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An illustrated historical fantasy Mystery, Romance, & Violence!
Dark Birthright will have a sequel called Dark Lord! Coming soon!
Links Family names, places, and things
Dark, Mysterious, and Irreverent a short story collection by Jeanne Treat Download it to a mobile device or PC at Feedbooks.com
Other links: |
Click the arrow to see the YouTube video. (Turn on Speakers) It’s 1619 in Scotland, a time of intolerance, when healers are hanged as witches. A child born of mysterious parentage is given to fisher folk to raise as their son. Dughall grows up in a family bound by love and morality, becomes a healer, and displays psychic abilities. His life is torn apart when he’s claimed by his real father, a cruel and powerful lord who tries to mold him in his image. Dughall must define himself, in the midst of a struggle between an Earl, a Duke, and the family who wants him back... What reviewers say... "Dark Birthright, a novel by Jeanne Treat, is set in northeast Scotland during the early 1600’s. One can almost smell the salty air of the North Sea emanating from its pages as the story of a handsome but evil lord and his determination to dominate his look-alike son unfolds. A good man, the son has powers of his own, of which the lord has no knowledge. While one inflicts pain, the other is a healer. Who shall survive? The first book in a trilogy featuring the Hay and Gordon clans, Dark Birthright delivers its readers into a world of secrets, mysticism, and the ancient ways of the Celts and their descendants. Exciting and filled with action, danger, and romance, this story will send your heart racing." - Carolyn Hale Bruce, co-author of the Rebel King series of books "Scotland in the year 1619 was a place where healers were hanged as witches, Catholics and Protestants sought to suppress each other, and a child born of unknown parentage is raised by fisher folk as their own son. Young Dughall growing up in a family that emphasized love and morality becomes a healer, displays psychic abilities, and loves a village girl. Then one day a cruel and powerful lord claims Dughall as his son and seeks to mold the talented and conscientious lad into a copy of himself. The first of a planned trilogy, "Dark Birthright" is the fascinating and deftly written story of a young man's struggle amidst the political turmoil, religious strife, and dangerous highland world of 17th century Scotland. Of special note is the descriptive introduction of the fisher folk and villagers that still worship the Goddess despite the risk of being put to death as witches. "Dark Birthright" is particularly recommended for readers with an interest in well-rendered historical fiction." Midwest Book Review - midwestbookreview.com
"Because of
her strenuous research, this book has all the
qualifications a historical novel requires to be
truly head and shoulders above the rest of RoundTableReviews.com (Read the full review) "So complete and so intricate were the details of this novel, you would think that Jeanne Treat walked straight out of the seventeenth century to tell this story. Born to a mother that suffered pain at the hands of his father, Dughall is given to a loving fisher family by the midwife. He grows up learning to love and respect and to hone the Second Sight he has inherited from his birth mother. He dreams of a bonny lass named Keira that he met long ago in his childhood and knows she will be his wife. Of course all of that before his true father finds him and claims him as his own. Under the rule of the evil Earl of Huntly, Dughall will endure a pain and suffering like he’s never known. I don’t think Jeanne Treat needs me or anyone else to tell her how fantastic this book is, but if you must know… this book is indeed fantastic. ... Grab a mug of coffee and curl up. You will soon find yourself feeling the spray of the sea on your face and smelling the apple wood burning on the hearth. This is one book not to be missed." - Lighthouse Literary Reviews - Five Beacon Review October 2006 Read a chapter Read about the characters
What the Clans say... "Once I started, I could not put it down. It has many different facets, not only the history but also legend, myth, and a touch of ancient Celtic beliefs, characters that really seem to be from that period, family intrigues and the mystery of how the relationships developed to create the personalities of the principal characters. I actually felt anger, sympathy, and several other emotions as I got to know the characters. There is sadness or cheerfulness at the events and emotions whenever certain characters enter the scene again – some of those happy and some a bit sad. One really becomes a part of this book quickly and it is a very good read! I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to visit and be a part of Scotland in the early seventeenth century." - Becky Dodge, for "The Urlar, magazine of the Clan MacPherson Association. Read a chapter Read about the characters
What readers say...
"Dark Birthright is an amazing read. For
me Blackheart was the best damn character, a cruel
and powerful man who saw what he wanted and took
it.....with style! As I ventured further into
the book, I found myself submerged deep in
Scotland’s mysterious past, a past wrought with
witchcraft, romance, desire and violence and I must
admit I loved every minute of it! Having a
reasonably good knowledge of historical places and
events in Scotland’s past, I do believe that
Dark
Birthright gives the reader an insight into what
17th century Scotland would have been like." "What a fantastic book! I used to devour books - and just stopped reading twelve years ago. Until I found Dark Birthright! What a book! Thank you so much for leading me back to the joy of reading." - Donna M., Baraga, MI |
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Distributed to the Book Trade Through Baker & Taylor ISBN # 0-9721674-8-X |
"I just wanted to drop a line and say that I found your book, Dark Birthright, to be amazing and thoroughly enjoyable. I loved the reference to the old ways as well as the effect that Christianity had on 17th century Scotland. I found the characters contained a depth that I could relate to as well as empathize with. The descriptions of the locations were so vivid that I found myself picturing the roughness of the stone and even the smell of the heather. It brought back images of my trips to Scotland. A place that is very dear to my heart. Your writing style pulls one into the story and makes the following to completion a necessity. Bravo, and I look forward to the sequel." - David G. MacKenzie "The excerpt on the book's website hooked me immediately. Now I am hooked on Jeanne Treat. It has been weeks since I read this book and I am still thinking and wondering about the characters and their lives. Dark Birthright was enthralling! I know it's fiction but it was so real to me. This book is not just words on a page; you are there. You feel all the sensory stimuli and the whole gamut of emotions. The sketches of the characters are the icing on the cake. It takes you back to a time when life was simpler but much harsher. When holistic medicine was a way of life, not a treatment choice. When you could be executed for your beliefs. When ESP was gift to be used wisely, not a joke. When government or authorities were the wealthy landowners, not elected officials. What a treat to see love and fidelity between a man and a woman; parent and child and the great value and respect given to elders. I would love to see this book become a movie. Johnny Depp would be a great Earl of Huntly. Hope the second book is at the publisher's already." - Carolyn aka The Cool C, Western New York "My husband and I met you at the New Hampshire Highland Games and received an autographed copy of Dark Birthright from you. We have both read the book twice and we have to tell you it was incredible! It is one of the best books we have ever read. We just had to write and ask you if there will be another book similar to this or even a sequel... What about a movie? I can actually visualize certain actors playing the parts. Now that would be awesome." - Cindy from Lowell, MA "Dark Birthright, set in 17th century Scotland, will indulge fans of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series and their interests in historical fiction. Jeanne Treat creates captivating illusions of benevolence, ruthlessness, and devotion, entwined within the hands of fate in this truly intriguing tale." - Shannon Curtis, member of the Ladies of Lallybroch, a Diana Gabaldon fan "We dearly loved the book and are looking forward to your next book in the series. On behalf of me, my mother and my sister, we would like to make a request and ask you to PLEASE write more of the same types of books! Thank you for the photos of Scotland!" - Lisa McNutt from Keithville, LA "On the rocky coast of Scotland, an epic story unfolds. Dark Birthright delivers a heart-rending tale of love and survival amidst the greatest odds. Wonderful...Inspirational...Unforgettable." - Linda A. Lavid, author of Paloma, Rented Rooms, and Thirst "I received Dark Birthright on Friday and finished it Monday morning. I could not put it down. The story was beautiful and thrilling. The characters were wonderful. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did. I am anticipating the sequel next year. I have already loaned the book to my mom to read." - Teresa Carpenter "I am almost done with the book and am starting to talk like a Scot. I pick up/mimic accents and languages within minutes of meeting people, but I never had it happen from a book. I love the word blootered." - Diana "This book had me captivated from the start! I could not wait to find out how things would play out. I loved how I could get to know each character separately. Now I can't wait for the next book!" - Robin S. "I was in awe over this book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. The author makes you feel like you are right there living in seventeenth century Scotland with these characters. The descriptions of the people and their daily lives in the cottages, castles, seascapes and woods makes your senses come alive. I became connected with these people. I laughed, I cried, I felt angry at times and I felt a lot of sensual passion. I can't wait for the next book to come out in this trilogy. This is one fantastic book." - Heidi S., a Diana Gabaldon fan "Although I read a lot, some books just can't hold my attention or they become a chore to finish. Dark Birthright is not one of those books! From the minute I started reading it I didn't want to stop. The imagery was vivid, yet it didn't slow me down. I could see the small fishing boats, smell the salt air, hear the whispers, and feel the chill in the air. I fell in love with (some of) the characters and felt like I was living among them. Reading the book evoked a lot of different emotions and I found my heart pounding during some of the scenes. This book is exciting, fast paced, mysterious, and ends with you wanting more. I highly recommend this book." - Thomas C. Read a chapter Read about the characters Family names, places, and things in the book
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