The past is about to catch up to the women of Carlisle Crossing, and it will take a miracle to right the wrongs of the past and heal the broken bonds of love too long neglected by the family living in God's Country. Come along for the ride in this debut novel by Lea Ann Lewis. On the Wings of the Morning is the first book in The Women of Carlisle Crossing series. Located in the hill country of Texas is the close-knit community of Carlisle Crossing. Eighteen-year-old Maura Carlisle is the beloved daughter of Robert and Malissa Carlisle. Moses Morgan, better known as Poppy, is Robert's right-hand man, foreman of God’s Country, the Carlisle ranch. Having no family, Poppy becomes a grandfather figure to the Carlisle children, Rory and Maura. It is Poppy who, like it or not, dubs her Peeper just days after Maura’s birth. When Peeper and her arch nemesis, Gwen Flanders, are accepted at the same women’s college back East, trouble ensues. The mix of Maura’s Carlisle stubborn determination and Gwen’s penchant for gossip stirs up conflict seemingly wherever they go. At the end of their first term, both young women return to Carlisle Crossing—Maura with questions and Monique with an agenda. Maura soon wrestles with doubts regarding her return to Britemour. Then she is offered a position assisting the new pastor, Jon Marc Moultrie, a handsome young man from South Carolina. At first, she prejudges him to be a soft Easterner. He views her as too young. Though neither is very experienced in their new positions, Maura and Jon Marc soon fall into a comfortable friendship. With the arrival of Uncle Jesse, her father’s younger brother, and the beautiful LarkAnne, it isn't long before Peeper is given more to contemplate—turning more lives than Peeper's upside down. Will there be a future for Maura and Jon Marc? Why has the younger Carlisle couple returned to GC ranch after so long? And what is the secret that neither Carlisle brother nor their wives want revealed? This is the first in a series but may be read as a Stand-Alone novel. In the following books, characters introduced in this novel will become primary characters, or will play supporting roles. Although adult topics and themes are present in this series, there is no explicit sex or profanity, except for the occasional 'damn' or 'hell' used to create authentic characterization. This series emphasizes Christian values, although not in a 'preachy' manner. If you are looking for wholesome, uplifting reading, this is the series for you. I am so excited to let you know about my first full-lengthnovel . On the Wings of the Morning takes place in the hill country of Texas in1884.  Although it is a stand-alonenovel, it is the first in the series, The Women of Carlisle Crossing . Many ofthe characters will reappear and take center stage throughout the series.   The easiest part about writing this novel was deciding thelocation and time period.  I was born andspent my formative years in the great state of Texas, mostly in the hillcountry around San Antonio. I grew up watching westerns on TV and joke that I cut myteeth on Gunsmoke; I was born less than one month after that iconic show'sfirst airing.  Its story lines alwaysspoke to the human condition, pointing out that we are all flawed in one way oranother. There were some irredeemable characters (and some real Bangle-Button-Billies , too - just ask Festus); for the most part, many of themmanaged to rise above and learn from their failures and mistakes, with a littlehelp from their family and friends.  Andthat is what I strive to do with the characters I create.  Like those fictional TV characters who becameso real to me, I hope my characters will find a place in your heart.   It has been a long journey to get to this point ; but this isjust one stop on the journey I'm taking as a writer.  I hope that you, my readers, will joinme.  Thanks for being part of myreadership.  I always appreciate yourfeedback and covet your prayers.   Committed to Him! Lea Ann The past is about to catch up to the women of CarlisleCrossing , and it will take a miracle from heaven to right the wrongs of thepast and heal the broken bonds of love too long neglected by the family livingat God's Country . Come along for the ride in this debut novel by Lea AnnLewis. On the Wings of the Morning is the first Book in the Women of CarlisleCrossing series. Born in Big Spring, Texas , Lea Ann Lewis grew up in a military family.  Her formative years were spent in the Hill Country of Texas near San Antonio and credits this to her love of westerns as well as her still recognizable Texan drawl.  "You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl," she says.   Holding a double-major in English and Education , Lea Ann taught English and Drama at both the secondary and middle grades levels.  In addition to  a great love of the English language, she enjoys geography and history; these combined with her travels as well as