To Speak His Name (The Wings of the Morning Series Book 1)
It's 1816 and a girl longs for freedom...
Avalina is a woman trapped in silence. Stolen from her home in Ireland and sold as a slave to a Barbados plantation owner, the trauma of her past has left her mute, wrapped in a prison of loneliness and isolation amid an island of beauty. Though she longs to be free from the cruelty of her overseer, her heart yearns for a greater freedom…something just beyond her grasp.
Josiah Holland has been born into a South Carolina slave-holding family but all it takes is one trip to the island of Barbados to open his eyes to the ugly cruelty that abounds beyond the confines of his plantation. With the aid of fiery abolitionist Benjamin McGee, Josiah forges a new future, fighting the very ideals he was once a part of.
When Avalina and Josiah’s lives entwine, will their spark engulf them in destruction, or ignite a revolution?
About the Book
A haunting tale of a horrific past that unfortunately is true in many respects, and yet the story of Avalina is so much more than that. From the depths of despair hope rises and ultimately overcomes. A touching, tender yet very real read from the pen of Tara Johnson—one you won’t want to miss!"
– Michelle Griep
"Avalina and Josiah’s story in To Speak His Name had me turning pages late into the night. Masterfully written, I loved watching their spiritual journeys unfold. Add to that the romance and nail-biting uncertainty, and it had everything I’ve come to expect from a Tara Johnson novel.”
– Ane Mulligan
A rare offering for historical fiction fans, To Speak His Name tells of the Irish slave trade in the Caribbean. Thrilling and chilling by turns, Avalina and Josiah's story is one of overcoming, conviction, and love against all odds. Beautifully written, researched, and highly recommended."
– Laura Frantz
"What a triumph! I've long been a fan of Tara Johnson's writing and consider this her best work to date. With skill, grace, truth, and nuance, she has woven together a complex and satisfying story of captivity and freedom, love and fear, and of courage to act on conviction. The characters are robust and deftly drawn, bringing this important piece of little-known history to full-bodied life. To Speak His Name ranks among the best books I've read this year."
– Jocelyn Green
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