The House at Dubh Lochan
In the misty highlands of Scotland, where ancient stones whisper tales of kings and kingdoms lost, three siblings are about to uncover a truth that will shake the foundations of their family—and their nation.
When David, Evelyn, and Anne journey to the Scottish Highlands to explore their mother's mysterious past, they expect to find family stories and faded photographs. Instead, they discover their quiet, unassuming mother was involved in one of the most daring acts of political rebellion in modern British history: the theft of the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey.
As they delve deeper into the secrets of 1940s wartime Scotland, they find themselves caught in a web of espionage, nationalism, and betrayal that reaches into the present day. Special Branch has never closed the case, and someone is watching their every move as they piece together the truth about the ancient coronation stone of Scottish kings.
Moving seamlessly between the fog-shrouded highlands of 1944 and the uneasy political landscape of 2010, this atmospheric thriller explores how the choices made in war's desperate hours can echo through generations. As the siblings unravel their mother's involvement with the Scottish nationalist movement and her complex relationship with two brothers torn apart by loyalty and conviction, they must confront uncomfortable truths about their own identities and allegiances.
In a land where the past is never truly buried and national symbols carry the weight of centuries, the siblings face a question that transcends time: When loyalty to family and loyalty to country collide, which should prevail?
This meticulously researched historical mystery combines the atmospheric intensity of the Scottish highlands with a gripping family drama that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
The Prince's Letters
When modern DNA analysis uncovers an unexpected link between two families, the Chisholms of Scotland and the Branders of America, a centuries-old secret begins to unravel. John Chisholm, a reluctant detective thrust into a web of secrets and intrigue surrounding his family's past, and Jessica Norton, an intrepid journalist, find themselves racing against a powerful corporate empire desperate to bury its past.
From the bloody battlefields of Culloden to the bourbon boardrooms of Kentucky, the story spans generations. At its heart lies a hidden letter from Bonnie Prince Charlie, a scandalous affair, and a betrayal that could change everything. As the truth emerges, loyalties are tested, and lives are put at risk.
The Prince's Letters is a gripping tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of truth, perfect for readers who enjoy historical intrigue entwined with modern-day drama.
The Legacy Dinner
Family histories are often a blend of fact and folklore,
with stories passed down through generations, each retelling adding its own
layer of interpretation. This book is my own creative interpretation of the
lives of my ancestors, drawing on the facts I have uncovered through research,
as well as the gaps and mysteries that remain.
As I pieced together the fragments of my family’s past, I found myself
imagining the conversations I might have had with those who came before me—if
only time could bend to allow such meetings. What began as a genealogical
pursuit evolved into a fictional narrative, where historical truths meet the
“what ifs” and “maybes” of creative speculation.
This work is not intended to be a definitive account of my family’s history.
It’s a story shaped by the facts I’ve uncovered, but also by my imagination, as
I sought to breathe life into the names and dates that fill the pages of family
trees. Others who share my lineage may interpret these facts differently, and
their stories might diverge from the one I’ve told here.
In this book, I invite you to join me at a fictional dinner table where the
past and present converge, and where the voices of my ancestors speak again—through
my interpretation. These stories are rooted in real events, but they are also
embellished with the emotions, conflicts, and resolutions that I believe might
have coloured their lives.
As you read, please remember that this is one version of many possible stories.
It’s a tribute to the resilience, love, and complexity of the people who came
before me, as imagined through the lens of my own experiences and
understanding.
Where Were You on D-Day?
The 6th of June 1944 marked the commencement of D-Day, Operation Overlord, a full-scale Allied invasion of Normandy, France. It was the turning point in World War II, leading to the end of the war with an Allied victory the following year.
I knew my father, Walter Campbell Gray, known as Campbell by all, was a D-Day veteran, and I had grown up with some of his stories from D-Day, mainly the amusing anecdotes suitable for children. However, I never fully understood the reality behind these stories.
I asked him if he would write an article for a history magazine and web site and he agreed. That article was the first time I truly comprehended the role my father played in D-Day and the reality of his experiences. He wasn’t an officer and didn’t aspire to be one; he was one of many ordinary people who volunteered to fight in the war to bring an end to the dreadful conflict in Europe.
Unknown to me, Campbell continued to write down his memories from D-Day through to the end of the war. It was only just before his passing in 2009 that I discovered these typed pages and decided to preserve them for his descendants and future generations.
This book is the result of that decision.
