Defiant Love (The Triumphant Hearts Series, Book 1)

Judith E. French

Nov 2016 · ePublishing Works!

About this ebook

"A masterful story of love, understanding, trust, respect and loyalty in a blending of two cultural worlds." ~Sharon Thomas, eBook Discovery Reviewer

--Shawnee Community Offers Home to Daughter of Wealthy Maryland Planter in the Early American Historical Romance Defiant Love by Judith French--

In her heart, Rebecca Bradford is no longer the orphaned white daughter of a wealthy Maryland planter; she is Star Blanket, a bold young woman with no need for fancy clothes or manners, and no understanding of the 'honor' that prohibits Adam Rourke from acting upon the desire raging in his dark eyes.

Once a bondservant, Adam Rourke promised Rebecca's grandfather he would keep her safe until she assumed her role, and the fortune that was promised him.

But Rebecca wishes to return to her adopted Shawnee, unable to become the person she no longer is.

Granting Rebecca her freedom, guarantees Adam his fortune. But letting her go will cost him his heart.

Publisher's Note:An impeccably researched, masterful work that contrasts two cultures in a time when the veneer of civilisation was quite thin. Readers who enjoy quality historical romance by authors such as Colleen French, Christi Caldwell, Lauraine Snelling, Adriana Trigiani, Mary Balogh, Sabrina Jeffries, Candace Camp and Stephanie Lauens will enjoy this historical fiction series.

"This is an in depth story, and the characters are well developed and the story well written." ~Danielle Carpenter

"Full of history, trials and tribulations of trust and love. I would recommend this book to all my friends." ~Dixielee

TRIUMPHANT HEARTS SERIES in order
Defiant Love
Tender Fortune
Bold Surrender
By Love Alone

AWARDS:
Career Achievement Award for American Historicals, Romantic Times

Ratings and reviews

The start of a new series by my favorite Early American Historical Romance author—and what a bang-up start it was! A wealthy Chesapeake tobacco plantation owner received word from a Pennsylvania military stockade that an Indian woman who appears to be white and who bears the description of the plantation owner’s daughter, missing after the slaughter of his family eleven years before, has been captured. Thus begins the exciting tale of Rebecca’s return to her English family’s lands with her childhood friend, Adam, her struggles to conform to the new way of life while remaining more Shawnee than English, and Adam’s struggles to understand Rebecca’s Indian customs. They can’t help falling in love with each other despite their apparent differences and their tumultuous relationship kept me flicking the pages of my Kindle faster and faster until the very end. I felt breathless when it was done and very satisfied to have read such a lovely romance. This author definitely had done extensive research into the early American and native American history and culture.

I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review. A well written book, Defiant Love takes one back to another time in history when the veneer of civilisation was somewhat thinner and survival of the fittest was the order of the day. When Rebecca Bradford survives a raid on her family, she finds herself living with members of the Shawnee tribe and becomes one with them, forgetting her roots and origins and evolves into a much loved daughter and member of the small community. After a raid on the Shawnee village, she once again finds herself separated from those she loves and in the hands of men who call themselves civilised but who have no respect for her as she has been found living amongst Indians. Prejudice at its worst. When her grandfather receives the message that Rebecca is alive, he sends his most faithful bondsman and step-son to retrieve her. Adam Rourke will do anything for the man who has been his mentor, even give up the inheritance that could be his if he finds Rebecca. The meeting between Rebecca and Adam is less than stellar, and although Rebecca is wily, Adam also has an inherent understanding of her, and prevents her escape at every turn. The journey back to Rebecca's grandfather is filled with danger and Adam finds Rebecca to be an asset under those conditions and his respect grows for her, as does his attraction. There is a deep attraction between Adam and Rebecca, but both of them are stuck in the ways that are familiar to them, leaving little room for mutual understanding. One wonders whether it is possible for love to survive when everything is working against it. There is a wild child quality to Rebecca but as wily and smart as she is out in the wild, she feels caged in by the strictures of society being enforced upon her, where she naive and out of her depth. When the time is right, she makes her escape. Adam has a choice, he can take the wealth that is being offered to him, or he can follow his breaking heart. There is a bitter sweet quality to this romance, laced with adventure, humour and interesting insights into the period. This is a book that is difficult to put down once you start reading, and interruptions may not be welcomed!

Was giving to read for review love how it didn't start off at a fast pace but as it went on it picked up was a really great read

About the author

Bestselling, award-winning author Judith E. French is the author of 58 novels and the mother of bestselling author Colleen French. Judith is known for her tales of high adventure, historical accuracy, and passionate romance, marked by strong women and the men who captured their hearts. Judith lives with her husband in an 18th century, rural farmhouse that has been in her family for generations.