Highland Bloodline
Page 22
Hector was also relieved.
"So, looks like yer all in one piece. I had heard the Brits were all over the place and I feared ye'd all be in prison or learning how to behave like slaves by now."
There were nods all round, but no laughter. They were all glad Alex and Jack were safe, but the problem still existed—how to escape being caught by the British. There'd been much discussion since their return to the lodge, but no solutions had been found.
Ian wasn't sure he understood everything that was going on, so thought he'd change the subject.
"Wait until I tell ye about my trip down the Highlands to Wabi's cottage. I was followed by a mountain lion, then I rescued some folks from a highwayman, and learned how to talk to an owl."
"Of course ye did, lad. And it pleases me to see ye've learned to tell tales just like yer brothers did at your age!" Da put an arm around his youngest.
Ah, just take a look down here, mo chridhe. Our lads are safe and looks like Hector is bringing us another lovely lady. The Creator is merciful.
Ian sighed. "No, it's true! All of it! Where's Robbie? He'll believe me."
A voice from above rang out.
"Ian? Is that you? Come up here, quickly!"
Ian raced up to the attic, anxious to see his nephew again. As he stepped into the room, however, he began to roll with laughter. Robbie was in the middle of an undertaking that was totally beyond his comprehension.
"Here, let me help ye with that. Stand still."
When the two lads entered the kitchen a few minutes later, no one laughed. In fact, no one said a word for the longest moment.
Finally, Alex stood and walked over, taking Robbie by the shoulders and turning him around slowly.
"Aye. Lad. Aye. It becomes ye. Ye wear the kilt well."
He blinked back a tear and put his arm around Robbie. "Miss Carmichael, this is Robbie. He's my son."
"...just one more thing..."
Holy Rusephus — you made it! I'm very grateful you took the time to read my work and your feedback is essential to improving my writing. Therefore, if I could ask for "just one more thing"...take a moment to favor me with your review.
If you would like to know more about Caitlin, Wabi, the MacKinnon brothers, the animals, and how all this started, get Highland Healer, Book 1 in this series.
In Book 2 in the series, Highland Circle of Stones, the healer weds her Highlander and the family struggles to accept her and her magickal powers.
Book 4, The Wolf, The Wizard, and The Woad, is the prequel to the Highland Healer Series and takes readers back in time, to the beginning of the line of healers from whom Caitlin—the fiery, determined protagonist at the heart of the series—has come.
For information regarding future projects, blogs, and useful links about Scotland and its history, use the contact button at florencelovekarsner.com to join the mailing list.
Thanks so much for reading my novels and "lang may yer lum reek."
Readers' Comments for HIGHLAND HEALER
Adventure abounds in the Scottish Highlands in Karsner's debut novel, in which a special woman with untapped elemental powers tries to stay one step ahead of a ruthless soldier bent on exacting revenge. Overall, this is a mostly charming tale of magic and mages. Karsner works quickly and efficiently to establish her principal players . . . the author manages to imbue the simple plot with a real sense of tension and suspense. The first in a promising series filled with likable characters and fun adventures.—Kirkus Reviews
I cannot wait to see what happens next- an enjoyable read. I would recommend it for a fun, twisting story with magical realism intertwined . . .Kay
Truly enjoyed this book. My ancestors are Scottish. The story itself was really good. All the characters were easy to follow. I could picture each one as they came into the story. Really enjoyed this book can't wait for the next one . . . Charles
She not only shows you the characters, she shows you their souls. . . Chris
I really enjoyed this book. I typically read the historical romance novels but found this one very refreshing. It had no "sex" scenes and it did not need them! It was well written how the author was able to introduce three separate group of characters and how their paths crossed. And I love Willie! Definitely going to get Book 2. . .Carol
It was packed with suspense and romance. It is one of my favorite books. A must to read. Put this on your wish list of books to read . . . Kathleen
Readers' Comments for HIGHLAND CIRCLE OF STONES
For the second installment of her series, Karsner creates an elegiac battlement on the first novel's foundation. The narrative's strongest theme is family...it uses its fantasy elements sparingly, though it also depicts them beautifully, as when the wizard, Uncle Wabi, uses 'time weaving, ' moving 'at a speed that had stars melting...and the colors of Aurora Borealis racing across the sky.'...a savage finale tests the clan and should rivet readers...A sprawling cast and deep family history invigorate this sequel." - Kirkus Reviews
The writing is fantastic. The characters are so well penned that I came to know them and when I put the book down, I wanted to know what they were going to do the next day. You find yourself immersed in the mists of the Highlands among the clan of brothers whose family values come through in spades. . ..Kris
I absolutely love this series of books! There aren't many that are safe enough for me to let my kids read and still be interesting enough for me to read. This is a good love story without all the dirty scenes you find in so many romance books. Once again, it is set in the Scottish Highlands, as was its prequel, which I love, and is a very interesting installment in this series of books. I love the way I have gotten to know the McKinnon clan even better and feel like the character development in this series was well done! I can't wait for the next book to come out! Thank you Florence for this wonderful story! . . . Sherri
This book was very well written and kept me engrossed from the very beginning! I completed it in a few hours because I simply could not put it down! Very well done! I also loved that it proved almost a cultural lesson by providing meanings to words native to the setting. Truly loved it! . . . Shilohna
I loved this second book in the Highland Healer series. The characters are well written. The devotion of the main characters to each other and to each family is admirable. The attention to small details such as items in a room draws the reader into the story and makes you a part of it. The last chapter had me wanting more . . . Angel
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Florence Love Karsner is a fifth generation Floridian who grew up in a rural Panhandle village near Tallahassee. In the late 60’s, she married a Navy Ensign and followed him to the South Pacific. In her travels she experienced different lands, peoples, and cultures all of which would forever influence her view of the world and provide creative ideas for painting, pottery, and writing.
Today, she is retired from nursing and clinical research careers, and spends her time writing, painting, and creating pottery. She lives with her husband on the Intracoastal Waterway in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Her Highland Healer Series is set in the 18th century Scottish Highlands following the Bloody Battle of Culloden.
Dedication
To Dorothy and Jackie
...the best of our bloodline
The serpent is an ancient symbol of healing and is seen in early drawings wrapped around the caduceus of the Greek god, Hermes. Many ancient cultures regarded the serpent as sacred, and used it in healing rituals. A serpent devouring its tail is called an ouroboros. It is symbolic of immortality, the eternal unity of all things, and the cycle of birth and death. It unites opposites such as the conscious and unconscious mind. It has a meaning of infinity or wholeness, and is the Western world equivalent of Yin-Yang.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, a huge thank you to my readers for taking time to read my work. Writing is much more enjoyable when I know it is appreciated. To those of you who have written reviews, please know that I appreciate your comments.
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Elizabeth White, my editor, deserves special recognition. She very gently prods me until I produce a much better product than the one I started with. You can be sure to see her touch on all my work.
Finally, much credit goes to my husband, Garry, and my daughters, Caroline and Taylor for their never ending support. They read everything I write and give me unsolicited, but very helpful feedback! Couldn't do this without them.
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Also by Florence Love Karsner
Dr. Molly McCormick Series
We All Have Secrets
Highland Healer Series
Highland Healer
Highland Circle of Stones
Highland Bloodline
The Wolf, The Wizard, and The Woad
Watch for more at Florence Love Karsner’s site.