Customer Reviews

Sunset Embrace

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of my favorite of Sandra Brown's romances, and one of the few where she attempted historical fiction. The story takes place on a wagon train to Texas, and whether or not Brown researched her facts, it all rings perfectly true. In fact it is mesmerizing.

The book begins as a young girl gives birth alone and in agony, in the woods. Rather than hoping for herself and the baby to live, she prays for death for them both. Half her wish comes true: the baby is stillborn, and Lydia, the young mother, falls into unconsciousness.

Before the wolves can find her, Lydia, still unconscious, is found by the Langtry family, and is saved by Ma Langtry, who happens to be the midwife-cum-earth mother for a wagon train heading west. Lydia awakes in Ma's wagon, in a clean bed, wearing a clean nightgown, and lovingly tended by Ma and her daughter Anabeth. We soon realize that Lydia is woefully innocent of female matters, to the point where she hardly realizes how she got pregnant in the first place. But even in her pain and weakness, she refuses to divulge the name of the baby's father.

Meanwhile, in another wagon, one of the group's handsome and stalwart leaders, Ross Coleman, has just lost his dainty blueblood wife in childbirth. The baby survives, but will soon die if it cannot be nourished, and in his grief, Coleman barely spares his new son a glance. Enter Ma Coleman. She has a girl without a baby, and a baby without a mother. Voila! Lydia will serve as wet-nurse to the infant. Despite Coleman's strong objections, Lydia is moved to his wagon, is helped by Ma to put the baby to her breast, and baby and girl form an instant bond.

Not so Lydia and the girl's father. Ross is convinced that Lydia, an unmarried mother, is a tramp. Lydia's pride will not let her dispute that point. The animosity between the two is somewhat tempered by the infant's obvious health and contentment in Lydia's care, and her willingness to work as hard as any of the other women in the pioneer group. Of course, an attraction arises and grows between Ross and Lydia, and that is the heart of the book.

But their relationship is as bumpy as the dangerous trail they are traveling. Not only do they have to contend with the hardships and dangers that any wagon train would face, but they are also being stalked by a murderous madman intent on rape and murder. Will Ross ever acknowledge his love for Lydia? Will she be able to overcome her fear of men enough to be in his arms? Will the baby survive? Will the madman destroy the wagon train?

Read the book and find out...it will be impossible to put down until the explosive conclusion.

This was the first sandra brown book I read - I picked it out randomly at the library based on the jacket. I couldn't put it down and went in search of every Sandra Brown book I could find. So far I have read every one I could get my hands on, although this one remains a sentimental favorite. Ms. Brown takes you to another time and really makes you feel as though you're there on that wagon train and you can see Lydia's unique beauty and Ross's tender side underneath all his rough exterior. I highly recommend it - you won't be disappointed - from the first page you'll be caught up in this great love story!

This is a "period" piece by Sandra Brown, taking place in the 1870s, charting a wagon train heading for Texas. The two main characters are Ross Coleman, a man who just lost his wife during childbirth, who has a secret from his past, and Lydia, who just gave birth to a stillborn baby, who also has a secret from her past. Lydia is found, barely conscious after giving birth in the woods, by two teens (Luke and Bubba) from the wagon train, who take her back to their Ma to help her get well. When Ross's wife dies during childbirth leaving an infant son behind, it's Lydia who is there to nurse his baby. He's resentful at first, because he thinks Lydia is trash and doesn't want her near his child, but he is also attracted to her wild beauty and he's feeling guilty b/c of his feelings for Lydia so soon after his wife's death. This torment causes him to be unfairly nasty to her, but she's strong-willed and dishes it right back at him, which he finds unnerving. Eventually, they discover that there is something strong b/t the two of them that can't be stopped, and love does conquer all. What I like about this book, besides the love story, is that there are other characters from the wagon train who are interesting to read: Bubba Langston (aka Jake), the sweet, innocent teenager who found Lydia, who idolizes Ross and wants to become the type of man he is; Priscilla, the teen w/ loose morals who seduces Jake; Winston Hill, the southern gentleman who is attracted to Lydia; and Ma, the matriarch of the wagon train. Each lends a dynamic to the book that when woven together make for an excellent read.

Be sure to follow this book up with her sequel, "Another Dawn", which takes place 20 years later and focuses on the story of Jake Langston, and Ross and Lydia's daughter, Banner. But you'll also catch up with Ross and Lydia, Ma, and Priscilla, too. It's a great sequel and a five-year book, but be warned, though, because you may not be satisfied with the ending.

Give yourself plenty of reading time as you won't be able to put this one down! Lydia,an incredibly beautiful girl (what else) runs away from her vile, abusive stepbrother and gives birth to his baby in the forest. The baby is still born but luckily, she is found and rescued by the Langston family who nurse her back to health in their wagon which is part of a train heading for Texas.Another of the wagoners, Ross Coleman, is forced to watch his wife die in childbirth and reacts violently when Ma Langston suggests that Lydia acts as wetnurse to Ross's newborn baby. The wagontrain moves on and sparks fly between Lydia and Ross.Bad echoes from both their pasts come to haunt them in the weeks ahead, with many confrontations and sadnesses to even out their gradual awareness of the attraction each has for the other.It IS a bit of a bodice ripper but one of the very best of its kind which will hold you in its spell till the end.

Based on a historical time, this book takes place on a wagon train. Filled with passion, anger, secrets, and deception, this book has a fanatasic plot line. It's a must read! I couldn't put it down!! Its one of my favorite books from her. Don't forget to read the sequel Another Dawn, also a must read novel.

I had never been very interested in historical romances. I was at the local bookstore looking for a new book to read, and as I always do, I randomly pick a book. The book I picked was Sunset Embrace. I didnt even look to see what type of book it was until I got home. I was disappointed and ready to take it back when I found that it was a historical romance, but decided to give it a try. That was the best thing I could have done. I could not put this book down. It keeps you guessing on what was going to happen next, even better than some modern romance books do. Sandra Brown did a wonderful job with this book. I give it an A+

It is a surprise compared to other SB books. The setting is probably around the late 1860's to 1870. Lydia is found after giving birth to a baby boy in the wilderness by the Langston boys from a near by wagontrain. The baby is still born and Lydia is unconscious. She is running away from a step-brother (an abusive situation). Ma Langston takes Lydia in with the family to travel with them. Ross Coleman has just lost his wife Victoria during birth of his son Lee. The baby will die if a wetnurse is not found for him. Lydia is perfect but because of her shady background Ross fights it all the way-finally accepting it to keep Lee alive- thinking she's a whore. They are soon forced to marry because of the close quarters in the wagon train and to make things proper. Ross fights it all the way- though Lydia is a beautiful girl, shows signs of being "proper", and tries hard to take care of Ross and Lee. Sparks fly between the 2. Ross has a past that starts catching up with him half way through the book along with Lydia's past catching up with her, too. It is a really good book. The Langstons are a great family and you will fall in love with Ma Langston- we all need someone like her in our lives to help us "think straight." There are other characters you will appreciate like the Southern gentleman, Winston Hill, whom is always proper and his friend Moses,too. The story is a good one that draws you in.

Sandra has accomplished what most writers can only ever hope to achieve. She draws you into the story, and you feel as if you are there living with the characters. Ross and Lydia are definitely two of the most strong people ever created. Her settings and course of events are totally believable. I didn't want the story to end. I have picked this book up many times to read my favorite parts, and since finishing it and have re-read it a few times. You will not be disappointed!

This book was fantastic. It was a post-Civil War novel about a wagon train of individuals on their way to Texas. When I finished the novel I had an urge to start reading it all over again.

The romance aspect of the book took a while to heat up, but the anticipation was exciting, frustrating, and sweet. I wouldn't change a thing about the book, including the controversial rape scene. People need to remember this it is just a story! It's not like women haven't fallen in love with someone who has taken advantage of them before. Give me a break. Besides, the character in question was also a known thief and murderer; I don't hear any complaints about that!

You couldn't help but root for Lydia and Ross, even though Ross wasn't always likeable. Ross's character was flawed, but always desirable and I looked forward to his appearances.

It's one of the better Sandra Brown novels for sure.

I bought this book in the airport on my way to Las Vegas and I could not put it down. I didn't leave my hotel room until I finished it! I love a good historical romance and these days its so hard to find a good one. If you haven't read this one yet then you are in for a treat! Happy reading.