Children of the Glens

Lochandee #3

by Gwen Kirkwood

Another title in the very popular Scottish farming saga In 1950s Scotland the farming industry is on the brink of huge change, becoming more mechanised and less human. But for the Maxwell family who farm at Lochandee it is also a time of hope and promise for the future. As matriarch Rachel contemplates her assorted children and grandchildren, she has every reason to feel proud of her clan. Conan's transport business is prospering, and he and his wife Fiona have plans to develop into the burgeoning tourist industry. Rachel's daughter Bridie is as happily married as Rachel herself, and she and Nick are working at building their own cattle farm. The only cloud on the horizon is a young woman named Gerda Fritz-Allan, who seems to have caught the eye of Rachel's youngest son, Ewan. Beautiful, ambitious and utterly selfish, Gerda has the power to wreak untold damage, changing the lives of the Maxwell family for ever

294 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

Although I was born on a Yorkshire farm and went to school there I have lived most of my adult life in Scotland, UK. I am a widow now but my husband was a dairy farmer. My son continues farming and my younger daughter has a farm ice cream parlour. They both live near to me so they keep me up to date with life and changing trends and I enjoy my grandchildren’s company.

I did not start writing until my elder daughter went to university. I entered a Woman’s Weekly competition and I was fortunate when Lynda O'Byrne, the fiction editor, wrote to tell me she had liked my entry and suggested I finish it and send it to publisher Robert Hale. It was too long for their Rainbow Romance format but I made the changes suggested and it was published under the name Lynn Granger. Three more followed. I shall always be grateful for the early encouragement and patience I received at that time.

The purchase of an Amstrad computer for the farm accounts was a boon. It had a word processor - a great improvement on my typing and Tippex. This enabled me to write the four longer sagas in the Fairlyden series which starts around 1850 and follows the generations to the end of the First World War. My husband helped with research of farming history for these, delving into his collection of Scottish Farmer Albums going back to 1900. I wish I had listened to more of the stories from my grandparents.

Since winning the RNA Elizabeth Goudge Trophy in 2000 I have written eleven more sagas, all with Scottish settings.

I have recently uploaded my early romances under my own name of Gwen Kirkwood, to Amazon and Smashwords as e-books, also the first two of the Fairlyden series are now available as e-books. http://www.Amazon.com/author/gwenkirk...

I share a blog with four other writers at http://www.novelpointsofview.blogspot...

Occasionally I contribute to the RNA http://www.historicalsaganovels.blogs...

Reviews

[Nancy Gutreich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams of the valley

When the description says heartbreaking you weren't kidding.There were times when I didn't know if I could finish the book. Need a doing what she did to Sean was devastating enough but then Ewan getting killed in a car accident really did me in.How you were able to write the story like this is amazing to me.I would have been either spitting angry or crying my eyes out.

[Barbara England · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Gwen kirkwood is a brilliant writer. Maxwell family quartet is a wonderful read. Only one more to go for me. Would relish more if ever there is one. Have read 3 books in 3days. Couldn’t put it down.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Triumph out of defeat!

I love the Maxwell family! Their strength and their love for one another. I love how much foresight the grandparents have and their protective love over their kids and grandkids while allowing them to choose their futures and careers.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing the story of Ross and Rachel’s children and the farming of each of their own farms and the sadness that comes with it
Such a fantastic set of books
Can’t wait to start book 4 the last of the series

[Linda Croyt · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

I was swept up into the lives of the Maxwell family when I started the first book in the series. This book kept up with that tradition. New characters added, some original characters lost but still a great read. On to book 4!

[SUE DAWSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Maxwell Family

What a good read. Can't wait to start the final book in this series to see what happens next. Excellent.

[Eleanor Bull · Rating 5 out of 5]

followed these books

Once again I couldn’t put this down. Great read! Families and down to earth people with a few villains thrown in!