THE FREEMASON'S DAUGHTER

A historical YA debut, full of romance and intrigue, set in early 18th century Scotland.

Jenna MacDuff is tired of being thrown out of back windows to escape English dragoons eager to fasten a noose around her Scottish neck. More than that, she is weary of hiding the fact that she is smart – a dangerous thing for any female in 1714 England. But she has done both these things all her sixteen years, while her clan risks their lives traveling the countryside, quietly drumming up support and arms for the exiled king James Stuart’s secret plan to retake the British throne.

Jenna’s father repeatedly warns her to conceal her education, gained from the clan’s love of teaching her math, science, philosophy and language. But when the Duke of Keswick hires the clan to build a garrison on his family estate, it seems she cannot hide her capable mind from the duke’s inquisitive son, Lord Alex Pembroke.

Jenna soon discovers Alex’s recent expulsion from Cambridge and learns of his father’s determination to control his future by betrothing him to a woman he loathes and sentencing him to a conscripted life in Parliament. Jenna unveils the truth about her clan, and Alex finds that he has suddenly gained the power to either keep Jenna’s secrets or assist her clan’s cause. His choice may kill them both.

Shelley Sackier is the author of Dear Opl, a middle grade out from Sourcebooks in August 2015. She blogs weekly at Peakperspective.com, which has just received its fourth WordPress.com Editors’ Pick, about food, farming and parenthood while living on a small farm atop a mountain in the Blue Ridge. She reads for NPR- member stations, recommending high doses of both humor and fiber for a happy, healthy heart and household.