Authors’ Note and Acknowledgments

Sometimes, historical research can deliver surprises. While researching for Sweet Home Highlander, we discovered a gem: divorce in nineteenth-century Scotland was more modern and far less of a hassle than it was in England, and had been for quite some time. After the Scottish Reformation in 1560, it was possible for a marriage to be dissolved through the Commissary Court of Edinburgh and the Court of Session on the grounds of adultery and desertion, whereas before, the options for an unhappy couple were limited to annulment or separation. Though there was a stumbling block, in that the expense for legal proceedings barred most Scottish citizens from seeking them out. With the right resources, power, and determination, however, a divorce was obtainable. For Aisla and Niall, this possibility opened up doors for their story—though, of course, we aimed for a happy ever after, instead!

When we were researching amputee survivors in early nineteenth-century Scotland, we learned that Robert Liston was a pioneering Scottish surgeon, known for his speed with surgery before anesthesia was available. His patient survival rate was greater than double of other surgeons. In the early nineteenth century, patient death from amputations were common (45%-65% mortality rates), especially if post-surgery infection, most typically gangrene, set in. Though Doctor Liston was not Niall’s surgeon after his hand was amputated, Niall’s survival odds would have depended on how quickly the wound was closed, bleeding control, hygiene, and infection. Percutaneous stitches were a common cause of infection, and some doctors preferred to bandage the wound without sealing the edges, and letting it drain and heal naturally. Though we didn’t go into detail in this story, this was how we envisioned Niall’s healing.

We also depict Niall as a bit of an inventor, developing leather harnessing with steel prosthetics for his missing hand. Prosthetics date back to ancient Egyptian times, the most well known, of course, are the hand hook and the peg leg. During the Renaissance, artificial prostheses were made of iron, copper, wood, and steel, and evolved as time went on. In Sweet Home Highlander, Niall dabbled with different inventions for different purposes—tools used for utility or as weapons. As you saw, his missing limb did not slow him one bit!

As always, we are so grateful to our tireless Entangled editor, Alethea Spiridon, and our wonderful publisher, Liz Pelletier. Thank you to the entire production, design, and publicity teams at Amara, with special thanks to Crystal Havens, Curtis Svehlak, Holly Bryant-Simpson, Riki Cleveland, Heather Riccio, Katie Clapsadl, Meredith Johnson, Candace Havens, Melanie Smith, Erin Dameron-Hill, and Imogen Howson. To our loyal readers, thank you so much for reading our books and supporting us. Lastly, to our gorgeous families, we adore you.

Be sure to check out EntangledPublishing.com for many more awesome reads. Happy reading!

Fondly,

Amalie & Angie