Mills is a great storyteller, her
research is meticulous and her love stories gripping. And, if you loved the
movie, Last of the Mohicans, I think you will love this book.
Set in the 18th century
during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) when British America fought
against New France, this is the story of Sarah Spender, whose baron father
gambled away their wealth leaving Sarah in poverty.
Sarah has known the Hastings brothers,
Devin, now Viscount Audley, and Adam, now Captain Adam Hastings, since they
were all children. As Sarah grew into a beauty with spirit and uncommon
courage, both Devin and Adam developed feelings for her. When her father died
and her home is forfeited to the Hastings family for debts, Devin makes her a
dishonorable offer, which she roundly rejects. Adam, unaware of his brother’s
dishonorable act, offers marriage to Sarah. Having loved Adam all her life, she
accepts.
As Adam readies to leave with his
regiment for the war in the American wilderness, Sarah learns she is with child
and so Adam’s plans to take her with him must change; she will stay behind in
England—where his brother remains, a rising political figure aligned with
William Pitt, and increasingly attracted to Sarah.
Much happens in both America and
England in this well-written story. Mills has done the research to put you into
the sweeping historical events, using real historic figures, such as William
Pitt (in this story, Devin’s superior), and John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, who in 1756 was
made the commander of the British forces in America (in this story, Adam’s
superior officer). Adam will join Rogers’ Rangers and lead his own group of
rough men.
This time in
American’s history fascinates me because it contains the seeds of what would
become America’s war for independence. Mills brings it to life in a love story
where two brothers love the same woman, who incidentally, is a very worthy
heroine. I highly recommend it.
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