This story seemed far fetched at first but the fact that it is based on a true story is way cool. Lots of hard decisions and things to think about.

"The Seaforth Heiress Lady of the Last Prophecy" is inspired by the real life story of Mary Mackenzie and takes place in the Regency era, set across Barbados, India and Fortrose Ross-shire Scotland (which is the destination that attracted me because of my ancestry roots to this area). Mary's story is the second novel in a series of historic woman of the Highlands and I would be keen to read more.

Mary is ahead of her time, out spoken and feminist in her views. Her moral thinking on slavery and British colonisation started when she was a young girl living in Barbados. When her father passed away and she became chief of the MacKenzie clan, she took her responsibilities to the clan very seriously and tried her very best for her landowners, as she was a victim of her father's poor money management and the social change of the time. Grief of family deaths must be borne and she must carry on....as referenced in Walter Scotts "Farewell to Mackenzie, High Chief of Kintail"

I was fascinated by the legend of the Brahan Seer, which is a Celtic version of Nostradamus, able to see into the future. These premonitions and her ability for foresight dog Mary's life and create a constant tension for her; was she ruled by them being accurate dark prophecies or did she somehow cause them to become true events?

This is a story of historical fiction but based on aspects of Mary's character. Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard has brought Mary's actual letters and diaries to life. At heart it is a family saga but also an intimate personal telling of Mary's courage and determination, at a time where woman were expected to sit in the background and not be a female clan chief.

I recommend to fans of historical fiction, especially those of Scottish decent as it provides a social history of the clearance times.

Thanks to NetGalley, Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard and Black Rose Writing for my copy.

In the second book in Bernard’s Historic Women of the Highlands series, the only female chief of Clan Mackenzie, Mary Mackenzie, must confront a dark prophecy spoken by the Brahan Seer Coinneach Odhar that predicts the demise of the Seaforth line. Following her from young adulthood in Barbados to married life in England and India and widowhood back in Rossshire and Brahan Castle, her ancestral home, readers expolore the life of a Scottish noblewoman who travels the globe, enjoys the privileged life of her social status, and has a moral awakening about the state of British enslavement of Africans in the early nineteenth century. Confronting her own fears and hypocrisy while juggling faith and pragmatism, Mary Mackenzie is a fascinatingly complex protagonist. Bernard draws on true events and individuals in this fascinating novel, and the depth of historical research brings these many exotic and vibrant locations to life from Mary’s perspective. With the looming prophecy, readers experience Mary’s fear of the cloud hanging over her family, creating serious emotional stakes in this novel, to say nothing of the real historical stakes present in Mary’s life. An incredible work of historical fiction, this is a fascinating continuation of the series and makes Bernard a must-read for those interested in Scottish historical fiction.

This story begins in 1803 in Barbados where Mary Mackenzie is living with her family. Mary does hold back in sharing her opinions on slavery and the way they are treated. There is a good deal of information as to what life was like for the people living there. Although, she loves her father, she does feel conflicted by some of his actions. After her marriage, Mary lives in India, again there are some interesting details about the lives of different people. Mary is concerned about a curse put upon her family and although she tries to dismiss it from her mind, it does keep recurring. Mary ends up back in Scotland. I found this to be an interesting read, based on a real person’s life. Although, Mary has many things to come to terms with, she keeps true to herself. I did think there was a big jump in years at the end and I would have liked to know more about her life in the later years. It was well researched, which I always appreciate. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fictionalized account of the life of Mary Mackenzie, born into a wealthy, privileged family, she will become the first female chief of her clan. Mary's father, Lord Seaforth, lives under a family curse that has led him to be the last male in his line. In the 1800's, a woman clan chief would face challenges as she struggles to prove herself worthy of leadership.

But Mary is not a pampered princess unable to take care of herself, much less shoulder the reponsibilities to lead her clan into a new era. She has been educated to lead, her adult life has seen her grow into a principled woman with a defined sense of right and wrong, dedicated to changing her clan's life for the better. Elizabeth Hutchinson Bernard has done an excellent job of bringing Mary to life outside the pages of the book. The story is so well developed, the characters three dimensional, that I did my own research on Mary's life after finishing this 5 star read.

A most amazing historical read about the life of Mary Mackenzie who became the first female chieftain of the Mackenzie clan.
A brilliantly researched and crafted book which does not veer from her actual life and gives us a first hand experience of a women’s place in society at that time.
From an early age her life is overshadowed by the Brahman Seers curse that has plagued the family for years but is determined to do everything in here power to ensure it doesn’t come true.
A great read

The Seaforth Heiress: Lady of the Last Prophecy by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard is a poignant historical fiction. Immediately I was pulled into the life of Mary Elizabeth Frederica Mackenzie. Suffering so much loss, and yet, having so much strength, Mary is a character to admire. A rare gem of a book.

Releases July 25th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.