No Song in a Strange Land

The Uist Girl #1

by Marion Macdonald

ONE WOMAN. TWO MEN. SECRETS AND LIES.

Chrissie MacIntosh dreams of marrying the Factor’s son, Colin Donaldson, and becoming mistress of the big house where he lives, instead of the servant that she is. Eventually, she does become mistress of the Factor’s house, but not in the way she envisages. The novel follows the marriage of Chrissie to Roderick Macdonald and her journey from the Hebridean Island of North Uist in Scotland to the prairies of Saskatchewan in Canada to become a homesteader’s wife and back home again just in time for the outbreak of World War 1. Set against the backdrop of the period from 1910 to 1920, it is the story of an ordinary woman placed in extraordinary circumstances.

An emotional and thought-provoking historical novel, No Song in a Strange Land, is part love story, part family saga and part reflection on the social and political issues of the era that will keep the reader captivated until the last page.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2021

About the author

I developed an interest in creative writing when I retired from my job as director of a housing association and enrolled in a course with the Open University. It opened a whole new world when I found I loved writing. My writing journey began with short stories and poetry which I collected in my book Wherever You Go for my husband’s 70th birthday. You can get a copy of this for free when you sign up for my reader newsletter.

I then tried my hand at a novel. The result was One Year which I self-published in 2017. In March 2020, it received second place in The Scottish Association of Writers' competition for a self-published novel. I haven’t looked back and have now written six novels and am thinking about my seventh.

During Covid, I researched my family tree and, arising from that, wrote a historical novel, No Song in a Strange Land, the first in The Uist Girl Series. The fourth book and final book in the series was published on 26 January 2024.

I enjoy writing about contemporary issues, about family dynamics and about coincidences. In One Year, the financial crash and the refugee crisis were the backdrop to a romantic mystery about a woman searching for the truth about her husband after his death. The contemporary themes of coercive control and the #MeToo Movement set the backdrop for my first psychological novel, The Circle. Family themes and coincidences are woven into a story about how actions can have repercussions, even after twenty-five years. Information I found when I researched my family tree inspired No Song in a Strange Land. Again, contemporary issues of the era play a part in the story of a young woman’s journey from North Uist to Canada and back. Her story continues with past secrets coming back to haunt her and her family in His Bitter Seed, Sons and Brothers and A Love Worth Fighting For. However, I do like to end my stories on a positive note despite the dark content. All novels are available on Amazon in paperback and eBook.

I was born and educated in Scotland and live in Glasgow with my husband Charlie. My interests include reading, travelling, scrabble, knitting, playing the ukulele and, of course, writing.

If you would like to keep up to date with my writing journey, you can sign up for my reader newsletter at www.marionmacdonaldwriter.com

Reviews

[Sarah B White · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Song In A Strange Land

Chrissie dreamed of marrying the Factor's son and living in the "big house" where her husband to be lived. Things did not work out the way she planned but she did marry the Factor's son after they came from the Hebridean Islands off the coast of Scotland to Saskatchewan in Canada. World War I began soon after their arrival. Her family also soon emigrated to Saskatchewan and they formed a large family unit. This book is the story of the love of the young couple, the birth of their first child, a son, and tells of life with her extended family in Canada. World War II soon broke out and Roderick McDonald, Chrissie's husband, was called up to serve as a soldier in the war.

Read this book to learn about the family and their experiences during the war and afterwards. I found this book to be very interesting and I hope you enjoy it also.

[Lexie Conyngham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light touch brings the characters to life and the setting is good. It’s an easy, entertaining read, but not without its tragedy, written a little naively in the voice of Chrissie as she finds her way into an unexpected marriage. I enjoyed the portrayal of her rather up-and-down relationship with her husband and ultimately with her step-daughter, too, and the depiction of life in Canada, and the journeys there and back, was interesting. Details about tuberculosis, public reaction and treatment were unexpected and intriguing, particularly the women’s mutual support groups. I’d have liked to have heard more about the two little boys and their experience!

[Jolene MacFadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scottish and Canadian Historical Tale is Enjoyable

I really enjoyed a different Pioneering tale than what I am use to reading. Similar to the old west family sagas I have enjoyed in the past. Such a believable and strong tale of life at the turn of the last century. Marion MacDonald weaves an interesting story with characters you love and love to hate. Looking forward to the next one.

[Suellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars • "No Song in a Strange Land" by Marion Macdonald is the first book in The Uist Girl Series, which is set in the Isle of Skye, Scotland. This thought-provoking historical family saga combines suspense, romance, and a commentary on the social and political issues of the time. It tells the story of a dutiful daughter who reluctantly leaves her home in North Uist to become a homesteader's wife in Saskatchewan, Canada, hoping love will blossom. The novel is praised for its vivid portrayal of life in North Uist at the turn of the 19th/20th century and the prominent role emigration played during that time. Readers get a real sense of the ups and downs of the characters' lives as they journey from the Outer Hebrides to Canada and back again.

#NoSongInAStrangeLand #TheUistGirlSeries #MarionMacdonald #Bookstagram

[Maura McRobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating Insight into life in North Uist

I enjoyed this book - full of coincidences and intrigue. Why did the main characters leave North Uist for life on the Canadian Prairies - only to return to North Uist? I was fascinated to read that this story was inspired by the true life events of the author’s grandparents. A wonderful story.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comfortable read

A story that embraces different countries,times, cultures and social classes. The reader travels between continents and is immersed into croft life and the hardship of pioneer life in Canada. I enjoyed the different angles in the story, but then was surprised by what seemed to be an abrupt ending.

[Joan Somers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I found it really interesting as it was historical as well as being enjoyable. Marion brought the Uist characters to life and I can’t wait to read the next book.