Midnight Honor

Marsha Canham's fictional account of Lady Anne Farquharson Moy and her contribution to the Jacobite cause in Scotland, (1745), makes for extraordinary reading. The lady and her cause are part of the tragic history of the Scottish uprising with its goal to put Charles Edward Stuart, (Bonnie Prince Charlie), on the throne of Scotland and England. Beginning just before the doomed Battle of Culloden Moor, Ms. Canham sweeps the reader back to 18th century Scotland, with its diverse clans, intrigues, politics, adventure and romance.Anne's family, the Farquharsons, were fiercely loyal to the Stuarts. Anne, who grew up in staunch Jacobite surroundings, was a strong individual whose brothers had taught to wield a sword and fight. In fact, she was known more for her skills with weapons than with embroidery and book learning. Called "Wild Rhuad Annie," she married refined Angus Moy, chief of Clan Chattan, a man who had been educated on the continent and had little in common with many of Scotland's leaders. He did not want to associate himself or his clan with the Stuart mission. Moy believed from the beginning that the rebellion would fail and didn't want his people to lose their lives or land as a result of Civil War. Therefore he pledged himself to fight with the English.Anne could not maintain her honor, as a Farquharson, or as Moy's wife, by keeping silent and remaining at home. Armed with a petition that declared her the clan leader in her husband's absence, she called the Jacobite members of the Chattan Clan together and led them into battle. She was their "Colonel Anne," and she made her handsome and gallant clansman, John MacGillivray, her Captain.This story is quite complex, as are the characters, and Ms. Canham has done a remarkable job in fleshing out the people and the issues of the period. Angus Moy's dilemma was very real. He was never meant to be the leader of a clan and was not educated as such. When he found himself suddenly responsible for the lives of so many people he took the responsibility to heart. He may very well have been a Jacobite supporter himself, but was determined to keep his clan safe from the disastrous results of a doomed cause. Anne, who loved her husband, felt shame as she watched him throw in his hand with the despised English. She also knew that, in the heat of the moment, many of her husband's clan wanted to fight for the Stuarts. Anne, with her strong character, did not want to remain in a passive woman's role while the world was exploding around her. She had a cause she believed in and wanted to play a part in history.Marsha Canham, one of my favorite authors, has outdone herself with this wonderful historical novel. She was fascinated with the Jacobites and historical figures Anne and Angus Moy, John MacGillivray, Gilles MacBean, Lochiel and Alexander Cameron and Fearchar Farquharson. She wrote that researching and writing this novel was a "labor of love." The results provide an incredible glimpse into the past and

This is one of the BEST, most accurate depictions of the Battle of Culloden and the events leading up to the battle that I have read. Ms. Canham has definitely done her research. She uses real-life characters and real-life events, and weaves her heart-wrenching love story into history with a tale that will leave you looking for additional pages at the end of the book. This book is one of the best Scottish historical romances that I've read and definitely rates right up there with Outlander. The only discrepancy that I've found is with the character of "John MacGillivray". His actual name was Alexander MacGillivray and he was apparently ever bit as much a hero as Ms. Canham has illustrated in this book. If you are interested in Scotland, the battles and events leading up to Culloden, the sad, tragic tale of the Battle of '76 and the heroic people of Scotland, along with a truly breath-taking romantic love story, then buy this book!

I first saw a portrait of Anne Mackintosh in a museum in Scotland and was intrigued by her story, which is much more heroic than say Flora MacDonald. Having found only a few references in history to these Macintoshes of Moy ( those being PRINCE CHARLIE AND HIS LADIES/Compton Mackenzie and DAMN REBEL BITCHES: Women of the '45 by Maggie Craig)I was a bit apprehensive of a fictional account of this woman and her husband, who history reports was a love match. But I was delightfully surprised at Ms Canham's story. I found this story wonderfully told with all the angst that should be there given times and this couples love for each other despite their different causes. Although, this was a fictional account and details of their lives were left out, she told the story with the unique rich detail that only an author of her caliber can write. The history never became the story but with actual participants of the period you can't tell it without historical details the likes found here. I do have to wonder why some would say there was too much history, adding only: Why then are you reading historicals romances in the first place? Historical writers pride themselves on getting it right so you can't leave history out for this story nor can you change real history unless you tell the reader why. Anne and Angus were products of their time, thus varied elements of the time needed to be shown and she did it very well. Although I will agree this story reads more like exceptional historical fiction, the likes of Penman et al,rather than some of the current bland historicals offered. Yet, in my mind the wonderful sexual tension developed between both John/Anne and Angus/Anne was incredible. And although we don't know historically if there was ever anything between John and Anne, the reader will be statisfied with Ms Canham's version. The ending also falls well within the realm of exceptional romance, with the kind of ending sure to leave the request sigh. As one who has researched Anne Macintosh of Moy for 7 years I found MIDNIGHT HONOR a wonderful interpretation of "what if." I don't think the reader can ask for more: great romance, sexual tension, a couple of heroes to die for and heroine who found the real meaning of love. Isn't this why we read romance?

I've always liked Marsha Canham's writing, so I make an exception to buy all of her books. You can imagine how delighted I was when I found her latest novel on the supermarket shelf. I wasn't expecting more out of Midnight Honour than any of her other books, but in truth, Midnight Honour was one of the best books I have read in a long time. The plot was different, and there were wonderful characters.The plot was brilliant, and it was not at all what I was expecting. It begins with the heroine, Lady Anne Moy, already having been married to her husband (the hero, Angus Moy) for four years. That may seem rather odd for a romance novel, but it was a much longed for breath of fresh air. There were no silly "ripping through the maidenhead" scenes and it was nice to see a couple already comfortable with each other but still not perfect.Have you ever noticed that there are very rairly decent male characters other than the hero in romance novels? Again Ms. Canham's book throughs normality aside. I found myself more in love with Anne's old flame, the dashing John MacGillivray, than I was with scholarly Angus. It was interesting because Anne was really in love with both men, and both men were in love with her. Oh those glourius torn loyalties. The book certainly kept my attention.Ms. Canham also did not fall victem to the tenancy to add too much historical detail. Her battle scenes were emotional, true to fact, and blessedly short. The heroine, Lady Anne, was a warrior. Ms. Canham is the only author I have ever read who has been able to pull that off. Most the time the warrior heroine is spoiled, ridicoulosly stubborn and obscenely stupid. Lady Anne is none of these, she seems very real throughout the entire story.Midnight Honour is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and I finished reading it wishing it would never end. Marsha Canham has written a book that steps completaly outside the bounds of ordinary romance novels and comes off wonderfully.

I inhaled this book, getting caught up in all the facets of the passions from early on. The passions of husband/wife, other man/other woman, family/clan, clan/coutry, honor/survival. The historical detail magnifies the emotional and ethical struggles in a period of dark humanity. Bringing "Colonel" Anne MacIntosh and her clan affiliates to vivid life, Ms. Canham has graphically portrayed the conflicts inherent in personal responsibility and accountability.Well researched, extremely well written. Ms. Canham is always a joy to read. This book especially so. Particularly for any Clan Chattan member or descendent. Remember to exhale. But never forget.P.S. - Nearly a year later, these characters still haunt me. This book has a permanent place on my shelf and in my heart.