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The Hebridean Shield #3
The Speed of Lightning
The war in the Scottish Hebrides begins to unravel when the King of the Isles dies and his throne usurped. Forbidden from continuing their work in the Shield, Hector MacLean’s elite fighting force is ordered to disband as the Wolf moves in.
Among Hector’s fighters, Calum MacLean is the most savage. Able to strike with lightning-fast precision, Calum’s upbringing on the tribal island of Jura has secured his place as one of the Isles’ most gifted warriors. Yet it is his heathen past he desires to outrun most, having fled his home after betraying his father, and his duty as tànaiste. But when his secret role in the Shield is exposed by a bard called the Storyteller, Calum is forced to return to the island he escaped from.
Ten years after the ill-fated decision that cost her everything, Freya MacSorley is trapped in a double life. With her father she lives in extreme seclusion, and in secret, she spins tales and songs about the lad she helped escape, and the missions he carries out as a member of the revered Shield. Assured that they will never meet again, Freya is stunned when Calum returns to the shores of Jura—no longer a lad, but a fierce and deadly warrior, one that is on a mission to find the bard who has betrayed him.
When Freya is harmed and Jura attacked, Calum is faced with a series of life-altering decisions. Instead of fleeing from heathen Jura, he begs God to send him on his most important mission—to protect the bride he is beginning to cherish and to save his homeland. As the threats to Freya’s life grow more brazen, Calum begins to realize that all is not as he believes.
Among Hector’s fighters, Calum MacLean is the most savage. Able to strike with lightning-fast precision, Calum’s upbringing on the tribal island of Jura has secured his place as one of the Isles’ most gifted warriors. Yet it is his heathen past he desires to outrun most, having fled his home after betraying his father, and his duty as tànaiste. But when his secret role in the Shield is exposed by a bard called the Storyteller, Calum is forced to return to the island he escaped from.
Ten years after the ill-fated decision that cost her everything, Freya MacSorley is trapped in a double life. With her father she lives in extreme seclusion, and in secret, she spins tales and songs about the lad she helped escape, and the missions he carries out as a member of the revered Shield. Assured that they will never meet again, Freya is stunned when Calum returns to the shores of Jura—no longer a lad, but a fierce and deadly warrior, one that is on a mission to find the bard who has betrayed him.
When Freya is harmed and Jura attacked, Calum is faced with a series of life-altering decisions. Instead of fleeing from heathen Jura, he begs God to send him on his most important mission—to protect the bride he is beginning to cherish and to save his homeland. As the threats to Freya’s life grow more brazen, Calum begins to realize that all is not as he believes.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2025
21 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Worrell
3 books98 followersAshley Worrell is a repentant HR professional, thankful to be writing adventure stories instead of disciplinary notices. Since leaving the HR world in 2021, she has become a full-time writer and 2023 ACFW Genesis Contest Semi-Finalist. From this work, she has created the popular Hebridean Shield series.
Ashley lives with her family and beloved dog Baxter in upstate South Carolina. When she is not spending time in the medieval Scottish isles, she enjoys playing traditional Irish percussion on her bodhrán.
Ashley lives with her family and beloved dog Baxter in upstate South Carolina. When she is not spending time in the medieval Scottish isles, she enjoys playing traditional Irish percussion on her bodhrán.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 16, 2025
Seriously, I couldn’t put it down. Each book from this author just keeps getting better! Ashley Worrell has a rare gift for blending heart-stopping intensity with beautifully written emotion. The pacing in Speed of Lightning was absolutely electric, every scene pulled me deeper in, and the descriptive detail made me feel like I was right there in the middle of it all.
I appreciated the vivid description and emotional depth throughout the entire book. The characters, the tension, the moments that made me gasp, oh my goodness. Just phenomenal.
Keep writing, Ashley. You have a gift beyond gifts!
I appreciated the vivid description and emotional depth throughout the entire book. The characters, the tension, the moments that made me gasp, oh my goodness. Just phenomenal.
Keep writing, Ashley. You have a gift beyond gifts!
October 29, 2025
4.5⭐️ I loved the moments where the beautiful but harsh setting of the Isles was described in more detail and would love more of that in future books.
loved Callum’s glow up at the end and the friends/allies—> more storyline. I’ll say it again, heeeaaavy on the romance. After the last few books, I didn’t know how the stakes could get any higher but, here we are!!
Content: SA threat, violence, fade to black within marriage
loved Callum’s glow up at the end and the friends/allies—> more storyline. I’ll say it again, heeeaaavy on the romance. After the last few books, I didn’t know how the stakes could get any higher but, here we are!!
Content: SA threat, violence, fade to black within marriage
October 22, 2025
Okay, Ashley, you have outdone yourself. 👏🏻 Each of your books have that magnetic pull that draws the reader in immediately and makes them care about your characters, but this book was even better than the first two!
Thank you for always being so real, yet so encouraging. You weave beautiful stories of hope and love and I always feel uplifted when I'm finished reading. Your love for God and for your brothers and sisters in Christ bleeds through your pages, warming the hearts and bouying the spirits of your readers. ❤
I can't wait for the next book!! 🥰
Thank you for always being so real, yet so encouraging. You weave beautiful stories of hope and love and I always feel uplifted when I'm finished reading. Your love for God and for your brothers and sisters in Christ bleeds through your pages, warming the hearts and bouying the spirits of your readers. ❤
I can't wait for the next book!! 🥰
October 19, 2025
This is not my preferred time period despite a serious life-long love of history. However, Ms. Worrell brings the characters and time period to life in such a gripping and engaging way that I found myself flying through this book. I had a harder time with the first two but was interested in seeing how the various members of the team developed. There were relational misunderstandings that added complexity to the storyline and character growth. Looking forward to the development of this series!
December 8, 2025
Raw thoughts - what a wonderful book. This was awesome, I could tell when something was going to happen but I couldn't pin point it. I loved the romance and the healing between the two main characters.
Such a good example of Gods love for us, choosing us over and over and over. No matter how thick the mud is. I will try to write a better review once I've sat on it a little more.
Would recommend for ages 16 and up, it was a pretty heavy book. Trigger warning - Abuse,violence
Such a good example of Gods love for us, choosing us over and over and over. No matter how thick the mud is. I will try to write a better review once I've sat on it a little more.
Would recommend for ages 16 and up, it was a pretty heavy book. Trigger warning - Abuse,violence
January 6, 2026
I can’t get enough
I love these characters, the setting, the writing, the story.
The third might be my favorite so far, but I’m partial to Vikings. They are all deeply amazing in their own way and all characters from each book are going to live with me for awhile.
I wish I had the next story already. Really the next four.
I love these characters, the setting, the writing, the story.
The third might be my favorite so far, but I’m partial to Vikings. They are all deeply amazing in their own way and all characters from each book are going to live with me for awhile.
I wish I had the next story already. Really the next four.
October 22, 2025
This series keeps getting better with every book. I love Calum and Freya and their story. It’s probably my favorite so far. The story also sets the stage quite dramatically for the next book, which I can’t wait for.
November 18, 2025
Cannot recommend this series enough. The story, the historical accuracy, the relationships, the deep faith, the character growth- incredible. Ashley’s storytelling is a God-given gift. I so look forward to reading Murdoch’s story!
November 23, 2025
Loved this 3rd book by Ashley Worrell!!
I love the historical accuracy, I love the relationships between the Sheild, I love the lessons learned about relationship with the Savior!
I love this series!
I love the historical accuracy, I love the relationships between the Sheild, I love the lessons learned about relationship with the Savior!
I love this series!
October 28, 2025
FABULOUS
I am an avid reader of Christian novels and this may be the best ever. Most inspiring!! Beautiful and heart stirring!!
I am an avid reader of Christian novels and this may be the best ever. Most inspiring!! Beautiful and heart stirring!!
January 8, 2026
This was beautiful and heartbreaking 💔 I can’t wait for more!
January 1, 2026
This series just keeps getting better and better. And I absolutely adore it so very much!
The amount of highlights I have on this book is insane! Just the perfect balance of fierce and swoony MMC. Calum is just the perfect MMC. Not because he truly is perfect but he just gives his all and trusts God will take care of the rest.
Freya was so sweet and I loved that she faced so many hardships and yet she didn't let darkness in. She fought it in so many ways and just kept shining her light.
I loved that together they healed each other and found hope once again.
Truly one of my top favorite books that I won't ever forget about.
Physical Intimacy Level 3 (descriptive making out)
Zero Swearing.
The amount of highlights I have on this book is insane! Just the perfect balance of fierce and swoony MMC. Calum is just the perfect MMC. Not because he truly is perfect but he just gives his all and trusts God will take care of the rest.
Freya was so sweet and I loved that she faced so many hardships and yet she didn't let darkness in. She fought it in so many ways and just kept shining her light.
I loved that together they healed each other and found hope once again.
Truly one of my top favorite books that I won't ever forget about.
Physical Intimacy Level 3 (descriptive making out)
Zero Swearing.
December 27, 2025
*big sigh* I love this book so much. Actually, if I could recommend you a series, it's this one. Ashley has such a way with words, l've cried while reading every book in this series. The romance and story are well written, and she integrates faith in a way that isn't cheesy or off-putting, but very raw and real. I'm highly anticipating the next story of Murdoch & Aoife!
🤎 Standalone (part of The Hebridean Shield)
🤎 Historical Fiction
🤎 Christian
🤎 Fade-to-Black Romance
🤎 Find it on: KU + Amazon
🤎 Standalone (part of The Hebridean Shield)
🤎 Historical Fiction
🤎 Christian
🤎 Fade-to-Black Romance
🤎 Find it on: KU + Amazon
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews