The Tacksman’s Daughter by Donna Scott ~ Blog Tour Review.

I am thrilled to be today’s stop on the blog tour for; The Taskman’s Daughter by Donna Scott. I am incredibly excited to be sharing my review for this enthralling book with you all.

About the Book

The Tacksman’s Daughter by Donna Scott. 

Scotland, 1692. To escape a brutal winter storm, King William’s regiments descend on the small village of Glencoe.

Caitriona Cameron, the tacksman’s daughter, cannot forget her unpleasant encounter the last time English troops appeared. She senses the army’s arrival might not be as innocent as it seems, but her warnings go unheeded. Not even MacIain, the MacDonald clan chief, listens. After twelve days of billeting in the villagers’ homes, the soldiers attack, committing one of the greatest atrocities in Highland history.

Cait escapes the assault with the help of Sergeant Edward Gage who is accused of being a traitor for not taking up arms against the MacDonalds. Edward is hunted by his debauched half-brother, Alexander, who stands to lose everything if King William attaints their father for his treasonous past deeds. With bad blood between them, Alexander sets out to capture Edward to prove his loyalty and save himself from ruin.

Cait and Edward travel to Edinburgh to confront the men they suspect are behind the attack, unaware that Alexander is headed there as well. Although Cait is convinced the chief of Clan Campbell is responsible, Edward suspects something much more sinister—that the orders came from higher up, possibly even from the king himself.

As accusations of betrayal, deceit, and treason abound, they are all trapped in a web of intrigue and danger, but not everyone will escape.

Praise

“The Tacksman’s Daughter is a fascinating read, at the heart of which is a truly horrifying historical massacre. The author brings the times alive in vivid detail, skillfully (and often humorously) weaving in ancient Gaelic language. Readers will be riveted!”—KD Alden, author of A Mother’s Promise

“. . . it’s a gripping read, and the author has a real skill for keeping the reader turning pages.” –SS, Penguin RH

“[Scott] does an excellent job of transporting her reader back to the seventeenth century Highlands. The dialogue felt so authentic, and the characters and Scottish landscape really jumped off the page.” –KK, Simon and Schuster

Review

Donna Scott is back and this time she is whisking us away to 17th century Scotland –  and what an exhilarating and riveting ride it is!!

Before I start waffling, let us stop for a moment to fully appreciate how glorious this cover is, it’s stunning and fits the story perfectly!!

I was incredibly excited about this book from the moment I set eyes upon it, after reading Donna Scott’s previous book; The London Monster last year and I was hooked with her incredibly immersive writing so I knew that this was going to be another book that would keep me up until the wee hours and I was not disappointed, I was glued to the thrilling and tantalising story.

From the moment I picked this book up I was completely hooked, I am a huge fan of Scottish history especially when they are centred around true events from history and you can’t get any truer or more horrific than the Glencoe massacre and you can easily see who much research the author has done, she easily transports the reader to the brutal and danger 17th century with her richly descriptive and historical accurate writing. The characters are incredibly well developed, each one is beautifully fleshed out making them very real, the villains are remarkably well written and you can’t help but hate them. Cait is y personal favourite she is a brave and strong woman who has been plunged into one of the most horrific atrocities which Scotland ever saw, I liked her instantly and I loved following her journey and I especially loved the lighter tone of the book in the form of romance (always a win, win for a romance-loving bookworm).

In a way this makes me think of Outlander (minus the time travel) you have our main characters Cait and Edward – plus his deranged brother Alexander all connected and their stories and lives entwined; English and Scottish against one other, blood against blood clans betraying clans all set on a journey which history has already set out for them. It’s thrilling and I thought at times very emotional and haunting as all I could think was that parts of this really happened, it creeps into your heart and you feel everything beat and every betrayal.

Anyone who has read Donna Scott’s books will know what an incredible author she is, her writing is impeccable and atmospheric, she has this magical way with words that beautifully entwines fact with fiction so seamlessly,  the story is a compelling and immersive tale of love, betrayal, loyalty, patriotic duty, secrets and heart-ache.

I must mention how much I really loved the use of the old Gaelic Scottish language strewn throughout, which gives the overall story a realism that keeps you turning the pages (plus every time any of the men spoke in Gaelic all I could hear in my head was the cast of Outlander).

The Taskman’s Daughter is an exhilarating, breathtaking, dramatic, intriguing and seductive story full of danger with a hint of romance.

About the Author

Donna Scott is an award-winning author of 17th and 18th century historical fiction. Before embarking on a writing career, she spent her time in the world of academia. She earned her BA in English from the University of Miami and her MS and EdD (ABD) from Florida International University. She has two sons and lives in sunny South Florida with her husband.

Her first novel, Shame the Devil, received the first place Chaucer Award for historical fiction and a Best Book designation from Chanticleer International Book Reviews. Her newest novel, The London Monster, was released in November 2020.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, March 14
Review at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, March 15
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Thursday, March 17
Review at A Girl Reads Bookss

Friday, March 18
Review at Novels Alive

Monday, March 21
Excerpt at Bookworlder
Review at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Tuesday, March 22
Excerpt at Books & Benches

Wednesday, March 23
Guest Post at Novels Alive
Review & Excerpt at Impressions In Ink

Giveaway

During the blog tour, we have one copy of The Tacksman’s Daughter up for grabs! To enter, please leave a comment below with your email address. Disclaimer: By entering this giveaway, your email will be added to Donna Scott’s newsletter.

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on March 23rd. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Follow the Tour

A huge thank you to Amy at Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours for the invite to this tour.

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