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And she wrote the entire book on her iPhone!
It’s been a banner year for internationally renowned fiddler-songwriter Natalie MacMaster. In May she was presented with the Doctor of Laws honoris causa at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia; last September she stood on the Town Hall stage in New York City with Tom Hanks, Ken Burns and John Lithgow to celebrate one of her songs being featured in Ken Burns’ latest PBS miniseries, and she recently released her first book called I Have a Love Story.
It took MacMaster three years to write her first-ever book. While on tour, (between breaks) MacMaster would put down her fiddle and pick up her phone to jot down notes for the book. She says she wrote the entire book on her iPhone! After launching her book last fall to a packed house with moderator Erica Ehm at the prestigious Toronto International Festival of Authors,I Have a Love Story has been on bestseller lists numerous times.
Family, faith, culture, music, and love
“I Have a Love Story” is a captivating and heartfelt memoir, told in MacMaster’s own words, in which she shares her reflections on family, faith, culture, music, and love. MacMaster tells her remarkable story, beginning with her childhood and musical inspirations while growing up on Cape Breton Island (where she started step dancing at age 5; playing the fiddle at age 9 and went on her first European tour at age 12) to her rise to fame; performing on the world’s most renowned stages and collaborating with some of the biggest names in the business including The Boston Pops, Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss, The Chieftains and others. And of course, MacMaster’s ‘love story’ includes her first date with her future husband (fellow fiddling legend Donnell Leahy/founder and frontman of the JUNO award-winning Leahy) to life on a working farm in Lakefield, Ontario where she and Leahy live with their seven children.
MacMaster has captivated audiences for decades with her masterful, electrifying Celtic fiddle performances. She was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2006, has two JUNO Awards, 19 East Coast Music Awards, and three Gold Albums.
Family First, Seven Children
MacMaster’s book highlights her “family first” philosophy, which included taking her seven children on tours as a unique way to spend time together. There are photos in the book of the MacMaster/Leahy children performing with the couple on stage, along with family photos and even some favourite family recipes. And MacMaster answers the question she is most often asked — how do you handle it all?
Says MacMaster in her book: “Love is my guide. I’ve gone through a million experiences only to realise that more new ones are just around every corner, each with its own particular spin and discerning how to proceed is not always clear….This is why love is the answer. Because even when I’m lost, I can always apply more love. It illuminates a path forward.”
Why Now? Ah-ha Moment
It was a news event that inspired MacMaster to write her first book. Soon after having her seventh child, MacMaster was on tour when she heard the news of a tragic incident. Feeling deep despair, she started focusing on all the good things in her life—family, faith, and love. She experienced an “ah-ha” moment when she realized the best way she could bring hope to the world was to talk about the light in her life, including her love for her family and her music. Says MacMaster, “Suddenly I realized, I have a love story to tell!”
I Have a Love Story is as engaging as it is inspirational. MacMaster encourages readers to see, appreciate and nurture the good things in life; and to spread love with others.
Love Conquers All
After I finished reading MacMaster’s book, one song kept running through my head; it’s the Beatle’s hit All You Need is Love. MacMaster’s “love story” is proof that ‘love conquers all ’–for Natalie MacMaster and hopefully her readers as well.
A positive, insightful and inspiring read—9 out of 10.
I Have a Love Story by Natalie MacMaster is available in bookstores everywhere. Copyright ©2025 Natalie MacMaster. Cover and interior design by Gwen North. Published by MacIntyre Purcell Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
All photos courtesy Natalie MacMaster and MacIntyre Purcell Publishing
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