Wings of Morning

Wings of Morning, the title for Kathleen Morgan's second book of this Scottish Highland trilogy is 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. Regan Drummond, wed to Maclaren, finds herself without memory in the hands of the rival Campbell clan. Will she recover, be returned, find out the terrible truth, or be forgiven? But wait, Book #2 of this trilogy is Iain Campbell's story. What's the laird of Balloch Castle got up his sleeve anyway? Mother Mathilda might have the answer to that query. Aye, mayhap, it's worth your read, but first, start with Book #1. Author Morgan has them in order for a purpose.

Kathleen Morgan has written a sequel that is as good as its predecessor. She can spin a story, write charcters that are compelling, and demonstrate how God can work in a life, when given the opportunity. God isn't just mentioned in her books. God is a part of the lives of the characters.

Kathleen Morgan begins her riveting highland historical novel, Wings of Morning, on Regan MacLaren's wedding night. When the clansmen bring their drunken laird, who is Regan's foster brother, to their bedchamber, Roddy is both brutal and awkward in his attempts to consummate the marriage. Regan flees, and when he cannot find her, he decides to make peace by bringing her an expensive gift--stolen from the flocks and herds of the neighboring Campbell clan. Instead, they bring Roddy back laid out on his plaid, killed by Ian Campbell after a surrender, according to Roddy's brother, Walter, who has become the new laird of the clan. When Regan tries to prevent Walter's ambush of Ian Campbell, she loses her way, falls, and loses her memory. She does not remember who she is, that she is the abandoned heiress of the wealthy Drummond clan, the widow of murdered Roddy MacLaren, or that she hates Ian Campbell. Campbell's peasants bring her to Ian's estate where he and his mother nurse her back to health. As the godly Ian and she spend time together, love grows, and Regan finds in Ian's mother the mother-figure missing in her own life. The return of Regan's memory, the distrust of Ian's cousin Niall, the hunger for power of her cousin William Drummond, the commands of Queen Mary, and the schemes of Walter MacLaren threaten Ian's and Regan's budding love. Kathleen Morgan weaves a fascinating tale of highland romance. Though I have read little historical fiction in the past few years, I scoped out free moments to pick up her book. Her characters are well drawn: Ian, strong, handsome and godly, with a clear idea of what he wants; Regan, a distrustful and vulnerable survivor; William Drummond, the power-hungry man intent on not losing his position to Regan; and the grasping, unscrupulous Walter. My only suggestion would be that Morgan make some of the Scottish words a little more understandable, such as "tanist." Morgan, the winner of the 2002 Rose Award for Best Inspirational Romance and author of several romances, delivers again. Fans of historical fiction or of Scotland will enjoy this book. - Debbie W. Wilson, Christian Book Previews.com

Wings of Morning, the second book in Kathleen Morgan's These Highland Hills series is filled with mystery and romance. Even though the book is part of a series, it stands alone and can be enjoyed without having read the first one. Regan, the main character, is a joy to read about, and the escapades she gets herself into will have you laughing and shaking your head. Regan MacLauren is introduced to the reader as she prepares for her wedding night. In tradition of a highland bedding ritual, the groom celebrates with wine and the wedding guests, while the bride prepares herself for the marriage bed. Regan denies her husband his marriage rights after he enters the bedchamber drunk. After her husband passes out and wakes up to discover there was no union in the marriage bed, Regan further infuriates him by sneaking out of the castle to sleep outside. To make up for the disastrous night, her husband goes to the neighboring tanist to steal cattle as a wedding gift for his bride, but he's returned to her dead. Her brother-in-law leaves to seek revenge on the tanist, and she also follows him to avenge for her husband's death. When an electrical storm breaks out and spooks her horse, she falls and hits her head on a rock and loses her memory. Enter in Iain Campbell, neighboring tanist and rescuer of Regan. Regan spends weeks with Iain and his mother as she recovers from her injuries and tries to regain her memory. Through the fellowship of Iain and his mother, Regan learns the true meaning of happiness and love. This happiness and love is jeopardized when she regains her memory and realizes that the person she is falling in love with may have killed her husband. Kathleen Morgan takes Regan and Iain through many hardships and pain, but by the end of the book the reader is delighted in the story. Just when you think all is said and done, she throws another pot on the fire. Armchair Interviews says: The reader will be excited to read to the very last page of Wings of Morning.

In 1556 heiress Regan MacLaren marries her childhood friend Drummond, but halts their lovemaking when her drunken groom acts brutish in front of his equally intoxicated friends and brother Walter. The next day Regan learns that Drummond was murdered by the laird of Clan Campbell Iain when he went on a raid to obtain a bride gift for her, was caught, surrendered, and was cowardly killed. Walter demands justice, but insists their poor clan cannot obtain such from the likes of the mighty Campbells. Instead he waits to abduct Iain at an opportune moment when they can bring him stealthily to justice at their keep. Regan worries when Walter leads a party to snatch Iain so she follows. She stumbles and is found by Iain's men who bring the injured woman to their chieftain. Regan suffers from amnesia, but quickly Iain and her fall in love. However, once she learns who she is, she will need to decide between her clan in marriage or the Campbells not realizing that Walter plans to take away her choices. WINGS OF MORNING is a terrific sixteenth century Scottish romance starring a delightful cast that brings to life the feuds and pacts of These Highlands Hills. The story line contains a bit of a mystery as to whether Iain really murdered Drummond and if not who did, but clearly the relationship between the laird and the amnesiac make for a fun tale as he wonders what will happen to them once she regains her memory. The return of the lead couple from CHILD OF THE MIST augments a fine historical tale that will have readers pondering how the diabolical Walter will bring justice to Iain and take Regan as his. Harriet Klausner