Customer Reviews

Chosen Woman (Leisure Historical Romance)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book seemed slow to start off. It got better but not until at least halfway through.

In 1873 inside a mansion in St. Louis, law enforcement official Jack Dillon meets the woman he has been hired to protect when Fawn Stanhope calls him a runt as she is as tall as him. Being almost six feet, he thinks to himself she is an amazon, but though he wants to flee before she challenges him to a wrestling match, a paying job keeps him there even when she proclaims he is no bodyguard. Her nine year old sister Delilah explains to Jack that Fawn has always had visions that frustrate and scare her as she struggles with their interpretation.

Fawn hides from Jack that she recognizes the cocky Irish-American as the charismatic Red Wolf in her dreams. Jack has been hired to escort Fawn to the Cheyenne where she will become their medicine dream guide though she never lived with that side of her heritage. He knows from their first meeting she will not be an easy client. Her supportive parents also want Jack to prevent the stealing of the land from their extended family and the sending of the Cheyenne children to orphanages. As they fall in love in between her bashing him, she risks her life to prevent the plotters gaining deeds from the elderly who mysteriously die soon afterward and he does likewise to keep his CHOSEN WOMAN safe.

This is an exhilarating Reconstruction Era romance with a powerful touch of Native American beliefs that places a spotlight on a period of American shame with the mistreatment including murder, abuse, and abduction of Indians. The story line is fast-paced from the opening meeting between the lead couple as the amazon looks down on her troll and never slows down as readers wonder what the Grand Design will be for this fine pairing.

Harriet Klausner

From the moment that the reader is introduced to the heroine, Fawn Stanhope, and her soon-to-be-hero, Jack Dillon, the sparks between them literally jump off of the page. She circles him hurtling insults and spewing venom and from there, the tension and frustration between our protagonists only increases. Jack takes the job of escorting Fawn back to her Cheyenne family to fulfill her destiny as the Chosen Woman: the one whose visions will lead the Cheyenne into the future. Jack is also assigned to find out who is trying to steal Cheyenne land, an assignment that leads to Jack and Fawn's lives being in danger. But more importantly, with the shadows of their pasts clouding their futures, both of their hearts are in danger.

Ms. Henke does an amazing job of keeping the humor high and the tension between Fawn and Jack palpable. Each scene with them puts a smile on the readers face as the struggle with their deepening attraction and annoyance of each other. The first scene with Jack observing Fawn in the bathtub is face-heating fantastic. The struggle with Fawn coming to realize that Jack could just possibly be her wolf spirit guide is another masterful thread in a wonderful story. Ms. Henke's story is filled with vibrant characters and the setting of St. Louis and the Oklahoma Territory are beautiful and lush. Chosen Woman is a page turner and should be chosen for a romantic read!

Review by Suzanne N.

I love reading books, especially historical romances. I ALWAYS finish the books I start just for curiosity's sake, but this one, I am having a hard time finishing. The "chemistry" between the two main characters Fawn and Dillon is not that great. Fawn is too bratty! I can hardly stand her character. I believe the author drags out her "denying her feelings" for Dillon way too much! The book or characters could hardly keep my attention. The first time I saw the book I read the back, and by that alone decided not to read it. Then I read the reviews on Amazon. It had one 5 star review. I decided to give it a try. Wish I hadn't now. Just not that great! It drags out!