Accompanied by her brother and his friend, Isobell escapes London and an arranged marriage to a despicable older man for Scotland. They secure positions working as servants at a castle where the trio forge friendships and find happiness – until the past catches up with them. Follow their journey to find the Mermaid and the Bear.

A truly delightful story! The Mermaid and the Bear is a historical fiction novel set in Scotland in the late 1500’s. It is Ailish Sinclair’s debut novel; it is a winner!

This is an intriguing look into a time of witchcraft, turmoil and trickery in 16th century Scotland, all woven into a heart-warming story of how hope, love and good triumph over evil. Ailish Sinclair has woven a wonderful, well researched story that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. I highly recommend it.

My ancestors are direct descendants of Scottish nobility and immigrated to America from Scotland around the same time period as this story. So I found it particularly interesting while understanding that it is fiction.

Watch for her next novel, Fireflies and Chocolate, due out April 1. Read more stories and see her photos of Scotland on her blog https://ailishsinclair.com/.