1272 A.D. Recovering from a great tragedy that had befallen his family, Scott de Wolfe, eldest son of William de Wolfe and Jordan Scott, has become a career knight with no feeling, no compassion. As a premier knight for Henry III, Scott has been tasked with the management of the massive fortress of Castle Canaan after the death of the castle’s commander. Although it seems like a simple enough … enough task, little does Scott know that the moment he enters this fortress is the moment his life will change… forever.
Lady Avrielle du Rennic is reeling over the death of her husband and she blames de Wolfe for it. Fed by grief, she lashes out at the big knight who has come to take her husband’s place and, eventually, take the fortress. Scott has no patience for the woman in mourning but he stops short of punishing her because she is the mother to three small children. When Scott happens to save one of her children from certain doom, a path of healing and understanding begin for them both but when the king intervenes to take Avrielle and her children away, Scott must fight for what has become precious to him. He cannot stand to lose another family.
A deep and passionate love is born from the ashes of grief in this stunning Medieval Romance, part of the de Wolfe Pack series.
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I have been reading many books by this author. Love the stories told.
Every single thing LeVeque writes is to be highly recomended, and this is no exception.Oh, for a time when wo,en are so respected and protected.
Well written and touching
Tragedy strikes and no one really knows how they will handle it until it is threatening your doorstep. Everyone grieves differently, but time heals all—isn’t that how the saying goes? Le Veque has a riveting and powerful, yet tragic story surrounding circumstances that befall the characters within this story. Readers will become enamored by this story which has heartbreak, solace, adventure, and some fun banter among the knights and residents of Castle Canaan to lighten the mood from time to time.
Scott de Wolfe is known to many across the land as the Black Adder and for good reason too. Away from his castle, tending to some errands on behalf of his father, his wife and two children along with his brother’s family fall victim to a collapsing bridge. Upon his return to his family home, the news devastates him. Instead of grieving with his remaining family, he walls his heart up and becomes unrecognizable. He leaves his home and becomes someone who has no emotion, someone who tears his enemies apart with his bare hands in battle. For years, he operates this way, with no word to his father or the two sons that he has left. As he heads to Castle Canaan for the King, he begins to feel a change. Lady du Rennic has just lost her husband and is due to give birth at any moment. Nathaniel du Rennic took an arrow in battle that should have been meant for him and he fears he could never hope to win over her trust with the lingering guilt over the death of his family and Nathaniel. As the days pass, both Scott and Avrielle begin to connect over their tragedies and with Scott’s affection growing toward her children, they realize that they may need each other far more than they would like to admit. Scott knows that he can’t let his feelings get in the way of his mission which only seems to get more involved and problematic by the minute. Not only do the du Rennic knights blame Scott for Nathaniel’s death, Scott also has to break the news that Avrielle must remarry to strengthen their allegiance to the King—and—if that isn’t enough, there may be trouble on the horizon with a neighboring lord who wants the castle for himself.
Le Veque has an appealing story, one that pulls on heartstrings and tests her characters. All of her characters are strong and well developed as is the originality and credibility of the story. The book is fairly well-written to boot. It is easy to find yourself immersed in the lives of these characters, feeling the pain that they’ve suffered and the joy that they find. If you are a reader of historical romance or medieval romance, this story may be perfect for you. This is the fourth installment in the de Wolfe Pack; however, these stories can all be read as standalones.
A copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by Aurora Publicity and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating to ShadowWolfe by Kathryn Le Veque.
Scott de Wolfe is the loving gregarious first born son by only fifteen minutes ahead of his twin brother Troy de Wolfe, they are sons of the powerful, legendary English border lord, Sir William de Wolfe. Troy and Scott’s life were changed forever when a tragic accident claimed the lives of their wives and children. They all were swept away in a drowning accident in which Scott lost his beloved his wife and two small children. Scott simply ran as far away from his family as possible, it was too painful to be to see their faces, knowing they all blamed him for the tragic accident. He’s become s stone cold warrior with a heart of ice and quick to take strike he’s become known as the Black Adder.
Scott de Wolfe took his army and became a career knight for the King. Scott’s friend Nathaniel de Rennic was killed during a battle when died from an arrow meant for Scott de Wolfe. Now doing the King’s bidding Scott has been tasked with the management of the massive fortress of Castle Canaan after the death of the castle’s commander until the King decides the widow’s fate. Castle Canaan is a rich fortress and the King doesn’t want it to fall into enemy hands, it will instead become will become a political pawn.
Lady Avrielle du Rennic is reeling over the death of her husband and she blames de Wolfe for it. Lady Avrielle has a startling effect on Scott when he meets her. He starts to feel his old self trying to reemerge, especially when he sees her grieving with her children and helps to deliver of her children, the healer he used to be comes out to save the unborn child’s life. Scott’s tragic loss has been taboo amongst his friends and fellow knight, but we see a slow weakening in his defenses when he encounters Lady Avrielle and her children.
Scott starts to grieve for his young family as he and Avrielle learn together how to grieve for their lost loved ones. He’s found a kindred soul in Avrielle who understand what love and loss truly means. He slowly begins to embrace life again when we see him playing war with the toy soldiers and her four year old son Stephen, this brings back fond memories of him of playing with his young sons. This is a sweet and loving reawaking between to wounded and lost souls who so deserve to be happy. 5 STARS as for this amazing story of love and loss as we follow along on the journey where we see Scott and Avrielle falling in love is both precious and beautiful to behold as they find their HEA!!! This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.
I enjoyed this book, I am in love with the de Wolf family. This is a must read if you enjoy historical fiction.
Love the de Wolfe pack and this is about one of his sons. Great read.
I loved Scott de Wolfe’s story. It starts with devastating tragedy that can mold a man and takes him to a place where he can heal. The de Wolfe books have always been my favorite Kathryn LeVeque stories and this one ranks right up there! True LeVeque style! I can’t wait for Troy de Wolfe’s story to come out!
I got this book last week of July and have already read it twice. Excellent characters, as expected. Great plot, as always. And, my favorite author!
Superbly Written and Very Emotional!
As I dry my eyes from sorrow and joy, I come away from this story in awe. But then, Scott is the first-born of William de Wolfe, and we cannot expect anything but greatness.
Everyone deals with death of a loved one differently. Most would break down and weep over those they’ve lost. The grieving of a lost love is emotionally impactful, and the beginning of healing for those who are left behind.
Scott isn’t like most. His immediate response to the death of his wife, his two youngest children, his sister-in-law and her two children is so devastating to him, he is unable to outwardly grieve. His heart is shattered, but no tears come.
Scott has failed his father, the one he needs to feel proud of him. Scott feels guilt for not being there to save his family. This guilt and grieving he bottles up. He can’t face his family, therefore walks away, not to see them for three years. During this time, the gregarious, light-hearted man dies and in his stead is a knight with no compassion. On the battle field, he strikes like a viper, and is known as the Black Adder. There is no longer any joy in his life, no smiles, no laughter.
Few original knights remain with him as he fights for the king. Those who have joined him after this tragic day, know him as one not to cross.
Change is in the air when Nathaniel, a long-trusted knight and friend of earlier days, takes an arrow meant for Scott. He has been asked by the king to secure Nathaniel’s Castle Canaan until such time the king can find a suitable man to permanently protect the castle, one to marry the widow.
Scott finds Avrielle, Nathaniel’s widow, so grieved for her lost she is close to losing her mind. He sees Avrielle breathtaking, reaching out to her in her grief. These two souls find a connection, a bond of pain, if you will, from that comes trust and eventually a deep and lasting love. He struggles to find the peace he needs.
He didn’t want to give in to those weak feelings of compassion and gentleness and humor that had cost him so much when Athena and the children had died. He blamed the human part of him for all of the pain he’s suffered at that time.
Avrielle’s brother, Jeremy does not see his presence of any benefit. He has battled alongside Scott for some years, but now he thinks he’s there to take Castle Canaan from him. Jeremy has issues, too. He has screwed up his life with drink, and Arielle’s husband had given him a home at Castle Canaan, along with Gordon, his father. Jeremy had been loyal to Nathaniel. He couldn’t tolerate Scott. Lots of contention between the du Rennic knights and Scott’s, which finally comes to blows.
Other dangers surface and the knights must work together to eliminate outside perils.
While experiencing the Avrielle’s grief, I began to understand the deeper grief Scott had. His hurt and guilt is intense, more than Avrielle’s for he’s buried it long. He does not doubt he will always be the man he has become.
I enjoyed the part Stewart, Scott’s long-time knight, plays and his friendship which endures beyond Scott’s treatment of him.
Some happier moments are just as engaging when Scott loses himself in the joy of children, Avrielle’s children. Sadly, he doubts his sons will ever forgive him for turning his back and running away. I enjoyed the banter between Scott and Avrielle discovering a new-found love.
In this story, another viper rears its ugly head. The viper of greed, ready to destroy all those who stand in the way.
Kathryn Le Veque brings home very poignantly a father’s love is unconditional and a man’s determination to keep what is his own safe. Le Veque, in her usual manner, wrings tears from my eyes, some of sorrow, others joy, very neatly woven into a story as rich as it is enjoyable.
An advanced copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair review.