"Scottish romance filled with golf, ghosts and the Bokey hound!"
Sir Colin Mortlock has been feeling at loose ends lately,
something he's not accustomed to. Maybe it's because he's
been at his estate, Pemberton Fells too long. After all, as
an intelligencer, he doesn't spend a lot of time at home.
So when he receives his cousin's missive, Colin decides to
visit the Laird of the MacLeods in his keep in the Scottish
Isles. The Laird receives Colin in private, thereby
reaffirming Colin's belief the Laird wants to use him. When
Colin discovers what the Laird wants, he is not all that
surprised since he knows how ruthless his cousin is. Turns
out the Laird has arranged for Colin to become the Master
of the Gowff to his neighbor—who just happens to be the
heiress of Sir Michael Balfour and is living in the keep
along with the new Laird—a twelve-year-old boy. The plan is
for Colin to allow the MacLeods into the keep, thereby
giving the Laird the chance to wed the Balfour heiress and
gain Noltland. Not that Colin has any intentions of
allowing such a thing to happen. However, Colin demands
food accompanies him, so off he travels to Noltland, along
with sheep, cattle and wine. Since the death of her father and his thirty sons, Frances
Balfour has resided in Noltland along with her cousin
George and her clan. She has done the best she can with
what she has. There are no men in Noltland, other than
Tearlach—an old man who runs around naked and plays the
pipes—very badly. Frances is hoping against hope that her
new Master of the Gowff will act as some sort of bodyguard
for her and George. If for no other reason, than to keep
Tearlach away from her when he is unclothed. When Colin arrives, he is shocked by the measures Frances
has gone to in order to protect herself and her cousin.
Colin is not only impressed by Frances, he is very
attracted to her as well. He can see there are no men
about, but there are pikes along the battlements. However,
women are up there moving them every so often to make it
appear there are guards. Also, Frances has not allowed
anyone into Noltland, claiming she is in mourning for her
father. Local legend has it that when the Bokey hound
appears, a Balfour will die. Frances has been afraid
something will happen to her cousin. When strange things
begin happening—including a dog howling at night—fears
intensify and Colin knows he must do something. Who is behind the strange happenings at Noltland? Is there
a traitor in their midst? Who could the traitor be? Will
Colin be able to save Frances and George? Get the Balfour
men back where they belong—at Noltland? What of the
attraction between Colin and Frances? How will Colin decide
to keep Frances's unwanted suitors at bay? THE NIGHT SIDE is a wonderful paranormal Scottish romance
filled with ghostly beings of all manner and types. Melanie
Jackson weaves a magical tale of local superstition, the
way golf was played way back when, along with some of
Scotland's history. But in the end, this is a romance and
we have the heartfelt sigh at the end of the story. On the
one hand, we have Colin Mortlock, a man in a very dangerous
line work, strong, capable of thinking on his feet, not to
mention, able to see ghosts. Then we have Frances Balfour,
very unusual for the women of her time being smart,
intelligent, courageous and brave and doing what she can to
ensure the safety of those she loves. Watching these two
interact and come to terms is a thrilling adventure. This
is a story I can easily recommend and do.
Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Posted October 16, 2009
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For one Scottish lass, the answers lie within...
Colin Mortloch was a spy for Henry VIII and had seen many strange and violent things, especially since he had 'the sight' the ghosts of murdered men were happy to betray their killers. But Noltlund Castle held a mystery like no other, a Scottish hellhound called The Bokey, and a strange and lovely mistress who was every bit as adept as Colin when it came to matters of political intrigue. Genre: Scottish Historical Romance
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