The First Blast of the Trumpet
(Book One of the Knox Trilogy)
Marie Macpherson
(Book One of the Knox Trilogy)
Marie Macpherson
Knox Robinson Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-908483-21-8
ISBN: 978-1-908483-22-5
Genre:
Historical Fiction
Hailes Castle, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, 1511
Midnight on a
doom-laden Hallowe’en and Elisabeth Hepburn, feisty daughter of the Earl of
Bothwell, makes a wish to wed her lover but her uncle has other plans. To
safeguard Hepburn family interests, she is to become a nun and succeed her aunt
as Prioress of the wealthy St. Mary’s Abbey. Plunged into the political
maelstrom and religious turmoil of the early Scottish Reformation
however, her life in the nunnery is hardly one of quiet contemplation.
Strong-willed and
independent, Elisabeth clashes with those who question her unorthodox regime at
St. Mary’s, including the notorious Cardinal Beaton, but her greatest struggle
is against her stubborn godson, John Knox. Witnessing his rejection of the
Roman Catholic Church she despairs that the sins of her past may have
contributed to his present disenchantment. Will confessing her dark secrets
steer Knox from the pernicious pull of Protestantism or drive him further down
the fateful path that may lead to burning at the stake?
As he purges
himself from the ‘puddle of papistry’ Knox finds his voice, denouncing
everything he once held dear, but will that include his godmother, Prioress
Elisabeth?
"There’s no rhyme nor reason to it. Your destiny is already laid doon."
--from The First Blast of the Trumpet
About the Author
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Marie Macpherson was born in Musselburgh, six miles from the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. After gaining an Honours Degree in Russian and English, she spent a year in Moscow and Leningrad to research her PhD thesis on the work of the 19th century Russian writer, Lermontov, said to be descended from the Scottish poet and seer, Thomas the Rhymer.
The rich history of East Lothian - especially the Reformation period - provides the inspiration for her first fictional work, based on the early life of the Scottish reformer, John Knox.
Prizes and awards include the Martha Hamilton Prize for Creative Writing from Edinburgh University and 'Writer of the Year 2011' title awarded by Tyne & Esk Writers. She is a member of the Historical Writers' Association and the Historical Novel Society.
Her debut novel, The First Blast of the Trumpet, is a fictional account of the early, undocumented life of John Knox and speculates about his relationship with Elisabeth Hepburn, Prioress of St. Mary’s Abbey, Haddington, and Sir David Lindsay of the Mount and Garleton, poet and playwright. She is currently working on the second book of the trilogy, The Second Blast of the Trumpet.
The rich history of East Lothian - especially the Reformation period - provides the inspiration for her first fictional work, based on the early life of the Scottish reformer, John Knox.
Prizes and awards include the Martha Hamilton Prize for Creative Writing from Edinburgh University and 'Writer of the Year 2011' title awarded by Tyne & Esk Writers. She is a member of the Historical Writers' Association and the Historical Novel Society.
Her debut novel, The First Blast of the Trumpet, is a fictional account of the early, undocumented life of John Knox and speculates about his relationship with Elisabeth Hepburn, Prioress of St. Mary’s Abbey, Haddington, and Sir David Lindsay of the Mount and Garleton, poet and playwright. She is currently working on the second book of the trilogy, The Second Blast of the Trumpet.
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And don't forget to check out my latest book,
Deep Green,
available in Print & e-Book
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