by R. L. Syme
In regards to Broccin (and others of the Sinclair family) being thrown out of their family. I would like to carefully reiterate that Magnus Sinclair (Broc’s father) was mentally ill and paranoid. Hopefully that makes his actions make more sense—including his betrothing several of his sons to different women over the years. This won’t be the last time you see Magnus Sinclair or hear of his insanity. Hopefully, as you get to see Magnus through the eyes of all of his children, you’ll get a sense for how truly psychotic the man was and how unusual and extreme a punishment it would have been considered (especially at this time and in this country and these circumstances) to be exiled from your family. Additionally, because Magnus hated his first wife (who, incidentally, was also French—which makes Broc and Kensey’s offspring only ¼ Scottish… that will be important later), he transferred that hatred to Broccin. He was often rumored to have said that his first wife wasn’t really his wife, and therefore, any children he had by her, not really his children. Of course, this is nonsense. He and Broc’s mother were married, they had him, and she died in childbirth. His dislike of her was his disease. She was a lovely woman. Magnus was married three times. His first wife had Broccin; his second wife had Brigid, Duncan, Malcolm, and Alana; his third wife had Morainn. His third wife survived him. Magnus’ cause of death is currently unknown, but will be revealed in a later book, by one of his children.
One final note. All of the villains in my books are chosen for their proximity, and I mean no judgment on any of the families or clans of the villains. I just needed a villain and Colin Ross presented himself. There was a record of an assault on the Ross castle in 1296, which I timed with Duncan and Broccin’s raid on Balconie. The head of the Ross family was not known to be a barbaric person. As I said, I just needed a villain.
Thank you so much for reading this note. I hope that you enjoyed the book and will continue to read the stories of the rest of the Highland Renegades as they are released.
With Love of All Things Scottish,
R. L. Syme