Today is National Tartan Day (link), celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 in which the Scottish lords claimed independence from England:
...for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
Four centuries later, Scottish descendants drew upon the Declaration of Arbroath to frame the Declaration of Independence in Colonial America.
Enter Patience Griffin's THE TROUBLE WITH SCOTLAND. Return to the Scottish Highlands in the latest Kilts and Quilts novel. The quilting ladies of the Scottish village of Gandiegow are known to piece together more than just fabric . . .
Life isn’t going as planned and (American) Sadie Middleton is rethinking her whole future. Thankfully one thing is staying the same: she’s able to share her love of quilting with her grandmother Gigi. The two of them enter a contest and win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Kilts and Quilts retreat in the Scottish Highlands. But their victory turns hollow when Gigi passes away before they can go. Sadie is grief-stricken, but her brother convinces her to take the trip to Gandiegow anyway.
There she meets a charming circle of quilters who remind her of her grandmother—and Ross Armstrong, a handsome fisherman who brings a smile to her face. Newly single, Ross intends to enjoy his freedom. That plan goes awry as he comes to know Sadie—and a surprising spark is lit. Too bad some well-meaning folks want to protect Ross from getting hurt again and are determined to keep him and the American lass apart.
When the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome. - Wilma Rudolph
Like Wilma Rudolph, Sadie Middleton has a handicap to overcome. Shortly after she was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), her beloved grandmother passed away. Alanis Morissette would find it ironic that after Gigi's death, Sadie received notice that their quilt block won an all expense paid trip to Gandiegow, Scotland. Her brother, Oliver, insists she travel to Scotland to claim the prize, with him overshadowing her the entire way.
Once they arrive in Gandiegow, Sadie extracts herself from the crowd of other quilters who remind her of Gigi, only to bump into Ross, a local fisherman. She saves him from an aggressive suitor. In return, Ross takes Sadie away from town to simply breathe. Over the next two weeks, they find themselves drawn to the other as they share their desire to escape family expectations. Ross and Sadie encounter misunderstandings and misdirection only to realize they are the better half of the other.
THE TROUBLE WITH SCOTLAND is Book 5 in Griffin's Kilts and Quilts series. She delivers her trademark warmth with themes of crippling grief, overbearing family, the Ugly Ducking, and Wilma Rudolph's triumph.
(Wilma was born on June 23, 1940. June 23 was later proclaimed Wilma Rudolph Day in her home state of Tennessee. June 23 is the anniversary of the First Battle of Scottish Independence in 1314 when the ragtag Scots routed the English Army at Bannockburn).
I enjoyed my visit to Gandiegow through the eyes of Sadie. I appreciate how Griffin delivered authentic characters who embrace their imperfections. They gather their family together, wrapping up in the quilts made with love by the townsfolk. Griffin incorporates Scottish culture, ancient and modern, for a "feel good" read. Let me add that I do not quilt, knit, or even sew. Yet I understood how the craft bound together the quilting ladies, created a viable business for the small town, and served as a metaphor of how different pieces sewn together makes a beautiful, but strong, community.
Recommended read for fans of small town romance, Scottish culture, and characters who overcome adversity.
I enjoyed my visit to Gandiegow through the eyes of Sadie. I appreciate how Griffin delivered authentic characters who embrace their imperfections. They gather their family together, wrapping up in the quilts made with love by the townsfolk. Griffin incorporates Scottish culture, ancient and modern, for a "feel good" read. Let me add that I do not quilt, knit, or even sew. Yet I understood how the craft bound together the quilting ladies, created a viable business for the small town, and served as a metaphor of how different pieces sewn together makes a beautiful, but strong, community.
Recommended read for fans of small town romance, Scottish culture, and characters who overcome adversity.
I received a print copy from the author for an honest review.
I am giving away Scottish swag to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about someone you know who overcame adversity. I would credit my father as an inspiration. Although he grew up in a poor Mississippi town with limited opportunities, he joined the Army, took advantage of the educational benefits, and provided his family with a comfortable life.
2. Comments are open through Saturday, April 9, 10 pm in Baltimore.
3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 10.
Mahalo,
2. Comments are open through Saturday, April 9, 10 pm in Baltimore.
3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 10.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
