Entries Tagged 'Native American' ↓
April 27th, 2009 — 4.5 Stars, Book Review, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, Divorced, England, Foster/Orphan, Handicap, Heiress, Julie Garwood, Native American, Queen or Princess, Regency, Scarred Hero, United States of America, Virgin Heroine, Warrior, Widow or Widower
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I took great pleasure in reading this novel. It wasn’t a typical romance though it held many of the typical pieces you would find in a romance. Atypical you ask? Yes! The heroine for instance was raised by the Dakota, or Native American Indians. She had to return to England to pursue the rest of her destiny and avenge her dead mother. The banter was particularly snappy between the leads. The sex too was pretty phenomenal on the scale of none to steamy. I read this in about a day and half; I would put it down and couldn’t wait to get back to it as soon as possible.
The cover on this novel is hysterical, at least my version which is pretty old. My sister-in-law picked it up thinking a boob was sticking out, flagrant nipples and all, but realized upon closer inspection that it was simply a circular diamond pin stuck to the front of the dress. To me the models look like they are wrapped up in a sleeping bag decorated in some ancient Regency pattern. For being raised by the Dakotas in America, she’s certainly pale, no sign of a tan at all – on the cover or in the book. I wonder why that is? Could it be because society would have been shocked down to their slippers and boots?
Christina Bennett is the crème de la crème. The moment her dainty foot hit the first ballroom, London society gasped and capitulated at her feet. She finds it silly and they call her Princess, even though her father has lost his kingdom, even though she’s never met her father in person. With pale white hair and the deepest sky blue eyes, Christina is a lioness. Her arrival to London was predicted by a shaman’s dream and her destiny was to seek out justice for the crimes against her and her mother.
Is it any wonder when she’s introduced to the Marquess of Lyonwood that she was shaken from her stupor? The man looked fierce and vulnerable at the same time. He held himself like a warrior and bore a warrior’s scar down his cheek. To Christina, he looked positively virile and masculine, a far cry of the fops and dandies she’d met again and again from ballroom to ballroom. He was like a lion too, lithe and predatory. When he pursues her, part of Christina wants to give in and part of her fears doing so because she could learn to love him… worse he could learn to love her and her stay with the English was only ever meant to be temporary.
With tempting kisses and secret trysts, Christina’s head swims with the heady sensations of newly experienced passion. She begs him to marry her in one unguarded moment and the scoundrel declines. Lyonwood sees her proposal as a sign of her scheming ways, not realizing that Christina’s eager passion is unrehearsed. He plans to seduce her not knowing that she’s virginal until it’s too late…
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Originally posted 2008-12-28 19:30:35. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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February 20th, 2009 — 3 Stars, Book Review, Cassie Edwards, Historic America, Interracial, Kings, Princes, Sheiks, Chiefs, Native American, Poor Eyesight, Runaway, Spectacles, United States of America, Virgin Heroine, Warrior, Widow or Widower
Forced by her father, Mariah has learned to live like a boy. She dresses like one and shoots like one, but it is not enough. Her father can tell she’s too pretty for her own good and too feminine as well. He cuts her hair to ruin her looks and demands her presence at an Indian raid. Helpless to defy the whims of her father, Mariah tags along an unwilling participant in the savage murder of the peaceful Indians. Horrified by what she sees, Mariah stoutly refuses to draw her weapon until an Indian brave threatens her father’s life. She shoots to wound, not kill, but her father follows up and bashes the young warrior over the head. The raiders leave to celebrate a glorious victory and Mariah runs away to seek help for the Indians.
Chief Echohawk, the young warrior Mariah shot and her father fell awakes on the battle field unable to see clearly. His vision is blurry and dark but he won’t let this weakness hurt him or his people. His pride won’t allow him to accept help and as he moves his people to the shelter of a neighboring tribe he succumbs to fever. In his heart stirs a dark thirst for revenge… on three white men, the one from the last raid on his people with yellow eyes, and the man and his son for the latest raid, and on White Wolf. He will ensure the sorrows of his people are avenged.
Meanwhile, Mariah manages to lose her horse and is brought to the Indian village where Echohawk sought sanctuary for himself and his people. First looked upon as an enemy, Mariah earns their respect and a new name for herself. She is now Nodin, woman of the wind. Following the lead of Neekah, Chief Silver Wing’s wife, Mariah learns the ways of the Chippewa and comes to tend and eventually love Chief Echohawk during his days of recovery. She fears the regaining of his eyesight for he will no doubt see her as the young boy he wants to kill and he fears letting go of his hatred for the white men to love a white woman.
Overall it’s not a bad read. Certainly Savage Wrongs is more engaging than the last Edwards novel that I read, but there’s a story telling quality that is lacking. I can’t put my finger on it, but the result is that I’m not drawn into the unfolding of the tale and am found skimming and skipping forward in hopes to find something that will make me stick to the page.
Rating: 3 Stars
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February 16th, 2009 — 2 Stars, Book Review, Bride Stealing, Cassie Edwards, Farming, Historic America, Interracial, Kidnapping, Kings, Princes, Sheiks, Chiefs, Native American, United States of America, Virgin Heroine, Warrior
I was really excited by the prospect of indulging in a little Native American historical romance, but the anticipation was not matched by the experience. I want the hours I spent reading this book back. It wasn’t completely atrocious it was just so entirely lacking in depth. I felt nothing for either character; their falling in love was too quick, followed by too much drama afterward to drag out the novel. I’ve never said this about a romance novel before, but there was way too much sex, which if I was emotionally involved with the characters or if it was written well I might have enjoyed thoroughly.
David hates being poor. Not hate-hate where he’s entirely possessed by the fact, but hating poverty enough to try to control who his sister marries. He wants her to live a better life and he knows just who to marry her to too. However Christa is not inclined toward the overweight, heavily perspiring, and twice her age wealthy man. Instead she is attracted to an Indian brave called Tall Cloud (who as this usually turns out is the Indian chief of the Suquamish tribe). They fall in love quickly and consummate their love for each other. But just because they love each other and know it does not mean the rest of the world will accept. It is one obstacle after another from kidnapping, raped younger sisters, enemy tribe attacks, death, fires, and stubborn brothers. It’s a wonder they have time at all for lovemaking, really.
Rating: 2 Stars
PS. The model on this cover is gorgeous. I think all men should grow their hair out and wear headbands with feathers on them… whew… fans face.
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