Parris Afton Bonds’ LAVENDER BLUE – Love, Civil War and Spies in Texas!

Jeanette St. John, a Civil War widow living in Texas in 1862, is looking to aid the Confederacy by trading her cotton for weapons she can supply the South. But the only ship’s captain able to run the North’s blockade is a Frenchman named “Kitt, the Frenchman,” operating out of Mexico. And so she goes to see him and agrees to a strange bargain: her virtue for his successful runs of cotton for arms and ammunition.

 

Meanwhile Jen has a childhood friend, now grown into a handsome man and returned from years in France, one Cristobal Cavazos, who would have her think he is a gay fop when he is anything but.

 

When the war draws near Jen’s home in Brownsville, Jen’s sea captain father orders her to the North where he lives, but she has no intention of going. She thrives on the excitement and danger around her. So she talks Cristobal into marrying her—a marriage of convenience where they will live their separate lives. And then the Frenchman, Kitt insists she keeps the terms of their bargain.

 

Of course I knew that Cristobal was Kitt, but even knowing that, I loved watching Jen stumble around doubting the virility of her husband. Cristobal was a great hero and put up with Jen’s snippy overreactions to learning of his assumed identity. The story is intriguing as both Cristobal and Jen take on the role of spy, her for the Confederacy and he for the Juaristas in Mexico.

 

The story reflects Bonds’ considerable research and events of the Civil War in Texas. It’s a story of second chances and love in the middle of tumultuous times and in a tumultuous relationship. And there are some well-written exciting scenes as Cristobal tries to outrun the Union troops. Very enjoyable!

 

Parris Afton Bonds’ MOOD INDIGO – Wonderful Story from Pre-Revolutionary War America, Rich in Historic Detail!

The story begins in England in 1774, the year after the Boston tea party, and soon moves to America, and tells of a highborn English lady who gives up her pampered life among the aristocracy and the dictates of her overbearing father to become an indentured servant and follow the man she loves.

Lady Jane Lennox, daughter of Lord Wychwood, laughed when a Hindu fortune-teller told her she’d meet a stranger who is a marked man. And she wondered when that same fortune-teller told her Captain Terrence MacKenzie of the Royal Dragoons, who she had loved since she was young though he was bastard born, would be waiting for her at the end of a long road.

At a dinner party in London, Jane learns Terrence has been sent to Canada and that her powerful father has no intention of allowing her to follow him. At that same party, she meets an insolent colonial, Ethan Gordon, owner of a Virginia indigo plantation, who she spars with over dinner—a Quaker marked by a burn on his face.

Rich with period descriptions, details and locations (Williamsburg, the Green Dragon Tavern, and so many more), Bonds has woven a meticulously researched tale that will please the serious historical romance reader. There’s mystery, treachery and unwilling love with an engaging cast of characters (both real and fictional)—all set in a time when the winds of revolution were rising. Ethan is now one of my favorite heroes and the love scenes and the ending were oh, so sweet.

I highly recommend it! A keeper!

Parris Afton Bonds’ THE CALLING OF THE CLAN – Great Story, Well Told set on the Eve of the American Revolution

Set in 1776, this is the story of Jacob Dare, a half Indian backwoodsman, who is in need of a wife. He wants one from the gentry to bring a lady’s refinement to his rustic home and having seen Lady Catriona Kilcairn, he decides to have her.

Jacob finds a way to manipulate Catriona into accepting his proposal. He will allow her loyalist father to avoid the American Oath of Allegiance, thus saving their colonial home. Catriona thought she would marry the aristocratic Barrett Fairfax, an Englishman, but to save her home she will marry the rough Jacob Dare.

Jacob’s settlement deep in the woods is far from her home and nothing like Catriona imagined. Worse, he expects her to cook and clean, which she has never done. Their wedding night is not a gentle wooing either. Undaunted, Catriona’s spirit rises to the occasion and she wins the respect of all. While there is great chemistry between Jacob and Catriona, there are no words of love. And when she finds Jacob has not fulfilled his part of their bargain and the rebels burn her family’s home, she decides to leave him.

This is a great story and well told, bringing the frontier life to the page and giving us a love story on the eve of the revolution to savor. Two proud people come together for an exciting tale. Jacob is a wonderful hero, strong and stoic and successful in all he sets his mind to. Cat is a loyal Scot of noble background who would sacrifice herself for her family. In the end, both Cat and Jacob will give up something close to their hearts to please the other even as they are planning to separate.

A worthy tale based on solid research into the era and set on the eve of the American Revolution. Highly recommended.

Parris Afton Bonds’ THE CAPTIVE – Classic Tale of Love in the Highlands After the Battle of Culloden

Set in 1751, this is book one in The Clan Box Set, a post-Culloden tale from the Highlands. It’s the story of Ranald Kincairn, Laird of Clan Cameron whose brothers were killed by the English and whose sister they raped. He wants revenge. His plan is to abduct the virgin bride of the new English “Lord Lieutenant of the Western Highlands”—the man who raped his sister—and plant within her a Highlander babe, then send her back. The bride is Enya, a Lowland Scot from Ayrshire whose family, the Aftons, sided with the English.

Though Ranald tells Enya he intends to ruin her, it seems it’s just talk as he puts her to work in the clan castle as a scullery maid, but doesn’t lay a hand on her. As time passes, he is a bit inconsistent toward her. First he tells her he won’t touch her, but threatens to give her to his men; then he tells her no one will take her against her will; finally, he beds her himself. Ranald is a worthy leader of his clan and respected by all. Of course, Enya falls for him.

There are two other romances tied to Ranald and Enya’s—Enya’s mother and the man she has loved since she was 15, and Ranald’s sister and Duncan, a Lowland Scot who came with Enya.

There’s an exciting scene at the end when the villain shows up to reclaim his bride.

Bonds brings to life the Highlands and the struggle to survive after the terrible devastation the English brought about after Culloden as the Highlanders are hunted and the English are determined to wipe out the clans.

Review: Parris Afton Bonds’ THE CAPTIVE – Classic Tale of Love in the Highlands After the Battle of Culloden

Set in 1751, this is a post-Culloden tale from the Highlands, the story of Ranald Kincairn, Laird of Clan Cameron whose brothers were killed by the English and whose sister they raped. He wants revenge. His plan is to abduct the virgin bride of the new English “Lord Lieutenant of the Western Highlands”—the man who raped his sister—and plant within her a Highlander babe, then send her back. The bride is Enya, a Lowland Scot from Ayrshire whose family, the Aftons, sided with the English.

Though Ranald tells Enya he intends to ruin her, it seems it’s just talk as he puts her to work in the clan castle as a scullery maid, but doesn’t lay a hand on her. As time passes, he is a bit inconsistent toward her. First he tells her he won’t touch her, but threatens to give her to his men; then he tells her no one will take her against her will; finally, he beds her himself. Ranald is a worthy leader of his clan and respected by all. Of course, Enya falls for him.

There are two other romances tied to Ranald and Enya’s—Enya’s mother and the man she has loved since she was 15, and Ranald’s sister and Duncan, a Lowland Scot who came with Enya.

There’s an exciting scene at the end when the villain shows up to reclaim his bride.

Bonds brings to life the Highlands and the struggle to survive after the terrible devastation the English brought about after Culloden as the Highlanders are hunted and the English are determined to wipe out the clans.

And, should you be curious, yes, there is a tie in with the author and the name “Afton” which the author explains in a note before the story.

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