Follow on InstagramMay the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
author unknown 
With the wind at her back, Irish orphan Fiona Shanahan sets sail on the Adriatic from Cobh, Ireland leaving behind a life of sorrow and dark secrets.
Kathleen Morris has created a masterpiece with her newest novel “The Wind at Her Back.” The reader is swept into the late 1800s beginning in New York where Fiona finds a safe haven. She reinvents herself becoming a lady's maid for a wealthy socialite. As her good fortunes increase Fiona becomes more ambitious taking on a different persona to suit her purpose. Fiona's circumstances change frequently throughout the story. Morris has created a strong gutsy, resourceful protagonist who learns early on knowledge is the ticket to her success. Books become her salvation.
In the first part of the story Fiona renews a friendship with James Ardrey, a cabin-mate from the voyage over on the Adriatic. Through James's encouragement Fiona lands a spot on Broadway playing opposite him. As their fame increases she finds a kindred spirit in James and they become an inseparable team. Under the patronage of theater magnate Julius DeMonte, Fiona and James's story begins to spin a new web. The stage is now set for love, deceit, revenge, betrayal and danger. The theatrical world becomes a common thread throughout the rest of the story. Fleeing New York from a violent encounter, Fiona and James find themselves on the run. They find a safe haven in Chicago enjoying the social scene and all that this vibrant city had to offer. Eventually the call of the stage beckons them once more. Another chain of events forces them to acquiesce and become a part of a showboat troupe heading down the Mississippi to New Orleans. As the web of deceit tightens, the stakes become higher. Fiona becomes entwined in Julius's intrigues and she finds herself in greater danger than she's ever known before. One of my favorite lines in the story is from Julius. “Life takes many turns.”
Each new location has a sub story as the cast of characters take on new identities. Morris's rich descriptive sentences pay homage to her meticulous research. The time period comes alive as the reader learns more about the social mores of the times, living conditions, neighborhoods, struggles of the Irish, theatrical world and life on the Mississippi post Civil War era.
Morris's deft touch moves the action seamlessly along from one location to another. Her three main characters are well developed and become defined by their choices. Morris has a true gift of storytelling, creating a novel of intrigue and suspense. You will find this a very engaging story capturing your attention right down to the last page.
Even after the story ended I found myself ruminating over details and wondering what Fiona's next life might be like. I can only hope there might someday be a sequel.
Kathleen Morris is a graduate of Prescott College in Arizona and lives and writes in the desert Southwest, an aficionado of American and Western history. She loves being able to immerse herself in the lives of her characters, especially bringing to life the charismatic and capable women of the West, both real and imaginary. Her debut novel, The Lily of the West, the story of “Big Nose Kate” Haroney, was published in 2019 to critical acclaim. She is a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West.
In the first part of the story Fiona renews a friendship with James Ardrey, a cabin-mate from the voyage over on the Adriatic. Through James's encouragement Fiona lands a spot on Broadway playing opposite him. As their fame increases she finds a kindred spirit in James and they become an inseparable team. Under the patronage of theater magnate Julius DeMonte, Fiona and James's story begins to spin a new web. The stage is now set for love, deceit, revenge, betrayal and danger. The theatrical world becomes a common thread throughout the rest of the story. Fleeing New York from a violent encounter, Fiona and James find themselves on the run. They find a safe haven in Chicago enjoying the social scene and all that this vibrant city had to offer. Eventually the call of the stage beckons them once more. Another chain of events forces them to acquiesce and become a part of a showboat troupe heading down the Mississippi to New Orleans. As the web of deceit tightens, the stakes become higher. Fiona becomes entwined in Julius's intrigues and she finds herself in greater danger than she's ever known before. One of my favorite lines in the story is from Julius. “Life takes many turns.”
Each new location has a sub story as the cast of characters take on new identities. Morris's rich descriptive sentences pay homage to her meticulous research. The time period comes alive as the reader learns more about the social mores of the times, living conditions, neighborhoods, struggles of the Irish, theatrical world and life on the Mississippi post Civil War era.
Morris's deft touch moves the action seamlessly along from one location to another. Her three main characters are well developed and become defined by their choices. Morris has a true gift of storytelling, creating a novel of intrigue and suspense. You will find this a very engaging story capturing your attention right down to the last page.
Even after the story ended I found myself ruminating over details and wondering what Fiona's next life might be like. I can only hope there might someday be a sequel.
Morris's newest book published by Five Star is "The Transformation of Chastity James."
Learn more about the author and her books at https://kathleenmorrisauthor.com/ 
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