Laura Frantz, a historical Christian fiction author, has a well-researched understanding of Scotland's culture and language. I have thoroughly enjoyed three of her books, which have a setting in either 18th-century Scotland or the 18th-century United States. These are the three books that I read and enjoyed.
The story of the Indigo Heiress takes place in 18th century Virginia and Scotland. Juliet Catesby resides with her father and sister at Royal Vale which is her family-owned plantation. Juliet participates in indigo cultivation, and the Scottish Buchanan family is one of their main exporting customers. Juliet is shocked to discover that not only is her family plantation in a financial crisis, but her father has arranged a marriage between her or her sister younger sister Loveday to Leith. Juliet wants Lovely to have a good marriage opportunity, so she tries to force Leith to propose to her sister. To Juliet’s consternation, Leith proposes to her instead of Loveday. Juliet harshly declines the proposal at first. She later realizes that she has no choice but to marry Leith, because she becomes entangled in a scandalous situation. How will Juliet adjust to her new Scotland homeland, and will Leith overcome the sting of Juliet’s initial rejection? Read this intriguing story if you are curious about the outcome of Leith and Juliet’s marriage.
A Bound Heart is set on the Scottish Isle of Kerrera and the Virginia colony in the 1700s. Magnus and MacLeish and Lark McDougall are childhood friends who grew up together on the same castle grounds. Magnus was the son of the landowner and Lark was the beekeeper on this grand property. Despite their deep care for each other, Magnus was forced to marry a lady of his social class. Magnus’s wife later has trouble bearing children, and Lark tries to use her knowledge of herbs to help Magnus’s wife with her infertility problem. When Magnus’s wife dies under mysterious circumstances, the resident islanders are convinced that Magnus and Lark are the murderers. They are both banished from the island and are forced to become indentured servants to a wealthy family. Will they eventually be free to marry or will their past circumstances forever hinder them? Read this epic story if you are curious about what will happen to Magnus and Lark.
Love’s Reckoning is set in the 18th century Pennsylvania. Silas Ballantyne a Scottish immigrant who becomes apprenticed to master blacksmith Liege Lee. Silas plans to eventually move to the western part of Pennsylvania after he fulfills his apprenticeship. Silas is not aware that Liege is planning to compel Silas to marry his oldest daughter Elspeth. Liege also has a shy, younger daughter Eden who is fully aware of her father’s plan for Silas to marry Elspeth. When Silas finally arrives at the Lee’s home, Eden gradually becomes smitten with Silas. Silas recognizes that Elspeth is the favorite daughter, and that Eden is only a glorified servant. Silas notices Elspeth’s beauty but shows kind attention to the timid Eden. Will Silas choose one of Liege’s daughters or will he move west? If he chooses one of the daughters, will he choose Elspeth or Eden? Read this enjoyable story if you are curious about Silas’s eventual choice, and how this choice affects all of the characters. This book is the first member of the Ballantyne Legacy. The library does not carry the second book in the series but only caries the third book. I nevertheless enjoyed this story that can stand on its own.
Would you like to test your knowledge of the Scottish words that the Scottish characters used before reading these books? Take this quiz of these Scottish language words. The answers will be at the end of this article.
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