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Laird of Lochandee
The Secrets that Bind Us
Previously published as The Legacy of Lochandee.
A heartwarming and moving story about love, family and courage.
Scotland, 1948.
Young Bridie Maxwell has spent all her life on her family farm. Following World War Two, life is increasingly tough for the community. Many families have been bereaved, and food and labour are scarce.
For Bridie, the work is hard but love is plenty. She can’t imagine wanting anything more . . . That is until she meets her big brother Conan’s best friend, the dashing Nick.
Love blooms, but it’s not long before life tests them. Following an unimaginable loss, can their marriage survive?
Meanwhile, Bridie’s school friend Fiona Sinclair returns from the city to look after her dying mother. She’s comforted by a sea of familiar faces who welcome her home, but there’s one person in particular who catches her eye — Fiona’s childhood rival, Conan Maxwell.
Conan has grown into a particularly formidable and ruggedly handsome man and Fiona finds comfort in his arms. But reeling from her mother’s death, can Fiona open her heart once more and allow him in?
A heartwarming and moving story about love, family and courage.
Scotland, 1948.
Young Bridie Maxwell has spent all her life on her family farm. Following World War Two, life is increasingly tough for the community. Many families have been bereaved, and food and labour are scarce.
For Bridie, the work is hard but love is plenty. She can’t imagine wanting anything more . . . That is until she meets her big brother Conan’s best friend, the dashing Nick.
Love blooms, but it’s not long before life tests them. Following an unimaginable loss, can their marriage survive?
Meanwhile, Bridie’s school friend Fiona Sinclair returns from the city to look after her dying mother. She’s comforted by a sea of familiar faces who welcome her home, but there’s one person in particular who catches her eye — Fiona’s childhood rival, Conan Maxwell.
Conan has grown into a particularly formidable and ruggedly handsome man and Fiona finds comfort in his arms. But reeling from her mother’s death, can Fiona open her heart once more and allow him in?
- GenresHistorical
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2023
223 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Gwen Kirkwood
50 books70 followersAlthough 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...
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...
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 26, 2023
A Good Series
This is the second book about the Maxwell family, but not sure I enjoyed it as much as the first. Bridie is happy working on the family farm, and engaged to Nick, but he won't get married until they have their own home and Bridie doesn't want to leave the farm, so there will be problems ahead. I found it a bit drawn out and like another reviewer found the constant reminder that Nick was Welsh a bit annoying. I did enjoy the book most of the time though and am looking forward to book 3.
This is the second book about the Maxwell family, but not sure I enjoyed it as much as the first. Bridie is happy working on the family farm, and engaged to Nick, but he won't get married until they have their own home and Bridie doesn't want to leave the farm, so there will be problems ahead. I found it a bit drawn out and like another reviewer found the constant reminder that Nick was Welsh a bit annoying. I did enjoy the book most of the time though and am looking forward to book 3.
January 16, 2024
Well written and makes me want more
Nick and Conor have opened a garage business together which is straining their friendship. Bridie and Nick are trying to get established and prepare for their marriage. As the Maxwells continue working through post war Scotland as farmers, secrets from the past may be exposed that will hurt them but nothing seems to daunt this family.
Nick and Conor have opened a garage business together which is straining their friendship. Bridie and Nick are trying to get established and prepare for their marriage. As the Maxwells continue working through post war Scotland as farmers, secrets from the past may be exposed that will hurt them but nothing seems to daunt this family.
May 16, 2024
great series
I’ve so enjoyed the ongoing saga of the Maxwell clan. The books are well written, with realistic plot lines and likable characters. Book three is up next for me. I expect I’ll wish for more than the four.
I’ve so enjoyed the ongoing saga of the Maxwell clan. The books are well written, with realistic plot lines and likable characters. Book three is up next for me. I expect I’ll wish for more than the four.
November 6, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this 2nd book in the series and looking forward to reading more about the family of Ross and Rachel and their children while they work on their farm and having friends who become part of their extended family
July 28, 2023
I can't say enough about this story!
This book was so interesting, so full of joy and heartache, love and hate, good and evil, history and hope for the future!
This book was so interesting, so full of joy and heartache, love and hate, good and evil, history and hope for the future!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews