The Seaforth Heiress: Lady of the Last Prophecy

"A pleasantly engaging read for historical fiction fans. This poignant, highly dramatic family saga paints a detailed period portrait of the era's British upper-class luxurious lifestyle and is nicely peppered with appearances from luminaries of the day." -Kirkus Reviews

A century-old curse shadows the woman destined to be Clan Mackenzie's only female chief.

In 1803, the family of Lord Seaforth lives under the shadow of a dark prophecy. Over a century ago, Coinneach Odhar, known as the Brahan Seer, foresaw the demise of the Seaforth line. There is little doubt among Scottish Highlanders that the end of the dynasty is drawing near.

Mary Mackenzie, eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Seaforth, is determined to enjoy the privileged life which seems her birthright. But after her father accepts the British governorship of Barbados, Mary experiences an awakening of conscience. Initially confident Lord Seaforth will outlaw the barbarous treatment of enslaved Africans, she soon discovers the limits of his power and the weaknesses in his character that threaten her family's stability.

Marriage offers Mary a comfortable life in London, until a journey through southern India reminds her again of the injustices of conquest. Frustrated by her powerlessness, and ashamed of what she now views as her own hypocrisy, she longs to return home to Brahan Castle and the people of Ross-shire. But as a series of tragedies unfolds, Mary must confront a growing fear that the dire prophecy of her family's ruin is indeed coming to pass, and she may become the prophet's final messenger of death.

Inspired by true events, The Seaforth Heiress is Book 2 of Historic Women of the Highlands by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard, author of the Amazon bestseller Sisters of Castle Leod.

Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard is the author of bestselling historical novels. Her 2023 release Sisters of Castle Leod is Book 1 of the series Historic Women of the Highlands. The novel, inspired by true events, is an Amazon Kindle #1 Bestseller (Historical Biographical Fiction, Historical Literary Fiction), winner of the 2023 Maxy Award for Historical and Adventure Fiction, and an Editors' Choice of the Historical Novel Society. The Seaforth Heiress: Lady of the Last Prophecy is Book 2 in the series. Elizabeth's biographical novel Temptation Rag (2018) is hailed by Publishers Weekly as a "resonant novel... about the birth and demise of ragtime... in which romance and creative passions abound." Her historical suspense-thriller The Beauty Doctor (2017, 2024), finalist for the Eric Hoffer Book Award, is a gripping, fast-paced mystery set in New York City during the Edwardian era. Elizabeth currently lives in Arizona. Learn more about her books at www.EHBernard.com.