Map
Prologue
Dear Reader,
This is a cautionary tale.
A tale of family, literary classics, podiatry, matchmaking, Shakespeare, and distance. Not exactly the sort of word grouping you may expect in a typical story, but some things aren’t meant to be... typical. For example, shark hats. Or maybe heartbreak-induced introversion. (All right, the introversion was already there, but the heartbreak certainly didn’t help.)
But there are pairs of things that do go together wonderfully well, like chocolate and peanut butter, mountains and seas, books and romance... unless, the date is allergic to peanuts, the mountains and seas are a world apart, and the only romance the heroine has had any luck with has been fictional. (See previous note about introversion.)
But two things that never go together well are family and... matchmaking, and that is the premise of this story.
Sort of.
And there are books.
Lots of books.
And a copious amount of talk aboutTheLord of the Ringswith a swoony foreigner named Brodie. Who is almost perfect, until... he’s not as perfect.
And a cliff house, but that’s for later.
Anyway, I’ll let you discover how all those fit together—or don’t—for yourself.
And good luck.
Izzy
PS: And just because Luke is always right doesn’t mean Luke is always right. I know of at least two times when he wasn’t, and both were about women.
***
From: Taugen en Compt
In an attempt to bring more people to live among the beauties and vastness of The Skymar Islands, their majesties, King Aleksander and Queen Gabriella, along with the support of Taugen en Compt Houses of Parliament, are offering a substantial financial stipend for natives who encourage someone to relocate to any of the Skymarian Islands, whether by marriage, employment, adoption, or other means listed in the following attachment. Our islands are easily overlooked among the many larger countries surrounding us, but for those who wish to be a part of a vibrant community with varied landscapes, occupational diversity, and a quieter European life that combines our Scottish and Scandinavian cultures amicably, this is an excellent opportunity for resettling. Attached you will find a document outlining the financial remuneration, as well as an extensive list by which individuals may relocate under these specifications.
Taigh, Hlem, en Trolach
(Home, Faith, and Family)
Part1
Of Matchmakers, Island Dwellers & Clark Gable
Chapter1
From: Josephine Martin
To: Izzy Edgewood
Date: February14
Subject: Heart-to-Heart
Izzy,
You know I love you. I want to begin with that.