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Highland Legacy: Four Generations of Love are Rooted in Scotland
Finding Audrey
English Tea and Bagpipes
Fresh Highland Heir
Fayre Rose
IF ONLY THESE CASTLE WALLS COULD TALK.
Raised in the U.S. foster care system, Audrey MacMurray is driven to learn the truth of who she is and where she came from. Her search leads her to her ancestral home: the romantic Kennerith Castle in Scotland. Within its walls, she learns, are stories of women --- her ancestors --- who defied the conventions of the day, living with faith, courage, and passion. In her quest she meets:
Fiona, a poor highlander from the 1800's, who sets out to destroy the match between her sister and an English nobleman --- but finds love instead.
Celeste, a wealthy young lady of the mid-1700s, who tries to save the life of the man hired to protect her.
Fayre, a serf sold to pay her father's taxes in the 1300s, who discovers the wealth of love.
As handsome genealogist helps Audrey discover these brave women in her family tree, will she find the pride and self worth she longs for? Can Audrey live with the same faith, courage, and passion?
These unique "novels within a novel" provide a rich, multi-generational story of God's love ... a legacy of faith you'll long remember.
English Tea and Bagpipes
Fresh Highland Heir
Fayre Rose
IF ONLY THESE CASTLE WALLS COULD TALK.
Raised in the U.S. foster care system, Audrey MacMurray is driven to learn the truth of who she is and where she came from. Her search leads her to her ancestral home: the romantic Kennerith Castle in Scotland. Within its walls, she learns, are stories of women --- her ancestors --- who defied the conventions of the day, living with faith, courage, and passion. In her quest she meets:
Fiona, a poor highlander from the 1800's, who sets out to destroy the match between her sister and an English nobleman --- but finds love instead.
Celeste, a wealthy young lady of the mid-1700s, who tries to save the life of the man hired to protect her.
Fayre, a serf sold to pay her father's taxes in the 1300s, who discovers the wealth of love.
As handsome genealogist helps Audrey discover these brave women in her family tree, will she find the pride and self worth she longs for? Can Audrey live with the same faith, courage, and passion?
These unique "novels within a novel" provide a rich, multi-generational story of God's love ... a legacy of faith you'll long remember.
347 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2004
6 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Tracey Victoria Bateman
28 books19 followersTracey Bateman is also published as Tracey Cross, is the Christy award-winning author of more than thirty titles and has nearly a million books in print. She lives in Missouri's Ozarks with her husband and four children.
also published under the name Tracey Bateman
also published under the name Tracey Bateman
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 1, 2021
Beautiful book and great idea but the four stories didn't seem to come together very well.
April 29, 2022
This book, or rather collection of short stories tied together with a longer short story split up between the other stories, combined a few things in which I have a great interest: romance, genealogy, and Christianity. About these items I have varying degrees of knowledge, but that doesn't stop me from having an intense opinion on all of them.
The Romance(s): Actually pretty good for all of them. I could do without a contemporary romance, but I did know what I was getting into. My complaints on that romance are mainly based on the Christian aspect, so that can wait. Audrey isn't a terrible character, as far as character arcs and decisions. Brett leaves a lot wanting. As for the first historical story, the lead characters were slightly irritating, the and plot was rushed, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. I forgive the rush because of the story's established length. The stories of Celeste and Fayre are quite enjoyable, and Allan and Laird Kenneth are great characters. The settings are fairly well done, and I found the stories to be fairly realistic, especially Celeste and Allan's intriguing plot. Kind medieval lords are also a point of great enjoyment for me.
The Genealogy: The ultimate cause for me to pick up the book, but (honestly not surprising) disappointing. I was hoping to have more of the story revolve around actual genealogical records--maybe Audrey could have found the ones that were altered?? But no, she relied on purely secondary sources. Yeah, I don't think much of Brett, as a spiritual leader or as a genealogist. I was also confused as to how these generational families were related. There are so many gaps that the line is difficult to follow, even if the explanation about Rory MacMurrary is sufficient.
The Christianity: What really irritates me about modern Christians is their lack of wisdom. Perhaps historical people lacked wisdom, as well, but at least it's further removed from my experiences. But really, when you know that there is mutual attraction between you and someone, but that someone is not a Christian and therefore not an option for a romantic relationship ... you still think it's a good idea to kiss that person on the forehead?
There, I'll stop complaining about contemporary Christians. The faith content in the last two historical stories is very sweet and meaningful. In "Fresh Highland Heir" Celeste sees a wonderful Christ-like character; in "Fayre Rose" Fayre is a wonderful Christ-like character. The spiritual perspectives are probably not entirely historically accurate--certainly not historically common--but are appropriate to display the spiritual truths.
The Romance(s): Actually pretty good for all of them. I could do without a contemporary romance, but I did know what I was getting into. My complaints on that romance are mainly based on the Christian aspect, so that can wait. Audrey isn't a terrible character, as far as character arcs and decisions. Brett leaves a lot wanting. As for the first historical story, the lead characters were slightly irritating, the and plot was rushed, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. I forgive the rush because of the story's established length. The stories of Celeste and Fayre are quite enjoyable, and Allan and Laird Kenneth are great characters. The settings are fairly well done, and I found the stories to be fairly realistic, especially Celeste and Allan's intriguing plot. Kind medieval lords are also a point of great enjoyment for me.
The Genealogy: The ultimate cause for me to pick up the book, but (honestly not surprising) disappointing. I was hoping to have more of the story revolve around actual genealogical records--maybe Audrey could have found the ones that were altered?? But no, she relied on purely secondary sources. Yeah, I don't think much of Brett, as a spiritual leader or as a genealogist. I was also confused as to how these generational families were related. There are so many gaps that the line is difficult to follow, even if the explanation about Rory MacMurrary is sufficient.
The Christianity: What really irritates me about modern Christians is their lack of wisdom. Perhaps historical people lacked wisdom, as well, but at least it's further removed from my experiences. But really, when you know that there is mutual attraction between you and someone, but that someone is not a Christian and therefore not an option for a romantic relationship ... you still think it's a good idea to kiss that person on the forehead?
There, I'll stop complaining about contemporary Christians. The faith content in the last two historical stories is very sweet and meaningful. In "Fresh Highland Heir" Celeste sees a wonderful Christ-like character; in "Fayre Rose" Fayre is a wonderful Christ-like character. The spiritual perspectives are probably not entirely historically accurate--certainly not historically common--but are appropriate to display the spiritual truths.
June 4, 2014
The cover was beautiful and the thought of generations full of ancestry was compelling.
But don't judge a book by it's cover.
The story was written in a uneducated way. Very materialistic.
Audrey bumped into and fell in love with a random guy on the first page?
And then found he was 'christian' and was determined not to even consider him.
Then after being thrown together, we find she really does find him amazing (mostly talked about in the physical aspect).
But this solid christian pastor also if falling for this women he knows to be against Christianity.
I was holding out until I got to the history part, but it was written with words that were so heavy it just didn't work and took you out of the book. Like it was saying 'WE ARE IN SCOTLAND, SO WE ARE GOING TO SAY EVERYTHING WITH A RIDICULOUS HEAVY ACCENT'.
Just wasn't written well, lost me from page 1.
But don't judge a book by it's cover.
The story was written in a uneducated way. Very materialistic.
Audrey bumped into and fell in love with a random guy on the first page?
And then found he was 'christian' and was determined not to even consider him.
Then after being thrown together, we find she really does find him amazing (mostly talked about in the physical aspect).
But this solid christian pastor also if falling for this women he knows to be against Christianity.
I was holding out until I got to the history part, but it was written with words that were so heavy it just didn't work and took you out of the book. Like it was saying 'WE ARE IN SCOTLAND, SO WE ARE GOING TO SAY EVERYTHING WITH A RIDICULOUS HEAVY ACCENT'.
Just wasn't written well, lost me from page 1.
December 7, 2011
I read this book one summer at the beach and could not put it down. It is an excellent book! I love the way that the main character learns about the lives of other women in her family so we learn about her as well as her ancestors. It is just a great book and one that I could read again right now :-)
May 8, 2012
I really enjoyed this book!
It was neat how they connected all these stories, which were very cute. I loved the history told about Scotland in this book, even if it wasn't true history, it was still fun to think about and imagine the past. The way God was intertwined in this story was really good too. I would def recommend this book. :)
It was neat how they connected all these stories, which were very cute. I loved the history told about Scotland in this book, even if it wasn't true history, it was still fun to think about and imagine the past. The way God was intertwined in this story was really good too. I would def recommend this book. :)
December 15, 2013
I found this one uninspiring. The tie through story was slow and painful. Don't waste your time.
August 23, 2025
This one was hard to put down.
I had to chuckle when I first started reading, because it sounded like your cliche hallmark Christmas movie. You know... he was handsome, she was beautiful, they talked over coffee, and you just KNEW they were going to fall head over heals in love but have struggles along the way.
However! There was a simplicity in how the authors wove the stories together. At times the stories felt rushed, and couldve been turned into fuller novels each on their own. Yet the simplicity was sweet! And not only that, but they wove elements of the Gospel inside each story. From Brett choosing to stand firm in his faith even if it meant heartbreak, to the inner struggle of Audrey as God continually called to her, to the reminders of God's guidance, provision, and care throughout each of the side stories.
I loved the letter from the authors, because after an already beautiful finish, they added this: "Life without Jesus is empty." Part of the letter said that all the things these ladies wanted, (family, respect, acceptance, mercy, and love) can all be found in Jesus. And i truly believe the book could be summed up that way.
I had to chuckle when I first started reading, because it sounded like your cliche hallmark Christmas movie. You know... he was handsome, she was beautiful, they talked over coffee, and you just KNEW they were going to fall head over heals in love but have struggles along the way.
However! There was a simplicity in how the authors wove the stories together. At times the stories felt rushed, and couldve been turned into fuller novels each on their own. Yet the simplicity was sweet! And not only that, but they wove elements of the Gospel inside each story. From Brett choosing to stand firm in his faith even if it meant heartbreak, to the inner struggle of Audrey as God continually called to her, to the reminders of God's guidance, provision, and care throughout each of the side stories.
I loved the letter from the authors, because after an already beautiful finish, they added this: "Life without Jesus is empty." Part of the letter said that all the things these ladies wanted, (family, respect, acceptance, mercy, and love) can all be found in Jesus. And i truly believe the book could be summed up that way.
October 31, 2016
I felt like the plot had a lot of promise. The young woman who grew up in the foster care system would like to know more about her biological ancestors and her research leads her on a journey of self-discovery. I would love to read a book like that! But the characters in all the mini-stories were cheesy, sometimes boring, one-dimensional. Alex and Fiona set off to stop the marriage of their siblings and in the process they fall in love. Allen has to protect Celeste and in the process they fall in love. Kenneth is the Lord of the land and Fayre makes pretty flowers, they fall in love. The only story that held my interest was Audrey's and there wasn't enough of it.
September 22, 2017
The sweet interwoven stories of women of faith and their search for their place in the Lord's world. Audrey is an orphan coping with the death of her missionary parents, her childhood in the foster care system and her anger at the Lord for "taking" her parents. She is search for her family history and in the process meets Brent but she is bound and determined to only be friends because Brent is a youth pastor. Through Brent she learns more about genealogy and this leads her to her ancestral family - Fiona, Celeste and Fayre all women of faith. Audrey learns the joy of God's family.
April 2, 2018
Three historical novellas intertwined with a modern-day story of Audrey MacMurray, a woman raised in the foster-care system with a deep desire to learn about her family history, and Brett Canfield, a youth pastor with expertise in genealogy. Audrey's living with some deep-seated bitterness against a God she feels has abandoned her, while Brett's relationship with God is a vital part of who he is.
Overall, an enjoyable read, although some of the characters in the historical segments were frustrating in their stubbornness. Some of those segments were two, maybe two-and-a-half stars.
Overall, an enjoyable read, although some of the characters in the historical segments were frustrating in their stubbornness. Some of those segments were two, maybe two-and-a-half stars.
December 21, 2020
I did like this book pretty well but not enough to give it more than 2 or 3 stars... I liked the story in general but it had too many parts that were inappropriate for me. Felt uneasy about it from the first one. I also don't like that it had a murder plot in the story about Celeste. I do not reccomend this book for younger God fearing Christian girls... unless you just skip over those parts. I did like the second story about Fiona and Alex though. That one is worth reading on it's own! I reccomend that one and the one about Celeste even though it has a murder plot..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2024
I enjoyed the Scottish settings and time periods, the three short stories about Fiona, Celeste, and Fayre were very good, and I liked how they all tied together through Audrey’s search for her ancestor’s history. I appreciated the strong message of Jesus Christ and His salvation throughout.
Personally I found Audrey irritating, and all of the romance felt a bit cliche and corny. But the biggest problem for me? Please, don’t write a story about 1300s Scotland and name the laird’s horse “Dazzle”. That made me gag.🤢🥴😂
Personally I found Audrey irritating, and all of the romance felt a bit cliche and corny. But the biggest problem for me? Please, don’t write a story about 1300s Scotland and name the laird’s horse “Dazzle”. That made me gag.🤢🥴😂
October 6, 2017
I really liked the format the author used to tell the story. This was a historical fiction written like a genealogical research novel. The main character was a modern day genealogy enthusiast seeking her heritage. As she discovered each new branch of her family tree, the story is told of who those people were and what brought them together. It was an intriguing way to learn the history and a fun way to become entangled in the main character’s life.
April 19, 2019
This is a book filled with beautiful stories that all connect through one main story. I didn't feel like any of the romances went too fast, though I did feel like we didn't get to spend enough time with some of the characters. This book made me cry tears of joy with every story. The faith-based content was abundant throughout the stories. I felt like I was there with these characters, experiencing what they experienced and feeling what they felt.
December 21, 2020
This book rather dragged on for me and I read it over an extended period of time. Perhaps I would have liked it more if I'd read it over the space of a week or so. It tells the story of a young woman trying to learn more about her past. The reader learns more about her history through the telling of stories of her ancestors set in different eras. Each is written by a different author with modern day bits trying everything together.
April 16, 2024
Composed of 4 novellas, Highland Legacy is based on a young woman who was a foster child and doesn't know her family history. As she researches, her genealogy each of the novellas focuses on one of her ancestors in Scotland and the story of their lifes. Interspersed are short novellas that connect both the young woman's life and her research. Very interesting format and I enjoyed each of the novellas set in different time periods of Scottish history.
September 4, 2020
I don't mind the occasional discussion about religion, but when God is peppered throughout every conversation it gets old really quick. The romances were also really simple insta-love stories, and while cute, it just wasn't believable.
November 19, 2021
When packing to move I found this book in a bag I hadn’t used in awhile and finally finished what has been on my “currently reading” list for far too long. I might read it again someday, but it certainly isn’t one I need to keep for that purpose.
July 20, 2022
The absolute BEST book I've read in a long time! As a Christian first and lover of Scotland second, THIS was an amazing read for me! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and I'm so glad I've found some awesome new authors to pursue!!!
October 4, 2017
I really enjoyed following Audrey in her search for love, faith and family history.
March 25, 2020
I'm not even a Christian but, still to this day Highland Legacy remains one of the best books I've ever read. 🙂
Truly an amazing story!
Truly an amazing story!
December 6, 2020
I thought this book would have some steamy smut but I was wrong . The plot had great promise but too preachy at times for me!
August 4, 2022
A fast, light summer read by 4 authors and about the courage, faith and love of 4 women in 4 different time periods, today, 1700’s, 1800s, and 1300s. All connected by their Scottish heritage.
January 14, 2023
Fun read
April 30, 2023
Such a beautiful story. I loved the history. I’d give it 10 stars if I could! The wonders of our Lord Jesus Christ are fully displayed in this anthology.
July 9, 2025
Good Read
September 27, 2025
You ladies did a great job! I really enjoyed this book and I will highly recommend it.
May 30, 2015
I wanted to like this more than I did. The premise is pretty fun - four authors collaborating and writing a store set in current day with mini internal novels about the protagonists ancestors from Scotland. It was fun to read it will traveling in Scotland and Ireland.
Favorite moments:
-"Caleb's daughter secured a great piece of land for her family just by asking her father for it." She shrugged. "I don't know...just seemed important to me."
"It is important. And I think the significance is that God loves His daughters and wants to bless them with more than He offers, if they will ask." p37
-In taking a chance by reaching out to others, she, in turn, had been blessed. p105
-...she issued a silent plea for God to intervene and steam out the wrinkles in her rutted character. p112
-He returned to his office, shaken and feeling a bit like a freshman on the first day of high school. Completely out of his element and yet excited at new possibilities. p140
Favorite moments:
-"Caleb's daughter secured a great piece of land for her family just by asking her father for it." She shrugged. "I don't know...just seemed important to me."
"It is important. And I think the significance is that God loves His daughters and wants to bless them with more than He offers, if they will ask." p37
-In taking a chance by reaching out to others, she, in turn, had been blessed. p105
-...she issued a silent plea for God to intervene and steam out the wrinkles in her rutted character. p112
-He returned to his office, shaken and feeling a bit like a freshman on the first day of high school. Completely out of his element and yet excited at new possibilities. p140
September 8, 2016
"Four Generations of Love are rooted in Scotland"
"Raised in the U.S. foster care system, Audry MacMurray is driven to learn the truth of who she is and where she came from. Her search leads her to her ancestral home; the romantic Kennerith Castle in Scotland. Within the walls, she learns, are stories of women- her ancestors- who defied the conventions of the day, living with faith courage and passion..."
The book is three stories within one story, 'it's novels within a novel'....it's a wonderful Christian fiction, with three of the stories being based in Scotland-I love Scotland!
You start off with Audrey, switch to Fiona, back to Audrey, then to Celeste, back to Audrey, then to Fayre and concluding with Audrey.
This book is wonderfully written and I would suggest it to my friends!
"Raised in the U.S. foster care system, Audry MacMurray is driven to learn the truth of who she is and where she came from. Her search leads her to her ancestral home; the romantic Kennerith Castle in Scotland. Within the walls, she learns, are stories of women- her ancestors- who defied the conventions of the day, living with faith courage and passion..."
The book is three stories within one story, 'it's novels within a novel'....it's a wonderful Christian fiction, with three of the stories being based in Scotland-I love Scotland!
You start off with Audrey, switch to Fiona, back to Audrey, then to Celeste, back to Audrey, then to Fayre and concluding with Audrey.
This book is wonderfully written and I would suggest it to my friends!
July 8, 2020
Four stories each set in a different time but connected by ancestry. Each young women in her time go thru trials but come out ok. All four stories were good!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews