The Spider and the Stone: A Novel of Scotland's Black Douglas - Softcover

Craney, Glen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0981648401 ISBN 13: 9780981648408

Publisher: Brigid's Fire Press, 2013

Synopsis

Scotland's survival hangs on an outlaw king on the run.

"Absolutely fantastic....Best historical novel I've ever read about Scotland during the days of Robert the Bruce." -- librarian Debbi DuBose

James Douglas vows to avenge his father's murder.

Isabelle MacDuff prays to escape a fate worse than death.

As the 14th century dawns, their fellow Scots scrap over the empty throne. Seizing the opportunity to enlarge his kingdom, the brutal Edward Longshanks of England invades his weakened neighbor to the north.

Yet one young warrior--who will become feared by his enemies as the Black Douglas--stands in the path of three Plantagenet monarchs.

Their clans are sworn rivals, but James pursues the ravishing Isabelle, whose forefathers for centuries have inaugurated kings on the hallowed Stone of Destiny. Their world is upturned when James befriends Robert Bruce, a bitter foe of the MacDuffs. Both James and Isabelle must make agonizing decisions that will draw the armies to the bloody field of Bannockburn.

Here is the story of the remarkable events following the execution of William Wallace of Braveheart fame. Set during the Bruce wars of independence, The Spider and the Stone is the unforgettable saga of the star-crossed love, religious intrigue, fierce friendship in arms, and heroic sacrifice that preserved Scotland's freedom during its time of greatest peril.

START READING THE STIRRING STORY OF THE BLACK DOUGLAS TODAY.

• Chaucer Award First-Place Historical Fiction
• Foreword Finalist Book-of-the-Year Historical Fiction
• indieBRAG Medallion
• BTS Magazine Reader's Choice Honorable Mention

What Readers Are Saying:

• "The best book I've read this year. Touched my Scottish-American warrior's heart."
  -- JOHN GRAHAM, SENESCHAL, SOCIETY OF CREATIVE ANACHRONISM
• "Many a tale of Robert the Bruce has been told. This is the best of historical fiction.... I suspect my greatest great uncle Gilbert Hay would spin an equal tale but doubtfully one so enchanting. Thank you for a grand read. You are blessed in storyteller’s craft!"
  -- WILLIAM HAY, DESCENDANT OF SCOTTISH POET GILBERT HAY
• "The battle scenes are detailed and vivid, giving the reader a ringside seat at Scotland's desperate fight for freedom.... Spider will hold readers in suspense."
  -- IND'TALE MAGAZINE
• "[B]est historical fiction I have read in years."
  -- TO READ, OR NOT TO READ
• "Sons of Scotland, sweep me away! [The story] will stay burning in my mind for days to come."
  -- AS THE FINAL PAGE TURNS
• "[Craney] has woven a well-crafted, interesting tale."
  -- HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY
• "One of the best historical fiction novels I have read in a long time....a wonderful weaving of history, adventure, love, conflict and more."
  -- 2READANDREVIEWED

About this title

About the Author

Glen Craney is a novelist, screenwriter, journalist, and lawyer. The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences honored him with the Nicholl Fellowship prize for best new screenwriting. He is also a two-time indieBRAG Medallion Honoree and has three times been named a Foreword Reviews Book-of-the-Year Award Finalist. His debut novel, The Fire and the Light, was recognized as Best New Fiction by the National Indie Excellence Awards and as an Honorable Mention winner for Foreword's BOTYA in historical fiction. His novels have taken readers to Occitania during the Albigensian Crusade, to the Scotland of Robert Bruce, to Portugal during the Age of Discovery, to the trenches of France during World War I, and to the American Hoovervilles of the Great Depression. He lives in southern California.

Nautilus Silver Award Winner
IPPY Silver Award Winner
NIEA Award Winner for Best New Fiction
Eric Hoffer Finalist/Honorable Mention Winner
Foreword Magazine BOYTA Finalist (three times) and Honorable Mention for Historical Fiction
Da Vinci Eye Award Finalist
BTS Magazine Readers Choice Honorable Mention Award

From the Back Cover

• indieBRAG Medallion
• Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction
• Foreword Finalist Book-of-the-Year in Historical Fiction.

"Absolutely fantastic....best historical novel I've ever read about Scotland during the days of Robert the Bruce." -- Librarian Debbi DuBose

"Touched by Scottish-American warrior's heart." -- J. Graham, seneschal, Society of Creative Anachronism

"For weeks after I read it, I found myself itching to explain--in great detail--exactly why the people around me should not be wasting their time on anything else but reading this masterpiece." -- Jamie Lund

"[C]hock-a-block full of intrigue, battles, romance and subterfuge, and at times made my heart stutter with terror.... this one's a fun read." -- Cynthia Robertson, naming Spider one of the three best books of 2014.

"[A] memorable, well-researched, and thoroughly enjoyable work of historical fiction! Great read that is highly recommended!" -- Crystal Book Reviews

"An atmospheric and heart wrenching depiction of a time of upheaval in Scotland." -- Caroline Wilson Writes Review Blog

"As a fan of the works of Bernard Cornwell and Robert Low, I am very spoiled when it comes to novels of this genre. I was not disappointed in the least.... Well written and it is fun stuff!" -- Amazon reviewer

From the Inside Flap

Scotland's survival hangs on an outlaw king on the run.

As the 14th century dawns, the brutal King Edward Longshanks of England schemes to steal Scotland. But a young warrior named James Douglas, inspired by a headstrong lass from Fife, defies three Plantagenet kings and champions the cause of his wavering friend, Robert the Bruce, to lead the armies to the bloody field of Bannockburn. A thrilling historical saga of star-crossed love and heroic sacrifice set during the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Edition details

• Publisher: Brigid's Fire Press
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0981648401
• ISBN 13: 9780981648408
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 432