie took Sven’s bag then handed both to Tavish. She cupped the
small boy’s chin in her fingers and kissed the lined forehead. “Stay close.
Mayhap there are other children close by.”
“Yes, Mam. I will.” His half-smile gave her a sense of
relief.
“Just stay close.” Maidie turned and walked toward Tavish
who held the heavy wooden door open. Tam followed as they entered the great
hall of the keep.
Tavish closed the door with a thud. Maidie stood for a
moment so her eyes could adjust to the dimness. Light rays from the small upper
windows glinted off the weapons, armor, and heraldry displayed on the stone
walls. Lifeless eyes in the heads of boar with long tusks and red stags with
huge racks of antlers stared at her from above the weapons.
Although a large fireplace with a glowing fire stood on
each of the four walls, the air felt cold and damp. The smell of dirt, blood,
human waste, and unwashed bodies blended together into a noxious odor causing a
revolt in her stomach. She swallowed a rush of nausea with a gulp. Wounded
warriors lying atop rush pallets lined the floor. A servant rushed to the maighstir,
pulling him toward a blood-soaked pallet where an unconscious man lay.
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