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Annual trips through Scotland have inspired a "contemporary romance" novel by Constance Weston '86, The Celebration of Hogmanay.

Set in the "rugged highlands of Scotland," the novel tells the story of Clarinda Tetrick, who "leaves the security of her New York City lifestyle to start anew. She makes a bold move to Inverwick, Scotland, where she purchases an old mansion with plans to reconvert it to a small inn, with the New Year and traditional Scottish Hogmanay Celebration to serve as the opening gala. She hires her widowed neighbor, Janet Adams, to serve as the establishment's cook and the two become fast friends. Soon after she sets foot in the small town of Inverwick, Clarinda finds her life a bit more complicated than she had anticipated, when she meets Janet's handsome and guarded brother, Alistair. They are both hesitant to become romantically involved, but they are enigmatically drawn to each other. Their relationship begins to flourish, until Clarinda's old lover unexpectedly arrives and wants her back."

Readers and visitors to the author's Web site get more than a romantic story, however. Each also includes several recipes from the dishes prepared and served at "Clarinda's Heather and Thyme Guest House," plus three cross-stitch patterns referred to by Clarinda and those employed in her guest house. The designs are also by Weston, whose St. Lawrence degree is in economics.

Posted: April 13, 2006