An uneasy truce. A threat of rebellion. A knight’s loyalty is tested to the limit…
Scotland and England have signed a truce, but a peaceful life is not to be as Archibald Douglas faces threats from nobles rebelling against King David. Meanwhile, the old enemy, England, plots with Scots in Galloway to hang onto pieces of Scotland they still control. Archibald, faithful to his vow to the king, fends off one enemy while he battles to destroy the other in a rousing adventure of blood, battle, love, devotion, and treachery…
REVIEW
A keep the reader riveted to the pages kind of tale is this edition of the series. Archie is tested over and over again while his fortunes and reputation grow, as he keeps the peace for his King. His fierce determination and loyalty, despite the many travails he faces, are the highlights of this excellently created character. A thoroughly enjoyable tale, my fellow readers. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Since the Scots’ horrific loss at the Battle of Neville’s Cross, the powerful English hungrily eye Scotland.
Archibald Douglas, a landless bastard knight, will defend the kingdom until his last breath and with his life’s blood. But in this fight, who can he trust? And who is the traitor? It may not be who he once thought.
REVIEW
An emotionally charged, action-filled sequel awaits my peeps and fellow readers. I especially enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the Scottish environs, from the color of the foliage that dots the countryside to the brutally rugged weather. The aftermath of the events at the end of the first book is wonderfully told with the author piecing together the scant knowledge of Archie’s history, the chronicled history of the time, and just plain old good story telling; attention grabbing, sleep depriving, plot twisting surprises – the hallmarks of a good read. The climatic, cliffhanging end certainly compels one to continue onto the third book. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
J R Tomlin is the author of twenty historical novels.
Her historical novels are mainly set in Scotland. You can trace her love of that nation to the stories of Robert the Bruce and the Black Douglas that her grandmother read her when she was small and to her hillwalking through the Scottish Cairngorms where the granite mountains have a gorgeous red glow under the setting sun.
In addition to having lived in Scotland, she has traveled in the US, mainland Europe and the Pacific Rim. She now lives in Oregon.
Young Archibald, the Black Douglas’s bastard son, returns from exile to a Scotland ravaged by war. The war-hardened Knight of Liddesdale will teach him what he must learn. And with danger on every side, he must learn to sleep with one eye open and a claymore in his hand because even their closest ally may betray them…
REVIEW
An enjoyable foray, into what for me is a new era to explore. The author has created a tale that gets the reader’s blood pumping with wide-eyed anticipation. Archibald (Archie) goes through the wringer as he deals with his status among the Scottish nobility. What transpires is an engaging coming of age story; one that portrays the hardships, the development of a boy into a warrior, and the qualities of loyalty and trust. I found this to be an excellent beginning to what promises to be an exciting trilogy. So, my peeps and fellow readers of good historical-fiction, prepare to be transported to the sights and sounds of Scotland’s struggle for independence. 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
J R Tomlin is the author of twenty historical novels.
Her historical novels are mainly set in Scotland. You can trace her love of that nation to the stories of Robert the Bruce and the Black Douglas that her grandmother read her when she was small and to her hillwalking through the Scottish Cairngorms where the granite mountains have a gorgeous red glow under the setting sun.
In addition to having lived in Scotland, she has traveled in the US, mainland Europe and the Pacific Rim. She now lives in Oregon.
Historical Fiction reviews 