Devon Clayton, my third British Agent, is English born, with a family name that dates back to the 10th century, though back then there were different variations of the name. It is locational from various places now called Clayton in the counties of Lancashire, Staffordshire, Sussex and the West Riding of Yorkshire.* Clayton was another one of those names that just fit with the personality and lineage of the character.
Unlike his fellow agents, Devon is not titled, but he comes from a family of great wealth. In Alaina Claiborne and Blackwood Crossing, Devon was the devil-may-care, adventure-seeker of the group, possessing more charm than one ought to. In Clayton's Honor, we delve deeper into Devon's personality and past, though he's still as charming as ever. We also see a lot more of Devon's brothers, Derek and Zachary Clayton.
Like the other names, I immediately visualize Devon's personality and looks when I say his name. In Clayton's Honor, Devon will face his greatest personal challenge, uncover secrets, and save a woman from herself and the demons who haunt her.
The name Doyle in Ireland is thought to be of Norse origin and comes from the Irish Ó'Dubhghaill or dubh ghall, the "dark stranger or foreigner".* I like this description of the name, and it's fitting for our heroine, Anne Doyle. Doyle is one of the most ancient surnames of Ireland, and it is now also quite common.
This was one of those surnames where I scoured lists of Irish surnames that are common in the region in which Anne lived. "Doyle" simply fit, though there is nothing simple about the name or about Anne. "Doyle" is a strong name befitting of a strong Irishwoman. Some may think Anne is delicate at first glance, but I wouldn't discount her abilities, or her dedication to justice. In that way, she is much like Devon, our hero of Clayton's Honor.
Anne is fiercely proud of her heritage, and though she does not possess great wealth or as lofty a title as her counterparts in the stories, her birthright is just as noble.
*Read more: http://www.irelandroots.com/doyle.htm Clayton's Honor
On the wind swept shores of Ireland, a British Agent must leave behind duty to country for the sake of his honor.
Anne Doyle lost her father to a foolish war and her mother to madness. Left with debt and an ancient family home, she struggles to keep the rest of her family together even as an enemy attempts to take them away. After witnessing a brutal murder, Anne must enlist aid from the only family she has left if she is to save those she loves.
Devon Clayton had no intentions of leaving behind his life of adventure and danger, but when he is charged with protecting a witness and her family, he must choose between duty to the country he serves and a woman who tests his honor and willingness to change.
Together they will discover that nothing is what it seems and that without honor, love and life are for nothing.
"The McClintock’s are descendants of the ancient people who occupied western Scotland before the beginning of recorded history. They are believed to be descended from the Dalridians, a branch of the Irish Celtic Tribes who established the Kingdom of Dalrida in the highland region of western Scotland. They were the true Scottish Highlanders and were descended from the early Irish Tribal Kings . . ." (ancestry.com)
The true Scottish Highlanders—not only can I not verify that this is true, I don't care, because it's awesome. McClintock may be my "pen" name, but I pulled it off one of the Scottish branches of my family tree for three reasons: it works well with my initials, it fits with all the historical settings in which I write, and most importantly, it's Scottish. The history of this surname and clan is another ancient name of fascinating origins, all of which I don't yet know, but I am learning.
I enjoy genealogy work, and though I don't spend as much time with it as I should, delving into my family history has been a rewarding experience. It may sound strange, but it's also helped me to become more in touch with my "inner author." I love my "borrowed" name, and I'm grateful that generations back, a young Scottish lass decided to fall in love with an Englishman, much like Rhona falls in love with Charles in Blackwood Crossing.
Unrelated fact time! One of my ancestors who bore the name McClintock, had the given name of Eliza, which is why I chose that name for the Gallagher sister. Now if only I had a Gallagher in the family (still looking) . . .
Rhona Davidson is a young woman with a Scottish father and English mother. Clan Davidson has a long history believed to date back to the Picts via Brittany. Now, none of that was known to me when I chose Davidson as the heroine's surname. This particular choice was a case of "I like it and it fit." It wasn't until Rhona's character began to develop on the page, that her family's history held any significance. Just as many Americans take pride in their family's colonial history, the clans of Scotland often have an overwhelming pride in their clan's history and traditions.
Blackwood Crossing is rife with secrets, all of which must be revealed in order for our hero and heroine to find peace and make room in their lives and hearts for each other. Rhona is such a mystery that even I did not know something significant about her until it actually happened. I had one of those "Ah ha!" moments, and it thrilled me, even as I wondered how it was going to work out.
Davidson is a strong and proud name with an interesting history. Rhona's family managed to escape some of the consequences of that history . . . then again, did they?
