2011 Holt Medallion Award Winner - Best First Novel

Highland Blessings is the story of a highland warrior who kidnaps the daughter of his greatest enemy and clan chief to honor a promise he made to his dying father. Bryce MacPhearson, a highland warrior, kidnaps Akira MacKenzie on her wedding day to honor a promise he made to his dying father. While Akira s strength in the Lord becomes a witness to Bryce, she struggles to overcome her anger and resentment when he forces her to wed him, hoping to end a half-century-old feud between their clans.

While Akira begins to forgive, and Bryce learns to trust, a series of murders leaves a trail of unanswered questions, confusion, and a legacy of hate that once again rises between their families. Clearly, a traitor is in their midst.Now the one man Akira loves no longer trusts her, and her own life is in danger. Can Bryce look beyond his pain and seek the truth? Will Akira discover the threat against her before it s too late? How will God turn a simple promise into bountiful Highland blessings?"

Grieving over her sister s death, Charlotte Morgan leaves the Carolina coast for the shores of Lake Erie, Ohio, to help care for her niece and nephew. Conrad Deaton is also there to assist his brother after this devastating loss. Soon, Conrad and Charlotte are locked in a battle of wills as the War of 1812 rages around them.

While Conrad criticizes Charlotte for her interest in politics, lectures, and lack of domestic skills, she faults him for his insensitivity, rigid schedules, and harsh discipline. The two just can t seem to get along. But could all their bickering be a sign of something more an attraction between the two? Afraid of loving a man duty-bound to war, she ignores the growing affection between them.

Battle breaks out on Lake Erie. As U.S. Naval officers, Conrad and his brother attend their posts. Charlotte turns to fervent prayer and wills her faith to grow strong as she learns to wait upon the Lord. When neither returns, Charlotte fears the worst."

At the height of the Revolutionary War, Tyra MacGregor is successful at thwarting the British Army with her colonial spy efforts. But her sleuthing ways come to a screeching halt when Captain Donahue Hugh Morgan puts her under house arrest.

Hugh is intrigued by this courageous spy the natives call War Woman. She s more daring than most men and is intelligent in defending her convictions. Even more impressive to Hugh is the strength of Tyra s unshakeable faith in God.

When Tyra saves his life during an attack, Hugh vows to return the favor. Before he can intervene, however, she is caught by his superior officer and imprisoned. Soon Hugh s honor, faith, country, and love are all on the line. Can he risk it all to gain everything?

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To atone for her father s evil, Lauren Campbell agrees to help Malcolm MacGregor. By the time she realizes she s the bargaining price to free Malcolm s mother from indentured servitude, it s too late.

Malcolm MacGregor only wants to free his family and exact revenge against Duncan Campbell. As the pride and joy of Duncan s life, his daughter Lauren is the perfect answer, but during the voyage to America, her faith continues to witness to Malcolm. He becomes enraptured with her, and upon their arrival, discovers he s sold her into a fate worse than death. Now Malcolm has the dilemma: free his family or rescue Lauren? Time is short and with little means, he needs a miracle."

When Quakers Flora Saferight and Bruce Millikan embark on the Underground Railroad, they agree to put their differences aside to save the lives of a pregnant slave couple. With only her mother s quilt as a secret guide, the foursome follows the stitches through unknown treachery.

As they embark on their perilous journey, they hope and pray that their path is one of promise where love sustains them, courage builds faith, and forgiveness leads to freedom."

A Sanctuary of Secrets . . . Gavin MacKenzie, a chieftain heir who is hired to restore the ancient Castle of Braigh, discovers a hidden village of outcasts who have created their own private sanctuary from the world. Among them is Serena Boyd, a mysterious and comely lass, who captures Gavin s heart in spite of harboring a deadly past that could destroy her future. The villagers happen to be keeping an intriguing secret as well, and when a fierce enemy launches an attack against them, greed leads to bitter betrayal.Then, as Gavin prepares a defense, the villagers unite in a bold act of faith, showing how God s love is more powerful than any human force on earth. "Travel back to medieval Scotland with this great inspirational tale of faith and compassion." - FreshFiction.com

""Highland Sanctuary" is a wonderful medieval tale fraught with rich, compelling drama, excellent characterization, a plot with depth, beautifully described backdrops, and satisfying romance. In other words, a page turner. (Not recommended if you don't want to miss a night of sleep )" - Sharlene MacLaren, Retailers' Choice nominee, IRCA finalist and bestselling author of Daughters of Jacob Kane series andRiver of Hope series

"Jennifer Hudson Taylor haspenned a heart-warming medieval romance full of mystery and intrigue with Highland Sanctuary. This book grabbed my attention from page one and kept it as I prayed for Serena to recover from her mystery illness and find true acceptance and freedom."- Laura V. Hilton, author of Patchwork Dreams

"Highland Sanctuary offers just that a reading sanctuary set in medieval Scotland, full of mystique and romance. To use the author s own words, it s a book that will remind readers that while there is no Heaven on earth, God can guide us through our challenges. Well done, Jennifer Hudson Taylor " Maureen Lang, author of Whisper on the Wind and Springtime of the Spirit

"Jennifer Hudson Taylor has written a moving story of sacrificial love and heartrending choices amidst the haunting beauty of the Scottish highland coast."Ruth Axtell Morren, author of "Wild Rose "and "Winter Is Past"

"Jennnifer Hudson Taylor has written another wonderful Scottish medieval novel. In Highland Sanctuary, she masterfully created a setting and authentically portrayed the culture of the time period. And the characters leapt from the pages." - Lena Nelson Dooley, award-winning author of the McKenna's Daughters series and Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico