When you hear the word Scotland, what comes to mind?
Kilts, bagpipes, Braveheart, Robert the Bruce, William Wallace, or Bonnie Prince Charlie?
This month, we go deeper, featuring two novels with roots in Scotland:
My review of Turn of the Tide, an award-winning novel by Margaret Skea
A new novel, The Apostates, by V.E.H. Masters, third in the Seton trilogy
My Review:
Turn of the Tidefocuses on one of Scotland’s historic feuds, the violent conflicts in the Ayrshire region between the Cunninghame and Montgomerie clans. The author follows the journey of Munro, a minor estate-owner with ties to the Cunninghame clan, as he negotiates relationships between the two clans during the 16th century.
Although the vividly-portrayed setting stands as a major character, Munro’s maturing as a character plays the key role in the novel. Throughout the story, events draw him toward one clan and then the other. The stakes increase with each choice, and the suspense builds to a riveting climax.
Characters: (just a few of the many)
Munro – the protagonist, he’s torn between his ties to the Cunninghame clan, his wife’s judgments, and his own instincts
Kate – Munro’s wife, a woman with good instincts
Archie – Munro’s younger brother, he struggles to find his place in life
Sybilla Boyd – friend to Munro’s family
King James VI of Scotland – young king who tries to reconcile feuding clans and use them to his advantage
Earl of Glencairn – head of Cunninghame clan, he tries to raise his clan’s standing with the king
William, Master of Glencairn – his position as the Earl’s eldest son and heir allows him to get away with poor judgment and behavior
Hugh, Master of Braidstane – son of a Montgomerie estate-owner
Alexander Montgomerie – a poet and courtier to King James VI, he helps Hugh and the Montgomerie clan ascend in the king’s esteem
Strengths:
The author’s broad, descriptive sweep covers much territory: family backgrounds and conflicts, locations, festivities, and customs. Her detailed portrait immerses readers in this era. Strong, distinctive characters drive the surprise-filled plot.
Weaknesses:
Many characters people this story, some referred to by their titles or residences, creating possible difficulties for the reader in remembering who’s who. (A list of Main Characters before the story begins is helpful.) The Scottish vocabulary words can be challenging at times to understand from the context. A glossary is located at the end of the ebook, if readers are willing to interrupt their reading to find it.
Content review:
This novel doesn’t shy away from the rough side of life in this era, including violence (toward women, enemies, other clans)
I recommend Turn of the Tide to readers who aren’t bothered by violence and enjoy a compelling plot set in an unfamiliar time and place, filled with both action and introspection.
Announcing:
The Apostates, by V.E.H. Masters, 3rd volume in the Seton trilogy (1st volume, The Castilians, was reviewed here in February, 2022)
It’s 1550 and Bethia has fled Antwerp, with her infant son, before the jaws of the inquisition clamp down, for the family are accused of secret judaising. She believes they’ve evaded capture but her husband, Mainard, unbeknownst to her, is caught, imprisoned and alone. Reaching Geneva, Bethia hopes for respite from a dangerous journey, but it’s a Protestant city state which tolerates no dissent – and she’s a Catholic…
My Upcoming Novel:
Some of my readers have asked about its progress. I’ll pass along details as soon as I have them—soon, I hope!
Bethia,a sympathetic young girl with old-fashioned beliefs?
or
Will,her obnoxious brother who sacrifices everything (including the well-being of his family and town) for his new faith?
Fortunately, you don’t have to make that choice when you read In The Castilians, the first novel in VEH Masters’ series, The Seton Chronicles. Both characters play major roles in this novel based on the dramatic siege of St. Andrews Castle, Scotland, in 1546.
The author tells a suspenseful story, keeping readers engaged as they observe how members of the same family and their neighbors respond very differently to the Protestant Reformation. Family divisions result, and even the siege of the town’s castle.
Masters vividly describes the dilemmas of the main characters, and I couldn’t put this novel down as I worried about their fates.
Both become trapped:
Bethia can’t escape the restricted, vulnerable life of women of her era
Will suffers through the siege of the castle because of his strong convictions
I appreciated the balanced treatment of Protestant and Catholic characters—neither were vilified because of their religious beliefs— and I was fascinated to learn that John Knox, the Scottish reformer, actually played a role in this story. In addition, the period details brought the story to life, but didn’t overwhelm me.
Initially, I struggled to glean the meaning of a few Scottish words from their context, but the glossary (near the end of the ebook), solved the problem.
(Content rating: no nudity, some fight scene violence, one scene of attempted sexual violence)
My recommendation:
I highly recommendThe Castilians to readers who enjoy strong characters, mild romance, and an exciting story that immerses you in a key era of Scotland’s history. (By the way, this novel is on sale on Amazon Kindle this week!)
Readers, have you enjoyed other novels about Scottish history? Please share them!
I’m pleased to feature the author of The Castilians, VEH Masters, who answers questions about this novel and her writing process.
Keep reading for the inside story!
My own writing news:
I’m revising the draft of my latest historical novel, (working title is Lucia’s Odyssey; it’s the sequel to Lucia’s Renaissance). I hope to publish it later this year.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH VEH MASTERS:
What drew you to focus your novel on this moment and event in the history of St. Andrews?
I grew up on a farm just outside St Andrews, Scotland, and went to school in the town. It’s a very dramatic place – you can’t miss the ruins of the cathedral – but the castle is tucked away in a corner so I wasn’t really aware of it. Our history teacher, Miss Grubb, took us a visit when I was twelve.
I was fascinated to learn about the siege of 1546 especially when we crept down the siege tunnel dug then and peered into the bottle dungeon where the murdered cardinal’s body is said to have been kept, pickled in salt. And when I heard that the men who took the castle by force and held it for over 14 months against all comers called themselves the Castilians I remember feeling this shiver of excitement and thinking, that’s a perfect title for a book.
How did you discover details of that time and place?
Lots and lots and lots of research. It helped that I could visit the town regularly and use the university library. I was sure someone must have written a book on the history of the siege as it’s quite an important moment in Scottish history of the 1500s – but I guess we have so many important moments historians are spoilt for choice. So I had to piece together what happened. I kept delving back into source books to understand why they did what they did; there were so many different layers to the story and I really wanted to get it right.
Did you discover surprises while researching this novel?
Plenty of surprises…
I hadn’t understood how down the middle of events King Henry VIII of England was, as he tried to bludgeon Scotland into accepting a marriage between the infant Mary Queen of Scots and his son Prince Edward. The men holding the castle were supporting Henry – many of them receiving pensions from him. He called them his assured Scots (the phrase makes my blood boil!).
And the Earl of Arran who led the government troops trying to get the Castilians out was nicknamed Whiffle-Whaffle…because he could never make up his mind.
And then there are lovely wee details such as Cardinal Beaton travelling with his four-poster bed (and much other baggage) wherever he went.
How much did you have to deviate from history to create a satisfying story?
I followed the historical events faithfully. Of course, I had to imagine what it would’ve been like for my characters, Bethia living in the town while the siege was going on, and her brother Will in the castle for 14 months and how stinking the castle would be and short of food. I had great fun with some scenes such as when the Castilians are excommunicated by the Pope – it was referred to as the Great Cursing.
What were the most challenging aspects of writing this novel?
Making sure I didn’t make some error with the events. St Andrews is a university town and I kept imagining some academic picking it up and tossing it away in disgust. I was fortunate that Dr Bess Rhodes, whose period this is, read the book and joined my online launch.
What did you enjoy about writing this novel?
I had to be very self disciplined to get it written. The best moment was when I held the finished print book in my hand. I love it when readers write to me about the book – and some even made suggestions which I incorporated into the next in sequel. And that first 5 star review, from a generous American reviewer, prepared to look at an unknown writer’s work, was magical.
What do you hope readers will take away after reading The Castilians?
I hope most of all that people will find it a cracking good read, be immersed in the story and cheering for Bethia and Will.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with my readers?
I set out to write one book but when I finished it more than one person asked me what’s happens next to Bethia and Will…so thesequel The Conversos is out now, and third in series will be released later this year. All thanks to Miss Grubb and her history lesson!
PS I love a good blether with my readers so please do get in touch.
PPs There are Book Group Questions for The Castilians and The Conversos available to download from my website https://vehmasters.com/
Thank you, VEH Masters, for sharing your writing journey with us!
