Customer Reviews

Rebel (Florida Civil War)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Rebel" spins the story of Ian McKenzie and Alaina. Although not as much spice as "Captive," I enjoyed this book too.

Alaina was a tough and spirited Southerner loyal to the cause and Ian chose to join the Union's side. Although their views were different, their paths crossed and their lives were changed forever when they were caught "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Ian and Alaina are wedded and not in love at first, but as time passes, their love grows. However, where there is love, sometimes the pain comes along as well. Their love is no exception, especially during this time of war. Through it all, their love has to stand the test of time, war, betrayal, jealousy, as well as many other obstacles. Both Ian and Alaina have others in their lives vying for their love and to destroy the love that is shared between them. Will Ian and Alaina's new found love be enough to suffice and keep them together through the hardships they must endure? "Rebel" is worth reading to find out what is in store for these two courageous individuals.

Ian McKenzie arrives home for a short visit from fighting on the Union side during the Civil War. At the beginning of his visit with his family he finds himself in a compromising position with a friend of the family's daughter, Alaina McMann, and to save her reputation and embarrassment to the 2 families he carries her off to be married. There is definitely attraction there and could grow to be a strong love but their strong opposing views of the war get in the way. Ian goes off to serve the Union side while Alaina begins participating in a smuggling ring for the Confederacy- and they clash each time they come together. Ian is handsome, strong and protective of Alaina while serving his devotion to the Union cause. He meets his match when he discovers that the Confederate spy he is working at capturing is non-only his own Alaina (this is revealed to the reader at the beginning of the book). The reader learns how Ian gets Alaina out of such a mess. Is their new love strong enough to survive such a test? And will Ian beable to save Alaina from the rope? They hang spies, you know! I enjoyed it. Great read!

This is probably one of my favorite Heather Graham books. Of course this is book #3 and I read it first....I like that both Ian and Alaina have their own views and are firm in their beliefs. Most women would have stood by their man without voicing their own opinions and not said a word. Both Ian and Alaina fought their own personal battles the way they chose to and in the end came together. I loved Julian in this book. I thought he provided some much needed comical relief at times. I couldn't wait to read the rest of the series.

Rebel is awsome, full of suspence and true to the era of the Civil War. They met awkwardly, they live awkwardly and they are in love until the start of the war. She becomes a sworn Rebel and he a known Yankee. They go head to head when they meet. And while waiting for his return she becomes a spy no none can stop. No one Except... A truly well written novel about life and events surrounding the war.

Being an avid Heather Graham fan and a passionate American Civil War historian, I found 'Rebel' slightly disappointing. The opening definitely displays the typical Heather Graham style of writing, the character reflecting past occurrences leading up to the present. I find it difficult to accept that the two characters, Ian and Alaina, could have fallen in love due to the fact that they were seldom together. Due to Ian's commission with the Union and Alaina's devotion to the Confederacy, the two clashed each time they were together but were cold and distant even during their most intimate moments. But Ian's strong and protective character appealed to me; while I found it difficult to relate or share the passion that Alaina felt for her cause and actions. But she did love Ian and had enough sense to fear being heartbroken. And she was brave, stupid at times, but brave all the same. 'Rebel' does not include the intrique, the passion, nor the mystery that the more recent contribution to the saga contains. 'Surrender', the more recent of the saga, is far more exiciting! Rebel rates in my opinion a disappointing 3 1/2 stars but one worth once starting, eventually finishing.

Before reviewing this book, I asked myself-Can a male reader, unversed in the genre of Historical Romance, maintain objectivity, shelve the narrow-minded prejudice regarding this decidedly "female-oriented" offering and judge the plot and the prose on their own merits?

Yes, I told myself, I am an author of Civil War fiction-who has tossed into his own work a modicum of "love scenes"-and the premise of "Rebel," set during the early years of the Civil War, had interesting possibilities. Therefore, I determined, I would not judge a book by its cover...

But when the cover art features a bare-chested Fabio-type holding in his muscular arms a blond bomb-shell in skin-tight leather pants (right, like ANY woman during the Civil War dressed like that) I had my doubts whether I could do so. (Who commissions these artists, anyway?-and why?)

Anyway..."Rebel" is the tale of the young and beautiful Alaina McMann, a headstrong woman in Florida who, for a variety of reasons, comes to detest the Union army and sides with the South when war erupts. Unfortunately for Alaina, her husband, the dashing and equally bullheaded Ian McKenzie, is an army officer who stays true to the United States, despite his own Southern upbringing.

The story opens in May of 1862 as Union Major Ian McKenzie (known as the Panther for his daring escapades along Florida's southeastern coast) and his small company of men find themselves hot on the trail of the Mocassin, a rebel spy who has, thus far, eluded capture. I'll give you just one guess as to the Mocassin's identity-don't worry, I'm giving nothing away that isn't clear by the end of the Prologue. Which brings me to my first problem...

This revelation, I wholeheartedly believe, was a major error on the part of the author. By showing us almost from the first page that Alaina McMann McKenzie is the dreaded Mocassin, Graham robbed her readers of the opportunity to ask themselves "Is she or isn't she?" I, for one, missed the tension and suspense that would have accompanied the "not knowing." Instead, what we have sandwiched between the Prologue and the final chapter (which, apart from a few additional scenes, is basically a replay of the Prologue, including much of the same words and dialogue) is one long series of flashbacks. Unfortunately, to sustain the tale, Graham relied too heavily on the sexual tension between "husband and wife" when a healthy dose of mystery would have truly set this story apart.

Aside from this, I do have additional problems with Rebel...

Although the research is adequate at best, several errors slipped through the cracks-the most glaring is the mention of President Van Buren instead of Buchanan. For shame!

Now let's discuss believability...Within hours of their initial meeting, Alaina and Ian are forced into a hasty marriage, brought about when they are caught in a compromising situation (that situation, in and of itself, was far too coincidental for comfort-laughable, really). Now, come on, we have two supposedly intelligent characters, and they could think of no alternative to avoid a scandal except by taking the plunge (for anyone who has read "Rebel," this play on words was definitely intended). As a reader, I will buy many scenarios, but not implausible scenarios. If, when reading, I find myself groaning aloud, then something is definitely wrong. I'm certainly not saying everything in "Rebel" is groan-worthy-indeed, both Alaina's pro-Southern sentiments and Ian's pro-Union feelings have a ring of truth to them, and in this respect, Graham should be commended for laying such fine groundwork-but the unbelievability of the aforementioned scenario, as well as several others, left a bad taste in my mouth.

To present and future authors, let my final problem with "Rebel" stand as a lesson in what NOT to do when writing your masterpiece. Apart from Alaina and Ian, I had trouble with the character names. A minor quibble, you might say, and you'd usually be correct, but not when you find yourself utterly confused and hardpressed to follow the story. (I should have been warned-it is usually a bad sign when a "Family Tree" is included.) For instance, we are confronted (occasionally in the same scene) with a Jarret, a James, a Julian, a Jerome, and a Jennifer. Then there's a Tara, a Tia, a Teela, a Rose and a Risa. Surnames also pose a problem, with a McMann, a McKenzie, and a Magee. (More than once, Graham, herself, called her leading lady by the incorrect surname, which makes me wonder whether the author did not have access to her own family-tree diagram.) Regardless, it created a problem, an irritating one, and authors should avoid falling into this trap.

I suppose you will probably surmise that I was not too crazy about this book. You would be right. Mind you, it was certainly not the worst novel I've ever read-overall, the descriptions and dialogue were fairly tight, and though I thought I would scream if I encountered yet another version of the word "fire" during the love scenes, Graham does well in developing her characters. It's simply the implausible scenarios I question, and the forfeiting of rich suspence in favor of the all-too-easy sexual tension. This might be enough to encourage readers to seek out more of Graham's work, but, frankly, I'll pass.

Trace Edward Zaber, Owner/Editor - Of Ages Past Magazine

I admit it, as with most of Heather Graham/Shannon Drake series books, I couldn't put this one down. However, I did agree with other reviewers in finding Ian spoiled, highhanded, and on occasion - completely obnoxious. I was disappointed with the plot twist of Ian constantly mooning over his ex - Risa, and found his behavior toward Alaina, who is an amazing woman, at times despicable. I closed the book still wanting to kick him in the gonads! I love Heather Graham, but I do get riled up over some of her heroes and their penchant for (almost) cheating. I actually find myself saying, "Yeah! Of course he didn't! Sure, right, Heather!" So if I, as the reader, don't believe it how in the world can the poor female character buy into his excuses, make "love" to him anyway? It then makes her character seem weaker and less appealing. I did not like Risa (the other woman) in this book. She was unconvincing as Alaina's "friend". I do like her very much in the next book of the series, where she meets Ian's cousin, Jerome, a blockade runner, and it seems the two portrayals in the back-to-back books don't match. She just made me want to slap her too in this book,and didn't find her opposed "sympathy" toward Alaina believable at all. At times, I wished they'd both run off together and leave poor Alaina to her life. I mean, Ian is a jerk! He is the one who is at fault for his "forced" marriage in the beginning, but completely blames poor Alaina and treats her horribly throughout the book! I love and hated this book. Can you tell??? This one just didn't convince me that it could be true love, and I expect him down the road to find other ways of abusing and cheating on his wife. Both the women are too good for him!
For the best of this series read, Captive. It is on my list of top five historical romances ever.

I have read the first 2 books in this series...and loved them....I didnt hate this one but was very dissappointed and troubled.....I loved alaina"s character....was not impressed with risas(Ians first chose of a wife)and was agitated with Ian.....I felt that if he kept thinking of risa he should of let Alaina go....and with friends like risa who needs enemies....and then to have her hook up with Ians cousin in the next book...what the hell is that....heres a clue if ya going to marry be faithful,if not what is good for the goose is good for the wife....

I had read COME THE MORNING, under her penname of Shannon Drake, and thought it trite and empty. but REBEL was different. vibrant and full of electricity between the two heroes, it drew my attention and warmed my heart.

Alaina McMann, the vivacious, fiercely Southern daughter of a botantist in Civil War era Florida, is caught in a compromising situation with Ian McKenzie, a union sympathizer. They wed hastily and the marriage progressed smoothly ewnough from there, Alaina the reluctant young bride and ian the determined husband. But what could be a glorius union of hearts is threatened by their strong, opposing views. ian goes to fight for the Union, and Alaina begins participating in a covert smuggling ring for the Confederacy under the name of Mocassin. but when ian finds out, can he hang his wife, the spy? We all yearn for the answer! Read this wonderful romance and find out. The characters are believable (although ian is definitely one of the randiest heros I've encountered) and the circumstances are understandable, too. Enjoy!

A historical romance. The time setting is during the Civil War. It was a little hard to get into the book but excitement picks up as you read. It was not the book that would keep me awake at night, wanting to finish. However, it was worth the time, since there are not many historical romances involving the Civil War era in Florida