Patricia Hagan

I read some of Patricia Hagan's later novels online and found I liked them a lot, especially the way she gives enough historical background so you feel you're learning some history rather than just passing the time. So I decided to give this earlier series a try, and I have to say I was disappointed as well as disgusted with the first novel, because, though these things happen in real life (unfortunately) I don't happen to like rape and violence scenes in romance novels. Also, I didn't find show more either Travis or Kitty appealing characters, both seemed so full of themselves, you'd think they were part of the 60's and 70's "Me Generation". I skipped through the rest of Book One and went to the next, and it occurred to me that this couple (if you could call them that) spend more time apart than together and the time they were together they spent in arguments and misunderstandings, not to mention a tug-of-war over their baby. I don't know why I didn't skip Book three, but when I started it, I actually found it more entertaining, but once again couldn't figure out why Kitty and Travis were together, since, besides their son and sex, they had nothing in common and didn't communicate at all. They kept their true feelings from each other about what they really wanted, and if they were a real life couple they'd be in divorce court in no time at all. All that hot sex would have cooled down sooner or later and then what would they have, besides an unhappy little boy?

To me, the best parts were all the adventures Travis had, I thought they were entertaining, especially since I learned quite a bit about voodoo and found it all fascinating. Both Kitty and Travis should have remained single; he liked casual sex too much to make a real commitment and she wanted a career in medicine so much, she needed to be free to concentrate on that.

The worst part of the story was sacrificing Marilee so Kitty and Travis could get back together (why?????). In my opinion, Marilee was a much better person than either of them, but she gives them her deathbed blessing, not to mention her baby and readers are supposed to be happy???? I sure wasn't! While he was with Marilee, Travis was a better person than he ever was with Kitty, though she should have been with a man who could really love her, instead of having to compete with a (not so very good) memory.

I would have preferred Marilee to survive, Kitty and Travis to realize their time was past, no going back, she leaves for medical school, he stays with Marilee and the children and realizes what a fool he was and promises to make it up to her. In my mind, that's how it happened.

And, while I intend to read more of Patricia Hagan's books, I definitely will NOT be reading any more in this series! show less

The star for me in this book was our main heroine, Samara. She's vivid with intelligence, honor, bravery, and drive. She's not your typical romance heroine only concerned with babies, keeping house, and pleasing her man. Oh definitely not! Samara has ambitions, striving for independence and keeping a pretty strong code of ethics in keeping her bargains and taking care of her friends. She doesn't wait for the guy to rescue her. Oh heck no! She's the one doing the rescuing in the end. show more Definitely a woman I can get behind and root for!

I also liked the other touches that makes this romance novel so unique. Our main hero isn't an Indian nor a half breed. He's a Indian agent's son that was raised with the tribe while his father was the agent and pretty much took on the Indians as a surrogate family. The Indian tribe that is featured is the Kansa, not the typical Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanche, or Apache. Seeing the unique touches to this very small tribe intrigued me. I also liked seeing fort life, the rules of poker, and seeing the bustle of early Abilene.

A few things I could have done without were some pretty typical romance novel clichés that I see in so many of these books. Enough misunderstandings and miscommunication to drown in. I mean, come on people?! Does anyone even think about shutting up and letting the other person finish speaking? Or maybe speaking what's on your mind or about what's happening in your life rather than assuming the other person won't understand or already knows and just doesn't care? Sigh.... And then there's the very two-dimensional secondary characters. So much was put into fleshing Samara and Cade out that many others were left as static caricatures that are almost more humorous than sympathetic or dangerous. The biggest offenders are Celeste and Jarman. I rolled my eyes way more than once at these two and their shenanigans.

Overall, this is a pretty strong Western romance with two leads I felt I could get behind and enjoy. There was enough historical details to make this history buff smile. And despite some typical romance novel cringe-inducers, I felt this is definitely one to enjoy again and again. show less

Jacie isn’t especially happy or unhappy with her life and her upcoming wedding to the owner of the plantation she’d grown up on. A little unconventional as she’s friends with an Indian Shaman who has taught her about healing herbs in secret as the plantation owners don’t want him around.

But when learning that her mother is really her aunt and her real mother had been taken by Indians and had been seen just ten years ago, she leaves a note for her fiancé when he goes out of town, show more saying there’s something she has to do and will be back in a few months. It’s while she’s on her journey to find her mother that she understands what she really wants in life.

It’s been decades since I’d read any books by this author. Not because I hadn’t enjoyed them, but even a voracious reader has to pick and choose where to spend their time and money. But I jumped on the chance when it was offered for free.

I was disappointed. At no time did I ever connect with Jacie and her feelings, something I consider very important in a romance. I guess I’ve gotten used to better world building. New experiences for Jacie—other than sex—are glossed over. And I found it quite unbelievable that a virgin back then would be so willing to remove her clothes without more encouragement from the guy.

The story became more interesting at what in my Kindle was the 80% mark. Although with previews from other books, the story ends at 93%. The ending was incredibly rushed. It seems like the author got bored and just wanted to see it finished.

I wouldn’t necessarily call it a bad story. It’s just that there are so many better books out there. show less

This book was a winner, not just for the story, but for the history that goes with it, like the start of the underground railroad and some of the people involved. I like to learn something while I'm being entertained with a good story, and this novel didn't disappoint me.

Another thing I liked about it was that it was set before the Civil War, so the heroine, Erin, wasn't perpetually cursing the "damn Yankees", and proudly defending the southern cause (ad nauseum). She also detested slavery, show more and helped many of them escape. She had a close friendship with one of them, a young woman who went through so much, you'll be on her side all the way when she manages to run away and elude her pursuers more than once.

There's a dark family secret that Erin's not aware of, one that her mother tries to hide from her. She has a stepfather who's cruel and abusive to her mother, and lusts after Erin. Her mother's weak and in poor health, but smart enough to know that her daughter's best chance of a good life is to get away, and marry a rich man. She sets her sites on Ryan Youngblood, determined to get him for a son-on-law. Ryan and Erin have an intense attraction to each other, but Erin wants no part of her mother's scheme, and Ryan doesn't want to get married, preferring to have Erin be his mistress.

But next thing you know, they're married! And that's when the fun begins, with all the misunderstandings, interference, (like Ryan's mother, a real bitch who despises Erin), supposed betrayals, separations, and a lot of other things to keep this very entertaining reading.

i don't think the ending should have been so abrupt, (I've noticed this with other books Ms. Hagan writes, too) but that's not enough to take away from enjoying this book. show less