The Wolf of Dalriada

I loved this book! I received it free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. It's set in late 18th century Scotland at the beginning of the French Revolution. The female protagonist, Adele, is French who was lost in a card game to Sir William Robinson by her father and then taken to Scotland by Robinson. The male protagonist, Malcolm Craig Lowrie, is a Scottish laird who is embroiled in a political struggle over control over his lands with the Duke of Argyll. There is so much political intrigue and subterfuge that I couldn't put the book down! The author does an excellent job capturing the struggles of the people of Scotland against the English, and what was going on in France. The strength of the main characters facing seemingly impossible odds makes this an enjoyable read. I'm happy to hear that there will be more in the series.

3 Stars

A young Frenchwoman, Adele, is lost in a card game by her father to a British man by the name of Sir William Robinson. Robinson is a very wealthy attorney who flees to Scotland. Building himself a mansion of the finest materials, he hopes to woo Adele into marriage. The only problem is she can’t stand him.

Written to portray the late 18th Century, this book is set against the wilds of Scotland and its struggle against the English and the backdrop of the French Revolution. Adele’s sister and father are still in France and are increasingly threatened by their former association with Marie Antoinette.

I do think that the inclusion in the story of the Adele versus Robinson and the Emma versus Pettigrew tales were just a little too much. It was like a rerun; too convenient to the story.

The first half of the book was well written and interesting. The descriptions of the Scottish countryside are entrancing. The second half of the book, however, turned into a romantic bodice ripper. Ewwwww.

Thank you to Netgalley and Troubador Publishing Limited/Matador for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.