#Review: The Lady of the Loch by Elena Collins @JudyLeighWriter @BoldwoodBooks @rararesources #blogtour #publicationday #BoldwoodBloggers #TheLadyoftheLoch

I’m delighted today to be helping launch the blog tour for The Lady of the Loch by Elena Collins, and sharing my publication day review: published today (23rd February) by Boldwood Books, it’s now available for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. As ever, my thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).

You already know how much I love Judy Leigh’s writing, don’t you – just pop her name into my search bar you’ll find lots of reviews of her books, every one my new favourite. But I’m now rather a fan of her alter ego Elena Collins too. Her first, The Witch’s Tree, delivered absolutely everything I’d hoped for – the history, the locations, the spine-tingling moments – and thoroughly deserved its place as one of my 2022 Books of the Year. So as soon as I heard about her latest, I was first in the queue to sign up to read it pre-publication and to share another review…

‘Although I believe I will die here in this castle, my spirit will never be silent.’

 

Ravenscraig Castle, Scotland. 1307

 

When the castle she works in is sacked by the army of Prince Edward of England, kitchen maid Agnes Fitzgerald manages to escape north of Inverness to throw herself at the mercy of the Lord and Lady at Ravenscraig Castle. Although safe for now, the people of Scotland are fighting hard for their independence, and the threat of the English hangs heavy over the land.  But when Agnes spies Cam Buchanan swimming in the loch, her mind turns away from war and towards love.  Agnes even dares to dream of a happy future, until she learns that Cam must go and fight alongside Robert de Brus.

 

Present day

 

Twins Leah and Zoe need a change, so caretaking at Ravenscraig Castle is the perfect opportunity to get away from it all. Surrounded by rugged Highland countryside, and bordered by a loch, the picturesque setting is everything they dreamed of. But the locals are reluctant to visit Ravenscraig, and there are whispers of ghosts and lost souls. The sisters quickly dismiss such superstition, but soon the overwhelming sadness they feel coming from the tower grows too hard to ignore.

 

Can the sisters finally right the wrongs of seven hundred years of heartbreak, seven hundred years of betrayal…

 

USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing as Elena Collins, brings you this heart-breaking and unforgettable timeslip novel, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Diana Gabaldon and Louise Douglas.

The historical content in this book is stunning – the Scottish Highlands during the period leading up to the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, as the English sought to overthrow King Robert de Brus. As the author describes it in her note, the backdrop is treachery, bloodshed and battles – but the story focuses on Agnes Fitzgerald, a servant who escapes from the bloody siege of Kildrummy Castle and flees to the castle of Ravenscraig in Rosemuir (the product of the author’s imagination, but based on Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness).

The way the author recreates day-to-day life within the castle’s walls – and particularly in the kitchens where Agnes works – is simply wonderful, replete with the smells of roasting barley, baking bread and spitting boars (on special occasions…), a life of real hardship with a heavy workload, and the constant threat of the English forces’ approach. At first, this is a story of survival – Agnes and her sister Effie initially taken in under false pretences, but finding friends and allies in their new home – but it turns into a particularly tender and convincing romance when Agnes falls in love with warrior Cam Buchanan, always living with the threat of possible betrayal.

Then there’s the present day story – Leah, accompanied by twin sister Zoe, has the opportunity for a much-needed fresh start, returning to an area she’s always loved, when she takes on the job of caretaker at Ravenscraig Castle. While they’re comfortable enough warmed by the fires in their flat within the castle walls, there’s an iciness in the air around the castle’s interior – and it soon becomes clear that there’s a restless presence, and a reason why previous caretakers have never stayed very long.

And then there’s the southwest wing across the courtyard, its chapel tended by the mysterious Mirren Logan – but when it looks like the perfect place to develop for weddings, they might just choose not to heed the warnings to give it a wide berth, whatever the possible consequences. The contemporary storyline develops into a romance too – actually more than one – but it was the story behind the supernatural touches that kept the book’s pages turning ever faster. I’ve mentioned before, I know, that I’m a bit of a wuss when it comes to the supernatural – but this one wasn’t too terrifying, just a little unsettling with a few well-crafted edge-of-the-seat moments.

The prologue – an excellent piece of writing, which I re-read at the end – gives a strong flavour of how the story will develop, but I still hoped beyond measure that Agnes might get her happy ending. And in some ways, I guess… well, see what you think. It’s unusual for me, but I will admit that I was rather more caught up by the historical thread than the contemporary one – but the crossovers (this isn’t a time slip in the true sense, but there are really clever resonances between past and present) are exceptionally well handled. And my goodness, what an emotional story – and one I really lived rather than simply read because of the strength of the author’s writing, backed up with a depth of research that really brings the lawless 1300s in the Highlands vividly to life.

Seven hundred years of heartbreak and betrayal – and a book I thoroughly enjoyed, and would highly recommend to others. I can’t wait to see where Elena Collins’ imagination will take her next!

About the author

Elena Collins is the pseudonym for USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing unforgettable, heart-breaking timeslip novels. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

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