El lobo y la paloma

by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Aislinn, hija de un señor feudal de la Inglaterra del siglo XI, ve cómo los invasores normandos matan a su padre y se apoderan de sus tierras. Su belleza sensual la convierte en el tesoro más codiciado del botín de los invasores y dos caballeros, uno brutal y sanguinario, el otro valeroso y temible, se la disputan en combate singular ante la corte del rey Guillermo el Conquistador. El vencedor desconfía de las mujeres y la toma solamente como amante y sierva privilegiada. Mientras su cuerpo empieza a conocer los arrebatadores estremecimientos de la pasión, Aislinn debe sufrir toda suerte de humillaciones motivadas por los celos y la envidia. Pero así como el lobo más salvaje puede ser domesticado por el amor, la paloma más dulce es capaz de inesperados arranques de ferocidad.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Medieval, Historical Fiction, Medieval Romance, Fiction

638 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Kathleen Erin Hogg was born on June 3, 1939, in Alexandria, Louisiana, she was the youngest of eight siblings by Gladys (Coker) and Charles Wingrove Hogg, a disabled World War I veteran. She long relished creating original narratives, and by age 6 was telling herself stories at night to help herself fall asleep. At age 16, she met U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant Ross Eugene Woodiwiss at a dance, and they married the following year. She wrote her first book in longhand while living at a military outpost in Japan.

She is credited with the invention of the modern historical romance novel: In 1972 she released The Flame and the Flower, an instant New York Times bestseller that created a literary precedent. The novel revolutionized mainstream publishing, featuring an epic historical romance with a strong heroine and impassioned sex scenes. The Flame and the Flower was rejected by agents and hardcover publishers, who deemed it as "too long" at 600 pages. Rather than follow the advice of the rejection letters and rewrite the novel, she instead submitted it to paperback publishers. The first publisher on her list, Avon, quickly purchased the novel and arranged an initial 500,000 print run. The novel sold over 2.3 million copies in its first four years of publication.

The success of The Flame and the Flower prompted a new style of writing romance, concentrating primarily on historical fiction tracking the monogamous relationship between a helpless heroines and the hero who rescued her, even if he had been the one to place her in danger. The romance novels which followed in her example featured longer plots, more controversial situations and characters, and more intimate and steamy sex scenes.

She was an avid horse rider who at one time lived in a large home on 55 acres (220,000 m2) in Minnesota. After her husband's death in 1996, she moved back to Louisiana. She died in a hospital on July 6, 2007 in Princeton, Minnesota, aged 68, from cancer. She was survived by two sons, Sean and Heath, their wives, and numerous grandchildren. Her third son, Dorren, predeceased her.

Reviews

[Misfit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Appalling! The worst medieval romance I have ever read. The Wolf and the Dove starts in 1066 as William has invaded England and the conquering Normans take control of the Saxons and their lands. I'd go into the plot in detail, but so many other reviewers have already done so I don't see the need to rehash it again. What I want to address are the many many things I found wrong with this book,

* I'm not a history major but I thought that after conquering England William inter-married the Norman and Saxon nobility to ensure a harmonious transition, but Lady Aislinn is turned into a slave to be used at Wolfgar's whim? Not only that, but when he brings his "slave/mistress" to London he takes her to court and presents her to William!!??
* Aislinn is eighteen years old, that's right eighteen years old, beautiful, educated, intelligent and unmarried. Eighteen years old and unmarried when girls were married at fourteen and fifteen, and a spinster at 16. Righto.
* I know the heroine always has to be beautiful and all the guys desire her, but come on! By page 200 I've lost count of how many times her bodice has been ripped and she's been groped. Maybe this was where the term bodice ripper came from!
* Well bred women in medieval times kept their hair braided and covered, yet Aislinn's glorious tresses are always flowing free, for all to see and no one is shocked. Worse yet, not once, but twice she's so carried away to hurry to greet new arrivals that she forgets to put her shoes on!!?? Helloooooooo...
* While I don't expect historical accuracy in a romance, there was just one too many outright boners in this book that just had me rolling my eyes. Potatoes and Velvet in the 11C? I don't think so.

Worst of all, at least for this reader, was no chemistry at all between Aislinn and Wolfgar, a death knell for a romance novel. Aislinn was a spineless twit and Wolfgar was a pompous overbearing macho male chauvinist p.....well you know what. The book was long winded and I found myself skipping many pages on my way to the final and painful ending. I have read other books by Woodiwiss and while not high fiction I've found them a pleasant way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon. However, this book is not one of them, and I strongly urge other potential readers to consider all the opinions carefully before making this your reading choice. For those looking for well written, historically accurate tales of England at the time of the Conquest, I would recommend Elizabeth Chadwick's The Winter Mantle or THE CONQUEST. As quoted on some of her book jackets, the next best thing to time travel.

[KatLynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

3/6/2013 - Re-read with my local book group

The Wolf and the Dove is Kathleen Woodiwiss’s second novel written. It’s a rather lengthy Viking Historical with over 500 pages, all of which I devoured as I enjoyed a re-read with my local book peeps. While I was happy to find it’s still among my all time favorites, I realize this book may not work for others.

Woodiwiss is well known for taking the romance genre into the bedroom in 1972. Still you will not find explicit sex scenes. The Wolf and the Dove was first published in 1974, two years after ... “The modern romance genre was born with Avon’s publication of Kathleen Woodiwiss’s, The Flame and the Flower.... the first romance novel "to [follow] the principals into the bedroom."

The year is 1066 and Saxon England is being invaded by the Normans who have taken up the cause of the soon to be King William. Eighteen year old Aislinn of Darkenwald becomes an object of the spoils of war and now belongs to Wulfgar, the Iron Wolf of Normandy. While he’s a fierce alpha warrior, he’s also fair to those under his rule. And even though he may be the enemy, Aislinn is intrigued by this handsome stranger.

Woodiwiss completely captures my attention within the first few pages and I enjoyed every minute of the tempestuous journey of Wulfgar and his Aislinn, captor and slave. There’s angst, jealousy, treachery, passion, and sizzling chemistry. There’s a miraculous HEA ending where everything is wrapped up in a neat little bundle. It’s totally unbelievable, but I loved it and it worked for me.

Also, you’ll find things that aren’t historically correct. Again, not a problem for me. When I read romance, I’m looking more for the relationship aspects rather than a high percentage of historical accurate detail.

What I did find on my re-read is one of the sexiest warriors I’ve read. Woodiwiss gives great insight into Wulfgar’s feelings concerning love and marriage. I found Aislinn to be a heroine that I loved. She falls hard for this sexy warrior, and while he may be satisfied with their relationship as it is, she wants commitment.

Kathleen Woodiwiss was an amazingly talented author who has given me many hours of pleasure within the pages she’s penned. I’m delighted to find she still sits among my favorites after all these years.

[Inara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title in German:
Der Wolf und die Taube

This was the first book I ever read by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and it´s still my most loved one. The story between Aislinn the daughter of a Saxon baron and Wulfgar a Norman and how they came to love each other in a time of war, conquest and upheaval makes me still sighing happily and my eyes suspiciously bright. Wulgar is my epitome of a noble knight, kind and strong, tender and yet a great warrior and I almost fell instantly in love with him at the age of 17 when I read this novel for the first time. This book is in my opinion a "classic" in the medieval romance genre and a balm for my romantic heart.

[Melluvsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a reread. It has all the stuff I love. Innocent heroine, reluctant hero, OW drama, damsel in distress moments, torrid embraces, forced seduction, angst and a delicious HEA.

👍🏻👍🏻

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there is a point in most women's lives where they have read trashy romance novels. For me, it was my junior and senior years in high school and my freshmen year of college. I had a friend in high school who actually had to hide such books in her underwear drawer. Her mother would've flipped out. We pretty much read them because of the trashy romance novel sex scenes. Except for the Guardian Angel. He read Harlequin Romances; I'm not sure why.

And then.

And then I read one too many where the heroine was raped by the "romantic" lead. Admittedly these were books published in the late 70s and early 80s (used bookstores sold them cheap). There was one called The Pirate's Doxy (or something like that). Poor Miss Virgin gets mistaken for a prostitute when she is really a seamstress, gets taken aboard a ship because the captain needs a hooker to get over his ex. He rapes Miss Virgin, believing that she was playacting. He's really sorry, and they fall in love. SAY WHAT?

It's amazing how that can just turn your stomach. You can no doubt see why I stopped reading trashy romance novels. The fact that I minored in history also undoubtedly had something to do with it. Who wants to read a trashy romance about Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon (or Anne Boleyn) when you know how the relationship ends? Except, I didn't really stop reading them. I just call it urban fantasy, and the heroine can turn into werewolf (or a demon or whatever), so it has fantastic elements, though sometimes less sex scenes. The women tend to kick butt, however. I also re-read Outlander this summer.

There has to be something about romance books that speak to women (and at least one male). Maybe it is the sex scenes, especially with the younger readers. Maybe it is the prefect guy, the romantic lead, though I doubt this last considering how many rapes seem to occur. I understand the whole "rape fantasy" psyche idea, but that is different than describing a real rape, isn't it? Even in UF you can see this rape fantasy being overplayed and never really examined, for instance, in the later Anita Blake novels, though who is the victim and who is the rapist is sometimes unclear. Maybe these types of rape-romance books are written by men for men. (This would also explain Lifetime, the channel of women in trouble needing rescuing).

Maybe women dig romance books because such books are our version of James Bond. This theory would also apply to soap operas. Think about it. Is James Bond really that realistic? Can he really drink and shot straight? Would all those women really want him (and remember he wasn't always played by Connery or Craig)? Would a bad guy really reveal his plan before trying to kill Bond, and walk out without making sure the super-spy is dead? All those women and no STDs or screaming babies?

Maybe romance books are a female version of Bond. Here is, the books say, a man who is tamed by the love of a good women. He becomes more understanding and sympathetic as the love story progresses. He's really good in bed. He pleasures her, not the other way around. They are the perfect match, at first sexually and then mentally and emotionally. In romance books, at least in some, the woman does change the man; she does have some power to do this. Even in the Doxy book I cited above, the rapist became "nicer", more "emotional". She changes him by simply being who she is. Sovereignty, the Wife of Bath says, is what women want, maybe romance books offer a picture of that.


It's true that there are books that play with the standard cliches of romantic fiction. Outlander, for instance, inverts the standard virgin and experienced roles, as well the ages, which is why I still like it. While The Wolf and the Dove doesn't do this exactly, I still have my copy. I liked this book because there is no character rape. There is a near rape, and how this is not a rape is absolutely wonderfully explained. (It sounds weird, but if you read the book, you'll see). The would be rapist is not the romantic lead, but the villain. There really is romance in the book and not simply sex. I suppose to even call this book a trashy romance novel is doing it a slight injustice. It is a romance novel, a woman's story. And for whatever reason, something women like. If you are thinking of reading a romance book, this is a good one. It doesn’t insult women and is charming told. The female character is also strong emotionally, as is her mother. Woodiwiss deals with the theme of the conquered and the conqueror very well. The book is something of an examination of these roles, and, therefore, not a typical romance.

[Anto M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Invece di rimuginare su quel che è stato, cerca di far sì che il domani sia migliore"

Che bello quando le chiacchiere sui libri ti portano a scoprire autentiche perle. “Il lupo e la colomba” è proprio una perla del romance storico soprattutto se si considera che l'anno di pubblicazione è il 1974.
Siamo nel 1066 e il duca di Normandia, Guglielmo, riesce a invadere l'Inghilterra e vincendo la battaglia di Hasting, diventa il re. Squadre di mercenari, sotto il vessillo di Guglielmo il conquistatore, ne approfittano per prendere possesso, con la forza e la violenza, di vari feudi. Fra questi c'è quello di Darkenwald, dove, dopo averne ucciso il legittimo Lord, i normanni fanno schiavi gli abitanti.
Aislinn è la giovane figlia del propriatario del feudo che, dopo una serie di eventi traumatici, diventa schiava personale di Wulfgar, il lupo, colui che viene scelto da Guglielmo, per le sue innumerevoli gesta, come nuovo signore del castello.

Questo è quanto basta sapere per immergersi in questa storia bellissima narrata dalla penna delicata, ma incisiva della Woodiwiss. Ho adorato i dettagli curatissimi dell'ambientazione, dell'atteggiamento e abbigliamento dei personaggi, tutto molto reale, tanto che sembrava di essere lì, in quel castello medievale e spiare gli avvenimenti; alcune descrizioni, addirittura, mi hanno ricordato “I pilastri della terra” di Follett. Le varie emozioni le senti addosso : l'umiliazione di Aislinn, la caparbietà di Wulfgar, il disprezzo di Gwyneth, la crescente pazzia di Maida, la sensualità di alcune scene, che pur essendo caste rispetto agli storici più attuali, viene fuori ugualmente. Spero di riuscire a recuperare altro di questa autrice perché merita davvero.

[Tutti Dolci · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one had so much potential for greatness, but it dragged on for what seemed like FOREVER, going from one conflict to another and another. And in the end, the main/original conflict was resolved almost too easily. Presented like a gift with a nice little bow, which (after the long, drawn out story) felt unrealistic and hastily put together, merely because the story had to end. The way I see it, the story was unnecessarily lengthy and a lot of the word count could've been better used to create a more reasonable, natural, organic ending.

I also want to mention that the fade-to-black love scenes were snooze-worthy. There was one particular instance where I wasn't even sure that the H/h had even had sex! Reminded me a lot of the eyeroll-worthy fade-to-black love scene in that popular book where the dawn would be breaking. So, if you like a little more steam factor in your romance reads, you will be a bit disappointed with this one.

[Pepa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Si esta novela fuera actual no se llevaría ni 1
pero teniendo en cuenta que se publicó en el año 1974, no le voy a quitar el mérito de ser una de las que dio un giro a la novela romántica
Aún así, creo que le sobran muchas páginas y no me gusta la temática
Odio las novelas con violaciones, aquí el tema está sutilmente disfrazado y he terminado más que harta con la moraleja del anillo
él como protagonista me ha parecido bastante coherente, es la imagen que tengo de aquellos dçías, en los que la mujer sería eso, un medio de placer masculino y engendrar hijos
con ella tengo mis más y mis menos, porque la autora quiere darle valentía pero no lo consigue y en muchas ocasiones me parece hasta tonta, lo siento
Muy bien ambientada, aunque muchas de las descripciones me sobran. pero entiendo que en aquella época la autora dio un salto

[Dagmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A DOVE TAMES HER WOLF🐺⚔🕊💗

Set in 1066 and written in 1972 and still in print after almost five decades, this book is a masterpiece of historical romance.

Magnificent, intense, emotional, bloody, and exciting with a hard won HEA that will make your heart soar with the beauty of it. This unforgettable story with characters to love and loathe shook me to the core.

Fiery Lady Aislinn and protective stern, soft on the inside knight, Wulfgar, follow a very rocky road to happiness and his metamorphosis into emotionally available knight in shining armour. Witty banter, a battle of minds, blossoming lust and enduring love.

A treasure of historical romance that likely had far reaching influence onto other genres. What a pity they don't write HR on this scale anymore, so let's cherish this one.

Read, escape, enjoy...it is amazing🐺⚔🕊
💕💕

[Alba Turunen · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 Estrella. Lo siento por la señora Woodiwiss, pero mentiría si dijera que éste libro me ha gustado, no lo ha hecho nada. Lo cierto es que me ha parecido un bodrio y un culebrón infumable. Quizás si hubiese sido una de mis primeras lecturas de novela romántica, habría sido más permisible con él, y por más que he intentado recordarme que fue su segundo libro y lo publicó en 1974 habría pensado de otra manera, pero no.

“El lobo y la paloma” imagino que en su momento debió ser un boom, novedoso allá donde la novela romántica como hoy la conocemos se estaba gestando, el problema que he tenido con éste libro es que no ha envejecido bien y he leído montones de libros de ésta misma temática y pocos me impresionan.

¿Qué historia nos cuenta? La de Aislinn y Wulfgar. Estamos en la Inglaterra de 1066 cuando Guillermo el Conquistador se hace con el país. Aislinn es la hija de un noble sajón, que ve invadido su hogar por saqueadores normandos que no dudan en ningún momento en matar o esclavizar a las gentes que allí moran. Se presentará en escena Ragnor de Marte, un noble normando, cabecilla de todo el pillaje y el malo malísimo de la novela, que no descansará en hacerles la vida imposible a los protagonistas hasta que consiga hacer suya a Aislinn.

Wulfgar es un caballero normando, un bastardo que se ha ganado los favores del duque y posteriormente rey Guillermo. Las ordenes del rey son que Wulfgar asegure los terrenos de Darkenwald para la corona y pacifique la zona. El problema radicará cuando Wulfgar llegue a Darkenwald y vea el pillaje al que Ragnor ha sometido a la población, y la vejación de encontrar a la hija del anterior dueño convertida en una esclava.

La historia de Aislinn y Wulfgar comenzará desde el principio, ambos son guapos, atractivos, se atraen etc., pero Wulfgar es un hombre que no confía en las mujeres, y Aislinn no quiere enamorarse de un enemigo que nunca la verá como algo más que una mascota, incapaz de confiar en ella, y mucho menos en desposarla.

¿Qué ha tenido de mal este libro? Todo, el planteamiento de la novela debió ser novedoso en la época, y sé que otras novelas que he leído y sí me han gustado se habrán basado en éste libro, pero tenemos una historia trillada y mala, absurda e inverosímil.

Los personajes, aunque hasta cierto punto bien logrados, no han logrado hacer mella en mí, Aislinn me ha parecido estúpida y cargante en toda la novela, la autora la pintaba de una manera que luego no era para nada así. Wulfgar el protagonista quizás es el único al que se le ha visto como un hombre de su época, y pese a sus muchas incoherencias, creo que es el único personaje que evoluciona. Pero ¿Qué hay de los demás? ¡Horrorosos! Empezando por los malos malísimos, Ragnor de Marte y Gwyneth, la medio hermana de Wulfgar, son un chiste absurdo, ambos son tan malos, rastreros y odiosos, que acabas odiando la novela por su sola presencia. Sí, ésta es de ese tipo de historias donde los protagonistas son muy buenos, y los malos son muy malos; pero luego la autora encontrará justificación en su manera de actuar, los redimirá y luego hará cosas tan inconexas con ellos, que como lectora eres incapaz de creerte.

Por otro lado y para añadirle más leña al fuego, este libro ha sido horriblemente largo, le sobraban más de doscientas páginas, ha sido muy, muy cargante y pesado; he llegado a más de un punto en el que me negaba a leer más o me dormía. Me parece una auténtica lástima, pero creo que por las críticas esperaba mucho más de ésta novela, y lo único que ha conseguido ha sido frustrarme. Creo que sólo destacaría el capítulo final, al que he visto mucha chicha, para que luego la autora lo estropee añadiéndole un azúcar que no le hacía falta a la novela, pues ya empachaba.

En el futuro creo que volveré a reconsiderar lo de leer clásicos y creerme que son la repanocha porque fueron los primeros. He quedado totalmente decepcionada y desencantada. He leído otros libros de Kathleen Woodiwiss que me han gustado bastante, el anterior a éste que leí no me gustó nada, y éste no sé si me ha gustado menos. Lo único que sé es que tengo otro libro suyo esperando para ser leído, y me da un miedo tremendo pensar en qué tendrá dentro. Lo que sí sé, es que tardaré en leerlo, porque no me veo capaz de soportar otro libro de ésta escritora en mucho tiempo.

[Ivy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel. Wulfgar was a sexy brute of a man and sweet fiesty Aislinn was his ideal lover. Ragnor, the evil villain did get a deserved death. I can't recall all the details because I read this years ago but I do remember that I loved this story.

[Jena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-re- read 2022 - 3.5⭐️

I gave this 4/5 stars 10 plus years ago.
Now I just find this too long, dry, draggy, and boring. Even the love scenes are lacking in this compared to this authors other books.
Additionally, I felt like the MCs lacked chemistry.

For my future self so I don’t try rerereading this years later.
Spoilers🧨

- love scenes are basically 1 sentence long, or they’re fade to black. The almost rape scenes and the H trying to cheat on the h are more descriptive than the actual love scenes between the MCs.

-the h pesters the H to marry her constantly, when he didn’t want to marry her. It was pathetic and annoying. Then he finally marries her to make her happy (because she was being a total bitch because he wouldn’t marry her), and not because he wanted to.🙄. This marriage scene didn’t give me the warm fuzzy feelings.


-there is ow drama.
He made out with this widow after having sex with the h. (Kissing, heavy patting. No penetration).
Then she ends up living in their own home, and she stirs jealousies, because she flirts with the H and he seemingly looks at her lustfully.

[Ingela Hyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

She was the daughter of the lord of Darkenwald, proud, wise, and uncommonly beautiful, but now Aislinn is but a slave to the conquering Normans, a plaything for the man who killed her father. Sitting in the hall with rope tied about her neck and forced at the feet of her captor, she watches helplessly as the Normans ransack her home and abuse her mother. But she will have her revenge—no Norman will ever conquer her, nor will she ever give up the only home she has ever known.

Born as a bastard and scorned by his mother, Wulfgar has come to hate women. Though dispised because of his birth, he is fair and just with all whom he meets. When he arrives at Darkenwald to discover the knight he sent, Ragnar, to secure the town has killed the old lord and most of his serfs, Wulfgar becomes furious and suspicious. But when he espies the courageous Aislinn struggling to bury her father—he wants her. Never has he met a more beautiful or bold wench with such a stout heart—and he will tame her by every gentle and seductive means necessary.

Aislinn shall never willingly submit to any Norman—her hatred for them knows no bounds—until she meets the handsome and formidable Wulfgar, who challenges her at every turn. Despite the fact he is a bastard and a Norman, he seems unusually honest and is more handsome than any man has a right to be. Why does his kiss make her insides quiver? Why does he prefer to chain her to the foot of the bed instead of raping her as Ragnar has done? He is kind and fair, but his justice is swift and terrible. How is she to resist this man who asks nothing of her, but seduces her into offering everything? Why is his heart so hard where women are concerned, yet his touch so gentle?

Wulfgar has always been able to love a woman and leave her without nary a thought to cloud his mind. Yet, when William the Conquer demands his presence in London for his coronation, it is Aislinn who haunts his every thought—the softness of her fiery hair, her womanly fragrance, the passion in her touch, the feel of her in his arms. The vixen must have bewitched him—it can be the only explination, for Wulfgar must have her at his side, no matter the cost.

Shocked by Wulfgar’s summons, Aislinn is only too eager to join her Norman knight in London. But how can she give herself to a man who will never wed her, who holds only pain and hatred for women in his heart? How can she ever turn his mind to the tenderness she would give, nay the love which has grown inside her? He told her no woman had ever tarried in his mind, yet he called for her. He swore never to waist his hard earned monies on a female, yet he lavishes her with gifts. But he refuses to give her the one thing she so desperately yearns for—his love. Will she ever soften this hardened warrior’s heart? Can she ever make him acknowledge the love burning within herself? Or will the enemies plotting against them succeed in ripping them apart and destroying them forever?

The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is a classic epic tale of love, passion, and revenge. The historical detail beautifully enhances this sweeping story and pulls the reader into the turbulent time of the Norman Conquest. Aislinn and Wulfgar are such deep and complex you can’t help but yearn for the gentle dove to tame the wild wolf and show him the power of love. This novel has been on my keeper shelf for many years now, and after re-reading it, I have to say it is no wonder Kathleen Woodiwiss inspired a genre which has taken the world by storm. With elegant prose, deeply emotional characters, and exciting settings, Ms. Woodiwiss was a master of her craft. Whether a novice to the genre or an old fan, I highly recommend you read (or re-read as the case may be) The Wolf and the Dove and be prepared to be swept away into a world long past...

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was something about this one that keeps me coming back and rereading it over and over again. The story of a dove taming the big, bad wolf.

William, the Conqueror, has invaded England to claim his throne. A group of men are sent to Darkenwald to secure the land for Wulfgar. But instead of negotiating for a peaceful solution, Ragnor incites a battle. Aislinn's father and many others are killed and the rest taken prisoner as slaves.

I've just did a re-read of this book for a group challenge and I found that I still love this book after all these years. I know some people are critical of the style in which Ms Woodiwiss wrote, accusing it of being purple prose. But I personally enjoyed it. It had an almost poetic feel at times but it wasn't confusing to me at all. I will still recommend this book to Historical Romance lovers.

[Tenley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whew! I finally conquered this book and I am so glad it is over!

I have had this book on my TBR shelf for years but I have been too intimidated to read it all the way through. I attempted to read it once a long time ago and abruptly stopped as the violence in the beginning was very off-putting. Knowing that Kathleen Woodiwiss' books are some famous BRs, I couldn't help but want to give this book another chance.

Really, when it comes down to it this book is a classic story of a man being too hardheaded and scared to commit and apparently that was an issue even all the way back in medieval times. Noncommittal heroes tend to rankle me because I find their reasons to not want to commit never really hold water. Wulfgar is no exception. I didn't like him for most of the book. The heroine is okay. Apparently, Aislinn is the most beautiful woman to grace the earth, and that fact is brought about repeatedly in the story, which is more than a little annoying, but she is a likeable heroine overall. Being that this story took place in medieval times, Aislinn was quite limited in having a say in pretty much every aspect of her life, which was challenging to read.

There's a lot to digest in this book and honestly, it's a boddice ripper from the 1970s, so anything that you may find off-putting is probably in this book. Some of the characters in this book are quite likeable and others are TERRIBLE and the terrible ones are REALLY TERRIBLE. You also don't get explicit on-page sex (which may or may not be off-putting). Instead, breasts are bared and then you get a lot of flowery writing about loins being on fire and suns bursting, but not actual content, which I found to be a total let down. Also to note, this book is LONG and a lot of scenes are overly redundant, especially the conflict between Aislinn and Wulfgar. The majority of time, the two MCs would gaze into each other's eyes, then find something to fight about, then ignore each other and then repeat. The last 15% or so of the book was the most enjoyable as it strayed from this pattern.

Overall, I didn't hate this book, nor did I love it, but I am really glad I read it.

[Ginnie Leiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best bodice rippers I ever read as a young impressionable woman!

[Sombra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tal parece que me he encontrado con el mejor y el peor libro de la autora. Así como "Una rosa en invierno" me encantó desde el primer capítulo hasta el último; éste no lo ha logrado y ni siquiera se ha acercado.

Si algo le aplaudo a la autora acerca de esta autora es la ambientación. No soy experta en historia y menos en la medieval, pero creo que se ha adecuado bastante a lo que era la mentalidad de los señoríos y a cómo era la vida diaria de todos ellos, incluyendo la clase obrera.
Pero lo que no he podido soportar, ha sido la historia de amor de los protagonistas...si es que se la puede llamar historia de amor.

Aislinn es una joven de 18 años que siempre ha estado bastante protegida por sus padres y, tal parece que tiene toda su vida planeada. Un hogar, un prometido e incluso un papel dentro del castillo como dama y como curandera de sus súbditos. Pero todo cambia cuando su castillo es asaltado, su padre es asesinado y su prometido es relegado a esclavo, al igual que ella.
Y ahí es cuando empiezan mis problemas con la historia.

Entiendo que eran otras épocas y es más que probable que las mujeres pensaran que su papel era casarse y tener hijos con aquel a quienes la entregaran; pero suspirar por un protagonista que no hace sino tratarla como si fuera de usar y tirar... (por muy encantador que sea a veces y por muy justo que siempre haya sido con ella) no me convence, lo siento.
Sí que es cierto que nuestro protagonista, Wulfgan, es el que más se acerca a ese hombre medieval que creía que al ser el señor de un territorio le pertenecía todo..incluida la mujer del castillo.
Pero es que la autora me pretende vender una protagonista valiente que no se deja pisotear por nadie y con las ideas claras..y me he encontrado con una protagonista poco inteligente en cuanto a actuaciones (presionar a aquel que te trata medianamente bien cuando no toca, calentarle el oído para luego rechazarle y dejarte pisotear por todos no lo veo yo muy inteligente...) y que no estaba de acuerdo ni consigo misma.

Pero no es culpa de la protagonista.no. Es culpa de la historia. Una historia que tiene casi 700 páginas y de las que la sobran la mitad. Sobran escenas de batallas, sobran escenas de celos, sobran escenas de maldad..SOBRAN....Si no hubiera habido tantos tiras y aflojas, y la autora g¡se hubiera centrado en lo importante, me habría gustado muchísimo más, e incluso habría subido a las tres estrellas..pero así NO. (Para gustos los colores y he visto críticas muy positivas, así que seguramente sea yo la rara, pero es que no puedo mentir...)

Ahora sobre los secundarios...decir que he odiado a todos y cada uno de ellos (Vale, no a todos, se libran cuatro: la mano derecha de Wulfgan, su padre, el prometido de Aislinn y la dama de compañia de la misma; el resto... a la hoguera todos).
Ragnor - Desde su primera escena con Aislinn ya apuntaba maneras a ser una piedra en el zapato...y no me ha decepcionado.
Gwyneth - Es el típico personaje femenino que no soportas. Vengativa, envidiosa, venenosa y con poco cerebro. La pero combinación que podréis encontrar viviendo bajo el techo de la protagonista.
Pero la autora, no contenta con estos dos, nos pone a otra: Haylen. Una viuda que no hace más que seguir los pasos de Gwyneth (ahí vemos su inteligencia...) para que nuestra protagonista, que de por sí ya estaba asfixiada en veneno, ahora tenga ración doble de víboras (Viva!!!)

Pero no todo es malo. El final ha sido muy bonito. Sobre todo cuando he visto que acababa, porque menudo dramón más gratuito que me he comido durante más de una semana.

[Missy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is unnecessarily long, slow, and, unfortunately, boring. The heroine adjusts to her new life as a slave. The hero does his duty to William. The villain is vengeful and wants the heroine for his own. The hero's sister is a vain and selfish b*tch. The chapters are long, too. I'm the type of reader who likes to stop reading for the night after completing the chapter I'm currently reading. (For some reason, I'm not like this when I listen to audiobooks.) There's something about Kathleen E. Woodiwiss's writing style that I didn't like. She tries to make the dialogue true to its time, but it sounded like the characters were taking the first course in how to speak like Yoda. For instance, “Why came you here to my chamber at this hour, Ragnor?”

The book spans over a year or so and during that time, the hero and heroine do spend some time apart, which I dislike, but that's an element of a bodice ripper, so I'll just have to accept it. And speaking of bodice-ripping, our poor heroine had her bodice ripped so many times in the first couple of chapters by the villain, her former betrothed, and eventually the hero. I didn't reread the blurb for this book before going into chapter 1, and so I thought Ragnor (antagonist) was the hero, because Wulfgar (hero) didn't make his appearance until chapter 2.

I was aware there was going to be rape in this book, and I was not looking forward to reading that passage. I recalled clutching my chest, feeling absolutely horrified after reading my first rape scene in Stormfire by Christine Monson and so I kept bracing myself for the rape scene in this book. Fortunately, the author didn't go into detail during the rape scenes. In fact, I wasn't even confident what I read was indeed a rape scene. Read the end of the passage below.

His hands easily caught hers as she tried to scratch him and he held them secure in an iron grasp, leaving her no defense as he had his way with her. Finally the towering passion was spent and Aislinn could only sob in anguish until he withdrew from her and moved away. Angrily she flung herself into a corner of the bed, tearing off the irreparable kirtle and snatched covers over herself. Between her sobs of rage she laid every curse she could think of upon his head."

Some of the sex scenes also suffer from a lack of details but I guess that could be due to the style back then (This book was first published in 1974). The hero almost sleeps with another woman while he and the heroine were apart.

There are quite a few of secondary characters. No one really interesting. Ugh, the hero's sister Gwyneth is so annoyingly cruel. I've never had a female character tried my patience this much before. I wish the hero, heroine, and Gwyneth's dad would stand up to her more than the amount they did do in the book.

There are a few more books by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss that I want to read. I just hope they're not unnecessarily long and slow.

[Lidia's Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ STARS



Reread March 2023
This book is addictive. I keep coming back for more. Wulfgar. He's got all the right stuff. 🥰

Reread May 2021
This book keeps on giving. A bodice-ripper forever favorite.
A few updates to my review:
The hero's sister is the most insufferable villain I've ever read. It's rage-inducing. But I assume that was the author's' intention.

Original Review:
What an adventure. Woodiwiss weaved a spellbinding tale of brave knights—and dark knights—battlefields, castles and a beautiful princess with a strength of the heart & mind that was awe-inspiring. She proved to be wiser beyond her years. This is like a fairytale for adults, and like all fairytales, it has its villains. The story starts with these villains tearing the princess' castle and world apart. It was brutal and terrifying and it's from this moment that I began to root for the princess, Aislinn—our Dove. It seemed the only thing missing was a dragon, but we get something even more splendid here—we get Wulfgar, the Iron Wolf of Normandy! And He. Is. SPLENDID. And maddening as hell! He's the quintessential anti-hero with the sad backstory, vouching he'll never give his heart away. And so it goes...the Big Bad Wolf lost his heart to the Dove. He fought a good fight though, the arrogant fool.

Woodiwiss' tale bewitched me. I felt tethered to the world inside this book and could not pull away from it. This was beyond my usual lunacy with books, but who needs sleep anyway. I was living and breathing this fairytale. I was living within the walls of Darkenwald, sitting by a warming fireplace, listening closely to these characters tell their tales. My senses were operating on all cylinders. I pictured everything in vivid color.

And what of the sexy times?
The scenes aren’t explicit. Yet, these scenes are just as steamy as any detailed ones could be. In fact, this book gave me more feels than most erotica books I've read. Moments of incinerating passion were so beautifully depicted, they were breath-stealing <3 GAH

What did I love most?
So many things! But I'll go with the witticism. I obsessed over Aislinn and Wulfgar’s banter and verbal sparring. She had a sharp tongue she wielded when pushed to extreme measures which Wulfgar tested quite often. And his dry humor charmed my panties right off! I had to stop myself from endlessly highlighting their conversations.

"Beware, maid. I will tell you true. After you will come another and then another. There are no strings that can tether me to any woman. So guard your heart.”
“My lord, you greatly exaggerate your appeal,” she replied indignantly. “If I feel anything for you, ’tis hatred. You are the enemy and you are to be despised as such.”
“Indeed?” He smiled slowly into her eyes. “Then tell me, damoiselle, do you always kiss the enemy so warmly?”
Me: Ahhhhhh!!

Trigger Warnings:
Graphic violence, rape, dubious consent/forced seduction

REread November 2018
(moved to my) Top 10 Favorite Reads of All Time

[Ivie dan Glokta · Rating 1 out of 5]

This has got to be the WORST HISTORICAL ROMANCE I HAVE EVER ATTEMPTED TO READ!

Argh! The conversation was so forced, it was like watching an old play, with, I shit you not a proper damsel in distress. And he is the classic mustache twisting villain.

The author has proven that she has the uncanny ability to overstate the obvious...

Example: "Join me and we shall dine, so we quench our hunger!"

Really, you're hungry? OH MY GOD!!!! I thought you want to eat for a completely different reason.....

She tries to imitate the old way of speech and fails miserably, making the the entire book grate on your brain...

And she's all like:
"Oh, nay i beg of you sir!!!" *swoons* "You will never have my heart, you fiend!" *blushes maidenly*

And I'm all like:
BARF!!!!!!!!!!!

I only got to about 20%, and could not for the life of me stomach more... I wanted to slap her silly...

The stuff that get's published.........jeez....

[Badseedgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short plot summery of The Wolf and the Dove:

Battle
Slaughter
Rape (or was it)
Humiliation
Rape
More Rape
Whipping
Rape
Travel
Court
Rape
Marrying your rapist
Kidnapping
Swordfight
Death
Happily Ever After

And yet sometimes I want to read stuff like this anyway.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

A stroll down memory-lane via a Buddy-read of Andrea CP and Vivacious Vivian.

[NMmomof4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Opinion Breakdown
The Good: the premise and the (seemingly to me) research the author did (even though I wouldn't know otherwise if it was historically accurate 🤪)

The Not-So-Good: the H's half sister was a pretty OTT villain that I wanted him to throw out!

The Bad: the pacing, as I did end up skimming some at the end and it takes a while to get into

Overall: This was enjoyable but way too long (507 pages in my kindle app). I think it could've been easily trimmed at least 100 pages or so and been just fine, if not better. I was in the mood for a medieval hr and this was one I tried and stopped when it wasn't holding my interest, so I thought I'd go back to it. I'm happy I read it, but overall I feel like it was just okay. After skimming some reviews of my GR friends, it seems as if I'm in the minority again in feeling that way 🤷🏻‍♀️

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Aislinn and Wulfgar's story. Aislinn's Saxon father gets killed and their land gets seized by the Normans. Wulfgar, a knight sent by the potential Norman king, finds Aislinn in the possession of the knight that was sent ahead of him and he gives her the choice between them. She chooses Wulfgar after the mistreatment from the other man. Wulfgar is a self declared woman hater after his nasty mother claimed he was a bastard and he was disowned by his family, so while he lusts for Aislinn, it takes him much longer to realize he comes to care for her. There is some OP drama, some past baggage they have to work through, and some sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.

Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing mainly on Aislinn and Wulfgar (and some side characters) in 3rd person narrative.

Overall Pace of Story: Not the best. It takes a while to get into, then it was well paced, but then it got super slow again and I skimmed a good bit towards the end.

Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.

H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Wulfgar. I liked but I also wanted him to stop taking his past trauma out on the h.

h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Aislinn. I liked her spirit, loyalty, and wit.

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed

Push/Pull: Yes they both push away and also pursue the relationship at times.

Heat level: Alright They have some scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.

Descriptive sex: Not really. Not really fade to black either, more like an in-between descriptive and fade to black.

OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes the first man that took over the h's land claimed her and causes a lot of drama and there is a widow that the H almost is with during their separation that also causes drama

Sex scene with OW or OM: Almost the H tries to be with OW during their separation and kisses and fondles her, but doesn't go through with it (on page)

Cheating: Not technically because they are not considered to be together (see below spoiler tag)

Separation: Yes, but they are not technically "together" The H tried to be with OW but couldn't because he was thinking about the h, and the h didn't have any other partners during this time.

Possible Triggers: Yes Violence/murder/kidnapping/attempted rape/non-consensual sex (on page)

Closure: This ends in a good place with what I would call a HEA ending he finally tells her he loves her and they're married with a son

Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers

- Does Not have cheating (technically)
- Does Not have a descriptive almost sex scene with the H and OW
- Does have both the h and H pushing away
- Does have a (kind of) separation between the h and H
- Does have abuse
- Does have a HEA ending

[Joanna Loves Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my Bodice Ripper selection in the HRBC.

I get the appeal but it’s not for me.

2.5 stars, rounding up for now.

[Myself · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
#RitaWoodiwiss #RetoRita2
Pues también me ha gustado mucho como todos los de esta autora.
Es una historia muy previsible, la verdad, pero de la Woodiwiss lo compro todo.
También hay que pensar que se desarrolla sobre el 1.067 y no sacarlo de contexto temporal. Si lo haces posiblemente no te guste.
Lo que menos me ha gustado,No se si será la traducción, es el abuso de la palabra "zorra". Ya se hace cansino.

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a fan of older style romance novels (pretty historically accurate behavior as in the good, the bad, and the ugly/not overly descriptive sex scenes/lower steam) I do recommend you give this a try. I think it's a great story. But it just wasn't my favorite.

The year is 1066. The Normans are invading the Saxon land in the name of the Duke of Normandy (William the Conqueror). I have never ever heard this book mentioned when people ask for vikings (although not strictly related but loosely), or knights, or medieval times, but it should be. It definitely got me curious about the history of these events.

Aislinn is the daughter of a Saxon nobleman, ruler of Darkenwald. Her father in slain by the conquering army and her and her people become slaves to the Normans. Wulfgar comes to assume leadership of Darkenwald. What follows is their struggle to love across all the suffering and differences between their people.

I'll also leave some safety issues here: outright sexual assault, questionable consent issues, violence

Okay, I'm just going to be super specific about this book so if you haven't read it yet, please pause here.

*spoilers ahead*

First of all, I didn't read the back of the book and was totally thinking Ragnor was the hero upon the, um, sexual assault that took place. I was like ooooo gonna be hard to come back from this and we're like 10 pages in....Thankfully, he was not our hero. Wulfgar I really enjoyed until about ¾ of the way through. I thought it was great seeing him handle Aislinn and protect her and continue giving her all he could, even though he acted like he never would. The thing that got me about Wulfgar was he didn't care AT ALL, that Aislinn was pregnant and would be having a bastard out of wedlock. In fact he expected it. He needed to be argued with by basically everyone in the castle before he chose to make an honest woman out of her so to me it felt more forced than real. I did really enjoy the surprise wedding and I know he meant it but still it would have been so much better coming from his own realization. Especially with his own history and supposed hurt from having no one.

Overall I liked Aislinn's character. Strong and she cared so much about her people and was able to charm most everyone she met. I did get rather annoyed with tantrums after awhile. I could understand them but I think reading that she as stomping her feet just changed the image in my head in to a spoiled little girl not getting her way. Which of course her situation was so much more than that, but still it's just what stuck with me after awhile.

It may have just been the style of an older novel but I found this book a liiiiittle hard to get through. The fact that it's over 500 pages and like size 5.8 font I just felt like it was a chore to read, literally, not the writing was bad but maybe my eyes need new glasses or something lol. I did find it rather dry in some parts and just so much unnecessary...stuff. There's so much description, yet I wasn't getting the best view of the scenery. There was character depth, but it could have been so much deeper. To me, it barely went beneath the surface. I should have had more feelings for both the main characters. I felt like there was just a lot that could have been cut down and the story would have had the same depth and feeling.

Now. For feels. Gwyneth. Wow. That lady had me feeling rage. But it also annoyed me because Wulfgar leaves and I'm left with basically a medieval episode of mean girls. It was just non stop. The fact that no one slapped Gwyneth, punched her, threw food at her, chased her out of the castle with spears just made me angry. You have to wait a long long time for any remorse from her. It did bring something to the story but I felt like so much of the story was Gwyneth fighting with Aislinn instead of Aislinn and Wulfgar's love.

Last thing I'd like to complain about is how the title has “the Dove” in it, which I would assume stands for Aislinn yet RAGNOR is the one that calls her that repeatedly. Just eww.

I don't recall ever reading this one by Woodiwiss. I think I have read 1-2 others of hers in high school but it's been so long I can't remember. I have most of them now though (except Shanna) so I will get to them sometime. I'm happy I tried it but it's not a keeper for me.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating remains unchanged after this reread. I first read it when I was approx. eleven years old. While I like the medieval period enormously, the Norman invasion and the shifting politics, I still have parts of the story that don't quite work for me.

Aislinn is the daughter, only child, of the Lord of Darkenwald when Norman invaders take over, killing her father, and raping her. Yes, this is an old school bodice ripper, so it is problematic in many ways by today's standards. You could have many discussions about consent: rape, forced submission, abuse of power, and even pleasure's complication in understanding that it does not denote consent.

I'm not going to dissect or complain about that in the review. I guess my main grievance with the story is the version of miscommunication, here. To be fair, the power imbalance of conqueror and conquered creates a whole slew of issues from loyalty to honesty to trust that hinder communication. Add in stoicism and past abuse and you have limited characters abilities to interact in a healthy manner. And this is why this book rates three stars for me and not lower.

There is an intrinsic difference between tattling or failing to resolve your own problems and safety and welfare. Aislinn, even after being told directly and indirectly, refuses or is unable to address issues with Wulfgar regarding not only her own personal well being, but Darkenwald's as well. Frankly, the first failure I get. The second, which is Aislinn's main motivation for remaining after the invasion, to care for the inhabitants is an enormous fail. She fails personally and as a leader, and all the small individual triumphs of her actions are overshadowed. Ugh.

Wulfgar, a bastard son, raised by others as was the custom in training young men has understandable and formidable emotional issues. He has no ability to interact beyond contracted male/female roles. He has the emotional age of maybe nine years old, and compounded by abuse and abandonment means he's raw and has to learn not only how to behave with Aislinn beyond sexual congress, which he is surprisingly good at for someone with little regard for females, but also understand his own feelings.

Hampered protagonists trying to fight their way to love from an inauspicious start. Fine. This might be a bit belabored, but it is realistic in timescale. The part that made it feel really slow was all the countryside wandering, I guess there needs to be something going on while Wulfgar and Aislinn are trying to figure things out. The mismanagement of risk assessments I suppose is what really didn't work for me. It allowed problems to fester and grow and become huge and potentially catastrophic.

<<>> Reread with the fabulous Andrea. 2018-09

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Let the wolf howl at the moon. It will not come to him. Let him range the forests dark. He will not find what he seeks there. Only when that time comes when he admits to himself that he has need for love shall he find true happiness. Until then, be his in truth and kindness. If you hold any softness for him in your heart, Aislinn, give to him what his mother and I denied him. Cradle him in your love when he drops his aching heart at your feet.”

This is a tale of Norman/viking invasion under the command of William, Duke of Normandy, and the conquering of the Saxon’s who call Darkenwald or the village of Cregan in southern England their home. The story starts in the year of 1066 with Ragnor de Marte invading Darkenwald and murdering many of its inhabitants. This is not a pretty story the wreckage, ravages, plunders, and prisoners turned slave associated with war, are all very in your face during the story. This is my first book by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and I have to say she is excellent at transporting the reader into the story, her vivid descriptions, imagery, along with her unique and intriguing characters captures the readers attention immediately.

Aislinn, she is a young gently bred maiden at the beginning of the story and her world changes when Ragnor seizes her father’s holdings, Darkenwald. Ragnor is immediately drawn to Aislinn and lusting after her, he claims her as his reward for the successful seize and plunder of Darkenwald, and he sets about claiming his dove. 🕊 Things change rapidly when the true alpha wolf, Wulfgar 🐺 arrives at Darkenwald.

I enjoyed this story, however I think probably 30% could be cut out to make the story less tedious & repetitive. There comes a point when there are too many battles or scuffles and too much back-stabbing and betrayal. They took over the romance aspect of the book and I found myself skimming pages 😔

overall a 4.5 Star Story ⭐️ | 5 Flames ❤️‍🔥🔥

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. All the characters were great. Does have the h rape hr in the romance. I usually hate that but it worked in this story. I have reread this book several times.

[Naksed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this tasty morsel in a few hours. It is a romance set during the Middle Ages with a charismatic hero and heroine, plenty of cartoonish villains you love to hate, and many secondary characters who bring the story to life. It will not please readers who are looking for a serious historical fiction fraught with meticulous, researched facts that can give the reader a realistic glimpse of the era. That did not bother me one bit. I read a lot of genres. I really love the more "serious" historical fiction as well as the more frothy ones and this time, I was in the mood for a light, escapist romp. This totally delivered.