Customer Reviews

Wings of Morning (These Highland Hills, Book 2)

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In WINGS OF MORNING, the second installment of These Highland Hills, Kathleen Morgan offers up her own trademark brand of historical romantic fare that, while engaging, requires turning a blind eye to some cliched plot elements.

Morgan picks up from the first book in the series, CHILD OF THE MIST, which introduced us to the feuding, superstitious world of the Scottish Highlands in the 1500s. In it, we met Niall Campbell and Anne MacGregor and followed their tempestuous marriage. In this sequel, Niall's brother Iain takes center stage. We're also introduced to the 17-year-old orphaned Regan Drummond, who has been raised by the MacLaren clan and is now to be wed to her best friend, Roddy MacLaren.

However, on her wedding night Regan discovers Roddy's darker side. Inexplicably, she's angry with him for getting drunk, but a few paragraphs before, she's urging him to down some wine before he comes to their marriage bed. After fleeing from her new husband (and conveniently staying a virgin), she is stunned the next morning when she discovers Roddy has been murdered. Her new brother-in-law, Walter, vows vengeance on Iain Campbell, who Walter says killed Roddy. But we're already pretty sure who has killed whom.

Regan rides out on horseback and ends up in an accident, which lands her at the Campbells' castle suffering from amnesia. She's nursed back to health (can you say PRIDE & PREJUDICE?) and falls in love with the kind, handsome laird Iain, whose gotten over his love for Anne from book one and is ready to turn his attentions elsewhere. Kathleen Morgan knows how to weave sexual tension throughout her novels, and the romance heats up nicely between Regan and Iain.

Disappointingly, amnesia has been so overused as a plot device that the reader can't help but feel this is an easy way to make the story move along. Regan predictably regains her memory just before the Queen visits, and she's able to bring her murder accusations against Iain directly to the authorities. The reader is left scratching her head at this point, wondering why a woman who loved Iain so desperately would desire to avenge her husband of one night by seeing her love interest executed for murder. It's also a bit unbelievable that Iain's family continues with varying levels of affection to care for Regan, who is now trying to unjustly (but justly in her mind) accuse the kind and generous Iain. To say the reader needs to suspend disbelief is to state it lightly.

Some of the Scottish terminology (as in CHILD OF THE MIST) is confusing (a glossary would be helpful) and, when it is frequently used, detracts from the smooth pacing of the book ("Weesht" is enjoyable the first time, but gets old quickly.) There's the unavoidable comparison of a woman to a horse, which unfortunately appeared in CHILD OF THE MIST (this time, it's "Bridle the filly before she takes the bit, and she's forever out of control.") It's a tired analogy that is used far too often in romance novels.

Despite these missteps, Morgan excels at including some nice historical details, including a section on roses --- which might slow down an uninterested reader --- but as a gardener, I found it absorbing. Her settings are usually well-described, "the heath washing the hills in lavender and pink, the sparkling burns flowing through the glens, and the eagles soaring overhead."

If historical fiction readers can suspend their disbelief about some of the plot elements, they should find this an engaging romance.


--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby. Contact Cindy at phrelanzer@aol.com.

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

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

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.

I bought this book based on other reviews I read but this book I am struggling just to read it. It's predictable and boring. I fall asleep every night quickly when I pick this book up.

I fell in love with Regan and Iain, but, with their clans feuding, their lot was not going to be an easy one. Iain becomes the suspect in the murder of Regan's first husband, and he soon becomes a stumbling block to evil ambitions that may well lead to more deaths, including his own. Will betrayal and suspicion force them apart forever? Or, can their love rise above everything else, help heal their highland home, and bring their clans together?

Regan is a young lady barely a bride before she beame a widow. Temporary memory loss leads her into the arms Iain Campell, a laird, warrior, christian who also happens to be her husband's killer. The challenge for the two-destined lovers is overcoming amnesia and suspicion and of course other enemy lairds.

I guess the author's primary focus was to highlight the power/beauty of forgiveness the way God desires of us and in that she did a good job. The very happy ending had me wanting more

Regan MacLaren has lived with the MacLaren clan ever since her parents died and left her an orphan at the tender age of five. Now, she's married to the clan Laird. When Regans husband goes out to prove himself a man before he claims his wife, he's brought back to the castle, dead. Now his brother is Laird and he wants to murder the man who killed his brother.

Regan is uncomfortable with her brother-in-law's decision, so she goes out to stop him. But her horse is spooked by lightning, and she falls, banging her head. Now she has no memory of even who she is.

Laird Iain Campbell is a neighbor to the MacLaren clan and his tribesmen and the MacLaren's are enemies. When Iain finds a woman he doesn't recognize in his fields, unconscious from injuries, he takes her in to nurse her back to health. When Iain learns her true identity, sparks fly. Can two sworn enemies find love?

Wings of Morning is book two in the These Highland Hills series and the first of the series I had the privilege of reading. Not being a big fan of historical fiction, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself immediately drawn into the story. I instantly cared for Regan and related to her. I also found Iain sympathetic.

The story is excellent, the setting described in such a manner that I could see it, and the characters well-developed. The faith message is expertly woven in. I have nothing bad to say about Wings of Morning. Even though this book is the second in the series, it easily stands alone. Pick it up today. $12.99. 286 pages.

I READ ALL THREE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES AND THEY KEPT ME INTERESTED AT ALL TIMES. COULDN'T WAIT FOR THR NEXT BOOK.I FELT LIKE I WAS THERE. GREAT SERIES. WANT MORE.

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.