Steinar's Gift

Sons of the Wolf #1

by Virginie Marconato

England, 1070.
The last thing Steinar wants after losing his wife is falling for another woman for the wrong reasons. So when Cwenthryth, a Saxon he’s never seen before, comes knocking at his door asking for help, he refuses to listen to her plight. She’s far too beautiful for him not to fear losing his head over her.

Cwenthryth is a cornered woman. Barely recovering from the loss of her baby, she has no one to turn to. If the formidable Norseman cannot—or rather will not—help her, then all is lost, because her enemy is waiting for her back in town.

What will it take to convince him of the danger she’s in, and make him see she’s not out to trick him?

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

I think I became a writer the day I decided to write a (very bad, shamefully close to the real story) version of White Fang when aged nine or ten! As for the Middle Ages I fell in love with it at school during a history lesson, then Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood put its final seal on it all. A girl of twelve then, I never recovered!

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part history, part mystery all of the fiery romance. While grieving his wife with his young sons Steinar receives a visit from a friend of his wife. She arrives thinking he needs help with the children and holding a ton of secrets about her friend. The two have a rocky start that leads you to question whether or not they’ll be able to move forward away from the pain and secrets of the past and towards each other.
Forgive me for not typing names but autocorrect oy vey. These two are like oil and water at first but what a wonderful ending they are able to create. I enjoyed the time period and the simplicity in some ways of that life. Where your family isn’t just blood it’s you clan, your village. Great story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tiffany]

I’m not giving this one ⭐️s because I have started and stopped this book three times now on my kindle. I don’t know why but I feel beyond detached from the characters.

MMC Steinar’s wife has died and a stranger Saxon woman (FMC) comes to his home seeking refuge under his roof only days later. He lets her stay even tho he doesn’t want her to stay. There is a lack of communication between the two strangers yet she is living in his hut. The reader spends most their time inside Steinar’s mind as he debates what this stranger could be up to.

1) I just can’t get with the plot of the main man lusting after another woman only days later after his wife has died- even if he had a strained marriage with said wife. Just doesn’t settle right with me.

This isn’t the first time I’ve read a HR where the MMC is a widower and thinks about his deceased wife often. I have a hard time swallowing this type of storyline. Where I feel the FMC is competing with a ghost inside the mind of the MMC

2) Also found the story repetitive. There is a lack of communication between MMC and the stranger FMC. Again reader spends their time inside the MMC’s mind. I wanted to be like just ask her?

So I just feel this one isn’t for me.

[Sewanee Kracalik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique and tangled love story. A very recently widowed hero, Steiner, with two sons. A young woman, Gweneyth, on his doorstep, who's running from her abusive brother. Her story's all wrong. But his boys believe her. Oh the lies, not from Gweneyth, that come to light. Every time you think you've got it figured out another tangle comes to life. I could not put it down. I found this great read on BookSprout and Virginie Marconato has made a believer out of me! I’m gladly volunteering to give this review

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in the Son's of the Wolf series was a unique, beautifully written emotional Vikings historical romance set in 11th century England. The characters were complex, interesting, and wonderful. This was an intense, riveting tale full of raw emotions, mystery, intrigue, suspense, drama, and so many other twists and turns that kept me enthralled. I enjoyed their strong connection that led to a beautiful love. I highly recommend reading!

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have Cwenthryth who befriends a woman and her sons! Astrid is/was the wife if Steinar son of Wolf a fierce Norseman!
His sons are Rothgar and Ulf who have recently loss their mother! The story that she tells Steinar is convoluted and only adds to his pain! He knew that they had grown apart for several years but not that she had taken a lover in another town!
Cwenthryth is ashamed of some things that happened to her so she s bits and pieces of her story!
The boys love her and for a while Steinar allows her to stay! She meets other members of his family and they also love her!
But they often misunderstand each other! Steinar in some ways angry and still grieving for the loss of his wife and the effects on his sons! No love lost between them but the things he learned strikes against his pride for the most part!
When Steinar finally realizes all Cwenthryth has told him is true it’s almost too late!
Can these two reconcile the past with the present and start anew!?? Bravo!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deborah Durand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cwenthryth’s Story

Thirty-four years after the marriage of Wolf and Merewyn, their eldest son, Steinar is grieving the death of his wife along with his young sons, Rothgar and Ulf. Only three days later his wife’s friend Cwenthryth appears at their doorstep. Steinar’s poor marriage has made him mistrustful and is suspicious of Cwenthryth’s plight. She harbors terrible secrets and is seeking a place of solace at Steinar’s home, after being misled that he would need help with his sons. The mystery surrounding Cwenthryth grows deeper when his sons recognize her from the village. The author conveys Steinar’s anger and frustration vividly. But soon he is troubled by another emotion…lust.
Take a trip back to the 11th century when Icelanders, Norseman and Saxons lived a simple life, when all that mattered were family, friends, and loyalty. Read how Steinar unravels the mystery surrounding Cwenthryth and becomes unraveled himself.
I have received an ARC from OHB and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.

[Tzippy Sheffi Elgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steinar's Gift is a moving and emotional story of two people, who are looking for love. I loved Steinar and Cwenthryth. They are wonderful and complex characters. Their relationship had a lot of upheavals. It started with suspicion and distrust and ended with a great love. My heart was aching for them, for him spending some 13 years in a loveless marriage, tied to a woman who didn't love him and for Cwenthryth, who after losing her ailing father, had to share the same house with a man who made her life hell. I was rooting for them the whole time. It was lovely to watch the change Steinar was going through because of Cwenthryth's presence in his house. I also found the historical details very interesting, the story taking place in England in the 11th Century, during the Saxon rule of England. The interactions between the Norsemen and the Saxons were very intriguing. I highly recommend it and am very eager to read the story of the next brother in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lies, Secrets, Truly an Emotional Love Story:
Wow, this is certainly an emotional story that took me on a rollercoaster ride of finding true love.
The hero of this story is Steinar a very disheartened man whose wife has very recently died.
A stranger Gwentheyth shows up on his doorstep with a story he can't really believe.
She appears distraught and needs help, but Steinar doesn't want anything to do with her especially
after the reason she has showed up on his doorstep.
Their story took both of them through so many twists and a bit of a mystery to solve.
Their growing desire has the pages smoking through the last half of the book
I loved everything about this story that had me completely capture because I
never knew when another shocking scene would appear.
🍘Adult Advisory: 3/5
⚡Best Shock: Mother-in-laws comment😲
💋Love the cover

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

His had just lost his wife , even though there relationship had been distant and now he has his two boys to raise. She had befriend his wife and two sons. When she learned of her gone she went to offer to help raise the boys but at the same time escaping her own hell.
He was very wary about her and when she told him the truth about his wife he was even more so as she could not believe it.
This is a very emotional story with many ups and downs , twists, emotions , misunderstandings and love.
Can these to somehow find there way to act on the growing attraction building under all of these things.
Another great read by this author, keeps you turning the page till down. Looking forward to more great reads!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard-Won Love and Hidden Dangers
When Cwenthryth shows up on Steinar’s doorstep, he’s immediately hostile and doesn’t believe her. She explains that she knew his late wife, who told her Steinar was her brother and would need help caring for his children. While the boys warm to Cwenthryth right away, Steinar struggles to trust her—and to act on the attraction he felt from the moment he saw her.
Cwenthryth also has a dangerous enemy, and when she returns to her village, her life is at risk. Can Steinar reach her in time?
Full of suspense, intense moments, and a romance that’s hard-won, this story is packed with surprising twists that will keep you turning the pages. I look forward to seeing what the author writes next.

[Josee A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. To say this book is intense is an understatement. Such an emotional tale of how life is cruel but love can be found unexpectedly through it all anyway. So intense, so full of raw emotion and pain, and the love and connection between Cwenthryth and Steinars is breathtaking. Absolutely beautifully written.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riviting story that has many twists and turns. Mystery and a true rollercoaster ride. Writer has you on the edge holding your breath waiting for what will take place next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.