Book 3), A Fire Within (These Highland Hills

I like this series and there is mystery and romance, no raunchiness! HOWEVER,she needs a new proofreader desperately as all of these books have typos, grammatical errors, and misspellings!! i.e., in a church there is an ALTAR, not ALTER - totally different meaning and part of speech. It tends to be distracting when reading...

I had not read anything from this author until the last two months. Once I started reading her books ! When I finished one I had to read another , I loved that she made the Christian faith real . The characters were not holier than thou and the average person can relate to them.

This is a great historical novel and is written in a really absorbing way. Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down. I really enjoy all of Kathleen Morgan's books. Excellent and good value for money.

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.

I downloaded the first of the series thinking it was a hystoriical novel. As I read it I realize what it was a very nice romance set on a background of scotish pride and bravura with a side of romance and some suspense. I got intrigued by the following novels of the series so I got those too. I usually read mysteries, historical adventures and legends, but this series made a nice change of pace.

No. Just no. I couldn’t find this book romantic or appealing, at all, couldn’t even finish it. Why? I’m so glad you asked. Let’s jump right in.
He’s super handsome. She’s super beautiful. Instant attraction. Typical romantic trope, not my favorite for sure, often feels cheap, but fine. I can overlook it, but it gets worse.
He tries to kiss her. She doesn’t want to be kissed. He kisses her anyway, but it’s ok, because halfway through she decides she wanted to be kissed by the guy she didn’t know. No. Not ok! No means no means no.
He lies to her, a lot. But it’s ok, because he’s misunderstood and she’ll figure out who he really is, eventually, somehow, despite his attempts to prevent her from knowing. But deep down she knows he's a good guy, even though he doesn't show it or, in fact, any positive traits at all. Extremely dangerous thinking. Not ok.
He abducts her, but it’s ok, because he’s not going to hurt her, he’ll keep her safe…while he’s ABDUCTING her! Not ok!
He treats her poorly, is unkind, cold, and inconsiderate of her during this “safe” abduction, but it’s ok, because they’re exchanging witty remarks that demonstrate even though they’ve only just met that they’re really getting to know each other and totally falling for each other...somehow. Not ok.
She doesn’t try to escape during the abduction, because…wait for it…she fell in love with him during the abduction, while he was treating her badly and, you know, ABDUCTING her, over the course of like 3 days. Stockholm syndrome much? Not ok.
Finally, she musters the courage to take steps that show some wisdom, but then she changes her mind and goes back to being involved with a man she barely knows, has lied to her, abducted her, and done little to nothing to demonstrate that he is anything less than the scoundrel he appears. Why? Because someone told her that’s what God wanted her to do. Umm…1 Kings 13 ring a bell to anyone? Ultimately, God speaks to you and you must do what God tells you, listen to godly counsel, but ultimately, God speaks to you! So not ok!
And that wasn’t even halfway through. I just couldn’t finish. I didn’t find the story sweet or beautiful or even a love story. I didn’t see it as redemptive, because it never was! This book is about a guy forcing a woman to do things and she being so softhearted and kind that she falls for the creep. Maybe it gets better, but I just couldn’t deal anymore. Pass.

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.

In A FIRE WITHIN, Kathleen Morgan satisfyingly concludes her These Highland Hills trilogy with another tale of intrigue, romance, forgiveness and faith.

It's 1568 in Scotland, and Campbell clan chief's sister Caitlin, a healer, is confused by her feelings for a visitor to the castle. She is both attracted to and repelled by the handsome Darach "Dar" MacNaghten, aka Darach MacFarlane, who secretly is on a mission to rescue his imprisoned brother and clan chief Athe MacNaghten from the depths of the Campbells' Kilchurn castle. The MacNaghtens have lost their right to be a clan, and Dar holds the Campbells partly responsible for the MacNaghtens' plight. He is not averse to using his good looks to woo Caitlin and trick her into helping him achieve his ends.

Dar finds Caitlin tempting ("a headstrong, fiery-tempered vixen") and decides that the only way to rescue his brother is to take her hostage. But Caitlin gives Dar --- who she finds "a thief, liar, and heartless fiend," or in another passage, a "despicable, slime-ridden varlet" --- a run for his money. As in all of Morgan's novels, passion simmers just barely under the surface. When a woman is as agitated as Caitlin is about a man, there is no question that she won't resist him for long. But the ties of clan and family are stronger than romance...or are they?

Dar is haunted by his past and his failure to protect a woman he loved who was also his brother's betrothed. When she is found dead, he is accused of murdering her and cast out of the clan. And that's just the beginning of his problems. As he tells Caitlin, "...These are difficult times. What one believes at one moment can well change in the next. Friendships can die; filial ties can be severed, and trusts can shrivel." His words will prove true as the novel progresses.

Characters from the first two books make appearances: Naill's wife Anne has taught Caitlin the art of healing, but frets over the proud and restless Caitlin's seeming lack of common sense where men are concerned. Naill mounts a rescue for Caitlin, along with her cousin Iain. But the rescue backfires, and whether Dar can protect Caitlin from the circumstances they find themselves in seems tenuous.

Morgan uses dialect well, although I lost count of the dizzying amount of times characters told each other, "Dinna fash yerself" (or as we might say, "chill out!"). The men are braw and the women are bonny. The author excels at enriching her story with historical details; one of the richest descriptions in the book concerns a "clarsach," or a lap harp carved with mythical beasts that represent Christ in different ways. Faith themes are woven throughout, from Dar's despair (despite his clan's motto, "I hope in God," he had "given up on a just, merciful and loving God years ago") to Caitlin, who struggles with the idea of giving up control and trusting God for her circumstances.

Readers may be confused that Dar bothers to go to such great lengths to get his brother out of prison following scene after scene showing what a brutish lout Athe is. But as readers of CHILD OF THE MIST and WINGS OF MORNING, the previous two books in the series, know, the loyalty to family and clan sometimes defy common sense. "Acceptance and love...he (Dar) had longed for that ever since he could remember, but perhaps that had never been what truly mattered."

Readers who enjoyed the first two installments will find Dar's journey toward embracing his calling, and both Dar and Caitlin's spiritual quest, a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Fans of historical faith fiction will also embrace this Scottish romance, full of inspiration, period details and intrigue.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

In 1568, his outlawed clan exiles Darach MacNaghten for a homicide his brother committed. He feels he will be welcomed back by his clan if he can liberate his sibling held captive by the powerful Campbell clan.

Caitlin Campbell, sister of the clan chief, is nursing a hurt caused by the youth she thought was her soulmate. When she meets Dar, who asks for a room at her clan's castle, she realizes how mistaken she was re the lad who played with her affections. She is attracted to the newcomer and to his inner turmoil he reciprocates. However, Dar has no plan or time to see where his feelings lead; instead he uses her feelings to abduct her. He will trade his prisoner for the Campbell prisoner. However, although he persuaded himself he can control his heart, he knows he failed as he and Caitlin fall in love.

Although typical of the Scottish historical romance sub-genre of having two strong stubborn people from feuding clans fall in love, readers will enjoy the third These Highland Hills tale (see (see WINGS OF MORNING and CHILD OF THE MIST). The story line is fast-paced as the lead couple exchange barbs and kisses as they travel the countryside. Nothing goes according to his plan (Dar must feel like the sixteenth century Murphy) to the delight of the audience as Kathleen Morgan closes her fine saga with an interesting expected final twist.

Harriet Klausner

Love those Scottish Highlands! Caitlin Campbell and Darach MacNaghten are both strong leading characters! Set in the sixteenth century, A Fire Within will give you a glimpse of the strong clan loyalties. This book will keep you turning the pages! I highly recommend A Fire Within to those who enjoy historical fiction.

If you love a good Scottish historical romance you can't go past Kathleen Morgan! Each of the These Highland Hills series have descriptions that whisk you away to the Scottish moors and castles, characters that you can adore and despise and romance to knock your socks off! Kathleen's Highland men are men and her women, gutsy and determined. A Fire Within is no exception. Caitlin is fiercely proud and somewhat foolish in the opening scenes so her journey towards maturity and a deeper faith is completely engaging. Darach's brokenness explains his bitterness and self absorption but as he begins to acknowledge his place in God's plan he grows in integrity and compassion. While you know what the outcome will be it remains a lovely tale that ends the series in the same captivating and engaging way it started.

Don't miss Child of the Mist and Wings of Morning for the complete story of the Breadalbane Campbells ~ Niall, Iain and now finally, Caitlin.

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.

If you love history set in the bonny highlands, you will so verra, verra love this series. Kathleen Morgan takes ye to the lands of tartans and lochs. The clan Campbell is a very honorable and God fearing family. They love the Lord,and await His guidance. It is also encouraging to meet such strong women as Anne and Caitlin are. Thank you Kathleen Morgan for introducing us.

I liked this last story in this series. These books have been fun to read. Lots of action and tension. The story is well thought out and delivered well. There was more of a Christian theme to this book then there were in the last but it wasn't too preachy. These books are very clean, there is some violence, but it is not detailed and the author handles the violence she does write very well.