Customer Reviews

Sarina

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

 

 

I love the history of the Calfornios. Sarina is another great Francine Rivers novel. Sarina is a very well drawn character. Her struggles with religion, her bad relationship with her father and a forced marriage are all portrayed so well that you identify with Sarina. The other reviewer is correct about the birth scene, it is harrowing and disturbing but incredibly realistic. It is as good a birth scene as was ever written. All in all, this is the usual complex, nuanced romance novel that Francine Rivers was so good at writing.

Sarina is a beautiful, Californio girl. Her father, known as El Senor, is a ruthless rancher. Their relationship is not close at all. He's cold and heartless. He sends her away, to stay with family for a few years. But Sarina is a proud and spirited character, and she eventually returns to the ranch, against her father's wishes.

No sooner is she home, before Sarina goes out, unchaperoned, to explore her beloved inheritance on horse-back. It's not long before she encounters the neighbouring rancher, Lang Rossiter. There is an instant attraction between them. But he just happens to be her father's arch enemy. Sarina immediately recognises him, but he doesn't recognise her, because she's been away for a few years. He assumes she's someone else. Against her better judgement, she agrees to meet him again.

Unbeknownst to Sarina, her father is aware of the chance meeting, and being an amibitious man, he coerces Sarina and Rossiter into an arranged marriage. Just like that, their budding romance is ruined. Sarina is helpless against her father's threats. And Lang Rossiter is livid at being deceived, and trapped by Sarina. He suspects Sarina of being a part of her father's plan to manipulate him into marriage, in an attempt to gain more land and power.

Needless to say, their wedding night is NOT an unqualified success.

As if that's not bad enough, Sarina moves to her new home, where there are all kinds of nasty undercurrents. Her husband's brother is jealous of him and tries to use Sarina to get back at Lang. Sarina's mother-in-law is decidedly hostile towards her. Lang's aunt is distant, and then Lang's beautiful ex-girlfriend comes on the scene. One of them proves to be a snake in the grass.

My only criticism would be that Lang Rossiter was too hard. As a result, this sometimes seemed more like a family saga than a romance. Still, it's definitely a 5 star book, especially compared to other romances out there, that fall flat in the middle. This one keeps you on your toes until the very end. The protaganist's labour scene is one of the most harrowing I've ever read or even heard of! Although Sarina was not my favourite Francine Rivers book, I'd highly recommend it. It is very very good.

This book is very green and senuous. I adored all of it, And a woman gave birth! Big, big rating