Trad Tuesday: Caledonia sung by Emily Smith, Julie Fowlis, and Liam OMaonlai

A lovely song about a lassie and her sea captain in the traditional mode by Emily Smith. Here she has some help from Julie Fowlis and Liam OMaonlai.

Lyrics:

A sailor and his true love sat doon to mak’ their moan
When by cam’ ane o’ their ain countrymen
Sayin’, Rise up my bonnie lassie, mak’ haste and come awa’
There’s a vessel lyin’ bound for Caledonia

And, Oh, says the sailor, Are ye willin’ for to pay
Five hundred guineas, before on board ye gae
I’ll pay them plack and farthing, before on board I go (plack – small copper coin)
If you’ll tak’ me tae my bonnie Caledonia

And, Oh, says the sailor, Her money we will tak’
And when she’s on sea, we will throw her over deck
Or sell her for a slave, lang or e’er she win awa’
And she’ll never see her bonnie Caledonia

But, Oh, says the captain, That’ll never do
For there are no slaves sold intil oor country noo
They would hang us ane and a’, they would hang us every man
If we sold her for a slave in Caledonia

Well, said the sailor, She’s lyin’ doon below
She’s bound hand and foot ready overboard to throw
She’s bound hand and foot ready overboard to throw
And she’ll never see her bonnie Caledonia

So the captain away to the fair maid has gane
Sayin’, What is the reason that ye lie here so lang
And what is the reason that ye lie here ava’
For ye’ve paid your passage dear to Caledonia

And, Oh, says the lassie, Oh wae is me
That ever I was born sic hardships for to see
But the sailor’s got a lassie he likes better far than me
And it causes me to weep for Caledonia

So the captain away to the sailor has gane
He’s ta’en him by the neck and him overboard has thrown
Saying, Tak’ this cup o’ water, though the liquor be but sma’
And drink your lassie’s health tae Caledonia

And they’ve sailed east, and they’ve sailed west
Until they reached the land that they loved the best
For the winds they did beat and the seas they did roar
And they’ve all arrived safe in Caledonia

And they hadnae been there but threequarters o’ a year
When fine silks and satins he’s made her for to wear
When in fine silks and satins he’s made her for to go
Now she’s the captain’s wife in Caledonia

Book Tour and Giveaway: The Children of Never by Christian Warren Freed

The Children of Never

The War Priests of Andrak Saga Book 1

by Christian Warren Freed

Genre: Epic Fantasy

The war priests of Andrak have protected the world from the encroaching darkness for generations. Stewards of the Purifying Flame, the priests stand upon their castle walls each year for 100 days. Along with the best fighters, soldiers, and adventurers from across the lands, they repulse the Omegri invasions.

But their strength wanes and evil spreads.

Lizette awakens to a nightmare, for her daughter has been stolen during the night. When she goes to the Baron to petition aid, she learns that similar incidents are occurring across the duchy. Her daughter was just the beginning. Baron Einos of Fent is left with no choice but to summon the war priests.

Brother Quinlan is a haunted man. Last survivor of Castle Bendris, he now serves Andrak. Despite his flaws, the Lord General recognizes Quinlan as one of the best he has. Sending him to Fent is his best chance for finding the missing children and restoring order. Quinlan begins a quest that will tax his strength and threaten the foundations of his soul.

The Grey Wanderer stalks the lands, and where he goes, bad things follow. The dead rise and the Omegri launch a plan to stop time and overrun the world. The duchy of Fent is just the beginning.

Goodreads * Amazon

Christian W. Freed was born in Buffalo, N.Y. more years ago than he would like to remember. After spending more than 20 years in the active duty US Army he has turned his talents to writing. Since retiring, he has gone on to publish 17 military fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as his memoirs from his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. His first published book (Hammers in the Wind) has been the #1 free book on Kindle 4 times and he holds a fancy certificate from the L Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest.

Passionate about history, he combines his knowledge of the past with modern military tactics to create an engaging, quasi-realistic world for the readers. He graduated from Campbell University with a degree in history and is pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Military History from Norwich University. He currently lives outside of Raleigh, N.C. and devotes his time to writing, his family, and their two Bernese Mountain Dogs. If you drive by you might just find him on the porch with a cigar in one hand and a pen in the other.

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Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!

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Book Tour and Giveaway: Live, Love, Repeat by JD Corbett

Live, Love, Repeat

Milestones Book 1

by JD Corbett

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Over the last 25 years, Liz Banner’s life has grown stagnant. Not that she hasn’t loved being a stay-at-home wife and mother, but she didn’t mean to lose herself in the process. And after surviving the most challenging time in her life, Liz realizes that life is too short, and second chances don’t come around very often.

With a milestone birthday approaching, Liz is determined to live a little. And when her best friend, Anne, gifts her a ticket for a 10-day luxury cruise, Liz decides it’s the perfect excuse to experience new things, and just take some time to relax with some of her favorite women. But her idea of a relaxing vacation gets thrown overboard when a few surprise guests make an appearance and attempt to win their way back into Liz’s heart. 

With a second chance at life…and love, turning 50 never felt better.

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Jen Drapp, who writes under the name of J.D. Corbett, was raised in Charleston, South Carolina. As a girl, she was obsessed with learning and reading about historical and fictional characters; one of her favorites being Scarlett O'Hara. Jen has always loved writing, whether it was short stories about made-up worlds or even essays for school. She has recently had two contemporary romances published and continues to learn and grow as an author. Jen currently lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and a 15-year old very fat cat.

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Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts and a giveaway!

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Book Review: The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

Eva Ward returns to Cornwall to the place she and her family vacationed in long ago summers to spread her sister's ashes. Trelowarth is an old estate noted for its lush rose gardens, a legacy of the current owners' grandfather. Eva stays to help siblings Mark and Susan, the friends of her youth. She thinks it's stress when she starts hearing voices and sees apparitions, but soon finds that she is slipping into a past when Trelowarth was the home of smugglers Daniel and Jack Butler. She and Daniel establish a rapport, and maybe something more, but their relationship is hard to define when Eva keeps sliding back to her own time.
If you like Diana Galbadon, you'll love The Rose Garden. Though it takes place in Cornwall, there is a connection to the Stuarts. But it's mostly a story about smuggling, the beauty of Cornwall, and the relationship between Eva and Daniel. Eva must balance her life in the present with her longing to be with Daniel.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Fergal. He is Daniel's friend, an Irishman who 'adopts' Eva as his sister and the Murtagh of this story (though this isn't in any way a clone of Outlander).
The writing is lovely. I did find it a little slow at the beginning, but once Eva meets Daniel, I couldn't put the book down. Another wonderful story by Ms. Kearsley.

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Book Tour: The Storyteller's Throne by Jocelyn Bates

New Adult Sci-Fi

Date Published: May 14, 2018

A science Fiction novel tangled in the psychology of being human and the vulnerability of an unconventional Love story

Grace was born a storyteller with a beautifully brilliant mind. Trauma twisted her reality into its own tale of darkness. Now, at eighteen, Grace has found herself on the shores of a shadow world created to heal a generation. A world whose purpose is to release our emotions from the bonds of youth.

But she is not alone. It's a world inhabited by others, those working on their own hearts and one other like herself. An amazing and yet afflicted empath and musician by the name of Kai that Grace feels inexplicably drawn to.

Will she be able to handle the suppressed memories of her youth? Accept the vulnerability necessary to explore her own heart and that of another? Fulfill the true purpose it seems she is destined to serve?

Come along with Grace as she learns to uncover her past, harness her gift, open her heart to love and embrace her future.

About the Author

Jocelyn Bates is a homeschooling mama to three and an arts therapist. She lives in NJ and writes in the elusive quiet that settles in the earliest of hours.

Contact Links

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Purchase Link

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Trad Tuesday: Sleepy Maggie performed by Ashley MacIsaac and Mary Jane Lamond

Sleepy Maggie is a traditional song sung in Scots Gaelic. Ashley MacIsaac is a Cape Breton fiddler, not always traditional except in his kilt-wearing (see Conan O'Brien appearance) and Mary Jane Lomand is a Cape Breton singer known for her Gaelic singing. Their recording of Sleepy Maggie was a hit record at the time.

Lyrics:	English Translation:
Dannsa, ruidhle, ruidhle bhoidheach	Dance, reel, a bonny reel
Ruidhle bhoidheach, dannsa direach	A bonny reel, a tidy dance
Dannsa, ruidhle, ruidhle bhoidheach	Dance, reel, a bonny reel
Ruidhle bhoidheach, dannsa direach	A bonny reel, a tidy dance
Ciamar a ni mi dannsa direach	How can I make a tidy dance
Ciamar a ni mi ruidhle bhoidheach	How can I dance a bonny reel
Ciamar a ni mi dannsa direach	How can I make a tidy dance
Dh'fhalbh am prionn as bonn mo chota	The pin went from the hem of my coat
Dannsa, ruidhle, ruidhle bhoidheach	Dance, reel, a bonny reel
Ruidhle bhoidheach, dannsa direach	A bonny reel, a tidy dance
Dannsa, ruidhle, ruidhle bhoidheach	Dance, reel, a bonny reel
Ruidhle bhoidheach, dannsa direach	A bonny reel, a tidy dance
Ciamar a ni mi dannsa direach	How can I make a tidy dance
Ciamar a ni mi ruidhle bhoidheach	How can I dance a bonny reel
Dh'fhalbh am prionn as bonn mo chota	The pin went from the hem of my coat
Dannsa	Dance
O cha bhi mi fo mhulad	Oh I won't be sad
Nuair thig a' fidhleir, a' fidhleir anochd	When the fiddler, the fiddler comes tonight
Tha nid na circe-fraoiche	The nest of the grouse
'S a' mhuilinn dubh, 's a' mhuilinn dubh	In the black mill, in the black mill
Tha nid na circe-fraoiche	The nest of the grouse
'S a' mhuilinn dubh o shamhraidh	Is in the black mill since the summer time
Tha nid na circe-fraoiche	The nest of the grouse
'S a' mhuilinn dubh, 's a' mhuilinn dubh	In the black mill, in the black mill
Tha nid na circe-fraoiche	The nest of the grouse
'S a' mhuilinn dubh o shamhraidh	Is in the black mill since the summer time
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
'S e togairt dol a dhannsa	And we expect to go dancing
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
'S e togairt dol a dhannsa	And we expect to go dancing
Tha an crodh a' breith nan laogh	__
Anns a' mhuilinn dubh, 's a' mhuilinn dubh	In the black mill, in the black mill
Tha an crodh a' breith nan laogh	__
Anns a' mhuilinn dubh o shamhradh	In the black mill since the summer time
Tha an crodh a' breith nan laogh	__
Anns a' mhuilinn dubh, 's a' mhuilinn dubh	In the black mill, in the black mill
Tha an crodh a' breith nan laogh	__
Anns a' mhuilinn dubh o shamhradh	In the black mill since the summer time
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
'S e togairt dol a dhannsa	And we expect to go dancing
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
Tha 'm muilinn dubh air thuraman	The black mill is moving around
'S e togairt dol a dhannsa	And we expect to go dancing
Dannsa, ruidhle, ruidhle bhoidheach	Dance, reel, a bonny reel
Ruidhle bhoidheach, dannsa direach	A bonny reel, a tidy dance
Dannsa, ruidhle, ruidhle bhoidheach	Dance, reel, a bonny reel
Ruidhle bhoidheach, dannsa direach	A bonny reel, a tidy dance
Ciamar a ni mi dannsa direach	How can I make a tidy dance
Ciamar a ni mi ruidhle bhoidheach	How can I dance a bonny reel
Dh'fhalbh am prionn as bonn mo chota	The pin went from the hem of my coat
Dannsa	Dance
O cha bhi mi fo mhulad	Oh I won't be sad
Nuair thig a' fidhleir, a' fidhleir anochd	When the fiddler, the fiddler comes tonight
Cha bhi mi fo mhulad	I won't be sad
Nuair thig a' fidhleir, a' fidhleir anochd	When the fiddler, the fiddler comes tonight

Book Review: Parnell by Brian Cregan

Charles Stewart Parnell is an Irish hero, a preeminent political warrior who sparred with politicians

like Disraeli and Gladstone. This story of his life is narrated by his secretary and friend, James Harrison, and deals with his political exploits in the House of Commons where he fought to bring Home Rule to the Irish.
Parnell came from a wealthy landowner family in Ireland (his mother was American) and he was not like others of his class. He entered politics at the age of twenty-nine. He wasn't a fiery speaker, possibly not even a great one when speeches defined a politician, but he was resolute to the point of obduracy and knew how to wield Parliamentary rules to his benefit. He managed to obstruct Parliament until he got some of what he wanted for Ireland, despite being jailed by his political enemies. And then he lost it all because of his love for a woman.
I found the details of the politics fascinating, especially as how it relates to our current political situation. In a way, Parnell was the Mitch McConnell of his time, using Parliamentary rules and customs when he could and ramming other bills through when nothing else worked. He ruled his Home Rule party with an iron fist which ultimately led to his downfall when he couldn't concede he was in the wrong about his adulterous affair.
I learned a lot from reading this book, but two things stand out: one of the chief architects of Parnell's downfall was Joseph Chamberlain, father of Neville, and the word boycott comes from a technique used by the Irish Land League against a landlord who was evicting his tenants, a Captain Boycott who subsequently lent his name to history.
Regardless, Parnell is an Irish hero. By the way, I've been to see Parnell's cell in Kilmainham Gaol and his grave, which rests in Glasnevin Cemetery on a cholera pit holding thousands of Irish victims and is marked merely by a boulder with only Parnell inscribed upon it. (If you're in Dublin, take the tours of Kilmainham Gaol and Glasnevin Cemetery; they're both fabulous). Parnell died young at age forty-five, worn out by the seven months in jail and his arduous efforts on behalf of the Irish people. His funeral was attended by over 200,000 people.
Gladstone described him: "Parnell was the most remarkable man I ever met. I do not say the ablest man; I say the most remarkable and the most interesting. He was an intellectual phenomenon." Liberal leader H. H. Asquith called him one of the three or four greatest men of the 19th century, while Lord Haldane described him as the strongest man the House of Commons had seen in 150 years. Historian A. J. P. Taylor says, "More than any other man he gave Ireland the sense of being an independent nation."

Link to Amazon