What do you think?
Rate this book
Culloden's Fire #5
Morning Song
Perhaps it's the Irish in her: Hannah Gray is as headstrong as she is sensible, as bold as she is willful. Having rescued her nephew, Pip, from an uncertain fate, she is fleeing with him as far and as fast as she can—until she finds herself in England at the foot of Ravenscar, the great manor above Nodding Cross.
When Austen Dante takes them in, Hannah is curiously drawn to the powerful but elusive master of Ravenscar. Needing the shelter of his home, she agrees to the daunting task of transcribing his musical compositions—all the while having to pretend she understands a single note!
Slowly, the two strangers come to know each others' deepest secrets: Hannah discovers the painful upbringing that fires his soul—and a guarded truth that has followed him for years. And Dante, entranced by Hannah's rare spirit and candid ways, learns of the memories she keeps hidden—and why young Pip needs a safe haven.
But just as they open their hearts to each other, the forces that Hannah fled draw ever closer, threatening to shatter their precious idyll—and test the fragile bonds of their newfound love.
When Austen Dante takes them in, Hannah is curiously drawn to the powerful but elusive master of Ravenscar. Needing the shelter of his home, she agrees to the daunting task of transcribing his musical compositions—all the while having to pretend she understands a single note!
Slowly, the two strangers come to know each others' deepest secrets: Hannah discovers the painful upbringing that fires his soul—and a guarded truth that has followed him for years. And Dante, entranced by Hannah's rare spirit and candid ways, learns of the memories she keeps hidden—and why young Pip needs a safe haven.
But just as they open their hearts to each other, the forces that Hannah fled draw ever closer, threatening to shatter their precious idyll—and test the fragile bonds of their newfound love.
342 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1997
533 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Cates
58 books98 followersKimberly Cates lives in Illinois with her family.
Pseudonyms: Kimberleigh Caitlin and Kim Cates.
Pseudonyms: Kimberleigh Caitlin and Kim Cates.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 18, 2013
Once again it hurts me to write this but this story went from a beautiful read filled with damaged characters running away from something to overdramatic babble. I wish I could go back and cut away half of what was written so I wouldn't have to read over dramatic prose and pretty words which felt weird and annoying. I really liked the story and the h&h but everything was overblown- every emotion, every action, every line of dialogue....I didn't mind it so much in the beginning because I'm used to it after reading another book by this author from that time but after the halfway point it got too much for me.
However a book is a book and I am thankful I had something to read that kept me entertained:)
However a book is a book and I am thankful I had something to read that kept me entertained:)
January 12, 2021
This was a Regency romance with lots of angst. It was well-written and the characters were interesting. I recommend lots of Kleenex.
May 22, 2017
Morning Star by Kimberly Cates is a must read!!! A beautiful love story filled with surprises abound.
Morning Star by Kimberly Cates is a must read!!! A beautiful love story that will leave you holding your breath, laughing g and even crying at times. The ending is worth it.
Morning Star by Kimberly Cates is a must read!!! A beautiful love story that will leave you holding your breath, laughing g and even crying at times. The ending is worth it.
May 13, 2021
I have read a number of Kimberly books and they never disappoint. Only thing I will tell you once you start one you may be up all-night reading because you just can't put them down, so be forewarned.
This great story of two very different but much alike people.
Austen Dante is wealthy, handsome, Intelligent and an inventor. He should be happy and on top of the world unfortunately he is just the opposite. He is Grumpy, angry and restless. He can't sleep and yells at all most of the time. His servants mostly just try to stay out of his way. Till the night a woman shows up at his door, wet, cold, half-starved and ready to stand up to him and fight for her and the little boy, Pip with her. Somehow, she is let in getting past him. She is outspoken, speaking her mind and stubborn as a mule. Hannah Gray is lovely inside and out. She has always been the fixer for her family, putting their needs ahead of herself, mostly unappreciated. She promised her beautiful sister, she would keep her son Pip safe. Only problem is his father is a wealthy, member of the ton. He is also a Sadistic evil man, who tricks everyone with his good looks and can turn the charm on at well.
Hannah lies to Austen in order to get a safe dry place for Pip, she is hiding many things.
Austen is also hiding a lot, and between them they must learn to trust each other or all will be lost.
There is betrayal and surprises for both on their journey.
This very intriguing, suspenseful, romantic story between two people who have lost so much for others. The characters in the story make it all the more real, alone with a very special pup called Lizzy.
I hope you get a copy and enjoy. All the stories in this series can be read as stand alone.
This great story of two very different but much alike people.
Austen Dante is wealthy, handsome, Intelligent and an inventor. He should be happy and on top of the world unfortunately he is just the opposite. He is Grumpy, angry and restless. He can't sleep and yells at all most of the time. His servants mostly just try to stay out of his way. Till the night a woman shows up at his door, wet, cold, half-starved and ready to stand up to him and fight for her and the little boy, Pip with her. Somehow, she is let in getting past him. She is outspoken, speaking her mind and stubborn as a mule. Hannah Gray is lovely inside and out. She has always been the fixer for her family, putting their needs ahead of herself, mostly unappreciated. She promised her beautiful sister, she would keep her son Pip safe. Only problem is his father is a wealthy, member of the ton. He is also a Sadistic evil man, who tricks everyone with his good looks and can turn the charm on at well.
Hannah lies to Austen in order to get a safe dry place for Pip, she is hiding many things.
Austen is also hiding a lot, and between them they must learn to trust each other or all will be lost.
There is betrayal and surprises for both on their journey.
This very intriguing, suspenseful, romantic story between two people who have lost so much for others. The characters in the story make it all the more real, alone with a very special pup called Lizzy.
I hope you get a copy and enjoy. All the stories in this series can be read as stand alone.
September 19, 2019
Morning Song takes you on a journey of passion and angst, as two lost and troubled souls find each other quite by chance. Both hold dark and dreadful secrets, which stops them from opening their hearts to happiness.
Austen Dante, a handsome, brilliant, mercurial and gifted young man, holds a secret close to his heart, that he feels cannot be shared because of the shame it will bring. The lovely Hannah Gray, with her darling little nephew Pip are on the run from a terrible tragedy, being followed by her cruel and sadistic brother-in-law. Hannah has long given up on love, and yet this intelligent, bluntly spoken, stubborn and independent young woman has the chance for love and happiness, if she can just learn to trust Austen Dante. Can the two of them overcome their fears, can they learn to open up to each other?
The bubbling and intense passion of their feelings runs all the way through this fast paced book, with deception and cruelty thrown in to the mix, it is a wonderfully entertaining read. It is both emotional and poignant, and I couldn't put it down.
Kimberly Cates' writing superbly brings this tense tale of deceit, love, passion and fulfillment to life, and as with all her characters, they are vivid, believable and behave exactly as they should for the era they are in. With personalities you can relate to, a fast paced plot and emotional conversations, this is a book that you will thoroughly enjoy.
Austen Dante, a handsome, brilliant, mercurial and gifted young man, holds a secret close to his heart, that he feels cannot be shared because of the shame it will bring. The lovely Hannah Gray, with her darling little nephew Pip are on the run from a terrible tragedy, being followed by her cruel and sadistic brother-in-law. Hannah has long given up on love, and yet this intelligent, bluntly spoken, stubborn and independent young woman has the chance for love and happiness, if she can just learn to trust Austen Dante. Can the two of them overcome their fears, can they learn to open up to each other?
The bubbling and intense passion of their feelings runs all the way through this fast paced book, with deception and cruelty thrown in to the mix, it is a wonderfully entertaining read. It is both emotional and poignant, and I couldn't put it down.
Kimberly Cates' writing superbly brings this tense tale of deceit, love, passion and fulfillment to life, and as with all her characters, they are vivid, believable and behave exactly as they should for the era they are in. With personalities you can relate to, a fast paced plot and emotional conversations, this is a book that you will thoroughly enjoy.
Read
January 25, 2022Music of angst turned into a love song!
I love how this story began with an escape and ended with one too! Hannah is brave, honest, loyal, clever, insightful, nurturing and she loves so deeply that she is truly an inspiration, one who runs into the seemingly half mad Austen Dante while trying to save her sickly nephew from his torturous father a continent away. Austen Dante is frantically trying to capture something through his music but it eludes him driving him to distraction until he sees something in the half drowned girl and little imp who show up suddenly at his doorstep looking for shelter and work, changing his focus! Two opposite halves meeting in complete harmony. I couldn't put this story down. Kuddos to you Ms. Cates!
I love how this story began with an escape and ended with one too! Hannah is brave, honest, loyal, clever, insightful, nurturing and she loves so deeply that she is truly an inspiration, one who runs into the seemingly half mad Austen Dante while trying to save her sickly nephew from his torturous father a continent away. Austen Dante is frantically trying to capture something through his music but it eludes him driving him to distraction until he sees something in the half drowned girl and little imp who show up suddenly at his doorstep looking for shelter and work, changing his focus! Two opposite halves meeting in complete harmony. I couldn't put this story down. Kuddos to you Ms. Cates!
March 31, 2025
this was a particularly sweet romance without being overly sappy. Hannah Gray steals her nephew from an abusive father and takes off across the countryside without a plan. Surprise,surprise they run out of money and Hannah takes a job writing music, only one slight problem she can not actually read music let alone take it down from the sound of a piano. She soon realises her employer cant read the chicken scratches as musical notes either. In the meantime one of the servants has been searching for Hannah's secrets and sends word to the father of the boy, let's just say it all gets messy and then of course being a romance the employer and the aunt fall in love.
June 23, 2020
Morning Song (Book 5) By Kimberly Cates
Four stars, This book has everything in it sex, mystery, lots of secrets and violence.. Hannah had to help her sister, by running with her nephew Pop to England. . Coming to an estate, where she was hired to do a job she knew nothing about..But she knew her past was going to catch up with her.. Austen was a man with lots of of baggage, Hannah had to help him plus fight her own battles.. It all comes to ahead at the end, but it still ends happily.
Four stars, This book has everything in it sex, mystery, lots of secrets and violence.. Hannah had to help her sister, by running with her nephew Pop to England. . Coming to an estate, where she was hired to do a job she knew nothing about..But she knew her past was going to catch up with her.. Austen was a man with lots of of baggage, Hannah had to help him plus fight her own battles.. It all comes to ahead at the end, but it still ends happily.
June 16, 2020
Terrific Story
This is the first time I've read this author and I got this book for free. It was a terrific story, complex characters, complex circumstances and the love story was a long time developing but worth the wait. I absolutely loved this book! This is the fifth book in "Culloden's Fire" series, but was perfect as a stand-alone. I'm now going to find the first book in the series and start reading them all. What a treat!
This is the first time I've read this author and I got this book for free. It was a terrific story, complex characters, complex circumstances and the love story was a long time developing but worth the wait. I absolutely loved this book! This is the fifth book in "Culloden's Fire" series, but was perfect as a stand-alone. I'm now going to find the first book in the series and start reading them all. What a treat!
June 20, 2020
Needed an Epilogue! Almost 5 Stars !
Great story ! Hannah’s unconditional love. Her courage and true grit, ....in facing a true human MONSTER. Austen’s fear of disappointing his father. The love of Hannah and Pip, served to help him face all of his fears and resolve estrangements with his family. I would have given this 5 stars , but it needed an Epilogue.....for closure. Still a very good read! I recommend it!
Great story ! Hannah’s unconditional love. Her courage and true grit, ....in facing a true human MONSTER. Austen’s fear of disappointing his father. The love of Hannah and Pip, served to help him face all of his fears and resolve estrangements with his family. I would have given this 5 stars , but it needed an Epilogue.....for closure. Still a very good read! I recommend it!
Read
January 15, 2022Engaging
The story occurs sometime after the fourth book with a vague connection to Brianna and Creighton. Secrets abound throughout the story with many characters. Most of the secrets would have been better shared with those who were loved... Hard lesson for many. One glaring disconnect comes when the fact that Hannah's hands and feet were bound with leather is ignored. Still a good story.
The story occurs sometime after the fourth book with a vague connection to Brianna and Creighton. Secrets abound throughout the story with many characters. Most of the secrets would have been better shared with those who were loved... Hard lesson for many. One glaring disconnect comes when the fact that Hannah's hands and feet were bound with leather is ignored. Still a good story.
June 24, 2020
Music in there hearts
This is a remarkable story 3 people
Saddened by life's trials .Two with secrets they dare not share one little boy scared of the one person who should love him above all others,,his father . But once secrets are revealed , and the danger as passed , there's nothing left for these 3 people but love 💘 ❤
Thank you ❤
This is a remarkable story 3 people
Saddened by life's trials .Two with secrets they dare not share one little boy scared of the one person who should love him above all others,,his father . But once secrets are revealed , and the danger as passed , there's nothing left for these 3 people but love 💘 ❤
Thank you ❤
June 28, 2020
This was actually a pretty good book. Well-written with a good storyline. Romance, danger, drama...
It didn't leave me saying "WOW" as some other books have done, so I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5, but I'm not sure what was missing. Possibly the characters were a little too much - Hannah with her stubborn pride and Austen with his eccentricity - so I didn't fully warm to them. Not sure.
It didn't leave me saying "WOW" as some other books have done, so I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5, but I'm not sure what was missing. Possibly the characters were a little too much - Hannah with her stubborn pride and Austen with his eccentricity - so I didn't fully warm to them. Not sure.
June 19, 2024
An amazing story!
I really could not put this book down . I was only going to read a chapter, but then it caught me. I read the entire book in one day. Kimberly Cates is a master writer. Her characters are so well developed and believable. I am so glad I have discovered this amazing author!
I really could not put this book down . I was only going to read a chapter, but then it caught me. I read the entire book in one day. Kimberly Cates is a master writer. Her characters are so well developed and believable. I am so glad I have discovered this amazing author!
April 18, 2025
Make sure you have a box of tissues handy!!!
This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. The story is so sweet and keeps you enthralled to the very end. All of the characters are so well defined and fit in so perfectly. The flow of the story gets better and better as it goes along. Love and family means more than anything in this world.
This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. The story is so sweet and keeps you enthralled to the very end. All of the characters are so well defined and fit in so perfectly. The flow of the story gets better and better as it goes along. Love and family means more than anything in this world.
June 13, 2017
High Praise!
This is a wonderfully written story ! Your words captured me right from the start. I felt each of the characters emotions strongly! Will highly recommend this read to others! Your a wonderful author 😊📖👍
This is a wonderfully written story ! Your words captured me right from the start. I felt each of the characters emotions strongly! Will highly recommend this read to others! Your a wonderful author 😊📖👍
June 20, 2020
Great characters with twists in the plot to keep you guessing what the outcome will be. A great love story about 2 people who are fighting their demons and trying to find goodness and trust in dismal situations.
June 20, 2020
Good Story - 3.5 Stars
This is a well-written novel, with interesting characters and a reasonably engaging plot. The good and bad are starkly delineated, though there is complexity in the hero’s personality that is missing elsewhere.
This is a well-written novel, with interesting characters and a reasonably engaging plot. The good and bad are starkly delineated, though there is complexity in the hero’s personality that is missing elsewhere.
June 22, 2020
Action and intrigue
This book had a very interesting plot which entailed a lot of intrigue and secrets that unravel as the story progresses. Ultimately ll truth is found out and we end up with a couple nasty villains but a happy ever after
This book had a very interesting plot which entailed a lot of intrigue and secrets that unravel as the story progresses. Ultimately ll truth is found out and we end up with a couple nasty villains but a happy ever after
June 23, 2020
All questions answered by the end
Wonderfully written, historically correct, very involved romantic story, terrible horrors still seen in today's society and enough softness and sillyness to keep you turning the pages. Thank you Ms Cates for a wonderful ride.
Wonderfully written, historically correct, very involved romantic story, terrible horrors still seen in today's society and enough softness and sillyness to keep you turning the pages. Thank you Ms Cates for a wonderful ride.
August 1, 2020
Couldn't put it down.
I couldn't put this down. One of the best I have read, and, believe me, I read a lot!It is not your usual story line that you find in this genre, at least not to my mind. This is not the "usual" romance novel. It would have made a great movie in my day!
I couldn't put this down. One of the best I have read, and, believe me, I read a lot!It is not your usual story line that you find in this genre, at least not to my mind. This is not the "usual" romance novel. It would have made a great movie in my day!
August 12, 2020
Excellent read!
A touching story of two damaged characters who find each other and overcome many obstacles to find love and happiness. one will want to cry at some parts and laugh at others. A must read!
A touching story of two damaged characters who find each other and overcome many obstacles to find love and happiness. one will want to cry at some parts and laugh at others. A must read!
August 12, 2020
Wonderful
Hannah, a strong heroine, Pip, a precious child and Austen, a true gentleman-what lovely characters in an even more lovely book. Plot twists and just the right touch of romance. Wonderful read. Can’t wait to read more.
Hannah, a strong heroine, Pip, a precious child and Austen, a true gentleman-what lovely characters in an even more lovely book. Plot twists and just the right touch of romance. Wonderful read. Can’t wait to read more.
November 12, 2021
An excellent read.
If your looking for a great read with a happily ever after this is the book for you.The heroine is strong,tender, and courageous and the hero is a strong and flawed you will love this book.
If your looking for a great read with a happily ever after this is the book for you.The heroine is strong,tender, and courageous and the hero is a strong and flawed you will love this book.
December 18, 2021
Interesting plot
Hannah was an interesting study of affection and perseverance. Enough romance and not too much passion that it overpowered the story. Characters were well developed and interesting.
Hannah was an interesting study of affection and perseverance. Enough romance and not too much passion that it overpowered the story. Characters were well developed and interesting.
January 30, 2022
An historical tale of love and courage
Our hero concealed a secret his most trusted colleague used to his own advantage. Our heroine has boundless mettle and loving courage. And they finally save each other.
A delightful read - highly recommend ! ! !
Our hero concealed a secret his most trusted colleague used to his own advantage. Our heroine has boundless mettle and loving courage. And they finally save each other.
A delightful read - highly recommend ! ! !
January 24, 2023
good heartwarming love story
The heroine is terrific but the Hero??? Oh I think every woman will love him forever.,This story has evil bad guys sweet innocent adoring side characters and a super exciting tale. I loved it all.
The heroine is terrific but the Hero??? Oh I think every woman will love him forever.,This story has evil bad guys sweet innocent adoring side characters and a super exciting tale. I loved it all.
May 16, 2024
Not really up to the prior books
I enjoyed the r prior books which were very well written. Sadly, this one didn't measure up. I'm not sure Kimberly Cates wrote it. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is predictable and weakened
by sentimental drivel.
I enjoyed the r prior books which were very well written. Sadly, this one didn't measure up. I'm not sure Kimberly Cates wrote it. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is predictable and weakened
by sentimental drivel.
May 26, 2024
Loved this book!
I truly enjoyed this novel and hope these wonderful characters show up in a future story. Kimberly Cates is phenomenal with her plot structure and made me fall in love with Hannah, Pip and Austen.
I truly enjoyed this novel and hope these wonderful characters show up in a future story. Kimberly Cates is phenomenal with her plot structure and made me fall in love with Hannah, Pip and Austen.
May 28, 2017
My first book by Ms. Cates, and it wont be my last. I enjoyed this emotional story and its characters greatly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews