A Fire Within

A Fire Within, is a perfect title for Kathleen Morgan's final book of this Scottish Highland trilogy set in the mid 1500s. Plenty of action, adventure, Claymore fighting, and treachery to balance the beautiful highland life and romance of this epic story. Some good moral teaching comes from some of the best of the Campbell family honor. It is presented with just enough Celtic dialect to flavor, like salt on French-fries. The Campbell clan story is told through 3 books: #1 Child of the Mist, #2 Wings of Morning, and #3 A Fire Within. If you have not read them, begin with the first and be sure to read them all. They truly remind me of a favorite Scottish series author, Diana Gabaldon (Outlander), except this series is equal in pages to only one book of Gabaldon's. Morgan also writes in a way to compel the continuation of reading. It's hard to set the book, or series, down till the end. The clan consists of Robert (the Campbell, chief) Campbell, father of Niall and Caitlin. His brother Duncan (tanist) raises a son Iain. Sister Lydia has a son Hugh. And then there is Malcolm. Book #1 is Niall's story. Book #2 is Iain. Book #3 is about Caitlin. But the family moves on, and "the Campbell" changes, and other clans interact. There's the MacGregor's, Maclaren's, Drummond's, MacNaghten's and others. Clan chiefs rise and fall. The clan's got some secrets and mysteries as well. Romances defy death and honor. Honor and Christian morals play a part in all of the books. It's a delightful trip by anyone from any clan into Scottish life in the Highland Hills. When (Book #3) young lass, Caitlin Campbell, gets abducted by an outlaw clan, then turns the reader's sympathy to the clan-cast-out, Dar, the tale really gets your sympathy and morals into a bit of a twirl. Who is the bad guy, and who's becoming the bad girl? Sometimes it gets rugged, verges on the torrid, but is always tantalizing. But, read #1 & #2 first, you'll be glad.

I have enjoyed all Kathleen Morgan's books. I look forward to reading more from her.

The Highland Hills series is very good. I'm glad to finally have the third one in the series.

Immersed deep in the Scottish highlands, Kathleen Morgan takes us on her third and final journey into the Campbell clan. Surrounded by the rugged and beautiful Scottish country we are taken back to a time of castles and highland honor, a time of romance and danger. Caitlin Campbell listens to her heart more then her head and in the past it has caused her pain. Extending the highland code of hospitality, she invites two men to stay at the home of her brother, Niall, chief of the Clan Campbell. Struggling to let God control her life, Caitlin's world spins out of control when she is abducted. Darach MacNaghten and his cousin travel under assumed names deep into Clan Campbell in an attempt to rescue his brother. Although he has been banished from his own outlawed clan he fights to save the Clan MacNaghten and resort honor to its name. When Darach realizes his rescue attempt is impossible he makes one last desperate effort and takes Caitlin as a hostage. Will Caitlin finally let God control her life? Can Darach put his trust in God and realize His plans are much larger then his own? Can these two make it through the Scottish highlands will fighting their attraction for each other? Kathleen Morgan once again captures our minds and hearts in this delightful tale of Highland romance.

Kathleen Morgan continues to entertain with this third book of the Highland Hills collection. After picking up the first on whim, I was pleasantly surprised by the writing style and content, but even moreso by the skill ful way the three stories are told, independantly of each other. I would recommend this book to anyone with interest in historical romances of this place and period.