The Randolph Family Saga, Book One: The Ballad of Tam Lin

by Patricia A Leslie

Overview

This enchanting speculative-fantasy series begins with an inspired retelling of the centuries-old Scottish legend of “Tam Lin.” This insightful coming-of-age story, set in the Scottish Borders country, takes its youthful protagonists on a fairytale journey of imaginative twists and turns, through both humourous and risky plot complications.

On May Eve of 1790, twenty-year-old Janet, an Earl’s only daughter, wanders into Carterhaugh Wood against her father’s orders. There she encounters handsome, charming Tam Lin, who has been nineteen for seven years. He invites her on a lighthearted tour of the Elfin Realm of Summerland ... with one impulsive decision, Janet’s simple, carefree life will never be the same.

Soon both lass and lad find themselves navigating a shifting maze of love, doubt, trust, danger, honour, passion and human folly. Tam Lin finds himself caught between two kinds of love ... one real, one ideal. Will he choose the naïve mortal girl who has placed her trust in him, or the otherworldly, magical Queen of Elfland, the ideal embodiment of passionate womanhood?

The Family Saga series is a whimsical comedy-of-manners blend of folklore, fantasy, and historical romance. The novels abound with memorable characters: strong-minded female protagonists ... handsome, thoughtless young men ... quirky kin and servants ... Elfin folk ranging from tiny winged fairies to beautiful demi-deities ... devilish beings with malice at heart ... even the occasional talking animal.

Readers who enjoy literature crafted in the spirit of Austen and Dickens will appreciate Ms. Leslie’s deft explorations of human nature ... its follies and contradictions ... absurdities, strengths, and vulnerabilities ...most of all, the joys, mistakes and redemptions that always attend adventures of the heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780986070464
Publisher:	Patricia A. Leslie
Publication date:	11/23/2015
Series:	Randolph Family Saga , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	135
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Patricia A. Leslie was transplanted to California from upstate New York a few months before entering high school, and it has been her home ever since; but her roots are in Scotland, where her grandfather was a theater manager in Glasgow, and her great-great grandfather was a bagpiper for Queen Victoria. She holds a degree in cultural anthropology from U.C. Berkeley, as well as a certificate in museum studies, and a degree in metaphysics, from other institutions Among other endeavours, she has been a Scottish dance performer, a theatre director, a portrait artist, and a cookbook author.

Editorial Reviews

This is a lovely adaptation of Tam Lin, with effort made to incorporate all the points of the ballad (the roses, the warning to "beware of Young Tam Lin" etc., as well as the climactic scene). At the same time, there were some real surprises as the fairy queen was far more self-aware and altruistic than in the traditional tale. She's fascinatingly realized, coming from far older Celtic traditions as nature goddess. Thus there will be some surprising twists for the readers. The heroes are a surprise too, as Janet is educated and quite self-aware, while Tam Lin himself is an overgrown boy ducking responsibility in his life. It's a romance, but the realistic characters have to work to get there. The gorgeous writing really helped the story come alive -- fairytale novel and fantasy fans will love it!
- Valerie Estelle Frankel, Dream Realm Awards winner

From the Publisher