Caledonia: A Novel

Caledonia, Book 1

By: Sherry V. Ostroff

Narrated by: Savanna Sinéad Kenny

Anna Issac's choices are bleak. Suicide is more appealing than marrying the revolting Frenchman her spiteful brother has chosen for her. The only other option is to beg a man she barely knows, a Highlander, to help her run away. Escape would be a challenge for any 15-year-old, but it is particularly difficult for a Jewess living in 17th century Scotland. Anna's tale would have remained a secret, except three centuries later the death of Hanna Duncan's father on 9/11 unleashes a chain of events that leads her to an ancient key with a peculiar etching. Once deciphered, the clue points Hanna toward a safe deposit box in Edinburgh where Hanna uncovers Anna's role in the creation of Scotland's only colony. Caledonia promised to be the trading hub of the New World, but starvation, ship's fever, and incompetent leadership dogged the 1,200 colonists from the moment they left Scotland. More than half would be buried at sea or in the colony's muddy cemetery, and Anna would not be immune from the dreadful conditions. The outpost was deserted in less than a year.

Caledonia is a tale of these two strong women separated by time but bound by mysterious circumstances. Twenty-first century Hanna keeps uncovering evidence linking her to 17th century Anna. Both women experience romance, adventure, and tragedy as the listener witnesses them becoming more and more connected.

©2019 Sherry V. Ostroff (P)2021 Sherry V. Ostroff

Critic reviews

Chanticleer International Chaucer Awards - Finalist Indie

B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree

Indie Diamond Book Award - Winner in Adult Fiction

Mesmerizing!

This book was Amazing! The storyline and historically accurate details make sure you can not put the book down! The Characters are very real, personal and their endeavors become the readers. The Narrator is perfection! Her depictions are absolute. I can not say enough about the book. You will not be disappointed!

I love this book!

I couldn't stop listening the story is well written and the narrator just does such a good job you don't want to turn it off. It has a little romance but it has alot to do Scottish colonist and their journey to the Americas. It's so very good! I'm on to book two it picks right up so far excellent!

I loved this book

I was interested in this audible book from beginning to end. I loved the characters and even the moving back and forth in time to represent their "real time" events. I never knew about the colonization of the Scots to the Panama. I appreciated the fact that the author explained, at the end, what in her story was based on actual historical events and locations, and what she took liberty with to develop the story. She did a great job of researching for this book. I think the narrator did a wonderful job and the only detail that I will criticize was sometimes I had to adjust my volume, as when she stopped and restarted it ran from whisper quiet to loud. Minor detail though. I am so glad that this is a series as I want to know what eventually happens to both Anna and Hannah. I will download the book 2 this week!

Brilliant

Absolutely loved this book. The storyline kept you interested all the way through and the narration was fabulous. Loved the Scottish accent throughout. Gave great authenticity. I highly recommend this book.
Wendy

The narration is killing the story.

I'm only in the first chapter... it may have to go back.

1. The main character only stays in her 'accent party of the time.

2. Anna's father has no accent and it feels like there's no attempt to give him masculine voice.

3. Anna's says IAN and her father pounces it as EAN. As father and son, they should have the same speech.

I feel like I'm stuck in an Ireland, Scotland & English swirl of language. The story takes place (at l r art at this point) in Scotland in the 1600s.

I'll update once I decide whether or not I'm going to persevere and finish the book.