Mairi Norris’ LANTERNS IN THE MIST – Terror Lurks in the Colony of Virginia

Set in Norfolk, Virginia in 1759-60, this is the story of Duncan MacCabe, a wealthy Scottish shoemaker who wants a partner for his business—and a wife. He gains a boon when he buys a wife at an auction who can do figures.

 

Susanna Cooper joined a bride ship headed for the Colony of Virginia because of her family’s dire straits. She got lucky when Duncan chose her for his wife and bought her contract, outbidding a horrible man who lurked in the shadows, a man who would seek revenge.

 

From the beginning, the newlyweds enjoy a warm relationship, in bed and out. Duncan seems the perfect man (though he came across as old when he was young). Susanna is kind, meticulous and conscientious, yet she is late to everything, which her husband, understandably, finds irritating.

 

The villain, a twisted nobleman of terrible perversions (including torture), is quite a contrast to the Colonists and their warm friendships. We are in his mind and see his infliction of pain on others. I have to confess, I skipped the graphic torture scenes.

 

The author has taken great pains to create the Colonial period in America’s history, down to the smallest details in entertainments, food, terms and speech. We experience the Colonists’ commitment to each other and their rising discontent with England’s taxes and ill treatment. The seeds of the Revolution have clearly been sewn.

 

It’s a sometimes dark, well written historical romance with authentic history and a sweet love story where all comes right in the end.

 

Mary Calvi’s DEAR GEORGE, DEAR MARY – An Interesting Take on a Great Man’s First Love

Set in the mid-18^th century before the American Revolution, this is a fictional account of George Washington’s unrequited love for Mary Philipse, “the richest belle in Colonial America.” It is also the story of slander, betrayal and treachery designed to keep them apart.

 

The book’s description reads like a review so I’ll give you my own. This is a story of two people whose lives were affected by the selfish desires of others. George Washington went on to fulfill his destiny as America’s first and beloved President, a patriot of patriots. The British looked down on the colonials, even ones like Colonel Washington who was brave and honest and gave good service. They could not have one of their prized heiresses marrying such a man. So they conspired to keep it from happening.

 

This book made me sad to think so great a hero could be treated like that but then evil men have always done so and do to this day. Mary was a disappointing heroine in the end as she lacked the courage to stand up for him—or to wait for him. In the end Providence, as they referred to God, protected Washington and gave him the country he fought for, the freedom he prized.

 

The telling of the story was mixed. There were parts that were very romantic and well told (worthy of 5 stars) but, alas, we didn’t see the letters the book’s title suggests. And there were other parts (I would rate 3 stars) that I hurried through once it was clear Mary would marry a lesser man she did not love. The only happy ending was for America itself. And for that reason, you might find this an interesting read.

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!

Aleen Malcolm’s RIDE OUT THE STORM – Intricately Woven Tale set in America before Independence!

July is American Patriotic month on Historical Romance Review when I share romances set in America’s past from the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. I’m especially fond of stories set in the time before American’s Independence, so I’m beginning with one of those.

Ride Out The Storm begins in 1762 as Alex and Cameron, just wed, are traveling back to his ancestral hall, Glen Aucht. Young Cameron is feeling unprepared to assume the role as his lady. Worse, when they arrive, the English redcoats have taken over and Alex has been recalled to service. A surly English colonel has taken over the estate, perpetuating all sorts of crimes on the people and the servants (a very worthy cast of secondary characters), who have resorted to stealth to protect their young mistress.

Cameron’s origins hide a secret. She has a twin brother she has not seen since she was eight. She learns he has left Scotland for the New World. Alex and his errant bride are separated as she defies him and leaves the Highlands for the wilderness of the New World near Ft. Detroit on the St. Lawrence River. Alex will serve as a British scout, hoping to regain his lands in Scotland while Cameron is on the run, searching for her brother.

The plot is intricate, the characters well developed and the story intriguing with some exciting, if not disturbing, action scenes. The pace is a bit slower than your typical romance, especially in the beginning, but it picks up to move along at a good clip. I loved Cameron’s free spirit and her courage and Alex’s persistence in claiming his bride, though during their separation, he was not faithful.

Malcolm captures the frustration and anger of the Scots and the Indians at the cruel treatment they receive from the English in America. The story has a very satisfying feel and is obviously based on much research into the history of the period. I recommend it!

Note: Ride Out The Storm is the continuation of the love story of Sir Alex Sinclair and Cameron, the wild Scottish lass he was forced to marry in The Taming. While you can read this as a stand-alone, I recommend you begin with book 1. It was a very worthy post Culloden story of a proud Scot and his young Scottish bride. Both are great reads!

The Cameron trilogy:

The Taming

Ride Out the Storm

The Daughters of Cameron

Julie Doherty’s SCATTERED SEEDS – Worthy Scots-Irish Heroes Find Love in the New World!

Set in 1755, beginning in Donegal, Ireland, this is the story of Henry McConnell and his father, Edward, farmers who assume false names and escape debts and drought in Ireland to sail to the New World. Before they leave, Henry’s father gives him their most treasured possession, passed from one son to another: a gold torc from their ancestor, Somerled.

The night before the ship sails, Henry finds love in the arms of a widow named Sarah. On the ship, Henry reconnects with a childhood friend, Mary Patterson. Both men realize their love for but they are separated from them by distance (in the case of Sarah) and in the case of Mary, when a man purchases her indenture.

After a grueling ship journey (very well done by the author), Henry and his father travel deep into the frontier. That journey is also very well told. It’s an exciting one. I felt like I was trudging along with them with their one ox and their blistered feet. I could see the beauty of this new world and yet feared the obstacles they faced. Constant setbacks have them worried about their seed and their lives: Indian attacks, the threat of new forts, a bear stealing the food they laid up for the winter and many other hardships.

In this romance, the two heroes are separated from their ladyloves for much of the book. The women are still in their minds and hearts but not with them. When they finally get word of both Sarah and Mary, the men go after them, but a villain is stalking the precious torc.

Doherty’s research shines through as she brings America’s wilderness and this period in America’s history to life. Her descriptions are vivid and the historical era well presented. She captures the Scots-Irish longing for freedom and their commitment to the new land, notwithstanding the trials they must endure.

A uniquely told tale, it’s also a fast-paced, action-packed story that is a delight to read. I recommend it.

Nora Roberts’ IN FROM THE COLD – Brilliant Christmas Story of a Scot and an Irish Lass on the eve of the American Revolution… A Keeper!

Set at the outset of the American Revolution, beginning in December 1773, this is the story of Ian MacGregor, who was wounded by a British soldier after participating in the Boston Tea Party. Ian fled to the wilderness of Massachusetts where he ended up in the barn of the Murphys and in the care of the young Irish widow, Alanna Murphy Flynn.

Alana is immediately attracted to the red-haired rebel but she fears his talk of revolution, not just for herself but for her brothers. Ian has fallen in love with Alana and means to have her as his wife. But he’ll need his aunt in Virginia to help him.

Brilliant descriptions and beautifully developed characters bring this story and the MacGregors to life. Revolution is coming to America and while Alanna would resist, Ian knows America must fight for her freedom. Roberts adroitly weaves the conflicting emotions of the time into a love story between two strong-willed people.

It’s a well told, fast-paced novella and so good one could only hope for more. The first story in the MacGregor series is Rebellion and I highly recommend it. However, all of the others that follow In From the Cold are, sadly, contemporaries. Would that Roberts would have continued writing historicals as it would have been fascinating to see her tell the history of America along with the MacGregor love stories. She did historicals so well.

Nora Roberts’ IN FROM THE COLD – Brilliant Christmas Story of a Scot and an Irish Lass on the eve of the American Revolution… A Keeper!

Set at the outset of the American Revolution, beginning in December 1773, this is the story of Ian MacGregor, who was wounded by a British soldier after participating in the Boston Tea Party. Ian fled to the wilderness of Massachusetts where he ended up in the barn of the Murphys and in the care of the young Irish widow, Alanna Murphy Flynn.

Alana is immediately attracted to the red-haired rebel but she fears his talk of revolution, not just for herself but for her brothers. Ian has fallen in love with Alana and means to have her as his wife. But he’ll need his aunt in Virginia to help him.

Brilliant descriptions and beautifully developed characters bring this story and the MacGregors to life. Revolution is coming to America and while Alanna would resist, Ian knows America must fight for her freedom. Roberts adroitly weaves the conflicting emotions of the time into a love story between two strong-willed people.

It’s a well told, fast-paced novella and so good one could only hope for more. The first story in the MacGregor series is Rebellion and I highly recommend it. However, all of the others that follow In From the Cold are, sadly, contemporaries. Would that Roberts would have continued writing historicals as it would have been fascinating to see her tell the history of America along with the MacGregor love stories. She did historicals so well.

Anita Mills’ FOLLOW THE HEART – Enthralling Adventure From England to the American Wilderness During the French and Indian War

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 18^th 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 soundly 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.

Review: Mairi Norris’ LANTERNS IN THE MIST – Terror Lurks in the Colony of Virginia

Set in Norfolk, Virginia in 1759-60, this is the story of Duncan MacCabe, a wealthy Scot shoemaker who wants a partner for his business and a wife. He gains a boon when he buys a wife at an auction who can do figures.

Susanna Cooper joined a bride ship headed for the Colony of Virginia because of her family’s dire straits. She got lucky when Duncan chose her for his wife and bought her contract, outbidding a horrible man who lurked in the shadows, a man who would seek revenge.

From the beginning, the newlyweds enjoy a warm relationship, in bed and out. Duncan seems the perfect man (though he came across as old when he was young). Susanna is kind, meticulous and conscientious, yet she is late to everything, which her husband, understandably, finds irritating.

The villain, a twisted nobleman of terrible perversions (including torture), is quite a contrast to the Colonists and their warm friendships. We are in his mind and see his infliction of pain on others. I have to confess, I skipped the graphic torture scenes.

The author has taken great pains to create the Colonial period in America’s history, down to the smallest details in entertainments, food, terms and speech. We experience the Colonists’ commitment to each other and their rising discontent with England’s taxes and ill treatment. The seeds of the Revolution have clearly been sewn.

It’s a sometimes dark, well written historical romance with authentic history and a sweet love story where all comes right in the end.

Review: Aleen Malcolm’s RIDE OUT THE STORM – Intricately Woven Tale set in America before Independence!

July is American Patriotic month on Historical Romance Review when I share romances set in America’s past from the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. I’m especially fond of stories set in the time before American’s Independence, so I’m beginning with one of those.

Ride Out The Storm begins in 1762 as Alex and Cameron, just wed, are traveling back to his ancestral hall, Glen Aucht. Young Cameron is feeling unprepared to assume the role as his lady. Worse, when they arrive, the English redcoats have taken over and Alex has been recalled to service. A surly English colonel has taken over the estate, perpetuating all sorts of crimes on the people and the servants (a very worthy cast of secondary characters), who have resorted to stealth to protect their young mistress.

Cameron’s origins hide a secret. She has a twin brother she has not seen since she was eight. She learns he has left Scotland for the New World. Alex and his errant bride are separated as she defies him and leaves the Highlands for the wilderness of the New World near Ft. Detroit on the St. Lawrence River. Alex will serve as a British scout, hoping to regain his lands in Scotland while Cameron is on the run, searching for her brother.

The plot is intricate, the characters well developed and the story intriguing with some exciting, if not disturbing, action scenes. The pace is a bit slower that your typical romance, especially in the beginning, but it picks up to move along at a good clip. I loved Cameron’s free spirit and her courage and Alex’s persistence in claiming his bride, though during their separation, he was not faithful.

Malcolm captures the frustration and anger of the Scots and the Indians at the cruel treatment they receive from the English in America. The story has a very satisfying feel and is obviously based on much research into the history of the period. I recommend it!

Note: Ride Out The Storm is the continuation of the love story of Sir Alex Sinclair and Cameron, the wild Scottish lass he was forced to marry in The Taming. While you can read this as a stand alone, I recommend you begin with book 1. It was a very worthy post Culloden story of a proud Scot and his young Scottish bride. Both are great reads!

The Cameron trilogy:

The Taming

Ride Out the Storm

The Daughters of Cameron

Review: Heather Graham’s SWEET SAVAGE EDEN – A Magnificent Love Story That Begins in England and ends in the New World – a Keeper!

April is Classics Month on my blog and I’m starting with one of my favorites, the first in Heather Graham’s North American Women trilogy, a classic and one of my favorites by Heather Graham. It’s part of the 6-book Cameron Saga that I highly recommend. They were the first books I read by Heather that led me to become a huge fan of her historical romances.

It begins in 17th century England and tells of Jasmine ("Jassy") and Jamie. The story follows them to New World (Virginia), which was then very much a wild wilderness, untamed and inhabited by hostile Indians. 

Jassy has had a hard life as the bastard daughter of a dead nobleman. When her mother dies for lack of medical attention, Jassy learns of her connections to a noble family and, through a series of events, the family takes her in but treats her as little better than a servant. There she meets the dark Lord Cameron who wants to marry her because she reminds him of his "wild Virginia" where he is building a new life. Jassy is in love with his friend, the charming and fair Robert, but Robert has other plans.

Because Jassy fears dying in poverty like her mother, she consents to wed Jamie even though she is not even sure she likes him. But she is honest and tells him she is marrying him so she will not starve.

Jamie Cameron wants the beautiful Jassy—she makes his blood boil—and he believes she will be strong enough to endure the life in the wilderness where there are still Indians and pressures just to survive. But Jamie does not tell Jassy that he intends to take her to the New World because he knows Jassy wants the security of Jamie's beautiful manor in England.

Can she love a man she hates? Can she forget the fair Robert? Can Jamie love the tavern wench who wants only his wealth? So begins an adventure that is so well told and so well done, I have read it again and again. And the others in the series are equally good.

Heather Graham's writing is superb.  Her portrait of wild early America is wonderful. The story pulls you in and does not let you go. There are no slow spots as the action and characters are very real. The sexual tension permeates the book and is very believable. You will love Jassy and Jamie and you will find yourself drawn back to those historical times at the beginning of America. This is a keeper! 

The Cameron Saga:

The North American Women trilogy:

Sweet Savage Eden
A Pirate's Pleasure
Love Not a Rebel

The Civil War trilogy:

One Wore Blue
And One Wore Gray
And One Rode West

Review: Julie Doherty’s SCATTERED SEEDS – Worthy Scots-Irish Heroes Find Love in the New World!

Set in 1755, beginning in Donegal, Ireland, this is the story of Henry McConnell and his father, Edward, farmers who assume false names and escape debts and drought in Ireland to sail to the New World. Before they leave, Henry’s father gives him their most treasured possession, passed from one son to another: a gold torc from their ancestor, Somerled.

The night before the ship sails, Henry finds love in the arms of a widow named Sarah. On the ship, Henry reconnects with a childhood friend, Mary Patterson. Both men realize their love for but they are separated from them by distance (in the case of Sarah) and in the case of Mary, when a man purchases her indenture.

After a grueling ship journey (very well done by the author), Henry and his father travel deep into the frontier. That journey is also very well told. It’s an exciting one. I felt like I was trudging along with them with their one ox and their blistered feet. I could see the beauty of this new world and yet feared the obstacles they faced. Constant setbacks have them worried about their seed and their lives: Indian attacks, the threat of new forts, a bear stealing the food they laid up for the winter and many other hardships.

In this romance, the two heroes are separated from their ladyloves for much of the book. The women are still in their minds and hearts but not with them. When they finally get word of both Sarah and Mary, the men go after them, but a villain is stalking the precious torc.

Doherty’s research shines through as she brings America’s wilderness and this period in America’s history to life. Her descriptions are vivid and the historical era well presented. She captures the Scots-Irish longing for freedom and their commitment to the new land, notwithstanding the trials they must endure.

A uniquely told tale, it’s also a fast-paced, action-packed story that is a delight to read. I recommend it.

Review: Dana Ransom’s THE PIRATE’S CAPTIVE – A Swoon-worthy Pirate Puts Revenge Above Love

This book was first published in 1987 and it’s worth finding if you are a fan of pirate romance. While no date is given, it appears to be set in 18^th century when Williamsburg was the capital of the Virginia Colony.

It’s the story of Lady Merrit Ellison who, while sailing to the Virginia Colony to meet her betrothed, Lord Whitelaw, was taken hostage by the pirate known as the Spanish Angel (for his handsome face). He also stole her dowry of priceless pearls. But she gave him her innocence and then fell in love with the rogue.

Nicholas had vengeance on his mind when he took Lady Merrit while releasing the others on the ship his pirate crew plundered. He wants to ruin Lord Whitelaw and his family for the terrible wrongs they did to him and his mother. Even his love for Merrit will not interfere with his plans. He is a man of many faces with keen intelligence and a thirst for revenge. Lady Merrit is a survivor with spunk.

On their way to a happy ending, they experience many adventures. Marrit cannot resist her “Colley” even if his intentions are not always honorable.

The book will certainly hold your attention as there are many twists and turns and lots of worthy secondary characters. The author does engage in some head hopping, which took me a while to get used to, and some errors in forms of address, as well as some improbable moments. Still, it’s a page-turner and a classic. Pirate romance lovers will want to get a copy.

Review: Heather Graham's SWEET SAVAGE EDEN - When America was an Exotic Locale... a Keeper!

This is the first in the North American Women trilogy, part of the 6-book Cameron Saga series (see list below). I highly recommend these romances. They were the ones that led me to become a huge fan of Heather Graham. This is the first book in the series and I loved it. It’s a keeper.

It begins in 17th century England and tells of Jasmine ("Jassy") and Jamie. And it will follow them as they travel to New World (Virginia) which was then very much a wild wilderness, untamed and inhabited by hostile Indians. 

Jassy has had a hard life as the bastard daughter of a dead nobleman. When her mother dies for lack of medical attention, Jassy learns of her connections to a noble family and, through a series of events, the family takes her in but treats her as little better than a servant. There she meets the dark Lord Cameron who wants to marry her because she reminds him of his "wild Virginia" where he is building a new life. Jassy thinks she is in love with his friend, the charming and fair Robert, but Robert has other plans.

Because Jassy fears dying like her mother in poverty, she consents to wed Jamie even though she is not even sure she likes him. But she is honest and tells him she is marrying him so she will not starve.

Jamie Cameron wants the beautiful Jassy—she makes his blood boil—and he believes she will be strong enough to endure the life in the wilderness where there are still Indians and pressures just to survive. But Jamie does not tell Jassy that he intends to take her to the New World because he knows Jassy wants the security of Jamie's beautiful manor in England.

Can she love a man she hates? Can she forget the fair Robert? Can Jamie love the tavern wench who wants only his wealth? So begins an adventure that is so well told and so well done, I will read it again and again. And the others in the series are equally good.

Heather Graham's writing is superb.  Her portrait of wild early America is wonderful. The story pulls you in and does not let you go. There are no slow spots as the action and characters become so real. The sexual tension permeates the book and is very believable. You will love Jassy and Jamie and you will find yourself drawn back to those historical times at the beginning of America when it was truly an exotic local. This is a keeper!

Buy on Amazon

The Cameron Saga:

The North American Women trilogy:

Sweet Savage Eden
A Pirate's Pleasure
Love Not a Rebel

The Civil War trilogy:

One Wore Blue
And One Wore Gray
And One Rode West

Review: Kimberly Cates’ THE RAIDER’S BRIDE – Pre-Revolutionary War Love Story

Set in Virginia in 1772, this is the story of Ian Blackheath, a rogue and a patriot who, as “Pendragon”, raids Tory holdings at night. One day he is saddled with his dead sister’s rebellious child, Lucy. So it’s Lucy the brat and Ian the debauched aristocrat until Ian meets Emily d’Autrecourt in her millinery shop. Not knowing what a brat Lucy is, not to mention a liar, Emily believes Ian a cruel, insensitive man at the way he treats his niece.

But then Lucy steals a doll from Emily’s shop, a doll that hides evidence of Emily’s spying for the English. She needs to get that doll back even if she has to become the brat’s governess so she can search for it, which is just what she does.

Ian is thrilled when Emily agrees to take charge of Lucy and thinks he can keep the new governess from learning his secret. Of course, he knows nothing of her secret. Two spies hiding out in the same house—and on opposite sides of the war to come.

Much of the story concerns Lucy and how she changes under Emily’s kind ministrations. There are some good twists and turns in the latter third of the story when many secrets are reveals, not just the ones we knew about. The characters are richly developed and Emily and Lucy’s interactions well done.

Buy on Amazon.

The Raider Series:

 
The Raider's Bride (Ian & Emily)
The Raider's Daughter (Dominic & Lucy)
To Catch A Flame (Griffin & Isabeau)

Review: Judith E. French’s MOON DANCER – Love Among the Shawnee Indians on the American Frontier

Set in 1730 on the American frontier, this is the story of flame-haired Fiona O'Neal, an Irish girl who sold herself into indentured servitude in America to avoid starvation on the streets of Galway. First, her papers were sold to an unscrupulous man who ran a trading post and then to two rough backwoodsmen who wanted her for their beds. Thankfully, she is rescued by a mysterious Shawnee named Wolf Shadow, a young shaman who is respected by his people.

Very quickly, Wolf Shadow decides he loves Fiona and though his mission to unite the tribes against the English should have kept his thoughts from marriage, he says the words that unite him and Fiona. Fiona is a bit clueless about all things Shawnee until the Peace Woman explains them. When a Scot shows up, Fiona learns much about her past she did not know. An amulet she wears binds her to the past and to her white family.

As Fiona gets to know the Shawnee, we learn much about the Indians’ culture. Wolf Shadow is a worthy hero and show great patience with Fiona’s railing against his ways. Fiona has to come to terms with a life that is different than she imagined. But she is not alone as her past catches up with her. This is a good story, and French takes pains to make it a stand alone, but I recommend reading the series in order (list below) so you know all the other characters who appear.

Original cover with correct hair color

 

The Indian Moon series:

Moonfeather

Highland Moon

Moon Dancer

This Fierce Loving

Shawnee Moon

Sundancer’s Woman

Buy on Amazon

New Review: Parris Afton Bonds’ THE MAIDENHEAD – Unique Love Story from America’s Virginia Colony

Set in 1620, this is the story of Modesty Brown who was raised an educated young woman, but fled her sanctimonious father at age 12 to live on her own on the streets of London. There, she partners with the dashing Jack Holloway, a pickpocket and thief. Modesty uses her artistic talents to alter the appearance of the stolen items to look entirely different. Both are clever, quick-witted characters.

When Modesty and Jack are caught, Modesty sails to Jamestown in the Virginia Colony as a bride-to-be in order to escape Newgate and Jack becomes an indentured servant, both in Jamestown. And both in the home of one Mad Dog Jones, a gifted barrister of the Star Chamber who is now living on the Virginia frontier. Modesty only chose Mad Dog to be her husband to avoid being burned at the stake as a witch when a villain from her past shows up to accuse her. There is little affection between her and Mad Dog to begin with and their wedding night only a grudging acceptance of what must take place. Still, oddly enough, there is passion between them.

Bonds tells this well-written story through the eyes of the women who sailed to Jamestown to escape their former lives, prepared to become brides of the bachelors in the new colony. Modesty, Rose, Annie and Clarissa each choose a man they hope will make them happy. Meanwhile, Modesty plans to return to London on a ship Jack now sails for Mad Dog. There are lots of twists and turns and a villain we can all hate. It’s a great romp in the Colonial days of America with lots of well-researched historical detail.

Buy on Amazon.

New Review: Sandra Jones’ HER WICKED CAPTAIN – A Riverboat Gambling Adventure

The story begins in Missouri in the 1850s with a duel where Rory Campbell, a gambler and steamboat captain, plays second for his employer, Quintus Moreaux, a riverboat gambler and an ruthless, abusive man. Rory has a plan to get free of Moreaux and it involves his childhood friend, Philadelphia (Dell) Samuels, the daughter of Moreaux’s dead wife and her black lover.

Like her mother, Dell has an uncanny ability to read people. Rory wants her to help him win at gambling, earning enough to gain his freedom. To get Dell to go with him, Rory intentionally runs his steamboat aground near where Dell lives with her uncle. Given few options (marrying an old lecher or poverty), Dell accepts his invitation to go to St. Louis where her evil stepfather awaits.

For the first half of the book I did not like Rory and I thought Dell might be a fool, given her dreams of respectability. There was a lot of lusting going on between them and she did end up in his bed. The issue of Dell’s being a mulatto was never dealt with and she pretty much passed for white so I could not tell how important it was to the characters, except for her uncle who would not have a word of it uttered.

It’s a well-written riverboat adventure with great descriptions of card games as Dell uses her talents to probe for the truth of men’s weaknesses. The ending is exciting, too. But underlying it all is a secret involving child sexual abuse that Dell must ferret out. Jones handles it well but the reader should know it’s there.

Buy it on Amazon.

New Review: Anita Mills’ FOLLOW THE HEART – Enthralling Adventure From England to the American Wilderness, Two Brothers in Love with One Woman

April is Classics month on my blog. While I read and review classics (as well as new books) all year long, in this month I look for ones that might have shaped the genre, keepers that you'll want to read and re-read.

So, I'm beginning the month with a great romance from award-winning author Anita Mills.

I discovered Mills’ books last year and am now one of her fans. Great storytelling, meticulous research and gripping love stories characterize her novels. This is yet another. If you loved the movie Last of the Mohicans, I think you will love this book.

Set in the 18^th 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 soundly 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.

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 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.

Map for the French and Indian War