Sound of the Heart by Genevieve Graham

From the Back Cover:

Dougal MacDonnell, a fierce warrior from the Highlands of Scotland, is able to hear the thoughts of other men and have dreams that show how the future will unfold. Devastated by the loss of his family during the battle of Culloden in 1746, he fosters a deep hatred for the English. But when Glenna, the love of his life and a Scottish outlaw, is captured and shipped overseas, Dougal is forced to join an English army made of vanquished Scots. Now fighting on the side of his sworn enemies, he embarks on a journey that will take him across the seas to the colonies. There he will risk everything for the chance to find his true love.

I loved Genevieve's first novel Under the Same Sky (review here) so I was thrilled to read her second - Sound of the Heart. It did not disappoint. Genevieve writes beautiful love stories - lots of great characters and beautiful stories. She doesn't rely on sex to sell the story. I love that!

So, Sound of the Heart. It is a companion to Under the Same Sky but stands alone without any difficulty. While Under the Same Sky tells Andrew's story, Sound of the Heart tells the story of Andrew's brother, Dougal. Dougal is captured after the fight at Culloden and that's where his adventure, and this book, begin. Along the way we meet kindred spirits, strong women and stronger men. We travel England, Ireland, Scotland and the USA. We enjoy amazing highs and terrible lows. There is no emotional stone left unturned as the reader moves from page 1 to page 310. I can't wait for Genevieve Graham's next offering.

A Taste from Page 51:

It was difficult to predict how the rain would affect their escape attempt, but it would be a factor one way or the other. No miserable mist, this. It poured in sheets from the heavens, and the prisoners were unsure whether they would be going out for their regular breath of air. But the soldiers swung open  the dark, heavy doors and ushered them outside.

Dougal raised his face to the endless grey overhead and swallowed the raindrops as they hit his cheeks and nose. He stood alone in the middle of the muddy yard, his feet like ice. The other men had avoided him all day, as if they feared he might be contagious. Catch whatever it was from Dougal MacDonnell and lose a friend. No. They left him alone.

/5   

Character Development          5

Editing                                      5

Sex                                            2

Violence                                  3

Romance                                 5

Readability/Flow                     5