FIONA RISING

Enhanced version previously published as "The Wind at Her Back"

Home Divider

“To do a great right, do a little wrong.”

1876. An Irish orphan with a dark past, young Fiona Shanahan emigrates to America and becomes a lady’s maid to a wealthy New York socialite, a safe haven where she reinvents herself. A lucky encounter lands her a spot on the Broadway stage, where she becomes a rising star until a violent confrontation forces her to flee west to Chicago. She meets theater magnate Julius DeMonte, who offers her sanctuary as part of the troupe aboard his showboat, Queen of Dreams, on its maiden voyage down the Mississippi. As they travel southward to New Orleans, Fiona discovers the reality of post-civil war America, very different from the gilded stages of New York. But Julius is far more than a simple theater producer, just as Fiona is far more than a naïve ingenue, and as she becomes entwined in Julius’s intrigues, Fiona finds herself in greater danger than she’s ever known before.

"Fiona Rising" - Enhanced version now available.
Previously published as "The Wind at Her Back"

Milana Marsenich
Milana MarsenichWestern Writers of America’s ROUNDUP Magazine October 2021
Read More

I was utterly and hopelessly lost in this story and didn’t want it to end

“In 1876, a young orphan, Fiona Shanahan, is sold into marriage to a violent man. When her child dies, she has nothing to lose and fights back, escaping his brutality and leaving him to burn. In fear and foreboding, she travels to America, where she stumbles into the theater and a career as an actress. Danger follows and threatens to interrupt her new freedom. In a harsh world, Fiona invites blessings into her life. She takes nothing for granted. She is kind and ruthless when survival is at stake. Kathleen Morris creates a remarkable world rich in danger, beauty, joy, grace and good old-fashioned luck. I was utterly and hopelessly lost in this story and didn’t want it to end.”

D. Swenson
D. Swenson
Amazon Review
Read More
Kathleen Morris, award-winning author, and gifted storyteller has done it again with her latest novel, Fiona Rising. A superb novel, this talented author brings to life the hardships and reality of a young Irish immigrant, Fiona Shanahan, fleeing Ireland and the horrors of her past. Fiona has escaped a life in Ireland filled with poverty, abuse, and tragedy to find herself on a voyage across the vast Atlantic to America. While sailing, a fortuitous encounter with a wealthy New Yorker changes Fiona's life for the first time since being orphaned... [Continues]

Read Full Review

Sue Ready
Sue Ready
Amazon Reviewer
Read More
Kathleen Morris has created a masterpiece with her newest novel “Fiona Rising.” 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... [Continues]

Read Full Review

Previous
Next

Related Links

Book Details
  • Item Weight : 12.5 ounces
  • Paperback : 276 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 1645991172
  • ISBN-13 : 978-1645991175
  • Dimensions : 5.51 x 0.62 x 8.5 inches
  • Publisher : Encircle Publications, LLC (November 13, 2020)
  • Language: : English

AVAILABLE WHEREVER THE FINEST BOOKS ARE SOLD

Related Links

Book Details
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C3Z64DQH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dunraven Press (April 29, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 29, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1248 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 317 pages
DKT
DKT
Amazon Reviewer
Read More

Another brave woman of the Old West

What I enjoyed most about the book is that it's NOT a book about Doc Holliday. Though I am very much a fan of the Doc Holliday story, this book has a different tale to tell. The story is scattered with non facts and reality but overall it's well told and well written. But most important it told by a woman of the Old West about life in the Old West. I recently visited the grave of "Big Nose" Kate in Prescott, AZ so I really felt a connection with her. Her grave is simple but people are always leaving flowers, trinkets, and other tidbits.

Janell Madison
Janell MadisonGreen Gables Book Reviews
Read More

A very well written historical novel by Kathleen Morris.

This is a wonderfully written book that could appeal to both women and men. I don’t typically read Westerns, but this book had so many great elements, that it kept my interest throughout the book. It is a great story of perseverance, through extreme difficulty.

Donw
Donw
Amazon Reviewer
Read More

A great read from cover to cover.

Beautifully written, telling the story of a young girl, and her growing into a woman of the "wild west". If you love stories of triumph over tragedy, placed in an historical setting with an accuracy and a telling, that will keep you turning each page to learn more...you will love this book.

Deborah Swenson
Deborah Swenson
Amazon Reviewer
Read More

A Spirited Book of a True Woman of the West

You don't have to love reading westerns to thoroughly enjoy this book. From the beginning to the end, Kathleen Morris' superbly written work of fact entwined with fiction portrays the life and tragedies of Mary Katherine (Kate) Haroney, Big Nose Kate. It is a book I could not put down. From the moment Kate's parents fled the Mexican court of Emperor Maximilian to her days filled with saloons, gambling, entrepreneurship, betrayed friendships, tragic courtships and death, Kate was a true survivor in a man's world amongst the unforgiving and lawless west.

joetta l. miller
joetta l. miller
Amazon Reviewer
Read More

Enjoyable and hard-to-put-down book!

Loved how the historical characters came alive. I especially enjoyed reading about Kate’s life and how she lived, loved, and survived as a woman in the wild west. Lots of page turning intrigue as well as interesting historical background. I can’t wait for Kathleen Morris to publish her next book!

Previous
Next

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
Scroll to Top