Dear Barbara, So appreciate your reading! I’ve been hearing from many with rich Scottish roots who share similar personal histories. Since Scotland is a small country, I feel certain many of our ancestors likely knew each other, at least by name or region. Osbourne (whom I like very much as a character) was a conflicted man like so many in his day, torn between one’s personal beliefs and economics. I admired his doing good when he could and how impactful that type decision was for so many, especially indentures.

Also thank you for mentioning Jefferson and that particular quote. You are right, that was said outside the novel’s time period. I used it because it seemed to fit the scene on faith well and summed up Jefferson’s analytical, complex, and fascinating approach to religion during his lifetime. I didn’t include that caveat in the author note at book’s end but that would have been a good place for it. You have a good eye for detail!

I’m nearing THE END of a novel set in Jamestown, VA that was the birthplace of tobacco lords like Osbourne. In fact, my hero is a tobacco lord. When I was in Glasgow, Scotland and learned tobacco history from their side of the pond, so to speak, I realized how novel-worthy that might be. I hope you enjoy that book if you read it. But first An Uncommon Woman. Thank you for your thougthful comments!

One quote from Thomas Jefferson, however, disturbed me. He was born in 1743, yet you have his cousin quoting him in 1754-55. This was not penned by Jefferson until 1787. I assume this was poetic license, but it seemed a bit of a stretch to include just for the sake of the story. I love your books.

Wow, so very blessed by this, Nicole. Very thankful for you!

Dear Mary Kay, So thankful you’re here & such an encouraging voice! Would love to rewind to our Scotland days but we’ve both come so far since then! Love how you talk about the intrigue existing in the light of HEA. Thank you for the gift of your reading!

You say that so beautifully, friend! Writing is definitely a gift – as our God-given readers like you! I’m always amazed at what the Lord does with the written word. Thank you for being a part of that!

Really blessed by your comments here and elsewhere, Nicole, in that the book touched you on different levels. I never know how a story or character will come across to a reader. Appreciative ones like you see and bring out the best in a book. Thanks for being a leader among influencers for this story of my head and heart!

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