I struggled with my review of
this one only because for much of the story
the “hero” appeared the villain and the heroine weak, not my favorite
combination, but the second half of the tale (which I think the best) is
different. I would give the first half 4 stars and the second half 5 stars—and there
is a great ending that will bring tears to your eyes.
Set in Nicaragua in Central
America during the years 1855-1857, this is the story of Eleanora Colette
Villars from an aristocratic New Orleans family who, because of her brother’s
folly, loses her home and ends up following her brother to Nicaragua where he has
joined the mercenaries serving William Walker, an American who is trying to
take over the country.
Colonel Grant Farrell, head of Walker’s
private military, using her brother as hostage, forces Eleanora, an innocent,
to pose as his mistress. Then he rapes her and holds her prisoner in his home,
without even clothes to wear. When she has the chance to escape, she does not
take it (this more than once). She even begins to make excuses for the colonel
(he’s a half-breed Apache with a poor childhood). It reminded me of the
Stockholm syndrome, where hostages feel sympathy toward their captors.
Once her brother is released and she is
free, Eleanora doesn’t tell her brother she was raped and, when her brother
wounds the colonel in a duel, she returns to Colonel Farrell’s house to tend
his wound. While tending the colonel, Eleanora introduces herself as his
mistress, apparently resigned to the role. (He has such a low view of women he will
not offer her marriage).
Impressed with Eleanora’s medical
knowledge, the local doctor invites her to tend the wounded American mercenaries.
She takes on the task and, for her valiant efforts, is dubbed “the colonel’s
angel.” But she has rivals, the mistress of William Walker, and the former
mistress of Colonel Farrell, both of whom seek Eleanora’s demise.
In an intricately woven plot, Eleanora
rises to every challenge as she is rescued from peril only to face further
hardships. The scenes as they tramp from Granada to the coast through the jungles
and rivers are very well done, and very realistic. The characters are richly
developed, too. (Her savior, Luis, was one of my favorite characters and one
could not help but feel his pain for his love for Eleanora.)
The writing is excellent. Blake really
makes you feel like you’re in the hot, dusty streets of Nicaragua in a
tumultuous time. I could suggest you might want a map, too, so I’ve included
one.
Blake has obviously done much research
for the book and it is seamlessly woven into the story. (There is also a worthy
Author’s Note at the end that gives you more.) It is all told from the heroine’s
perspective as were Blake’s other early novels (NOTORIOUS ANGEL was first
published in 1977—see the original cover below).
This one will capture you, I promise.
A few notes: The eBook cover
has the heroine with blonde hair; it is actually red. And this is part of
Blake’s Love and Adventure series, part 2 (SURRENDER IN MOONLIGHT, NOTORIOUS
ANGEL and GOLDEN FANCY).
 |
| Original Cover |
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