Title: Cameron The Daughters of Alastair MacDougall, book 1
Author: Lane McFarland
Genre: Historical Romance
Story Setting: Kilmarnock, Scotland, May 1297
Pages: 276
Published by: Lane McFarland
Published Date: November 5, 2013
ISBN-10: 0989876519
ISBN-13: 978-0989876513

The Daughters of Alastair MacDougall Series (ecopy link):
Cameron
Heather
Lindsey
Elsbeth

About the Story: Determined to band Scots together against English tyranny, Laird Robert Graham seals a truce with his feuding neighbor, the MacDougalls. But after his brother is nearly killed in a treacherous attack, Graham kidnaps the laird’s daughter in an act of revenge. Cameron MacDougall has devoted her life to the healing arts. She’s long rebelled against her father’s feuding ways, but when Robert Graham abducts her, she’s finds herself at the center of the dispute between their families. She expects the anger she feels, not the simmering attraction to the powerful warrior, or the love she develops for his clan. Can she stop further violence between the clans with her escape? Or will she find her surrender leads to a lasting peace and her own heart’s desire?

My Thoughts: Cameron was a bit of a wild thing. She found her strength in nature and vowed to learn all she could about the art of healing.  If she had known enough earlier, she may have prevented her mother’s death.  She failed her mum, but she wouldn’t fail her clan nor her sisters and in this story her talents extend to Laird Graham and his clan.

Cameron’s mother taught all her daughters to pursue what they each enjoyed.  All three sisters were very different in temperament; they were well bonded with their father and each other so it was a disaster to all when Cameron is missing.

Laird Graham simply kidnapped Cameron while she was out looking for healing herbs.  Did the MacDougalls play Graham for a fool? He was provoked into this action when Laird Graham’s brother, Androu, and elder servant, Duncan, are attacked and seriously injured, apparently attacked by the clan MacDougall he struck back with the same medicine; he would have the old laird pay.  It is so easy to assume the worst when dealing with an old enemy.

The writer takes us into the turmoil of Cameron’s mind and heart as she struggles with her capture.  She needs to get word back to her family she is well, possibly escape if she can, yet feeling the need of the Graham clan for her skill in healing. Her healing arts and her kind demeanor did more to ease the tension between clans than any truce could.

Laird Graham also struggles with his attraction to the woman he captured and his enemy.  He finds she is no different from him and full of goodness.

Cameron found her calling, her worth, and her love while working her magic with her healing herbs, saving lives and making friends.  Love conquers all in this heart-warming romantic read from Lane Mcfarland.  Her story showcases the difficulty of warring clans during that period of history, how they needed to forget their differences to protect each other against the bigger enemy, England.

This first book sets the reader to anticipate the remainder of the series.  I’m a little late in starting the series, just finding this author.  I’ll enjoy seeing what happens to Cameron’s three siblings in books 2, 3 and 4. Fun reading!

About the Author: (from the author’s website http://lanemcfarland.com/about/)

Although I’ve always loved to write, no one could’ve convinced me that someday, I would become a bestselling author. It’s truly a dream come true.

Starting out as an accountant in line with the rest of the corporate echelons struggling up the proverbial ladder, I soon realized the long nights and numerous weekends of closing books and reporting financial results no longer appealed. So, I decided to hit the road selling financial software. Jumping from one high-pressured frying pan into the other, the stress of the road- warrior life and constant deadlines took its toll. I needed a release and found that with my face buried in historical romance books, I could escape to worlds of intrigue with timeless love and happily-ever-after endings. Today, I am fortunate to have found my true passion in writing of spirited heroines and to-die-for-heroes and the romantic love stories between them.

I am a southern girl living on top of a mountain in North Georgia, and I’m most happy when surrounded by family and friends. If I am not writing, you can find me hiking with my husband, or fiddling around in my flower and vegetable gardens, feeding the birds and watching black bears and deer. I am blessed to have a wonderful son—my pride and joy, my buddy who, along with my husband, have made my life complete.

Thank you for visiting with me. I love to hear from readers! Please drop me a note at mcfarland.lane@gmail.com; tell me about yourself and let me know what you like to read and would like to see in future books and series.