I’ve been writing for seventeen years and published eighteen novels. My latest book, Castles in the Snow, challenges my readers not only to decide who the murderer or murders are but why? This is my first series which is exciting. I hope that you will read my work and post a review on Amazon. I’ve included the link:

Synopsis for Castles in the Snow

Castles in the Snow, a Mystery/Suspense novel, simulates the real-life of my friend, Paul Lister, who was kind enough to allow the setting to occur inside his beloved 23,000-acre estate at Alladale, a European Nature Reserve and Trust in the Scottish Highlands. Although the story is riveting, while transitioning from Scotland to Charleston, SC, the added dimension of facts and actual events add to the allure. Within this 61,213-word manuscript exist the realities of a planet out of control as we over-forest, fish, and abuse her. Paul’s desire to lead the charge in repairing such problems has placed him on 60 Minutes and other prominent media sources. He hopes to return the wolf to a controlled environment inside his estate, which becomes a part of this book. 

   A tale of greed and hatred begins with the awakening of the beautiful Caroline. She is shackled to her bed as she realizes that she does not remember the events leading to her captivity. A battle controls her mind to understand three things: what happened to her beloved husband, who shackled her to the bed, and why. The young woman believes that her war of survival might save her life if she can remember these things.  

   Caroline Emma Corbett and Thomas Baxter Reid grew up inside The Battery of Charleston, SC. Caroline’s home resembled a white wedding cake and Thom’s pure gold. Hilarious tales of childhood love and betrayal weave into a beautiful tapestry of significant commitment and devotion to each other. After graduating from college, the two thought they would follow earlier plans and remain surrounded by those they loved. A nasty family lawsuit changes everything for them as they struggle to repair their tarnished reputations. Thomas begins to dream of another land. A place of snowy mountains, endless waters, and new beginnings. Together, they search the dusty family ledgers and diaries for pieces of their origins. As they discover their ancestral roots inside Scotland with tales of pirates and Vikings, they alter their plans-moving to Scotland and purchasing the beautiful 23,000-acre Alladale estate at Inverness. 

  With the progression of this story, the reader learns the terrible effects of deforestation and over-development on our planet—the young couple pledge to return the wolf and other endangered species to their beloved Alladale. Together, they vow to help the environment. Life is good, and dreams are fulfilled until the village people began to behave strangely. What is going on? Thom and Caroline question as most of the hateful acts appear aimed at the young woman.

   As Caroline awakens, a roaring fire inside the ancient fireplace greets her, as does a window gaping open over her head which allows ice pellets to sting her face. Such conflicting events make her wonder if someone attempts to aid or destroy her. She fights to remember what happened in the final hours before her imprisonment. 

  Slowly, her body shuts down when dehydration and starvation ravish her. Still, her mind struggles to recall what happened to Thom? The first time Caroline relieves herself in the cold bed, which she once loved, tears of shame stream from her dark eyes. With all sense of privilege and entitlement now stripped from her, soon, she no longer cares about such trivial things. Nothing matters, but what happened to her husband, and who did this? 

  On her final day of survival, a man tied to her past struts into the room. Robert Abernathy gloats at his great success in making Caroline suffer. He reveals that Caroline’s actions never caused his desire for revenge but something her mother did years earlier provoked his hatred. Before her eyes, one of the people she loves most in Scotland kills himself instead of following orders to harm her. When she thinks things can’t get worse, her dearest friend, Molly, stands before her in great distress. Tearfully, she shares that Thomas and her love, Malcolm, are both dead. Slowly, pieces of the unbelievable story of hatred and greed unfold. All of this is evil at its worst. At the same time, Molly explains all of this behind her towers, a figure. Is it Thom? Caroline grapples with seeing his face while maintaining composure so that she might avoid alerting her attacker. As this liberator grabs the smaller man, Malcolm easily snaps Robert’s neck and saves our protagonist from death. However, Caroline’s redemption is not from the actions of her beloved Thom but Malcolm, their friend. Thom lies at the bottom of the lake, where they once toasted “the good life.”

  Her husband’s sad ending reminds this exceptional woman, with a zest for life, that Scotland no longer carries the earlier allure—the wedding-cake house from her past calls. Sadly, Caroline returns to a previous love, Charleston, but a piece of her will remain in Alladale, and Thomas will always hold her heart.

Here is the link on Amazon: amzn.to/3ffVYjF

Thank you. I hope that you enjoy my work.

Linda Heavner Gerald