Today, I’m delighted to host Fraying Skeins by Nancy Jardine. The book is on a blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2026/08/blog-tour-fraying-skeins-by-nancy-jardine.html
About the Book
An engrossing Victorian Scotland Saga (Silver Sampler Series Book 3)
Escape In Paradise Evasion
1870 Scotland
Fleeing from Peterhead, Margaret Law makes Aberdeen her refuge. Menial jobs keep her and her toddler son fed– till an unusual tutoring task boosts her finances and self-worth.
Letters to best friend Jessie contain the absolute truth, especially when Johnny Fraser re-enters her life. Is he the man for Margaret to grow old with?
When better employment emerges in St. Andrews, Margaret is torn. Will the move mean losing Johnny?
When Johnny follows Margaret to St. Andrews, their life together is idyllic. But when menacing secrets unfold, will Johnny’s past indiscretions be their undoing?
Will he lose the cherished family he is establishing with Margaret?
Praise for Fraying Skeins
“Jardine has once again brought nineteenth-century Scotland vividly to life while keeping Margaret and the people around her firmly at the heart of the story. Watching the determined little girl I first met in Novice Threads grow into this resourceful and courageous woman has been immensely rewarding, and there are more than enough intriguing threads left to make me eager to continue Margaret’s journey in the next instalment.“
~ The Coffee Pot Book Club 5* Editorial Review
Buy Links
This title / series is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
The Book Details
Publication Date: August 29th, 2026
Series: Silver Sampler, Book #3
Publisher: Nancy Jardine with Ocelot Press
Pages: 153 (ebook) / 342 (print)
Genre: Historical Saga / Women’s Fiction / Historical Fiction / Scottish Saga
Any Triggers: n/a
Excerpt
Fraying Skeins – Does Margaret Really Want To Know?
Margaret Law meets an acquaintance of her late husband Sandy, on an Aberdeen Street. He has information he wants to share with her.
“My lodging room is nearby though I can only offer you shelter from the rain, I’m afraid. My food is provided for us by my landlady.”
Johnny Fraser didn’t seem worried about that. “It’ll just be easier away from the street.”
While leading him to her room, it was just general chitchat about living in Aberdeen that was discussed.
“No. I’m only here for a couple of months on contract to an Aberdeen tailor,” Johhny said in answer to her question. “I’ve lodgings down by Guild Street.”
“Let’s get those wet things off you, Jamie.” Margaret set to sorting her son out as soon as they reached her room. He was soon settled under the window with his small pile of toys.
Margaret shook droplets of rain off Jamie’s wet jacket before she hung it on the door peg, then did the same with her own coat and shawl.
“Let me hang up your coat?” It was so unusual to have a man in the room, she almost forgot her manners.
Johnny removed his bowler hat and set it down on her table before he passed her his coat, having shaken it himself.
“My usual first task is to set the fire going, so if you don’t mind sharing what you know, I’ll just get this place warmed up.” She riddled out the ashpan into the metal pail that sat next to the hearth.
It took her by surprise when Johnny reached for a sheet of newsprint from her precious stack of old newspapers and began to roll up spills.
“It was at New Year. I met up with someone I knew when I was in Dundee for a day trip, to visit the new theatre.”
Margaret was interested in learning about the new theatre that she’d read of having recently opened in Dundee, but that clearly wasn’t the main news that Johnny had to tell her. She took the spills from him and set some of her stored kindling on top. As though in tandem, he didn’t stop talking but lifted small pieces of coal to stack on top.
“I was having a pint in one of the pubs when I met Lachlan. He was one of Sandy’s gambling pals in Dundee and he’s always full of the claik.”
Margaret wasn’t really interested in Sandy’s former companion but was keen for Johnny to get to the point.
“Lachlan heard that a certain friend of Sandy’s from Peterhead has ended up in Perth Prison for a second time, and for more than just theft. Doddie…” Johnny broke off to look up from striking the flint, the steel held steady in his other hand. “I’m sure you knew him?”
Margaret’s throat seized up. She nodded.
“Doddie’s back in prison after a trial that included Hugh Abernethy and a third lout, from Peterhead.”
She felt Johnny’s keen stare.
“Does the name Abernethy mean anything to you?”
Margaret shook her head.
“It seems they were all working for one of the Peterhead moneylenders.”
Margaret slumped down onto one of the two chairs flanking the hearth, leaving Johnny to continue to light the fire.
“Those moneylenders were ghastly men,” she whispered. It wasn’t easy to continue since the image of the one who had barged in to her father-in-law’s shop the day after Sandy died was etched into her memory.
“Aye, they always are. But they’re usually cowards who employ others to do their dirty work.” Johnny blew gently to encourage the initial flames. When satisfied the fire had caught hold, he sat in the other chair, his gaze on her an intent one. “Lachlan’s definitely no saint, Margaret, but he’s not a thug.”
“Did he know something else?” Margaret was confused about what it had to do with Sandy.
“Yes. According to Lachlan, Doddie is locked up for assault this time, but Hugh has been sentenced with assault to danger of life.
Margaret almost slumped off the chair. “I’m not sure I see a difference.”
After a curt nod, Johnny explained. “Assault can mean that someone is caused a serious injury, but when they add danger to life to the sentence it means the victim is so battered he, or she, is generally on the brink of death.”
“Not quite murder? Since the victim lives?” she whispered.
Johnny reached over and took her fingers into his own, a gentle soothing touch. “Are you sure you want me to continue?”
She nodded, silent tears now dripping down her cheeks and off her chin. “I must hear what you have to tell me.”
“Again, what Lachlan said could just be gossip, but it unfortunately rings true.”
Inhaling deeply to compose herself, she asked, “So Doddie has been beating up someone, but this Hugh Abernethy almost killed the victim?”
“That’s as accurate as I know.” Johnny‘s gaze remained constant and sympathetic.
Her upper lip trembled but she forced the cry away. “I’m ashamed to say I’m happy about Doddie’s fate. I hated…the hold…that he somehow had over Sandy.”
Johnny’s grip at her fingers tightened slightly, a flash of distress momentarily darkening his blue eyes. “That brings me to what else I heard.”
“Go on, please.” Margaret stole a quick look round to ensure that Jamie was content, playing with his toy boat.
“Doddie wasn’t involved when Sandy died but Hugh Abernethy, and the other ruffian, were the culprits.”
Margaret felt her eyes almost pop. She pulled her fingers free, one hand sliding up to her mouth to stifle a moan, again to make sure that Jamie wasn’t disturbed by their conversation.
About the Author
Nancy Jardine writes historical adventure fiction, historical saga, time travel historical adventure and contemporary mysteries. Research gobbles up lots of time but it’s a delight, and never a chore. Her garden wouldn’t win any prizes but tending it is a great way to unwind and gives her some lovely plants to post on Instagram!
When not creating her novels, or promoting her writing, she loves to interact with readers at Book and Craft Fairs where she signs / sells paperback versions of her novels. Recently she’s taken part in author panels at Book Festivals.
Memberships include: Historical Novel Society; Society of Authors; Scottish Association of Writers; Federation of Writers Scotland; Romantic Novelists’ Association; and Alliance of Independent Authors. She’s self-published with Ocelot Press.
Connect with Nancy
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