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Freedom to Love #0.5
A Dream Defiant
Spain, 1813
Elijah Cameron, the son of runaway slaves, has spent his whole life in the British army proving that a black man can be as good a soldier as a white man. After a victory over the French, Elijah promises one of his dying men that he will deliver a scavenged ruby necklace to his wife, Rose, a woman Elijah has admired for years.
Elijah feels bound to protect her and knows a widow with a fortune in jewels will be a target. Rose dreams of using the necklace to return to England, but after a violent attack, she realizes that she needs Elijah's help to make the journey safely.
Her appreciation for Elijah's strength and integrity soon turns into love, but he doubts she could want a life with him, knowing the challenges they'd face. As their relationship grows, she must convince Elijah that she wants him as more than a bodyguard. And she must prove that their love can overcome all obstacles, no matter the color of their skin.
28,000 words
Elijah Cameron, the son of runaway slaves, has spent his whole life in the British army proving that a black man can be as good a soldier as a white man. After a victory over the French, Elijah promises one of his dying men that he will deliver a scavenged ruby necklace to his wife, Rose, a woman Elijah has admired for years.
Elijah feels bound to protect her and knows a widow with a fortune in jewels will be a target. Rose dreams of using the necklace to return to England, but after a violent attack, she realizes that she needs Elijah's help to make the journey safely.
Her appreciation for Elijah's strength and integrity soon turns into love, but he doubts she could want a life with him, knowing the challenges they'd face. As their relationship grows, she must convince Elijah that she wants him as more than a bodyguard. And she must prove that their love can overcome all obstacles, no matter the color of their skin.
28,000 words
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2013
155 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 26, 2016
I'd like to start by saying that I've read and loved Susanna Fraser's novels: in publication order,
The Sergeant's Lady
,
A Marriage of Inconvenience
, and
An Infamous Marriage
. She's one of my favorite new romance authors.
Even so, I probably shouldn't have read A Dream Defiant, a novella, because I almost never enjoy romances that are shorter than novel-length. I think this is because romances are so character-driven. Shorter forms are better for clever plot ideas than for establishing characters. Plus, I prefer my romance gradual and well-thought-out by all parties. Romance novellas tend towards love at first sight, or at least love in time for Christmas. Not my cup of tea!
Fraser managed to avoid hurrying her protagonists into love -- they knew and admired each other already, and the events at the beginning of the novella changed their relationship from "we shouldn't think about each other that way" to "getting married would be very convenient, so it's a good idea I think you're lovely." I like that the hero and heroine don't go through much of the angst that many romance protagonists have to suffer in similar marriage-of-convenience situations, wondering whether their spouse feels the same way about them.
However, this takes away the genre's default tension (s/he loves me, s/he loves me not). What replaces it? External conflict would be great, and there is some -- one thing I love about historical romances whose characters aren't all gentry or aristocracy is that everybody has to make their own living somehow, and that's a great plot generator. Unfortunately the external plot in this story isn't as well-structured as it could be. The most unifying piece is that the hero is a black man and therefore he faces various prejudices: as a NCO in the English army during the Napoleonic Wars (he's a corporal in an all-white regiment), as the husband of a white woman and the stepfather of a white child, and in the English countryside after leaving the army.
... I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, it's excellent to see black protagonists in historical romance, Fraser did good research, and she neither exoticized her hero nor wrote about a corporal who just Happened To Be Black. On the other hand, because white people's perceptions of the hero as a black man affect all the major events in the story, the reflections on racial identity and racism are thick on the ground and feel somewhat heavy-handed. I think this would have worked much better in a longer story with more space for thorough, well-rounded characterization.
Even so, I probably shouldn't have read A Dream Defiant, a novella, because I almost never enjoy romances that are shorter than novel-length. I think this is because romances are so character-driven. Shorter forms are better for clever plot ideas than for establishing characters. Plus, I prefer my romance gradual and well-thought-out by all parties. Romance novellas tend towards love at first sight, or at least love in time for Christmas. Not my cup of tea!
Fraser managed to avoid hurrying her protagonists into love -- they knew and admired each other already, and the events at the beginning of the novella changed their relationship from "we shouldn't think about each other that way" to "getting married would be very convenient, so it's a good idea I think you're lovely." I like that the hero and heroine don't go through much of the angst that many romance protagonists have to suffer in similar marriage-of-convenience situations, wondering whether their spouse feels the same way about them.
However, this takes away the genre's default tension (s/he loves me, s/he loves me not). What replaces it? External conflict would be great, and there is some -- one thing I love about historical romances whose characters aren't all gentry or aristocracy is that everybody has to make their own living somehow, and that's a great plot generator. Unfortunately the external plot in this story isn't as well-structured as it could be. The most unifying piece is that the hero is a black man and therefore he faces various prejudices: as a NCO in the English army during the Napoleonic Wars (he's a corporal in an all-white regiment), as the husband of a white woman and the stepfather of a white child, and in the English countryside after leaving the army.
... I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, it's excellent to see black protagonists in historical romance, Fraser did good research, and she neither exoticized her hero nor wrote about a corporal who just Happened To Be Black. On the other hand, because white people's perceptions of the hero as a black man affect all the major events in the story, the reflections on racial identity and racism are thick on the ground and feel somewhat heavy-handed. I think this would have worked much better in a longer story with more space for thorough, well-rounded characterization.
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July 15, 2015I really liked this Regency novella. It's so rare to see POC in UK set historical romance, which is an absurdity. This was a great story with really powerful detail of life as a camp follower and a very appealing hero and heroine. I'd have liked it to be longer. More please!
September 1, 2013
3.5 Stars
I came into this book excited about the premise. Elijah is a black soldier in the British army of 1813. Rose was the wife of one of his fellow soldiers. But her husband died fighting over a ruby necklace that he found while looting. Before he took his last breath, he gave the jewels to Elijah, making him promise to get the jewels to his wife.
Elijah keeps his word, bringing the necklace to Rose. But between her beauty and the worth of the rubies, she will need protection from the other soldiers. She has always had high regard for Elijah, so she asks him to marry her. Elijah has always been in love with the English beauty and he can’t tell her no. But he can’t believe that she will ever want him as a husband in truth. So he resigns himself to serving as more of a bodyguard until he can get her back to England.
I don’t really seek out interracial romance. The race of the characters doesn’t really matter much to me. What attracted me to the story was the idea that Elijah loved Rose, but never believed she could love him back. And he was willing to be there for her anyway. I love it when the hero puts his heroine up on an unreachable pedestal. Indeed, that does happen here, but the dynamic only exists for a short time. Part of the reason is –doubtless– because the story, itself, is so short. Maybe a quarter of it is set before the introduction of the relationship and another quarter is in the Epilogue… leaving us with maybe 40 pages of the romance.
The story delivered for the most part, but it felt kind of in fast forward. They were talking love in a matter of days. (*sigh*) I guess, I would have preferred more development and focus on the relationship. A pleasant read, but when it was over, I wasn’t entirely satisfied.
Rating: B-
*ARC Provided by Carina Press via NetGalley
I came into this book excited about the premise. Elijah is a black soldier in the British army of 1813. Rose was the wife of one of his fellow soldiers. But her husband died fighting over a ruby necklace that he found while looting. Before he took his last breath, he gave the jewels to Elijah, making him promise to get the jewels to his wife.
Elijah keeps his word, bringing the necklace to Rose. But between her beauty and the worth of the rubies, she will need protection from the other soldiers. She has always had high regard for Elijah, so she asks him to marry her. Elijah has always been in love with the English beauty and he can’t tell her no. But he can’t believe that she will ever want him as a husband in truth. So he resigns himself to serving as more of a bodyguard until he can get her back to England.
I don’t really seek out interracial romance. The race of the characters doesn’t really matter much to me. What attracted me to the story was the idea that Elijah loved Rose, but never believed she could love him back. And he was willing to be there for her anyway. I love it when the hero puts his heroine up on an unreachable pedestal. Indeed, that does happen here, but the dynamic only exists for a short time. Part of the reason is –doubtless– because the story, itself, is so short. Maybe a quarter of it is set before the introduction of the relationship and another quarter is in the Epilogue… leaving us with maybe 40 pages of the romance.
The story delivered for the most part, but it felt kind of in fast forward. They were talking love in a matter of days. (*sigh*) I guess, I would have preferred more development and focus on the relationship. A pleasant read, but when it was over, I wasn’t entirely satisfied.
Rating: B-
*ARC Provided by Carina Press via NetGalley
August 11, 2013
I appreciate this story. I love reading about couples jumping over that silly color barrier, especially in historical times when it was so not accepted. Courage and love can overcome.
You have a former slave, now British army man trying to get his troops together after a harsh battle. When one of his men dies obtaining a necklace for his wife, Elijah not only delivers the bad new to the new widow, but also the necklace. This puts a price on a the lady's head and she marries Elijah to protect herself. It's just a wonderful coincidence that she happens to desire him anyway.
Together, they stand against those who dare to frown on their union. The sex is very tame and sweet--well done. I don't need all the nitty, gritty details. I like this author's style.
I liked the heroine: practical, smart, nice, nonjudgmental, and pursuing her dreams. The hero is understanding and likable, not the overdone alpha male.
The story is well-written, what I imagine an army camp to be in those days. I was transported to another time and place.
Matter of fact, my only quibble is that after the huge deal made of the necklace, I was expecting more drama about it, at least one more person to go after it at some point. I was left feeling like a scene was missing.
Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
You have a former slave, now British army man trying to get his troops together after a harsh battle. When one of his men dies obtaining a necklace for his wife, Elijah not only delivers the bad new to the new widow, but also the necklace. This puts a price on a the lady's head and she marries Elijah to protect herself. It's just a wonderful coincidence that she happens to desire him anyway.
Together, they stand against those who dare to frown on their union. The sex is very tame and sweet--well done. I don't need all the nitty, gritty details. I like this author's style.
I liked the heroine: practical, smart, nice, nonjudgmental, and pursuing her dreams. The hero is understanding and likable, not the overdone alpha male.
The story is well-written, what I imagine an army camp to be in those days. I was transported to another time and place.
Matter of fact, my only quibble is that after the huge deal made of the necklace, I was expecting more drama about it, at least one more person to go after it at some point. I was left feeling like a scene was missing.
Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
August 5, 2013
Grade: B
Loved the characters and premise, and Fraser managed to get a lot of emotion into less than 100 pages. But this story deserves more than a novella to avoid the rushed romance and resolution.
He caught her hand. “Wait.” He slid his hands to the back of her neck, fumbling for the necklace’s clasp. He undid it and held the chain of rubies up, red and gold in the flickering candlelight. “No shackles for us,” he said, “no matter how rich.”
Loved the characters and premise, and Fraser managed to get a lot of emotion into less than 100 pages. But this story deserves more than a novella to avoid the rushed romance and resolution.
November 19, 2014
I rather liked this. Something about the author's voice and style really clicked with me.
This is a novella, and there is enough conflict that it could have been a full novel, but it worked fairly well for me in the shorter format. That said, the courtship moved very fast, and there were elements towards the end that felt a little rushed. It wasn't a perfect read for me, but it was very engaging, and just what the doctor ordered after a string of "ho-hum" reads.
This is a novella, and there is enough conflict that it could have been a full novel, but it worked fairly well for me in the shorter format. That said, the courtship moved very fast, and there were elements towards the end that felt a little rushed. It wasn't a perfect read for me, but it was very engaging, and just what the doctor ordered after a string of "ho-hum" reads.
July 20, 2018
Kind of shallow. The title writes cheques the text can't cash but pleasant enough
May 6, 2019
Didn't realize it was a novella. Bought it several years ago after a good review at a romance web site.
Really tough to finish; way too short.
Really tough to finish; way too short.
January 10, 2020
I'm not sure this is own voices(?) but I liked it.
July 31, 2013
Is fulfilling my dream something we both must want?
Elijah was a proud man of color that fought side-by-side with soldiers to defeat the French. His troops were respectful and accepting of his rank and stature based on his ability to lead. When one of the men under his direction is killed during battle, Elijah is the one to step up and offer the man's widow the possibility of marriage. This arrangement is acceptable to everyone, as it will keep Rose safe from the men that look to take advantage of her situation. This marriage would also give Elijah his heart's desire fulfilled with the woman he has always desired from a distance.
Knowing the danger that was ahead of her Rose marries Elijah and with her son, they become an unconventional but loving family. With the course of both of their lives altered Rose and Elijah set forth to pursue her dream of owning an inn. This new life would allow her to explore her talent for cooking. This dream meant returning to her late husband's home where the past will collide with the present she has with Elijah. The accepting is slow and at times hurtful toward the couple but day by day, each person touched with the taste of the life Elijah and Rose have built warms every closed heart.
Suzanna Fraser provides every reader with a compelling and intriguing story of how the lines of love are not easily defined.
Elijah was a proud man of color that fought side-by-side with soldiers to defeat the French. His troops were respectful and accepting of his rank and stature based on his ability to lead. When one of the men under his direction is killed during battle, Elijah is the one to step up and offer the man's widow the possibility of marriage. This arrangement is acceptable to everyone, as it will keep Rose safe from the men that look to take advantage of her situation. This marriage would also give Elijah his heart's desire fulfilled with the woman he has always desired from a distance.
Knowing the danger that was ahead of her Rose marries Elijah and with her son, they become an unconventional but loving family. With the course of both of their lives altered Rose and Elijah set forth to pursue her dream of owning an inn. This new life would allow her to explore her talent for cooking. This dream meant returning to her late husband's home where the past will collide with the present she has with Elijah. The accepting is slow and at times hurtful toward the couple but day by day, each person touched with the taste of the life Elijah and Rose have built warms every closed heart.
Suzanna Fraser provides every reader with a compelling and intriguing story of how the lines of love are not easily defined.
August 6, 2013
Full review on my blog, Becky on Books.
I thought this story was very well done. It was amazing to me that Rose would need to consider marrying again so soon after her husband’s death, but given the circumstances it’s absolutely understandable. I enjoyed watching her relationship with Elijah grow from mutual respect to friendship to something more. It was very sweet and believable, though of course not without issues, both from within and on the outside.
My only real complaint with this story is that it could have been much longer. We don’t see Elijah as his finishes his army career or the new family’s journey back to England. We don’t witness their struggles to make Rose’s dream of owning the inn in the town she used to live in with her husband come true. Instead, the action jumps from their early married days to two years later, when they’re back in England. This is one novella that really could have benefited from being expanded into a full novel—there’s so much more of their lives that could be explored! Still, I enjoyed what was here very much, and definitely will be looking for more to read from this author.
I thought this story was very well done. It was amazing to me that Rose would need to consider marrying again so soon after her husband’s death, but given the circumstances it’s absolutely understandable. I enjoyed watching her relationship with Elijah grow from mutual respect to friendship to something more. It was very sweet and believable, though of course not without issues, both from within and on the outside.
My only real complaint with this story is that it could have been much longer. We don’t see Elijah as his finishes his army career or the new family’s journey back to England. We don’t witness their struggles to make Rose’s dream of owning the inn in the town she used to live in with her husband come true. Instead, the action jumps from their early married days to two years later, when they’re back in England. This is one novella that really could have benefited from being expanded into a full novel—there’s so much more of their lives that could be explored! Still, I enjoyed what was here very much, and definitely will be looking for more to read from this author.
June 13, 2013
Looking for a quick, historical romance with a difference? Well, you might as well pick up ‘A Dream Defiant’ by Susanna Fraser. Unlike most historical romance that are long winded, A Dream Defiant is surprisingly short, sweet and emotional.There’s unlikely hero and heroine in this book so you’ll be in for plenty of surprises.
Packed with sensual and emotional romance, you’re guaranteed to be spellbound with this book. If you’re a big fan of historical romance, you might want to pick up this book. It’s just so perfect for a quick, lazy Sunday read.
Expected publication date for this book is Jul 29 2013. I received an ARC of this book from Carina Press via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any ways for reviewing this book.
Packed with sensual and emotional romance, you’re guaranteed to be spellbound with this book. If you’re a big fan of historical romance, you might want to pick up this book. It’s just so perfect for a quick, lazy Sunday read.
Expected publication date for this book is Jul 29 2013. I received an ARC of this book from Carina Press via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any ways for reviewing this book.
January 26, 2016
Wanted this to be longer! I like the characters, the setting, the ideas explored. I wish more Regency-set novels had similar, outside-of-the-box-type ideas. But because it was short, novella length, there were issues that were solved too well and too quickly. I wanted to read more of Elijah and Rose's struggles and how they overcome them, like in any other romance novel. Still, though, I definitely appreciated even the little bit of a thing this was.
September 13, 2013
I enjoyed many things about this novella. It is very well researched but the narrative feels fresh, and the characters and premise are interesting but believable. The epilogue, though, was a little bit like the scouring of the Shire... a bit too much story continuing after the natural climax of the book and careening right into anticlimax territory. Other than that, I thought it was great.
August 22, 2013
I love this story! A Peninsular War novella about a white soldier's widow who has no choice but to remarry immediately for her own safety, and the black NCO who offers to protect her and her (adorable) son. The military setting is incredible, and I really connected with the hero and heroine--two people who've always had to choose practicality over dreams...UNTIL NOW. One of my favorite tropes!
August 27, 2013
This is not your typical interracial historical. It was so romantic. Well, maybe not when she asked him to marry her, or the fact that the book starts with her husband dying. But, that aside, this is a story of friends who become lovers. Very sweet.
July 31, 2013
My review (and Sunita's) at Dear Author: http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
August 25, 2013
Too short for the plot. So much potential conflict was skipped over.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews