She was certain all men were beasts--until she met the half-breed gentleman...
A widow at 25, Elise Laffont is happy to be free of the brutish duties of the marriage bed. She is quite content to live alone on her small holdings in French Louisiana—until forced to flee the deadly uprising of the Natchez. Rescued by savagely handsome Reynaud Chavalier, son of a French nobleman and a Natchez sun-princess, she is given a fearful proposition. In exchange for safe passage out of Natchez territory for herself and her neighbors, lovely Elise must become the half-breed’s bedmate.My thoughts:
I have to admit that I've really enjoyed reading Sourcebooks Casablanca Classics. I'm not usually one for romance books but 'My Love, My Enemy' and now 'Fierce Eden' have been great reads for me this month. Just goes to show you that covers can sometimes be misleading in regards to content. I thought this story was a great blend of romance, adventure, sexual tension, and historical information. I will own up to having fantasies (when I was younger and more naive) of wanting to be swept away by an Indian Chief who crackled with virility and smoldering hotness. Every time I watched 'Last of the Mohicans,' I would often catch myself sighing and dreaming of Unca (Daniel Day Lewis's Indian brother) coming to my rescue and saving me from the brutal British. But I digress....so anyway.....I found myself at many, many times with a huge grin on my face as I read the passionate love scenes between Elise and her half-breed Reynaurd. But the story isn't just about their romance, it's also about the history of Louisiana, the French, and the Indian tribes that lived there during the early 1700's. Jennifer Blake took a few historic occurrences and then wrote a story that firmly plants the reader into the past.Recommend? Yes..I would recommend this one especially for those readers that enjoy some great historical fiction with a tastefully written love story intertwined within the pages. There honestly isn't one cheesy thing going on here, it's not a Harlequin romance, or a book with just sex. Actually, the sex is fairly minimal and like I wrote above it's very well done. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon...not at all.
Rating: 8/10 (I've decided to go to the 10 point scale as it gives me more room to judge a book rather than 1-5)
Disclaimer:Thank you to Danielle @ Sourcebooks for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel
Published: February, 2011Publisher: Sourcebooks CasablancaPages:249Genre: Historical Fiction/RomanceISBN: 9781402238482*Uncorrected Advance Copy © 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I have to say the synopsis didn't make me want to rush out and get the book but your review added it to my list! I'll let you know when I get it :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun read! I love to read a good romance once in awhile although usually the covers are pretty weak. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh this sounds really good! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteI used to have fantasies (when I was younger and more naive) of wanting to be swept away by an Indian Chief who crackled with virility and smoldering hotness.
ReplyDeleteUnca was often in my dreams too. You should read "Quietly My Captain Waits" by Evelyn Eaton. OMG you will never recover.
Smoldering hotness? Sounds like the kind of book I am looking for from time to time! (only for purposes of sociological research, needless to say...)
ReplyDeleteIt has been years and years since I read a romance novel. I got tired of the formulaic plots, but reading how much this one surprised and had you sighing I am thinking maybe the genre still has something to offer.
ReplyDeleteOMG! I used to watch Last of the Mohicans all the time. Loved Uncas!!
ReplyDeleteI've read a couple of historical romances for Sourcebook lately and I was, like you, pleasantly surprised.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had read this one too, sounds hot and yes I do love the sound of that guy
ReplyDeleteGood review. Not sure if it is for me or not, but you do make it sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteOh my yes--Uncas! Wait, did you review a book in this post?
ReplyDeleteThe synopsis of this novel didn't really convince me, but your review made me like the novel better. I might just have to buy it.
ReplyDeleteNew follower btw ;)
Love the synopsis with digressions :) I totally judged a book by it's cover and I should have known better since it's SOurcebooks. Good to hear this is a good one and I will be sure to look for it. Thanks Staci.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoy these but I'm pretty sure they are still a little too romancey for me. lol.
ReplyDeleteI loved your review!
ReplyDelete