Customer Reviews

Chivalrous Captain, Rebel Mistress (Harlequin Historical)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Diane Gaston is one of my very favorite writers, and she did not disappoint. Captain Allan Landon rescues a young boy, who is actually a young woman, Miss Marian Pallant, at Waterloo. An amazing up close look at that world defining moment. They rescue each other, then are separated in Brussels, only to find each other again, later, in London. This is not about Dukes and the rich ton, but a second son and a daughter of a tradesman. A fascinating exploration of human relationships, with that wonderful HEA. Yes, this trilogy is different from her earlier books, but I love that Diane is always exploring new avenues in her writing. She delivers the satisfying HEA with enough time to savor it. It's been fascinating to observe the same event and how it changed those involved from three different points of view. Two down, and one to go. I hope I don't have to wait a whole year for the last one.

Love Diane Gaston's books and this does not disappoint. I love a man in a uniform, especially the red coats! The hero is intelligent, caring and the heroine adds the balance to his character and story line that keeps it moving at such a steady pace you do not want to put it down. The story line set in the war with Napoleon is one of my favorite periods. The story line is unique and well developed.

Captain Allan Landon, the hero, is my favorite kind of hero (romantic or otherwise): brave, true, faithful, strong, protective, appreciative, considerate, kind, a great lover -- definitely chivalrous! -- in a word, delicious. The heroine, Marian Pallant, has reasons for her rebelliousness and for her mistrust of men, but I loved the story, and can't wait for the next book in this series (based on three friends who all fought in the British Army in the Napoleonic Wars). Gaston's detail about the historical events surrounding the (mis-)treatment of returning/wounded soldiers during that time mirrors some of the less-than-stellar medical treatment (including that for PTSD)which is happening in the US in 2010. Marian feels connected to the wounded soldiers, having helped to treat (as best she could) some of them in Belgium before and after Waterloo -- she even helped move (drag -- it was realistic!) some seriously wounded soldiers from a burning outpost, saving their lives. Allan wants to help her, of course, as he's been a career soldier and has been wounded as well, but he doesn't think demonstrations (Marian's idea) are the best way. Demonstrations lead to riots: a riot got his own father killed.

Gaston weaves the story of the growing love between the two main characters skillfully, with her characteristic beautiful prose and imagery, and with her historically faithful idioms of speech, which transport me to that time period. Her attention to detail is one of the main reasons I love her books, and I always wonder how she is going to get the two lovers together in the end-- she does it, and it's so satisfying.

Brava!

Adventurous and fearless, that's exactly what Marian Pallant is. Separated from her friend in the middle of the night, she wanders into the middle of a battle and is rescued. However, little does her rescuer know that the supposed young boy he just saved is in fact a beautiful young lady.

Miss Marian Pallant is a fiery, feisty and wonderfully feminine character that shows strength, determination and intelligence at every turn. Just when you think that you've underestimated her, she proves to you all over again just why you have to watch her every move. She's one of my very favorite kinds of characters. I have always enjoyed stories about women out of history who not only defied the odds stacked against them, but stood out amongst both the women and the men of their times. And Marian does just that. She's an independent thinker, not one to allow the men in her life to tell her how to decide. She's also sneaky and very, very clever. She'd be a match for any modern man!

You can never go wrong with a war vetran as your hero. Captain Allan Landon doesn't disappoint, either. He's strong and handsome, disciplined and yet weak when it comes to Marian's womanly wiles, no matter how inexperienced she may be at using them. Or maybe his weakness is because she is just so inexperienced at seduction? Either way, his constant battle between propriety and his own innate desire really propels their relationship along. His stoicism creates an intensity between them that drives the reader to read on and on.

Chivalrous Captain, Rebel Mistress is an exciting and intriguing story of love during wartime. Against nearly impossible odds, they meet and are torn apart, only to find one another again. The author has a way with bringing history alive and drawing you in. I loved the addition of all the actual history surrounding Marian and Allan, making the story more real for me. Chivalrous Captain, Rebel Mistress will definitely satisfy your historical sweet tooth while quenching your thirst for romance and adventure all at the same time. A wonderful story that you will not regret!

Originally posted at The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews