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LORE Anthology
Castles, kilts, and curses. What more could you ask for?
Step into the enchanting world of LORE , an anthology that celebrates the rich tapestry of Scotland's heritage and the untamed beauty of the Scottish Highlands. This collection features stories from multiple authors, each weaving their own unique tale inspired by the lore, legends, and landscapes of this storied land. From ancient curses and mythical creatures to timeless love and fierce battles, these stories span genres like fantasy, historical fiction, romance, mystery, and adventure. Immerse yourself in the haunting melodies of the bagpipes, the whispers of the wind over misty glens, and the echo of ancient footsteps on castle ruins. "LORE" invites you to journey through the heart of Scotland and experience its magic and mystery, long after the final page is turned.
Step into the enchanting world of LORE , an anthology that celebrates the rich tapestry of Scotland's heritage and the untamed beauty of the Scottish Highlands. This collection features stories from multiple authors, each weaving their own unique tale inspired by the lore, legends, and landscapes of this storied land. From ancient curses and mythical creatures to timeless love and fierce battles, these stories span genres like fantasy, historical fiction, romance, mystery, and adventure. Immerse yourself in the haunting melodies of the bagpipes, the whispers of the wind over misty glens, and the echo of ancient footsteps on castle ruins. "LORE" invites you to journey through the heart of Scotland and experience its magic and mystery, long after the final page is turned.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2024
4 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
S.L. Dooley
14 books207 followersJ.R.R. Tolkien said: “Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory.” I’m taking him at his word. I’ll journey with Bilbo, take flight on Saphira, and cross swords with King Miraz (as soon as I get my letter from Hogwarts). There’s nothing more satisfying than dipping out of our world for a little while and joining forces with our favorite hero.
Not that I have anything from which I’m desperate to escape: A thirty-year marriage (which is magical in itself since I can’t possibly be old enough to be married that long,) two amazing kiddos, and a great home in north Texas. Plus, after a few side-quests, I’m finally back wielding a keyboard every day battling dragons in my own stories.
But life is an adventure, right? Raising children, navigating friendships, paying bills, rush hour. We wouldn’t storm Mordor without proper preparation and protection, would we? We need armor for our everyday battles. In this case it’s in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where we discover an impenetrable defense. “Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground . . .”
What you’ll find in my stories are the same people who go to work, pay bills, struggle with relationships and self-doubt find themselves transported to worlds beyond their own where a different battle is waged and they must find a way to defeat the enemy. They’re you and me, everyday mortals, who discover there’s more beyond the veil, larger stakes, and a way to overcome it all.
Tolkien sums up what I believe to be the duty of every novelist, but most particularly storytellers of fantasy: “If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape?....If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we're partisans of liberty, then it's our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!” Find me: https://linktr.ee/SLDooley
Not that I have anything from which I’m desperate to escape: A thirty-year marriage (which is magical in itself since I can’t possibly be old enough to be married that long,) two amazing kiddos, and a great home in north Texas. Plus, after a few side-quests, I’m finally back wielding a keyboard every day battling dragons in my own stories.
But life is an adventure, right? Raising children, navigating friendships, paying bills, rush hour. We wouldn’t storm Mordor without proper preparation and protection, would we? We need armor for our everyday battles. In this case it’s in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where we discover an impenetrable defense. “Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground . . .”
What you’ll find in my stories are the same people who go to work, pay bills, struggle with relationships and self-doubt find themselves transported to worlds beyond their own where a different battle is waged and they must find a way to defeat the enemy. They’re you and me, everyday mortals, who discover there’s more beyond the veil, larger stakes, and a way to overcome it all.
Tolkien sums up what I believe to be the duty of every novelist, but most particularly storytellers of fantasy: “If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape?....If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we're partisans of liberty, then it's our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!” Find me: https://linktr.ee/SLDooley
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 3, 2024
Let’s play a game called “how many different versions of Hamish and the Ghost Haunting the Billiards Room can we find?” The answer might shock you! 😂
This is truthfully a wonderful anthology. After spending over a week on the Scottish highlands, crammed together with fellow writers and creatives, given a collection of prompts and told to write to our hearts’ content? How could our creativity NOT run wild? How could the friendships NOT blossom and unfold in ways I never could have expected?
I vividly remember Brianna reading an excerpt of her eerie story about the woman who found a haunted bathtub in the garden, and waiting TEN MONTHS to read its conclusion. I laughed with delight when beta reading Rachel’s wonderful retelling of a Scottish fable. I admired when Denica told me about breaking of the fourth wall in her story, and laughed when Lauren gave us all the details about mother-naked Hamish. (Just one of the many versions of the groundskeeper we get to meet. 😉)
All these stories come alive on the page, and even more so because of how I recognize my friends in them. And it was SO COOL to see how many different versions of a story can be told, how one prompt can diverge in near infinite possible paths.
In short, I will cherish this book forever because it was contributed to by so many amazing people I’ve come to love and care for. I hope you’ll come to love Hamish and the Ghost as much as I did. 😉
This is truthfully a wonderful anthology. After spending over a week on the Scottish highlands, crammed together with fellow writers and creatives, given a collection of prompts and told to write to our hearts’ content? How could our creativity NOT run wild? How could the friendships NOT blossom and unfold in ways I never could have expected?
I vividly remember Brianna reading an excerpt of her eerie story about the woman who found a haunted bathtub in the garden, and waiting TEN MONTHS to read its conclusion. I laughed with delight when beta reading Rachel’s wonderful retelling of a Scottish fable. I admired when Denica told me about breaking of the fourth wall in her story, and laughed when Lauren gave us all the details about mother-naked Hamish. (Just one of the many versions of the groundskeeper we get to meet. 😉)
All these stories come alive on the page, and even more so because of how I recognize my friends in them. And it was SO COOL to see how many different versions of a story can be told, how one prompt can diverge in near infinite possible paths.
In short, I will cherish this book forever because it was contributed to by so many amazing people I’ve come to love and care for. I hope you’ll come to love Hamish and the Ghost as much as I did. 😉
January 3, 2026
The LORE Anthology is not just a collection of stories; it is an immersive journey. From the very beginning, this multi-author masterpiece accomplishes exactly what it promises: it transports you, heart and soul, into the misty glens, ancient ruins, and rich, beating heart of Scotland’s legendary landscape. The evocative call of “Castles, kilts, and curses” is merely the opening note to a symphony of tales that will enchant you utterly.
What is most remarkable about this anthology is the seamless yet diverse tapestry it weaves. Each author brings a unique voice and vision, yet all are unified by a profound love and respect for their inspiration. The result is a breathtaking range of experiences you might find yourself swept into a fierce historical battle in one story, unraveling a magical curse in a fairy-tale glen in the next, and swooning over a timeless romance in a Highland castle thereafter. The genres blend as beautifully as the heather on the hills, offering something wondrous for every reader.
The true magic of LORE lies in its atmosphere. You can feel the whisper of the wind over the moor, hear the distant skirl of bagpipes, and sense the ancient footsteps echoing through stone corridors. The anthology captures the essence of Scotland its wild beauty, its deep sorrow, its enduring legends, and its defiant joy with stunning clarity. It is a celebration of heritage that feels both authentically rooted and wildly imaginative.
This is the perfect book to savor by a fireside or to devour in a single, captivated sitting. Whether you are a lifelong devotee of Scottish lore or a newcomer eager for an introduction to its charms, LORE offers a gateway to a world of magic and mystery that promises to linger long after the journey's end. A triumphant, unified, and utterly enchanting collection. A well-deserved 5-star celebration of story and spirit.
What is most remarkable about this anthology is the seamless yet diverse tapestry it weaves. Each author brings a unique voice and vision, yet all are unified by a profound love and respect for their inspiration. The result is a breathtaking range of experiences you might find yourself swept into a fierce historical battle in one story, unraveling a magical curse in a fairy-tale glen in the next, and swooning over a timeless romance in a Highland castle thereafter. The genres blend as beautifully as the heather on the hills, offering something wondrous for every reader.
The true magic of LORE lies in its atmosphere. You can feel the whisper of the wind over the moor, hear the distant skirl of bagpipes, and sense the ancient footsteps echoing through stone corridors. The anthology captures the essence of Scotland its wild beauty, its deep sorrow, its enduring legends, and its defiant joy with stunning clarity. It is a celebration of heritage that feels both authentically rooted and wildly imaginative.
This is the perfect book to savor by a fireside or to devour in a single, captivated sitting. Whether you are a lifelong devotee of Scottish lore or a newcomer eager for an introduction to its charms, LORE offers a gateway to a world of magic and mystery that promises to linger long after the journey's end. A triumphant, unified, and utterly enchanting collection. A well-deserved 5-star celebration of story and spirit.
February 17, 2025
Feels weird to rate a book I’m in 😅 But as there are many other talented authors included I’m doing it anyway!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Brought back so many good memories. And I’m pleased to see I wasn’t the only one to give Hamish a nod 😉
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Brought back so many good memories. And I’m pleased to see I wasn’t the only one to give Hamish a nod 😉
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews