What I can tell you about the Swiftness of Wind.

Oct 23

Lachlan backed away a few paces, drawing a shuddering breath. “You cannae reach Rory, Calum. Even if you wanted to. He left last night—after his marriage. He’s taken his wife to his new lands in Garmoran.”

Murdoch backed along the wall, his face ashen. “What wife?”

Lachlan hung his head, a hand passing over his face.

Murdoch’s voice began to rise. “What wife, Chief MacLean?”

Lachlan swallowed. “Aoife.”

Stricken, Murdoch shook his head. “No. Not of her own will. It can be undone. Just as Calum’s was to be undone, we can bring her back, we can go to England, pursue a dispensation there.”

Lachlan folded the papers, his eyes misted. “You’re right. It wasn’t her will, MacFadyen. The Wolf gave her in repayment for the broken betrothal. They were wed by the Abbot of Iona and the marriage was solemnized and finalized before their departure.”

The word ‘finalized’ struck Murdoch like a stone. He lurched, his hand seizing the edge of the table until his knuckles whitened.

Calum’s gut twisted. He needed no further explanation—he knew what Lachlan meant, though none dared speak it aloud.

Murdoch shook his head, his voice breaking. “No. No, no, no, no.” He bent forward, pressing both hands to his face as though he could blot out the words. “No, not my Aoife. Not Aoife. No. No. No.”

Lachlan set a hand on his shoulder, his voice breaking. “I’m so sorry, Doc.”

Murdoch didn’t answer. Slowly, he straightened, eyes vacant, jaw trembling as he swallowed back whatever remained of him. He turned, opened the door without a word, and walked away.

A Dispatch Concerning
Murdoch MacFadyen

From Chief Donald MacEwen Cameron
November, Anno Domini 1387

Dear Hector,

Our men have searched Garmoran and the surrounding Highlands, yet I regret to report that no trace of Master Murdoch MacFadyen has been found. His loyalty and service to Clan Cameron during the Wolf’s raid last year shall not soon be forgotten.

I am surprised that word has not yet reached you of the grievous fate that befell the Laird and Lady of Garmoran some months past, in June.

It is said that both were lost when the bridge over the River Shiel gave way. The body of Laird MacDonald was found near the mouth of Loch Moidart. Lady Aoife has not been recovered, though her cloak was discovered nearby, still clutched in her husband’s lifeless hand.

It is feared the river claimed them both.

Should you require further aid, you have but to send word.

May God grant you strength in these sorrowful days.

By my hand,

Donald MacEwen Cameron
Chief of Clan Cameron

There are seasons in life when we are called to stand together, shoulder to shoulder. And there are seasons when, filled with the Holy Spirit, we are led into the wilderness—alone, to be tempted, tested, and refined.

The time has come for a wilderness tale.

FEATURED FICTION

What I Can Tell You

Here’s what I can reveal about book 4 in The Hebridean Shield Series, The Swiftness of Wind.

It’s Inspired by David

In my mind, Murdoch MacFadyen has always reflected the biblical David—a humble shepherd called by the God of the universe into battle, and later into the wilderness of Judah. Yet David’s greatest battles were not always fought with sword in hand. Unlike the Israelites who grumbled in their wilderness trials, David sought the Lord through prayer, trust, and songs of worship, discovering that his strength and satisfaction were found in God alone. And perhaps it is fitting that Murdoch, too, should return to the quiet pastures where his story began, for sometimes it is only in the wilderness that we rediscover who we are—and Whose we are.

Aoife Is a Survivor, Not a Victim

There is a reason I put off writing this story. Aoife has endured something no one should ever have to endure. I hesitated to weave such sorrow into her journey, but as someone who has also survived assault, there was something close to my heart that I wanted to share through her story. Something my sister said to me in the aftermath of my own experience: “You’re not a victim. You’re a survivor.” Aoife, too, must walk through a wilderness of her own, where she will discover a strength she never knew she possessed. There will be no knight riding to her rescue, no deliverance from a lofty tower. But she will not walk alone. The God who sees her will be with her every step of the way.

III

It’s Told in Two Timelines

To preserve the tenderness, romance, and lighthearted moments that make Murdoch and Aoife’s relationship so special, their story will unfold across two timelines. From the innocence of childhood and the sweetness of first love to their long-awaited reunion in Lochbuie, you’ll have the chance to experience every season of their love story. And along the way, we’ll revisit familiar places and beloved characters, as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of four books you already know and love: The Turning of the Tide, The Radiance of the Moon, The Splendor of Fire, and The Speed of Lightning.

God Is the Rescuer

Perhaps this bears repeating, but the hand of God is moving, weaving together people and circumstances in ways no mortal eye can yet perceive. His purposes reach far beyond Murdoch and Aoife, beyond the Shield, to the very heart of Garmoran and the Highlands, where the Wolf’s hunger for power threatens to swallow all in his path. Yet even as the enemy tightens his grip, God is setting a greater plan in motion. And perhaps it will be this gathering storm that awakens Murdoch from his slumber, calling him once more into the fray—and setting in motion the downfall of an enemy whose reach has grown far too great.

THE WORLD BEHIND THE STORIES

History & Lore

Historical illustration of the Wolf at Dunkeld

My books are not fantasy or romantasy, and sometimes the truth of history is more astonishing than anything we could invent! So I’m introducing a new section of the blog that I like to call History & Lore.

Yes, the Kingdom of the Isles was once a semi-independent realm from Scotland. Yes, there really was a John of Islay. Yes, Lachlan MacLean really did kidnap him in a plot to marry his wife, Mhairi. Yes, the MacLeans really did produce fierce gallowglass warriors. Yes, Hector MacLean really did seize Lochbuie from a corrupt MacFadyen lord. And yes, Robert Stewart and Alexander Stewart were real men (see the photo—that’s the Wolf, guys!).

The Highlands have no shortage of extraordinary tales, and I’ve spent countless hours digging through their history to bring this series to life. So if there’s a historical event, character, custom, or curious detail you’ve come across in my books that you’d like to know more about, please ask! I’d love to share what I’ve discovered.

FAITH & THE STORY

In the Shadow of His Wings

“I meditate on You in the night watches,
For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand takes hold of me.”

PSALM 63:6–8

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

Amen — Natalie Taylor

Image accompanying Amen by Natalie Taylor

I don’t believe this artist is a Christian musician, but this song has been on repeat as I write Aoife’s journey. There is something hauntingly beautiful about learning to surrender, to whisper, even in the midst of heartache, “Amen. Your will, not mine, be done.” It’s a theme woven deeply into the heart of this story. Give it a listen, and you’ll catch a glimpse of the atmosphere, the emotion, of where our tale begins.

A PERSONAL NOTE

From My Writing Desk

Guys, I don’t think I’ve ever cried over a newsletter before, but this one brought me to tears! It’s been a trying week, to say the least. Just about everything that could go wrong did. My website crashed, taking my newsletter down with it, and I’ve had to rebuild everything from scratch. (Which is why this little letter is arriving later than planned!) It’s been an exhausting few days, and I would truly appreciate your prayers. Sometimes the wilderness isn’t just something we write about, is it?

A Few Exciting Things on the Horizon!

I’ll be joining author Amy King on Instagram Live this Wednesday, October 28! I’d love for you to come hang out with us!

And don’t forget, I’ll be attending Read, Write, Rendezvous on November 7, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, alongside so many incredible authors with JustReadTours! I cannot wait to meet some of you in person!

Thank you for being here, for reading my stories, and for walking alongside me on this journey. It means more than you know.

Ashley Worrell