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Hearts Touched by Fire #1
The Wicked North
From Book 1: Bound by duty and honor to wear the Union blue, a Southern-born West Point officer fights his own desires and the need to protect the woman he abandoned, he disobeys his orders to find her, as the Army of the Potomac marches toward her family’s home near Richmond.
She has the guts and willpower to protect her home from the hated Yankee aggressors, but when that traitor to the South appears at her door, she’s torn between wanting to shoot him and to be held in his arms again. Can she forgive him for their past indiscretion or does she turn him in to be executed, a traitor to both sides?
In the summer of 1862, her family’s plantation becomes the personal battle ground between them as deceit, betrayal and passion ignite the flames of love and hate that burn brighter than the roar of the guns and rivers of blood surrounding them.
She has the guts and willpower to protect her home from the hated Yankee aggressors, but when that traitor to the South appears at her door, she’s torn between wanting to shoot him and to be held in his arms again. Can she forgive him for their past indiscretion or does she turn him in to be executed, a traitor to both sides?
In the summer of 1862, her family’s plantation becomes the personal battle ground between them as deceit, betrayal and passion ignite the flames of love and hate that burn brighter than the roar of the guns and rivers of blood surrounding them.
442 pages, Paperback
Published May 24, 2016
639 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Gina Danna
22 books225 followersA USAToday Bestselling author, Gina Danna was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and has spent the better part of her life reading. History has always been her love and she spent numerous hours devouring historical romance stories, always dreaming of writing one of her own. After years of writing historical academic papers to achieve her undergraduate and graduate degrees in History, and then for museum programs and exhibits, she found the time to write her own historical romantic fiction novels.
Now, living in Texas, under the supervision of her three dogs, she writes amid a library of research books, with her only true break away is to spend time with her other life long dream – her Arabian horse – with him, her muse can play.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 29, 2018
DNF at 50%
I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED BY THIS BOOK. It was my first venture into the Civil War subgenre of HR novels, and I had such high hopes seeing as the ratings for this book were so high! Made me think that I was reading a different book than the other reviewers as I agreed with absolutely nothing they said :(
***The following DOES contain spoilers so read on at your own risk.***
The storyline and plot of this book was so outlandishly far-fetched and FULL OF DRAMA stemming from the love square that was going on, and I was just over it. I kept a list of the ridiculousness:
-heroine was hard to connect with and was constantly described as flat and unemotional
-hero was a prick and constantly flip flopping between Caroline and Emma and his mistress. UGH
-Caroline (the sister) was a manipulative and childish b*tch. I hated her
-the unhappy, despressing love square that dominated the first half of the novel: Caroline "loves" Jack but sleeps with pretty much anyone and cares for Billy, Billy "loves" Emma but secretly loves Caroline more, Emma loves Jack but also spends the majority of the novel hating him and marries Billy instead, Jack "loves" Emma but also sleeps with everyone under the sun and is ultimately snared by Caroline and forced to spend the rest of his marriage longing for Emma
-the first half is boring, repetitive, with the flashbacks dragging on for too long
-no one is even remotely happy and is living a life they abhor!! I know life isn't always puppies and sunshine, but gosh their constant guilt, anger, scheming, and longing for someone else got old real quick
-how both Jack and Emma "discovered" their spouses had been unfaithful to them on their perspective wedding nights the SAME WAY, ie. Caroline was too responsive and not a shy virgin, while Billy (Emma's husband) was too experienced and not shy at all
-I don't think I understood one sentence of the "action" of the novel that occurred, the jargon of the maneuvers and tactics was so cumbersome, and I feel like the author threw in names of actual historical people just to make it sound more legit but it just didn't work for me
-Billy decides to sacrifice himself to save Emma and Nathan and offers them to Jack (like they're CATTLE), as Billy is not man enough and incapable of providing for and protecting them. GAHHH
-And as the drama of the love square is never-ending with these people, Emma overhears the gun fight that ensues as they are leaving Billy behind to his fate and she freaks out and blames Jack for Billy's death and hates him even more now.
AND I AM OFFICIALLY DONE.
The characters were HIGHLY UNLIKABLE and flat, plot ridiculously over-the-top, and the pacing was repetitive and slow and bored me half to death. I had such high hopes for this book and subgenre as a whole, and those hopes were decapitated and doused in gasoline and set aflame by this hot mess of a book. Disappointed and do not recommend :(
I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED BY THIS BOOK. It was my first venture into the Civil War subgenre of HR novels, and I had such high hopes seeing as the ratings for this book were so high! Made me think that I was reading a different book than the other reviewers as I agreed with absolutely nothing they said :(
***The following DOES contain spoilers so read on at your own risk.***
The storyline and plot of this book was so outlandishly far-fetched and FULL OF DRAMA stemming from the love square that was going on, and I was just over it. I kept a list of the ridiculousness:
-heroine was hard to connect with and was constantly described as flat and unemotional
-hero was a prick and constantly flip flopping between Caroline and Emma and his mistress. UGH
-Caroline (the sister) was a manipulative and childish b*tch. I hated her
-the unhappy, despressing love square that dominated the first half of the novel: Caroline "loves" Jack but sleeps with pretty much anyone and cares for Billy, Billy "loves" Emma but secretly loves Caroline more, Emma loves Jack but also spends the majority of the novel hating him and marries Billy instead, Jack "loves" Emma but also sleeps with everyone under the sun and is ultimately snared by Caroline and forced to spend the rest of his marriage longing for Emma
-the first half is boring, repetitive, with the flashbacks dragging on for too long
-no one is even remotely happy and is living a life they abhor!! I know life isn't always puppies and sunshine, but gosh their constant guilt, anger, scheming, and longing for someone else got old real quick
-how both Jack and Emma "discovered" their spouses had been unfaithful to them on their perspective wedding nights the SAME WAY, ie. Caroline was too responsive and not a shy virgin, while Billy (Emma's husband) was too experienced and not shy at all
-I don't think I understood one sentence of the "action" of the novel that occurred, the jargon of the maneuvers and tactics was so cumbersome, and I feel like the author threw in names of actual historical people just to make it sound more legit but it just didn't work for me
-Billy decides to sacrifice himself to save Emma and Nathan and offers them to Jack (like they're CATTLE), as Billy is not man enough and incapable of providing for and protecting them. GAHHH
-And as the drama of the love square is never-ending with these people, Emma overhears the gun fight that ensues as they are leaving Billy behind to his fate and she freaks out and blames Jack for Billy's death and hates him even more now.
AND I AM OFFICIALLY DONE.
The characters were HIGHLY UNLIKABLE and flat, plot ridiculously over-the-top, and the pacing was repetitive and slow and bored me half to death. I had such high hopes for this book and subgenre as a whole, and those hopes were decapitated and doused in gasoline and set aflame by this hot mess of a book. Disappointed and do not recommend :(
July 21, 2016
did you like "gone with the wind"? then don't read this. it is a cheap, tawdry rip-off of a wonderful story set in the midst of the civil war. the characters are so shallow they don't cast shadows. the plot is disguised plagiarism and the writing is only so-so. there are many novels based around the civil war that are far superior to this.
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June 26, 2018
Some good descriptions of the American Civil War. Disappointingly, the end was a little anticlimactic after all of the hardship endured to get there.
June 23, 2018
At 25% I was so bored, I gave up. Very little dialog between characters who were uninteresting, even the H and h.
January 21, 2021
(+18/contém gatilhos)
Olá leitores! Hoje trago para vocês a resenha deste livro que fala sobre guerra,amor e escravidão.
Quando o jovem Jack Fontaine aceitou o convite de seu companheiro de quarto Charles Silvers,ele não imaginou que seu destino começaria a se traçar ali. Caroline - uma das irmãs de seu amigo, seria apresentada à sociedade e seus pais estavam oferecendo uma grande celebração. Qualquer coisa era melhor que voltar para casa, então por quê não?
Em um encontro por acaso, Jack conhece Emma e fica encantado mas ela logo trata de ficar longe do homem que parecia Yankee. E qual não foi sua surpresa ao descobrir que aquele intrometido estaria em sua propriedade para as festividades de sua irmã?
Caroline era egocêntrica,invejosa e egoísta que acreditava sempre que só merecia o melhor e estava no centro das atenções. Emma só deveria ter aquilo que Caroline dispensasse, e ela decidiu que Jack seria dela não importava o que tivesse de fazer. Isso fica bem claro quando após um período de trocas de cartas e um beijo, Jack tem um momento ardente com Emma e informa que dirá ao pai dela sobre eles. Percebendo que sua irmã levará vantagem pelo homem que ela deseja, Caroline parte pra ação em busca de um jeito para deixar Jack de mãos atadas. Será que o plano irá funcionar?
Quando a guerra explode, Norte e Sul lutarão por suas crenças e no meio dela, Jack terá de tomar uma grande decisão: lutar pela causa e esquecer o passado ou ser um traidor e proteger aqueles que ama?
*** Esse é um livro que eu não consegui seguir as metas de leitura (lido em Leitura Coletiva),pois estava curiosa pelos capítulos seguintes. Os personagens foram me conquistando, depois eu já estava com raiva de meio mundo e voltava a defendê-los de novo kkkkk. É uma leitura que desperta diversas sensações! Por falar sobre um cenário de guerra, os detalhes são incríveis e a angústia pelas situações que ocorrem é grande. A escravidão é bastante citada, a forma com que eles eram tratados me fez pensar bastante, um período muito triste!
Vocês gostam de livros com contextos históricos?
Leia e avalie nas plataformas :)
Tem foto lá no meu ig:@alevadadanerd
Olá leitores! Hoje trago para vocês a resenha deste livro que fala sobre guerra,amor e escravidão.
Quando o jovem Jack Fontaine aceitou o convite de seu companheiro de quarto Charles Silvers,ele não imaginou que seu destino começaria a se traçar ali. Caroline - uma das irmãs de seu amigo, seria apresentada à sociedade e seus pais estavam oferecendo uma grande celebração. Qualquer coisa era melhor que voltar para casa, então por quê não?
Em um encontro por acaso, Jack conhece Emma e fica encantado mas ela logo trata de ficar longe do homem que parecia Yankee. E qual não foi sua surpresa ao descobrir que aquele intrometido estaria em sua propriedade para as festividades de sua irmã?
Caroline era egocêntrica,invejosa e egoísta que acreditava sempre que só merecia o melhor e estava no centro das atenções. Emma só deveria ter aquilo que Caroline dispensasse, e ela decidiu que Jack seria dela não importava o que tivesse de fazer. Isso fica bem claro quando após um período de trocas de cartas e um beijo, Jack tem um momento ardente com Emma e informa que dirá ao pai dela sobre eles. Percebendo que sua irmã levará vantagem pelo homem que ela deseja, Caroline parte pra ação em busca de um jeito para deixar Jack de mãos atadas. Será que o plano irá funcionar?
Quando a guerra explode, Norte e Sul lutarão por suas crenças e no meio dela, Jack terá de tomar uma grande decisão: lutar pela causa e esquecer o passado ou ser um traidor e proteger aqueles que ama?
*** Esse é um livro que eu não consegui seguir as metas de leitura (lido em Leitura Coletiva),pois estava curiosa pelos capítulos seguintes. Os personagens foram me conquistando, depois eu já estava com raiva de meio mundo e voltava a defendê-los de novo kkkkk. É uma leitura que desperta diversas sensações! Por falar sobre um cenário de guerra, os detalhes são incríveis e a angústia pelas situações que ocorrem é grande. A escravidão é bastante citada, a forma com que eles eram tratados me fez pensar bastante, um período muito triste!
Vocês gostam de livros com contextos históricos?
Leia e avalie nas plataformas :)
Tem foto lá no meu ig:@alevadadanerd
March 12, 2021
Sem palavras! É isto que me define agora. Uau! Mil vezes uau!
➡️ Considerações:
• A primeira coisa a elogiar é o pano de fundo desta estória. Sensacional!
A mesma junta uma das coisas que mais amo em livros: romance e fundos históricos.
• Os personagens foram tão bem construídos e desenvolvidos que teve momentos que eu mesma pensei que eu é que era personagem de um livro e que os personagens do mesmo que faziam parte da realidade. 😅
• Ah! Não devemos esquecer a miríade de emoções que o mesmo me faz sentir. Fui de raiva a alegria, de paixão a amor, de ódio a “quero mais”, de medo a suspense. Enfim, uma montanha-russa e tanto.
Afinal, um bom livro se deve ter um pouquinho de tudo né?! 😉 (Dores, traições, perdas…)
• Mais a cereja do bolo foi que a cada avanço na estória eu ficava cada vez mais interligada com tudo e com todos. Me senti parte de algo e dos momentos compartilhados. Melhor sensação não há.
➡️ Resenha:
Nossa senhora! Que casal.
Que atração, que fogo! Emma e Jack com certeza merece o Oscar por ser pura chama.
Imaginem se apaixonar no meio de uma guerra e esse amor transpassar os anos e todas as intrigas? Não é para qualquer um não em.
Mais o nosso casalzão conseguiu.
Jack nunca imaginou que uma visita à fazenda de seu amigo Charles seria o começo de um estória de amor…
Recém formado e a espera das suas obrigações como soldado diante de uma guerra iminente o tão charmoso galante sulista apenas desejava curtir os seus últimos dias como civil em paz e em companhia de belas moças.
Mais oque ele julgou que seria apenas diversão, se transformou em mais, muito mais. Enfim, Emma entra em sua vida.
Tudo muda após conhece-la e perceber que não tem como fugir do amor quando o mesmo bate a sua porta. Mais nem tudo são flores. Estes dois terão que lutar muito para ficarem juntos no fim.
Afinal de contas, concorrência não é o que falta.
Terão que enfrentar traições, guerras, mortes, dois casamentos indesejados, gravidezes inesperadas e uma possível “ressurreição (pós) morte”.
Será que o amor supera barreiras que até os mesmos desconheciam? Provável ou não? Apenas lendo pra saber. 😉
#lcsleabhar @leabharbooksbr
➡️ Considerações:
• A primeira coisa a elogiar é o pano de fundo desta estória. Sensacional!
A mesma junta uma das coisas que mais amo em livros: romance e fundos históricos.
• Os personagens foram tão bem construídos e desenvolvidos que teve momentos que eu mesma pensei que eu é que era personagem de um livro e que os personagens do mesmo que faziam parte da realidade. 😅
• Ah! Não devemos esquecer a miríade de emoções que o mesmo me faz sentir. Fui de raiva a alegria, de paixão a amor, de ódio a “quero mais”, de medo a suspense. Enfim, uma montanha-russa e tanto.
Afinal, um bom livro se deve ter um pouquinho de tudo né?! 😉 (Dores, traições, perdas…)
• Mais a cereja do bolo foi que a cada avanço na estória eu ficava cada vez mais interligada com tudo e com todos. Me senti parte de algo e dos momentos compartilhados. Melhor sensação não há.
➡️ Resenha:
Nossa senhora! Que casal.
Que atração, que fogo! Emma e Jack com certeza merece o Oscar por ser pura chama.
Imaginem se apaixonar no meio de uma guerra e esse amor transpassar os anos e todas as intrigas? Não é para qualquer um não em.
Mais o nosso casalzão conseguiu.
Jack nunca imaginou que uma visita à fazenda de seu amigo Charles seria o começo de um estória de amor…
Recém formado e a espera das suas obrigações como soldado diante de uma guerra iminente o tão charmoso galante sulista apenas desejava curtir os seus últimos dias como civil em paz e em companhia de belas moças.
Mais oque ele julgou que seria apenas diversão, se transformou em mais, muito mais. Enfim, Emma entra em sua vida.
Tudo muda após conhece-la e perceber que não tem como fugir do amor quando o mesmo bate a sua porta. Mais nem tudo são flores. Estes dois terão que lutar muito para ficarem juntos no fim.
Afinal de contas, concorrência não é o que falta.
Terão que enfrentar traições, guerras, mortes, dois casamentos indesejados, gravidezes inesperadas e uma possível “ressurreição (pós) morte”.
Será que o amor supera barreiras que até os mesmos desconheciam? Provável ou não? Apenas lendo pra saber. 😉
#lcsleabhar @leabharbooksbr
February 26, 2021
"...pois o que não aprendemos com o passado, estamos condenados a repetir."
Um romance histórico, que tem como plano de fundo a guerra civil americana em meados de 1860. A autora nos surpreende a cada início de capítulo com trechos de cartas e relatos que ocorreram nesse período.
Um livro que em cada página a revolta aumenta. Libertar os escravos é uma ideologia linda, porém contraditória nessa guerra insana. Enquanto querem libertar os escravos, o país escravizam seus soldados ao tormento e ao caos com argumentos patrióticos.
"Não consigo compreender a loucura dos tempos...A traição está no ar ao nosso redor...e atende pelo nome de Patriotismo."
Jack e Charles, amigos desde o período de alistamento agora estão em meio a guerra e por ironia do destino, em lados opostos. Um passado que os uniu pela amizade, e guiou Jack até o seu verdadeiro amor, pode não ser o suficiente para viverem em paz em um período de revoltas e utopias.
Porém, a egocentricidade não está presente somente no orgulho dos capitães e presidente, mas também no coração de uma jovem que acredita que somente ela merece tudo e todos. Nem que precise humilhar e destruir a vida de sua própria irmã.
"A guerra é a crueldade. Não adianta tentar melhorá-la."
A falta de diálogo e confiança, além de guardar um segredo terrível, levam Jack a tomar decisões que resultam em arrependimentos para si e em mágoas e frustrações para Emma.
Além de ter seu coração despedaçado por Caroline e Jack, Emma tem que arcar com as consequências de uma guerra a qual ela nem entendia. E quando tudo parece estar bem, e sua vida começando a caminhar para a felicidade, ela descobre que sua queda poderá ser maior do que esperava.
"Jamais havia visto tal destruição e caos em sua vida."
Teria muitas coisas para falar sobre esse livro, porém os spoilers seriam muitos, apesar de que eu soltei alguns por aqui!! Uma leitura rica em história como esse livro não pode faltar em uma lista literária!!!
"Tudo o que pedimos é que nos deixem em paz."
Um romance histórico, que tem como plano de fundo a guerra civil americana em meados de 1860. A autora nos surpreende a cada início de capítulo com trechos de cartas e relatos que ocorreram nesse período.
Um livro que em cada página a revolta aumenta. Libertar os escravos é uma ideologia linda, porém contraditória nessa guerra insana. Enquanto querem libertar os escravos, o país escravizam seus soldados ao tormento e ao caos com argumentos patrióticos.
"Não consigo compreender a loucura dos tempos...A traição está no ar ao nosso redor...e atende pelo nome de Patriotismo."
Jack e Charles, amigos desde o período de alistamento agora estão em meio a guerra e por ironia do destino, em lados opostos. Um passado que os uniu pela amizade, e guiou Jack até o seu verdadeiro amor, pode não ser o suficiente para viverem em paz em um período de revoltas e utopias.
Porém, a egocentricidade não está presente somente no orgulho dos capitães e presidente, mas também no coração de uma jovem que acredita que somente ela merece tudo e todos. Nem que precise humilhar e destruir a vida de sua própria irmã.
"A guerra é a crueldade. Não adianta tentar melhorá-la."
A falta de diálogo e confiança, além de guardar um segredo terrível, levam Jack a tomar decisões que resultam em arrependimentos para si e em mágoas e frustrações para Emma.
Além de ter seu coração despedaçado por Caroline e Jack, Emma tem que arcar com as consequências de uma guerra a qual ela nem entendia. E quando tudo parece estar bem, e sua vida começando a caminhar para a felicidade, ela descobre que sua queda poderá ser maior do que esperava.
"Jamais havia visto tal destruição e caos em sua vida."
Teria muitas coisas para falar sobre esse livro, porém os spoilers seriam muitos, apesar de que eu soltei alguns por aqui!! Uma leitura rica em história como esse livro não pode faltar em uma lista literária!!!
"Tudo o que pedimos é que nos deixem em paz."
June 27, 2016
The Wicked North by Gina Danna is a fasted paced Western Historical Romance, set during the Civil War.
Well written Southern Romance with vivid details and engaging characters. A unique storyline, a war-torn countryside, with grief-stricken, tired, and scared characters. A heart-wrenching and heart-warming story. With historical details mixed with captivating characters, makes for a powerful, compelling and mesmerizing romance. Ms. Danna captures the readers attention and heart from the first page to the last page, with her heart pounding, dangerous and passionate tale of the North (Union) and the South(Confederate) during the Civil War, the dangers, and the rewards. Including the sorrows, the horrors of war, the trumiphs, duty, honor, and the grief amidst love and sacrifice. The grief and sorrow within "The Wicked North", is palpable and difficult, but also has moments of joy and happiness. I would suggest reading this title to fans of Southern Romance, Historical Romance, the Civil War struggles and finding a HEA. Powerful, emotional and triumphant. Brilliantly written! An absolute must read! I hope to read more of these characters and the struggles they face going forward. An awesome family saga!
Please note: Some readers may find some content degrading,some subjects may be obtrusive, and offensive. However, this is an awesome story! Pick up a copy for yourself, I think you'll enjoy "The Wicked North".
Received for an honest review from Net Galley.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
Well written Southern Romance with vivid details and engaging characters. A unique storyline, a war-torn countryside, with grief-stricken, tired, and scared characters. A heart-wrenching and heart-warming story. With historical details mixed with captivating characters, makes for a powerful, compelling and mesmerizing romance. Ms. Danna captures the readers attention and heart from the first page to the last page, with her heart pounding, dangerous and passionate tale of the North (Union) and the South(Confederate) during the Civil War, the dangers, and the rewards. Including the sorrows, the horrors of war, the trumiphs, duty, honor, and the grief amidst love and sacrifice. The grief and sorrow within "The Wicked North", is palpable and difficult, but also has moments of joy and happiness. I would suggest reading this title to fans of Southern Romance, Historical Romance, the Civil War struggles and finding a HEA. Powerful, emotional and triumphant. Brilliantly written! An absolute must read! I hope to read more of these characters and the struggles they face going forward. An awesome family saga!
Please note: Some readers may find some content degrading,some subjects may be obtrusive, and offensive. However, this is an awesome story! Pick up a copy for yourself, I think you'll enjoy "The Wicked North".
Received for an honest review from Net Galley.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
February 13, 2018
Generally, I am not a fan of romance. I read historical fiction but romance is not something I touch let alone like. So, I started reading this book thinking it's a plain historical fiction. As the story progressed, I realised that it is a romance. But by that time I sas completely engulfed by the adventure and the the protagonist's character dillemmas. I could not put it down against my better judgement, I kept reading.
The writing style is engulfing and the plot forced me to keep reading on. I held my breath everytime I felt the whole scenario is going down; this book made me experience a lot of emotions I never thought any novel of its kind can make me feel.
The characters of Jaque and Emma grew with time and it felt like I was watching them grow. In a matter of days, reading this book has made me feel like, I was living with them. Which can only be felt when you read a bunch of books in a series but never in just 1 book.
The romantic scenes were very well written without being too vulgar and still expressed the characters'emotions. The author dis a very good job writing this book. I am definitely going to find more of her books and read them now that I can trust her writing to be very entertaining and truthful.
The writing style is engulfing and the plot forced me to keep reading on. I held my breath everytime I felt the whole scenario is going down; this book made me experience a lot of emotions I never thought any novel of its kind can make me feel.
The characters of Jaque and Emma grew with time and it felt like I was watching them grow. In a matter of days, reading this book has made me feel like, I was living with them. Which can only be felt when you read a bunch of books in a series but never in just 1 book.
The romantic scenes were very well written without being too vulgar and still expressed the characters'emotions. The author dis a very good job writing this book. I am definitely going to find more of her books and read them now that I can trust her writing to be very entertaining and truthful.
June 27, 2016
If you are looking for an epic saga, you’ve found one in Wicked North. The research and history that went into this story is enough to make any lover of the Civil War era want to dig into this carefully crafted story of love, loss, and happy endings during the most brutal time in American history.
Add to this the story of Jack and Emma (and her wicked sister Caroline), and the struggles they went through to find love everlasting will draw a tear or two at times. But like a good romance novel, the happy ending is worth getting to the end.
Add to this the story of Jack and Emma (and her wicked sister Caroline), and the struggles they went through to find love everlasting will draw a tear or two at times. But like a good romance novel, the happy ending is worth getting to the end.
January 22, 2021
Uma história envolvente capaz de despertar sentimentos contraditórios, que fala de uma guerra, da escravidão , e claro de um amor.
Amor esse que precisará superar vários problemas, a inveja de Caroline irmã de Emma que fará de tudo para ter Jack em seus braços , além de uma guerra que irá tê-lo como um dos seus lutadores.
Serão eles capaz de passar por cima de todos essas questões ?
Se ficaram curiosos a respeito desse livro eu super recomendo principalmente se vc gosta de um romance de época.
Amor esse que precisará superar vários problemas, a inveja de Caroline irmã de Emma que fará de tudo para ter Jack em seus braços , além de uma guerra que irá tê-lo como um dos seus lutadores.
Serão eles capaz de passar por cima de todos essas questões ?
Se ficaram curiosos a respeito desse livro eu super recomendo principalmente se vc gosta de um romance de época.
August 2, 2018
Ubrubt ending
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2023
I agree with so many previous reviews, the good and the bad!
The prologue made me want to read the story, anticipating what was to happen between Jack and Emma. This story is epic and covers years of growth and relationships all during the tumultuous Civil War. I really like the quotes and letters from folks who lived the Civil War, like the generals and the president and nurses and soldiers. It really made the story seem real. The heart break if so many deaths on both sides of the fighting.
Author did a good job researching the time period.
I wish she had focused more on the characters and the relationships! I did not like Emma or Caroline or Billy. Kinda liked Jack but more so in the later part of the story. Poor guy, he is deserter, traipsing across the South to reach his family home with a wagon, a horse, Emma, a baby, a slave and man with dementia! He left them for many long hours and days and they were close to the battle! Some things were a little far fetched to believe. How did Jack survive SO many wounds and a firing squad? Rolled my eyes a few times! I guess the author really needed Jack to make it till the end, he is the hero!
The first part of the book was all about the sisters and we were really made to hate Caroline. When she goes off and has a tryst with Billy, it was not spoken of again. Likewise, when Caroline gives birth to supposedly Jack's (now husband) baby there is some question of the birth date...but no more mention of who the daddy is because he miraculously has green eyes like Jack! I kept waiting for Emma to run into someone who knew Caroline and who also had green eyes,nope!
There were some editing errors that tripped me up a few times (Baby Nathan was for a second a she!Then a he named Nathan. She gave kudos to her editor, but I found some obvious errors.
There was quite a bit of emotional angst and regret and sadness. The slavery story line was accurate and hard to read. Emma constantly said "God hates me" She really did have the short stick when it came to the relationship with Jack. He tried to make it up to her at the end but she really didn't like him or trust him. There was a lot of lustful thoughts and reactions to touch and being around each other for Jack and Emma. If a reader likes the history part and doesn't want the romance part, uh....there are some sex scenes that are not PG but not X rated either. I felt some were thrown in to appease that audience. I was truly disappointed in Jack and Emma's eventual, long anticipated, sexual encounter. It was not romantic or beautiful, just a rough sex in the woods. No wonder she had such a poor self image. I was hoping for the strong confident woman in the prologue fighting off the soldiers at her front door. She really turned out to be a sad, no confidence, dependant woman. She only lived for baby Nathan, her sister's baby,ugh!
This story covers several years. Baby Nathan goes from an infant to a toddler. Emma teenager to mid 20's I thnk!
Tilly, what happened to her baby,how is she a wet nurse?
Senile father, he could have had a heart attack at home and not been a part of the cross country trek. As one who took care if a parent with dementia, his story did shed light on what was not well known at the time and still not well known. Some reviewers criticised his moment of clarity at the end. That does happen confounding care givers who rarely see the dementia person make sense, just sometimes at odd times.
I gave this a 3 star because of how convoluted, long and editing errors and lack of focus on just Emma and Jack. There was enough twists and turns and surprises that kept me reading till the end.
However, I don't think I will keep reading the next stories in the series.
The prologue made me want to read the story, anticipating what was to happen between Jack and Emma. This story is epic and covers years of growth and relationships all during the tumultuous Civil War. I really like the quotes and letters from folks who lived the Civil War, like the generals and the president and nurses and soldiers. It really made the story seem real. The heart break if so many deaths on both sides of the fighting.
Author did a good job researching the time period.
I wish she had focused more on the characters and the relationships! I did not like Emma or Caroline or Billy. Kinda liked Jack but more so in the later part of the story. Poor guy, he is deserter, traipsing across the South to reach his family home with a wagon, a horse, Emma, a baby, a slave and man with dementia! He left them for many long hours and days and they were close to the battle! Some things were a little far fetched to believe. How did Jack survive SO many wounds and a firing squad? Rolled my eyes a few times! I guess the author really needed Jack to make it till the end, he is the hero!
The first part of the book was all about the sisters and we were really made to hate Caroline. When she goes off and has a tryst with Billy, it was not spoken of again. Likewise, when Caroline gives birth to supposedly Jack's (now husband) baby there is some question of the birth date...but no more mention of who the daddy is because he miraculously has green eyes like Jack! I kept waiting for Emma to run into someone who knew Caroline and who also had green eyes,nope!
There were some editing errors that tripped me up a few times (Baby Nathan was for a second a she!Then a he named Nathan. She gave kudos to her editor, but I found some obvious errors.
There was quite a bit of emotional angst and regret and sadness. The slavery story line was accurate and hard to read. Emma constantly said "God hates me" She really did have the short stick when it came to the relationship with Jack. He tried to make it up to her at the end but she really didn't like him or trust him. There was a lot of lustful thoughts and reactions to touch and being around each other for Jack and Emma. If a reader likes the history part and doesn't want the romance part, uh....there are some sex scenes that are not PG but not X rated either. I felt some were thrown in to appease that audience. I was truly disappointed in Jack and Emma's eventual, long anticipated, sexual encounter. It was not romantic or beautiful, just a rough sex in the woods. No wonder she had such a poor self image. I was hoping for the strong confident woman in the prologue fighting off the soldiers at her front door. She really turned out to be a sad, no confidence, dependant woman. She only lived for baby Nathan, her sister's baby,ugh!
This story covers several years. Baby Nathan goes from an infant to a toddler. Emma teenager to mid 20's I thnk!
Tilly, what happened to her baby,how is she a wet nurse?
Senile father, he could have had a heart attack at home and not been a part of the cross country trek. As one who took care if a parent with dementia, his story did shed light on what was not well known at the time and still not well known. Some reviewers criticised his moment of clarity at the end. That does happen confounding care givers who rarely see the dementia person make sense, just sometimes at odd times.
I gave this a 3 star because of how convoluted, long and editing errors and lack of focus on just Emma and Jack. There was enough twists and turns and surprises that kept me reading till the end.
However, I don't think I will keep reading the next stories in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2021
The Wicked North: An American Civil War Novel : Hearts Touched by Fire Book 1 is by Gina Danna. This is a fantastic series and one that you simply cannot put down. You find yourself back in antebellum Virginia and Louisiana with the Silvers family and the Fontaine’s family. You ride with the armies of the North and South and share some of excitement and horror of war.
Jack Fontaine was from Louisiana and Charles Silvers was from Virginia; but they met at West Point. Charles was having problems keeping up in his classes and Jack decided to give in and help him study. In return, Charles invited Jack to visit his home, Rose Hill, on break and to meet his sister who was having her coming out during break. Caroline was a beautiful, spoiled, arrogant, and sly Southern Belle. She decided that all the men who were there that week were there for her and her alone. She would rather her sister Emma would not even be around; but at lest she reminded her that the men were there for her, not a plain girl like her.
Caroline set her hat on Jack Fontaine and that is who she would have, one way or another. Jack, however, had other ideas. He was drawn to Emma although she ignored him as much as possible. However, Caroline tricked him into her bed and her Father found him there. Shotgun wedding! He took her North with him when he joined the Union Army. He found out on their wedding night that she was not a virgin!
This just starts the adventures that takes Jack from Washington, DC to Louisiana. It is impossible to break the feelings the book evokes. You can’t put it down.
Jack Fontaine was from Louisiana and Charles Silvers was from Virginia; but they met at West Point. Charles was having problems keeping up in his classes and Jack decided to give in and help him study. In return, Charles invited Jack to visit his home, Rose Hill, on break and to meet his sister who was having her coming out during break. Caroline was a beautiful, spoiled, arrogant, and sly Southern Belle. She decided that all the men who were there that week were there for her and her alone. She would rather her sister Emma would not even be around; but at lest she reminded her that the men were there for her, not a plain girl like her.
Caroline set her hat on Jack Fontaine and that is who she would have, one way or another. Jack, however, had other ideas. He was drawn to Emma although she ignored him as much as possible. However, Caroline tricked him into her bed and her Father found him there. Shotgun wedding! He took her North with him when he joined the Union Army. He found out on their wedding night that she was not a virgin!
This just starts the adventures that takes Jack from Washington, DC to Louisiana. It is impossible to break the feelings the book evokes. You can’t put it down.
October 20, 2024
This book is the worst. Emma started out as a strong, independent character, but the author decided she was meek and timid once her sister died and Jack came back. It was so sickening. I did skip a lot of pages regarding the war, because I didn’t understand how he was going to get away with being a deserter and a traitor, but apparently he has a ton of lives and is able to make it. Omg…a majority of the book was about how Caroline was the prettiest and Emma whining. 443 pages of that crap. 443 pages of showing how weak women are, how manipulative women are, and how men will screw anyone regardless of how deep they say their love is for another. He was able to get it up for Emma’s sister “she looked edible” seriously? But goes to visit his whore and can’t get it up because he loves Emma oh so much. Only to finally reach his father’s home, but yep! Before he goes, he went to another whore’s house who was oh so beautiful and she gave him a bath. Seriously??? Oh and let’s not forget while on the run, he even considered hooking up with the slave they brought along. Then, when he finally arrives, we find out he’s got twin daughter with *gasp* green eyes. Green eyes are rare but sure whatever you need to do to convince us they’re all his kids. And Emma was going to marry his brother. No one ever communicated, Jack never explained how he “had” to marry Caroline” because she tricked him. Too much one dialogue. Ugh I will never read anything from this author again!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2023
I’m not sure why but this book took forever to read. Maybe it was too close to real life events, I’m not sure. But that is why it’s at 3 stars. A love story brought to life during the American Civil War. An officer marries her sister, after she “compromises herself with him, only for her to pass away during child birth. Clearly his seed works well. During a battle he decides to return to Emma and his son to take them away to safety. Travel during the war is hard for them and causes multiple issues. Her father has a head wound and is slowly losing his mind to dementia or the wound and eventually turns him into the Confederacy because he’s from the South but stayed with the North. Emma and his son and the slave they brought with them make it to Jack’s family without him, thinking he is dead. Emma thinks he is dead and agrees to marry his brother since she is now with child from Jack. He arrives home in the nick of time to save her and convince her to marry him. Jack basically leaves the army and his commission for her.
The officers and battles are historically accurate even in this love story. I’m sure there are stories such as these lost in history. I’m not sure why it took so long to read but it did. I hope their story goes more smoothly in the next installment, which I probably won’t read.
The officers and battles are historically accurate even in this love story. I’m sure there are stories such as these lost in history. I’m not sure why it took so long to read but it did. I hope their story goes more smoothly in the next installment, which I probably won’t read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2019
This was an average read at the best. Mainly because of the length. Even though it was super long, it didn't have that much essence and content to justify the length. Another thing is, even though it was suppose to be a romantic read, which I guess it was, it wasn't satisfactory in a sense.
However, all an all I wasn't wowed by it.
However, all an all I wasn't wowed by it.
July 11, 2018
This book was 3.5 stars for me but I am rounding up since it was well researched historical fiction set during the Civil War. For a "romance" the author did not shy away from the political climate and captured the horror of the war very well. I loved the quotes that began each chapter. Most of the quotes were taken from letters written by those involved in the war and the differing viewpoints were fascinating and sad. I would have preferred the characters be more honest with themselves and each other but much of that may have been typical for the time. The treatment of the slaves was both disturbing and tragic, as it must be to be accurate. I would have enjoyed if some of the story was told from Tilly's perspective. Overall, the style was fine although some of the writing in the romantic scenes was repetitive.
July 28, 2018
I loved the American Civil War setting. Didn't love the characters. Jack was the only likeable one, and even he frustrated me. Despite Emma's constant accusations, he never explained Caroline's entrapment and it took him three quarters of the book to come out and admit, even to himself, that he loved Emma. Emma was a complete idiot. She repeatedly accepts Jack's devotion only to accept the flimsiest appearances as proof that he doesn't care for her. Both of them seemed attracted only physically to each other. We only saw either of them interested in more than the other's good looks or their lustful desires. Editing was also poor, with missing words and frequent short dashes looking like hyphens instead of long dashes and other errors that took me out of the story. Fascinating era, but only sympathy for long-suffering Jack, who had too much piled on him, kept me reading.
September 24, 2019
This Story in the midst of The Civil War was Absolutely Wonderful.
I truly enjoyed reading this Book. The Story, Scenes & Characters were written extremely well. I really had a hard time putting the Book down. The Story is intense & thrilling.
Emma & Jack's Journey throughly had me totally enthralled. Their Journey is not easy to say the least.
Caroline is a Spoiled & Self-centered Lady who will do anything at get what she wants & to say anything is putting it lightly.
Jack a Man who doesn't wish to marry because he doesn't want to leave a wife while he is in away at war. He is so drawn to Emma & ends up marrying Caroline, Emma's sister.
Will Jack & Emma be able to get together after everything they go through during the War?
I truly enjoyed reading this Book. The Story, Scenes & Characters were written extremely well. I really had a hard time putting the Book down. The Story is intense & thrilling.
Emma & Jack's Journey throughly had me totally enthralled. Their Journey is not easy to say the least.
Caroline is a Spoiled & Self-centered Lady who will do anything at get what she wants & to say anything is putting it lightly.
Jack a Man who doesn't wish to marry because he doesn't want to leave a wife while he is in away at war. He is so drawn to Emma & ends up marrying Caroline, Emma's sister.
Will Jack & Emma be able to get together after everything they go through during the War?
March 9, 2018
Historically beautiful
Although I usually don't like to read graphic books, the lure of The Wicked North caught my attention. Ms Danna has done a great job of bringing the angst and horror of the War Between the States to this reader's mind. Too many families and lives were torn apart. She has researched her story well. I gave it four stars because of the sexual content. I feel this (and most other historical romances would be as good or better without it.)
The Silver family of Virginia was outwardly a typical Southern family in the 1850s. It is only when you pull the polish back and look into the hearts of the family members that you see the ugliness that lies beneath the surface of some of them. Another family, the Fontaines of Louisiana, is even worse. How these famlies' lives intertwine with the backdrop of the Civil War makes a fascinating read. Ms Danna has done her homework on this one, and the result is a fascinating read. Thanks for a very good read.
Although I usually don't like to read graphic books, the lure of The Wicked North caught my attention. Ms Danna has done a great job of bringing the angst and horror of the War Between the States to this reader's mind. Too many families and lives were torn apart. She has researched her story well. I gave it four stars because of the sexual content. I feel this (and most other historical romances would be as good or better without it.)
The Silver family of Virginia was outwardly a typical Southern family in the 1850s. It is only when you pull the polish back and look into the hearts of the family members that you see the ugliness that lies beneath the surface of some of them. Another family, the Fontaines of Louisiana, is even worse. How these famlies' lives intertwine with the backdrop of the Civil War makes a fascinating read. Ms Danna has done her homework on this one, and the result is a fascinating read. Thanks for a very good read.
April 1, 2018
This is an epic saga - A West Point Southern born officer during the Civil War, Jack Fontaine wears a blue uniform and fights the war while he fights his own demons. He lives a heartwarming and charismatic life and falls in love with a southern girl, Emma with all the graces of the south. Jack and Emma goes through heart breaks and horrors of the brutal Civil War on both sides. Jack get involved with Emma's family trying to outrun the war in a wagon searching for a safe place for the family.
If you love romance and the Civil War this is the book for you. Fine research was done on the Fontaine family from New Orleans and the Civil War. This powerful story draws you in from the beginning to the end. The characters were wonderfully described, the book was well written by Gina Danna. I enjoyed this read and had a hard time putting it down, an excellent story.
If you love romance and the Civil War this is the book for you. Fine research was done on the Fontaine family from New Orleans and the Civil War. This powerful story draws you in from the beginning to the end. The characters were wonderfully described, the book was well written by Gina Danna. I enjoyed this read and had a hard time putting it down, an excellent story.
December 12, 2021
This story was awful.
I didn't like this book at all. The supposedly hero was a degenerate who married the sister of the woman he was supposedly in love with who slept with a man who later marries the girl the hero "loved". I am not really comfortable with the idea of sisters sleeping with the same men even though it happens in real life. Caroline was super selfish to an unbelievable point and Emma just wasn't that interesting. Jack the hero and Caroline deserved each other because they were both selfish. I would give it 0 stars if I could. It was a waste of time to read. If you want to read good civil war romance novels then check out Heather Graham.
I didn't like this book at all. The supposedly hero was a degenerate who married the sister of the woman he was supposedly in love with who slept with a man who later marries the girl the hero "loved". I am not really comfortable with the idea of sisters sleeping with the same men even though it happens in real life. Caroline was super selfish to an unbelievable point and Emma just wasn't that interesting. Jack the hero and Caroline deserved each other because they were both selfish. I would give it 0 stars if I could. It was a waste of time to read. If you want to read good civil war romance novels then check out Heather Graham.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2024
It's a Kindle Unlimited book, and I wasn't sure it would be worth reading. However, I discovered a new perspective of the Civil War, told from the points of view of a Southern man serving in the Union Army and of a Southern woman who is conflicted with her feelings, mostly because of her family and upbringing.
It's worth reading, and it makes you think. I found much of it a sad story, but I also realized it depicted the lives and ideals of the two protagonists. Each, in different ways and for various reasons, had to distance themselves from their birth families, but yet they found resolution and acceptance of themselves.
It's worth reading, and it makes you think. I found much of it a sad story, but I also realized it depicted the lives and ideals of the two protagonists. Each, in different ways and for various reasons, had to distance themselves from their birth families, but yet they found resolution and acceptance of themselves.
November 26, 2019
Too
Drawn out. I started to loose interest about a third through this book. I did finish it but was bored . Sex scenes, not necessary. Spoil alert! The father is losing his memory but just convincingly he remembers and speaks out at the wrong time! Emma was weak minded although she is supposed to be the responsible one, blames everything on the guy she loves and twists the facts. Within a few weeks of meeting brother she now is going to marry him???? Oh and just how is the slave women able to nurse Nathan? Did I miss where she had a baby?
Drawn out. I started to loose interest about a third through this book. I did finish it but was bored . Sex scenes, not necessary. Spoil alert! The father is losing his memory but just convincingly he remembers and speaks out at the wrong time! Emma was weak minded although she is supposed to be the responsible one, blames everything on the guy she loves and twists the facts. Within a few weeks of meeting brother she now is going to marry him???? Oh and just how is the slave women able to nurse Nathan? Did I miss where she had a baby?
April 11, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's refreshing to finally read a novel set during The War between the States that is written with a more balanced viewpoint of that period in American history. Imagining the realities of the lives of both those living in the Union and the Confederacy. The time period featured was clearly researched well, and I especially appreciated the quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
I'm looking forward to reading all of the books in the series!
I'm looking forward to reading all of the books in the series!
May 23, 2018
You will be captivated by this Civil War era tale. It isn’t just romance...though there is plenty throughout. But this is a tale that weaves a rich history of a poignant time in the history of the US and her people. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the characters, hearing the story narrated by several main characters. Just a well written book. I really enjoyed it.
August 24, 2019
The Civil War
From a southern heritage family from Georgia who's great-great grandfather fought in the Civil War this is an eye opening story. So many people lost their lives in this war 💔. It's a riveting story between two southern belles who are sisters and a southern young man who believes in fighting for the north. Very much worth the read.
From a southern heritage family from Georgia who's great-great grandfather fought in the Civil War this is an eye opening story. So many people lost their lives in this war 💔. It's a riveting story between two southern belles who are sisters and a southern young man who believes in fighting for the north. Very much worth the read.
November 23, 2023
Good story
This story is set in time of US Civil War. Both Jack and Emma were raised in the South. Emma’s brother Charles met Jack Fountain at West Point. They were both in US Army. Then, Civil war broke out. Charles went south. Jack stayed in US Army. He and Emma become star crossed lovers. Will they get back together?
This story is set in time of US Civil War. Both Jack and Emma were raised in the South. Emma’s brother Charles met Jack Fountain at West Point. They were both in US Army. Then, Civil war broke out. Charles went south. Jack stayed in US Army. He and Emma become star crossed lovers. Will they get back together?
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