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Scattered Seeds
In 18th century Ireland, drought forces Edward and Henry McConnell to assume false names and escape to the New World with the one valuable thing they still own–their ancestor’s gold torc.Edward must leave love behind. Henry finds it in the foul belly of The Charming Hannah , only to lose it when an elusive trader purchases his sweetheart’s indenture.With nothing but their broken hearts, a lame ox, and a torc they cannot sell without invoking a centuries-old curse, they head for the backcountry, where all hope rests upon getting their seed in the ground. Under constant threat of Indian attack, they endure crushing toil and hardship. By summer, they have wheat for their reward, and unexpected news of Henry’s lost love. They emerge from the wilderness and follow her trail to Philadelphia, unaware her cruel new master awaits them there, his heart set on obtaining the priceless torc they protect.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2016
49 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 24, 2017
Worthy Scots-Irish Heroes Find Love in the New World!
Set in 1755, beginning in Donegal, Ireland, this is the story of Henry McConnell and his father, Edward, farmers who assume false names and escape debts and drought in Ireland to sail to the New World. Before they leave, Henry’s father gives him their most treasured possession, passed from one son to another: a gold torc from their ancestor, Somerled.
The night before the ship sails, Henry finds love in the arms of a widow named Sarah. On the ship, Henry reconnects with a childhood friend, Mary Patterson. Both men realize their love for but they are separated from them by distance (in the case of Sarah) and in the case of Mary, when a man purchases her indenture.
After a grueling ship journey (very well done by the author), Henry and his father travel deep into the frontier. That journey is also very well told. It’s an exciting one. I felt like I was trudging along with them with their one ox and their blistered feet. I could see the beauty of this new world and yet feared the obstacles they faced. Constant setbacks have them worried about their seed and their lives: Indian attacks, the threat of new forts, a bear stealing the food they laid up for the winter and many other hardships.
In this romance, the two heroes are separated from their ladyloves for much of the book. The women are still in their minds and hearts but not with them. When they finally get word of both Sarah and Mary, the men go after them, but a villain is stalking the precious torc.
Doherty’s research shines through as she brings America’s wilderness and this period in America’s history to life. Her descriptions are vivid and the historical era well presented. She captures the Scots-Irish longing for freedom and their commitment to the new land, notwithstanding the trials they must endure.
A uniquely told tale, it’s also a fast-paced, action-packed story that is a delight to read. I recommend it.
Set in 1755, beginning in Donegal, Ireland, this is the story of Henry McConnell and his father, Edward, farmers who assume false names and escape debts and drought in Ireland to sail to the New World. Before they leave, Henry’s father gives him their most treasured possession, passed from one son to another: a gold torc from their ancestor, Somerled.
The night before the ship sails, Henry finds love in the arms of a widow named Sarah. On the ship, Henry reconnects with a childhood friend, Mary Patterson. Both men realize their love for but they are separated from them by distance (in the case of Sarah) and in the case of Mary, when a man purchases her indenture.
After a grueling ship journey (very well done by the author), Henry and his father travel deep into the frontier. That journey is also very well told. It’s an exciting one. I felt like I was trudging along with them with their one ox and their blistered feet. I could see the beauty of this new world and yet feared the obstacles they faced. Constant setbacks have them worried about their seed and their lives: Indian attacks, the threat of new forts, a bear stealing the food they laid up for the winter and many other hardships.
In this romance, the two heroes are separated from their ladyloves for much of the book. The women are still in their minds and hearts but not with them. When they finally get word of both Sarah and Mary, the men go after them, but a villain is stalking the precious torc.
Doherty’s research shines through as she brings America’s wilderness and this period in America’s history to life. Her descriptions are vivid and the historical era well presented. She captures the Scots-Irish longing for freedom and their commitment to the new land, notwithstanding the trials they must endure.
A uniquely told tale, it’s also a fast-paced, action-packed story that is a delight to read. I recommend it.
May 4, 2016
The second book of Julie Doherty, after Scent of the Soul. I read it in less than a week and was so disappointed in the end just because I wanted more! Julie has this wonderful gift - she writes wonderfully - and she kept this avid reader engaged until the end, and now craving more.
June 27, 2016
There's no smoke without fire!
You won't be able to put this fire out until you've finished, you'll sense every written word, love, smoke, hope, fear and learn something too. So well written, I firmly believe the torc will be continuing its journey ......
You won't be able to put this fire out until you've finished, you'll sense every written word, love, smoke, hope, fear and learn something too. So well written, I firmly believe the torc will be continuing its journey ......
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July 22, 2016An excellent read, I just could not put this book down. I eagerly await this authors next offering.
July 23, 2016
Julie did NOT disappoint with this book! Now I can't wait for her next book!
December 23, 2019
The cover is misleading, since the main characters in this novel are never so well dressed as the illustration. But, don't judge a book by its cover. Right? Right. This is a beautifully written story about the redemptive power of love. It begins in Ireland, passes through a horrendous ocean voyage, and ends in Colonial Pennsylvania. A father and son make this perilous journey to escape famine and persecution in Ireland, searching for freedom and prosperity in the wide open lands of America. Along the way, they both fall in love, the father with a widowed innkeeper, and the son with an indentured housekeeper. Though romance blossoms, thorns quickly sprout, with dire events keeping the two apart from the women they love. First, they must establish themselves on the frontier and make a go of it. Easier said than done. Threatened by wild weather, wild animals, and wild men, it is all they can do to just survive, much less gain a foothold. But the greatest threat of all comes from an older brother, who follows them and wants something from them--a golden torc, which is a family heirloom that he considers his birthright. The torc carries with it a great blessing and a terrible curse. He means to have it at all costs, even if it means destroying their lives or killing them to get it. Will love conquer all? To find out, you'll have to read this marvelous romantic adventure, well-crafted and cinematic in both dialog and description. You'll like it, I'm pretty sure.
August 12, 2017
I loved learning about the history of central Pennsylvania in its early settlement days. A tremendous amount of research went into the crafting of this story. Doherty does a fantastic job with dialect and 18th-century life as she journeys her characters from Ireland to PA.
April 1, 2019
Very good
I was kept on my toes with all the happenings. It still leaves you wondering at the very end. Could there be another book taking up where this left off????
I was kept on my toes with all the happenings. It still leaves you wondering at the very end. Could there be another book taking up where this left off????
May 26, 2020
Another great book by Julie! Love her attention to detail!
January 2, 2021
Two stars for the historical part... Which is the only reason I finished it. Much of the story was disturbing and totally unnecessary.
February 20, 2021
Very Good Read
I really enjoyed this book. The author kept you turning the page. It kept me up late reading many a night.
Great Job.
I really enjoyed this book. The author kept you turning the page. It kept me up late reading many a night.
Great Job.
January 12, 2024
Scattered Seeds
I liked this book. I know this is fiction, but some of these awful things probably happened to our ancestors, so I'm glad it ended happily
I liked this book. I know this is fiction, but some of these awful things probably happened to our ancestors, so I'm glad it ended happily
February 23, 2025
Wonderfully written!
October 18, 2016
This is a lush historical that truly brings the Colonial era to life!
Read full review in the 2016 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2016 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 11, 2016
Scattered Seeds
By Julie Doherty
Julie Doherty captured me and transported me back to the 18th century where people imbued with courage and driven by desperation forged a new life in colonial-era America. Rich in imagery and filled with emotional impact, her writing juxtaposes lush description of the setting against the rough Scots-Irish brogue of the characters. I found myself rereading sentences more than once to savor her delicious writings style. Ms. Doherty’s dedication to research and historical accuracy pays off in the realistic description of the setting, lifestyle and events of this time period. Her first novel, Scent of the Soul is on my To Be Read list.
By Julie Doherty
Julie Doherty captured me and transported me back to the 18th century where people imbued with courage and driven by desperation forged a new life in colonial-era America. Rich in imagery and filled with emotional impact, her writing juxtaposes lush description of the setting against the rough Scots-Irish brogue of the characters. I found myself rereading sentences more than once to savor her delicious writings style. Ms. Doherty’s dedication to research and historical accuracy pays off in the realistic description of the setting, lifestyle and events of this time period. Her first novel, Scent of the Soul is on my To Be Read list.
July 9, 2016
This is historical fiction which I sometimes have a hard time getting into. However by the 4 chapter I was trying to find out what happens next. I found that this was really interesting and I could believe that this might have really happened and took me back in time. This story was good I loved the characters and found my self hoping for them as I was reading and the end was fabulous!!!
August 2, 2016
I am so impressed by this author and her amazing talent. She pulls you into the colorful tapestry of every story she weaves. At the end of the book you will be sorry to leave her characters and will be impatiently waiting for more from Julie Doherty.
October 6, 2016
The writing made me feel I was there! Excellent! Great research!
April 16, 2017
Couldn't Put it Down
My boss told me about Julie Doherty's books and I decided to give them a try.....The first one didn't do much for me as it was not a time period in history that I like. The story was well written but not my interest .....BUT this one was great....The historic part interested me as I live in that part of Pennsylvania and my family settled there in the late 1600's. I could visualize what I was reading about the area and I recognized where some of the story happened. I even recognized some of the old family names for the area. Anyway I really enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down, read it twice in 4 days and can't wait for the next book to come out! Maybe I'll see my old Pennsylvanian family names show up in the next book lol... Keep the books coming Julie Doherty!
My boss told me about Julie Doherty's books and I decided to give them a try.....The first one didn't do much for me as it was not a time period in history that I like. The story was well written but not my interest .....BUT this one was great....The historic part interested me as I live in that part of Pennsylvania and my family settled there in the late 1600's. I could visualize what I was reading about the area and I recognized where some of the story happened. I even recognized some of the old family names for the area. Anyway I really enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down, read it twice in 4 days and can't wait for the next book to come out! Maybe I'll see my old Pennsylvanian family names show up in the next book lol... Keep the books coming Julie Doherty!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews