Legend of the Celtic Stone (Caledonia Series, Book 1) [Paperback]

Michael Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1999

An Epic Saga of Scotland From Michael Phillips!

Let bestselling author Michael Phillips take you to a place of noblemen, mysterious highlanders, and ancient legends with Caldeonia. Enjoy the beauty, the adventure, and the romance that is Scotland both past and present.

"Absolutely smashing! I loved the history-." Mary Hutchison, a fiction fan from Devon, England

Following on the success of The Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall, Michael Phillips recreates a world of heather-covered moors and evocative highlands where one man's quest to uncover his connection to his celebrated ancestry evokes the glory that is Scotland.

In Legend of the Celtic Stone, Westminster Abbey is the site of a burglary that sets all of Great Britain astir. Both the IRA and Scottish nationalists are thought to be the culprits but no one has the answer to the puzzling crime.

Andrew Trentham, member of Parliament and one of the nation's most eligible men, is as chagrined by the break-in as anyone, and wary of the winds of nationalism sweeping down from the north. It is difficult for him to focus on national affairs however when his personal life is filled with all the trouble he can handle.

Rebuffed in his proposal of marriage by the woman that he loves and suffering through the lingering pain of a family tragedy, this heir of noble blood is compelled to reexamine his foundations. What Andrew discovers in the process is a link to ancient Caledonia, a highland heritage that will forever change the way he looks at the world. As the ancient legends begin to shed light on Andrew's place in the world, he makes attempts to rekindle the love he has lost. At the same time, a resurgent Scotland rises to reclaim the glory of its storied past

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Any fan of history will enjoy this novel. Mr Phillips draws you into the mystical past of this enchanted land." -- Rendezvous, Nov. 1999 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Michael Phillips is an author, editor, publisher, and bookseller. He's written nearly 50 books, including many best sellers, and his current total book sales have capped five million.

He's also the editor of 25 books by 19th-century author George MacDonald (Bethany House). Sales now top l.5 million copies. Plus, he's the founder of Sunrise Books, which issues leather-bound editions of MacDonald's original works. At age 45, Phillips is responsible for nearly 100 titles that today circulate in the Christian marketplace.

This output stems from the printed page's greatest influence on Phillips' life. Besides the extensive library in his office, seven volumes perch in a place of honor on top of his desk. Each book represents a significant growth period in Schaeffer, C.S. Lewis, MacDonald, and Richard Foster. A key element in his work has been editing MacDonald's writings. "MacDonald has been a spiritual mentor for me," Phillips says, "exactly as he was for C.S. Lewis.

A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelley, launched Phillips' career in bookselling. While in college preparing for what he thought would be a physics career, possibly with NASA, he read Kelley's book. "It had such a profound impact on my whole spiritual being, I began giving copies away," he says.

While searching for inexpensive ways to purchase this book, Phillips created a small bookstore in one corner of his student apartment. This small venture grew, but after a few years in bookselling, Phillips found his interest in books leading him to write.

Phillips has also co-written five best-selling Bethany House fiction series with fellow Eureka, CA resident Judith Pella: the HIGHLAND and two STONEWYCKE series set in Scotland, THE JOURNALS OF CORRIE BELL HOLLISTER, and THE RUSSIANS. The Phillips/Pella titles are now approaching 2 million in sales.

His most recent books, Wayward Winds, Book 2 in the SECRETS OF HEATHERSLEIGH HALL series, and Legend of the Celtic Stone, Book 1 in his monumental new CALEDONIA series, continue his fine tradition of bringing history to life with compelling plots and intriguing characters.

A versatile author, he's had 14 books named finalists in the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's Gold Medallion award competition., and in 1993 he had the distinction of being the author of two of the top five fiction books- The Crown and the Crucible (Bethany) and Pinnacles of Power (Moody).

Phillips' life is a constant juggling of multiple objectives&operating a bookstore, a publishing company, and a home-school; writing some of the best-selling books in the industry; and maintaining a high level of confidence and enthusiasm for all God has given him to do&with family priorities on top of everything.

Phillips identifies his secret as focus: the capacity to keep his vision clear on a particular project in the midst of many vying for his attention.

Michael and Judy Phillips live in California. They have three grown sons.

size : 5.4 x 8.3

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764222171
• ISBN-13: 978-0764222177
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1970, while students at Humboldt State University, Mike and Judy Phillips began what would become the One Way BookShop as a small, informal source of Christian books and materials for their fellow students. Over the next two decades God prospered those small beginnings, and now the bookstore is a thriving part of the Humboldt County Christian community.

Mike's first published book was about his wife's pregnancy and the birth of their twin sons. After several more nonfiction titles, Mike undertook a lifelong dream to renew the popularity of Scottish writer George MacDonald, whose teachings had been central to Mike and Judy's spiritual growth. Mike began editing some of MacDonald's lengthy novels, heavy with Scottish brogue, into shorter and more readable editions, with some of the work being done right at the bookstore counter between customers.

Through the years, God has continued to guide Mike in the production of books emphasizing strong spiritual values and unforgettable characters. In addition to being best sellers in Christian bookstores all across the country, Mike's books have been offered through several book clubs, have been translated into a number of foreign languages, and have been published in over 120 editions in all, with sales of over 3 million. Mike is today recognized as one of the Christian bookselling industry's most prolific and versatile authors.

Family is very important to Mike. He and his wife, Judy, have taught their three sons, Patrick, Robin, and Gregory, at home throughout their education. Home schooling enables the family to frequently accompany Mike in his work-related travels.

It has always been Mike's desire in his writing that all who read his books will find a closer and more real walk with God through the characters and stories. Both he and Judy enjoy responses from readers and find great encouragement from the letters they receive.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can still feel the call of the land of my Ancestors!, September 24, 1999

By 

Dave Kirkpatrick ([e-mail]) (Gresham Oregon, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legend of the Celtic Stone (Caledonia Series, Book 1) (Hardcover)

In Legend of the Celtic Stone (Caledonia, 1) Michael Phillips lives up to the tradition of the late James Michener. It is a magnificent historical novel. It is not only a story of a young MP thrust into the forefront of British political renown, but the story of a great land and the people whom the land shaped and formed as much as the standing stone monuments that were carved by its people in antiquity. From stone-age Celts who conquered the rugged Highlands, Poet-Bards that recorded the history where there was little writing and no books, Druids who were teachers, priests, healers and judges, to Saints who conquered the souls of a fierce and deeply spiritual people. It is a story of political intrigue that spans from the slaughter of the MacDonald at Glencoe to the political jockeying for power of today. Through out the story there is the land, whether it is called Alba, Caledonia or Scotland, its very stones, the bones of the land, are as much a part of the present as the past. I was transported through time and space to a land who's sights and sounds fires my blood and makes me proud to be descended from that proud race. I can not wait for the next installment!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Carried Away, February 12, 2000

By 

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Legend of the Celtic Stone (Caledonia Series, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Michael Phillips' presents an invitation at the beginning of this epic, an invitation to spend time with his book, to enjoy it. I accepted the invitation with a slight sense of skepticism--I'm often frustrated by the mediocre quality of Christian fiction, and this was the first Phillips' book I'd attempted...But I was soon carried away! Swept into a past, rich with characters, description, and historical relevance. The writing was superlative, the story compelling, and the mood vibrant with color and emotion. I was reminded more than once of the emotions and awe I sensed while reading "The Clan of the Cave Bear." I'm overjoyed to see a well-written novel of this grandeur published by Bethany House. Sure, this novel will be too long for some readers, too involved for some thrill-seekers, but my hats off to author and publisher for presenting quality literature for those willing to invest their time...It was worth it! Where's book two?

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Find, June 27, 2000

By 

Jody Allen (US) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legend of the Celtic Stone (Caledonia Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

This book was a rich taspitry of history told through the eyes of a troubled young man searching for self and where he fit in whole picture. I was hesitant to read this book knowing it came from a Christian publisher but the story premise was too compelling to pass up. I was mesmerized at the different albiet fictional accounts of the history of the Celts across history. I couldn't put it down, the top layer story was what held the whole concept together inviting the reader to quickly return to see what had happened next. The only draw back I had with the story was the heavy hand,at times, to make the Druids the bad guys implying now anyone who practises this is somehow evil. I am not sure why I expected something different from the author and his choice of publisher on this element, but all and all it didn't take much away from the story and I eagerly await the next installment in this uniquely plotted saga. I sure am glad to see that there are still publishers willing to publish the saga historicals of the past. This book is not to be missed by any serious readers who are looking for richly detailed Celtic stories. Jody Allen, Charter Member of RIO- Reviewers International Organization