Scotland Adventure - The Elen Chronicles --Of Love and Blood

Sharon Brubaker Start Date: Oct 13, 2024 - End Date: Sep 11, 2025
  • Scotland, United Kingdom

My Travel Story

by: Sharon Brubaker Start Date: Oct 13, 2024 - End Date: Sep 11, 2025
Help nationally award-winning author Sharon Brubaker and her son and co-author James travel to Scotland to complete their research for their upcoming book The Elen Chronicles – Of Love and Blood. Healer Elen, shocked at the travesty of loss of life at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, returns home to find her young daughter, Helen, and her friend, Flora, have been taken prisoner by British soldiers. Elen seeks her daughter through war-torn Scotland, battling prejudice and whispers of witchcraft. After years of searching with few clues, she continues to hope, with an inner knowing Helen is alive somewhere. When America faces war with Britain in the fight for Independence, Elen must decide whether to use her healing gift for good or revenge. Thrust back into the horrors of war, will she finally find her daughter?

Sharon and James plan to travel to Scotland in September 2025 for hands-on research at Culloden Battlefield, various libraries, and museums. They also plan to follow Elen’s path through Scotland to 18th-century Liverpool, where Elen leaves for America.

Sharon and James are researching and writing the 18th-century American portion of the novel, which is slated for publication in 2026. Donors can follow along on social media and via the blog at www.sharon-brubaker.com.
  • Scotland, United Kingdom

Updates

17
  • Scotland Just Over Two Weeks Away. Squee!

    Scotland Just Over Two Weeks Away. Squee!

    Please send positive vibes our way. A family crisis has nearly put our trip on hold, but James and I are determined to go. We’re just a little more than two weeks until we fly to Scotland. I have been dreaming about Scotland and dreaming pieces of the Elen story. This weekend, James and I are ‘practice’ packing. I’m trying to pack extremely light this trip, but I’ll also be packing my18th century duds. Next up, checking which buses and trains to get from Edinburgh airport to central Edinburgh and then to our stay in Portobello.
    Many thanks to our recent donors. We are so grateful. This has been a sort of ‘wing and a prayer’ trip. It helps so very much. Thank you.
  • Old Sayings And Truisms

    Old Sayings and Truisms
    There’s an ancient idiom about killing two birds with one stone. Cursory answers state that the idiom comes from more than one place, such as the ancient Greek legend of Icarus and Daedalus. There’s also a biblical reference in Romans 14:18 stating, “Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you'll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.” Both passages allude to focusing on the goal, even when multitasking. Although I think I’m butchering both the ancient Greek message and the biblical meaning—mea culpa.
    With our upcoming trip to Scotland, my main focus is to follow the path of Elen in 1746 as she searches for her daughter and best friend, kidnapped by the redcoats. We’re also visiting two or three gardens that will be featured in upcoming Meadowood Gardens mysteries. Marigold Saille, aka Mari, is the protagonist in the Meadowood series. Her grandparents live in Scotland and own a Cidery. We are planning to feature at least two books in Scotland, and, of course, feature some of the gardens we’ll be visiting this trip.
    We plan on visiting The Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh, UK - http://www.rbge.org.uk
    Cowdray Castle Gardens: http://www.cowdray.co.uk/event-venues/the-walled-garden
    Pitmedden Garden: http://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/pitmedden-garden
    And time permitting, University of Dundee Botanic Gardens: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/botanic
    At this writing, we’ll be boarding the plane in 26 days. Our plan is to post blogs, and photos and video via Social Media. Join us on our tour as we work to bring books to life.

    Photo by Nils Söderman on Unsplash

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