Sisters of Castle Leod: A Novel
A family tragedy, a forgotten legend, and two sisters locked in a bitter feud
AMAZON #1 BEST SELLER: Historical Biographical Fiction; Biographical Literary Fiction
“Heartbreaking and redemptive…a thoroughly engrossing story that will have readers quickly turning the pages.” —Megan Chance, bestselling author of A Splendid Ruin
“This expertly written novel is a beautiful example of how historical facts can be researched and transformed into a work of art. To say this novel was difficult to put down would be an understatement. From the first page, I knew this would become one of my favorite historical novels.” —Sublime Book Reviews
Historical Novel Society EDITORS’ CHOICE
2022 American Writing Awards FINALIST, HISTORICAL FICTION
Millions are fans of Diana Gabaldon’s popular Outlander books and television series, but few know that Gabaldon’s fictional Castle Leoch was inspired by a real Scottish castle, Castle Leod. The two sisters who lived there at the turn of the twentieth century were among the most fascinating and talked-about women of their era.
Lady Sibell Mackenzie is a spiritualist, believer in ghosts and reincarnation, and soon to become a popular author of mystical romances. Lady Constance, swimming champion and big game hunter, is a rebellious beauty with a penchant for scandal. After Sibell inherits the entirety of their late father’s titles and estates, her intention is to be a kind and generous protector of her younger sister. But when tragedy strikes, robbing Sibell of what she most loves, there seems to her no explanation other than Constance’s treachery. What follows is a long estrangement during which both women struggle to find meaning and redemption. If they are ever to reconcile, together they must risk what seems an impossible leap of faith.
“Sisters of Castle Leod is a work of historical fiction that is, on the surface, about the fraught relationship between the two sisters. However, written in the first person, using Sibell’s voice, it is by all accounts a story of her journey by way of introspection, spiritualism, and philosophizing…The thought-provoking questions Sibell asks of herself and her subsequent epiphanies give the book a real depth…This, together with the poignant ending, leaves the reader with plenty to ponder.”—fictionaltraits.com
