Dark Birthright

In 1619 in Scotland, a time of intolerance, when Catholics and Protestants disagree and healers are hanged as witches, a child born of mysterious parentage is given to fisher folk to raise as their son. Dughall grows up in a family bound by love and morality, becomes a healer, and displays psychic abilities. His life is torn apart when he's claimed by his real father, a cruel and powerful lord who tries to mold him in his image. Dughall must define himself, in the midst of a struggle between an Earl, a Duke, and the family who wants him back. All the while, he's determined to marry the lass he left behind. Dark Birthright is a story reflecting the political, religious, and cultural dynamics of 17th century Scotland. It paints a picture of life in the Highlands, as well as the fisher folk and a village of witches worshipping the Goddess

Jeanne Treat is the great-granddaughter of a Native American medicine woman, and she also has ancestry from Scotland, England, and France. To research this book, she traveled to Scotland to visit castles, seaports, and stone circles, and talk to local historians. To make it authentic, she investigated ancient earth-based spiritual traditions and spent time with their modern counterparts. Dark Birthright is the first book in a trilogy. A sequel will follow in late 2007.