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Beloved Enemy
HOW COULD SHE FALL IN LOVE WITH A YANKEE?
Julia Chandler was a true daughter of the Confederacy, believing any man who wore Union blue was no man at all. But the magic of a costume ball transformed her, and she looked beyond his mask and saw in the eyes of Major Robert Montgomery the mirror of her very soul!
Major Rob Montgomery had good reason to hate Southerners. Hadn't Rebel gunfire shattered his dreams along with his hand? And yet he yearned for even a moonlit glimpse of Miss Julia, a sheltered Virginia belle, forbidden him by war and politics, but destined for him by heart's true love!
296 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
2 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Mary Schaller
12 books10 followersaka Tori Phillips
Mary W. Schaller is a native of Washington, D.C. (and remains staunchly non-partisan for survival!), an army brat and navy wife. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in Theatre Arts, and early in her career she worked in the communications department at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in Culver City, Calif. Nearly 30 years ago, she returned to the Washington area where she has worked at the Folger Shakespeare Library as a docent since 1979. She was a director for the Fairfax (Va.) Children's Theater and has taught drama, especially Shakespeare's plays, for the Fairfax County Department of Recreation; she directed 40 children's theater plays including 21 Shakespearean productions. Three of her plays: All the World's a Stage, The Final Trial of Richard III and Once Upon a Summertime were written and produced for her drama students. Two Horns and a Tale was written for an elementary school in Virginia Beach, Va., and was filmed by the local PBS television station there. Once Upon a Summertime has also been filmed for the Fairfax County community television station. All the World's a Stage has not only been produced in the United States and Canada but it has also been performed in London, England, and in Australia. Schaller is the author of 10 romantic historical novels published under her pen name (Tori Phillips) by Harlequin. She has published two nonfiction books as well on the American Civil War. Schaller lives in Burke, Va., with her husband, Marty, and loves to take cruises to the Caribbean, ice skate and read books—though not simultaneously!
Mary W. Schaller is a native of Washington, D.C. (and remains staunchly non-partisan for survival!), an army brat and navy wife. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in Theatre Arts, and early in her career she worked in the communications department at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in Culver City, Calif. Nearly 30 years ago, she returned to the Washington area where she has worked at the Folger Shakespeare Library as a docent since 1979. She was a director for the Fairfax (Va.) Children's Theater and has taught drama, especially Shakespeare's plays, for the Fairfax County Department of Recreation; she directed 40 children's theater plays including 21 Shakespearean productions. Three of her plays: All the World's a Stage, The Final Trial of Richard III and Once Upon a Summertime were written and produced for her drama students. Two Horns and a Tale was written for an elementary school in Virginia Beach, Va., and was filmed by the local PBS television station there. Once Upon a Summertime has also been filmed for the Fairfax County community television station. All the World's a Stage has not only been produced in the United States and Canada but it has also been performed in London, England, and in Australia. Schaller is the author of 10 romantic historical novels published under her pen name (Tori Phillips) by Harlequin. She has published two nonfiction books as well on the American Civil War. Schaller lives in Burke, Va., with her husband, Marty, and loves to take cruises to the Caribbean, ice skate and read books—though not simultaneously!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 18, 2022
There's something about historical romances that just draws you in. It's like reading someone's journal. This one is about two people who meet and fall in love, despite being on opposing sides of the war, as noted by the title of the book itself.
While the story itself was sweet, the romance between Julia and Rob appeared to have sprung out of nowhere. In short, it was instantaneous. A tad more background or a bit more action would have helped to make their love story more believable.
The most interesting part of the book was the setting. The chapters that were set in Richmond were great, as it gave an inside look into the workings of female spies during the war. Lizzie was based off of a woman who spied on the Confederacy for the Union, Elizabeth Van Lew. These chapters also showed the ongoings of the inhabitants of Libby prison, a Confederate prison in Richmond that housed captured Union officers throughout the war.
It's always great when historical fiction is based off of reality. But this book was meant to be a historical romance, and the romance was lackluster.
While the story itself was sweet, the romance between Julia and Rob appeared to have sprung out of nowhere. In short, it was instantaneous. A tad more background or a bit more action would have helped to make their love story more believable.
The most interesting part of the book was the setting. The chapters that were set in Richmond were great, as it gave an inside look into the workings of female spies during the war. Lizzie was based off of a woman who spied on the Confederacy for the Union, Elizabeth Van Lew. These chapters also showed the ongoings of the inhabitants of Libby prison, a Confederate prison in Richmond that housed captured Union officers throughout the war.
It's always great when historical fiction is based off of reality. But this book was meant to be a historical romance, and the romance was lackluster.
September 9, 2010
1863, Alexandria Virginia. Sisters Carolyn and Julia Chandler, loyal Confederates, plot to crash a masquerade ball put on by Yankee railroad tycoon George Winstead. The Chandler's loyal servants help the young ladies sneak out from under their parent's watchful eyes (!!) and they're off to the ball, but Julia has other things in mind than just catching the eye of a handsome man. Her parents plan to wed her to her odious cousin Payton Norwood, and she gets it in her brain if she's debouched, he'll dump her (she doesn't quite know what it really means, but she means to do it). Handsome Yankee Major Robert Montgomery catches her eye and she thinks he'll fit the bill - especially when he starts quoting Shakespeare (the one bright light in this sorry book). Rob was wounded and lost the use of one hand at Gettysburg and his fiance dumped him for that, so he's a bit gun-shy of women, but he can't seem to resist Julia's attractions, hated Confederate that she is.
What follows is pretty much what you'd expect in your standard Harlequin historical romance, they meet, lust after each other, never confess their true feelings, have Big Misunderstandings (well duh), all ending up in a terribly silly and overly contrived plot to put Robert in a southern prison so he can help his fellow Yankees escape. Of course you know that Julia's going to have to get mixed up in the thick of things as she tries to dodge her less than ardent suitor Hayward (he's only interested in an inheritance she's soon to come up with).
*yawn*
The book started off well enough, albeit a bit on the light side, but by the time the action moved to Richmond and the prison things just started falling to pieces and got terribly silly indeed - as did some of the prose. I give kudos to the author for putting real events and characters in her story (at least according to her notes they were), but it wasn't enough to save this one from landing in the recycle bin. That said, outside of some heavy kisses there is no sexual activity so this might actually do well for a younger reader. Your call though, I don't have a teenage daughter, so I'm not the best judge.
What follows is pretty much what you'd expect in your standard Harlequin historical romance, they meet, lust after each other, never confess their true feelings, have Big Misunderstandings (well duh), all ending up in a terribly silly and overly contrived plot to put Robert in a southern prison so he can help his fellow Yankees escape. Of course you know that Julia's going to have to get mixed up in the thick of things as she tries to dodge her less than ardent suitor Hayward (he's only interested in an inheritance she's soon to come up with).
*yawn*
The book started off well enough, albeit a bit on the light side, but by the time the action moved to Richmond and the prison things just started falling to pieces and got terribly silly indeed - as did some of the prose. I give kudos to the author for putting real events and characters in her story (at least according to her notes they were), but it wasn't enough to save this one from landing in the recycle bin. That said, outside of some heavy kisses there is no sexual activity so this might actually do well for a younger reader. Your call though, I don't have a teenage daughter, so I'm not the best judge.
March 5, 2013
Hands down: This is my all-time favorite historical fiction romance. Set during the Civil War, young, naive Confederate girl falls in love with a Union soldier. The ending has a neat twist. The writing is compelling and funny at times--the comedy surprises you because she writes in such a way that you don't see it coming. The story is based on the true account of a break-out of Union soldiers from a confederate prison in Richmond, Va. I liked the story so much I actually drove to Richmond just to see the door of the prison, which has been preserved in a museum there. I've read this book over and over; I own two copies.
June 2, 2013
THIS IS MY MOST FAVOURITE BOOK EVAR
*happy dance*
I absolutely and adore historical romance; and this book is very priceless to me. It's my priced possession amongst the books have (cause I found it in a second-hand book store). And it would in the top of my charts beyond hundreds and hundreds of stories I've read. And the romance is just... Romance. It's love. Nowadays, people only care about the sexand stuff I wouldn't dare say in this review, so it's rare to find genuinely adorable characters like in this book. I re-read it about seven times now and I never get bored of it.
It's sweet, true, perfect and I love it. 5 stars all the way.
:3
*happy dance*
I absolutely and adore historical romance; and this book is very priceless to me. It's my priced possession amongst the books have (cause I found it in a second-hand book store). And it would in the top of my charts beyond hundreds and hundreds of stories I've read. And the romance is just... Romance. It's love. Nowadays, people only care about the sex
It's sweet, true, perfect and I love it. 5 stars all the way.
:3
August 10, 2024
Julia Chandler, a staunch Confederate sympathizer, meets Major Robert Montgomery at a costume ball—a chance encounter that defies the animosity of their respective sides. Despite their deeply rooted prejudices, Julia and Rob find their souls intertwined, sparking a romance that defies the harsh realities of the Civil War.
The novel’s historical setting is richly detailed, with intriguing glimpses into Richmond during the war. The chapters depicting the lives of female spies and the grim realities of Libby Prison add depth and authenticity to the backdrop. However, while the setting is compelling, the romance between Julia and Rob feels abrupt and underdeveloped. Their love story seems to ignite too quickly, lacking the gradual buildup that would make their connection more believable.
The novel’s historical setting is richly detailed, with intriguing glimpses into Richmond during the war. The chapters depicting the lives of female spies and the grim realities of Libby Prison add depth and authenticity to the backdrop. However, while the setting is compelling, the romance between Julia and Rob feels abrupt and underdeveloped. Their love story seems to ignite too quickly, lacking the gradual buildup that would make their connection more believable.
August 28, 2010
December 1863 - Alexandria, Virginia
Marriage to her cousin was not an option for Julia Chandler, she simply had to find a way out. The invitation to the masked ball was there, even if it wasn’t intended for them, she may be able to find the solution there. The right questions, the right approach, the right man, she had to find a way to overlook them all being Yankees. It was an order for him to be there, Major Robert Montgomery didn’t want to be there, but the time was not a complete waste, he was able to spend an evening with a young lady that had read and could quote Shakespeare and had the most intriguing proposition for him. Finding out that it came from a Southern sympathizer should have changed things, after all he blamed them for leaving him disfigured and alone, but instead he found himself in her garden, more than once. He was a Yankee Major, she knew she shouldn’t spend time with him, but she did so enjoy his company. Just how much was she willing to do, could she forget all the things she thought she knew about the Union soldiers in order to be around him a little longer.
Good old Harlequin Historical, not only does the authors do their best to get historical facts as straight as they can, but they are able to make the tragedy of this whole war so real. To take a historical fact and be able to add just the right characters to the mix that you actually think, “that could be how it really happened” is great. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Julia at first, but as time progressed I started coming around (liked Rob from word one). As a period piece, these characters stayed true to the times, there is actually very few intimate moments between the Rob and Julia letting the emotional edge of the relationship carry the book. I had not thought that I had read any of Mary Schaller’s work before until picking up this book and realizing that I have, she also writes under the name of Tori Phillips which I have read several of (different time periods though so not something that can be easily compared). While a masked ball is not something new to the historical romance world, this one was fun, but I think that was because of Julia.
Marriage to her cousin was not an option for Julia Chandler, she simply had to find a way out. The invitation to the masked ball was there, even if it wasn’t intended for them, she may be able to find the solution there. The right questions, the right approach, the right man, she had to find a way to overlook them all being Yankees. It was an order for him to be there, Major Robert Montgomery didn’t want to be there, but the time was not a complete waste, he was able to spend an evening with a young lady that had read and could quote Shakespeare and had the most intriguing proposition for him. Finding out that it came from a Southern sympathizer should have changed things, after all he blamed them for leaving him disfigured and alone, but instead he found himself in her garden, more than once. He was a Yankee Major, she knew she shouldn’t spend time with him, but she did so enjoy his company. Just how much was she willing to do, could she forget all the things she thought she knew about the Union soldiers in order to be around him a little longer.
Good old Harlequin Historical, not only does the authors do their best to get historical facts as straight as they can, but they are able to make the tragedy of this whole war so real. To take a historical fact and be able to add just the right characters to the mix that you actually think, “that could be how it really happened” is great. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Julia at first, but as time progressed I started coming around (liked Rob from word one). As a period piece, these characters stayed true to the times, there is actually very few intimate moments between the Rob and Julia letting the emotional edge of the relationship carry the book. I had not thought that I had read any of Mary Schaller’s work before until picking up this book and realizing that I have, she also writes under the name of Tori Phillips which I have read several of (different time periods though so not something that can be easily compared). While a masked ball is not something new to the historical romance world, this one was fun, but I think that was because of Julia.
October 16, 2012
Set during the Civil War in Virginia, Beloved Enemy breaks the boundaries of the romance genre. Julia Chandler's parents promise her hand to a man she wants no part of. A humorous costume ball follows where Julia sets out to be "ruined" by a Yankee. Instead of finding a stereotypical rude Northerner, she discovers a true gentleman in Major Rob Montgomery.
Although I giggled at romancy words like "manhood," Schaller does an excellent job of telling a historically correct tale within the confines of the Harlequin formula. Her scenes of the infamous Libby prison are quite accurate. Definitely recommended for Civil War romance fans.
Although I giggled at romancy words like "manhood," Schaller does an excellent job of telling a historically correct tale within the confines of the Harlequin formula. Her scenes of the infamous Libby prison are quite accurate. Definitely recommended for Civil War romance fans.
August 18, 2014
Great love story! There is tenderness and passion, without sex scenes.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews