I understand this is the third book in a series. I have not read to the first two books and I feel like I missed a great deal. I don’t feel like it can be read and truly enjoyed as a standalone.
Scotland is some place I would love to visit. The author captured the beauty of the landscape, the historical background, and the heart of the people that live there. While I enjoyed his attention to detail in all aspects, at times it made the reading rather slow and cumbersome. There were points I had to push to get keep going as my interest waned.
Loni unexpectedly inherits a small island in the Shetlands. The Scots strongly steeped in tradition and family ties were not happy with an outsider suddenly being thrust upon them in a position of leadership. The resident’s rejection makes Loni’s adjustment even more difficult, causing her to question what path to take. As a unique twist to the story she finds herself falling for the local chieftain, David Tulloch whom the islanders believe to be the true heir.
The story switches back and forth between Loni and David’s present day romance and that of her great-grandparents through old journals written by her great-grandmother. I especially liked the latter parts. They were relevant to me for a couple of reasons. I have a diary kept by my uncle that describes my father’s and his life growing up. Also I have a friend doing a genealogy search for me on my family history. There is something special about knowing where you came from and who your past family was. It gives you grounding and a feeling of belonging. I see this in Loni as she reads the journals. The most important thing is finding strength and inspiration from your spiritual heritage. Over all I had trouble sticking to the story, maybe because I hadn’t read the first two books.
I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions I stated are my own.