* I was given an ebook copy from http://www.romantichistoricalreviews.com/ for an honest review.
The Woman on the Painted Horse by Angela Christina Archer
I’d rate this book a 4 out of 5.
**Note that I was reading this book, containing a Nathanial, Sarah, and John at the same time that I was reading other books with a Nathan, Sarah, and John. In one book, the character, Sarah dies. (You'll have to read this book to figure out if this is it). Along with life, keeping the characters straight was a bit of a chore in itself, but one I dont think anyone else will have.
The Back:
Alexandra Monroe is a slave smuggler, smuggling slaves north to Tennessee where they can live as free people. Her crime is sedition and her punishment, if caught, is death. The daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Montgomery, Alexandra lives a life not by her own accord, but a life she willingly accepts for her secret quest to save the lives of slaves. Her ultimate sacrifice is to marry the town's most eligible bachelor, Thomas Ludlow.
One afternoon, Alexandra comes face to face with handsome William Graysden. He captivates her, and her thoughts confuse her. Born a Creek Indian, not only is William forbidden because of his race, but also because Alexandra is a closely betrothed young woman. William and Alexandra fascinate one another, finding in each other a bond they don't wish to ignore. After a series of events; however, William is forced to face the choice to continue the dangerous pursuit of Alexandra's affections or forget about her.
As a sweet, level one heat level, romance novel, THE WOMAN ON THE PAINTED HORSE weaves through the social disparity in Deep South 1861. A time where blackmail, money, and greed could be more powerful than love.
My review:
In a few short words this book by Angela Christina Archer is easy to get into. It is suspenseful, romantic, well written and dramatic.
Alexandra Monroe is a lively young woman who has every detail set for her marriage to the rich, handsome Mr. Thomas Ludlow, exactly as to please her parents and society. Unfortunately, her controversial efforts to help as a slave runner as much as she can cause many problems, and she doesn’t even realize the multiple levels of danger in which she is placing herself: death at worst, social ruin at best. But Alexandra has become bored with her feminine life and is unhappy about the specific destiny fate – and her parents – have set for her. She feels trapped in these routines and mannerisms of society and begins to dream of freedom.
The characters grow and change in the story as they enhance their very realistic and engaging personalities, while everything around them tries each newly-created moral. Added into the mix is Alexandra’s encounter with an Indian man, Mr. William Graysden, who enters the picture and changes Alexandra’s world more than she would have ever thought possible.
Drama and suspense become abundant just pages into the story, when Alexandra finds herself not only buying a slave boy (her intentions are to free him for good) and dangerously stealing countless others, but most notably, falling hopelessly in love with a socially “unworthy” man.
I can’t help but feel that the plot could use just a little more action in place of some of the imagery. As a reader, you want to know more about the characters – everyone from family, friends and runaway slaves – and the things that they experience.
In terms of the romance, William Graysden says, in his native tongue, “Ecenokecvyet os” or “I love you”, but this book gets four stars instead of five because I feel the characters are more in lust than in love.
In the end, The Woman on the Painted Horse is a very well written historical romance début. Written from Alexandra’s point of view, it is evident that the love, loss, and the general emotion of this adventurous book is neither to be forgotten or ignored.
As for the author, she says: Living in a small town in Oklahoma with my husband and two daughters, I spend my days enjoying the outdoors with my family and chasing around two horses, four goats, six chickens, a dog, and two cats. I live life on a farm, milking goats, collecting eggs, and cooking and baking from scratch. It's hectic, at times, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Growing up, I always wanted to write a novel. I never believed I could, though, so every time the desire flickered, I shoved the thought from my mind. Burying it deep down and ignoring it until one morning I awoke with the determination to finally follow my dream. You are invited to visit her Web site at http://www.angelachristinaarcher.com/ for more information.
If you are interested in seeing if there is a HEA (Happily Ever After) you can purchase a copy of the book from Amazon in Kindle Edition.
* There is no religious aspects to the book, and its written accordingly.
The Woman on the Painted Horse by Angela Christina Archer
I’d rate this book a 4 out of 5.
**Note that I was reading this book, containing a Nathanial, Sarah, and John at the same time that I was reading other books with a Nathan, Sarah, and John. In one book, the character, Sarah dies. (You'll have to read this book to figure out if this is it). Along with life, keeping the characters straight was a bit of a chore in itself, but one I dont think anyone else will have.
The Back:
Alexandra Monroe is a slave smuggler, smuggling slaves north to Tennessee where they can live as free people. Her crime is sedition and her punishment, if caught, is death. The daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Montgomery, Alexandra lives a life not by her own accord, but a life she willingly accepts for her secret quest to save the lives of slaves. Her ultimate sacrifice is to marry the town's most eligible bachelor, Thomas Ludlow.
One afternoon, Alexandra comes face to face with handsome William Graysden. He captivates her, and her thoughts confuse her. Born a Creek Indian, not only is William forbidden because of his race, but also because Alexandra is a closely betrothed young woman. William and Alexandra fascinate one another, finding in each other a bond they don't wish to ignore. After a series of events; however, William is forced to face the choice to continue the dangerous pursuit of Alexandra's affections or forget about her.
As a sweet, level one heat level, romance novel, THE WOMAN ON THE PAINTED HORSE weaves through the social disparity in Deep South 1861. A time where blackmail, money, and greed could be more powerful than love.
My review:
In a few short words this book by Angela Christina Archer is easy to get into. It is suspenseful, romantic, well written and dramatic.
Alexandra Monroe is a lively young woman who has every detail set for her marriage to the rich, handsome Mr. Thomas Ludlow, exactly as to please her parents and society. Unfortunately, her controversial efforts to help as a slave runner as much as she can cause many problems, and she doesn’t even realize the multiple levels of danger in which she is placing herself: death at worst, social ruin at best. But Alexandra has become bored with her feminine life and is unhappy about the specific destiny fate – and her parents – have set for her. She feels trapped in these routines and mannerisms of society and begins to dream of freedom.
The characters grow and change in the story as they enhance their very realistic and engaging personalities, while everything around them tries each newly-created moral. Added into the mix is Alexandra’s encounter with an Indian man, Mr. William Graysden, who enters the picture and changes Alexandra’s world more than she would have ever thought possible.
Drama and suspense become abundant just pages into the story, when Alexandra finds herself not only buying a slave boy (her intentions are to free him for good) and dangerously stealing countless others, but most notably, falling hopelessly in love with a socially “unworthy” man.
I can’t help but feel that the plot could use just a little more action in place of some of the imagery. As a reader, you want to know more about the characters – everyone from family, friends and runaway slaves – and the things that they experience.
In terms of the romance, William Graysden says, in his native tongue, “Ecenokecvyet os” or “I love you”, but this book gets four stars instead of five because I feel the characters are more in lust than in love.
In the end, The Woman on the Painted Horse is a very well written historical romance début. Written from Alexandra’s point of view, it is evident that the love, loss, and the general emotion of this adventurous book is neither to be forgotten or ignored.
As for the author, she says: Living in a small town in Oklahoma with my husband and two daughters, I spend my days enjoying the outdoors with my family and chasing around two horses, four goats, six chickens, a dog, and two cats. I live life on a farm, milking goats, collecting eggs, and cooking and baking from scratch. It's hectic, at times, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Growing up, I always wanted to write a novel. I never believed I could, though, so every time the desire flickered, I shoved the thought from my mind. Burying it deep down and ignoring it until one morning I awoke with the determination to finally follow my dream. You are invited to visit her Web site at http://www.angelachristinaarcher.com/ for more information.
If you are interested in seeing if there is a HEA (Happily Ever After) you can purchase a copy of the book from Amazon in Kindle Edition.
* There is no religious aspects to the book, and its written accordingly.
