Jennifer Trethewey’s Highlanders of Balforss series features brawny Scots, sweeping romance, and nonstop adventure, all laced with a liberal dose of humor. Her foundation for storytelling is grounded in her long career in theater as co-founder and former co-artistic director of Renaissance Theaterworks, one of the most successful and longest running women’s theater companies in America. As an actor-turned-writer, she has moved her performances from the stage to the page and invites you to enjoy the drama of the Scottish Highlands in Tying the Scot, Betting the Scot, Forgetting the Scot, and most recently, Saving the Scot.
Oh my God, I have so many first loves, I don’t know where to begin. Brace yourselves. I’m using real names here.
My mother tells me my first love was Terry Huggins Tippins III. But I don’t remember him, because I was three years old at the time. Apparently, I couldn’t keep my hands off him, and he would complain loudly, “She’s touching me!”
The first boy I remember crushing on was Richard Carroll. He had big brown eyes and sandy brown hair. I sat behind him in third grade. We were learning how to square dance in gym class, and he was my favorite partner. But when it came time for the class demonstration, I was assigned a different partner. I started to cry (which was weird because I don’t remember crying in grade school any other time), and Richard turned around and said, “Don’t cry, Jennifer. I still like you best.” If my family hadn’t moved to a different state, I’m pretty sure I would have married him. Hang on. I’m going to go look him up on Facebook … I’m back. I couldn’t find him.
My first boyfriend was David Faulk. I was fourteen, and my braces had just been removed on the day we met. He was sixteen and had his license, but my dad said I couldn’t go on “car dates” until I had my license. His reasoning was that, if there was an emergency, I could drive the car (but we all know that was total bull-oney). I was pretty sure I was in love with David because he was tall and handsome and had sandy brown hair. He also played the guitar, which made him especially appealing. David was super smart and went to a private boarding school. That year, he invited me to his prom. Mom and I shopped for the perfect prom gown. It was lime green dotted Swiss with a high neckline; empire waist; and rickrack around the collar, sleeves, and hem. David was not impressed. He said I looked like a cookie. I pouted the rest of the dance, and that was the end of the romance. I still have the gown, though.
But my first real love was Tony Tribou. I swoon thinking about Beautiful Tony. Captain of the hockey team, captain of the track team, and captain of the cross-country team. So, yeah, incredible physique. He had sandy brown hair too (what’s up with that?), crystal blue eyes, and a chipped front tooth that made him irresistible. He was a year older than me and such a good boyfriend. Perhaps the most endearing quality was that his favorite album was the original cast recording of Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews. I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone, though. This is a photo from Tony’s senior prom. Crushed velvet tuxes were the rage in ’72. My taste in prom dresses had gotten slightly better, and it was the best prom because I was Tony’s date.
My mother tells me my first love was Terry Huggins Tippins III. But I don’t remember him, because I was three years old at the time. Apparently, I couldn’t keep my hands off him, and he would complain loudly, “She’s touching me!”
The first boy I remember crushing on was Richard Carroll. He had big brown eyes and sandy brown hair. I sat behind him in third grade. We were learning how to square dance in gym class, and he was my favorite partner. But when it came time for the class demonstration, I was assigned a different partner. I started to cry (which was weird because I don’t remember crying in grade school any other time), and Richard turned around and said, “Don’t cry, Jennifer. I still like you best.” If my family hadn’t moved to a different state, I’m pretty sure I would have married him. Hang on. I’m going to go look him up on Facebook … I’m back. I couldn’t find him.
My first boyfriend was David Faulk. I was fourteen, and my braces had just been removed on the day we met. He was sixteen and had his license, but my dad said I couldn’t go on “car dates” until I had my license. His reasoning was that, if there was an emergency, I could drive the car (but we all know that was total bull-oney). I was pretty sure I was in love with David because he was tall and handsome and had sandy brown hair. He also played the guitar, which made him especially appealing. David was super smart and went to a private boarding school. That year, he invited me to his prom. Mom and I shopped for the perfect prom gown. It was lime green dotted Swiss with a high neckline; empire waist; and rickrack around the collar, sleeves, and hem. David was not impressed. He said I looked like a cookie. I pouted the rest of the dance, and that was the end of the romance. I still have the gown, though.
But my first real love was Tony Tribou. I swoon thinking about Beautiful Tony. Captain of the hockey team, captain of the track team, and captain of the cross-country team. So, yeah, incredible physique. He had sandy brown hair too (what’s up with that?), crystal blue eyes, and a chipped front tooth that made him irresistible. He was a year older than me and such a good boyfriend. Perhaps the most endearing quality was that his favorite album was the original cast recording of Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews. I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone, though. This is a photo from Tony’s senior prom. Crushed velvet tuxes were the rage in ’72. My taste in prom dresses had gotten slightly better, and it was the best prom because I was Tony’s date.
If they survive this trip, it’ll be a miracle.
Louisa Robertson’s father is furious when he finds her acting on stage. Now, she’s being shipped off to America to marry some stranger her father thinks will bring out the “lady” in her. Luckily, Louisa’s maid agrees to switch places with her! Her maid will marry the American and get the wealthy lifestyle she’s always wanted, and Louisa can do whatever she damn well pleases––for the first time in her life.
Highlander Ian Sinclair needs an army commission, and the only way he can get one is to safely deliver the general’s Daughter-from-Hell to her intended in America. Easy, right? It would be if the lady’s companion Louisa didn’t wear breeches and do everything the exact opposite of what he orders. It’ll be a miracle if the sparks flying between Ian and Louisa don’t set the bloody ship afire before they arrive in America.
But just when Louisa thinks her plan is going to give her the acting career she wants and a Highlander to boot...Ian discovers her secret.
Check out The Highlanders of Balforss series:
- 1 Scot Curious Coffee Mug
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Crushed velvet: so cool and luxurious! I should have a crushed velvet tuxedo in dark green, I think!
ReplyDeleteOh yes. Green would be lovely but it must have very wide lapels!
DeleteOh, I love your first loves! How fun and sweet. They all sound like really nice guys!
ReplyDeleteTHey were. But it turns out, my husband is the best and truest of them all!
Delete<3
DeleteSounds great.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteSounds great!! I put it on my tbr list.
ReplyDeleteWho has been the hardest character to write?
It's weird, because the hardest was also the one I loved the most out of my four Sinclair hero guys. Declan (second book, Betting the Scot). Is a dreamer and he's the sweetest, but most lethal of the men because he's like a fox. Because he's so sweet, it was hard to write that balance of soft and hard.
DeleteHi Jennifer! First I loved this book!! Thank you for sharing your first loves! I loved your descriptions!! I did like your dress and his crushed velvet jacket! Thanks for sharing❤️
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Lori. THe dress I word in the photo was made from a Butterick pattern, I think. It was a halter top gown under the bolero jacket. Gawd the 70's styles were awful.
ReplyDeleteDamn it! Now I'm crushing on Richard Carroll, so sad that you couldn't find him on fb =/
ReplyDeleteHa!
DeleteSaving The Scot sounds awesome! Thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda!
DeleteCan t wait to read the book
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rose!
DeleteI love Highlander romances :)
ReplyDeleteMe too. What's not to like about a good-looking guy in a kilt?
DeleteLoved your story. What happened with Tony?
ReplyDeleteGood luck to me!
ReplyDeleteYou had a thing for sandy brown hair huh lol 😁
ReplyDeleteI could always use a new coffee mug. Even better when it has an ab-worthy guy in a kilt on it. Sign me up!
ReplyDelete