Customer Reviews

No Other Man

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

 

 

The book was exciting from the beginning to end. Very hard to put down once you got started. I love the firey passion from the beginning and them not knowing that they had fallen in love from the get go. The fighting spirit of Skylar was what Hawk fell in love with without even knowing it. Loved the book. Keep writing these stories they're great.

I've read several of Shannon Drake's novels and this is not one of my favorites. I think her medieval stories are a lot better than her civil war and American West ones. Skylar is annoying. Her "fighting spirit" is irritating. She's just a shrew. If I were Hawk, I would have left her on the prairie somewhere.

I always put the book down. The plot had potential but I cannot like a hero like this.

What an awful book! Skylar was horribly stupid, and Hawk's litany about the plight of half-breeds was boring and by the middle of the book I was hoping Skylar's evil stepfather would find her and kill her.

I suppose I should have known that the book was going to be awful when the hero (who is so clearly the hero by the description of his blazing green eyes and tanned and rippling muscles even though it doesn't say so right away) kidnaps the heroine and rapes her. (...) Well, after the initial pain of him breaking through her maidenhead. And then it goes on to Skylar and her stupid unimportant secrets that she only keeps because it gives her something to be miserable about. And then, as at the end of all Shannon Drake books, the reader is told that the characters, after two hundred pages of violent sex and petty fights are in love. I can't help but wonder- when did that happen?

Okay, what I am trying to say is that this book is really one big cliche, and not even a good one. If you want a good romance read Marsha Canham, read Teresa Meirdos, those are real romances.

The plot premise had potential - marriage between two strangers. In the hands of a more skilled author, this could have been an excellent book. Unfortunately, the author ruined this book with 'secrets', forced seductions, and cliches. First, Skylar's secret was really lame. It was never believable that she didn't confess all as she grew to know Hawk. Second, I like a forced seduction as much as the next romance reader, but the ones in here were really lame. It was difficult to believe that there was any attraction between the characters at all. Third, Skylar was a really dumb heroine. Why can't this author create a heroine who can get herself out of trouble instead of relying on the hero to do it for her? Just pass on this one.

First I must say that I am a HUGE fan of Heather Graham (who writes under Shannon Drake for many of her historical novels). She keeps me up late at night reading. I have read almost all of her historicals by now (just saving the last few on my shelf for a rainy day), so it is only comparing her best romances to this one that dropped it to 4 stars. (Many of hers draw 5 stars from me.) She is on my lists of Best Romance Authors, Best Scottish/Highlander Romances, Best Medieval Romances and Best Viking Romances (check out my lists under "see all my reviews").

The story is set in the late 19th century in the Black Hills of what is today western South Dakota at a time when the white man was pushing the Indians, particularly the Lakota Sioux, ever farther west.

Skylar Connor was running from the man who murdered her father and wanted to end her life when she was offered the opportunity to become the wife of the elderly and sick Lord David Douglas. He plans to travel to his lands in the west and she can't think of a better place to escape. Then, too, she is very fond of the kind Scottish lord who now lives on the wild frontier. When Lord Douglas takes sick, he insists the ceremony be conducted by proxy. Skylar never realizes that is not David Douglas whose name is on the marriage license, but his son, Andrew Douglas, a half breed Sioux, the child of a love-filled marriage between the Lord and his now dead Indian wife. When Lord Douglas dies immediately after the wedding, while still in the east, Skylar, now Lady Douglas, believing she is a widow travels to the Black Hills alone. Knowing of his father's death and hearing a "Lady Douglas" has arrived in town, the handsome half-breed son, Hawk (Andrew) Douglas (now Lord Douglas) dresses up as an Indian on the warpath and "attacks" her stagecoach, stealing her away to his hunting cabin. Skylar is frightened to death by the powerful Indian and Hawk, though wildly attracted to her, is angry. The next day Hawk learns the woman he thinks seduced and killed his father is now his wife--a wife he doesn't want.

This is an exciting story with much history of the American west and the Plains Indians woven in. There are only a few minor glitches along the way that aren't really worth mentioning. I disagree with the reviewers who complained of the near rape scenes. I thought Graham handled those well and in the context of the story, they were believable. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed this romance and recommend it. The others in the trilogy are: NO OTHER WOMAN and NO OTHER LOVE. The second one takes place in Scotland, at the historical home of the Douglas clan and includes the characters from the first one, so I recommend reading them in order.

The Heroine's secrets get in the way of the storyline, and the book dances on a thin line between romance and rape. Although the author does try to painstakingly show that the women choose to stay and succumb to their fate of loosing their virginity to these strange men in lieu of death, embarrassment or divorce... the scenes still maintain a thrilling breathlessness that makes you want to keep reading.

It definitely showcases the life of a half-breed caught between two warring worlds with its sympathy towards the Sioux people, their life and beliefs. Not to forget the disillusionments of exploring the west, and the humor of arranged marriages.

Overall, a great, quick read that is a perfect fit for someone wanting a hot, sexy, temperamental afternoon love affair.

"No Other Man" was the first in the series and the best. If you like alpha males, then this book is for you. Just like most of Shannon Drake's books (aka Heather Graham) has a demanding, forceful hero. And like always, they end up falling in love with each other. A great book, I couldn't put it down.

If you are looking for a great book read "No other Man". Shannon Drake will transport you to the world of Skylar Douglas. You will get to feel that you are living all the passion that is described in this book. Once you are done with this book read "No other Woman" and "No other Love"

I am a big fan of Elizabeth Lowell and Johanna Lindsey. I am also very scepticle about reading other authors I don't know anything about. I have to tell you that this series of books No Other Man, No Other Woman and No Other Love are AWESOME!! I couldn't put these books down. I had them all read in a week. Between the romance and mysterys, they quite captivating. They are a must read set of books!!