Latest News from Kathleen Morgan:
January, 2010
Dear Friends:
Happy Winter! I hope all of you had a very blessed Christmas. Mine, for many reasons, was particularly challenging.
With the New Year, however, things have finally begun to settle down. Perspective has been regained, priorities have been righted, and I feel refreshed and eager to re-embark on the writing ministry to which the Lord called me so many years ago. Hurray!
I hope you're also pressing forward with new hope during this New Year.
A NEW BEGINNING
After much thought and prayer, I began discussions with my editor at Baker Publishing Group about the possibility of writing for them again. We decided to re-launch my writing career with another historical romance series set in Colorado.
I'm pleased to announce that I recently signed a contract with Baker for a three book series entitled "Song of the Shining Mountains". Book one in the series is A GENTLE HARMONY, and will be released in Summer 2011.
This first book is set in 1878 in the Colorado Rockies, and is the tale of Sarah Caldwell and Cord Wainwright. The following two books in the series will tell the stories of Cord's two stepsisters, Shiloh and Jordan Wainwright.
I've already turned in the completed manuscript for A GENTLE HARMONY to my editor, and I intend to start book two very soon.
In the meantime, I've obtained the publication rights back to GIVER OF ROSES and the two other books in my Christian fantasy series.
So to all of you who've written with questions about this series: Yes, I fully intend to complete the other two books! Even as we "speak", I've begun the process of looking for a new publisher for these novels.
I hope to have good news soon about a publication date for STONE OF POWER, book two in the series. Christian fantasy, at least for adult readers, is currently a tough sell. Tough, but not impossible. We lovers of fantasy just have a bit of work to do to grow that particular genre in the Christian market.
I also plan to finish the sequel to my last Scottish historical romance, AS HIGH AS THE HEAVENS. This sequel, of course, will be the tale of Duncan's twin brother, Colin, and his redemption. As with all of the above mentioned books, I'll keep you posted as I have more information about progress and publication dates.
MORE BOOK NEWS
 ONE PERFECT GIFT Picked up for Crossings Book Club Christmas Offerings
ONE PERFECT GIFT, the third and last story in the Culdee Creek Christmas novellas, was initially released in September 2008. Several months ago, I was thrilled to hear it was to be a Christmas 2009 offering from Crossings Book Club. Never hurts to get some exposure to potential new readers, I always say. :)
The story is set on Culdee Creek ranch in 1933 during the Great Depression, and is Sean MacKay’s story. Most of you, I’m sure, will recall that he’s the first child of Abby and Conor MacKay.
Here’s a wee teaser:
Deep amid the winter snow, two lives are waiting for rebirth. Both have been scarred by loss and misunderstanding. Both are yearning for a fresh start.
It is November 1933 when Jessica Ashmore steps off the train from Baltimore to the Colorado high plains with her six-year-old daughter, Emma. Though hungry and penniless, Jessie finds solace in the fact that a nursing job awaits her in this remote outpost. But when her best-laid plans fall through, Jessie finds herself in a temporary position in the household of a kind rancher and his none-too-happy son, Sean.
ONE PERFECT GIFT is a heartwarming and tender story, and I hope you love it as much as I do!
For any who may not have bought it the first time out, besides ordering the book from Crossings Book Club, you can purchase it from your local bookseller or by clicking here to order it online.
Read an excerpt of the story
INSIDER INFO
 A Brief Glimpse into the premise for my "Song of the Shining Mountains" series
When early settlers experienced the scenic vistas of the Rocky Mountain high country for the first time, they quickly saw why the Native Americans who lived there called them the “Shining Mountains.” Not only did the sun reflect off the mountains’ snow with an unsullied sheen, and moonlight glint off rock and water, but gold and silver deposits sparkled brightly in the deep crevices.
The Native Americans, including the Shoshone, Blackfeet, and Utes, regarded this land as sacred, and their habits demonstrated an ability to live in harmony with nature. In sharp contrast, most of the pioneers who entered the Rockies didn’t view things quite the same way.
With the discovery of gold deep in the Ute territory of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado in 1858, soon followed by the unearthing of additional gold and silver veins throughout the Rocky Mountains, there came a relentless onslaught of white settlers who believed they were entitled to everything in their path.
The Utes at first were willing to allow mining from their Shining Mountains, as long as the interlopers did not build permanent settlements. The whites, meanwhile, did not understand why such a small number of people needed such large amounts of land. It soon became evident that these two opposing points-of-view couldn’t long co-exist.
The Song of the Shining Mountains series will delve into these conflicts and perspectives, and should be something lovers of history and lovers of romance will enjoy!
CLOSING THOUGHTS & THANKS
Please continue to keep me in your prayers, as I will always keep you in mine. I'm convinced your prayers had a lot to do with my regaining the strength and inspiration to pick up where I left off.
And thank you for all the wonderful, encouraging emails and letters. I cherish them more than I can say, my anamchairde…my soul friends.
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