Do you know your history? Do you
know your Scottish and English history, to be exact? In a story that starts in
2016, and jumps back in time to 1567, the reader is taken along with Mary
Elizabeth Stuart as she discovers her heritage, meets her true mother, has to
make decisions that could change the course of history… and finds out why her
grandmother insisted she make a trip from Toronto to Kinross, a tiny little
Scottish village, to understand her role in life, both here and back in the
sixteenth century. Open Queen Mary’s Daughter by author Emily-Jane Hills Orford
for more!
What a story! I absolutely loved
it from start to finish. For fans of historical novels, historical romances,
modern romances, time travel, alternative history, and a bit of mystery thrown
in, the book has a lot to offer a variety of readers. Time travel has never
really been explained (except by writers) and is not an exact science (as
scientists would be the first to declare), but in this story that spans
centuries, the author’s concepts work very well, and readers are never in the
dark. The ramifications of time travel, the effects of the past on the future
and vice versa are also explored. The characters are well defined, and their
actions and ambitions make sense. For anyone who takes an interest in the
Brexit question, and Scotland’s determination to break away from Britain,
regain independence, and remain in the EU, this is a theme that has
ramifications stretching back into history. I enjoyed how a modern theme had
its roots in the past. Very cleverly done by the author.
I have Scottish heritage and I
really appreciated the descriptions of the settings, and I’d love to visit Mrs
D’s B&B as well. Mary Elizabeth is a likable heroine with a huge burden
placed upon her shoulders. Historical facts are woven into the narrative very
naturally, informing the reader without overwhelming them. History buffs will
love the detail. Bigger themes than just love and romance, time travel, and
historical references abound; what if the fate of your society, your country,
rests upon you giving up your own desires and decisions to fulfil a role thrust
upon you?
I enjoyed this story so much. The
author has the ability to make the reader time travel with the characters. In
fact, I found myself asking the same questions that Mary Elizbeth asked. “So
many questions; so few answers.” Sometimes British history can be
confusing, with similar names, kings, queens, marriages, alliances, treachery
and more. With extensive and meticulous in-depth research and consummate skill,
author Emily-Jane Hills Orford makes this all read very easily, and one is
never in any doubt as to who is who in the grand picture. There is a wonderful
twist at the end of the tale that should delight fans of conspiracy theories as
well. A most enjoyable book!
