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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Realistic historical romance set in Montana Territory, August 6, 2003
This review is from: Horse Soldier (Mass Market Paperback)
I really liked this book. It was just a plain, good story as well as a non-typical romance. It is even somewhat unusual for a historical western romance. It takes place a few years after the end of Civil War at a fort in the upper Midwest plains. Major Andrew Garrett was a Union soldier sent undercover to New Orleans during the Civil War. While in New Orleans, he met and married Julia Robichard. Within days of their marriage, Andrew departed New Orleans to report his findings and planned to return for his bride. Instead, his identity is discovered and he is eventually sent to a Confederate prison camp. Meanwhile, Julia's uncle has their marriage annulled and she is banished and sent away. When Julia reaches her new home with a broken heart - believing Andrew used her for his Union activities - she meets a man and marries quickly. Now years later, she is looking for her husband who has proven to be a gambler and has gone west seeking fortune. She and her eight-year-old daughter are penniless and have nowhere to turn. So they head west as well and end up at an Army fort in Montana Territory. Major Garrett now is second in command at the Montana fort. He believes that is still married to Julia. Andrew has no knowledge of the annulment and believes Julia betrayed him as well. Their reunion is bitter but both soon discover that neither betrayed the other. They also realize their love for each other has not died. This is a precious story of a wonderful man who takes care of a seemingly helpless woman and her daughter under harsh living conditions. Although a portion of the story hinges on finding Julia's husband, a larger part of the story concerns the daughter and her initial rejection of Andrew. She wants her father and believes Andrew is somehow in the way. It is heart rending to read of her actions towards him and his attempts to gain her acceptance. But the most action in the book is the love relationship between Andrew and Julia. It is a mature relationship that recognizes responsibility. Although both leads are hardheads and a bit belligerent, they also have very tender moments. Both the hero and heroine are well-written and likable characters. Lovelace doesn't have to resort to the usual romance misunderstanding ploys. Her characters relate to each other truthfully. The realism of frontier life is very well written. Even as a history buff, I learned many things about 19th century Army life and recalled some of the sadder facts of the Indian uprisings. Actual famous Native Americans and white men are included in the background of the story. While this book is well written, romantic, and historically interesting, it also contains some good sexual chemistry. The sensual scenes rate about a 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). This is my first Lovelace book and it certainly will not be my last. At this very moment, I am going to visit Amazon and conduct a search for more of her books.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting narrative, December 29, 2000
This review is from: Horse Soldier (Mass Market Paperback)
In 1867, Major Andrew Garrett and his troops just return to their home station at Fort Laramie, Dakota Territory after a dangerous patrol. Upon his arrival, Andrew hears the ruckus going on between a wagonmaster and his wife over a single woman traveling with them, accompanied only by her five-year-old daughter. To his shock, Andrew sees his wife Julia Robichard, "the Belle of New Orleans" causing the friction. Upon noticing Andrew, Julia faints. She thought he died when her uncle shot him for spying for the North. Andrew learns that Julia remarried and is heading to the Montana Territory to find Philip Bonneaux, her spouse and father of her child. However, Julia is stranded by the wagon train and relies on Andrew for help. In spite of his knowing she betrayed him to her uncle and he deceived her about his Northern interests, their love remains strong, but with no hopes for the future. THE HORSE SOLDIER is a powerful western romance staring two interesting characters. The story line provides the audience a taste of Army life on the frontier from the varying perspectives of the soldiers and their wives. Merline Lovelace, known for her entertaining and insightful contemporary military romances gracefully goes historical with her expertise and flourishes by providing fans with an invigorating Americana novel. Harriet Klausner
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
POWERFUL - RAW PASSION - WILD HISTORY - #1 trilogy, November 5, 2005
This review is from: Horse Soldier (Mass Market Paperback)
SHOCK! to both parties involved - She is married to another man - he was her husband, or so he thought.
Major Andrew Garrett had just returned from five days on patrol and found the post commander swimming in his usual laudanum-induced stupor. Now what did he have to deal with?
Some woman making trouble on the wagon train?
Follow this line -- "Do I know you, sir?" he anwsers, savagely "You did once". [It just keeps getting better].
Of couse, when she faints [she just can't breath, stays you know]the cry is that she is sick.
Imagine his surprise when her daughter, Suzanne is brought to Colonel Schnell's quarters where Julia is recuperating. Boy, what happens when Major Garrett anwsers Colonel Shnell's question of who is she when he answers "She's my wife." It travels around the fort like wild fire.
Julia Robichaud is in search of her present husband, Peter Bonneaux whom she met in Natchez. After she had been told that Andrew was dead.
How does the Major win the affections of a little 5 year old who wants nothing to do with him and only wants her papa?
Julia meets up with quite a few characters around the Fort.
She becomes friends with Mary Donovan and her brood, acquainted with the nasty tempered Colonel Cavanaugh.
She and her daughter are friends with Walks In Moonlight, who is wife to the Scout, Lone Eagle and their daughter, Little Hen.
These characters intertwine and help make a fascinating story of uncontrollable attraction, unresolved misunderstandings, and powerful lust, everyday living, loving friendships and a slow building of trust and love.
Of course, there are the villians in many fazes of their lives and the constant danger but what a powerful military story [and I still think the Government is cheating our Native American people in general.]
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED --m [loss of life is always sad] look for the second story that involves Suzanne Bonneaux and a shootist.
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