Review: Deep in the Valley: A MacLachlainn Saga, Book Two: Niall

This historical novel touches what is sometimes called the forgotten ethnic group of the US: Scottish Americans. There are, in fact, as many people of Scottish descent in the US as there are in Scotland. Many of them know little about their heritage or how our people came to be here.

Tommie Lyn delves deeply into this history in her historical series, The MacLachlainn Saga, that began with High on a Mountain and the story of Scotsman Ailann MacLachlainn's loss of his family and Scottish homeland as he was exiled, a slave, to the American colonies.

As Deep in the Valley begins, Ailann has regained his freedom and begun a new family in the land of the Cherokees with whom he has become a friend and ally. He has married a Cherokee woman, Mali. They have children, a farm and what Ailann is convinced should be a good life. But his second son, young Niall, is too much like his father, restless and rebellious, but so is the older brother with whom he has a long-standing rivalry for their father's affections. This is a rivalry that Niall always loses.

The characters are interesting and the setting beautifully drawn. You can easily relate to Ms. Lynn's obvious love for the heritages she writes about, both the Scottish and the Cherokee. Although much of this novel is what I would term domestic, it is none the less engaging and held my interest. However, as the American colonies rebel against British domination and begin their fight for independence, the plot changes somewhat, becoming a bit more of an adventure.  The mix of domestic and adventure should give something to people who prefer either in a historical novel.

I did, however, have a problem with the very frequent changes in point of view and the large number of point of view characters. I would just get interested in one character when she would change. That kept me from becoming as interested in or connected to the main character as I wanted to be. The story is presented as Niall's but I never felt particularly attached to him. This was a shame because it was a very interesting story and he could have been a much more interesting character if he had made up more of the story itself.

However, while I thought Deep in the Valley could have been improved, it is still a very enjoyable novel about a part of US history and the history of the Scots that is all too often ignored. Scottish history and the history of the Scots in the US is much more than shortbread and tartan tat. The depth of love for their homeland, for each other, and for their new country is beautifully portrayed in this novel and I recommend it both to Scots and to historical fiction fans.

Deep in the Valley is avilable on Amazon for only $3.99, a steal, I assure you.

Review: High on a Mountain by Tommie Lyn

High on a Mountain is a historical novel not only of Scotland but of the roots and beginnings of the Scottish American community. Millions of us in the US grew from these roots, and yet, they are too little understood and known.

First, I'll just say as someone who is incredibly picky about historicity in historical novels that Tommie Lyn did an excellent job of historical research for this novel. Set in the early 1700s just beginning just before the Jacobite uprisings, through the destruction of the Highland culture, and the flight to freedom in the US, this is an amazing story.

First in the Highlands of Scotland and in those terrible days ripped from home to be transplanted to America, she tells the story of Ailean MacLachlainn. On his father's Highland croft, he had always longed for adventure, of being a great warrior, until he got it in full measure in battle and the aftermath. Hunted by an enemy, trying to save his family, trying to survive in a hostile land, Ailean has lost everything, except his determination and his stubborn Scottish pride. Even his country is lost to him in his flight to America. There is only the ability to struggle on, for the past was gone, never to be regained. Yet, Ailean had the courage and endurance to seize his new life and claim it, even though it was a hard life, never whining.

The prose is smooth and solid and the dialogue very believable. Some might find the extensive use of Scots difficult but the author includes an extensive glossary. Anyone who wants to understand the Scottish roots of so many in the US will find this a thoroughly satisfying read. Or just read it for a good story.

I must admit I am not fond of the cover which does not well represent what a very good novel this is. Do give it a look if you enjoy historical novels either about Scotland or the early settlers in American and the real reasons so many of them came.

You can sample or buy High on a Mountain in various formats at Smashwords or for Kindle at Amazon.