Paperback & eBook; 420 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis
England, 1643. The Civil War has created a great divide between those who support King Charles and those who would rather see his head on the block. Young Scot Colin Blackburne finds himself caught in the middle when he witnesses Parliamentarians murder his mother because of his father’s allegiance to the king. As further punishment, the family is sent to Yorkshire as indentured servants.
Mistreated by his master and tormented by a Parliamentarian soldier, Colin vows to take up arms for the king and seek vengeance against the men who killed his mother. The only bright spot in his life is his unexpected, and forbidden, friendship with his master’s daughter, Emma Hardcastle.
With her father constantly away on campaign and her mother plagued by madness, Emma is drawn to Colin and his brother, Roddy. She introduces them to her troubled neighbor Alston Egerton, who has a clandestine relationship with Stephen Kitts, the soldier out for Colin’s blood.
As they all become entangled in a twisted web of love, jealousy, desire, and betrayal, the war rages on around them. Resentful at being forced into servitude and forbidden from being with the woman he loves, Colin puts his plan for vengeance into motion, though it will have disastrous consequences for all of them.
Secrets are revealed and relationships are torn apart. With the country teetering on the brink of ruin, Emma fights to survive, Alston is forced to confront his demons, and Colin must decide whether his burning desire to fight for justice is worth sacrificing a future with the woman he loves.
Excerpt
Part One
July 1643. Falkirk, Scotland
Castle Carronshore
Chapter 1
“Head down, arse up, Roddy!” Colin reached as far as he could to help his little brother up the great oak that stood outside the kailyard. “I’ve been waiting long enough.”
“I’m climbing as fast as I can!” Roddy planted his foot on the branch below and grabbed Colin’s hand.
“Did ye bring them?” Colin had spent the early morning smelling fresh bannocks baking in the kitchens, his wame growling as fierce as thunder.
“Aye.” Roddy reached inside his shirt and pulled two out. “They’re nice and hot.”
Da was expected to arrive any day now according to the letter he’d sent Ma after his most recent victory against the Roundheads in Yorkshire. Colin peered over the stone wall surrounding the courtyard. In the distance, sheep grazed on the summer grass, their fleece recently sheared leaving them looking like naked old men with big pink bellies. No sign of Da.
“Do you two laddies have something to confess?” Ma stood below, her hands on her hips and a smile on her face. The bit of sun that managed to slide between the clouds settled on her head, painting her hair golden. “Mistress Mary says she made a dozen bannocks and there are only ten in the basket.”
Colin took a quick bite of his. “We’re sentinels keeping watch for Da. We need to be fed properly if we’re to do our job.”
“In that case, I suppose ye do.” She held out a jar of honey. “But ye might want some of this to go along with yer loot.”
Colin handed his bannock to Roddy then scrambled past him. “Stay here. I’ll get it.” He jumped down from the tree, the taste of honey already on his tongue.
Ma handed him the jar and tousled his hair. “Mind after yer brother. Don’t let him fall. Remember he’s not as big and braw as you.” She smelled like the bonnie pink flowers she kept on the sill in the solar that reminded him of the cider the tenants delivered in early September. “Yer father would be proud of how you’ve watched over us these months. Almost a man, you are.”
“I’ll be eleven soon.” He felt like a man. After all, he was at least an inch taller than her already. Colin dipped his finger in the honey and stuck it in his mouth.
“Don’t remind me, laddie. I’m in no hurry to see ye grown.” She kissed him on his cheek and turned to leave. “Be sure to watch the weather. There are storm clouds nearby.”
“Aye, Ma.” Colin climbed back up the oak and settled on the branch next to Roddy. He drizzled honey on his bannock, then handed him the pot. The sky grew darker as the minutes passed.
“Did ye hear that thunder?” Roddy asked.
Colin shoved the last of it in his mouth, then shot up. It wasn’t thunder. “Look!”
A team of horses was making its way across the glen towards the castle, but the riders were not wearing the earthy tartans of Da’s men. They were wearing redcoats.
Available on Amazon
Praise for Shame the Devil
"Scott's writing is magnificent...The intricately woven secrets and lies against the backdrop of an unprecedented dethroning of the monarchy make Shame the Devil a page-turning experience. Historical fiction and romance fans should not miss out on this book. Highly recommended." -Chanticleer International Book Reviews
"The references to the situation happening in England during the time of the Civil War are interesting to read about...The struggle between the Parliamentarians and Royalists is fascinating to follow and thought-provoking...and you will follow some lovely characters throughout the book." -Reedsy Reviews
“Scott’s...gentle manipulation of the material [is] appealing and easy to follow, even for those unfamiliar with the details of the English Civil War...I appreciate how Scott used the history to frame the dramatic events of her story...I enjoyed Colin, Roddy, and Emma well-enough, but I was genuinely attached to Alston...I was captivated by his arc and thought his story the most dynamically compelling. Stephen, repugnant though he is, also deserves a shout out as a fabulously layered antagonist.” –Historical Fiction Reader
About the Author
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Blog Tour Schedule
Review at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, September 15
Interview at Novels Alive
Review at Rajiv's Reviews
Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Wednesday, September 16
Guest Post at Book Bustle
Thursday, September 17
Excerpt at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Friday, September 18
Guest Post at Coffee and Ink
Monday, September 21
Review at Books and Zebras
Excerpt at A Darn Good Read
Tuesday, September 22
Interview at Passages to the Past
Giveaway (US only)
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away 3 paperback copies of Shame the Devil by Donna Scott! To enter, please use the Gleam HERE.
The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on September 22nd. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Thank you so much for featuring this incredible book today!
ReplyDeleteAmy
HF Virtual Book Tours
A little disappointed I wasn't able to read it for the tour, but hopefully will get the chance soon. Thanks, Amy.
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