Munro saga no 2 (paperback)

‘When you must face Maxwell, give evidence
before the King. Have you thought on that?’
‘If I do not face Maxwell, I will not
be able to face myself.’

Clan feuds, skullduggery and medieval warfare, in this turbulent tale of 16th century Scotland and France.

Ayrshire 1597. The truce between the Cunninghame and Montgomerie clans is fragile. And for the Munro family, living in hiding under assumed names, these are dangerous times.
While Munro risks his life daily in the army of the French King, the spectre of discovery by William Cunninghame haunts his wife Kate. Her fears for their children and her absent husband realized as William’s desire for revenge tears their world apart.
A sweeping tale of compassion and cruelty, treachery and sacrifice, set against the backdrop of a religious war, feuding clans and the Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1597.

This eagerly awaited sequel to Turn of the Tide can also be read as a stand-alone novel and will appeal to fans of Winston Graham's Poldark and C J Sansom's Shardlake series.

Professional Reviews.

'Captivating and fast-paced. You’ll find yourself reading far into the night.
Ann Weisgarber: Walter Scott and Orange Prize shortlisted author of The Promise

'A classic adventure that grips from the very first page.'
Shirley McKay author of the Hew Cullen mystery series.

‘Margaret Skea brings 16th century Scotland to vivid life.'
Sharon K Penman

(Ebook and paperback)

Twelve stories - from multi-award-winning author, Margaret Skea - Fish / Neil Gunn / Mslexia and Beryl Bainbridge Best First Time Author 2014

A varied collection spanning four continents and three centuries, the characters include an aid worker in Afghanistan, a mother in WW1 Germany, a girl who defies the Taliban, a father seeking to support his family in Kenya, an elderly lady facing eviction, and a young woman discovering her unknown past.
In these stories, the majority of which have won or been placed in international competitions, secrets are uncovered, actions have consequences, moral dilemmas are faced and heart-rending choices made.

Professional reviews
'atmospheric and highly evocative ' Jake Wallis Simons (Dust Blowing)

'a combination of grace, technique, empathy, feeling and control ... intensely moving' Andrew Greig (Working Away)

'A beautifully drawn moment in time of a couple in crisis - with real emotional heft.' Michael Malone

Munro saga no 3 Paperback.
* Please note - he ebook is same book but with a different cover.

The eagerly awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Munro Scottish Saga trilogy

‘…fast-paced … a hugely satisfying read.’ Undiscovered Scotland.

1598. The French Wars of Religion are drawing to an end, the Edict of Nantes establishing religious freedom in all but Paris.

For the exiled Adam and Kate Munro, the child Kate carries symbolizes a new life free from past troubles, despite their lingering nostalgia for Scotland and the friendship of the Montgomeries.

When Adam foils an attempt on the French king’s life the whole family are called to court. But religious tensions remain high, and Paris holds dangers as well as delights.

For the Munros and Montgomeries alike, these are troubled times…

Praise for Margaret Skea – Beryl Bainbridge Best First Time Novelist 2014

‘More down-in-the-dirt than Diana Gabaldon and just as meticulously researched as Philippa Gregory. It's touching, fierce and surprising, with a sprinkling of humour.’ The Bookbag

‘A rollicking good read … Skea is definitely a name to watch out for.’ Scottish Field Magazine

‘The quality of the writing and the research is outstanding.’ Jeffrey Archer

‘The sheer villainy of some characters will take your breath away.’ Historical Novels Review

Munro saga no 3 (ebook) The eagerly awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Munro Scottish Saga trilogy

‘…fast-paced … a hugely satisfying read.’ Undiscovered Scotland.

1598. The French Wars of Religion are drawing to an end, the Edict of Nantes establishing religious freedom in all but Paris.

For the exiled Adam and Kate Munro, the child Kate carries symbolizes a new life free from past troubles, despite their lingering nostalgia for Scotland and the friendship of the Montgomeries.

When Adam foils an attempt on the French king’s life the whole family are called to court. But religious tensions remain high, and Paris holds dangers as well as delights.

For the Munros and Montgomeries alike, these are troubled times…

Praise for Margaret Skea – Beryl Bainbridge Best First Time Novelist 2014

‘More down-in-the-dirt than Diana Gabaldon and just as meticulously researched as Philippa Gregory. It's touching, fierce and surprising, with a sprinkling of humour.’ The Bookbag

‘A rollicking good read … Skea is definitely a name to watch out for.’ Scottish Field Magazine

‘The quality of the writing and the research is outstanding.’ Jeffrey Archer

‘The sheer villainy of some characters will take your breath away.’ Historical Novels Review

Book 2 in the acclaimed Munro Scottish Saga trilogy (ebook)

Ayrshire 1597. The truce between the Cunninghame and Montgomerie clans is fragile. And for the Munro family, living in hiding under assumed names, these are dangerous times.

While Munro risks his life daily in the army of the French King, the spectre of discovery by William Cunninghame haunts his wife Kate. Her fears for their children and her absent husband realized as William’s desire for revenge tears their world apart.

Clan feuds, skullduggery and medieval warfare abound in this turbulent tale of 16th century Scotland and France.

A sweeping tale of compassion and cruelty, treachery and sacrifice, A House Divided is set against the backdrop of a religious war, feuding clans and the Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1597.

This eagerly awaited sequel to Turn of the Tide can also be read as a stand-alone novel and will appeal to fans of Winston Graham's Poldark and C J Sansom's Shardlake series.

Praise for Margaret Skea – Beryl Bainbridge Best First Time Novelist 2014

‘The quality of the writing and the research is outstanding.’ Jeffrey Archer

‘More down-in-the-dirt than Diana Gabaldon and just as meticulously researched as Philippa Gregory. It's touching, fierce and surprising, with a sprinkling of humour.’ The Bookbag

‘A rollicking good read … Skea is definitely a name to watch out for.’ Scottish Field Magazine

‘The sheer villainy of some characters will take your breath away.’ Historical Novels Review

‘Captivating and fast-paced. You’ll find yourself reading far into the night.’ Ann Weisgarber: Walter Scott and Orange Prize shortlisted author of The Promise

‘A classic adventure that grips from the very first page.’ Shirley McKay author of the Hew Cullen mystery series.

‘Margaret Skea brings 16th century Scotland to vivid life.’ Sharon K Penman

Munro saga no 1 (ebook)

Set in 16th Century Scotland Munro owes allegiance to the Cunninghames and to the Earl of Glencairn. Trapped in the 150-year-old feud between the Cunninghames and the Montgomeries, he escapes the bloody aftermath of an ambush, but he cannot escape the disdain of the wife he sought to protect, or his own internal conflict. He battles with his conscience and with divided loyalties – to age-old obligations, to his wife and children, and, most dangerous of all, to a growing friendship with the rival Montgomerie clan. Intervening to diffuse a quarrel that flares between a Cunninghame cousin and Hugh Montgomerie, he succeeds only in antagonizing William, the arrogant and vicious Cunninghame heir. And antagonizing William is a dangerous game to play…

Praise for Margaret Skea – Beryl Bainbridge Best First Time Novelist 2014

‘The quality of the writing and the research were outstanding.’
Jeffrey Archer speaking on the Alan Titchmarsh Show

‘Munro frames the book, in at the initial kill, and centre stage in the brilliant climax, all the more shocking as the conclusion of an otherwise measured tale … a fascinating and engaging read with great visual effect.’
Between the Lines

‘It is hard to know where to begin, there were so many things I liked about Turn of the Tide…an emotionally gripping story about a man caught between duty and conscience at a time in history when a man’s livelihood depended upon his loyalty to family and clan.’
The History Lady

‘I have read some wonderful debut novels this year – Turn of the Tide is one of them. I loved it … a tale of love, loyalty, tragedy and betrayal.’
BooksPlease

(Ebook and paperback)

RUNNER-UP Historical Novel Society New Novel Award 2018

At five Katharina is placed in a convent.
At twenty-three she escapes.
At twenty-five she marries the most controversial man in Europe.
This is her story - of courage, resilience in the face of adversity and a determination to choose her own life.

If you like your historical fiction to be absorbing, authentic, beautifully written and full of warmth and heart, this portrayal of Katharina von Bora, the escaped nun who married Martin Luther, is for you.

Reviews:'Assured, evocative, compelling. A fascinating reading experience.' Catherine Cho, Lead judge HNS

‘Margaret Skea has a brilliant eye for historical detail. She creates characters who take us by the hand so that we never stumble or wonder where we are. An engrossing read.’ A. Bacon: Between the Lines

'A wonderfully vivid portrait of how a headstrong girl grows into a wry, steely and impassioned woman, carves a path for herself through tumultuous times, and changes the course of history in the process. Skea knows her history, but more importantly, she writes with imagination and humanity.' Professor Alec Ryrie, Durham University, author of Protestants.

‘A dramatic and most moving story, which transported me back to the 16th century and into Katharina’s mind. I felt what she was feeling and was both fascinated by and anxious for her right from the start. I loved it.’ Books Please

Reviews:
'Assured, evocative, compelling. A fascinating reading experience.'
Catherine Cho, Lead judge Historical Novel Society Award

‘Margaret Skea has a brilliant eye for historical detail. She creates characters who take us by the hand so that we never stumble or wonder where we are. An engrossing read.’
A. Bacon: Between the Lines

‘A dramatic and most moving story, which transported me back to the 16th century and into Katharina’s mind. I felt what she was feeling and was both fascinated by and anxious for her right from the start. I loved it.’
Books Please

'A wonderfully vivid portrait of how a headstrong girl grows into a wry, steely and impassioned woman, carves a path for herself through tumultuous times, and changes the course of history in the process. Skea knows her history, but more importantly, she writes with imagination and humanity.'
Professor Alec Ryrie, Durham University, author of Protestants

‘The quality of the writing and the research is outstanding.’ Jeffrey Archer

Scotland 1586. A land in turmoil, a family torn apart. An ancient feud threatens Munro’s home, his family, even his life.

Munro owes allegiance to the Cunninghames and to the Earl of Glencairn. He escapes the bloody aftermath of a massacre, but cannot escape the disdain of the wife he sought to protect, nor inner conflict, as he wrestles with his conscience, with divided loyalties and, most dangerous of all, a growing friendship with the rival Montgomerie clan.

Set against the backdrop of the turmoil of the closing years of the sixteenth century, Turn of the Tide follows the fortunes of a fictional family trapped at the centre of a notorious historic feud. Known as the Ayrshire Vendetta, it began in the 15th century and wasn’t finally resolved until the latter part of the 17th, the Cunninghames and Montgomeries dubbed the ‘Montagues and Capulets’ of Ayrshire.

Book 1 of the Munro Scottish Saga trilogy

Praise for Margaret Skea – Beryl Bainbridge Best First Time Novelist 2014

‘I have read some wonderful debut novels this year – Turn of the Tide is one of them. I loved it … a tale of love, loyalty, tragedy and betrayal.’ BooksPlease

‘Munro frames the book, in at the initial kill, and centre stage in the brilliant climax, all the more shocking as the conclusion of an otherwise measured tale … a fascinating and engaging read with great visual effect.’ Between the Lines

‘It is hard to know where to begin, there were so many things I liked about Turn of the Tide…an emotionally gripping story about a man caught between duty and conscience at a time in history when a man’s livelihood depended upon his loyalty to family and clan.’ The History Lady

‘Margaret Skea brings sixteenth century Scotland to vivid life in Turn of the Tide. I enjoyed travelling back in time with her.’ Sharon K Penman

Shortlisted for the Bookbrunch Selfies Prize 2020

Eagerly-awaited conclusion to Katharina Deliverance - Runner-up in the Historical Novel Society New Novel Award 2018.

‘We are none of us perfect, and a streak of stubbornness is what is needed in dealing with a household such as yours, Kat… and with Martin.’

Wittenberg 1525.
The unexpected marriage of Martin Luther to Katharina von Bora is no fairytale ending.
A sign of apostasy to their enemies, and a source of consternation to their friends, it sends shock waves throughout Europe.

Yet as they face persecution, poverty, war, plague and family tragedy, Katharina’s resilience and strength of character shines through.

While this book can be read as a standalone, it is also the powerful conclusion to her story, begun in Katharina: Deliverance.
Authentic, immersive and packed with drama.

'Behind even a great (sometimes, noisy, fractious) man, there is often a quietly strong, more amenable woman. Margaret Skea's deep research and empathy brings alive one of those. If you like your historical fiction truthful and complex, then this novel about Katharina Luther is for you.' Sarah Dunant

'Beautifully written and meticulously researched - historical fiction at its best.' BooksPlease

Fans of Sarah Dunant, Hilary Mantel, C J Sansom and Winston Graham will love this.