KILTS AND CATNIP

When a widow and her two daughters travel to a remote Scottish island, a series of unusual occurrences leads them to believe ancient legends may be more fact than myth.

In this debut fantasy, Rebecca “Becca” Shaw enjoyed a contented life in Houston with her husband, David, and their daughters, Jessie and Tate. But her happiness was shattered by the sudden death of her husband. Haunted by memories of David, Becca accepts a job as a teacher at the American school in Aberdeen, Scotland. A year later, an advertisement for a home in Shrouded Isle catches her eye, and Becca rents the cottage hoping to spend a quiet summer with her daughters. Shortly after moving in, Tate disappears in the middle of the night. She is rescued by a mysterious man who admonishes Becca to “leave my forest.” At a ceilidh, Becca meets Greg Gillie, the man who saved her daughter. While she is intrigued by Greg, she is more concerned with some strange events, including an attempted attack by wolves and Tate’s unusual and distant behavior. Becca’s search for answers leads to the discovery that the fae are not legends and she may have a role to play in the Isle’s magic. Tasia’s first installment of the Shrouded Isle series is an entertaining and engaging romantic fantasy with appealing characters and vivid settings. Becca is a winsome and resourceful heroine whose desire for a summer vacation leads her into a world of magic. Her relationship with Greg develops slowly as they both struggle to cope with tragedies in their pasts. The intriguing supporting characters include Kay Sheey, Becca’s neighbor, and Conall McNeil, the local grocer who has an interest in Becca and a grudge against Greg. The settings are well-drawn, especially the author’s descriptions of the tree-lined streets (“Roses twined up trellises along the walls, splashing yellows, pinks, and reds. Sun shone down on the leaves of the honeysuckle-garlanded oaks dappling the bright sidewalks with shade”).

This promising new fantasy series with strong characters should appeal to fans of Charlaine Harris.