REVIEW: To Dance In The Glen

To Dance In The Glen

The Glen Highland Romance

Author: Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple

Genre: Historical Romance

Pub Date: Sept 4, 2018

Synopsis 

-- Expectations -- In 1306, Ewan is a man used to defying expectations. A renowned Scottish highland rake, he enjoys life as the oldest son of the Laird, until he meets a young woman in a secluded glen, where her safety is in question. Meg is a clever and spritely woman who is certain of her place in life until the day the Laird's son help rescue her from some rogue Englishmen. Ewan becomes smitten with Meg, falling in love with a woman below his station. He manages to win her over as she finds herself under Ewan's protection and they begin a passionate love affair. Along the way when Meg is accused of witchcraft and Ewan's past entanglements come back to haunt him, their love overcomes the suspicions and obstacles. Together they upset the status quo and begin a life, one that brings happiness to themselves and those in the clan. However, once they learn of a traitor in their midst, the security of the clan and their family, even themselves, is at risk.

Can they rise above to help each other overcome the challenges in their way?

BONUS: This version contains an excerpt of the second In The Glen Highland Romance series - "The Lady of the Glen"

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MY REVIEW

To Dance In The Glen is a gem. A beautifully told story of love, friendship, devotion and country.

Meg Lachlan is eighteen years old and as innocent as can be. Her family does not have much in the way of money but they are happy. When English deserters approach her one day, her life changes drastically.

Ewan MacLeod is the Laird’s son. He is entitled, wealthy and spoiled. When he makes crude advances to Meg after saving her virtue from Englishmen, she slaps him. Having never been rebuked, Ewan becomes intrigued by Meg.

Meg is saved yet again by Ewan when once more, the same Englishmen confront Meg. To keep her safe, Ewan decides Meg will stay with him. Although Ewan believes this to be his decision, it was actually masterminded by the English.

What plans do the English have for Meg and Ewan and will they succeed?

Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple penned a heartwarming story that I fell hard for. It is an epic and sweeping story.

From what I have read, this is the author’s first foray into writing a romance novel and I am agog. This does not seem like a first attempt which I can only assume will bring great portends for this author’s future works.

This is an absolute must read for all historical romance lovers. It will capture your heart and make this author one you’ll want to look out for!

I received an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

EXCERPT 

On the Eve of Beltane, Meg stayed awake, wrapping flowers and twigs together, waiting until the moon reached its zenith. Then there would be enough dew on the grass to bathe her face. Unaccepted by the Church proper, the old ritual was taught to her by her mother. Like her mother, though she accepted the Church, Meg followed the old religious ways. The ritual of a young girl bathing her face in the early morning dew of Beltane was to ensure youth and fertility.  Elspeth still followed this ritual and taught all her daughters to do the same. As Elspeth had six children, Meg did not question its validity. Taking a candle from the mantle, she walked the darkened passageways to the kitchen, and out to the courtyard of the keep.

Ewan, not yet asleep, heard someone walk past his door. Afraid for Meg, he grabbed his plaid off a nearby chair, and not bothering with a shirt, he wrapped the plaid about him before grabbing his claymore and entering the passageway. As he turned toward Meg’s chambers, he saw the incandescent glow of a single candle at the opposite end of the hall. His hand on the hilt of his sword, he trailed the candlelight.

Meg reached the door of the great hall, and turning, she went to the kitchen and crept out the servant’s door to the side courtyard. If she been at home, her mother and sister would have gone with her near the forest and used the grass there. Here at the keep, following a worn trail to the garden where the grasses and dew were the highest, she reached her hands out, gently pressing the flowers and grass, coaxing the dampness into her hands. She then touched her hands to her face and neck. She spoke to the ancient goddesses, asking them for blessings of fertility and the richness of nature in her life. This year she had an additional request but knew it was inappropriate. How do I ask for the Laird’s son? ‘Tis a petty asking and one that would no’ be answered. She decided to ask instead that the goddesses bless her with a good and decent husband, which seemed a more likely request. The coolness of the dew was invigorating, and she closed her eyes to enjoy the scent of the flowers. She was rubbing the dew on her forearms when a voice startled her from her reverie.

“What are ye doing out here in the wee hours of the morn, fair maiden?” a half-joking, half-worried voice asked.

Meg spun around on her heels and caught sight of Ewan just outside the night-shadow of the castle, watching her intently. Meg was at a loss for words. The sight of him made Meg’s breath catch in her throat. He wore nothing but his kilt and leather footwear and held his giant claymore with one hand. She could see every muscle in his chest and stomach, his arms both strong and thick. To her, he resembled an ancient god, and she thought he looked both wild and beautiful. But more unnerving than his appealing looks was his very presence. Embarrassed at being caught, Meg knew she could not admit to partaking in a pagan ritual. She feared Ewan would run to the priest. But how else could she explain what she was doing?

“Well, I . . .” she started, then decided to take a different approach. “Why did ye follow me? Are ye suddenly my keeper?” Meg demanded.

“Of course, I’m your keeper!” Ewan exclaimed. “What if the English had found a way into the manor and took ye?”

Ewan stopped himself short of yelling. He was much relieved to find her safe and sound, still within the walls of the holding.  He knew what she was doing once she took her hands from the flowers and brought them to her face.

“I apologize to ye then. I did no’ mean to cause ye worry.” She straightened up and started to walk back to the keep, but Ewan caught her by the arm. His closeness made her knees weak and she felt a rush in her up through her belly. If she desired, she could reach out and touch his strong chest and arms, and she then cursed herself for acting like a smitten, empty-headed girl.

“So, shall I expect flowers at my door in the morn as well?” he asked her.

Shocked, Meg looked him in the face, searching to find out if he would take her to the priest. He saw her concern and smiled to disarm her.

“My mother,” he told her, “oft practiced the old ways. With da’s permission, she taught my brother’s and I much as well.” His smile softened with the memory. “Ye are already young and beautiful. Were ye asking for fertility for ye future husband?” he teased.

Relieved, she smirked at his teasing, and at his audacity to mention her fertility. She snatched her arm from his hand and started to dance away from him.

“Ye had best watch where ye step, my Laird to be, for I shall use thistles on your doorstep!” she called back to him.

Ewan chuckled to himself and followed her back inside. It was a while before Meg fell asleep in her bed that night, and again when she dreamed, it was of the young, bare-chested Laird.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple is a writer and a college writing professor. A graduate from University of California, Riverside, with a Master's Degree in English and Literature, she has worked with students of all age levels – from elementary to graduate school – through her college teaching, tutoring, and charter school courses.

She started reading when she was 3 years old, writing when she was 4, and published her first poem at age 16. Her interest in logic and rhetoric began when she was 4 years old, and her mother bought her first logic puzzle book. She then read those puzzle books, Encyclopedia Brown books, and Two-Minute Mysteries regularly.

Michelle has always been an avid reader on all subjects, but has a special love for both horror and romance literature. Her two favorite authors are Stephen King and Diana Gabaldon.

She is currently working on other writing curricula texts and several novels of different genres. Her second romance novel, The Lady of the Glen, is set for release in early 2019.

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