Ann Forman Barron

This was quite a book! Start reading, and in no time at all, you're transported back in time, and become a part of the Revolutionary War days. You learn what life was like for both patriots and loyalists, as well as soldiers, officers (on both sides), spies and the many civilians caught up in it all, as their lives are turned upside down, and in one way or another, things will never be the same.

The novel effectively takes you through scenes of battle, army camps, military prisons, roadside inns, and gives you a real feel of what it was like to travel back then; whether by carriage or horseback, it was no leisure tour. So much detail is put into these scenes, yet they're so well written you don't mind the time taken away from what could have been dialogue.

This was not a typical HR, it reads more like an historical novel with some romance thrown in, amongst everything else. You really get the feel of what it was like to be living in the days of the RW days, from different viewpoints.

There's Lord James Bainbridge, a British officer who's sent from London to Charleston, SC, to fight alongside Cornwallis, and his daughter, Savarra, reluctantly accompanying him, while her heart is back home with her fiance, Lord Peter Haverly, whom her father disapproves of.

There's Anne Pair and her daughter, Verity, staunch patriots whose home is used as a headquarters by the British, including James. Despite their political opposition, it doesn't take long for James and Verity to fall in love, while Savarra finds her emotions in turmoil by Captain Cutler McLean, a friend of the Pairs' , who's posing as a loyalist, in order to get supplies to the patriots.

Minor characters figure in the story: Tyler Belion, who had hoped to marry Verity, and has his heart broken by her love for the "enemy"; Bowman Baltazar, a family friend and former suitor of Anne's, who never stopped loving her; Cotty, Savarra's maid, who just can't make up her mind between Gabe Sleep and Thad McHorry, two of Cutler's men who are best friends, as well as rivals for Cotty's affections; Peter Haverly, Savarra's fiance, whose charm can be deceiving, and various black "servants", who bring out the irony in the war for independence, where freedom is of the utmost importance.

In the course of the story, situations, as well as attitudes, change, as in the case of Brenda, Verity's friend, who was a staunch loyalist until her husband was arrested and then hanged, for being a rebel spy, causing her to switch sides and become an ardent patriot. James and Verity both remain loyal to their causes, yet their relationship makes them aware that there are two sides to the conflict, as James comes to respect the rebels and what they stand for. Savarra witnesses firsthand some British atrocities and the suffering caused by it (as well as the dark side of Peter's nature) and loses her disdainful attitude toward the rebels and grows to admire them. The same goes for her feelings regarding Cutler.

Along with James and Verity's semi-clandestine affair, and Savarra and Cutler's denial (despite a night of passion), there's also a second chance for Bowman and Anne, recently widowed, who both admit to their long dormant feelings. This novel, however, remains in the atmosphere of a country at war and all that involves, so not every couple has their HEA.

I won't say anymore and give too much away. I'll just add that, if you enjoy a book that has history, action and adventure as well as love stories, then this is the book for you.… (meer)