A Tear For Memory
A Scrolls of Cridhe novella
How can a seer paint ‘Truth’ when she’s lived a life of lies? Will she allow a man who has twice deceived her to open her heart to the truth?
In the Highlands of Glen Affric, years after The Forty-Five—the Jacobite rising led by Bonnie Prince Charlie—Celia Rose lives happily in Faeries’ Haven, where the lies that protect her from the past keep the magic and the faeries away. She finds her only magic when she paints, and “sees” things she cannot possibly know: she has been blessed with the Sight.
When a stranger comes on a mysterious errand, he threatens those who want to keep her safe at home. Little by little, he shows her new colors, new worlds and, most compelling—new passions. But he also brings danger, for he, too, lives a lie and is not what he seems. Still, danger comes in many forms, and the truth he offers leaves Celia with a difficult choice: to believe in those who loved and raised her; or trust this man, and learn the dark secret that could both destroy her innocence and forge in her a woman’s heart.
KATHRYN LYNN DAVIS
Kathryn often speaks and teaches creativity workshops in public schools in an effort to encourage students to read, write and dream. Recently she was invited to read at the James Joyce Cultural Centre in Dublin as their guest, and to speak to the high school level students at Sullivan Upper School in Belfast for their Bicentenary celebration. She has re-released four of her traditional bestsellers as e-books, including the Too Deep for Tears Trilogy, and will add to those her novel SING TO ME OF DREAMS this summer. She has recently joined with six other Scottish historical romance novelist; The Guardians of Chride (‘heart’ in Gaelic) and is currently at work on a new novella set in late 18th century Scotland-A Tear for Memory-to be included in The Scrolls of Cridhe, Volume I: Highland Winds.
Tell my fans a little bit about yourself and your books.
My name is Kathryn Lynn Davis and I have always been a writer in one way or another. I’ve had 8 historical novels traditionally published, and four –e-published, including the New York Times bestselling Too Deep for Tears Trilogy. After the stress of traditionally publishing, I went on hiatus until asked to join the Guardians of Cridhe. These women supported, encouraged, befriended and inspired me, and because of them, I have just finished my novella for SCROLLS OF CRIDHE: Volume 1, Highland Winds—the first book I’ve written in 15 years. I’d forgotten how incredible it feels to finish a book I’m proud of: A Tear for Memory is the title of that book.
How would you introduce your books to someone that has yet to read them?
My books are quite emotional. I just open my heart and soul and let them flow onto the page. I have a deep love of Scotland: the mist and the magic and the power of history and the compelling landscape to shape lives and characters. Almost every book is partially or wholly set in Scotland; I’m also fascinated by China and India and the natives of British Columbia. My stories are of the bonds between lovers, mothers and daughters, the unique bonds among sisters, the bonds of friendship and family and passion and growth. If you love Scotland, if you love hunger from the soul, if you love the lure of history…you might want to read my books.
What inspired you to start writing? What age did you start?
My grandfather was a writer and my mother yearned to be one; it was in my blood. I began when I was about 10, making up TV shows (The Mod Squad, Star Trek) and telling them to my younger sister at night. She became very good at pretending to listen while sleeping soundly. I wrote two novel (85 pages each) when I was 12.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
I love reading, which feeds my love of writing; listening to music, which inspires me; going to the theater, where I’ve plotted whole novels and heard every word and every song; watching dance—another inspirational activity; going to art shows; visiting with like-minded people; traveling.
What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
You have to believe in yourself, no matter what others say. Learn to listen judiciously, and most important, keep working and never give up on reaching your dream. Persevere.
What’s your favorite scene/line from your works?
The Beltane scene in TOO DEEP FOR TEARS, where Ailsa and Ian jump over the fire.
What's the hardest thing about writing? The easiest?
The most difficult thing about writing for me is starting a book. I take that back; the most
difficult thing by far is marketing. I’ll do almost anything to avoid it. The easiest thing is revising. Many writers don’t like it, but I love editing, honing, making the manuscript as good as it can be (I hope).
What are you currently reading?
Madame Picasso by Anne Girard.
What are you currently working on?
I’m preparing my 8th historical, SING TO ME OF DREAMS for e-book publication in December, and writing another novella for SCROLLS OF CRIDHE: Volume 2, Highland Beasties, featuring animals.
What books did you read as a child?
Betsy-Tacy books, The Bobbsey Twins, Patricia Beatty’s books, and many others that I can’t remember.
How has your life changed since you began writing?
I used to be considered weird; now that I’m a successful author, I’m considered ‘eccentric’ instead. I’ve learned what it means to have a large audience read my books, and to hear their responses—both good and otherwise—to what they’ve read. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world to realize I’ve touched the lives of people I’ve never seen and will never know. But now, with Facebook and e-books, it’s so much easier to be in touch with readers, to hear their thoughts and responses in real time. It’s a new kind of inspiration and a new kind of friendship. I’ve gained a beach house, lost a beach house, made a lot of money and used that money up. But most of all, I’ve made friends who will last a lifetime, and I’ve learned so much about myself that I never knew before. It’s been an exciting journey so far. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Do you listen to music while you write?
Yes, Celtic music in particular, because it lifts me out of this world and into another time and place.
What's been your favorite moment as an author?
When a reader wrote to me after TOO DEEP FOR TEARS (which is all about mothers and daughters, the bond between sisters, fathers separated from daughters) and told me that she and her sisters had not spoken to their 80-year-old mother in over 20 years. She said that because they read my book, they were going to re-unite with her before she died. I always said I wanted to move readers with my words, but I never imagined a response like that.
Out of all of your characters, who is your favorite?
Ailsa Rose from TOO DEEP FOR TEARS. She is the woman I would be if I could choose.
What do you want readers to take away from your books?
A strong sense of life in another time and place, a sense of the emotional bonds between people, a feeling that they know my characters as if they are real people. I hope they will be sad to turn the last page.
You’re stranded on a desert island. What books do you take with you?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Green Darkness by Anya Seton, anything by Nora Lofts, anything by Nancy Pickard, Beach Music by Pat Conroy, The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearseley, Elizabeth George’s Lynley mysteries, before she made what I consider an unforgivable choice.
What book(s) do you wish you would have written?
Playing for the Ashes by Elizabeth George, Beach Music by Pat Conroy, Penmarric by Susan Howatch, some of Anne Rivers Siddons’ books.
Favorite book character?
Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.
What is your dream vacation destination?
The Isle of Skye in Scotland.
Do you have any interesting dreams or goals?
I would love to become successful enough to create a getaway for writers, where they would be allowed to work in peace and occasional communion with other writers, at no cost to them. I would also like to set up a grant to help artists and writers get started on their journeys of discovery—which will eventually lead others to discover themselves through the inspiration these artists provide.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still writing. I will always be writing. I will have written at least five novellas for the Guardians of Cridhe, in addition to several books of my own, including a long-promised sequel to SING TO ME OF DREAMS.
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
Once Around: Twice Discovered
“There was a man,” Caelia sputtered.
“What do ye mean, a man?” Her aunt Clare’s apron and gown were dusted with flour, and some raisins had stuck where she’d splashed water.
Caelia suddenly realized how ridiculous she sounded, how ridiculous her aunt sounded—and looked. What do ye mean, a man? What was happening to her? A moment ago she’d been angry and afraid, and now laughter was bubbling up inside and she could not push it down again. “Ye know, of the usual sort. A head, two arms, two legs, silken stockin’s for his fancy buckled shoes. I’m no’ sure what the russet breeches were made of, but they looked aye lovely to the touch. And then there was the silk embroidered waistcoat—very fine work, it seemed to me. Frock coat of superior wool. A strong man, muscular arms and legs, and rather handsome as well. Hazel eyes and curly dark brown hair.” She said this last longingly, then blushed when she realized what she had done. She giggled again with tears in her eyes, feeling she might fragment with the weight of her conflicting emotions.
Clare attempted to take a deep breath, but the air wouldn’t go down. “Exactly how long were ye with this man?”
“Five minutes at most. I barely had time to notice him.”
“Really?” Clare was skeptical.
“And I was no’ with him. He simply stopped to say ‘hello’. Although he said he’d been askin’ about me in the village, and he had, too.” She met her aunt’s eyes, then quickly looked away. “He asked the most impertinent questions.”
Clare was still considering the implications of Caelia’s too thorough description of the gentleman’s garments. “Did he touch ye?”
“Do ye think I’d allow it and no’ call for help, or stick a brush in his eye, or a charcoal? Ye taught me what to do wi’ men like that.”
Of course she had. Ye know the goodness in our Caelia, Clare chided herself. “Caelia, my lass, twas just…I was frightened for ye and I lost my head. But tis back again where it belongs.” She turned it from side to side to demonstrate. Some flour sifted from her hair to her shoulders, and from her hands to her simple dark gown.
A hint of a smile banished the concern from Celia’s eyes and replaced it with tears. “I know.” All at once, she threw her arms around her aunt, holding on as if her life depended on it. “He asked about my mother. Whether she was dead, or if I even knew who she was. Why did a stranger ask me those things? Why did he talk about me in the village?”
Clare tried to suppress the emotions that filled her. She had managed to do that for what seemed like forever, because her niece had believed in her, always. She had been more or less happy these 19 years, hidden away at Fairies’ Haven—ridiculous name that it was. Anyway, Clare didn’t believe in fairies. She wished she did; she could use their help now. To protect the girl she and her brother-in-law kept strangers away. And this one sounded dangerous, with his disrespectful questions. There were countless perilous questions in the dusty corners of the manor house, in the cobwebs, and the light filled with dust motes filtering through the windows. In Clare and Malcolm Rose’s hearts. And Celia must never hear the answers to those questions. That Clare could not allow.
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