Dreams of Destiny

Rating:
Summary: enjoyable Georgian romance
Review: In 1771 heiress Gwyneth Douglas writes adventure tales under a pseudonym. Her life seems fine though she frowns at the licentious behavior of her older married cousin Emma, who she once adored as a role model. However, tragedy strikes the family when Emma is found dead having fallen from the side of a cliff. Though her husband survived the same fall, everyone including his two younger siblings assumes Lyon Pennington killed his spouse.

A few years later, a desperate Gwyneth has decided to elope with a friend Allan Ardmore to escape her aunt and that of a blackmailer. Lyon's brother David, just returned from military duty, intercepts her. He accompanies her on her trek to Scotland and the passion that had been at the surface when Emma died, erupts as they fall in love with one another However, her aunt blames his brother for her daughter's death and rogues like Allan and the blackmailer want to gain control of Gwyneth's loot so that killing David is quite acceptable.

Fans of Georgian romance will take immense delight with the entertaining DREAMS OF DESTINY that completes May McGoldrick's fine trilogy. The story line is action-packed, but at its best when the lead couple banter and try to trump one another. The villains don't match up to the heroic duo, but provide enough diverse tension so that the audience receives a wonderful historical tale of love conquering all.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: enjoyable Georgian romance
Review: In 1771 heiress Gwyneth Douglas writes adventure tales under a pseudonym. Her life seems fine though she frowns at the licentious behavior of her older married cousin Emma, who she once adored as a role model. However, tragedy strikes the family when Emma is found dead having fallen from the side of a cliff. Though her husband survived the same fall, everyone including his two younger siblings assumes Lyon Pennington killed his spouse.

A few years later, a desperate Gwyneth has decided to elope with a friend Allan Ardmore to escape her aunt and that of a blackmailer. Lyon's brother David, just returned from military duty, intercepts her. He accompanies her on her trek to Scotland and the passion that had been at the surface when Emma died, erupts as they fall in love with one another However, her aunt blames his brother for her daughter's death and rogues like Allan and the blackmailer want to gain control of Gwyneth's loot so that killing David is quite acceptable.

Fans of Georgian romance will take immense delight with the entertaining DREAMS OF DESTINY that completes May McGoldrick's fine trilogy. The story line is action-packed, but at its best when the lead couple banter and try to trump one another. The villains don't match up to the heroic duo, but provide enough diverse tension so that the audience receives a wonderful historical tale of love conquering all.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: From the Outside Looking In -- 3.50 Stars.
Review: Something to consider when reading a trilogy -- read it in order. "Dreams of Destiny" is book three in May McGoldrick's "Scottish Dream Trilogy"; unfortunately, here I did not follow my golden rule. No, I jumped right into book three and shortly into the book I wondered, "Who are all these people?" I think a missing character buildup and the lack of a worthy introduction caused my dismay.

However, an intriguing maneuver helped to carry me through to the end. May McGoldrick ran two rival storylines simultaneously -- producing a clever enhancement.

Gwyneth Douglas always loved David Pennington, her neighbor and friend, but she is marrying another man. David intervenes and the reading fun begins. Their romantic fling is a delightful challenge.

Yet, contrasting this fanciful delight is a lingering dark story. Walter Truscott, David's loyal cousin, struggles with his memories of Emma - Gwyneth's scheming, beautiful, dead cousin. His reflections are grave and melancholy; yet these gloomy revelations are a terrific side-dish. McGoldrick weaves the two storylines magnificently and this writing ploy creates a reading boon. To add further spice to the story, McGoldrick reintroduces the character Violet - a runaway from a parent book.

I may have jumped into the third episode, but every novel should stand alone. Here I felt like I entered the middle of a continuing story. Reading in sequence may be my golden rule, but it should not be a necessity.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

Rating:
Summary: From the Outside Looking In -- 3.50 Stars.
Review: Something to consider when reading a trilogy -- read it in order. "Dreams of Destiny" is book three in May McGoldrick's "Scottish Dream Trilogy"; unfortunately, here I did not follow my golden rule. No, I jumped right into book three and shortly into the book I wondered, "Who are all these people?" I think a missing character buildup and the lack of a worthy introduction caused my dismay.

However, an intriguing maneuver helped to carry me through to the end. May McGoldrick used two simultaneously rival storylines -- producing a clever enhancement.

Gwyneth Douglas always loved David Pennington, her neighbor and friend, but she is marrying another man. David intervenes and the reading fun begins. Their romantic fling is a delightful challenge.

Yet, contrasting this fanciful delight is a lingering dark story. Walter Truscott, David's loyal cousin, struggles with his memories of Emma - Gwyneth's scheming, beautiful, dead cousin. His reflections are grave and melancholy; yet these gloomy revelations are a terrific side-dish. McGoldrick weaves the two storylines magnificently and this writing ploy creates a reading boon. To add further spice to the story, McGoldrick reintroduces the character Violet - a runaway from a parent book.

I may have jumped into the third episode, but every novel should stand alone. Here I felt like I entered the middle of a continuing story. Reading in sequence may be my golden rule, but it should not be a necessity.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.