A Fire Within

These Highland Hills #3

by Kathleen Morgan

It is May 1568, and Caitlin Campbell has recently had her heart broken by a callous young nobleman. With a track record of not choosing men well, she meets Darach MacNaghten, whose clan has been outlawed. Not only is he everything Caitlin should be wary of, but he is a man of many secrets, none of which bode well for the Campbells. He comes to Kilchurn to free his imprisoned older brother, but when he realizes that his plan has no chance of success, he kidnaps Caitlin to hold her as hostage until his brother is freed. This plan, so simple on the surface, soon leads to a clash of wills between two proud, headstrong people. And the problems only worsen the closer Darach's plan draws to its unforeseen conclusion.
Fans of Morgan's These Highland Hills series and historical fiction readers will enjoy this dramatic conclusion to the series.

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

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Kathleen began her career writing contemporary romances and soon moved to historical and futuristic romances. She sold her first book, a futuristic romance, in April 1990 while stationed in Korea as an Army nurse. Additional romances soon followed, until she had sold a total of fifteen books in the general market, establishing a loyal readership along the way.

Since that time, she has received numerous awards for her work, including a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice award and Career Achievement award, and The Literary Times award for Literary Excellence in the Field of Romantic Fiction. She was also a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist.

Kathleen now focuses her writing talents in the area of inspirational fiction, offering readers characters who struggle to redefine their growing faith in everyday life.

Reviews

[Vendethiel · Rating 1 out of 5]

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? Extreme case of listening to someone telling you what they claim God told them, instead of listening to God yourself, spoiler alert, it ends in death. Ultimately, God speaks to you and you must do what God tells you, listen to godly counsel, but ultimately, God speaks to you! Soooo 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.

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library when I needed a quick read. I didn't realize it was the 3rd in a series, but it could have easily been a stand-alone book. The story was good and kept me interested. However the author committed two of my biggest pet peeves in writing. First off the characters "fell in love" way to fast, especially for people in their circumstances. The fact that Caitlin fell in love with someone who she only knew of for a handful of days, was her family's enemy and had abducted her doesn't ring true to life. Second, I hate when authors change the spelling of words to convey accents. Yes, the word "very" sounds like "verra" when said with a Scottish accent, but this doesn't mean that the spelling changes.

Once you get past the dialog and the improbability of the quick relationship the book was good.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Turns out this was the 3rd book in a series. Oups. Still, wouldn’t recommend it. Was slow and pretentious. Ending was predictable.

[Funny You Should Say That · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give it a 3.5 or 3.75 more accurately. A generally good read though I've liked some of Kathleen Morgan's other books far more.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was good!

With twist and turn and searching for honor and love in the impossible situations of a highland clan set against by all others and a broken man as their only hope. Caitlin has met her match and more as her trials and tribulations lead her to become the woman God calls her to be even in the most heart wrenching of circumstances. The tale to the very end keeps you guessing! Enjoy!

[Joan Arning · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-racing Highland adventure

This book is a real page-turner and Ms. Morgan is to be commended for her masterful plot, dialogue, romance and character development. Real issues of faith, family, betrayal, sin and suffering are brought forward and dealt with. This was something I needed to hear at a time of testing in my own life.

[Danielle Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've only read this book of the series so far but still loved it! Even though I haven't had the chance to read the first two this book stood well by itself. I love the way Kathleen brings the historic Scottish age to life in this book and I can't wait to read more of her books! ❤

[Judy Tolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Ending

I enjoyed this series even tho I took my time to finish. Ms. Morgan is a prolific writer. I felt many times I was right there in the Highlands. Her characters are vibrant with their individual personalities. I was especially glad for the happy ending.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last book in this series based in Scotland in the 1500s. It was enjoyable enough although I didn't like the violence that was part of the warring clans. This particular book is a story of honor and how best to demonstrate that. No series or profanity.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction is not my go to but received this in a book swap. The sparring between characters was enjoyable and kept me interested. I wish the whole enemies to lovers line would have taken a longer arch through the book but the HEA had my hopeless romantic heart satisfied.

[Lori A. Spaulding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventurous

I liked this book but not as much as the first two. I think it was just a bit too unbelievable. I did enjoy the characters, the historic details and of course the happy ending.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. 2.5 stars. Token repentance of past wrongs like fornication, quite Catholic—assumed salvation without Christ and anti-Reformed. The characters could be rather annoying and were rather flat. This was the worst in the series.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the series that you found out what happened to each character.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as enjoyable as the first 2 in the series, but a good story about Caitlin Campbell and her destiny.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book best in the series.

[Sylvia Terino · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best series.



The very best Highland series. I recommend all to read this series. I wish there was more. And more to read about the Campbell clan.

[Alesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and a half stars

[Susanne Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Loved the characters, and the setting. The story grabs you and you get hooked. Very enjoyable read. Loved the whole series.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

Exciting adventures in all three books. Loved every page....kept me fascinated every moment. Highly recommend this fine author to all.

[Lyna Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the trilogy of Highland Hills and it's heroes and heroines!!

[Oksana Gantukh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won’t even waste my time on explain by how lazy and cheap the writing is. What a relief I’m finally done with the series.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scotland, 1568. Caitlin, introduced in the first book of the trilogy, has her own story.

Darach, an outcast from his proscripted clan of MacNaghten, tries to rescue his "brother", Athe, from the Campbell dungeons with his cousin Kenneth's help. Having found that it is hopeless, he decides to kidnap Caitlin and give her in exchange for his brother. On the way to the MacNaghten's home, he is injured in a fight with bandits. They find refuge in the house of Goraidh, a prior monk from clan MacNaghten and returning to the clan.

Caitlin has a chance to escape to her brother, but returns to the house after Goraidh claims that her being with Darach is "God's will". Caitlin learns to surrender control to God, but still doing what she can and not giving up.

While Darach's plan works and the Campbells exchange Caitlin for Athe, Athe takes Caitlin hostage during the exchange and she is nearly raped by Athe later that night. Darach had promised Niall that no harm would come to Caitlin, so he protects her and does so during the travels. Nearing another clan's lands, a clan that had helped their proscripted one, Darach worries about leading the Campbells to them - Darach and Caitlin, with Goraidh, return to the Campbells to prevent them from following them more. Darach and Goraidh are put in the dungeons while Caitlin takes her former place. Darach takes a second chance, but refuses to forgive Goraidh, who had revealed family secrets.

Kenneth returns after Athe killed Kenneth's father and reveals Athe's plan to kill the Regent. Athe is the chief, but he is crazed throughout the events of this book. Darach gives Goraidh a second chance and leaves him with messages for Caitlin and Niall.

Darach defeats Athe in a battle to be the chief, and then goes to his MacNaghten home, awaiting Niall. Niall brings the Regent with him; the Regent and Darach exchange promises: the Regent to lift the proscribement and Darach that he will keep his clan in line. Darach and Caitlin are engaged and possibly married posthaste, though the book does not give details of their wedding.

This book did not seem to have the urgency of the other books. Whereas in the first two books, the protagonist had no choice about being in danger, Darach could have made different choices and avoided being in danger as he was. Also, in the other two books, Anne and Regan were married to the men they loved/found frustrating - here, Caitlin is drawn to Darach before the abduction and then continues to fall in love with him before they were married.

I did like that Caitlin, although surrendering to God's will, did not succumb to "Damsel in Distress syndrome", rather, she did what she felt she needed to do. It was not a cop-out to say "God's will", but rather a call to trust God and do what needs to be done.

This is the last book in the series and the author leaves a note at the end that though she may revisit the Campbells or others introduced in the series, it will be a different series entirely.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I thought this was a good tie-off to this series. The Hero and Heroine were well matched personality wise - especially since we've seen the Heroine in the previous two books in the series - you knew she had to come head-to-head with someone just as stubborn and willful as she was. The story seemed a bit forced in the middle, to me. But, with the love of the characters that you have, from the previous stories, you'll want to plow through all that anyway. You don't want to miss anything important. The ending was nice - and comical. It suited the Brother, and Clan Chief, that we've gotten to know since the first story, Child of the Mist.

[Amanda Hupe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third installment of These Highland Hills. Caitlin Campbell is the sister of the Clan chief. She is kidnapped by Darach McNaghten who is trying to free his brother who is clan chief. The McNaghten Clan is under proscription. However during their time together Caitlin starts to understand Darach and they fall in love and try to figure out a way to save his clan.

This was my least favorite in the series. Caitlin is a bit annoying to me. She goes through so many emotions in one paragraph and it's just frustrating. However it was a quick read and I do love the Scottish Highlands background of the story.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a decently good book and I liked the premise, however at times (especially closer to the end), it started to sound slightly cliqued or something. I am a fan of some chic lit though, so...

The book is about two fiery spirited Scottish clan folk (from more or less enemy clans), who fall in love after the guy takes the girl hostage, and the adversity's they face.

The characters have accents, but only the spelling of a few words are altered, so the reader isn't annoyed by trying to figure out what they are supposed to be saying.

[Iola Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finiashed reading A Fire Within. It was the third book in "These Highland Hills" series. They are great books, really keep your interest. I had a hard time putting them down once I started to read. They take place in the Scottish Highlands durinmg the 1500's. And they tell the story of a family and their trials to help their clans and their land. Is a great love story. A DEFINATE READ

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A review from my old blog...

I have this penchant for books set back in Scotland and/or Ireland. I especially love all of Kathleen Morgan's book so I latched onto this book, the conclusion of a series. I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with the characters and even felt that wierd, end of the book, sad to leave the characters when I finished the book this afternoon.

I strongly recommend this book and all of Kathleen Morgan's book!

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the characters interesting, although it did take me a while to figure them out. As it's the third in a series, it may just be that I have yet to read the other two. This book left me intrigued about the real history of James regency in Scotland the the various clans and their struggles. It also was an enjoyable piece of fiction, including a fun, if somewhat cheesy romance. It makes me want to know more.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

So after the last book I read in this series, I wasn't sure I wanted to read this next one, but I already had it on my nook so I just dove right in. This one was better than the last one. I enjoyed it. The characters I still like were all there. This one is about Caitlen. She is baby sister to the Cambell clan chief from the very first book in this series. Now everyone in the family has their happy ending. Hooray! The end.