What do you think?
Rate this book
The Silver Link
Compelling Scottish romance Elspeth is the last of the Elliots of Everanlea.
She shares her uncle and grandmother's love of their Scottish heritage but when her uncle Andrew dies suddenly, Elspeth is overwhelmed by the prospect that Everanlea, the family estate, belongs solely to her.
In spite of her boyfriend Hamish’s plea to move to France, Elspeth decides to return to Scotland and is determined to preserve Everanlea.
She is even more dismayed when her estranged father advises her to sell out to her neighbour, the headstrong and arrogant Robin Armstrong.
Feuds between the Elliots and the Armstrongs of Arnhill are legendary, and Elspeth has never quite forgiven Robin for his conduct towards her at a dance when she was only sixteen.
Nor has she forgotten his dark, curling hair and bright eyes…
Meanwhile, in Elspeth’s absence, Grandma Elliot has engaged a manager to help.
He is charming, handsome, an eligible a bachelor - and his name is Howard Elliot, but he is unfamiliar with the ways of Border shepherds.
Gran Elliot seems completely convinced by his charming manner and winning smile, but Elspeth is increasingly concerned by the dwindling numbers of sheep and Howard’s habits of rising late and the stench of alcohol that follows him everywhere…
Robin Armstrong heroically steps in to help with the care of the sheep but he admits he has ulterior motives.
Although Elspeth finds his advances hard to resist she’s still under the impression Robin’s flirting is motivated only by his lust for her estate.
With Gran Elliot recovering from an accident, a wayward manager on the bottle and Robin pursuing her, how will Elspeth cope?
Will she be able to restore Everanlea to its former glory?
Will she ever get to the bottom of Robin Armstrong’s true intentions and find the happy ending she so desperately seeks?
She shares her uncle and grandmother's love of their Scottish heritage but when her uncle Andrew dies suddenly, Elspeth is overwhelmed by the prospect that Everanlea, the family estate, belongs solely to her.
In spite of her boyfriend Hamish’s plea to move to France, Elspeth decides to return to Scotland and is determined to preserve Everanlea.
She is even more dismayed when her estranged father advises her to sell out to her neighbour, the headstrong and arrogant Robin Armstrong.
Feuds between the Elliots and the Armstrongs of Arnhill are legendary, and Elspeth has never quite forgiven Robin for his conduct towards her at a dance when she was only sixteen.
Nor has she forgotten his dark, curling hair and bright eyes…
Meanwhile, in Elspeth’s absence, Grandma Elliot has engaged a manager to help.
He is charming, handsome, an eligible a bachelor - and his name is Howard Elliot, but he is unfamiliar with the ways of Border shepherds.
Gran Elliot seems completely convinced by his charming manner and winning smile, but Elspeth is increasingly concerned by the dwindling numbers of sheep and Howard’s habits of rising late and the stench of alcohol that follows him everywhere…
Robin Armstrong heroically steps in to help with the care of the sheep but he admits he has ulterior motives.
Although Elspeth finds his advances hard to resist she’s still under the impression Robin’s flirting is motivated only by his lust for her estate.
With Gran Elliot recovering from an accident, a wayward manager on the bottle and Robin pursuing her, how will Elspeth cope?
Will she be able to restore Everanlea to its former glory?
Will she ever get to the bottom of Robin Armstrong’s true intentions and find the happy ending she so desperately seeks?
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2015
29 people are currently reading
42 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...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 19, 2019
The Silver Link by Gwen Kirkwood is a romance that is set in Scotland. After college Elspeth finds that she's inherited her family's estate, Everanlea. Instead of moving to France when her boyfriend asks she returns to Scotland to run the estate. Returning Elspeth finds herself in the middle of an old family feud between her family, the Elliots, and the Armstrongs. I found this one to be one of those it's alright reads that while it suits to pass the time it's really not all that memorable but just an OK read.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
May 7, 2024
A romance with a couple of rogues thrown in
Elspeth Elliot returns to her family’s farm and grandmother to find things are not what they should be. She encounters Robin Armstrong, a neighbour she remembers from years ago, who she believes wants to own the farm and Howard Elliot, the recently appointed, mysterious farm manager.
Amidst the rivalry, she falls back in love with the farm and its land. Events lead to a shocking discovery and reveals her true feelings in a typical romantic novel way.
Lots of unease and hints signpost the way very early on. The background information and set up are quite concentrated in the first chapter so you do need to pay attention but clues and hints litter the way after that. Our very naive, supposedly spirited heroine, seems to take a frustratingly long time to work out what is going on and doesn’t ask any questions which keeps the plot going and ultimately leads to the expected ending.
Elspeth Elliot returns to her family’s farm and grandmother to find things are not what they should be. She encounters Robin Armstrong, a neighbour she remembers from years ago, who she believes wants to own the farm and Howard Elliot, the recently appointed, mysterious farm manager.
Amidst the rivalry, she falls back in love with the farm and its land. Events lead to a shocking discovery and reveals her true feelings in a typical romantic novel way.
Lots of unease and hints signpost the way very early on. The background information and set up are quite concentrated in the first chapter so you do need to pay attention but clues and hints litter the way after that. Our very naive, supposedly spirited heroine, seems to take a frustratingly long time to work out what is going on and doesn’t ask any questions which keeps the plot going and ultimately leads to the expected ending.
April 20, 2024
A great Romance with a touch of intrigue!
Loved reading Elspeth and Roguie's love story. which began with suspicion and reluctance but blossomed over time. The inclusion of intrigue made it more interesting.
Loved reading Elspeth and Roguie's love story. which began with suspicion and reluctance but blossomed over time. The inclusion of intrigue made it more interesting.
April 14, 2024
Predictable storyline . Nothing to commend the book. A harmless holiday read
April 14, 2024
This is the sort of Romantic Book I would have read in my teens The story was very drawn out and quite frankly boring …
April 23, 2024
Exciting drama
This is a story about hearts that fate had always meant to be together but it took a dangerous path getting there
This is a story about hearts that fate had always meant to be together but it took a dangerous path getting there
January 23, 2025
A rare event for me. Skim read to 72% but could not finish the nothing book.
August 3, 2025
The Silver Link
Another excellent book from Gwen Kirkwood. She describes farming life in Scotland to perfection, that along side a good story makes enjoyable reading.
Another excellent book from Gwen Kirkwood. She describes farming life in Scotland to perfection, that along side a good story makes enjoyable reading.
March 8, 2016
Elspeth Elliot was just finishing college when her uncle died. He left his beautiful farm to her. Elspeth decided she must go home to run the farm and take care of her grandmother. When Elspeth arrives home, she finds nothing as it should be.
Robin Armstrong was thrilled Elsepth was coming home. His adjoining farm kept him busy but he knew he'd be seeing a lot of Elspeth. He started a fire long ago that branded Elspeth as his.
A beautiful story so well written and plotted you just sort of sink deeper into your chair. Characters are well defined. I so enjoyed following Elspeth as she begins to run their farm. It's almost as if you can actually feel the love Robin has for Elsepth. This book is an easy read and one you will enjoy more than once. Ms. Kirkwood's story telling ability is amazing. This is one for the TBR pile.
I didn't find any issues.
I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it's spectacular! ~Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review~
Robin Armstrong was thrilled Elsepth was coming home. His adjoining farm kept him busy but he knew he'd be seeing a lot of Elspeth. He started a fire long ago that branded Elspeth as his.
A beautiful story so well written and plotted you just sort of sink deeper into your chair. Characters are well defined. I so enjoyed following Elspeth as she begins to run their farm. It's almost as if you can actually feel the love Robin has for Elsepth. This book is an easy read and one you will enjoy more than once. Ms. Kirkwood's story telling ability is amazing. This is one for the TBR pile.
I didn't find any issues.
I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it's spectacular! ~Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review~
February 15, 2016
The blurb sounded so good, and as I read through the first chapter I really liked the independant, but caring, red-head that is the main character.
However, our bonny Scottish lass is actually a wet hen. She seems be continually reading people wrong, she fights no matter what with her neighbour, but wimps out when it comes to the estate manager (her employee!) and makes tea for Auntie. She has her mouth 'plundered' repeatedly, by guys she doesn't even like-which comes across more as sexual harrasment than romance, but she takes it anyway and makes more tea for Auntie.
The girl I liked in the first chapter would have sacked the mouth-plunderers sorry behind, sued it, and made sure the sheep dogs chased it off HER property.
I should have guessed the caliber of the book when one character is described as having 'satanic eyebrows'.
I tried to like it, I really did. But if you like swooning heroines it may be just your cup of tea. You can make Auntie one while your at it.
However, our bonny Scottish lass is actually a wet hen. She seems be continually reading people wrong, she fights no matter what with her neighbour, but wimps out when it comes to the estate manager (her employee!) and makes tea for Auntie. She has her mouth 'plundered' repeatedly, by guys she doesn't even like-which comes across more as sexual harrasment than romance, but she takes it anyway and makes more tea for Auntie.
The girl I liked in the first chapter would have sacked the mouth-plunderers sorry behind, sued it, and made sure the sheep dogs chased it off HER property.
I should have guessed the caliber of the book when one character is described as having 'satanic eyebrows'.
I tried to like it, I really did. But if you like swooning heroines it may be just your cup of tea. You can make Auntie one while your at it.
January 1, 2016
Sighhhh......
Elspeth may be a proud Elliott, but she is also a dolt. This book received 3 stars because of the fine descriptions of Scotland . Predictable romance plot.
Elspeth may be a proud Elliott, but she is also a dolt. This book received 3 stars because of the fine descriptions of Scotland . Predictable romance plot.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews