The Refuge: An Inspirational Novel of Scotland

By: Regan Walker



North of Glasgow near Loch Lomond, the Vale of Leven was attacked by two longboats of 'Northmen' (Norse). Catriona watched as her friends and family were brutally slain. All that remained were Cat, her falcon, her brother Niall and her faithful guard Angus.  Everything was gone including her faith. What God allows such carnage and mayhem, and plundering of all their possessions. Her soul was filled with terror and hatred.

The man Cationa had always thought she'd wed, Domnal mac Murchada removed them to their maternal uncle Matad, mormar of Atholl, and his daughter Fia. Matad was a powerful provincial ruler. Post-mourning he took them post-mourning he took them to the castle of Malcolm, King of Scots. Niall became an archer. Cat and Fia become two of Queen Margaret 'Ladies'. Unlike her strong warrior husband, the Queen was benevolent and pious, requiring personal sacrifices; pre-dawn prayers and feeding the needy before yourself. Soon Cat began to pray to God. The Queen, in her infinite goodness, saw the lost soul, the restlessness and depression so she spent time nurturing the hurt, and granting her some freedom that she may heal. Meanwhile, Domnal was also at court but paid her little heed and never spoke of the betrothed the and Catriona had planned. As he became more important so did his need for a well connected, well dowried Lady. Although painful, the Queen explained how God had other plans for her with a better man. 

That man is the King's scribe (with the body of a warrior) Steiner of Talisand, His gentle attentiveness and their mutual intellect, as well as his kisses, brought their lost souls together. Even the King's plans to wed her to another could not keep them from God and love. It's always nice to revisit beloved characters. It was a pleasure to read this from a religious point of view and see how Queen Margaret brought so much to her people but took time to save a hurt, lonely soul and an injured, displaced warrior.

This one has much adventure and brings you to Scotland of old with enough real history to put you in that time period, which I loved. And the story will warm your heart and feed your soul.