Summary

Sisters of Castle Leod delves into a public sibling rivalry from the turn of the century with a side dish of the supernatural. It’s a richly authentic novel that delivers a realistic look at troubled family relationships.

4.5-STAR REVIEW: SISTERS OF CASTLE LEOD by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard

The Description

Publication Date: January 19, 2023

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.

The Review

Lady Sibell Mackenzie inherits her father’s vast fortune and the title of Countess of Cromartie, which creates a conflict with her younger sister, Constance. With the historic Castle Leod in the background, author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard pulls historical details together about these trailblazing young women in Sisters of Castle Leod.

At the turn of the 20th century, the two sisters are a study in contrasts. Separated in age by nearly five years, Sibell and Constance had grown apart as teenagers. Sibell, who serves as the narrator, immerses herself in spiritualism, which is reflected in her writings. As the older sister, she is determined to fulfill her duty and follow the Scottish traditions established by her family name. Constance, meanwhile, is the wild child. Her beauty and family name aren’t enough to shelter her against scandal.

Already at odds over the inheritance, the sisters are pitted against each other when Sibell’s supernatural beliefs clash with Constance’s actions in a devastating tragedy. Ghostly aspirations and reincarnation are only some of the themes that come to life within the story. The conflict also spills over into the sisters’ other relationships.

Sweeping across Europe, the Mediterranean, and the United States, the saga of the two sisters unfolds. While Constance is focused on her social life, Sibell throws herself in a search for answers regarding a spiritual dilemma. Ultimately, the two sisters are provided an opportunity for reconciliation, but it will require them to put aside the past.

Sisters of Castle Leod delves into a public sibling rivalry from the turn of the century with a side dish of the supernatural. It’s a richly authentic novel that delivers a realistic look at troubled family relationships.Buy Links

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About The AuthorElizabeth Hutchison Bernard’s historical fiction has been recognized by the Eric Hoffer Book Award, National Indie Excellence Awards, Arizona Literary Awards, Book Readers Appreciation Group Medallion, Discovered Diamond award for historical fiction, and 5-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite. Her historical novel Sisters of Castle Leod (release date: January 19, 2023) is the haunting, emotionally charged story of two sisters torn apart by jealousy and superstition, and the impossible leap of faith that could finally bring them together. Her historical thriller The Beauty Doctor (2017) takes place in the early days of cosmetic surgery when the world of medicine was a bit like the Wild West and beauty doctors were the newest breed of outlaw. Temptation Rag: A Novel (2018) immerses readers in the bawdy atmosphere of vaudeville and early twentieth-century African American musical theater in a deeply human story about the price of freedom, the longing for immortality, and the need to find forgiveness.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 19
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, December 21
Review at Books, Cooks, Looks

Friday, January 6
Review at Novels Alive

Thursday, January 12
Feature at I’m Into Books

Friday, January 13
Instagram Feature at Dive Into a Good Book

Monday, January 16
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, January 18
Review at Little But Fierce Book Diary

Friday, January 20
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective

Monday, January 23
Review at jypsylynn

Monday, January 30
Review at Rajiv’s Reviews

Thursday, February 2
Review at Coffee and Ink

Friday, February 3
Review at Cover Lover Book Reviews

REVIEW AUTHOR

Amy Wilson
Amy Wilson
My name is Amy W., and I am a book addict. I will never forget the day I came home from junior high school to find my mom waiting for me with one of the Harlequin novels from my stash. As she was gearing up for the "you shouldn't be reading this" lecture, I told her the characters get married in the end. I'm just glad she didn't find the Bertrice Small book hidden in my closet. I have diverse reading tastes, evident by the wide array of genres on my Kindle. As I made the transition to an e-reader, I found myself worrying that something could happen to it. As a result, I am now the proud owner of four Kindles -- all different kinds, but plenty of back-ups! "Fifty Shades of Grey" gets high marks on my favorites list -- not for character development or dialogue (definitely not!), but because it blazed new ground for those of us who believe provocative fiction is more than just an explicit cover. Sylvia Day, Lexie Blake, and Kristin Hannah are some of my favorite authors. Speaking of diverse tastes, I also enjoy Dean Koontz, Iris Johansen, and J.A. Konrath. I’m always ready to discover new-to-me authors, especially when I toss in a palate cleanser that is much different than what I would normally read. Give me something with a well-defined storyline, add some suspense (or spice), and I am a happy reader. Give me a happily ever after, and I am downright giddy.

1 COMMENT

  1. Amy, thanks for your terrific review of my historical novel, SISTERS OF CASTLE LEOD. I hope your followers will visit my website over the coming weeks for more background on the sisters and the story, inspired by true events.

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Sisters of Castle Leod delves into a public sibling rivalry from the turn of the century with a side dish of the supernatural. It’s a richly authentic novel that delivers a realistic look at troubled family relationships.4.5-STAR REVIEW: SISTERS OF CASTLE LEOD by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard