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Gentle Savage
Scorning her Blackfoot heritage, London belle Valentine Prescott reluctantly visits her Indian mother's people, but Valentine's haughtiness dissipates when a virile Blackfoot warrior, Night Rider, seduces her and secures her destiny as princess of his people
351 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 6, 2013
First, let me say, the blurb is wrong - Valentine (Heart's Flame) is NOT a captive. She is visiting the Blackfoot tribe where her grandfather is chief - fulfilling a deathbed promise given to her mother.
I found this book available on OpenLibrary.org. Since Native American romance novels are one of my favorite genres, I checked Gentle Savage out and am currently reading it. As I have been going through the book, however, there were so many references to events and characters which clearly had their own story, I felt this book MUST be part of a series (even though the site I usually use for book details did not have it listed thus). So, I read some of the blurbs for Kathleen Drymon's other books (finding some of those very characters mentioned!), and then did some internet searching until I found a list of the entire series. I am adding it here for any who might be interested in following the series:
1. Savage Dawn (1984)
2. Destiny's Splendor (1988)
3. Velvet Savage (1989)
4. Gentle Savage (1990)
5. Savage Heaven (1995)
Book 2, Destiny's Splendor, features Star Hawk and Jessica "Silver Star" Colton - Valentine's (Heart's Flame's) grandparents
Book 3, Velvet Savage is more confusing (I have not read it, so I am going by the book blurb). The heroine is Kalina (who is Valentine's Aunt in Gentle Savage), but the hero is listed as Two Shadows, not Sacred Eagle (twin brother to Valentine's mother, Sky Eyes/Mary Jean). Otherwise, the story line from the blurb seems to mesh with what is mentioned of the couple in this book. The hero and heroine from both Savage Dawn (book 1) and Savage Heaven (book 5) I cannot place in the family dynamic (based solely on reading Gentle Savage). Books 2, 3, and 4 are certainly related to one another as the stories of the meeting of the couples for both books 2 & 3 are mentioned in this one (book 4). There is also some mention of the story of Valentine's parents, Sky Eyes (Mary Jean) and Nicholas Prescott, but I did not see their story in any of the blurbs I read. Perhaps their story is told in Velvet Savage???
As to an actual review of this book. I am only about 1/3 of the way into it, but I can already say it is rather flowery (for example, when the author describes the heroine's eyes she uses phrases like "velvet brown eyes" or "fawn brown eyes" and such...it is already getting a bit tiresome even though she does at least vary the wording a bit). While decent enough, I find Gentle Savage is not a riveting read. I am having no trouble putting the book aside for a while to do something else, so this does not seem to be one of those books you just can't put down (the kind you stay up all night reading). However, it is not bad, by any means. It would be a good book to read when you are traveling and would likely suffer frequent interruptions.
I found this book available on OpenLibrary.org. Since Native American romance novels are one of my favorite genres, I checked Gentle Savage out and am currently reading it. As I have been going through the book, however, there were so many references to events and characters which clearly had their own story, I felt this book MUST be part of a series (even though the site I usually use for book details did not have it listed thus). So, I read some of the blurbs for Kathleen Drymon's other books (finding some of those very characters mentioned!), and then did some internet searching until I found a list of the entire series. I am adding it here for any who might be interested in following the series:
1. Savage Dawn (1984)
2. Destiny's Splendor (1988)
3. Velvet Savage (1989)
4. Gentle Savage (1990)
5. Savage Heaven (1995)
Book 2, Destiny's Splendor, features Star Hawk and Jessica "Silver Star" Colton - Valentine's (Heart's Flame's) grandparents
Book 3, Velvet Savage is more confusing (I have not read it, so I am going by the book blurb). The heroine is Kalina (who is Valentine's Aunt in Gentle Savage), but the hero is listed as Two Shadows, not Sacred Eagle (twin brother to Valentine's mother, Sky Eyes/Mary Jean). Otherwise, the story line from the blurb seems to mesh with what is mentioned of the couple in this book. The hero and heroine from both Savage Dawn (book 1) and Savage Heaven (book 5) I cannot place in the family dynamic (based solely on reading Gentle Savage). Books 2, 3, and 4 are certainly related to one another as the stories of the meeting of the couples for both books 2 & 3 are mentioned in this one (book 4). There is also some mention of the story of Valentine's parents, Sky Eyes (Mary Jean) and Nicholas Prescott, but I did not see their story in any of the blurbs I read. Perhaps their story is told in Velvet Savage???
As to an actual review of this book. I am only about 1/3 of the way into it, but I can already say it is rather flowery (for example, when the author describes the heroine's eyes she uses phrases like "velvet brown eyes" or "fawn brown eyes" and such...it is already getting a bit tiresome even though she does at least vary the wording a bit). While decent enough, I find Gentle Savage is not a riveting read. I am having no trouble putting the book aside for a while to do something else, so this does not seem to be one of those books you just can't put down (the kind you stay up all night reading). However, it is not bad, by any means. It would be a good book to read when you are traveling and would likely suffer frequent interruptions.
December 29, 2014
While I've been waiting for a book to become available at my library, I decided to pick up a book in my to-be-read bookshelf. I believe I got this at a Goodwill or a cheap book sale. I've been on a book binge lately and been reading books very quickly. My favorite sub-genre in historical romance is Native American and Gentle Savage belongs in the group. The title was misleading, and I am surprised she didn't title it "Heart's Flame", which is the main protagonist's Blackfoot name and how everyone addresses her in the village. I really liked the male protagonist who was a gentle beta male who was kind and wonderful. The only thing that drove me absolutely nuts was the names in the book. They were so ridiculous and it was difficult to take them seriously. The female was named Valentine (because I think she was born on Valentine's Day, but I forgot) and her husband was named...Night Rider.
Really?
I prefer Valentine's Blackfoot name, Heart's Flame, because I couldn't help but scoff every time I read her name. When she gave birth, she named her daughter, traditionally Blackfoot, Little Beloved. I think it's sweet, but a little too saccharine for my taste. I read this book quite fast, but it had all the traditional fluff of early romance novels that I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I laughed really hard when they actually used the term "love tool". I digress, I enjoyed this book, but Valentine was a prissy character who annoyed me but eventually calmed down when she realized she was in love with Night Rider. I might read more from this author because of how well this book flowed and my penchant for Native American romances. A little too fluffy for my tastes, but her male protagonist kept me from rolling my eyes back into my head.
Really?
I prefer Valentine's Blackfoot name, Heart's Flame, because I couldn't help but scoff every time I read her name. When she gave birth, she named her daughter, traditionally Blackfoot, Little Beloved. I think it's sweet, but a little too saccharine for my taste. I read this book quite fast, but it had all the traditional fluff of early romance novels that I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I laughed really hard when they actually used the term "love tool". I digress, I enjoyed this book, but Valentine was a prissy character who annoyed me but eventually calmed down when she realized she was in love with Night Rider. I might read more from this author because of how well this book flowed and my penchant for Native American romances. A little too fluffy for my tastes, but her male protagonist kept me from rolling my eyes back into my head.
February 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this novel...The only complaint I have is the ending...it took a very strange turn near the end with the whole new story line and characters. it felt rushed and not finished...it would have loved if she had not rushed it and wrote about what happened with Jeffrey Russell. I would love a series with these characters. great book!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews