Book Review: 'Celtic Blood'

A few months ago, TwilightBlog was approached by new author, James Loftus, to review his self-published book Celtic Blood.  It is always our pleasure to review any book, and so we agreed.
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Celtic Blood
Loftus' book chronicles the story of Seward and Morgund, two Scottish lads, then men, and their intertwined story that is full of love, loss, battles, and victories--all revolving around Morgund's rightful claim to the crown and his nightmare life running from his rivals.  These men are always on the brink of death and at the mercy of Wiccan magic that leaves little room for anything boring.  Loftus, an avid reader of history, attempts to shape the story of these men after real men of Scottish history.  He is a self-proclaimed predecessor of Nigel Tranter, while readers of this genre may more closely see him aligned with well known Stephen Lawhead and his books (novels) on King Arthur.

Loftus' plot is well done, which historical novels do not normally lack, as history itself provides enough drama for one book, however, Loftus needs an editor.  Any writer, good or bad, needs someone to pick their brain, require consistency in form, tense, spelling, perspective, and Loftus needs one, as he is no exception to the rule.  If some enterprising company or person, were to pick him up and work with his ideas, and help shape him into a more mature writer, there could possibly be a trilogy sitting within this single, and first book attempt.  But this needs to be drawn out of Loftus.  It also appears that Loftus needs an editing senior historian, someone to require the same consistency in language and terminology, as well as helping Loftus create the image old Scotland that the reader desperately needs to see.

Despite the lackings, due to self-publishing and lack of a force to push and expand his writings, Loftus does present an intriguing story--one that many religious studies, historical studies, or anyone just interested in ancient novels would love to read and see the intermingling of the various faucets of life for these Scottish people of 1210.

Loftus has created something much larger than many could create, now he just needs to be pushed and molded, to become something we would all be excited about to purchase on the "New Arrivals" bookshelf.  And this can be done, Loftus just needs the right tools with which to do it.