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Kensington Chronicles #4
The Knight and the Dove
Eager to secure a permanent loyalty from this promising young knight, King Henry commands Bracken to marry into one of the crown's most loyal families. But Lord Vincent's oldest daughter, the beautiful yet deceitful Marigold, scorns the king's edict. She will never marry a lowly earl. Now Vincent must call his beloved Megan from the abbey and send her to Hawkings Crest to wed.
When Marigold discovers that Bracken has been made a duke for his obedience, jealousy drives her to madness - a madness that will stop at nothing to bring her youngest sister pain. Will Bracken rescue Megan from Marigold's wicked scheme? Will Megan ever hear the words she longs to hear from her knight?
A moving epic of God's tender care in even the darkest moments.
When Marigold discovers that Bracken has been made a duke for his obedience, jealousy drives her to madness - a madness that will stop at nothing to bring her youngest sister pain. Will Bracken rescue Megan from Marigold's wicked scheme? Will Megan ever hear the words she longs to hear from her knight?
A moving epic of God's tender care in even the darkest moments.
348 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1994
88 people are currently reading
1742 people want to read
About the author
Lori Wick
101 books1,634 followersFROM THE PUBLISHER:
Lori Wick is known as one of the most versatile Christian fiction writers on the market today. From pioneer fiction to a series set in Victorian England to a contemporary novel, Lori's books (over 5 million in print) continue to delight readers and top the Christian bestselling fiction list. Lori and her husband, Bob, live in Wisconsin with "the three coolest kids in the world."
Lori Wick is known as one of the most versatile Christian fiction writers on the market today. From pioneer fiction to a series set in Victorian England to a contemporary novel, Lori's books (over 5 million in print) continue to delight readers and top the Christian bestselling fiction list. Lori and her husband, Bob, live in Wisconsin with "the three coolest kids in the world."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
August 14, 2016
This is one of my favorite books, and I have to read it at least once a year. I love the story that Lori Wick spins. An arranged and loveless marriage. A sister only out for herself. And a bear of a man who falls for his petite, red haired wife in the end. A story of how love can sneak up on you, even when you try to fight it.
September 28, 2007
I loved the Kensington Chronicles books. Very Good.
December 18, 2009
This one is my favorite of them all. Megan is an awesome young woman. I do not like her mother. Her sister either. I love how Bracken and Megan fall in love with each other. I love how Bracken rescues her from her sister's evil clutches and lies.Its remarkable how she doesnt envy her sister after that. It is sad when she thinks she loses the baby but she actually doesnt. I love this story. It is awesome.
November 3, 2022
Phenomenal!! An absolutely delightful end to the series!! I've re-read this so many times I've lost count, and every single time, I fall even more in love with it.
Megan and Bracken are the main reason I repeatedly read this novel. Their relationship is so lovely!! The author has made the relationship very believable. In some novels, the romance is a bit rushed or forced or overdramatic, but the way that their relationship is explored and developed is incredible. Meg is so strong and beautiful, but when her vulnerable side peeks out, you can't help but adore her even more. Bracken is a stoic, but lovely character. The way he treats Meg is so sweet! My heart literally clenched in agony every time they experienced a problem.
The dialogues were witty and interesting and the plot also had a few unexpected twists. The secondary characters were also delightful! I would love to see all of them find love, especially Stephen and Arik. I also fell in love with the setting especially Hawkings Crest. It seems so intriguing and I would love to visit it if I could.
I cannot express how fantastic this novel is!! This is definitely one of my favourite novels; a real comfort read.
If you haven’t read it, I would highly recommend it! 5 out of 5 stars!!!
Megan and Bracken are the main reason I repeatedly read this novel. Their relationship is so lovely!! The author has made the relationship very believable. In some novels, the romance is a bit rushed or forced or overdramatic, but the way that their relationship is explored and developed is incredible. Meg is so strong and beautiful, but when her vulnerable side peeks out, you can't help but adore her even more. Bracken is a stoic, but lovely character. The way he treats Meg is so sweet! My heart literally clenched in agony every time they experienced a problem.
The dialogues were witty and interesting and the plot also had a few unexpected twists. The secondary characters were also delightful! I would love to see all of them find love, especially Stephen and Arik. I also fell in love with the setting especially Hawkings Crest. It seems so intriguing and I would love to visit it if I could.
I cannot express how fantastic this novel is!! This is definitely one of my favourite novels; a real comfort read.
If you haven’t read it, I would highly recommend it! 5 out of 5 stars!!!
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March 14, 2008ONE OF FAVORITE BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR
April 26, 2008
Ok i have to say, this book is one of my favs!!!!!! i love it!!! it's funny, sad, romantic!! and adventureous!!
August 9, 2023
#BookReviewFriday
#2023readingchallenge
#33Includesahistoricalfigure
Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
# 33 Includes a Historical Figure
Book: The Knight and the Dove (Kensington Chronicles #4)
Author: Lori Wick
I rounded up to 4 stars because I enjoyed the the writing, and I liked Megan, but overall, I'd give this book a 3.5.
I have been wanting to read a Lori Wick for so long and my friend highly recommended this series. I knew I wouldn't be able to get to the entire series so I chose this one because it's a prequel to the first three books in the series, virtually a stand alone.
I loved Megan, she was a strong woman of faith who stayed strong and positive through adversity. However, Bracken, her intended, was another matter entirely...
King Henry the VIII is the historical figure in this book and when he orders that two of his subjects, Bracken, Earl of Hawking's Crest and Lady Megan of Stone Lake marry, they have no choice but to comply.
I enjoyed Megan, her spunk, her faith, how she carried herself and I especially liked how fleshed out her character was for such a short book. Megan went through real life trauma and then she was thrust in to yet another traumatic situation.
I wanted to love Bracken. What's better than marrying a gorgeous, rich Earl who gets elevated to a Duke? Well Bracken was stunted. I get she had to create tension, but I found Bracken unreasonable bordering on abuse. He was contrary and hard for no reason, even after realizing all Megan had been through and vowing to keep her safe, he became her most unsafe place and for me that was a no no.
The book is billed as a romance, but honestly so many things were happening outside of the main plot, to keep the main couple apart that it didn't feel like one. For such a small book it had so much going on that I was honestly tired of hearing about everyone else. I was tired of Bracken's foolishness and I just wanted to see what would happen with him and Megan. The faith element was strong and I did appreciate that.
Overall I'd recommend the book at your own risk and I will definitely read more from this author. I plan to complete the Kensington Chronicles series.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/scriptl...
#2023readingchallenge
#33Includesahistoricalfigure
Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
# 33 Includes a Historical Figure
Book: The Knight and the Dove (Kensington Chronicles #4)
Author: Lori Wick
I rounded up to 4 stars because I enjoyed the the writing, and I liked Megan, but overall, I'd give this book a 3.5.
I have been wanting to read a Lori Wick for so long and my friend highly recommended this series. I knew I wouldn't be able to get to the entire series so I chose this one because it's a prequel to the first three books in the series, virtually a stand alone.
I loved Megan, she was a strong woman of faith who stayed strong and positive through adversity. However, Bracken, her intended, was another matter entirely...
King Henry the VIII is the historical figure in this book and when he orders that two of his subjects, Bracken, Earl of Hawking's Crest and Lady Megan of Stone Lake marry, they have no choice but to comply.
I enjoyed Megan, her spunk, her faith, how she carried herself and I especially liked how fleshed out her character was for such a short book. Megan went through real life trauma and then she was thrust in to yet another traumatic situation.
I wanted to love Bracken. What's better than marrying a gorgeous, rich Earl who gets elevated to a Duke? Well Bracken was stunted. I get she had to create tension, but I found Bracken unreasonable bordering on abuse. He was contrary and hard for no reason, even after realizing all Megan had been through and vowing to keep her safe, he became her most unsafe place and for me that was a no no.
The book is billed as a romance, but honestly so many things were happening outside of the main plot, to keep the main couple apart that it didn't feel like one. For such a small book it had so much going on that I was honestly tired of hearing about everyone else. I was tired of Bracken's foolishness and I just wanted to see what would happen with him and Megan. The faith element was strong and I did appreciate that.
Overall I'd recommend the book at your own risk and I will definitely read more from this author. I plan to complete the Kensington Chronicles series.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/scriptl...
January 4, 2026
I loved these books so much!
January 19, 2021
King Henry is determined to secure loyalty from Bracken of Hawkings Crest by having the young earl marry into a family loyal to the crown. Bracken must therefore wed Megan, the younger daughter of Vincent of Stone Lake. But having lived so many years with nuns in an abbey, Megan knows little about romantic love or marriage—and her unmarried older sister's jealousy is dangerously ignited when Bracken becomes a duke in The Knight and the Dove by author Lori Wick.
This is one of the rare times when I returned to finish a book I once gave up on. While there are two other books in this historical ChristFic series I didn't finish, I really enjoyed Book Two. Admittedly, I came back to this fourth book because I was in the mood for fluffy fiction.
I wasn't unprepared for the caricatural villain(s) and the story's melodrama, and being so familiar with this author from the past, I already expected that some aspects of the story would be unrealistic for the characters and historical setting. Still, I found myself wishing that there was more to the plot outside of the romance—more politics and intrigue, and less of Bracken and Megan's constant overreacting and arguing.
I like that Megan has brains, compassion, and even pluck at times. On the flip side, she cries far more than is necessary for a good story. I strongly disagree with some of the novel's (sometimes contradictory) theological content concerning God's will, and I could have done without so much of the salvational preaching. On a more minor note, this is not the only novel in which the author overuses the time span of 20 minutes: the characters do "20 minutes" of this, and "after 20 minutes" of that.
Still, even as my preferences in Christian Fiction have changed over the years, I yet see the appeal of this kind of faith-filled, easy reading. But readers should regard this as more of a fairy tale than solid historical fiction.
This is one of the rare times when I returned to finish a book I once gave up on. While there are two other books in this historical ChristFic series I didn't finish, I really enjoyed Book Two. Admittedly, I came back to this fourth book because I was in the mood for fluffy fiction.
I wasn't unprepared for the caricatural villain(s) and the story's melodrama, and being so familiar with this author from the past, I already expected that some aspects of the story would be unrealistic for the characters and historical setting. Still, I found myself wishing that there was more to the plot outside of the romance—more politics and intrigue, and less of Bracken and Megan's constant overreacting and arguing.
I like that Megan has brains, compassion, and even pluck at times. On the flip side, she cries far more than is necessary for a good story. I strongly disagree with some of the novel's (sometimes contradictory) theological content concerning God's will, and I could have done without so much of the salvational preaching. On a more minor note, this is not the only novel in which the author overuses the time span of 20 minutes: the characters do "20 minutes" of this, and "after 20 minutes" of that.
Still, even as my preferences in Christian Fiction have changed over the years, I yet see the appeal of this kind of faith-filled, easy reading. But readers should regard this as more of a fairy tale than solid historical fiction.
June 15, 2019
A book that has a lot of nostalgia for me. I first read it when I was about 13, it was one of the first Christian fiction books I read and from then on I became I big reader of Lori Wick books.
Reading it now when I'm in my 20s is a completely different experience. I still enjoyed this book for the storyline, the romance and the Christian messages. But the historical accuracy is shocking and leads me to believe that very little or no research was done. The conversations are too forced and cliché, they don't sound like conversations you would ever hear in real life.
The characterisations can also be problematic; too often in Lori wick books the heroine is not only physically beautiful but has a perfect personality and nature. They are always given one flaw though, for Megan it is her anger, but these are usually overcome at some point in the novel. These characterisations are unrealistic, and give girls a dangerous idea of life. Not everyone is flawlessly beautiful and people do not become perfect Christians once they have been saved, resisting sin and growing faith is is a work in progress. Looking back now I do think that I gained unrealistic and damaging views of how I should be as a woman and a Christian.
Despite all this I do still enjoy Lori wick books, but I can't recommend them as good literature. They are easy reading, and often give me a chuckle from the cliché writing. I do still believe that there are some good Christian messages about trusting God etc. But these would be more effective if they were given more attention and if you were to see how the character learns these lessons through struggles and realistic scenarios.
Reading it now when I'm in my 20s is a completely different experience. I still enjoyed this book for the storyline, the romance and the Christian messages. But the historical accuracy is shocking and leads me to believe that very little or no research was done. The conversations are too forced and cliché, they don't sound like conversations you would ever hear in real life.
The characterisations can also be problematic; too often in Lori wick books the heroine is not only physically beautiful but has a perfect personality and nature. They are always given one flaw though, for Megan it is her anger, but these are usually overcome at some point in the novel. These characterisations are unrealistic, and give girls a dangerous idea of life. Not everyone is flawlessly beautiful and people do not become perfect Christians once they have been saved, resisting sin and growing faith is is a work in progress. Looking back now I do think that I gained unrealistic and damaging views of how I should be as a woman and a Christian.
Despite all this I do still enjoy Lori wick books, but I can't recommend them as good literature. They are easy reading, and often give me a chuckle from the cliché writing. I do still believe that there are some good Christian messages about trusting God etc. But these would be more effective if they were given more attention and if you were to see how the character learns these lessons through struggles and realistic scenarios.
May 19, 2007
When the king commands Bracken to marry, high–spirited Megan is chosen to fulfill the edict. Unskilled in the ways of love, Bracken finds Megan captivating, yet cannot seem to voice his feelings until he almost loses her forever.
August 6, 2007
Set during the mid 1500s, this book was a lot different from the first three books in the series. I enjoyed the plot a lot more and the characters were not cliche, which is a nice change from Wick.
December 22, 2009
My favorite book in the series. It's a book that I go back to read time and again because I love the love story between Bracken and Megan so very much.
February 14, 2012
I have read this book over again a few times. It is my "go to" book for when I want to read a heartwarming romance and waste away a few hours in a good story.
January 25, 2022
I wasn’t sure about this one when I picked up my copy from the library. The 1975-like cover gave me pause. But I was wrong, beautifully written from start to finish. It could have easily ended after the wedding, but the groom was still unsaved. Bracken had a lot to learn about women. There is a reason men and women are so different, complimenting each other. Meagan went through so much in this book. Deep drama! Even though she wasn’t poor, it was very much a “Cinderella” story with evil mother and sister.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2022
I can always count on Lori Wick to give me a lighthearted, clean, christain romance. My only pet peeve is her tendency to make her female characters so unbelievable as people and as described multiple times thru the book, "adorable". Otherwise, I appreciate this story.
February 25, 2014
Rating: 6.9/10
Bracken is a strong, proud man with a bit of a temper. Megan is clever and beautiful yet stubborn. Their relationship starts off very rocky and slowly over the book they start to realise how much they care for one another. The book moves very quickly and doesn't get too deep into information. I enjoyed the story but I did think constantly, what is the point of the story? When is the story meant to end? So Bracken and Megan are in love now, what else is there? The climatic point involves Megan's sister so keep an eye out for her the whole book because it is what Marigold says and does that gives the book shape.
Sadly there weren't a lot of super sweet moments. I felt the romance was very light with little glimpses here and there. It is like we don't really get into the nitty gritty of their relationship, it is very surface based. It seems like the deepest conversations are when the characters talk about God and their faith in him, which I really enjoyed reading, but a girl likes some sigh worthy romance.
The Questions:
Entertaining?: I enjoyed the story but I definitely wanted more
Addictive?: The beginning is the best part, after that it is easy to read, easy to put down
Impacting?: No
Thought provoking?: Yes – the character's faith
Clean?: Yes
Read it again?: I own it, so maybe
Would I Recommend it: Not to my friends (they would find it boring) but I would highly recommend to those who want a super clean, Christian read
Bracken is a strong, proud man with a bit of a temper. Megan is clever and beautiful yet stubborn. Their relationship starts off very rocky and slowly over the book they start to realise how much they care for one another. The book moves very quickly and doesn't get too deep into information. I enjoyed the story but I did think constantly, what is the point of the story? When is the story meant to end? So Bracken and Megan are in love now, what else is there? The climatic point involves Megan's sister so keep an eye out for her the whole book because it is what Marigold says and does that gives the book shape.
Sadly there weren't a lot of super sweet moments. I felt the romance was very light with little glimpses here and there. It is like we don't really get into the nitty gritty of their relationship, it is very surface based. It seems like the deepest conversations are when the characters talk about God and their faith in him, which I really enjoyed reading, but a girl likes some sigh worthy romance.
The Questions:
Entertaining?: I enjoyed the story but I definitely wanted more
Addictive?: The beginning is the best part, after that it is easy to read, easy to put down
Impacting?: No
Thought provoking?: Yes – the character's faith
Clean?: Yes
Read it again?: I own it, so maybe
Would I Recommend it: Not to my friends (they would find it boring) but I would highly recommend to those who want a super clean, Christian read
April 8, 2011
Hahahahaha.... ohhhh.... well, there was the Mary Sue character who is just so terrified of her husband to be but pretends to be all tough and fierce because fear is a sin... the husbandtobe guy who is all mean and rough and then becomes a Christian and is all perfect after lots of trial and error... the moment where the Mary Sue has a terrible experience so that her husband loves her even more... the second terrible experience that makes her husband REALLY love her... the stupid "Christian" non-bedroom scenes... WHAT? the baby that is expected to be a boy but turns out to be a girl even after all that expecting, so the wife is all terrified that the husband will hate her for having a girl rather than a boy, but of course the husband is soooo blinded with love for his daughter he doesn't even remember he was so dead-set for a boy (so original!)... the epilogue that depicts the two happily marries with tons of children and of course being perfect parents (because they're just so perfect now that they love Christ whole-heartedly and have gotten over their love problems)
this is the first time I've ever read this book. But I feel like I've read it 12 times already... is it just me or does Lori Wick recycle all her plots? I've read four of her books so far... same recycled plot with different details for all of them. ARGH.
this is the first time I've ever read this book. But I feel like I've read it 12 times already... is it just me or does Lori Wick recycle all her plots? I've read four of her books so far... same recycled plot with different details for all of them. ARGH.
March 3, 2019
I actually talked about this book in an earlier review for The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson but only now have I realized that I have not written a review on this book. So here is my review of The Knight and the Dove.
I absolutely love Lori Wick as an author. I have read most of her books more than twice. This is one of those books. The book is the fourth book of Wick’s Kensington Chronicles but really it is a stand alone book, since the book jumps to the 1500s instead of the 1840s like the rest of the books in the series. I think Wick should have kept writing in this time period. The book is not my personal favorite but is not my least. Actually, I like all of Wick’s books.
Back to the book. Wick weaves a good story, which in the end makes you disappointed it had to end. Unlike many of inspirational authors that write in this time period, Wick did get one thing right that the rest sometimes forgets. During this time period the girl could not argue about getting married to their intended. I like this author because she follows the time period.
So, I absolutely recommend The Knight and the Dove. The book is a good love story. It is one of those books that can be read anytime.
I absolutely love Lori Wick as an author. I have read most of her books more than twice. This is one of those books. The book is the fourth book of Wick’s Kensington Chronicles but really it is a stand alone book, since the book jumps to the 1500s instead of the 1840s like the rest of the books in the series. I think Wick should have kept writing in this time period. The book is not my personal favorite but is not my least. Actually, I like all of Wick’s books.
Back to the book. Wick weaves a good story, which in the end makes you disappointed it had to end. Unlike many of inspirational authors that write in this time period, Wick did get one thing right that the rest sometimes forgets. During this time period the girl could not argue about getting married to their intended. I like this author because she follows the time period.
So, I absolutely recommend The Knight and the Dove. The book is a good love story. It is one of those books that can be read anytime.
March 22, 2018
This is the book that made me stop reading Lori Wick and Christian Romance in general. Megan is trapped in an abusive relationship for YEARS. She has no support and no friends. This book romanticizes her suffering. Her ability to endure rape and abuse is glorified and held up as an example of her faith and the rape is glossed over because they are married. I read this as a young teenager and I felt so uncomfortable and sick but I didn't know why. Because this book was written as a Christian novel, I felt that the lessons it teaches had to be acceptable and I couldn't reconcile with the instinctive feeling that something was wrong.
September 4, 2010
1.5 stars. Even though this is an inspirational romance, which I normally like, this is a true eye roller and I would not suggest reading it unless you are truly a devout Christian. VERY heavy on the theology. The hero and heroine deserved each other since they were both headache-inducing.
I'm sure Lori Wick is a great author, judging by other reviews, but this definitely is NOT by cuppa tea.
I'm sure Lori Wick is a great author, judging by other reviews, but this definitely is NOT by cuppa tea.
July 15, 2008
This is the best Lori Wick book yet! I love the independend, yet vulnerable, Megan. I love how Bracken makes a point of learning how to be romantic. I adore the fact that they can argue and fight and yet still get through it all with their love for Christ and each other. A must read for all cheesy romance lovers!
August 27, 2012
One of my favorite books. The themes of love, jealousy, obsession, hatred, power and humility are dealt with in obvious and subtle ways. I learn something from these characters everytime I read this book and I have read it MANY times! God has truly given you a gift Lori Wick!
October 7, 2013
It's a sweet book, but the language is simplistic, and I have serious doubts not so much about the background of the book as about the historical accuracy of the attitudes of the characters. She's putting modern attitudes to God, to work, to life in a medieval setting.
June 7, 2009
Loved this one! I looked forward to reading it every time I got a chance! Nice book about love and marriage!
January 12, 2011
Another one of my favorites by Lori Wick!
September 16, 2011
THis is book is sooooooooooooooooo cool and it taught me a lot about Christianity and other lessons of life. i love it
March 20, 2012
One of my all time favorite books. Such a sweet romance with all the fun castle and knights to go with it. I've lost count of how many times I have read this book.
June 19, 2015
Fantastic! Wonderful!
March 7, 2023
I cannot get enough of Lori Wick stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews