Publication Date: March 1, 2015
SilverWood Books
Formats: eBook, Paperback

Series: Book Eight, The Graham Saga
Genre: Historical Fiction/Time-Slip

To Catch a Falling Star is the eighth book in Anna Belfrage’s series featuring time traveller Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth century husband, Matthew Graham.

Some gifts are double-edged swords …

For Matthew Graham, being given the gift of his former Scottish manor is a dream come true. For his wife, Alex, this gift will force her to undertake a perilous sea journey, leaving most of their extensive family in the Colony of Maryland. Alex is torn apart by this, but staying behind while her husband travels to Scotland is no option.

Scotland in 1688 is a divided country, torn between the papist Stuart king and the foreign but Protestant William of Orange. In the Lowlands, popular opinion is with Dutch William, and Matthew’s reluctance to openly support him does not endear him to his former friends and neighbours.

While Matthew struggles to come to terms with the fact that Scotland of 1688 bears little resemblance to his lovingly conserved memories, Alex is forced to confront unresolved issues from her past, including her overly curious brother-in-law, Luke Graham. And then there’s the further complication of the dashing, flamboyant Viscount Dundee, a man who knocks Alex completely off her feet.

All the turmoil that accompanies their return to Scotland pales into insignificance when a letter arrives, detailing the calamities threatening their youngest daughter in Maryland – at the hand of that most obnoxious minister, Richard Campbell. Matthew and Alex have no choice but to hasten back, no matter the heartache this causes.

Will they make it back in time? And what will Richard Campbell do?

Read the Excerpt:

 Alex meets femme fatale Nan, after having reconciled with her husband:

Not that their recent discussion had resolved anything, but it felt good to hold hands with Matthew, and Alex’s shoulders relaxed for the first time in months. She leaned towards him, inhaling her husband’s familiar scent, and was about to suggest they repair to their cabin when they were intercepted by their captain.

Jan van Verdhoed was a rakish former pirate turned law-abiding citizen – although Alex knew for a fact he did the odd privateering when opportunities arose. And with his new ship, the Diane, he had the wherewithal to take on larger vessels, being the proud owner of eight cannon. As always, Othello the dog padded at his heels, pink tongue a garish contrast to the black and white fur. And behind Othello came one of the other passengers, a young woman Alex had not properly met before.

“Mrs Graham, somewhat improved today?” Captain Jan smiled, showing off teeth that were a startling white in contrast with his coppery skin. A ring in his left ear, a short well-trimmed beard, eyes fringed by long lashes – Captain Jan was a walking poster boy for interracial reproduction, having inherited his Dutch father’s height and general features while from his Carib mother came the colour of his skin and eyes, the darkness of hair and beard.

The woman at his heels was his absolute opposite: no more than five feet, with hair so fair it seemed white; large, light blue eyes and skin so pale Alex suspected a regular use of arsenic powder – at least on the exposed chest and neck. Alex waited for the girl to curtsey and introduce herself, but instead the young woman fluttered long, straight lashes at Matthew and wondered in a sultry voice if Mr Graham might have the time to further introduce her to the game of chess later today.

“Maybe,” Matthew said, and with some interest, Alex noted the heightened colour that crept up his cheeks.

“I suggest you ask one of our sons instead,” Alex said. “They would be more of an age with you.”

“Your husband is such an excellent teacher, Mrs Graham,” the young woman purred. “We’ve whiled away quite a few hours the last few days, what with you being indisposed.”

“Really? Well, now I’m back on my feet, as you can see.” And if you try out anymore seductive pouts on my husband, I’ll punch you in the mouth, Alex thought.

“This is Nan,” the captain introduced.

“Nan? Just Nan?” Alex asked, bending over to give Othello a little scratch behind his ears.

“I need no other name.” Nan smiled. “I am quite unforgettable as it is.” With that, she dropped them a little curtsey and wandered off in the general direction of Charlie.

“I see you’ve been adequately entertained while I’ve been confined to our cabin,” Alex said.

“Chess, Alex. No more, no less, no matter what that wee strumpet might insinuate.”

The captain laughed. “Nan has been flustered to find her charms so blithely ignored – and not only by your husband but also by me.” He pulled his brow together in a slight frown. “I keep well away from prowling she-wolves, and that Nan she is constantly hungry.” He leaned towards Matthew. “You best keep an eye on your nephew. It would not do for us to wrest him from certain death in Barbados to lose him to a fortune-seeking courtesan.”

“Courtesan?” Alex said.

“Sounds much better than whore.” Captain Jan clicked his fingers, and Othello lumbered to his feet, following his master towards the bow.

“I see you giving her chess lessons, and I’ll not let you touch me once during this trip,” Alex growled.

“Oh aye? And how would you stop me, Mrs Graham?” A hand slid down her back to pinch at her posterior.

“Watch me,” she said, but she didn’t protest too much when he gripped her by the arm and steered her towards their cabin.

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Graham Saga Titles

Book One: A Rip in the Veil
Book Two: Like Chaff in the Wind
Book Three: The Prodigal Son
Book Four: A Newfound Land
Book Five: Serpents in the Garden
Book Six: Revenge & Retribution
Book Seven: Whither Thou Goest
Book Eight: To Catch a Falling Star

About the Author

I was raised abroad, on a pungent mix of Latin American culture, English history and Swedish traditions. As a result I’m multilingual and most of my reading is historical – both non-fiction and fiction.

I was always going to be a writer – or a historian, preferably both. Instead I ended up with a degree in Business and Finance, with very little time to spare for my most favourite pursuit. Still, one does as one must, and in between juggling a challenging career I raised my four children on a potent combination of invented stories, historical debates and masses of good food and homemade cakes. They seem to thrive … Nowadays I spend most of my spare time at my writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and I slip away into my imaginary world, with my imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in my life pops his head in to ensure I’m still there. I like that – just as I like how he makes me laugh so often I’ll probably live to well over a hundred.

I was always going to be a writer. Now I am – I have achieved my dream.

For more information, please visit Anna Belfrage’s website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Enter the Book Giveaway:

This giveaway is for one print copy and is open internationally.  It ends on April 24, 2015.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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To Catch a Falling Star Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, April 7
Review at Just One More Chapter
Excerpt at Rainy Day Reviews
Guest Post at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, April 8
Guest Post at Just One More Chapter

Thursday, April 9
Review & Giveaway at So Many Books, So Little Time
Spotlight at Unshelfish

Friday, April 10
Excerpt & Giveaway at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Saturday, April 11
Spotlight at Caroline Wilson Writes

Tuesday, April 14
Review at A Bibliotaph’s Reviews
Interview at Becky on Books

Wednesday, April 15
Review & Guest Post at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Thursday, April 16
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews

Friday, April 17
Review at Book Nerd

Saturday, April 18
Spotlight & Giveaway at View From the Birdhouse

Tuesday, April 21
Review at Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Wednesday, April 22
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation
Interview & Excerpt at Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Thursday, April 23
Review at Griperang’s Bookmarks

Friday, April 24
Interview & Giveaway at Griperang’s Bookmarks

Saturday, April 25
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection

Tuesday, April 28
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, April 29
Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway at A Virtual Hobby Store and Coffee Haus

Thursday, April 30
Spotlight & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books

Friday, May 1
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee

Sunday, May 3
Review at Quirky Book Reviews

Tuesday, May 5
Review at Beth’s Book Nook Blog

Wednesday, May 6
Review at Layered Pages
Spotlight at Long Ago Love

Thursday, May 7
Review at Mari Reads
Review at Dianne Ascroft Blog

Friday, May 8
Review at Flashlight Commentary