The Belles in Scotland

I doubt the MacMillan clan was adequately prepared for the debut of two of Dixie's finest. I know we took the castle in a bloodless coup—my wealthy beauty queen sister's eye on a title and her hand on her checkbook, me clueless but open to the adventure. At least we were all smiling, which counts. Mrs. MacAfee would have been proud of two of her favorite etiquette school graduates. We held our own, regardless of the company. From the higher echelons of Scottish government to Tandy MacGregor, our daddy's tobacco chawing distant cousin, we reigned. That trip was the best 50th birthday present I received.

My husband, of 28 years, died in my arms while on a fishing trip to the Black Warrior River, not far from our home in Alabama. Davey was my world. My wealthy beauty-queen sister presented a trip to Scotland and all the frills for my fiftieth birthday. It turned out to be more of an invasion on our part. When Southern women team up, we have a way of being present that overwhelms gentler cultures. We go, we see, we conquer. In Beth's case, she landed a trophy. We have a lot of experience walking the processional, it was her eighth trip. As a romance writer, I create ideal men in my stories. I'm not obliged to marry them. However, I found the place and the company sent to amuse me, more than intriguing.

Writing began as soon as Deb Kemper could read. Poetry became an instrument to express, often confused feelings, growing up. It proved helpful in adulthood, whether tackling a novel that reads epic, without being so, or the many devotionals and short stories she has contributed to various books over the years. Deb's books range from contemporary Christian fiction, Mallory Ridge, to historical fantasy to a gluten free cookbook.