Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Page Length: 293
Genre: Historical Fiction, Biographical Historical Fiction
Cover Art: oil on glass painting, © Alison Hale, https://alisonhale.co.nz/
Synopsis
**Finalist in the 2022 American Writing Awards**
Millions are fans of Diana Gabaldon’s popular Outlander books and television series, but few know that Gabaldon’s fictional Castle Leoch was inspired by a real Scottish castle, Castle Leod. The two sisters who lived there at the turn of the twentieth century were among the most fascinating and talked-about women of their era.
Lady Sibell Mackenzie is a spiritualist, a believer in reincarnation, and a popular author of mystical romances. Petite and proper, she values tradition and duty. Her younger sister Lady Constance, swimming champion and big game hunter, is a statuesque beauty who scandalizes British society with her public displays of Greek-style barefoot dancing. The differences between the sisters escalate into conflict after Sibell inherits their late father’s vast estates and the title 3rd Countess of Cromartie. But it is the birth of Sibell’s daughter that sets in motion a series of bizarre and tragic events, pitting sister against sister and propelling Sibell on a desperate mission to challenge the power of fate.
Sisters of Castle Leod, by award-winning author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard, is the emotionally charged story of two sisters torn apart by jealousy and superstition, and the impossible leap of faith that could finally bring them together.
My Thoughts
Two sisters, Sibell and Constance, as different as chalk and cheese, find their sibling rivalry takes on more darker tones when their father dies and Sibell, the eldest daughter, becomes his heir, a move sanctioned by Queen Victoria. This makes Sibell the third Countess of Cromartie, the head of her clan and a peeress in her own right at a very young age.
Although her younger sister is left a substantial amount of money, the bulk of the wealth and property goes to Sibell, a fact that Constance resents as she believes, as her father's favourite, she is entitled to more. Sibell is also trustee of her sister's legacy, which becomes another contentious issue between them until Sibell relinquishes that role with unforeseen consequences.
When Sibell's infant daughter dies, the relationship between the sisters deteriorates further, sending one on a downward spiralling path involving scandal and financial mismanagement and the other to seek solace in spirituality.
I”m not sure I liked either sister that much, although Sibell seemed to be the more level-headed of the two and my sympathies tended towards her, but sometimes I felt her obsession with myths and legends may have clouded her judgement of Constance's actions. On the other hand, Constance's selfishness and entitlement made it hard for me to like her, as did her apparent scheming and manipulation of her sister. However, as we only see events from Sibell's viewpoint, doubts did creep in.
This is an interesting fictional biography of two women I had not heard of before and how their sibling rivalry lead to an estrangement as adults. Not much is known of them, although they were famous at the turn of the twentieth century and the author has certainly researched their lives well, piecing together what little information there was to produce this remarkable but sad tale of the Mackenzie sisters.
Where to Purchase
This title will be available on #KindleUnlimited.
Universal Link : Amazon AU : Amazon CA : Amazon UK : Amazon US : Barnes and Noble
Meet the Author
Connect with Elizabeth:
Website : Twitter : Facebook : Instagram : Book Bub : Amazon Author Page: Goodreads
Blog Tour Schedule
Tour Schedule Page HERE.
Thank you so much for hosting Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard today, and for your lovely review. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathie!
DeleteI'm almost finished reading this and I'm hoping to put my review up on Friday. Bernard really is a very talented writer.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to check it out!
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