This novel continues the story begun in Into the Wilderness. Elizabeth and Nathaniel Bonner are happily married and living at Lake in the Clouds with Nathaniel's half-Native American daughter Hannah. But soon after Elizabeth gives birth to twins Daniel and Lily, Nathaniel must travel to rescue his father in Montreal. Nathaniel winds up imprisoned and under threat of being hanged as a spy. In response, Elizabeth takes all three children on the road to try to save her husband's life. After being reunited, they hope to travel back home but instead find themselves duped into a journey to Scotland.It has been over two years since I read the first book in this series, and I was worried that I wouldn't remember enough to be able to follow along. However, it wasn't an issue. This series still reminds me greatly of Outlander by Diana Gabaldo, but without the time travel or deeply endearing characters. The plot of this novel, while enjoyable and creating suspense, is far fetched. It seems unlikely that anyone would kidnap the Bonners, killing men in the process, only to have the issue resolve so quietly in the end of the book - thanks to the appearance of yet another illegitimate child of Nathaniel's. Some of the scenes seemed fairly ridiculous, such as when Curiosity, along for the journey to care for the young twins, attacks a Redcoat with a live puffin: "The bigger redcoat made a grab for him but Curiosity still had the bird by the feet and she swung it in his face like a battle-axe" (403). (Somehow the bird survives this ordeal.) Or when Nathaniel spies on the dinner party Giselle is hosting through convenient spy holes in the wall: "Candlelight came to them in four perfectly round streams, and the interwoven voices separated themselves into five or six distinct conversations" (56). This novel does improve on the first novel in that the reader can begin to see a real connection between Nathaniel and Elizabeth, after their seemingly abrupt union in the first book. Additionally, I enjoyed the element of including Hannah so prominently in the storyline, as she faces very real threats and discrimination as a minority during a time when Native Americans were certainly viewed with suspicion and distrust. It's interesting seeing her navigate the world of both America but also Scotland. In many ways, Hannah felt like the most fully developed character in this novel and I assume that future books in this series will spend even more time delving into her experiences.
Despite changing the setting not only to a different country but also a different continent and introducing a whole new cast of supporting characters, Donati never loses sight of what made Into the Wilderness so special in her followup novel Dawn on a Distant Shore. After the Bonners learn of their connection to an heirless Scottish Earl, forces seem to conspire against them, taking the family across the Atlantic Ocean to confront their long lost relative. During their adventures, they face jail and charges of espionage; kidnappings, pirates, and naval battles; deception and trickery, but, through it all, Nathaniel and Elizabeth never lose sight of what is most important: each other, their family, and getting home. Together, they face the trials and tribulations thrown at them, never once falling victim to the doubt or misunderstandings that would plague a lesser couple. This doesn't mean, however, that the events which occur in Dawn on a Distant Shore are any less real or powerful, any less devastating.Just like with its predecessor, Dawn on a Distant Shore has an epic feel to it. This comes from the sheer scope of Donati's work, the fact that these people who are attempting to live simple lives are thrust into such extraordinary circumstances and situations. It's present in her attention to detail, in the gravity of the emotions felt by her characters, and in the larger historical themes explored. It's found in the delightful cameos Donati includes - first Jamie and Claire Fraser in Into the Wilderness and now Robert Burns in Dawn on a Distant Shore. No small touch is left out; no unnecessary line or passage is included. Donati packs not only an immense amount of action into her books, but her characters are constantly evolving, changing, developing, too, and both of these feats are accomplished together seamlessly. From its very first page until its last, Dawn on a Distant Shore is a pleasure to read - one that begs to be finished but that makes you hate to see its beauty come to a close. Luckily, you don't have to, because the conclusion of Dawn on a Distant Shore sets the stage well for the next novel in this series as the Bonners return to Lake in the Clouds.
What do You think about Dawn On A Distant Shore (2001)?
Well! The thing I like best about a good romance novel is - DETAIL! I like McNaught's for the same reason. All the characters are portrayed so thoroughly, emotions are whipped, situations are usually explained in such great detail and BAM..one of the lead characters makes a major decision and the plot takes a twist. Donati's are different here. Its an almost predictable plot, with almost unwavering characters, steadfast in decisions and all of that. Its usually the situations that play a major role in her books. The first of this series 'Into the wilderness' was an absolute delight to read. It was a different angle in historical romance, had all the excitement of the 'Hunger games' and the whole idea was novel. But 'dawn on a Distant Shore' treaded on the familiar waters for any historical romance reader and lost its edge. It was long (believe me..nothing brings me more joy than long and detailed romance novels) and winding (thats where it lost its charm).Personally, I believe the book could have been written in two parts. Until they find the babies on board and then another part about reaching Scotland and all of it. Although it is nice to know a little about what the author wants to do with her sequels, this went overboard. There was just too much emphasis on Hannah's character and the main characters went drab with a little too much insipid romance thrown in without the actual preceding chemistry or reason. And that is the success mantra of romantic novels, isn't it? Romance with a reason and chemistry?I ended up with a 3 star score for this otherwise 1.5/2 book because the effort the author put in making motherhood look interesting (atleast in the first half of the book).
—Naganika
Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bonner do not have easy lives. Being the central characters in a continuing saga is hard work! This second installment finds them barely starting to build their lives together when wham bam they are separated when Nathaniel must leave for Canada to bail out his father and cousin, who have run afoul of the law. Circumstances conspire as they are wont to do, and Elizabeth is soon on her way to Canada when it reaches her that the trio is being held as spies! This second installment spans a relatively short period of time but encompasses frontier New York, Montreal and Quebec Canada, and Scotland. There are family tales and love affairs, pirates and double crossing lovers. The second half of the book is exclusively in Scotland as the Bonners fight to return to their lives in America. While the Scots characters are fictionalized the sad history of religious persecution is all too real as is the clan war for power and land. I started this book with high expectations. Maybe a little too high. After the first couple chapters, I found myself not reading as much in one sitting as usual. Just about half way in though I perked up and the pages were turning. But this was a solid sequel and Book 3 is on my list.
—Melodie
If you read this, read Into the Wilderness first. I think a reader who likes the Outlander series and doesn't mind some action taking place in the 1790's in frontier New York State would like this book. For me it was 645 pages of the Bonner's attempts to solve their problems and the thwarting of their attempts at each turn. No sooner did I think something would be solved when a twist in the plot made things worse for the characters. Even though they finally were able to do what they wished, I got tired of too many obstacles to everything they wanted.
—Rrshively
