Ok everyone, I have a great new read for you!
I first came across Rebel Carter via a co-authored paranormal shifter novella series (read my review of Alpha and Omega: A Mate for the King for more info), and enjoyed her stories so much I went on to read her holiday highlander short, Auld Lang Syne (review TBA, but spoiler: I loved it!)
So, I was not at all surprised when my fingers immediately jumped to the “preorder” button when I saw Rebel posting about her new historical work on instagram. I was surprised, however, when she asked me to join in the review tour for her new release! (Eepers! She wants me to review her book! Squee!)
You can bet I took up the delightful challenge, and without further delay, here’s what I thought of the book:
A Word of Warning: Unconventionally Hot!
I’m going to get this first part out of the way because I know I have some die-hard traditional historical lovers among my readers, so I want to be totally upfront:
If you are a stickler for historical accuracy in the traditional sense, or are squeemish about non-traditional pairings, this may not be the book for you.
Our Heroine, Julie Babtiste, is a mixed-race New York debutante-turned-mail-order-bride who has accepted a proposal from not one, but TWO eligible and well-to-do bachelors in the Montana territory. Our heroic couple are upstanding citizens in their city, the designated lawmen, and accepted by their neighbors. The entire town, almost, is totally OK with the triad arrangement.
And this is where I hear the purists in the crowd cry foul! That’s your prerogative, thank you for checking in, and I’m working on additional reviews (or you can scan through others already up) that might be more to your liking. However, for those of you who, like me, like to mix things up in your reading to keep the spark alive, continue on.
Premise: Finding the Right Kind of Love
I think the main thing that has drawn me to Rebel’s stories is the fact that she highlights love from every angle. She’s not afraid to make unconventional pairings within her genre just because it’s not the norm. Historical Romance is probably one of the strictest genres on this front, though I’ve seen that changing in recent years, so I applaud her courage and wish her books all the mass readership they deserve.
I’ve hinted at Julie’s background, her grooms Forrest Wickes and William Barnes are battle-scarred Civil War veterans whose love for each other has gone through so much they know they can only make their lives complete with one woman who will love them both as they are.
Rebel has done her research and presented the historical elements of her story very well. Believe me, even though I love her work, as a historical author myself I felt I had to be strict about this. I had an initial moment of doubt when she mentioned her hero’s ages and I knew the math was dubious to make them war veterans, but she had me pegged! (they lied about their ages to join the war)
I was also worried toward the end that our heroine was edging on being too much of an “I’m sorry” ignore-her-doubts-just-to-keep-the-peace doormat, but again, the author proved me wrong by maintaining our strong heroine’s backbone.
It seems no matter what potential issue I have with a character or plot detail in Rebel’s books, she always turns it around and makes me remember why I love her work.
So Good in All the Right Ways
Not only does Rebel introduce us to three strong characters, all working to overcome their own challenges in life, she does so through the use of entertaining scenarios, subplots, and ancillary characters. The reader never has a moment to get bored, and isn’t that what we all crave?
Add to that some super-steamy love scenes and this book is a recipe for late night page turning.
I can whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a steamy read with a unique twist. If that’s you, click on any of the images or links to find out more about Heart and Hand and it’s amazing author!
(and don’t forget to scroll all the way to the end for a sneak peek!)
Already read this book? Leave a comment to let us know what you thought!
Buy Links: Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WrY7ia
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2MlRzgb
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2MnwqSI
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2MjgNMp
Social Media Links:
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/rebelwrites_
About Rebel Carter
Rebel Carter believes in magic and witty meet-cutes, and she hopes you do, too. Hailing from the South, Rebel has a deep affection for anything fried, battered, or smothered, and enjoys a mint julep or measure of whiskey when the occasion calls for it. She suffers from a severe case of wanderlust and has lived all over the world. Now she spends her days in the beautiful state of Colorado with the mountains serving as a daily inspiration to go after big dreams–her biggest of all is to write full-time.
Excerpt from Heart and Hand
Forrest Wickes was powerfully built, standing at 6’2 with skin tanned from hours in the sun, fine muscles, and a pair of broad shoulders visible even under the flannel of his work shirt. The abashed figure standing in front Julie was all man. No trace of boyishness in his face, unlike the suitors who had tried their hand at courting her in New York. He yanked off the brown wide-brimmed hat he wore with a jerk of his hands, revealing hair that looked like spun gold. Julie wondered if it was as soft as it looked and her cheeks flamed at the thought. Swoon-worthy, indeed. An aquiline nose, chiseled jaw, and lips that could lead a woman astray rounded out the picture of Mr. Wickes, but it was the pair of summer sky blue eyes looking at her in apology that had Julie fighting the urge to pull out her smelling salts then and there. Julie was struck dumb at the sight of the man and could only stand silently as he apologized to her.
“I meant to be here when you arrived but there was an incident, ah, just—” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of town. I, we, had to intervene. I apologize for not meeting you.”
Julie bit her lip, instantly thinking of the gunshots she had heard. “W-was it the gunshots?” she asked with wide eyes.
He cleared his throat. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh my,” Julie breathed, her hand going to her throat.
“But don’t trouble yourself over it. It’s being seen to by, ah, my partner.” He held out his hands in a placating gesture before looking at the crew member and conductor as if he had just noticed them for the first time. “I thank you for bringing my fianceé safely to her destination.”
“Fianceé?” the crew member squeaked. Julie scowled at the man but said nothing as Forrest nodded.
“Since the New Year,” he said, and Julie warmed at the note of pride she heard in his voice. He turned to her with a tender smile. “After all the letters it’s awfully nice to meet you finally, Miss Baptiste.”