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Dawnfire
In a war-torn land, she was the price of peace. She was Dawnlyn Renfrew - born on an island off the storm-tossed Scottish coast, daughter of the Arl of St. Abb. He was Gaard, a gray-eyed Viking lord. He had scaled the walls of her castle and vanquished the fiercest warriors. He could claim all that he saw as his own. He claimed Dawnlyn.
309 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1984
About the author
Lynn Erickson
65 books30 followersAbout Lynn Erickson
Molly Swanton and Carla Peltonen were born in in Aspen, Colorado, U.S.A. on January 22 and September 12. In the late 60s, both newly returned from bumming around the world, they met in Aspen in the Red Onion, an Old West saloon. They were both new brides, wet behind the ears. It was several years later that they dreamed up Lynn Erickson, the pseudonym a combination of their husbands' names. They had read every romance put out in the early 70s and started saying, "We can do better than this." Well, they couldn't, but what the heck? The wrote two fat novels before we chanced onto an agent and made a sale. His first words to them: "The manuscript is flawed, but..."
They published their first novel as Lynn Erickson in 1980. Their early books were historical romances, full of blood and guts and murder, then they turned to contemporary women's suspense. "We've set almost all of our books in Colorado, especially in Aspen, a town where the truth is usually stranger than fiction. Aspen is a character in our books, not just a setting. We love to drop inside jokes about the quirks and fancies of our hometown. The scenery truly is glorious, the mountains magnificent, the skiing and hiking and fishing and horseback riding legendary. We cover the arts, too - the world-renowned music festival, the shops full of museum-quality paintings and sculptures. Southwestern art is big, of course: paintings and pottery and Navajo rugs."
Molly Swanton and Carla Peltonen were born in in Aspen, Colorado, U.S.A. on January 22 and September 12. In the late 60s, both newly returned from bumming around the world, they met in Aspen in the Red Onion, an Old West saloon. They were both new brides, wet behind the ears. It was several years later that they dreamed up Lynn Erickson, the pseudonym a combination of their husbands' names. They had read every romance put out in the early 70s and started saying, "We can do better than this." Well, they couldn't, but what the heck? The wrote two fat novels before we chanced onto an agent and made a sale. His first words to them: "The manuscript is flawed, but..."
They published their first novel as Lynn Erickson in 1980. Their early books were historical romances, full of blood and guts and murder, then they turned to contemporary women's suspense. "We've set almost all of our books in Colorado, especially in Aspen, a town where the truth is usually stranger than fiction. Aspen is a character in our books, not just a setting. We love to drop inside jokes about the quirks and fancies of our hometown. The scenery truly is glorious, the mountains magnificent, the skiing and hiking and fishing and horseback riding legendary. We cover the arts, too - the world-renowned music festival, the shops full of museum-quality paintings and sculptures. Southwestern art is big, of course: paintings and pottery and Navajo rugs."
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 15, 2025
Read: 6/7/25
Setting: Late Viking era Scotland (King Malcolm) & Norway
4.5 stars
What an entertaining Viking romance! Every time I thought the plot was done, the story changed direction. I feel like I got 3 great novellas in one story.
I really enjoyed it! Strange, because the plot was tamer than I prefer in my Viking novels. TBF, it's at the end of the era. Most of Norway and Scotland have begun to Christianize.
The only problem was the h. I get it! She's alone in another country, but God, she's depressing! The language barrier isn't even the problem (not even mentioned). She is just insecure and lacks confidence, and this does not improve through the whole book. I just wanted to smack her or shove a Zoloft in her mouth. She expected love words from a Viking? This is the dark ages! Nobody is Byron at that time
Sometime soon, I'm going to have to take the time to go into detail of the plot. Right now, I'm lazy. There is just so much that happened and a few interesting surprises. The H was really the best part! He was yummy but unfortunately not very good at picking up on social clues from his wife.
Conclusion: I definitely recommend trying this oldie! I wish I could find more by her. Most of her books look to be contemporary or Westerns. These are two categories I hate in the romance genre
Setting: Late Viking era Scotland (King Malcolm) & Norway
4.5 stars
What an entertaining Viking romance! Every time I thought the plot was done, the story changed direction. I feel like I got 3 great novellas in one story.
I really enjoyed it! Strange, because the plot was tamer than I prefer in my Viking novels. TBF, it's at the end of the era. Most of Norway and Scotland have begun to Christianize.
The only problem was the h. I get it! She's alone in another country, but God, she's depressing! The language barrier isn't even the problem (not even mentioned). She is just insecure and lacks confidence, and this does not improve through the whole book. I just wanted to smack her or shove a Zoloft in her mouth. She expected love words from a Viking? This is the dark ages! Nobody is Byron at that time
Sometime soon, I'm going to have to take the time to go into detail of the plot. Right now, I'm lazy. There is just so much that happened and a few interesting surprises. The H was really the best part! He was yummy but unfortunately not very good at picking up on social clues from his wife.
Conclusion: I definitely recommend trying this oldie! I wish I could find more by her. Most of her books look to be contemporary or Westerns. These are two categories I hate in the romance genre
January 30, 2024
Средновековен романс с рядко нормални и здравомислещи герои. И двамата са добри същества, доколкото обстоятелствата им позволяват. Той е норвежки викинг, но със стабилен и овладян характер и възгледи. Тя очаква да стане монахиня, вместо това се озовава сред почитатели на Один и Тор и е принудена да преосмисли собствената си ограниченост и липса на познания за света. Сладка история, има някоя и друга битчица за парлама, но е предимно комфортен прочит. Началото показва една доста глупава, несъобразителна и безчувствена към чуждото страдание героиня, после се пооправя малко, но като цяло си остава себичничка… Колко интересно - част от авторките бъркат тесногръдата себичност с “характер”…
3,5⭐️
3,5⭐️
February 27, 2012
Captivating Viking romance!
I enjoyed this Viking romance so much I wanted to read more by this author. That is when I found out "Lynn Erickson" is a pseudonym for the writing team of Molly Seanton and Carla Peltonen, who have written over 40 romance novels since 1980. Many are western as the two live in Colorado.
DAWNFIRE is set in Scotland and Norway in 1072-1073, which is rather late for a Viking story. But the tale recognizes King Malcolm is ruling Scotland and is plausible. Dawnlyn, daughter of the earl of Renfrew, is home at her family's fortress St. Abb's on the North Sea for one last visit with her father and brother before taking her vows to become a nun. Gaard Wolftooth of Thorkellhall attacks with his men, not looking for plunder, but for a new home in Scotland having been banished from Norway by his older brother. He easily defeats her father's men and claims beautiful redheaded Dawnlyn as his own. But it won't be so easy for him as Dawnlynn has great spirit and resolves not to be taken. But then her father who is clearly a pragmatist tells her she must accept a new role.
While the story sounds like a simple Viking tale--the Viking conquers and claims the beautiful maiden--this one is very well written and contains elements others may not: the well described war in the heart of a young woman who was committed to one direction in life but compelled by the need to protect her people to live another and find true joy in it. There's a lesson for all of us there. The author(s) provide wonderful detail of battles and life in Norway. The action kept me reading pages. And there were a few twists along the way. It was believable for the time period, though I did find a few flaws (they did not detract from the story): last names weren't used then (so she would have been Dawnlynn of Renfrew not Dawnlynn Renfrew); it would be unusual for a Viking jarl's son to be single at 34. Likely, he would have had more than one wife by then as was their custom. Vikings were not generally monogamous, though perhaps they might have only one wife if it was "true love. Lastly, I think it's unlikely King Malcolm would have recognized a Viking jarl's claim to St. Abb over that of the Scottish earl who was loyal to him. But still, this is a great romance, and none of that detracted from it.
I recommend this one. It's a keeper.
I enjoyed this Viking romance so much I wanted to read more by this author. That is when I found out "Lynn Erickson" is a pseudonym for the writing team of Molly Seanton and Carla Peltonen, who have written over 40 romance novels since 1980. Many are western as the two live in Colorado.
DAWNFIRE is set in Scotland and Norway in 1072-1073, which is rather late for a Viking story. But the tale recognizes King Malcolm is ruling Scotland and is plausible. Dawnlyn, daughter of the earl of Renfrew, is home at her family's fortress St. Abb's on the North Sea for one last visit with her father and brother before taking her vows to become a nun. Gaard Wolftooth of Thorkellhall attacks with his men, not looking for plunder, but for a new home in Scotland having been banished from Norway by his older brother. He easily defeats her father's men and claims beautiful redheaded Dawnlyn as his own. But it won't be so easy for him as Dawnlynn has great spirit and resolves not to be taken. But then her father who is clearly a pragmatist tells her she must accept a new role.
While the story sounds like a simple Viking tale--the Viking conquers and claims the beautiful maiden--this one is very well written and contains elements others may not: the well described war in the heart of a young woman who was committed to one direction in life but compelled by the need to protect her people to live another and find true joy in it. There's a lesson for all of us there. The author(s) provide wonderful detail of battles and life in Norway. The action kept me reading pages. And there were a few twists along the way. It was believable for the time period, though I did find a few flaws (they did not detract from the story): last names weren't used then (so she would have been Dawnlynn of Renfrew not Dawnlynn Renfrew); it would be unusual for a Viking jarl's son to be single at 34. Likely, he would have had more than one wife by then as was their custom. Vikings were not generally monogamous, though perhaps they might have only one wife if it was "true love. Lastly, I think it's unlikely King Malcolm would have recognized a Viking jarl's claim to St. Abb over that of the Scottish earl who was loyal to him. But still, this is a great romance, and none of that detracted from it.
I recommend this one. It's a keeper.
June 15, 2011
This was one of the first romance books that I read and is on my very short all time favorite list. Since I've come along in my reading of romance books and have become much more cynical and discriminate, I decided to read this again to see if I still enjoyed it as I did years ago. Well, I'm here to tell you that I enjoyed it even more this second time around! It made me feel so good to know that I still have that love for a good story. I was starting to think I had lost it... It just goes to show you that a well written book is timeless. I guess they just don't or at least rarily do write them like this anymore. There is so much more to this book than your typical invade, kidnap and take back to Norway plot. The characters jump right off the page. They seem so real. I have to say that Gaard is right up there with Tor and Wolfgar as my all time favorite hero. He may even be #1. Gaard is more than your typical alpha viking hero. His personality just reeks of realness. The fortitude he showed in light of his brother's evilness is unique. You can feel his internal struggle. And you can tell he's a thinker, beyond all the Viking myth and bluff he puts out for appearance sake. You must read this book to get a real feel for him. And Dawnlyn is so intelligent and strong yet sweet. A rare combination to pull off without me having to suppress a few yawns. I usually don't go for those innocent types but the author manages to blend freshness with wit, charm and strength in this character. I can imagine her as a real person. This book is definitely a keeper and has moved even further up on my top ten favorites list.
July 27, 2025
Around 50% I lost interest.
Everything was fine until the ow came. H is quite comfortable with her. I was bored.
Especially after the Hh goes to his land and when he is injured and on bed rest after a battle with his brother, the H ‘s personality changes. He seems like boring dull.
The h was okay.
Also I think I’m not into these Viking romances. It’s just too weird and uncool and unromantic.
Everything was fine until the ow came. H is quite comfortable with her. I was bored.
Especially after the Hh goes to his land and when he is injured and on bed rest after a battle with his brother, the H ‘s personality changes. He seems like boring dull.
The h was okay.
Also I think I’m not into these Viking romances. It’s just too weird and uncool and unromantic.
September 22, 2024
I finished the book but I kept wondering will it get better ?!?!????? NOPE, it will not. Gaard is a nimrod and only has a weak epiphany at the end of the whole book that he “loves” the virginal, perfect, goddess, does everything he wants Dawnlyn. No thabks, I don’t understand this man or this story. It held no appeal for me and after 300+ pages I was mad at me self at wasting time on that!
August 26, 2022
It was a good book. I like how Gaard didn't change his ways forever the viking. Dawn was alright but a little annoying at times.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews