Customer Reviews

Love Not a Rebel

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

 

 

I like how Heather Graham presents the conflict between two sides, be they army and indian or English loyalist and patriot she allows you to sympathize with both sides. It's not about who is collectively right or wrong but the conviction, passion and integrity of the individual characters. I enjoy the historical accuracy and, of course, the romantic plot. Mandy is zealous about her beliefs as is eric toward the opposition which makes for a political, marital nightmare! I do like the characters here. Amanda is sassy and defensive. But we can forgive her since she has a wicked, abusive father who fills her with rejection and low self esteem. Her ideals may be flawed but at least she is passionate about them. I really sympathized with her dilemma (black mailed by her father for her cousins life) but was frustrated that she would not confide in her husband. Amanda does; however, mature greatly throughout the book. I loved Eric. He is dignified yet indignant, righteously, of course. It is sad that he can't trust his wife but you can't blame him, he struggles painfully between loyalty to his cause and loyalty to his wife. He manages to stay devoted to both. It is very climactic and has a couple of great twists in it.

I love this book!!! I really enjoy historical romances and this one is set during the Revolutionary War. You can really feel for the characters as they are in conflict over their beliefs.
This is my favorite book from Heather Graham and one of my all-time favorites. It is the last of the North American Woman trilogy so be sure to check out Sweet Savage Eden (number 1) and A Pirate's Pleasure (number 2). If you want to continue to follow the Cameron legacy, check out Graham's Civil War trilogy: One Wore Blue, And One Wore Gray, And One Rode West. Not to be confused with her Florida based Civil War series starring the MacKenzie family.

They called her "Highness". Ravishing Lady Amanda Sterling, forced to spy on Lord Eric Cameron by the lord governor of Virginia and her evil, ambitious father! She'd detested Eric Cameron on sight. He was a traitor to King and country. Yet she'd been sent to steal his heart, his soul, and his secret plans for the revolution. And now she was his wife, swept into marriage with a man who would sear her with the hellfire of his desire, and make her his prisoner of love. Lord Eric Cameron turned his back on his family's estates in England to embrace the patriot's cause. He did it quietly-before the fateful shots at Lexington and Concord rang out and his true allegiance became clear by cannon and by sword. But Eric also fought another war-with the glorious Amanda Sterling, the beauty he had married, knowing he could never trust her...but never let her go. Amanda, the woman he had vowed to conquer, the spy he would never surrender, even at the risk of his own life. Loved it. The whole North American Woman series was wonderful.

This book has passion and depth. Both characters were sympathetic and well-fleshed out. I highly recommend this series over all. I was a little disappointed and angry when it seemed the main male character might be cheating on Amanda. Heather does this as a twist in many books, and while I know it makes for good plot devise (yes, I confess it does keep me turning pages), it makes for an overall weakening in the believability of their true love. It makes the female character seem a little weak and naive when she falls into bed with him, and leaves the reader saying, "Yeah, I don't believe you Heather, I'll just bet he didn't..." Still, I give this one four stars. I couldn't put it down. The history was well-presented, and the characters compelling and well-developed.

This is the 3rd in the North American Woman trilogy, which is a part of the Cameron Saga series (see list below)--and it is one you will really enjoy. I loved this trilogy and highly recommend it.

The story begins in Boston in 1773 when Lord Eric Cameron, a Virginian with estates in England and a descendent of the Camerons whose stories are told in the first two books, meets and falls in love with the beautiful and tempestuous Lady Amanda Sterling who is only 17. Lady Amanda, a loyalist, is in love with dashing Lord Robert Tarryton but he wants a title and is willing to marry a duchess he does not love to get it. While Amanda is expecting a proposal from Lord Tarryton, she learns of his betrothal to the duchess and is heartbroken. Tarryton would take her as his mistress which shocks her and she spurns him for it. Meanwhile, Eric has spoken to her father about marrying her and her father has given his consent. To get away from her father who is brutally cruel to her, and to flee her only other prospect, Amanda consents to wed Eric. While she does not love him, she is inexplicably drawn to the handsome, virile man. But Eric is fast becoming an American patriot. He is a friend of George Washington and Patrick Henry, and he values liberty and is willing to risk all to keep it. (I love how Graham wove history into the story with real characters.) Amanda is forced by her father (who holds her cousin Damien hostage) to spy on her husband and the actions of the patriots. Eric suspects this and though he has fallen in love with her, he does not trust her and feeds her false information. They are passionate in their lovemaking and each loves the other but will say nothing for fear of giving the other power. George Washington believes Amanda may be "the Highness," the spy who is hurting the rebel cause. Eric believes it, too.

Swept up in the tides of history, we discover that love still matters, treachery can come from those closest to us, and truth is hard to find. If you love American history and the Revolutionary War period, and if you love truly great historical romance, you'll love this one. Heather Graham's action does not disappoint. I really loved the way she showed us how the "lords" of England became the ordinary--or rather, extraordinary--men of America with no titles but with great courage and a great legacy.

Here's the Cameron Saga:

The North American Women trilogy: Sweet Savage Eden, A Pirate's Pleasure and Love Not a Rebel
The Camerons in Civil War trilogy: One Wore Blue, And One Wore Gray, And One Rode West

I thought it was really cool (and really very smart) to base a boddice ripper on and around the "Boston Tea Party" era. Mrs. Graham must have done some major research for this one. She included real life heros and gave real personalities to people like George Washington, Martha Washington, Ben Franklin and many many more. I'm not a history buff by any means so I can't say for certain if a lot or any of this was based on actual facts but from what I remember learning in school it seemed right on.

I really enjoyed Lord Eric Cameron and Lady Amanda Sterling...it was from the beginning a love hate relationship. I will say though there were a ton of facts facts facts...and at some points you may find yourself skimming, but overall this was a wonderful love story and very educational too!

I do have to point out the cover though...OMG it's so bad!

Really...don't judge this book by the cover!

This book was wonderfully delightful. Heather Graham gives you an insight of the American Revolution through her characters. I definately recommend this book!