High on a Mountain: Ailean

Maclachlainn Saga #1

by Tommie Lyn

A boy with dreams of adventure…a girl with a traumatic past…and a prince determined to take a throne… Ailean MacLachlainn, the son of a poor crofter in Scotland’s highlands, wants a life of adventure. He often daydreams of being a respected warrior of his clan. And he battles rival Latharn Cambeul in the game of camanachd…and wins. But Ailean meets a girl, and a shy smile and a glance from Mùirne's blue eyes turns his head. He wins her love, and his rivalry with Latharn is no longer a game with a camanachd stick, now they fight with swords. Ailean gets his wish to become a warrior when Bonnie Prince Charlie comes to raise a Highland army in the attempt to retake his father’s throne. Ailean’s clan chief involves his clan in the uprising, and sets Ailean on a course toward a destiny he could never have forseen. What happens when a man’s dreams turn to dust? And when a man loses everything, does he have what it takes to go on? HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN is the stirring tale of one man’s remarkable journey through life. A story of adventure and love…of faith, loss, and redemption.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance, Christian, Christian Fiction, Romance, Scotland

394 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 9, 2010

About the author

Tommie Lyn grew up in the Appalachian foothills of north Georgia immersed in firelight whispers. She listened spellbound as older generations spun chilling tales of local events, including stories of the supernatural. And sometimes, they even used the word "murder."

She carries on the tradition of her kinfolk, the storytelling magic guaranteed to rob hours of sleep and make the night come alive. Only the brave dare step into her world to listen. And sometimes, the voices still whisper...

Reviews

[Lynnette Bonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh goodness, where do I begin?

Such. An. Amazing. Story! This saga starts in the highlands of Scotland where we are introduced to a boy with a yearning for adventure. The monotony of his highland life chafes and bores. But when his clan is thrust into battle, and Adventure bares her fangs and reveals her full gory fury, Ailean realizes the joys of the plain life he's always taken for granted. And he becomes a man. A man who's had everything stripped away but his faith in God and his stubborn Scottish pride. His pride keeps him putting one foot in front of the other, even when his mind begs for the sweet release of death. His faith in God... well, he's not sure that even exists anymore.

I don't want to say more, lest I give too much away, but this is such a beautiful saga! The character arc in Ailean MacLachlainn is superbly created as he matures into manhood. And you'll be transported back to the highlands of Scotland so expertly, that you'll almost be able to taste the bonny clabber and feel the rough weave of the plaid feileadh-mor against your skin.

Highly recommended!

[Pauline Creeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

"BRAVEHEART" meets "Last of the Mohichans" meets the book of Job. Awesome Epic! ~~~can't recommend highly enough! I Loved it!

[Connie Chastain]

This book is amazing -- the story of a Scottish man, a Highlander from the 1700s, written by an American woman of the 20th century who nevertheless captures the era, the culture, the events with amazing accuracy and clarity.

Don't look here for the romance-novel version of the Highland hero, the laird of the castle, the knight in shining armour. Ailean MacLachlainn is from a family of poor crofters -- what we might call tenant farmers or sharecroppers today. Highlander life is hard, sometimes wretched, and though Ailean's early life holds some promise, he will see everything he loves turn to ashes while he is still a young man.

Yet he manages to carry on through losses that would break a lesser man. Lyn's creation of her protagonist is the embodiment of the novel's dedication, "...to our Scottish ancestors, who suffered so much, yet endured it all without complaint and without succumbing to self-pity."

Written with the smooth, solid prose so lacking in much of today's popular fiction, High On a Mountain is a winner. I highly recommend it.

[Athena Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This epic novel is full of adventure with numerous unexpected twists and turns along the way. The thorough historical research of the author shines through. We follow Ailean, the main character, from a boy to manhood. He is adventurous, loyal and brave. When he meets the woman he wants to marry, the path of true love does not run smoothly.

He and she must face many trails together. Ailean, appears to be blocked at every turn, yet he refuses to give up. Will he, ever have the peace of mind he yearns for or will he be beaten down by the forces that attack him? I could see this book as a film. I am in awe at how the author has taken a historical perspective and woven into this exciting and adventurous novel about one man’s life. Even with its epic length, the quality of the writing is uncompromised and it still remains, interesting and absorbing.

[Rob Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully written tale that is both informative and entertaining. This work of historical fiction gifts the reader with a wealth of information from the in-depth research required to write this tale. Not only do the characters come to life on the page; they also occupy a time and place foreign to most readers. The actions and customs of the early eighteenth-century Scotland are meticulously depicted in the writing. The story is boldly epic in the settings of the Scottish countryside, the harsh daily life of slaves working on vast southern plantations, and the untamed wilderness of the new world and its Cherokee people. Anyone interested in the history of Scotland, early America, and the Cherokee nation would find this work well worth their time.

[Steve Olar]

I enjoyed reading this historical novel based on actual events. Tommie was able to draw the characters strengths in such a way that he was brought to the very brink, but was able to come back, stronger than he ever was.

[Dorcas]

Nope. Nope nope nope. Ok for modern readers who don't care if 18th C Scottish highlanders spoke and acted like Disney channel dweebs. Not for me. Did I say nope?
I did make it to 5%.

[Judy Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a hard book for me to read

So much sadness and mental anguish for anyone who is of scottish heritage of which I am. I also have Cherokee heritage also so that part was also both good and bad to read. However, it was good to read a book that kept the bedroom door closed and did not have horrible or bad language and did not take the Lord's name in vain!!! But it made me ashamed of my English DNA. I have always been angry when I found out I had so much English blood in me. However, I don't believe I have as much as they say I have. Did my DNA three times and they were not consistent with my paper trail, sorry got off the track, this is a good book if you can get past all the sadness. More truth in it than fiction.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book disappointed me, esp for historical fiction. I love HF, but This was one in which we were given the storyline by the author, not by the characters. I like the story told by the characters and the history unfolds through their eyes.

I know little about the Scots struggles in the 1700s, nor did I know the rebels were sold as slaves in the colonial South. The history was fascinating, but it could have been told through the characters instead of through the author.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything That Matters

Clan wars, love, hatred by Latharn Cambell, losing everything that mattered to him Ailean was transported to Georgetown South Carolina instead of being hung to sold as a slave. I didn't want to write Alot because so much happens in the book. So read and enjoy

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book was like a combination of a less vulgar Outlander with the 1980s Hugh Grant movie The Lady and the Highwayman----in other words, corny romance fantasies for women who like a good costume drama, complete with bodices and buckles and swords and pistols and hunks. I liked this area probably more than does my brain credit, although I felt the whole male POV approach was a fundamental mistake. The story would have worked better if it'd been about a woman. Aileen was gloriously unreal, but the efforts on the part of the author to describe his feelings about women were too cheesy to be taken seriously.
The second half was very interesting, if you like Scottish history. The battle of Culloden sections reminded me of the famous folk song. This terrible time in Scottish history was retold surprisingly well, with not too much tacky gore. After a period of horrible violence--Aileen loses everything, pretty much-- our hero is shipped to the colonies as a slave. He eventually ends up with a Cherokee woman and has a new family. I liked the Cherokee areas--both the author and Aileen were obviously not racist to Native Americans, and it was surprisingly believable that Aileen wouldn't have a problem with people of another skin color, since someone as girl crazy as that guy is unlikely to make a fuss about ethnicity when there's pretty ladies involved.
My main complaints with this area of the book are these:
1: There was not enough interest shown in the plight of African slaves at this time period. This is insensitive to African Americans. The author isn't prejudiced, but she did overlook a very important element in the history of the Deep South. You simply cannot talk about the Deep South without discussing African Americans.
2: The entire plot theme of Aileen's struggles with bitterness and his enemy Latharn's obsession with killing him was exciting, but it just didn't work with Aileen as an individual. To the extent that we felt like we knew him, he wasn't the man the author wanted him to be. He was a Chris Hemsworth style swashbuckler, not a violent warrior with a tragic past. And Latharn was just not explored at all as a character---he could have been an Indiana Jones villain.
Overall, like I said before, an interesting historical read, but it would have worked better from the point of view of a girl.

[Pretty Sassy Cool · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

This review also appears on Pretty Sassy Cool.

Full marks to Tommie Lyn on her research for this title. She created a hero in Ailean (pronounced Alan in English) McLachlan (sorry - just went English on that one, too) who begins our story as a teenager in Scotland in a time of tired crofting fields and a time when the Clan Chief's word was law.

Ailean had to grow up - to leave behind dreams of battle glory and adventure - when he falls for a pretty girl and settles down. But still, the dreams linger, teasing him, and when his chief calls he follows. To battle and eventually the Field of Culloden in 1745.

History buffs will no doubt ascertain how that went for the Highlander.

To avoid major spoilers, Our Hero eventually finds himself in the New World, pursued by an enemy who has hated him since their youth when they played a game now known as shinty for the honor of their different clans. A Campbell, the Villain follows Our Hero even across the ocean to seek vengeance for injuries real and imagined.

My heart hurt for Ailean, even when I wanted to smack him once or twice. And I felt like scowling at the author, too, for all that she did to Ailean. But she provided us with the terrible side of war and that needed to be shown. She did it and did it thoroughly.

--
For more reviews and bookish talk, visit our blog at Pretty Sassy Cool

[LadyCalico · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a most excellent piece of historical fiction. However, it was painful indeed in parts, and I am not sure I would want to move on to the subsequent books in the series just yet for that very reason (Wimp!) There are many books set in the Jacobite uprisings and Battle of Culloden, so we know in advance that horror is coming. However, this book isn't told from the point of view of a rich, high-ranking Laird or super-alpha warrior hero, but an ordinary crofter, a likeable Joe, just struggling to scrape by day by day and keep his family from starvation, loyal to his clan, not always invincible or smart, sometimes an ass with his family and friends, which just made the suffering, devastation, and injustice that ill-conceived political and military decisions wreaked on the common man, that much more realistic and painful. I lived in the Santee area not far from the Oaks plantation, before moving to Pawleys Island, and, oddly enough, there seems to be a lot of books set in this area, but very few authors who take the time to add much historical accuracy to their work, which always takes away from my enjoyment of a novel. I must express a great deal of admiration for the work Ms. Lyn put into researching the history and geography of the Georgetown rice plantations (even though Scottish/Irish convict slavelabor was not used in this area). I did notice three errors (e.g. giving the Santee River an east and west bank, when it runs west to east and has a north/south bank with the Oaks on the north/Georgetown side, that one bothered me), but since she got so many other things right, I won't hold them against her.

[Jada Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Western Highlands of Scotland

Sing me a song of a lad that is gone,
Say could that lad be I.
Merry of soul, he sailed on a day,
Over the sea to Skye.

From Skye Boat Song, by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Life in the Western Highlands of Scotland in the late 1730's can be harsh. Men and women hold strict gender roles, life expectancies are not long, and the smell of burning peat fills the air.

Ailean is an honorable person, a good friend and brother. His arch enemy is Latharn. The other man is the antithesis of Ailean. He's harsh, devious, and a cheat.

Both of them want Mùirne.

Bonnie Prince Charlie needs an army to place his father on the thrones of England and Scotland. He turns to the Highlands to get it.

When his clan chief heed's the prince's call, Ailean's life takes a drastic turn.

Tommie Lyn offers the beautifully written and historically accurate High on a Mountain (A MacLachlainn Saga, Book One: Ailean). The story is breathtaking, with larger-than-life characters and settings. Particularly helpful is the glossary of unfamiliar words used in the text, located at the end of the book. The book also includes a bonus preview of Deep in the Valley (A MacLachlainn Saga, Book Two: Niall).

[Sandi Layne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full marks to Tommie Lyn on her research for this title. She created a hero in Ailean (pronounced Alan in English) McLachlan (sorry - just went English on that one, too) who begins our story as a teenager in Scotland in a time of tired crofting fields and a time when the Clan Chief's word was law.

Ailean had to grow up - to leave behind dreams of battle glory and adventure - when he falls for a pretty girl and settles down. But still, the dreams linger, teasing him, and when his chief calls he follows. To battle and eventually the Field of Culloden in 1745.

History buffs will no doubt ascertain how that went for the Highlander.

To avoid major spoilers, Our Hero eventually finds himself in the New World, pursued by an enemy who has hated him since their youth when they played a game now known as shinty for the honor of their different clans. A Campbell, the Villain follows Our Hero even across the ocean to seek vengeance for injuries real and imagined.

My heart hurt for Ailean, even when I wanted to smack him once or twice. And I felt like scowling at the author, too, for all that she did to Ailean. But she provided us with the terrible side of war and that needed to be shown. She did it and did it thoroughly.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

High on the Mountain ~ Ailean tells of a common man's life during the time when Bonny Prince Charles tried to take Scotland back from control of the English. Ailean MacLachlainn is a second son and dreams of adventure; when he finds it on the bloody battlefield where he Da and brothers all die, it is nothing like he expected.

The story includes details of battles, a personal rival for his first love, capture, deportation to the colonies, slavery, a murder plot, finding a new home in the mountains of with Native Americans. The action is fast, Ailean the hero is strong and brave but also caring and gentle to those he loves.

The author, Tommie Lyn did a great deal of research into the times in the book in Scotland and wove a great historical fiction with facts from the time. She also researched how people lived in the colonies at this time and gave an accurate picture of the workings of a plantation in South Carolina. Finally she did her research on how the Cherokee people lived and kept the second part of the story historically accurate. I enjoyed the accuracy of the historical point of view with a great story.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! My husband has a Scottish heritage so highlander books always interest me, but this story also weaves the Cherokee people into it, which is also in his ancestry.

This story follows a Scot whose clan fought in all the major battles of "The Rising" of '45 against the English. He is imprisoned and survives a voyage to the colonies and sold into slavery on a rice plantation in the Carolinas.

Haunted by all that he's been through, he struggles to find himself again and make a new life in honor of all those he lost.

With full developed characters and a well-researched storyline, riveting battles, heartbreaking emotions, and the horrific brutality of this period in history make this a very fine piece of historical fiction.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Christie Lovvorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lyn's descriptions of the Scottish highlands, the South Carolina low country and the Appalachian mountains provide a lovely backdrop for the story. Her depiction of life in 18th century Scotland rings true with her use of traditional Scottish names and the details about customs of the times. While the protagonist Ailean and is wife Muirne are likeable and their relationship believable, some of the plot seems cnotrived and the villainous Latharn often appears one-dimensional. The coincidences that lead Latharn to South Carolina and finding Ailean seem a bit of a stretch. Nevertheless, Lyn does a good job of protraying Ailean's grief and his desire to honor his wife's memory even as he struggles with feelings toward another woman. It is a well-written heartbreaking look at man's inhumanity to man and God's ability to redeem even the worst life circumstances can produce.

[Phyllis Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the Western Highlands of Scotland in the 1700’s comes a story of a strong and loyal people in a struggle to survive. Ailean MacLachlainn well represented his family and clan against Latharn Cambeul and his family in the annual camanachd games. The rivalry continued for years between Latharn’s family of means and Ailean’s strong family bond.
Ailean seeks to settle his soul in the heights of God’s creation but peace alludes him for a long, long time. Latharn also searches to soothe his rage-filled soul but believes it will come when his own version of justice is fulfilled.
This book was well written and kept my interest throughout the whole book. Good job Tommie Lyn. I was given the Kindle version for my honest review.

[Regina Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way that I learned history while I read this. I loved the morals that the main character has. I love the determination that he has to keep living the way his dad taught him to live, even long after his dad is gone. I'm not sure if I would read the second book, but I very much enjoyed the first!

[Marren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not want to put the story down, I wanted to know if Ailean would suffocate or break free of that warrior desire so embeded in him. I like the ability of the writer to shape the antagonist so well that I just dislike him everytime he shows up in the story. I must admit I was surprise at the change of setting as the story progress and part of me felt the romance part a bit awkward at times.

[James Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Tommie Lyn has a way of bringing the characters to life. There are so many lessons to learn from characters in books. I love writers who can write about the struggles and challenges that life has, but always have that glimmer of hope shining through the entire time. Definitely recommend this to anyone.

[Shari Kirtland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book tedious at times, however, the overall storyline was well-written. I could have done without the additional antagonist of Latharn after a certain point. To me it was overkill after part one.
I loved the theme of perseverance, and the fact that he figured it all out in the end. Sorry, I don't do spoilers. Good read!

[Naomi Musch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my kind of story, filled with gutsy realism and told in epic fashion. At times it wrenched my heart, and at other times the poetry of it's telling soothed my reader's soul. Tommie Lyn knows how to fashion a grand historical. I'm reading the series.

[Joleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this, but the dialog was so trite and stilted, I've come to the conclusion it would appeal mostly to girls under the age of 15.
I'd recommend it to that age bracket for sure. The story had potential.
I got about half way through with it and had to delete it.
Sorry Ms. Lyn.

[Allison Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So much loss and yet I still could not put it down. This may be a fictional story but it made me wonder how many other men and women during that time suffered these terrible losses for real. This was not the typical highlander novel and I loved it!

[Margaret Klein · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too sad!

Too sad!

Scottish vocabulary I do not know. The story became too tedious,and I later became bored, even thought I finished it to the end. The cover lead me to believe the story would be something else. Disappointed.

[sheila hamblin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring

The book is boring and too long. It may just seem that way since it had only a few places that actually were good. Can not recommend unless there is not any other reading material.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most excellent reading. Not the ordinary Highlander book. Follows a man from his home, to battle, capture, sent to the Colonies as a slave and beyond.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at the Rising of Bonnie Prince Charlie from the eyes of a poor Highlander ... And a surprising look at a Scottish Highland enslaved in the American colonies!