Some gifts are double-edged swords …
For Matthew Graham, being given the gift of his former Scottish manor is a dream come true. For his wife, Alex, this gift will force her to undertake a perilous sea journey, leaving most of their extensive family in the Colony of Maryland. Alex is torn apart by this, but staying behind while her husband travels to Scotland is no option.
Scotland in 1688 is a divided country, torn between the papist Stuart king and the foreign but Protestant William of Orange. In the Lowlands, popular opinion is with Dutch William, and Matthew’s reluctance to openly support him does not endear him to his former friends and neighbours.
While Matthew struggles to come to terms with the fact that Scotland of 1688 bears little resemblance to his lovingly conserved memories, Alex is forced to confront unresolved issues from her past, including her overly curious brother-in-law, Luke Graham. And then there’s the further complication of the dashing, flamboyant Viscount Dundee, a man who knocks Alex completely off her feet.
All the turmoil that accompanies their return to Scotland pales into insignificance when a letter arrives, detailing the calamities threatening their youngest daughter in Maryland – at the hand of that most obnoxious minister, Richard Campbell. Matthew and Alex have no choice but to hasten back, no matter the heartache this causes.
Will they make it back in time? And what will Richard Campbell do?
Publication Date: April 7, 2015
SilverWood Books
Formats: eBook, Paperback
SilverWood Books
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Series: Book Eight, The Graham Saga
Genre: Historical Fiction/Time-Slip
Genre: Historical Fiction/Time-Slip
It is no secret that this is one of my favorite series. I have been staring at this book for a couple weeks now with mixed feelings. To sit and crack this baby open would mean the beginning of the end, but then there is that need to find out what is going to happen when Matthew and Alex travel back to Scotland. The synopsis does a great job outlining what is about to take place.
Any author that tackles a series is really putting a lot of pressure on themselves. Especially with 8 books in the Graham Saga Anna Belfrage needs to keep us, the reader, engaged. She needs to create a story line that needs to be just as good if not better then the previous one. The characters need growth and change in a realistic manner. Was I nervous that this wouldn't happen in To Catch a Falling Story? Not in the least, I know Anna and her writing talent, this was such a fitting conclusion taking away some of the pain of its ending.
Traveling back to Scotland both Alex and Matthew need to confront their past in ways not expected in a country not the same as they left it. The religious tensions cause much damage to the family and well as dealing with a brother that caused so much damage to his life. This isn't the 'happy ever after' that Matthew envisioned.
Alex has a past she is forced to deal with and the dashing Viscount Dundee isn't helping matters.
I could go on about life in Scotland but because not all is mentioned in the synopsis I am not going to mention it here, suffice to say I enjoyed that part of the story, it was unexpected but in a way necessary. There is closure here and fresh beginnings, there is heartache and healing.
Anna's writing style is such that you just get lost in the words. It's like you are catching up with old friends as this story reveals itself. Though I am sad to see the Graham Saga end, I take comfort that the author has not stopped writing and look forward to what is coming next.
This is a series that I highly recommend, available in ebook and paperback format.
Graham Saga Titles
Book One: A Rip in the VeilBook Two: Like Chaff in the Wind
Book Three: The Prodigal Son
Book Four: A Newfound Land
Book Five: Serpents in the Garden
Book Six: Revenge & Retribution
Book Seven: Whither Thou Goest
Book Eight: To Catch a Falling Star
I was always going to be a writer – or a historian, preferably both. Instead I ended up with a degree in Business and Finance, with very little time to spare for my most favourite pursuit. Still, one does as one must, and in between juggling a challenging career I raised my four children on a potent combination of invented stories, historical debates and masses of good food and homemade cakes. They seem to thrive … Nowadays I spend most of my spare time at my writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and I slip away into my imaginary world, with my imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in my life pops his head in to ensure I’m still there. I like that – just as I like how he makes me laugh so often I’ll probably live to well over a hundred.
I was always going to be a writer. Now I am – I have achieved my dream.
For more information, please visit Anna Belfrage’s website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
To Catch a Falling Star Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, April 7
Review at Just One More Chapter
Excerpt at Rainy Day Reviews
Guest Post at What Is That Book About
Review at Just One More Chapter
Excerpt at Rainy Day Reviews
Guest Post at What Is That Book About
Tuesday, April 22
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation
Interview & Excerpt at Oh, For the Hook of a Book
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation
Interview & Excerpt at Oh, For the Hook of a Book
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