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The Handfasters (Lowland Romance Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.1 out of 5 stars 3,637 ratings

Scotland, 1811. Coming from the Highlands to Edinburgh in search of a husband, Alison Lamont finds herself in all sorts of trouble.

Thrown out of a fashionable ball for a stolen kiss, Alison flees from a riot in the notorious Old Town and meets Willie Kemp, an eccentric boatbuilder. While she falls deeply in love with Mr. Kemp, her aunt wishes her to marry the obnoxious but rich John Forres.

Alison takes drastic measures to solve her dilemma, including a long trip through the snow-covered Pentland Hills. But who left the mysterious footprints outside her cottage, and what secrets is Mr. Kemp hiding?

Praise:

★★★★★ - "I would highly suggest this book to anyone looking for a sweet love story set in historical times."

★★★★★ - "A beautifully written romance with historical information tossed in for good measure. I was swept away immediately."

★★★★★ - "By far the loveliest book I have read in a long time. The characters were real and the story line was engrossing."

★★★★★ - "Hopefully, Swift will carry on with the lives of her characters and we can enjoy the way she paints this era of Scottish history."

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B009QNR1NQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Next Chapter
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 13 Oct. 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 380 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 310 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12
  • Book 1 of 6 ‏ : ‎ Lowland Romance
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 18 years
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 3,637 ratings

About the author

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Helen Susan Swift
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Born in Edinburgh and bred in the Scottish countryside, Helen Susan Swift currently lives in the north-east of the country. Happily married, she works two jobs as well as writing in a variety of genres. Her interests include folklore and history, as well as hill-walking, nature and football, following Aberdeen FC and Ayr United. She grew up visiting castles and stories, which gave her books a slight quirk when compared to others of the genres in which she writes. It is foibles and cares of people that interest her, the impact of image over reality and the realisation of the true depth of love rather than the shallow desire for material advantage.

When Helen Susan wrote her first book, The Handfasters, she intended it to be a one-off, but one thing led to another, her love of history intervened and others followed. She thinks the same about each book she produces: this will be the last, so it is a surprise when the desire for another arises.

Helen Susan is one of the shyest people it is possible to meet. Very few people know she writes. She keeps herself to herself and does not encourage photographs.

From her small house, Helen Susan can see the North Sea on one side and the country on the other. The moodiness of nature inspires long walks along the coast, with its shattered castles and splintering waves, coves where Vikings once landed and houses that once sheltered smugglers. The hills constantly beckon, where the wildlife is more important than humans. Above, Helen can contemplate the void of the sky. Yet at home, one person awaits, always.

Her Dark stories reveal her interest in the supernatural, the impact of superstition on the mind of man and woman. Life on this planet is a constant battle between good and evil, in whatever guise that takes. Sometimes good is victorious, as in the romance stories, sometimes the other side triumphs.

Perhaps Helen Susan's life walks along the shaded fringe of both, as her writing can be cosy and fun. . . or dark.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
3,637 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a well-executed story with a twist, and they appreciate its readability and humor. Moreover, the book is well-researched, with one customer highlighting its evocative descriptions of Edinburgh in the early 1800s. Additionally, customers enjoy the interesting characters.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

20 customers mention ‘Story quality’20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, describing it as a great tale with a twist and a light-hearted approach.

"I haven't read any other titles from this author but this was a good storyline and an enjoyable novel which kept me interested until the end...." Read more

"I read this in a few hours. Light hearted story with interesting characters...." Read more

"I enjoyed the book very much , love the storyline and characters, it's a book when I was reading you can imagine you are there ...." Read more

"An absolutely gripping story of love, assumptions and endearment...." Read more

16 customers mention ‘Readability’16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very readable and love the way it is written, with one customer describing it as an uncomplicated read.

"I really enjoyed reading this book, it's quite different from the normal romantic tales, this one is far from romantic a really good read." Read more

"...To me it a amazing book. Look forward to others. Helen great book 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟..." Read more

"The book was OK.it had what I like a beginning middle and end. I don't know maybe it's not my kind of book. Will read the Author again ...." Read more

"A great tale with a twist that is funny and sweet and a really tantalising read. Romance at its best" Read more

15 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as a fun and funny read, with one mentioning it's perfect summer reading and another noting it's set in their favorite city.

"...titles from this author but this was a good storyline and an enjoyable novel which kept me interested until the end...." Read more

"I enjoyed the book very much , love the storyline and characters, it's a book when I was reading you can imagine you are there ...." Read more

"...The descriptions of Edinburgh in the early 1800 is evocative. An enjoyable read, thanks" Read more

"A great tale with a twist that is funny and sweet and a really tantalising read. Romance at its best" Read more

7 customers mention ‘History’7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's well-researched historical content, with one customer highlighting its evocative descriptions of Edinburgh in the early 1800s.

"...The descriptions of Edinburgh in the early 1800 is evocative. An enjoyable read, thanks" Read more

"...good tale packed with some very well-researched and little-known historic detail - while poking gentle fun at the hypocrisy of pre-Victorian polite..." Read more

"...researched her history well and I just loved the way she included the history in her tale. I just love the way the author tells this tale!" Read more

"...I was captivated by the poetic language as well as the story line set in 19th century. I will certainly be reading more by this author." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Character development’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them interesting, with one customer noting the hero is suitably dashing and another describing the heroine as engaging.

"I read this in a few hours. Light hearted story with interesting characters...." Read more

"I enjoyed the book very much , love the storyline and characters, it's a book when I was reading you can imagine you are there ...." Read more

"...The heroine is engaging, the hero suitably dashing, both ultimately prove heroic, and if the denouement is a tad contrived, it is nevertheless..." Read more

"...Most enjoyable holiday reading with a fun heroine and her enigmatic beau." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 March 2025
    I haven't read any other titles from this author but this was a good storyline and an enjoyable novel which kept me interested until the end. Will read more from this author in future.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 April 2024
    I really enjoyed reading this book, it's quite different from the normal romantic tales, this one is far from romantic a really good read.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 April 2018
    I read this in a few hours. Light hearted story with interesting characters. Possibly not everyone's taste but I'd read more books by Helen Susan Swift
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 August 2023
    I enjoyed the book very much , love the storyline and characters, it's a book when I was reading you can imagine you are there . To me it a amazing book. Look forward to others. Helen great book 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 February 2022
    This romance is told in a gentle reflective style. The descriptions of Edinburgh in the early 1800 is evocative. An enjoyable read, thanks
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 April 2025
    An absolutely gripping story of love, assumptions and endearment. Our young leading lady jumps to conclusions but proves that she cares deeply for the man in question who is far from all he seems at first sight. Great story well executed.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 July 2019
    The book was OK.it had what I like a beginning middle and end. I don't know maybe it's not my kind of book. Will read the Author again . Just a pleasant enough read.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 September 2019
    Handfasters is a novel set in the riot-torn Edinburgh winter of 1812. It follows the adventures of Alison Lamont, a Highland debutante dispatched by her family to become part of big city society and, hopefully, find a wealthy husband. Alison, however, has a mind of her own and, heedless of who she offends, sets her cap on the enigmatic and eccentric Willie Kemp. There then follows a romp through the snow covered wilds of Lowland Scotland - eventually leading to a dangerous exciting climax.
    Historical romances are rarely my first choice in reading material; with so many of them these days being little more than mildly erotic stories loosely based in some past era. Handfasters doesn't fit that bill at all. It's a cracking good tale packed with some very well-researched and little-known historic detail - while poking gentle fun at the hypocrisy of pre-Victorian polite society. It's a book that is suitable for a wide readership, of any age group. I would fully recommend it for general reading, but, I would suggest, not for erotic stimulation.
    11 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Senzasenso
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wirklich gut
    Reviewed in Germany on 23 January 2020
    Interessante Lokalität, Interessante Handlung, schöne Liebesgeschichte. Hat mir rundum gefallen
    Report
  • Idalvo Oliveira de Campos
    5.0 out of 5 stars Melhorar o meu conhecimento à respeito da língua inglesa.
    Reviewed in Brazil on 9 February 2021
    Excelente, fácil de ler.
  • suhasini
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very simple and enjoyable
    Reviewed in India on 10 October 2018
    Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Wanted to beat up hero, though! Feisty heroine. Great read . Lots of fun! !!! !
  • yop
    5.0 out of 5 stars A whimsical tale which hooks you from the first page.
    Reviewed in Spain on 14 September 2019
    The Handfasters: by Helen Susan Swift
    This whimsical romance of young love and misconstrued impressions was a delight to read. Set in Scotland, the story revolves around Alison whose mother sends her off to stay with her aunt in the hopes of finding a suitable husband. Alison's temperament as a wilful young woman was endearing as she struggled to accept what life threw at her.
    The reader feels that Alison is the only person who does not know the true extent of the situation and you read on with a need to ensure yourself that all will end the way you hope it should. I was fascinated by the events which led up to her eventual marriage.
    The writer's style, particularly at the beginning of the book was reminiscent of Jayne Austen and had me hooked from the first page. I Highly Recommend this book and would like to read more books by this talented author.
  • Kathleen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully unique & funny!
    Reviewed in Australia on 15 March 2019
    I can't remember having read a more unique Regency romance! Very well written, storyline clever, but a bit let down by some poor copy editing. My only small criticism is that there could have been at least a little more passion. Thoroughly enjoyed and will definately read the next in this series.

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