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Rogues Redeemed #2
Rebelul de altădată
În Washingtonul atacat de trupele engleze, Callista Brooke e prinsă în lupta dintre Anglia, țara ei natală, și Statele Unite, țara ei adoptivă. Prinsă pe picior greșit, ea e pe punctul de a pierde totul, inclusiv viața, când un englez chipeș pătrunde prin gloata violentă care a încolțit-o, revendicând-o ca fiind a lui. Callie îl recunoaște în protector pe băiatul cu care, în copilărie, își petrecuse majoritatea zilelor. Lord George Gordon Audley fusese cel mai bun prieten al lui Callie, la care aceasta, în disperare de cauză, apelase pentru a evita o îngrozitoare căsătorie aranjată de tatăl ei. Dar încercarea lor a dat greș, cei doi fiind prinși pe când încercau să fugă, astfel că ea a fost nevoită să accepte căsătoria impusă, iar Gordon a fost trimis pe un drum fără întoarcere către colonia penitenciară din Australia. În ciuda tuturor piedicilor, Gordon supraviețuiește. Reîntâlnirea, după ani, cu Callie e pentru el ocazia de a-și obloji sufletul întinat și jură să facă orice pentru a-i proteja pe Callie și pe cei pe care ea îi iubește. Dar prietenia inocentă pe care o împărtășeau pe când erau copii se transformă într-o pasiune primejdioasă, ce îi poate salva sau îi poate distruge când au de înfruntat societatea care i-a trimis pe amândoi în exil… Mary Jo Putney este unul dintre cei mai bine vânduți autori americani de ficțiune romantică, bucurându-se de o prezență permanentă în topurile publicațiilor New York Times, Wall Street Journal Times și Publishers Weekly.
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2017
634 people are currently reading
2598 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jo Putney
167 books2,256 followersShe writes young adult fiction as M.J. Putney.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
October 16, 2018
This was the story of how the author throws against the characters all the possible problems and then solves them in few pages.
First the hero and heroine being separated by very villainous parents, but then tehir life that follows tha traumatic moment is ignored: she married a man 3 times her age, but he was gentile and accomodating - he was accused of theft and deported to Botany Bay, but managed to run away and became a spy (or aomething similar)...
All that was just hinted, but never fully explored....
Then it just jumps 10 year in future where the heroine has a successful business in Washington while the hero is sent there to save a misterious widow. Obviously the widdow is the heroine and when she's threatened by invading British soldiers, who saves her? Well, the hero, obviously.
And so on... Both are thrown into dangerous situations, but they always manage to come out victorious in just a few pages.
I don't know, but I just couldn't buy all that. Too much things that could go wrong went wrong and then was solved easily and quickly, just to make place for another similar moment. Rinse and repeat....
Also their love story didn't convinced me. I'm not overly fond of angst, but here there was absolutely no conflinct. There was no feeling, apart from some lust. I just wasn't involved.
First the hero and heroine being separated by very villainous parents, but then tehir life that follows tha traumatic moment is ignored: she married a man 3 times her age, but he was gentile and accomodating - he was accused of theft and deported to Botany Bay, but managed to run away and became a spy (or aomething similar)...
All that was just hinted, but never fully explored....
Then it just jumps 10 year in future where the heroine has a successful business in Washington while the hero is sent there to save a misterious widow. Obviously the widdow is the heroine and when she's threatened by invading British soldiers, who saves her? Well, the hero, obviously.
And so on... Both are thrown into dangerous situations, but they always manage to come out victorious in just a few pages.
I don't know, but I just couldn't buy all that. Too much things that could go wrong went wrong and then was solved easily and quickly, just to make place for another similar moment. Rinse and repeat....
Also their love story didn't convinced me. I'm not overly fond of angst, but here there was absolutely no conflinct. There was no feeling, apart from some lust. I just wasn't involved.
February 11, 2021
Es un libro muy diferente al primero de la saga, es un friends to lovers maravilloso.
Lo recomiendo profundamente si os gusta la novela romántica y de época ya que no tiene ningún desperdicio nos encontramos en Washington mientras está en guerra contra Inglaterra en el que nuestra protagonista Callista se encuentra atrapada en medio de una batalla. En medio de un ataque de las tropas británicas está apunto de perderlo todo incluso la propia vida hasta que un caballero la rescata y éste resulta ser muy familiar. Lord George Gordon había sido su mejor amigo de pequeño ella creía que estaba muerto y ahora le ha salvado.
Ambos intentaron escapar antes de que ella fuera obligada a contraer matrimonio con un señor mayor que su padre. Pero no lo lograron y Callie se vio obligada a vivir en Jamaica.
Gordon consiguió sobrevivir a la guerra y ahora ha encontrado a su amiga para dar paso a una peligrosa pasión que puede salvarlos o destruirlos.
✨Es una historia fabulosa, me ha enganchado de principio a fin, es preciosa os la recomiendo muchísimo.
Por otra parte si no habéis leído el primero creo que no es problema ya que en este no se menciona lo que ocurre en el primer libro, sí es verdad que deja entrever el pasado de Gordon pero no veo totalmente necesario leerlo.
Lo recomiendo profundamente si os gusta la novela romántica y de época ya que no tiene ningún desperdicio nos encontramos en Washington mientras está en guerra contra Inglaterra en el que nuestra protagonista Callista se encuentra atrapada en medio de una batalla. En medio de un ataque de las tropas británicas está apunto de perderlo todo incluso la propia vida hasta que un caballero la rescata y éste resulta ser muy familiar. Lord George Gordon había sido su mejor amigo de pequeño ella creía que estaba muerto y ahora le ha salvado.
Ambos intentaron escapar antes de que ella fuera obligada a contraer matrimonio con un señor mayor que su padre. Pero no lo lograron y Callie se vio obligada a vivir en Jamaica.
Gordon consiguió sobrevivir a la guerra y ahora ha encontrado a su amiga para dar paso a una peligrosa pasión que puede salvarlos o destruirlos.
✨Es una historia fabulosa, me ha enganchado de principio a fin, es preciosa os la recomiendo muchísimo.
Por otra parte si no habéis leído el primero creo que no es problema ya que en este no se menciona lo que ocurre en el primer libro, sí es verdad que deja entrever el pasado de Gordon pero no veo totalmente necesario leerlo.
November 10, 2020
3 Estrellitas. Estaba por darle las 4 Estrellas porque los dos primeros tercios de la novela me han parecido que estaban bastante bien, sin muchos sobresaltos, pero algo original. Pero si le he quitado una última estrella es por una suerte de casualidades bastante chirriantes que ocurre cuando los protagonistas vuelven a Inglaterra, y que me han dado por pensar que Mary Jo Putney no tenía mucha idea de qué hacer aquí.
Hace bastante que leí el primer libro y había olvidado un poco el prólogo del primero, cuando los Calaveras Redimidos se conocen en Portugal a punto de ser fusilados. Si bien el primer libro estuvo bastante chulo, sin ser muy memorable, éste segundo libro sigue una tónica similar.
"Érase una vez un rebelde" nos cuenta la historia de Richard y Callie. Ambos hijos de la nobleza pero lejos de la herencia, el destino de Callie era casarse con un próspero hacendado jamaicano que podría ser su abuelo, mientras que Richard era un tercer hijo y una decepción para su brutal padre. Richard y Callie eran vecinos y mejores amigos desde la infancia. Richard pretendía llevarse a Callie a Gretna Green y casarse con ella para que ésta no tuviera que casarse con un viejo, pero fueron descubiertos y sus planes frustrados.
Han pasado quince años y Callie siempre pensó que Richard acabó muerto, pero no fue así, sobrevivió y ahora trabaja en el servicio de espionaje británico y acaban de mandarle una misión, ir a América a por Callie y devolverla a Inglaterra.
A pesar de todo, Callie no fue muy desgraciada en su matrimonio y su marido la trató bien, aunque no tuvieron hijos. Realmente su esposo tuvo otra familia, pero el secreto no pudo salir a la luz, pues éste tuvo una familia con una esclava de su plantación. Cuando su esposo murió, su cruel heredero, Henry, pretendía deshacerse de Callie y a sus hermanastros mulatos y a sus abuelos venderlos, pero Callie fue más rápida, cogió su herencia y a sus esclavos y familia de su esposo, los liberó, y se los llevó con ella a los jóvenes Estados Unidos, cambiando su apellido para que Henry no los encontrara.
El libro empieza en medio de la no tan conocida guerra entre Inglaterra y Estados Unidos de 1812. Es 1814 y las tropas británicas están a punto de entrar y conquistar Washington, Callie tiene allí un próspero negocio y se niega a irse de su nuevo hogar, pero envía a su familia a Baltimore con los documentos de más valor. Será en medio de una trifulca cuando Callie se encuentre de nuevo a Richard.
Sí, ésta vez tenemos un romance de amigos y amantes. Richard no está muerto y además está comprometido a salvar a Callie y llevarla de vuelta a Inglaterra. Pero Callie no estará resuelta a dejarlo todo y volver así como así. Ambos están en medio de una guerra y sin tomar partido por un bando, además, la familia de Callie está en Baltimore y no puede abandonar a sus hijastros y a sus abuelos. Así que Richard será el paladín que ayudará a Callie a reencontrarse con su familia, mientras el lector es testigo de la batalla de Baltimore.
Es cierto que el libro no tiene muchos sobresaltos y la historia es bastante pausada, sin apenas giros que entorpezcan el romance de los personajes. Si algo me ha gustado es que Mary Jo Putney nos aleja de los ambientes más conocidos de la Regencia Inglesa y gran parte de la trama se desarrolla en Estados Unidos.
Pero como digo, la última parte del libro me ha sobrado. No es que no me haya gustado, es que no la he visto necesaria, y me ha parecido que ha habido un exceso de dramatismo gratuito. No quiero desvelar nada, pero me ha chirriado demasiado la facilidad de los protagonistas para deshacerse de parientes no deseables, no sé, pero no lo he visto muy creíble.
Pese a ello, la historia está bien y me ha entretenido, aunque confieso que no sé de quiénes serán los siguientes libros, pero igualmente, voy a leerlos.
Hace bastante que leí el primer libro y había olvidado un poco el prólogo del primero, cuando los Calaveras Redimidos se conocen en Portugal a punto de ser fusilados. Si bien el primer libro estuvo bastante chulo, sin ser muy memorable, éste segundo libro sigue una tónica similar.
"Érase una vez un rebelde" nos cuenta la historia de Richard y Callie. Ambos hijos de la nobleza pero lejos de la herencia, el destino de Callie era casarse con un próspero hacendado jamaicano que podría ser su abuelo, mientras que Richard era un tercer hijo y una decepción para su brutal padre. Richard y Callie eran vecinos y mejores amigos desde la infancia. Richard pretendía llevarse a Callie a Gretna Green y casarse con ella para que ésta no tuviera que casarse con un viejo, pero fueron descubiertos y sus planes frustrados.
Han pasado quince años y Callie siempre pensó que Richard acabó muerto, pero no fue así, sobrevivió y ahora trabaja en el servicio de espionaje británico y acaban de mandarle una misión, ir a América a por Callie y devolverla a Inglaterra.
A pesar de todo, Callie no fue muy desgraciada en su matrimonio y su marido la trató bien, aunque no tuvieron hijos. Realmente su esposo tuvo otra familia, pero el secreto no pudo salir a la luz, pues éste tuvo una familia con una esclava de su plantación. Cuando su esposo murió, su cruel heredero, Henry, pretendía deshacerse de Callie y a sus hermanastros mulatos y a sus abuelos venderlos, pero Callie fue más rápida, cogió su herencia y a sus esclavos y familia de su esposo, los liberó, y se los llevó con ella a los jóvenes Estados Unidos, cambiando su apellido para que Henry no los encontrara.
El libro empieza en medio de la no tan conocida guerra entre Inglaterra y Estados Unidos de 1812. Es 1814 y las tropas británicas están a punto de entrar y conquistar Washington, Callie tiene allí un próspero negocio y se niega a irse de su nuevo hogar, pero envía a su familia a Baltimore con los documentos de más valor. Será en medio de una trifulca cuando Callie se encuentre de nuevo a Richard.
Sí, ésta vez tenemos un romance de amigos y amantes. Richard no está muerto y además está comprometido a salvar a Callie y llevarla de vuelta a Inglaterra. Pero Callie no estará resuelta a dejarlo todo y volver así como así. Ambos están en medio de una guerra y sin tomar partido por un bando, además, la familia de Callie está en Baltimore y no puede abandonar a sus hijastros y a sus abuelos. Así que Richard será el paladín que ayudará a Callie a reencontrarse con su familia, mientras el lector es testigo de la batalla de Baltimore.
Es cierto que el libro no tiene muchos sobresaltos y la historia es bastante pausada, sin apenas giros que entorpezcan el romance de los personajes. Si algo me ha gustado es que Mary Jo Putney nos aleja de los ambientes más conocidos de la Regencia Inglesa y gran parte de la trama se desarrolla en Estados Unidos.
Pero como digo, la última parte del libro me ha sobrado. No es que no me haya gustado, es que no la he visto necesaria, y me ha parecido que ha habido un exceso de dramatismo gratuito. No quiero desvelar nada, pero me ha chirriado demasiado la facilidad de los protagonistas para deshacerse de parientes no deseables, no sé, pero no lo he visto muy creíble.
Pese a ello, la historia está bien y me ha entretenido, aunque confieso que no sé de quiénes serán los siguientes libros, pero igualmente, voy a leerlos.
April 22, 2020
Lee la reseña completa en: https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
“Érase una vez un rebelde” es la segunda parte de la serie “Calaveras redimidos”, recordemos que son cinco hombres que a las puertas de la muerte juran dar un rumbo a sus vidas si escapan del cadalso.
La primera novela no fue de mi gusto porque (si mal no recuerdo) la autora abusó de los momentos de acción y de la descripción del cultivo de vides, reconstrucción del país… en detrimento de la pareja de enamorados, en esta segunda novela encontramos lo contrario, más bien hay un equilibrio.
Richard Gordon Audley y Catherine “Callie” Brooke son amigos desde la infancia pero el repentino compromiso de Callie provoca la huida desesperada de los jóvenes y un matrimonio frustrado que los separa hasta que sus vidas vuelven a encontrarse en medio de la batalla.
Mary Jo Putney es una autora que me gusta por su forma de narrar sencilla y fluida, sus historias están llenas de aventuras por las que pasan sus protagonistas incluyendo algunos hechos reales para dotar de más realismo a sus novelas.
Callie y Richard se ven inmersos en el Incendio de Washington (1814) ataque sucedido en la guerra anglo-estadounidense de 1812 entre Estados Unidos de América y Gran Bretaña y en la famosa Batalla de Baltimore (1814).
Sin duda en esta ocasión hay mitad y mitad entre romance y acción...
“Érase una vez un rebelde” es la segunda parte de la serie “Calaveras redimidos”, recordemos que son cinco hombres que a las puertas de la muerte juran dar un rumbo a sus vidas si escapan del cadalso.
La primera novela no fue de mi gusto porque (si mal no recuerdo) la autora abusó de los momentos de acción y de la descripción del cultivo de vides, reconstrucción del país… en detrimento de la pareja de enamorados, en esta segunda novela encontramos lo contrario, más bien hay un equilibrio.
Richard Gordon Audley y Catherine “Callie” Brooke son amigos desde la infancia pero el repentino compromiso de Callie provoca la huida desesperada de los jóvenes y un matrimonio frustrado que los separa hasta que sus vidas vuelven a encontrarse en medio de la batalla.
Mary Jo Putney es una autora que me gusta por su forma de narrar sencilla y fluida, sus historias están llenas de aventuras por las que pasan sus protagonistas incluyendo algunos hechos reales para dotar de más realismo a sus novelas.
Callie y Richard se ven inmersos en el Incendio de Washington (1814) ataque sucedido en la guerra anglo-estadounidense de 1812 entre Estados Unidos de América y Gran Bretaña y en la famosa Batalla de Baltimore (1814).
Sin duda en esta ocasión hay mitad y mitad entre romance y acción...
September 13, 2017
I'm giving one star because it's obligatory, and also because Putney is taking on the war of 1812 which you don't see everyday. Those are about the only redeeming qualities I can come up with about this hot dumpster fire of a book.
Merely irritating:
-Flat dialogue. Throwing in an exclamation mark does not help it.
-Dry writing. I've read Putney before, so I'm not sure what happened here.
-Repetitive, with too much telling. How many times did I have to read the re-cap of their backstory?
-Francis Scott Key?! Ugh. So hokey. "Hey, check out this poem I wrote. What do you think?" What I think, is that that entire part of the story could've been cut.
Irksome:
-Putney's concept of family. The freed slaves were her "family," until they suddenly weren't. Once they crossed the Atlantic, they dropped off the map. There could've been a line about how they were settled in, or if/when they'd come over.
Their birth families were even worse. Lots of "I hate you." "You're my family." "Let's be friends." "I'll kill you." These seemingly happen all within the span of a few minutes. An actual family member is murdered, and while warranted, it was treated by the main characters as "oh well."
-Too much packed in. This book was about 100+ pages longer than it needed to be. By the end, I was tired and cranky.
-Unlikable main characters. Both were tiresome. Both played fast and loose with morals. They had a concept of justice that made an appearance only when it benefited them.
-What the hell kind of nickname is "Catkin"?! Doesn't even roll off the tongue. So forced-sounding that it made me rage-y.
Glad it was a library copy. I'm going to need a break from this author for a bit.
Merely irritating:
-Flat dialogue. Throwing in an exclamation mark does not help it.
-Dry writing. I've read Putney before, so I'm not sure what happened here.
-Repetitive, with too much telling. How many times did I have to read the re-cap of their backstory?
-Francis Scott Key?! Ugh. So hokey. "Hey, check out this poem I wrote. What do you think?" What I think, is that that entire part of the story could've been cut.
Irksome:
-Putney's concept of family. The freed slaves were her "family," until they suddenly weren't. Once they crossed the Atlantic, they dropped off the map. There could've been a line about how they were settled in, or if/when they'd come over.
Their birth families were even worse. Lots of "I hate you." "You're my family." "Let's be friends." "I'll kill you." These seemingly happen all within the span of a few minutes. An actual family member is murdered, and while warranted, it was treated by the main characters as "oh well."
-Too much packed in. This book was about 100+ pages longer than it needed to be. By the end, I was tired and cranky.
-Unlikable main characters. Both were tiresome. Both played fast and loose with morals. They had a concept of justice that made an appearance only when it benefited them.
-What the hell kind of nickname is "Catkin"?! Doesn't even roll off the tongue. So forced-sounding that it made me rage-y.
Glad it was a library copy. I'm going to need a break from this author for a bit.
July 22, 2022
Preface
I would like to note that the author does very through historical research. I usually skim authors notes but I’m always interested to see the little history lessons that can be applied to what was read in the story along with a book recommendation about it.
The America + war setting was incredibly well done. I do love American history, I find it fascinating that such a young country can find itself in so many skirmishes and revolutionary ideas within such a short amount of time.
————————————————————————————
RATINGS:
Plot : 4 📚📚📚📚
A lot of plot
(Not all of it well rounded, even if it was still entertaining).
World Building(Immersion): 3🌎🌎🌎
Submerged
Angst : 1👹
Being bitten by a mosquito
(Not being connected with the characters + everything being resolved too quickly aided that).
Funniness: 1.5 🌝💫
Amused
Scariness: ❎ not scary
(Unless you are afraid of sh**ty men
Romance: 2.5 💖💖💫
It was there but it was underwhelming.
Spice: 2 🌶🌶
Hot, descriptive but most culminations goes to a fade to black style.
Goriness: 3 🫀🫀🫀
Someone died and I got to see what happened.
(Very bloody, the guy got his throat cut out. Don’t feel bad though he definitely deserved + another guy got his neck broken + some other mild violence I can’t remember. They were in a war after all) .
Sadness: 1 🥲
I know the author intended for me to feel something, and I almost did
Overall star rating : 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ enjoyable but there were somethings that fell flat.
————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨 MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨
The Good Place:
▫️Callie. She had a morbid sense of humor and an even harder life but at least she made the most out of it.
▫️Richard/Gordon/ sir of one thousand names. He was nice. He could have been a good character. Actually, he was, the thing is he was the hero and as the hero he gave me way too much of a background character vibe, even when it was his POV! He is in the good place because he was very tender, loyal and protective when he wanted to. Also he could be amusing and quite funny. Ugh 😑. At least I know my weaknesses.
▫️The twists and turns that kept my neck snapping back and forth. Not so bad as to break it but good enough to keep me more than amused even if sometimes the characters were flat.
▫️That whole scene where the girls had to fight. Callie was cut throat (literally).
▫️Peter, Molly, John, Sarah,Trey, etc…
The Bad Place:
▪️I wasn’t very enthusiastic about the romance. At first it showed promise, heck it showed unlimited angst delicious potential. Then all that deflated faster than a balloon with Helium from the dollar store.
▪️Their reunion. What? The? Heck? Was? That? I have held more enthusiasm for boiling water than reading that. Where was the feelings?!??!
▪️The stepson. Enough said. 🤢
▪️The ending felt dragged and the “I love you’s” were uninspiring, especially considering the circumstances they were in.
WHERE IS THE PASSION?
————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨🚨 SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Some ( Very Random) Moments of Notice Along With (Sometimes) My Very Live Reactions Straight From My Notes App to You:
📌 “He gave her a rueful smile. “Doing the right thing seems so boringly mature.”
“Don’t you want to try everything at least once?” she said teasingly.”
My two personalities talking to each other.
📌“It sounds like the perfect place for you.” Callie cocked an ear. “I presume the screams coming from behind the house are playing fields rather than a massacre?”
That would have been a wild plot twist
📌 “Tell her that the bad penny has returned….Gordon moved into her line of sight and bowed, feeling the schoolboy fear of authority he’d always been good at concealing. “Lady Agnes.”
She stopped in the doorway, staring. “Lord George Audley! This is an unexpected pleasure.” Her gaze moved to Callie. “And this would be?”
Callie rose and smiled cheerfully. “Good day, Lady Agnes. I’m Mrs. Bad Penny. Or perhaps that should be Lady George Bad Penny.”
Lady Agnes laughed and called over her shoulder, “Refreshments, please. I foresee a long and interesting visit with the Bad Pennies.”
I would like to note that the author does very through historical research. I usually skim authors notes but I’m always interested to see the little history lessons that can be applied to what was read in the story along with a book recommendation about it.
The America + war setting was incredibly well done. I do love American history, I find it fascinating that such a young country can find itself in so many skirmishes and revolutionary ideas within such a short amount of time.
————————————————————————————
RATINGS:
Plot : 4 📚📚📚📚
A lot of plot
(Not all of it well rounded, even if it was still entertaining).
World Building(Immersion): 3🌎🌎🌎
Submerged
Angst : 1👹
Being bitten by a mosquito
(Not being connected with the characters + everything being resolved too quickly aided that).
Funniness: 1.5 🌝💫
Amused
Scariness: ❎ not scary
(Unless you are afraid of sh**ty men
Romance: 2.5 💖💖💫
It was there but it was underwhelming.
Spice: 2 🌶🌶
Hot, descriptive but most culminations goes to a fade to black style.
Goriness: 3 🫀🫀🫀
Someone died and I got to see what happened.
(Very bloody, the guy got his throat cut out. Don’t feel bad though he definitely deserved + another guy got his neck broken + some other mild violence I can’t remember. They were in a war after all) .
Sadness: 1 🥲
I know the author intended for me to feel something, and I almost did
Overall star rating : 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ enjoyable but there were somethings that fell flat.
————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨 MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨
The Good Place:
▫️Callie. She had a morbid sense of humor and an even harder life but at least she made the most out of it.
▫️Richard/Gordon/ sir of one thousand names. He was nice. He could have been a good character. Actually, he was, the thing is he was the hero and as the hero he gave me way too much of a background character vibe, even when it was his POV! He is in the good place because he was very tender, loyal and protective when he wanted to. Also he could be amusing and quite funny. Ugh 😑. At least I know my weaknesses.
▫️The twists and turns that kept my neck snapping back and forth. Not so bad as to break it but good enough to keep me more than amused even if sometimes the characters were flat.
▫️That whole scene where the girls had to fight. Callie was cut throat (literally).
▫️Peter, Molly, John, Sarah,Trey, etc…
The Bad Place:
▪️I wasn’t very enthusiastic about the romance. At first it showed promise, heck it showed unlimited angst delicious potential. Then all that deflated faster than a balloon with Helium from the dollar store.
▪️Their reunion. What? The? Heck? Was? That? I have held more enthusiasm for boiling water than reading that. Where was the feelings?!??!
▪️The stepson. Enough said. 🤢
▪️The ending felt dragged and the “I love you’s” were uninspiring, especially considering the circumstances they were in.
WHERE IS THE PASSION?
————————————————————————————
🚨🚨🚨🚨 SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Some ( Very Random) Moments of Notice Along With (Sometimes) My Very Live Reactions Straight From My Notes App to You:
📌 “He gave her a rueful smile. “Doing the right thing seems so boringly mature.”
“Don’t you want to try everything at least once?” she said teasingly.”
My two personalities talking to each other.
📌“It sounds like the perfect place for you.” Callie cocked an ear. “I presume the screams coming from behind the house are playing fields rather than a massacre?”
That would have been a wild plot twist
📌 “Tell her that the bad penny has returned….Gordon moved into her line of sight and bowed, feeling the schoolboy fear of authority he’d always been good at concealing. “Lady Agnes.”
She stopped in the doorway, staring. “Lord George Audley! This is an unexpected pleasure.” Her gaze moved to Callie. “And this would be?”
Callie rose and smiled cheerfully. “Good day, Lady Agnes. I’m Mrs. Bad Penny. Or perhaps that should be Lady George Bad Penny.”
Lady Agnes laughed and called over her shoulder, “Refreshments, please. I foresee a long and interesting visit with the Bad Pennies.”
July 10, 2017
I was really disappointed in this book. I've read plenty by Putney and she's a great writer. This book just didn't live up to her potential in my eyes. The writing was fine, but the conversation quite often felt stiff and not believable between the two main characters, but what really disappointed me was the plot. This book was great up until about 2/3 through and then once the drama in America was solved it was like well I've gotta get another 100 pages still lets go back to England and be happy and great and then suddenly have a dilemma at the end...which really felt forced and not believable.
I might have bought it more if the main character who had these "feelings" had had them earlier on in the book and they didn't just suddenly show up half way through, and if they were played upon more than they were. Overall, I just was very disappointed.
I might have bought it more if the main character who had these "feelings" had had them earlier on in the book and they didn't just suddenly show up half way through, and if they were played upon more than they were. Overall, I just was very disappointed.
October 17, 2017
Callie and Richard are very charming, and I can certainly relate to having toxic family situations and how that can have enduring effects well into adulthood, but in the end, I still can't give this book more than two stars. First, it suffers from a fair bit of "good white people" syndrome, in which there is an acknowledgement of racism and slavery, but conveniently, very few racists (unless they're the villain, of course). And, forgive me, but I had to roll my eyes every time Callie called the Adamses "family" yet never once bats an eye at the fact that they never refer to her as anything other than "Miss Callista," or the narrative's insistence that Callie's first husband, a Jamaican planter, was a good man, despite owning slaves and fathering two children on his "mistress." Anyway, this book reaffirmed my hesitation to read a book by a white author about a white main character that touches on slavery in some way (though see Mary Robinette Kowal's Of Noble Family for a truly excellent and nuanced story that very much explores the complicity of even "good" white people in systems of racism and slavery, including the heroine herself).
The other reason for the two stars? The pacing! I certainly am not of the opinion that romance stops once you're married, but the remaining 50ish after Callie and Richard are married are completely unnecessary. There's a bit of danger in the last 10 pages or so, but it's so abrupt and so shallowly developed (again, because there's only something like 10 pages left in the whole damn book!) that there really was no point.
The other reason for the two stars? The pacing! I certainly am not of the opinion that romance stops once you're married, but the remaining 50ish after Callie and Richard are married are completely unnecessary. There's a bit of danger in the last 10 pages or so, but it's so abrupt and so shallowly developed (again, because there's only something like 10 pages left in the whole damn book!) that there really was no point.
October 14, 2017
Here’s my main problem with the book.
I hate it when books are set in historical America and then make them anti-slavery. Not because there weren’t abolitionists at the time, but because it is a lazy way to use POC as a means to show how enlightened the main characters are.
So I am annoyed at the portrayal of Callie and her mixed step-children, their formerly enslaved grandparents, and her deceased husband who was in love with an enslaved woman and their children. (And honestly - what a farce. As if this enslaved woman would have a choice in whether or not her master wanted to rape her. Let’s not romanticize history - even in a romance novel. It’s insulting.)
I am glad, I guess, for the inclusion of POC. But there are better ways. There are ways to have POC be agents of their own change vs signifiers of enlightenment or window dressing.
Plus, the setting just made all the historical call outs feel super fake. Francis Scott Key is her lawyer? The racist composer of the American National Anthem? All these free blacks walking around as if Washington DC weren’t in the south? As if it were safe?
It’s a huge historical whitewash making our country’s racist roots palatable.
Also, the dialog is really clunky, as if Putney were cramming as much backstory as possible.
This factor made it very hard for me to enjoy an otherwise well written book.
I hate it when books are set in historical America and then make them anti-slavery. Not because there weren’t abolitionists at the time, but because it is a lazy way to use POC as a means to show how enlightened the main characters are.
So I am annoyed at the portrayal of Callie and her mixed step-children, their formerly enslaved grandparents, and her deceased husband who was in love with an enslaved woman and their children. (And honestly - what a farce. As if this enslaved woman would have a choice in whether or not her master wanted to rape her. Let’s not romanticize history - even in a romance novel. It’s insulting.)
I am glad, I guess, for the inclusion of POC. But there are better ways. There are ways to have POC be agents of their own change vs signifiers of enlightenment or window dressing.
Plus, the setting just made all the historical call outs feel super fake. Francis Scott Key is her lawyer? The racist composer of the American National Anthem? All these free blacks walking around as if Washington DC weren’t in the south? As if it were safe?
It’s a huge historical whitewash making our country’s racist roots palatable.
Also, the dialog is really clunky, as if Putney were cramming as much backstory as possible.
This factor made it very hard for me to enjoy an otherwise well written book.
November 8, 2018
This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed it. I have read all of the Lost Lords Series, so I am familiar with some of the characters. The Rogues Redeemed series is filled with more adventure but less plausibility. I enjoyed this one more than the prior book, even though I definitely had to suspend my disbelief. The friends to lovers romance was sweet, and I liked both Gordon and Callie.
April 27, 2020
No es que no me haya gustado la historia, es que no he sentido química entre la pareja protagonista, mena parecido muy fríos, ademas la historia de amor es demasiado rápida después de tantos años sin verse...
Me quedo con saber algo mas de la historia de independencia de America...
Me quedo con saber algo mas de la historia de independencia de America...
July 12, 2017
The War of 1812 Comes Alive!
Set in 1814 (Prologue in 1799), this is the story of Callista (“Callie “) Brooke, who sought refuge in Washington when her husband died in Jamaica. As the British burn the Capital, she discovers her best friend Lord Gordon Audley who she thought dead is alive and has been sent from England to bring her home.
Gordon and Callie have a history, one that brought them both to near ruin, but now they come together to survive the war in America. Gordon has feelings for Callie but she vows never to wed again. Having made a life as a successful seamstress, renowned for her gowns, she likes the feel of independence and she has two stepchildren of mixed race who she vows to protect.
Both Callie and Gordon hate and are hated by their families and have no wish to see them again. Callie has mixed feelings about returning to England but the more she thinks of it and Gordon, the more appealing it is.
Putney has given us a historically authentic tale with some great action scenes from the War of 1812 as the British burn Washington and lay siege to Baltimore. Through it all, Gordon tries to win Callie’s love and she wonders if her home is America or England. A well written tale fans of Putney will love!
Set in 1814 (Prologue in 1799), this is the story of Callista (“Callie “) Brooke, who sought refuge in Washington when her husband died in Jamaica. As the British burn the Capital, she discovers her best friend Lord Gordon Audley who she thought dead is alive and has been sent from England to bring her home.
Gordon and Callie have a history, one that brought them both to near ruin, but now they come together to survive the war in America. Gordon has feelings for Callie but she vows never to wed again. Having made a life as a successful seamstress, renowned for her gowns, she likes the feel of independence and she has two stepchildren of mixed race who she vows to protect.
Both Callie and Gordon hate and are hated by their families and have no wish to see them again. Callie has mixed feelings about returning to England but the more she thinks of it and Gordon, the more appealing it is.
Putney has given us a historically authentic tale with some great action scenes from the War of 1812 as the British burn Washington and lay siege to Baltimore. Through it all, Gordon tries to win Callie’s love and she wonders if her home is America or England. A well written tale fans of Putney will love!
August 27, 2017
'Once a Rebel' by Mary Jo Putney is Book Two in The "Rogues Redeemed" series. This is the story of Catherine Callista 'Callie' Brooke and Lord George Gordon 'Richard' Audley. I have read the other book in this series but feel this can easily be a standalone book.
Callie and Richard have been childhood best friends until one day when she was sixteen her father informed her that she will marry and older man. Callie's father never really liked her, he beat her and was happy to be rid of her. The same with Richard, his father never had any use for him since he was the third son of Marquwss of Kingston. So they had build a closeness that each went to the other for help and advice. So when Callie needed away out of this up and coming marriage she ran to Richard for help. Richard suggested they run off and get married. Scotland allows a 16 girl to marry and Richard was 21. But they were caught midway there and Callie was forced to go through with the marriage to save Richard from her father trying to kill him. His father didn't care if he was killed but Callie stood firm that she would only go through this marriage if her father didn't hurt Richard. But her father did ship him off and she thought he had died on the prison ship. Now years later, Callie is a widow with two step-children on the run from her former husbands family member. This has her in Washington DC where there is a fight brewing and she just got placed in the middle of it. Richard is an Captain now and has been asked to help find a former English Women by her family. It seem that she is thought to be in danger and they also want to make sure that she is well off. But when Richard finds this women he sees it Callie who he hasn't seen since that faithful night they were separated. Callie is using a false name to protect herself and her step children. But Richard claimed her as his wife to save her from the headed seen he found her in. But can these two pickup where they left off or are they meant to be more than best friends?
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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Callie and Richard have been childhood best friends until one day when she was sixteen her father informed her that she will marry and older man. Callie's father never really liked her, he beat her and was happy to be rid of her. The same with Richard, his father never had any use for him since he was the third son of Marquwss of Kingston. So they had build a closeness that each went to the other for help and advice. So when Callie needed away out of this up and coming marriage she ran to Richard for help. Richard suggested they run off and get married. Scotland allows a 16 girl to marry and Richard was 21. But they were caught midway there and Callie was forced to go through with the marriage to save Richard from her father trying to kill him. His father didn't care if he was killed but Callie stood firm that she would only go through this marriage if her father didn't hurt Richard. But her father did ship him off and she thought he had died on the prison ship. Now years later, Callie is a widow with two step-children on the run from her former husbands family member. This has her in Washington DC where there is a fight brewing and she just got placed in the middle of it. Richard is an Captain now and has been asked to help find a former English Women by her family. It seem that she is thought to be in danger and they also want to make sure that she is well off. But when Richard finds this women he sees it Callie who he hasn't seen since that faithful night they were separated. Callie is using a false name to protect herself and her step children. But Richard claimed her as his wife to save her from the headed seen he found her in. But can these two pickup where they left off or are they meant to be more than best friends?
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
http://booklikes.com/blog
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
February 9, 2021
¡Hola a todos!
Érase una vez un rebelde es la segunda entrega de la serie Calaveras redimidos de la autora Mary Jo Putney publicada por Titania. A pesar de ser parte de una serie, en mi opinión se puede leer de forma totalmente independiente, ya que salvo la forma en la que se conoce el grupo de calaveras que transcurre en el prólogo de la primera entrega, no hay nada que conecte los dos libros.
En la primera entrega de esta serie con Érase una vez un soldado, conocimos al grupo cinco hombres que será los protagonistas de esta serie, todos coinciden en un sótano en Portugal mientras esperan ser ejecutados a la mañana siguiente por los franceses. Durante su noche allí todos se replantean la vida que han llevado y cuando consiguen escapar se proponen redimirse e intentar ser mejores hombres.
Comenzamos la historia cuando, a sus 16 años, la rebelde Callie acude a pedir ayuda a su mejor amigo George para que la ayude a escapar, ya que su padre ha concertado su matrimonio con un hombre que no conoce y que es mucho más mayor que ella. Callie le pide a George que le preste algo de dinero para huir y empezar una nueva vida, pero este tiene una idea mejor, le ofrece matrimonio. El plan es sencillo, huirán inmediatamente y para cuando sus familias se den cuenta ya habrán llegado a Gretna Green para casarse.
Pero las cosas no irán como ellos esperan ya que serán sorprendidos por sus padres en mitad del trayecto. Estos no dudarán en darles una lección ensañándose con el pobre George. Para proteger a su amigo, Callie acepta finalmente el matrimonio si a cambio dejan de golpear y tomar represalias contra George.
Sus caminos se verán separados pero quince años después Gordon (se trata de George pero utiliza otro de sus muchos nombres) recibe el encargo de viajar a Estados Unidos para rescatar a una viuda y ayudarla a regresar sana y salva a Inglaterra con sus familiares. Para realizar su misión buscará la ayuda de Hawkins (uno de los cinco calaveras que conocimos brevemente en el primer libro). Hawkins es el capitán del Céfiro, un veloz barco con el que viajará a Washington para cumplir su misión.
Cual no será su sorpresa cuando descubra que la mujer que tiene que rescatar es Callie, su mejor amiga de la infancia. Llegará en el momento que más necesita de su ayuda pero las cosas no van a ser tan sencillas y Callie tiene una vida y unos lazos en Estados Unidos a los que no piensa renunciar. Juntos emprenderán un viaje lleno de aventuras y peligros en medio de la contienda para reunir a Callie con sus seres queridos.
El grueso de la acción nos sitúa en el año 1814 en plena contienda anglo-estadounidense, los británicos atacan Washington y Baltimore que son dos de los escenarios que recorreremos junto a nuestros protagonistas. Podemos decir que la historia se divide en dos partes, la primera en Estados Unidos durante la contienda y la segunda el regreso a Inglaterra y el reencuentro con su antigua vida, amigos y familiares.
En cuanto a los personajes ninguno de los dos ha tenido una vida fácil después de su separación quince años atrás. Callie finalmente se vio obligada a casarse, aunque no le fue del todo mal ya que su marido no era una mala persona y fue amable con ella. En Jamaica encontró una vida, una nueva familia y un propósito en la vida. Se ha convertido en una mujer fuerte y decidida, dispuesta a todo para proteger a los suyos.
De Gordon no nos cuentan demasiado pero sabemos que ha tenido una vida dura y que ninguno de los dos ha vuelto a tener relación alguna con sus familias. Es un hombre valiente y leal, muy respetuoso con ella y sus deseos.
Debo decir que no ha sido una lectura para mí, me ha costado leerlo, la historia no conseguía atraparme y se me ha hecho algo lenta en ocasiones. Son dos personas que comparten la comprensión, complicidad y el conocimiento que da una amistad de años por lo que la relación entre ambos me ha parecido más de amistad que de amor y personalmente me ha parecido muy fría, carente de química o pasión, o al menos la autora no me la ha transmitido.
La historia me ha parecido bien ambientada y documentada, se nota sobre todo en las descripciones que la autora hace de las batallas en Washington y Baltimore. Para ser una historia sobre una guerra no me ha parecido demasiado emocionante, el final tiene un poquito más de acción, un suceso inesperado pero que me ha parecido un poco cogido por los pelos.
En Érase un vez un rebelde encontraras una historia de friends to lovers que se cuece a fuego muy lento, un amor tierno y sereno pero pragmático y en mi opinión muy poco pasional.
Reseña en: https://bibliotecariarecomienda.blogs...
Érase una vez un rebelde es la segunda entrega de la serie Calaveras redimidos de la autora Mary Jo Putney publicada por Titania. A pesar de ser parte de una serie, en mi opinión se puede leer de forma totalmente independiente, ya que salvo la forma en la que se conoce el grupo de calaveras que transcurre en el prólogo de la primera entrega, no hay nada que conecte los dos libros.
En la primera entrega de esta serie con Érase una vez un soldado, conocimos al grupo cinco hombres que será los protagonistas de esta serie, todos coinciden en un sótano en Portugal mientras esperan ser ejecutados a la mañana siguiente por los franceses. Durante su noche allí todos se replantean la vida que han llevado y cuando consiguen escapar se proponen redimirse e intentar ser mejores hombres.
Comenzamos la historia cuando, a sus 16 años, la rebelde Callie acude a pedir ayuda a su mejor amigo George para que la ayude a escapar, ya que su padre ha concertado su matrimonio con un hombre que no conoce y que es mucho más mayor que ella. Callie le pide a George que le preste algo de dinero para huir y empezar una nueva vida, pero este tiene una idea mejor, le ofrece matrimonio. El plan es sencillo, huirán inmediatamente y para cuando sus familias se den cuenta ya habrán llegado a Gretna Green para casarse.
Pero las cosas no irán como ellos esperan ya que serán sorprendidos por sus padres en mitad del trayecto. Estos no dudarán en darles una lección ensañándose con el pobre George. Para proteger a su amigo, Callie acepta finalmente el matrimonio si a cambio dejan de golpear y tomar represalias contra George.
Sus caminos se verán separados pero quince años después Gordon (se trata de George pero utiliza otro de sus muchos nombres) recibe el encargo de viajar a Estados Unidos para rescatar a una viuda y ayudarla a regresar sana y salva a Inglaterra con sus familiares. Para realizar su misión buscará la ayuda de Hawkins (uno de los cinco calaveras que conocimos brevemente en el primer libro). Hawkins es el capitán del Céfiro, un veloz barco con el que viajará a Washington para cumplir su misión.
Cual no será su sorpresa cuando descubra que la mujer que tiene que rescatar es Callie, su mejor amiga de la infancia. Llegará en el momento que más necesita de su ayuda pero las cosas no van a ser tan sencillas y Callie tiene una vida y unos lazos en Estados Unidos a los que no piensa renunciar. Juntos emprenderán un viaje lleno de aventuras y peligros en medio de la contienda para reunir a Callie con sus seres queridos.
El grueso de la acción nos sitúa en el año 1814 en plena contienda anglo-estadounidense, los británicos atacan Washington y Baltimore que son dos de los escenarios que recorreremos junto a nuestros protagonistas. Podemos decir que la historia se divide en dos partes, la primera en Estados Unidos durante la contienda y la segunda el regreso a Inglaterra y el reencuentro con su antigua vida, amigos y familiares.
En cuanto a los personajes ninguno de los dos ha tenido una vida fácil después de su separación quince años atrás. Callie finalmente se vio obligada a casarse, aunque no le fue del todo mal ya que su marido no era una mala persona y fue amable con ella. En Jamaica encontró una vida, una nueva familia y un propósito en la vida. Se ha convertido en una mujer fuerte y decidida, dispuesta a todo para proteger a los suyos.
De Gordon no nos cuentan demasiado pero sabemos que ha tenido una vida dura y que ninguno de los dos ha vuelto a tener relación alguna con sus familias. Es un hombre valiente y leal, muy respetuoso con ella y sus deseos.
Debo decir que no ha sido una lectura para mí, me ha costado leerlo, la historia no conseguía atraparme y se me ha hecho algo lenta en ocasiones. Son dos personas que comparten la comprensión, complicidad y el conocimiento que da una amistad de años por lo que la relación entre ambos me ha parecido más de amistad que de amor y personalmente me ha parecido muy fría, carente de química o pasión, o al menos la autora no me la ha transmitido.
«—Solo digo que si ahora no ama a su hombre como cree que debería hacerlo, le garantizo que lo amará de una manera que nunca ha soñado. Usted es una buena mujer y él un buen hombre, juntos encontrarán buenas formas de amar.»
«—Como dijiste, los dos estamos dañados de diferentes maneras, pero estamos mejor juntos que separados. Afuera, en el balcón, me he dado cuenta de que no había tenido profundas sensaciones de certeza desde que te perdí y tuve que casarme contra mi voluntad. Hasta hoy. Sé que los británicos se están retirando de esta batalla y sé que quiero vivir la aventura de la vida contigo; la misma aventura que se interrumpió una vez. Es nuestro momento.»
La historia me ha parecido bien ambientada y documentada, se nota sobre todo en las descripciones que la autora hace de las batallas en Washington y Baltimore. Para ser una historia sobre una guerra no me ha parecido demasiado emocionante, el final tiene un poquito más de acción, un suceso inesperado pero que me ha parecido un poco cogido por los pelos.
En Érase un vez un rebelde encontraras una historia de friends to lovers que se cuece a fuego muy lento, un amor tierno y sereno pero pragmático y en mi opinión muy poco pasional.
Reseña en: https://bibliotecariarecomienda.blogs...
September 17, 2018
4.5 stars
If you like friends to lovers stories - you will love this book.
Catherine Callista Brooke (aka Callie) and Lord George Gordon Richard Augustus Audley (aka Richard aka Gordon) have been the best of friends since they were children. So when Callie's father tells her that he has arranged her marriage to a much older widowed plantation owner and that she will be married immediately and go with him to Jamaica, she is frantic and turns to Richard for help running away. Richard is the rebellious third son of the Marquess of Kingston, when Callie comes to him for help, he doesn't hesitate, he suggests that they go to Scotland to marry. When they are caught by their fathers, Callie agrees to marry the man her father has chosen if he will spare Richard's life. Her father agrees, but trumps up charges and has Richard transported to New South Wales.
Fifteen years later, Richard is back in London (if you read the Lost Lords series, you might remember him as Gordon - a classmate and minor character in those books) and Lord Kirkwood has an assignment for him. He needs him to go to America and find the widow Audley and either return her to her family in England or ensure her wellbeing in America. This task will be dangerous as England is at war with America - but helping people is what Richard does best and he accepts the mission.
Callie is now widowed and has moved her "family" to Washington and assumed the identity of the widow Audley to escape her vile step-son Henry. When her husband died, he made no final provisions for his two illegitimate children with his mistress. His children are quadroons and Henry considers them slaves and wanted to sell them, Callie has grown to love the children and fled to America rather than let Henry sell them. She has worked hard and established herself as seamstress, all is going well until the British invade Washington. Fearing for her family, she sends them to Baltimore and stays behind to protect the house. She is inadvertently caught up in skirmish, her house is burned to the ground and she is in grave danger when Richard arrives and claims that she is his wife.
Callie and Richard are shocked to see one another again, Callie had been told that Richard died en route to New South Wales. Richard is overjoyed to find Callie and again offers to marry her. Callie politely declines but agrees to act the part of his wife to get to Baltimore. Richard decides that Callie is the woman for him and plans to use the time to woo her. They risk life and limb to get to Baltimore and arrive to find that Callie's extended family is safe and sound - however Baltimore is preparing for the British to attack - so there will be no easy escape for them. As they spend more time together, the more they begin to fallback into their easy friendship and Callie begins to realize that everything is changing, she is no longer quintessential to her "family" and she begins to think that marrying Richard and returning to England might be exactly what she needs. Just when it seems that her life might finally be looking up, she is faced with yet another challenge - her stepson Henry has found them. After a horrifying encounter with Henry and surviving the Battle of Baltimore - Callie agrees to marry Richard and return to England.
Once they return to England, there are more shocks in store for our lovers, such as the identity of the sister that betrayed them 15 years and the discovery that both their fathers have passed and through the fickle hand of fate - Richard is now the Marquess of Kingston. Determined to make the best of their newly rewritten future, Callie and Richard venture to the Kingston family estate to confront Richard's younger brothers. All seems to be falling into place, when another tragedy strikes them and secrets are revealed and Richard is forced to do the unthinkable to save the woman he loves more than life itself.
This book was really well done, it has an almost epic feel to it and flows perfectly. It has a lot of history, surprising cameos, steamy love scenes, life and death moments, lighthearted moments and a truly lovely soulmate type of love. My only complaint is this book really needed an epilogue - I was left wondering what happened to her family in America and what became of her unresolved feelings with her sister. Other than that, which admittedly is very minor - I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it. It is the second book in the series, but they are very loosely connected and there would be no reason this book could not be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*
If you like friends to lovers stories - you will love this book.
Catherine Callista Brooke (aka Callie) and Lord George Gordon Richard Augustus Audley (aka Richard aka Gordon) have been the best of friends since they were children. So when Callie's father tells her that he has arranged her marriage to a much older widowed plantation owner and that she will be married immediately and go with him to Jamaica, she is frantic and turns to Richard for help running away. Richard is the rebellious third son of the Marquess of Kingston, when Callie comes to him for help, he doesn't hesitate, he suggests that they go to Scotland to marry. When they are caught by their fathers, Callie agrees to marry the man her father has chosen if he will spare Richard's life. Her father agrees, but trumps up charges and has Richard transported to New South Wales.
Fifteen years later, Richard is back in London (if you read the Lost Lords series, you might remember him as Gordon - a classmate and minor character in those books) and Lord Kirkwood has an assignment for him. He needs him to go to America and find the widow Audley and either return her to her family in England or ensure her wellbeing in America. This task will be dangerous as England is at war with America - but helping people is what Richard does best and he accepts the mission.
Callie is now widowed and has moved her "family" to Washington and assumed the identity of the widow Audley to escape her vile step-son Henry. When her husband died, he made no final provisions for his two illegitimate children with his mistress. His children are quadroons and Henry considers them slaves and wanted to sell them, Callie has grown to love the children and fled to America rather than let Henry sell them. She has worked hard and established herself as seamstress, all is going well until the British invade Washington. Fearing for her family, she sends them to Baltimore and stays behind to protect the house. She is inadvertently caught up in skirmish, her house is burned to the ground and she is in grave danger when Richard arrives and claims that she is his wife.
Callie and Richard are shocked to see one another again, Callie had been told that Richard died en route to New South Wales. Richard is overjoyed to find Callie and again offers to marry her. Callie politely declines but agrees to act the part of his wife to get to Baltimore. Richard decides that Callie is the woman for him and plans to use the time to woo her. They risk life and limb to get to Baltimore and arrive to find that Callie's extended family is safe and sound - however Baltimore is preparing for the British to attack - so there will be no easy escape for them. As they spend more time together, the more they begin to fallback into their easy friendship and Callie begins to realize that everything is changing, she is no longer quintessential to her "family" and she begins to think that marrying Richard and returning to England might be exactly what she needs. Just when it seems that her life might finally be looking up, she is faced with yet another challenge - her stepson Henry has found them. After a horrifying encounter with Henry and surviving the Battle of Baltimore - Callie agrees to marry Richard and return to England.
Once they return to England, there are more shocks in store for our lovers, such as the identity of the sister that betrayed them 15 years and the discovery that both their fathers have passed and through the fickle hand of fate - Richard is now the Marquess of Kingston. Determined to make the best of their newly rewritten future, Callie and Richard venture to the Kingston family estate to confront Richard's younger brothers. All seems to be falling into place, when another tragedy strikes them and secrets are revealed and Richard is forced to do the unthinkable to save the woman he loves more than life itself.
This book was really well done, it has an almost epic feel to it and flows perfectly. It has a lot of history, surprising cameos, steamy love scenes, life and death moments, lighthearted moments and a truly lovely soulmate type of love. My only complaint is this book really needed an epilogue - I was left wondering what happened to her family in America and what became of her unresolved feelings with her sister. Other than that, which admittedly is very minor - I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it. It is the second book in the series, but they are very loosely connected and there would be no reason this book could not be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*
October 17, 2021
Reseña completa http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com/...
Érase una vez un rebelde es un romance de época, la historia transcurre durante la guerra entre los Estados Unidos y Gran Bretaña en 1814 y este hecho histórico tiene gran relevancia en la trama pues los personajes se ven envueltos en ella y tiene consecuencias en sus vidas, me ha gustado que estuviera tan bien documentado y así descubrir una guerra de la que no sabía nada pero es cierto que se come todo el protagonismo y llega un momento que incluso vuelve un poco tediosa la lectura. La parte romántica no ha estado mal sin embargo esperaba algo más ya que me encanta el cliché de amigos a amantes y en esta ocasión me ha parecido un poco sosa, le ha faltado química y todo pasa un poco rápido. Eso si, me ha gustado como escribe la autora, tiene una pluma bonita y ágil y la ambientación es tremenda.
Aunque el libro tiene una buena base y el ritmo es más o menos regular, tiene bastantes cositas que me han disgustado como que los conflictos se resuelvan súper rápido, que no se profundice más en la relación entre ellos, que tenga giros súper forzados para meter un dramatismo innecesario… todo esto ha conseguido sacarme un poco del libro, que no conectara con los personajes y que a pesar de no aburrirme y hacerme pasar un buen rato de lectura haya terminado siendo una lectura amena y ya, no hay nada que sobresalga y la haga especial.
Érase una vez un rebelde es un romance de época, la historia transcurre durante la guerra entre los Estados Unidos y Gran Bretaña en 1814 y este hecho histórico tiene gran relevancia en la trama pues los personajes se ven envueltos en ella y tiene consecuencias en sus vidas, me ha gustado que estuviera tan bien documentado y así descubrir una guerra de la que no sabía nada pero es cierto que se come todo el protagonismo y llega un momento que incluso vuelve un poco tediosa la lectura. La parte romántica no ha estado mal sin embargo esperaba algo más ya que me encanta el cliché de amigos a amantes y en esta ocasión me ha parecido un poco sosa, le ha faltado química y todo pasa un poco rápido. Eso si, me ha gustado como escribe la autora, tiene una pluma bonita y ágil y la ambientación es tremenda.
Aunque el libro tiene una buena base y el ritmo es más o menos regular, tiene bastantes cositas que me han disgustado como que los conflictos se resuelvan súper rápido, que no se profundice más en la relación entre ellos, que tenga giros súper forzados para meter un dramatismo innecesario… todo esto ha conseguido sacarme un poco del libro, que no conectara con los personajes y que a pesar de no aburrirme y hacerme pasar un buen rato de lectura haya terminado siendo una lectura amena y ya, no hay nada que sobresalga y la haga especial.
Read
February 9, 2021El argumento es delicioso, realmente desde el inicio hasta el final he podido disfrutar sin parar de sonreír de esta historia, el elenco es entrañable, ya sea por los protagonistas o por los personajes que rondan en torno a Callie que son los que demuestran que una familia también puede ser aquella que está ahí y no la que viene de sangre. Pero por sobre todo, la gran amistad que Gordon y Callie tienen es de las cosas que más he disfrutado, porque hablan entre iguales y se enamoran entre iguales, y es algo que cautiva. Ella fuerza y el corazón, a veces intercambian papeles pero juntos son imparables y eso hace de ÉRASE UN REBELDE de dos rebeldes maravillosos que me han dejado cautivada por completo.
Mary Jo Putney, debo decir que es una delicia al paladar literario, con esta serie me está sorprendiendo, siendo este el libro que hasta ahora más he disfrutado, y me deja con muchas, pero que muchas ganas de saber que nos espera. ¡Feliz lectura!
Mary Jo Putney, debo decir que es una delicia al paladar literario, con esta serie me está sorprendiendo, siendo este el libro que hasta ahora más he disfrutado, y me deja con muchas, pero que muchas ganas de saber que nos espera. ¡Feliz lectura!
September 23, 2021
Hace tiempo que no leía un libro de señora y este fue todo lo que necesitaba.
Después de mi experiencia con el primero ya me imaginaba que iba a encontrar aquí, una historia de amor típica de este tipo de libros, pero con un contexto histórico que realmente se desarrolla.
En este caso, la batalla de británicos y estadounidenses en Baltimore.
Me encanta que la autora utilice hechos históricos y no se corte a la hora de las descripciones, incluir a un poeta, el tema de la esclavitud y las colonias británicas en Jamaica. Todos esos detalles le dan movilidad a un género que a veces parece estancado en ciertos patrones.
Si bien el tema político/histórico provee de contexto, se sintió mejor equilibrado que en el primer libro, además la química de los protagonistas - que son amigos de infancia que se vuelven a reencontrar después de muchos años - fue muy linda.
Después de mi experiencia con el primero ya me imaginaba que iba a encontrar aquí, una historia de amor típica de este tipo de libros, pero con un contexto histórico que realmente se desarrolla.
En este caso, la batalla de británicos y estadounidenses en Baltimore.
Me encanta que la autora utilice hechos históricos y no se corte a la hora de las descripciones, incluir a un poeta, el tema de la esclavitud y las colonias británicas en Jamaica. Todos esos detalles le dan movilidad a un género que a veces parece estancado en ciertos patrones.
Si bien el tema político/histórico provee de contexto, se sintió mejor equilibrado que en el primer libro, además la química de los protagonistas - que son amigos de infancia que se vuelven a reencontrar después de muchos años - fue muy linda.
August 8, 2021
Give this book a miss
Separated by their fathers when they were teenagers, Gordon has been an adventurer for hire. His latest assignment is to track down a widow and bring her back to London. Of course the widow is Callie. And of course he finds her just as the British are about to burn DC. And of course they have to go to Baltimore so they could see the battle of Fort McHenry. And then stuff happens and shenanigans, and that’s pretty much the plot of this book.
Yeah.
—
I admit I approached this book with some trepidation. But I’m being a completionist and reading my way through the lost Lords/Rogues redeemed series. And I liked Gordon in earlier books. And I liked him here. And unlike some other readers, I didn’t mind the friends to lovers journey that he and Callie had. It felt believable to me. Yes there wasn’t much internal conflict between them, but I’m OK with that.
What I wasn’t OK with were a bunch of other things in this book. For instance I really really really had problems with the way slavery and race were handled in this book.
So I get it, dealing with race and slavery and all the repercussions surrounding it is difficult. It takes nuance. But it can be done. It just wasn’t handled well in this book. For instance, the hero and heroine are both very anti-slavery. Which is great and appropriate. Except in practice it rang really hollow and false… it was performative. Like the fact that Callie insisted that her first husband was a good and decent man when he kept an enslaved woman as his mistress and fathered children on her. There is no way that there can be a relationship at all between an enslaved person and their owner. There just isn’t. It’s rape. You can try to whitewash it all you want, but at the end of the day the enslaved person cannot say no and so it is rape.
And then there’s the fact that Callie’s supposed “good” husband never freed his children. You can say all you want that he intended to do so, but at the end the day he didn’t. Actions speak louder than words.
Then there’s the telling fact that for all that Callie felt that Josh and Sarah and Molly and Trey were her family, they never referred to her by her actual name and they never called her mother. They always used the honorific “Miss Calista” with her. It’s even more telling that absolutely none of Calista’s family wanted to return with her to England. And none of them really seemed all bent out of shape that she was leaving. Heck, Josh and Sarah never told Callie about their other child that lived in Philadelphia. It felt very “gone with the wind” to me. I mean, There’s even the “magical Negro trope” in play here with both Josh and Sarah only existing to provide advice and sage words to the white hero and heroine. And that’s a giant problem.
And it wasn’t the only problem. The story itself was a huge mess. And it’s not the kind of story I would expect to come out of an author who has been writing as long as Mary Jo Putney has. This story was entirely predicated upon coincidences. Deus ex machinas. Every single plot point was just coincidence after coincidence after coincidence. It was as if the author wanted to write a story that feature the war of 1812 and one finally given the chance to do so shoehorn in every single major event that they could and every single major historical domain character that they could. Francis Scott key? Check. Francis Scott key happens to be the heroine’s lawyer even though it doesn’t make sense? Check. Francis Scott key happens to show the heroine in the hero the Star-Spangled Banner? Check. One of the characters happens to kill the British general Ross? Check. The lone civilian burned house in Washington DC happens to belong to the heroine? Check. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The inclusion of Francis Scott Key is particularly egregious since Francis Scott Key was anti-abolitionist. His brother-in-law would go onto author the supreme court decision for Dred Scott. I would expect better for a book that came out in 2017.
Going back to the plot. Every single minor conflict was solved painlessly and quickly. To the point where it became sort of laughable. A problem would be introduced in one chapter and solved within the same chapter. The most egregious example takes place very late in the book where a antagonist it is introduced in one chapter and is dealt with permanently literally less than 10 pages later. This antagonist had never even been hinted at before and frankly didn’t need to exist. This rapid creation of a conflict and then solving it is something that new authors do all the time. Which is why it’s so perplexing that it is showing up in an author who has been established for so long. Where was the editor?
I can’t in good conscience recommend this book. Which is sad because I’ve liked the author’s works in the past. But this one is a giant miss and a giant mess.
One Star
Separated by their fathers when they were teenagers, Gordon has been an adventurer for hire. His latest assignment is to track down a widow and bring her back to London. Of course the widow is Callie. And of course he finds her just as the British are about to burn DC. And of course they have to go to Baltimore so they could see the battle of Fort McHenry. And then stuff happens and shenanigans, and that’s pretty much the plot of this book.
Yeah.
—
I admit I approached this book with some trepidation. But I’m being a completionist and reading my way through the lost Lords/Rogues redeemed series. And I liked Gordon in earlier books. And I liked him here. And unlike some other readers, I didn’t mind the friends to lovers journey that he and Callie had. It felt believable to me. Yes there wasn’t much internal conflict between them, but I’m OK with that.
What I wasn’t OK with were a bunch of other things in this book. For instance I really really really had problems with the way slavery and race were handled in this book.
So I get it, dealing with race and slavery and all the repercussions surrounding it is difficult. It takes nuance. But it can be done. It just wasn’t handled well in this book. For instance, the hero and heroine are both very anti-slavery. Which is great and appropriate. Except in practice it rang really hollow and false… it was performative. Like the fact that Callie insisted that her first husband was a good and decent man when he kept an enslaved woman as his mistress and fathered children on her. There is no way that there can be a relationship at all between an enslaved person and their owner. There just isn’t. It’s rape. You can try to whitewash it all you want, but at the end of the day the enslaved person cannot say no and so it is rape.
And then there’s the fact that Callie’s supposed “good” husband never freed his children. You can say all you want that he intended to do so, but at the end the day he didn’t. Actions speak louder than words.
Then there’s the telling fact that for all that Callie felt that Josh and Sarah and Molly and Trey were her family, they never referred to her by her actual name and they never called her mother. They always used the honorific “Miss Calista” with her. It’s even more telling that absolutely none of Calista’s family wanted to return with her to England. And none of them really seemed all bent out of shape that she was leaving. Heck, Josh and Sarah never told Callie about their other child that lived in Philadelphia. It felt very “gone with the wind” to me. I mean, There’s even the “magical Negro trope” in play here with both Josh and Sarah only existing to provide advice and sage words to the white hero and heroine. And that’s a giant problem.
And it wasn’t the only problem. The story itself was a huge mess. And it’s not the kind of story I would expect to come out of an author who has been writing as long as Mary Jo Putney has. This story was entirely predicated upon coincidences. Deus ex machinas. Every single plot point was just coincidence after coincidence after coincidence. It was as if the author wanted to write a story that feature the war of 1812 and one finally given the chance to do so shoehorn in every single major event that they could and every single major historical domain character that they could. Francis Scott key? Check. Francis Scott key happens to be the heroine’s lawyer even though it doesn’t make sense? Check. Francis Scott key happens to show the heroine in the hero the Star-Spangled Banner? Check. One of the characters happens to kill the British general Ross? Check. The lone civilian burned house in Washington DC happens to belong to the heroine? Check. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The inclusion of Francis Scott Key is particularly egregious since Francis Scott Key was anti-abolitionist. His brother-in-law would go onto author the supreme court decision for Dred Scott. I would expect better for a book that came out in 2017.
Going back to the plot. Every single minor conflict was solved painlessly and quickly. To the point where it became sort of laughable. A problem would be introduced in one chapter and solved within the same chapter. The most egregious example takes place very late in the book where a antagonist it is introduced in one chapter and is dealt with permanently literally less than 10 pages later. This antagonist had never even been hinted at before and frankly didn’t need to exist. This rapid creation of a conflict and then solving it is something that new authors do all the time. Which is why it’s so perplexing that it is showing up in an author who has been established for so long. Where was the editor?
I can’t in good conscience recommend this book. Which is sad because I’ve liked the author’s works in the past. But this one is a giant miss and a giant mess.
One Star
August 24, 2017
4.5 stars
If you like friends to lovers stories - you will love this book.
Catherine Callista Brooke (aka Callie) and Lord George Gordon Richard Augustus Audley (aka Richard aka Gordon) have been the best of friends since they were children. So when Callie's father tells her that he has arranged her marriage to a much older widowed plantation owner and that she will be married immediately and go with him to Jamaica, she is frantic and turns to Richard for help running away. Richard is the rebellious third son of the Marquess of Kingston, when Callie comes to him for help, he doesn't hesitate, he suggests that they go to Scotland to marry. When they are caught by their fathers, Callie agrees to marry the man her father has chosen if he will spare Richard's life. Her father agrees, but trumps up charges and has Richard transported to New South Wales.
Fifteen years later, Richard is back in London (if you read the Lost Lords series, you might remember him as Gordon - a classmate and minor character in those books) and Lord Kirkwood has an assignment for him. He needs him to go to America and find the widow Audley and either return her to her family in England or ensure her wellbeing in America. This task will be dangerous as England is at war with America - but helping people is what Richard does best and he accepts the mission.
Callie is now widowed and has moved her "family" to Washington and assumed the identity of the widow Audley to escape her vile step-son Henry. When her husband died, he made no final provisions for his two illegitimate children with his mistress. His children are quadroons and Henry considers them slaves and wanted to sell them, Callie has grown to love the children and fled to America rather than let Henry sell them. She has worked hard and established herself as seamstress, all is going well until the British invade Washington. Fearing for her family, she sends them to Baltimore and stays behind to protect the house. She is inadvertently caught up in skirmish, her house is burned to the ground and she is in grave danger when Richard arrives and claims that she is his wife.
Callie and Richard are shocked to see one another again, Callie had been told that Richard died en route to New South Wales. Richard is overjoyed to find Callie and again offers to marry her. Callie politely declines but agrees to act the part of his wife to get to Baltimore. Richard decides that Callie is the woman for him and plans to use the time to woo her. They risk life and limb to get to Baltimore and arrive to find that Callie's extended family is safe and sound - however Baltimore is preparing for the British to attack - so there will be no easy escape for them. As they spend more time together, the more they begin to fallback into their easy friendship and Callie begins to realize that everything is changing, she is no longer quintessential to her "family" and she begins to think that marrying Richard and returning to England might be exactly what she needs. Just when it seems that her life might finally be looking up, she is faced with yet another challenge - her stepson Henry has found them. After a horrifying encounter with Henry and surviving the Battle of Baltimore - Callie agrees to marry Richard and return to England.
Once they return to England, there are more shocks in store for our lovers, such as the identity of the sister that betrayed them 15 years and the discovery that both their fathers have passed and through the fickle hand of fate - Richard is now the Marquess of Kingston. Determined to make the best of their newly rewritten future, Callie and Richard venture to the Kingston family estate to confront Richard's younger brothers. All seems to be falling into place, when another tragedy strikes them and secrets are revealed and Richard is forced to do the unthinkable to save the woman he loves more than life itself.
This book was really well done, it has an almost epic feel to it and flows perfectly. It has a lot of history, surprising cameos, steamy love scenes, life and death moments, lighthearted moments and a truly lovely soulmate type of love. My only complaint is this book really needed an epilogue - I was left wondering what happened to her family in America and what became of her unresolved feelings with her sister. Other than that, which admittedly is very minor - I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it. It is the second book in the series, but they are very loosely connected and there would be no reason this book could not be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*
If you like friends to lovers stories - you will love this book.
Catherine Callista Brooke (aka Callie) and Lord George Gordon Richard Augustus Audley (aka Richard aka Gordon) have been the best of friends since they were children. So when Callie's father tells her that he has arranged her marriage to a much older widowed plantation owner and that she will be married immediately and go with him to Jamaica, she is frantic and turns to Richard for help running away. Richard is the rebellious third son of the Marquess of Kingston, when Callie comes to him for help, he doesn't hesitate, he suggests that they go to Scotland to marry. When they are caught by their fathers, Callie agrees to marry the man her father has chosen if he will spare Richard's life. Her father agrees, but trumps up charges and has Richard transported to New South Wales.
Fifteen years later, Richard is back in London (if you read the Lost Lords series, you might remember him as Gordon - a classmate and minor character in those books) and Lord Kirkwood has an assignment for him. He needs him to go to America and find the widow Audley and either return her to her family in England or ensure her wellbeing in America. This task will be dangerous as England is at war with America - but helping people is what Richard does best and he accepts the mission.
Callie is now widowed and has moved her "family" to Washington and assumed the identity of the widow Audley to escape her vile step-son Henry. When her husband died, he made no final provisions for his two illegitimate children with his mistress. His children are quadroons and Henry considers them slaves and wanted to sell them, Callie has grown to love the children and fled to America rather than let Henry sell them. She has worked hard and established herself as seamstress, all is going well until the British invade Washington. Fearing for her family, she sends them to Baltimore and stays behind to protect the house. She is inadvertently caught up in skirmish, her house is burned to the ground and she is in grave danger when Richard arrives and claims that she is his wife.
Callie and Richard are shocked to see one another again, Callie had been told that Richard died en route to New South Wales. Richard is overjoyed to find Callie and again offers to marry her. Callie politely declines but agrees to act the part of his wife to get to Baltimore. Richard decides that Callie is the woman for him and plans to use the time to woo her. They risk life and limb to get to Baltimore and arrive to find that Callie's extended family is safe and sound - however Baltimore is preparing for the British to attack - so there will be no easy escape for them. As they spend more time together, the more they begin to fallback into their easy friendship and Callie begins to realize that everything is changing, she is no longer quintessential to her "family" and she begins to think that marrying Richard and returning to England might be exactly what she needs. Just when it seems that her life might finally be looking up, she is faced with yet another challenge - her stepson Henry has found them. After a horrifying encounter with Henry and surviving the Battle of Baltimore - Callie agrees to marry Richard and return to England.
Once they return to England, there are more shocks in store for our lovers, such as the identity of the sister that betrayed them 15 years and the discovery that both their fathers have passed and through the fickle hand of fate - Richard is now the Marquess of Kingston. Determined to make the best of their newly rewritten future, Callie and Richard venture to the Kingston family estate to confront Richard's younger brothers. All seems to be falling into place, when another tragedy strikes them and secrets are revealed and Richard is forced to do the unthinkable to save the woman he loves more than life itself.
This book was really well done, it has an almost epic feel to it and flows perfectly. It has a lot of history, surprising cameos, steamy love scenes, life and death moments, lighthearted moments and a truly lovely soulmate type of love. My only complaint is this book really needed an epilogue - I was left wondering what happened to her family in America and what became of her unresolved feelings with her sister. Other than that, which admittedly is very minor - I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it. It is the second book in the series, but they are very loosely connected and there would be no reason this book could not be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*
March 14, 2021
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
The white savior vibes are strong with this one. I didn't know there was a slavery aspect to this book and I probably wouldn't have read it if I knew that in advanced. Callie's ex-husband was a plantation owner in Jamaica that owned slaves but don't worry, he was a good man! This book seriously tries justify him having slaves because what other option was there?! (BTW, they also mention the Quakers next door that have free slaves working for them for PAY so there were other options that they were well aware of). He also had a mistress who was mixed and had two babies with her. He loved her but of course couldn't marry her because she was black. His will did not include anything for his black kids but Callie (his now wife) pushed him to leave them money in his will and free them. Yep, they were slaves too. His kids. But he was a good man. After he dies, Callie frees them but they still serve her and call her Miss Callista. She insists they are like family and is hurt that they have secrets from her. Like, yea okay they are probably thankful that she is a decent human and freed them but with no money and no where else to go, what options do they really have than to stay with her? Girl, they ain't your family, they just have little options.
Other than this, the romance was bland. Callie and Gordon have no chemistry at all. Their entire relationship hinges on the fact that they were best friends as kids. She literally outright says she doesn't love him. He's just her best friend. He pretty much just wears her down and she's like well, what else is there to do? Why not? She has no on else since her black "family" wants to stay in America to find their actual family. She literally marries him because she has nothing else going for her. How are we supposed to root for that?
Lots of familial drama that explodes and then gets wrapped up super quickly. Lots of boring scenes where they are just sitting at home listening to bombs and guns going off in the distance.
If you couldn't tell, I didn't like this book and don't recommend it.
The white savior vibes are strong with this one. I didn't know there was a slavery aspect to this book and I probably wouldn't have read it if I knew that in advanced. Callie's ex-husband was a plantation owner in Jamaica that owned slaves but don't worry, he was a good man! This book seriously tries justify him having slaves because what other option was there?! (BTW, they also mention the Quakers next door that have free slaves working for them for PAY so there were other options that they were well aware of). He also had a mistress who was mixed and had two babies with her. He loved her but of course couldn't marry her because she was black. His will did not include anything for his black kids but Callie (his now wife) pushed him to leave them money in his will and free them. Yep, they were slaves too. His kids. But he was a good man. After he dies, Callie frees them but they still serve her and call her Miss Callista. She insists they are like family and is hurt that they have secrets from her. Like, yea okay they are probably thankful that she is a decent human and freed them but with no money and no where else to go, what options do they really have than to stay with her? Girl, they ain't your family, they just have little options.
Other than this, the romance was bland. Callie and Gordon have no chemistry at all. Their entire relationship hinges on the fact that they were best friends as kids. She literally outright says she doesn't love him. He's just her best friend. He pretty much just wears her down and she's like well, what else is there to do? Why not? She has no on else since her black "family" wants to stay in America to find their actual family. She literally marries him because she has nothing else going for her. How are we supposed to root for that?
Lots of familial drama that explodes and then gets wrapped up super quickly. Lots of boring scenes where they are just sitting at home listening to bombs and guns going off in the distance.
If you couldn't tell, I didn't like this book and don't recommend it.
September 27, 2019
This was a good friends to lovers story in a setting not often seen in Regency romance. Callie and Gordon were best friends growing up. When her father planned to marry her off to a Jamaican planter three times her age, Callie fled to Gordon for help. His idea for them to escape to Gretna Green did not go as planned, and they were quickly caught. In a heartbreaking scene, Gordon was nearly beaten to death, and Callie submits to save Gordon's life. She is sent off to Jamaica and Gordon ends up sent to the penal colony in Australia.
Fast forward fifteen years. Callie is a widow who fled from Jamaica to Washington DC to escape her brutal stepson, taking her late husband's illegitimate quadroon children and their grandparents with her. She created a successful life there as a dressmaker, but as the story opens, she is caught in the British invasion of Washington. Unfortunate timing places her in the midst of danger when an unexpected savior arrives just in time to save her life. Callie is stunned to see Gordon, who she believed was dead.
After many years and adventures, of which we get only hints, Gordon made it back to England. He now spends his time helping people out of tricky situations. He was asked to go to America and track down a widow for her family. They would like her to return to England, or if not, to be sure that she is safe and happy. The last thing he expected was for Callie to be that widow.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Callie and Gordon. Once they recovered from their surprise, they slipped easily back into their old friendship. But they are no longer children, and there is a new tension simmering under the surface. I loved seeing them get to know each other as adults. Callie has become a beautiful woman who is intelligent, independent, and determined. She doesn't trust easily and has no plans to marry again. Gordon is a man with many facets which comes in handy during this book. His happiness at finding Callie again made him realize that he wants to keep her in his life. There are two main obstacles. One is her determination not to marry, and the other is her reluctance to return to England. Because of their dysfunctional families, neither Gordon nor Callie has any real experience with love.
Gordon is the first to realize that what he feels for Callie is more than friendship and decides to use his time to woo Callie to his way of thinking. He also isn't above using little tastes of passion to show her the benefits of marrying him. Though adamantly opposed at first, changing circumstances and growing passion cause Callie to reconsider. I loved Gordon's patience as he slowly brought Callie to realize that they belonged together. I liked their support of each other on their return to England, where several surprises awaited them. But it took a near-tragedy for them to realize the depth of their feelings for each other. I liked the ending and seeing them accept the full measure of their love.
One of my favorite things about this book is the setting. Placing this book in Baltimore during the War of 1812 gave an added layer of drama to the story. It was fun to see Callie and Gordon jump back and forth between being British or American as the need arose. Gordon was especially good at exhibiting just the right attitude for the situation. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of life in Baltimore as they prepared for the possible arrival of British soldiers. The vividness of the bombardment of Fort McHenry made me feel as though I was there. The identity of Callie's lawyer was unexpected and a nice touch.
There were two bits of mystery and danger that added to the tension of the book. The first was the reason that Callie fled Jamaica. Her husband's legitimate son was a greedy bully and his actions made it clear she and her adopted family were not safe. With the steps she took, she never expected Henry to pursue them, but was proved wrong. The confrontation with him was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. The second was the surprise inheritance that Gordon received on his arrival back in England. His trip back to his childhood home was emotional and full of both good and bad memories. Unexpected danger had me glued to the pages as once again Gordon was called on to save them from danger. I ached for him as he confronted the culprit to save himself and Callie.
I would have liked an epilogue to see their lives a few years down the road. I'm curious to see how things go for Callie's Baltimore family. Since this is part of a series, hopefully there will be updates in future books.
Fast forward fifteen years. Callie is a widow who fled from Jamaica to Washington DC to escape her brutal stepson, taking her late husband's illegitimate quadroon children and their grandparents with her. She created a successful life there as a dressmaker, but as the story opens, she is caught in the British invasion of Washington. Unfortunate timing places her in the midst of danger when an unexpected savior arrives just in time to save her life. Callie is stunned to see Gordon, who she believed was dead.
After many years and adventures, of which we get only hints, Gordon made it back to England. He now spends his time helping people out of tricky situations. He was asked to go to America and track down a widow for her family. They would like her to return to England, or if not, to be sure that she is safe and happy. The last thing he expected was for Callie to be that widow.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Callie and Gordon. Once they recovered from their surprise, they slipped easily back into their old friendship. But they are no longer children, and there is a new tension simmering under the surface. I loved seeing them get to know each other as adults. Callie has become a beautiful woman who is intelligent, independent, and determined. She doesn't trust easily and has no plans to marry again. Gordon is a man with many facets which comes in handy during this book. His happiness at finding Callie again made him realize that he wants to keep her in his life. There are two main obstacles. One is her determination not to marry, and the other is her reluctance to return to England. Because of their dysfunctional families, neither Gordon nor Callie has any real experience with love.
Gordon is the first to realize that what he feels for Callie is more than friendship and decides to use his time to woo Callie to his way of thinking. He also isn't above using little tastes of passion to show her the benefits of marrying him. Though adamantly opposed at first, changing circumstances and growing passion cause Callie to reconsider. I loved Gordon's patience as he slowly brought Callie to realize that they belonged together. I liked their support of each other on their return to England, where several surprises awaited them. But it took a near-tragedy for them to realize the depth of their feelings for each other. I liked the ending and seeing them accept the full measure of their love.
One of my favorite things about this book is the setting. Placing this book in Baltimore during the War of 1812 gave an added layer of drama to the story. It was fun to see Callie and Gordon jump back and forth between being British or American as the need arose. Gordon was especially good at exhibiting just the right attitude for the situation. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of life in Baltimore as they prepared for the possible arrival of British soldiers. The vividness of the bombardment of Fort McHenry made me feel as though I was there. The identity of Callie's lawyer was unexpected and a nice touch.
There were two bits of mystery and danger that added to the tension of the book. The first was the reason that Callie fled Jamaica. Her husband's legitimate son was a greedy bully and his actions made it clear she and her adopted family were not safe. With the steps she took, she never expected Henry to pursue them, but was proved wrong. The confrontation with him was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. The second was the surprise inheritance that Gordon received on his arrival back in England. His trip back to his childhood home was emotional and full of both good and bad memories. Unexpected danger had me glued to the pages as once again Gordon was called on to save them from danger. I ached for him as he confronted the culprit to save himself and Callie.
I would have liked an epilogue to see their lives a few years down the road. I'm curious to see how things go for Callie's Baltimore family. Since this is part of a series, hopefully there will be updates in future books.
January 26, 2021
En realidad 3,5.
Richard ha sido enviado a una misión de rescate a Washigton. Allí deberá encontrar a una joven viuda que deberá devolver sana y salvo a Inglaterra con su familia. La misión no es fácil ya que Richard apenas cuenta con información para localizar a la dama. Además la ciudad de Washington está siendo asediada por las tropas británicas lo que hará que la misión sea mucho más arriesgada. Cuando Richard localiza a la viuda se da cuenta de que esa mujer no es otra que su mejor amiga de la infancia Callie, la chica con la que huyó de casa para salvarla de un matrimonio concertado.
Este es el segundo libro de la serie Calaveras redimidos, una serie de libros que narran las historias de 5 hombres que se conocieron en un sótano de Portugal cuando sus vidas estaban al borde de la muerte. Los libros pueden leerse independientemente. La verdad que es el segundo libro que leo de romance de época y tengo que decir que me ha gustado. La historia está dividida como en 2 partes, la primera que hace referencia a los acontecimientos que tienen lugar desde que a Richard se le encomienda la misión de rescate hasta que esta finaliza y que tiene lugar en los Estados Unidos. Y la segunda parte en la que se nos cuenta cómo es el la vuelta a casa y el reencuentro con sus familias tras tanto tiempo sin tener contacto con ellos y que transcurre en Inglaterra. Lo que más me ha gustado del libro es la ambientación. La historia está ambientada en la guerra de 1812 entre Inglaterra y Estados Unidos un conflicto que enfrentaba a ambos países por las colonias canadienses de Inglaterra. La verdad que yo no conocía nada de este conflicto y el libro me ha servido para conocer y aprender sobre él. Me gustó mucho la manera en la que la autora enlazó la trama y la historia ya que a pesar de que durante los capítulos aparecen varios de los acontecimientos y figuras más relevantes de la época estos datos no hacen pesada la lectura. Otra cosa que me gustó fue el romance. En cuanto a los personajes decir que en general me gustaron. De todos ellos mi personaje favorito fue Callie porque me pareció una chica muy valiente y con una ideas bastante modernas para la época. Como único aspecto negativo decir que me hubiese gustado que la autora hubiese incluido un capítulo más al final de la historia para saber como les iba la vida a Richard y a Callie en el futuro. Además al principio me hice un poco de jaleo con los nombres de los 2 protagonistas porque tienen varios nombres debido a la época y a su posición social y la autora a veces usa unos y otras veces otros por lo demás es un libro que he disfrutado mucho.
Richard ha sido enviado a una misión de rescate a Washigton. Allí deberá encontrar a una joven viuda que deberá devolver sana y salvo a Inglaterra con su familia. La misión no es fácil ya que Richard apenas cuenta con información para localizar a la dama. Además la ciudad de Washington está siendo asediada por las tropas británicas lo que hará que la misión sea mucho más arriesgada. Cuando Richard localiza a la viuda se da cuenta de que esa mujer no es otra que su mejor amiga de la infancia Callie, la chica con la que huyó de casa para salvarla de un matrimonio concertado.
Este es el segundo libro de la serie Calaveras redimidos, una serie de libros que narran las historias de 5 hombres que se conocieron en un sótano de Portugal cuando sus vidas estaban al borde de la muerte. Los libros pueden leerse independientemente. La verdad que es el segundo libro que leo de romance de época y tengo que decir que me ha gustado. La historia está dividida como en 2 partes, la primera que hace referencia a los acontecimientos que tienen lugar desde que a Richard se le encomienda la misión de rescate hasta que esta finaliza y que tiene lugar en los Estados Unidos. Y la segunda parte en la que se nos cuenta cómo es el la vuelta a casa y el reencuentro con sus familias tras tanto tiempo sin tener contacto con ellos y que transcurre en Inglaterra. Lo que más me ha gustado del libro es la ambientación. La historia está ambientada en la guerra de 1812 entre Inglaterra y Estados Unidos un conflicto que enfrentaba a ambos países por las colonias canadienses de Inglaterra. La verdad que yo no conocía nada de este conflicto y el libro me ha servido para conocer y aprender sobre él. Me gustó mucho la manera en la que la autora enlazó la trama y la historia ya que a pesar de que durante los capítulos aparecen varios de los acontecimientos y figuras más relevantes de la época estos datos no hacen pesada la lectura. Otra cosa que me gustó fue el romance. En cuanto a los personajes decir que en general me gustaron. De todos ellos mi personaje favorito fue Callie porque me pareció una chica muy valiente y con una ideas bastante modernas para la época. Como único aspecto negativo decir que me hubiese gustado que la autora hubiese incluido un capítulo más al final de la historia para saber como les iba la vida a Richard y a Callie en el futuro. Además al principio me hice un poco de jaleo con los nombres de los 2 protagonistas porque tienen varios nombres debido a la época y a su posición social y la autora a veces usa unos y otras veces otros por lo demás es un libro que he disfrutado mucho.
August 3, 2017
This is the,second book of this series. I like the premise of rogues changing their ways, to do for others instead of themselves. This story has a background featuring two awful fathers, both high ranking in the ton, but cruel. Catherine at a tender age of sixteen, is promised to a Jamaican planter, old enough to be her father. Three times her senior, and so far,away from her home, she turns to her best friend Richard, who is a third son out of five, and his mother had left a scandal behind her. They did not get far running away, and the cost was dear. The book starts some years later as Catherine, and her family have. moved to Washington during the war of 1812. The woman, and her family that sends Gordon to a rescue for lots of money turns out to be Catherine. The hero has numerous names, Gordon, Richard, George, and others. There is a good explanation for all the names, and it does not get confusing. The story goes into the heroine rescue, and her travel to find her family, in Baltimore which is where the bulk of the battle was caught, and held, against the British. It was this battle that The Star Spangled Banner was written, and you really are proud to be an American. The book then goes to England, where more adventures, and dangers await. This is a good steady historical, mystery, and romantic read. The book never gives you much of a break, as one mishap, or danger happens after another, but during it all, romance grows. The ending gives you hope, and I loved that. The best part was the couple changing from British, to American, to British, and being able to handle, all the problems thrown their way. They both were very kind, giving, but imaginative people. I would like to learn what happened to the family she had adopted one day, perhaps in another book. I really liked them as well. Slavery was also a big issue in this book, even having children, and a love of a master. This worked in Jamaica, but not in England. it was interesting how each country felt about owning slaves, and indentured servants to keep their large farms, or plantations running. England really sent a lot of people, as indentured servants for seven or more years, for almost no reason. I liked this book, but I felt when the couple moved from place to place, the reader did not get the full explanation. An epilogue would have made this a five,star read.
August 31, 2017
Masterful!
The research by Putney gives a solid background to a story that spans some years and encompasses betrayal, heartache, the 1812 British Invasion of Washington and Baltimore, race relations, slavery and courage.
When sixteen year old Catherine Callista Brooke was being forced into marriage with a man old enough to be her father, her best friend "Lord George Gordon Richard Augustus Audley, third and most worthless son of the Marquess of Kingston", suggested elopement to Scotland.
What followed was a horrendous tale that forced the two apart and set them upon very different paths.
Now, fifteen years and many life changes later, Gordon, called Richard by Callie (one of two people only ever to do so) is asked to go to America to find a Mrs. Audley. Curiously he wonders if they are related somehow as Audley is his name. Richard arrives as the British are attacking Washington, and just as Mrs. Audley is being seized upon by looters. A kindly death seems the best of options being presented her.
Imagine his surprise when the mysterious Mrs. Audley is the Callie of his youth. Callie is even more astonished when the friend she'd been told had died appears back from the dead effecting a dramatic rescue.
And this is less than a quarter of the way into the story.
I found the moments throughout of Callie dealing with what the future might hold for her and the letting go insightful.
This a gripping tale that had me reading over breakfast, on the subway and in between various appointments until I'd finished.
Explosive stuff! A fitting follow up in the Rogue Redeemed series.
A NetGalley ARC
The research by Putney gives a solid background to a story that spans some years and encompasses betrayal, heartache, the 1812 British Invasion of Washington and Baltimore, race relations, slavery and courage.
When sixteen year old Catherine Callista Brooke was being forced into marriage with a man old enough to be her father, her best friend "Lord George Gordon Richard Augustus Audley, third and most worthless son of the Marquess of Kingston", suggested elopement to Scotland.
What followed was a horrendous tale that forced the two apart and set them upon very different paths.
Now, fifteen years and many life changes later, Gordon, called Richard by Callie (one of two people only ever to do so) is asked to go to America to find a Mrs. Audley. Curiously he wonders if they are related somehow as Audley is his name. Richard arrives as the British are attacking Washington, and just as Mrs. Audley is being seized upon by looters. A kindly death seems the best of options being presented her.
Imagine his surprise when the mysterious Mrs. Audley is the Callie of his youth. Callie is even more astonished when the friend she'd been told had died appears back from the dead effecting a dramatic rescue.
And this is less than a quarter of the way into the story.
I found the moments throughout of Callie dealing with what the future might hold for her and the letting go insightful.
This a gripping tale that had me reading over breakfast, on the subway and in between various appointments until I'd finished.
Explosive stuff! A fitting follow up in the Rogue Redeemed series.
A NetGalley ARC
May 2, 2022
This is a story featuring Callie and Lord George. The story starts early and Callie is just 16. The pair are best friends and when Callie's father tries to force her to get married, she goes to her best friend for help. However, the plot is quickly discovered and Callie is married off and sent abroad. Years later we pick up the story again as Lord George is completing an assignment to find a British widow in America and to bring her home- not realising it's his childhood friend. However, Callie has commitments and family and there is a small matter of a war to consider. Things are not smooth sailing.
When I picked up this book I was initially really enjoying it. Callie has a lot of fire about her and Lord George, or Richard as she calls him, seems lovely. However, as time went on I was just less and less interested and struggled to finish. This book was too long for me - its the second in a series and I felt the same about both books. They are too long in the middle
When I picked up this book I was initially really enjoying it. Callie has a lot of fire about her and Lord George, or Richard as she calls him, seems lovely. However, as time went on I was just less and less interested and struggled to finish. This book was too long for me - its the second in a series and I felt the same about both books. They are too long in the middle
July 19, 2022
I am enjoying this series of Regency romances where most of the story is not located in Britain. This is set mainly in Washing DC and Baltimore MD during the war of 1812. Don’t be confused by the name since the battles in this book take place in 1814. This and the first in the series do a great job of showing what the British war efforts were, both the good and the bad. Looking forward to seeing where book three takes me.
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August 21, 2017For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...
May 1, 2023
Plutôt 3,75/4, mais tout de même les 4 étoiles car c'est tellement difficile en ce moment de trouver des A&P qui en valent le coup, qu'il faut bien reconnaître ceux qui font le job, même avec quelques faiblesses.
Une aventure qui se passe en Amérique, ce qui change, même si l'auteure aurait pu aller plus loin dans les péripéties. Car peut-être un peu toujours les mêmes grosses ficelles qui se voient à des kilomètres, dommage.
Mais un bon moment de lecture, je lirai le tome suivant je pense, dont le résumé me dit bien.
Une aventure qui se passe en Amérique, ce qui change, même si l'auteure aurait pu aller plus loin dans les péripéties. Car peut-être un peu toujours les mêmes grosses ficelles qui se voient à des kilomètres, dommage.
Mais un bon moment de lecture, je lirai le tome suivant je pense, dont le résumé me dit bien.
February 22, 2018
I had high hopes for this book. I was excited for the American setting, and the setup seemed to promise lots of action. And I'll admit, independent woman that I am, I'm still a sucker for a good dashing rescue plot. But this went from problematic to hot mess real quick.
To start, the treatment of people of color here was waaay problematic. The black people in this book exist solely to demonstrate how virtuous Callie is. She drops them without a backward glance as soon as they no longer "need" her to save them. Her first husband is frequently described as a "good" man, despite the fact that he was a slave owner who repeatedly declined to free his slaves even at Callie's strong urging. He also is supposed to have had a "loving" relationship with a woman he literally owned, and he refused to free her or their children in his lifetime. YEAH, REAL GOOD GUY THERE.
And can we talk for a second about our dashing hero's unnecessary and totally unquestioned endorsement of colonialism at the end of chapter 31? Regarding the Americans' success at Fort McHenry, Gordon comments,
And while we're on the subject of problematic elements, can I note how delightful I found it that the only mention of anyone possibly not being straight was when it was suggested that Gordon's cruel, bullying older brother had committed suicide because he was gay?/sarcasm Look, I'm totally used to LGBTQ people being utterly ignored in mainstream historical romance; it's a problem, but it's not any one book or author at this point. But if we're going to bring it up at all, can we please not have it be just another potential character "flaw" of a one-dimensional villain? Cripes.
And finally, on a broad level, the plot here was just a mess. The parts that should have been exciting and action-packed — rescue! battles! running for their lives! — ended up being a lot of sewing, eating ham and cheese biscuits, and calmly waiting around for stuff to happen. The romance — what ought to have been the main storyline here — had no conflict at all; the main characters liked each other, they hung around and kept liking each other more, they decided to get married, and they did. Their relationship was never tested or threatened in any way. And it's worth mentioning that the wedding happens 2/3 of the way through the book; the plot beyond that point consists of them wandering around arranging their futures. It is utterly pointless and drops every single character from the first 2/3 of the book, while bringing in new characters and doing absolutely nothing with them.
The two main antagonists, , both appear and are dispatched within a few scenes; they have no effect on the main action of the story. And a particularly irritating detail is what a big deal Gordon makes about having to kill , when he totally didn't. At all. The guy was disarmed and subdued, and would actually have been of much more value to them alive. But sure, throw in some manufactured angst that doesn't actually last more than five minutes. We'll go with that.
And one final complaint: the two whole chapters where the author is just beating us over the head with lines from The Star-Spangled Banner, and then the characters meet up with Francis Scott Key (who is Callie's lawyer, natch), and he goes through and explains the whole thing again, and the entire first verse is printed in the actual text — we get it, M.J., you read the Wikipedia article on The Star-Spangled Banner! A reference or two would have been cute. We didn't need the dissertation.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. Hard pass.
To start, the treatment of people of color here was waaay problematic. The black people in this book exist solely to demonstrate how virtuous Callie is. She drops them without a backward glance as soon as they no longer "need" her to save them. Her first husband is frequently described as a "good" man, despite the fact that he was a slave owner who repeatedly declined to free his slaves even at Callie's strong urging. He also is supposed to have had a "loving" relationship with a woman he literally owned, and he refused to free her or their children in his lifetime. YEAH, REAL GOOD GUY THERE.
And can we talk for a second about our dashing hero's unnecessary and totally unquestioned endorsement of colonialism at the end of chapter 31? Regarding the Americans' success at Fort McHenry, Gordon comments,
"The world is better off with another Anglo-Saxon nation to balance British arrogance."I trust I don't need to explain how the native peoples massacred by British colonizers were not "better off". This book was published LAST YEAR. This is NOT. OKAY.
Peter laughed. "You're very clear sighted about your homeland."
"I've seen a great deal of the world. The parts shaped by British notions of law and justice are better off, but too much power breeds arrogance and bullying. Better when power is shared between nations." (emphasis mine)
And while we're on the subject of problematic elements, can I note how delightful I found it that the only mention of anyone possibly not being straight was when it was suggested that Gordon's cruel, bullying older brother had committed suicide because he was gay?/sarcasm Look, I'm totally used to LGBTQ people being utterly ignored in mainstream historical romance; it's a problem, but it's not any one book or author at this point. But if we're going to bring it up at all, can we please not have it be just another potential character "flaw" of a one-dimensional villain? Cripes.
And finally, on a broad level, the plot here was just a mess. The parts that should have been exciting and action-packed — rescue! battles! running for their lives! — ended up being a lot of sewing, eating ham and cheese biscuits, and calmly waiting around for stuff to happen. The romance — what ought to have been the main storyline here — had no conflict at all; the main characters liked each other, they hung around and kept liking each other more, they decided to get married, and they did. Their relationship was never tested or threatened in any way. And it's worth mentioning that the wedding happens 2/3 of the way through the book; the plot beyond that point consists of them wandering around arranging their futures. It is utterly pointless and drops every single character from the first 2/3 of the book, while bringing in new characters and doing absolutely nothing with them.
The two main antagonists, , both appear and are dispatched within a few scenes; they have no effect on the main action of the story. And a particularly irritating detail is what a big deal Gordon makes about having to kill , when he totally didn't. At all. The guy was disarmed and subdued, and would actually have been of much more value to them alive. But sure, throw in some manufactured angst that doesn't actually last more than five minutes. We'll go with that.
And one final complaint: the two whole chapters where the author is just beating us over the head with lines from The Star-Spangled Banner, and then the characters meet up with Francis Scott Key (who is Callie's lawyer, natch), and he goes through and explains the whole thing again, and the entire first verse is printed in the actual text — we get it, M.J., you read the Wikipedia article on The Star-Spangled Banner! A reference or two would have been cute. We didn't need the dissertation.
Anyway, I'm rambling now. Hard pass.
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