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North American Woman Trilogy #3

by Heather Graham

За трети път се срещаме с фамилията Камерън, позната ни от "Дивата котка" и "Любовницата на корсаря". Ерик Камерън е лорд, но въпреки това се включва в борбата за независимостта на Америка. А красивата лейди Аманда - напротив е вярна на краля. Тя е принудена от злия си баща да отдаде на бунтовника душата, сърцето и ръката си, за да може да следи отблизо размирните му планове. Но тя не си дава сметка за любовта, която скоро я завладява. Дивата страст на непокорния й съпруг я покорява и в скоро време тя се оказва истинска заложница на чувствата си. А предателството вече е извършено...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Enemies To Lovers, American Revolutionary War, American Revolution

318 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 1989

About the author

Also published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.

Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.

Reviews

[Kimberly Carrington-Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

3'5 estrellitas
Este me parece sin duda el mejor libro de los tres que componen la serie, el más completo y mejor escrito a la hora de mezclar la historia de amor con el periodo histórico en el que se sitúa, la Guerra de Independencia de los Estados Unidos. Los protagonistas son ambos de la colonia de Virginia pero, mientras que ella es leal a la Corona, él es independentista, con lo que ya os podéis imaginar el conflicto que tiene esta pareja. El libro comienza in media res, en todo el meollo de la historia, que estás tú mirando para todos lados porque no te enteras ni del NO-DO y quieres saber, quieres saber, ¡quieres saber! Bueno, pues acabas sabiendo, ya que hacemos un retrospecter y durante casi dos tercios del libro nos dedicamos a ver qué ha pasado para tener a los protagonistas en una situación tan enfrentada. Y menudos pistos, tremendos y muy interesantes. Por cuestiones ajenas a la prota ella debe arrimarse al maromazo y este, aunque desconfía, no puede negar que su boa ya cantaba por soleares desde hace mucho tiempo por esa mujer, así que el país se puede ir a la *ierda pero ellos le van a danr al refrote de modo alegre y repetido (a veces hasta demasiado). En general esa es la impresión que me ha dejado el libro, que es "demasiado" en muchos aspectos: demasiado histórico, demasiado repetitivo, demasiado largo. ¡Que el que mucho abarca, poco aprieta, Heather Graham! A pesar del exceso que os comento, el libro me ha gustado y me ha tenido muy enganchada leyendo, ya que no veía yo cómo se iba a resolver la situación amorosa estando tan mezclada con la política. Está bien escrito, con mucha MUCHA Historia (demasiada, diría yo, y eso que es algo que me suele gustar mucho -si a vosotras no os gusta que eso, huid de él-) pero contada de un modo objetivo y poco apasionado, lo que creo que afecta a la historia de amor, que también me ha parecido poco apasionada, además de repetitiva (muchas situaciones en las que están juntos son casi idénticas a otras que ya has leído). De todos modos estaba leyendo tan metida en la situación que no me ha importado demasiado, quería seguir para ver qué iba a ser de ellos, ya que todos conocemos el final de esa guerra. Creo que, junto con ese desapasionamiento narrativo, lo que me ha hecho no poder disfrutar del libro todo lo que hubiera querido es el exceso de datos históricos (algo que se ve especialmente en el epílogo, donde directamente nos cuenta todas las contiendas que dieron final a la Guerra de Independencia). Una cosa es que me gusten los amores que se entremezclan con la Historia y otra, caerme dentro de un documental. Lo que os he dicho, que si se recortara el libro, ganaría en agilidad y en emoción.
Los protagonistas me han gustado, con ese conflicto que ambos arrastran, pero creo que se podría haber profundizado más en ellos y explotado esa circunstancia. Lo mismo ocurre con los secundarios, no se profundiza demasiado en ellos (y ojo, que anda que no habia chicha ahí...). Pero vamos, que a pesar de todo no ha sido una mala lectura y ya estoy preparada para leer Amantes y enemigos.

[Regan Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Revolutionary War Romance!

This is the 3rd in the North American Woman trilogy, which is a part of the 6-book Cameron Saga, and it is one you will really enjoy. I loved this trilogy and highly recommend it.

The story begins in Boston in 1773 when Lord Eric Cameron, a Virginian with estates in England and a descendent of the Camerons whose stories are told in the first two books, meets and falls in love with the beautiful and tempestuous Lady Amanda Sterling who is only 17. Lady Amanda, a loyalist, is in love with dashing Lord Robert Tarryton but he wants a title and is willing to marry a duchess he does not love to get it. While Amanda is expecting a proposal from Lord Tarryton, she learns of his betrothal to the duchess and is heartbroken.

Tarryton would take her as his mistress, which shocks her and she spurns him for it. Meanwhile, Eric has spoken to her father about marrying her and her father has given his consent. To get away from her father who is brutally cruel to her, and to flee her only other prospect, Amanda consents to wed Eric. She does not love him, but she is inexplicably drawn to the handsome, virile man. Eric is fast becoming an American patriot. A friend of George Washington and Patrick Henry, he values liberty and is willing to risk all to have it.

I love how Graham weaves real history into the story. Amanda is forced by her father to spy on her husband and the actions of the patriots. Eric suspects this and though he has fallen in love with her, he does not trust her and feeds her false information. Their lovemaking is passionate, but neither says anything for fear of giving the other power. George Washington believes Amanda may be "the Highness," the spy who is hurting the rebel cause. Eric believes it, too.

Swept up in the tides of history, we discover that love still matters, treachery can come from those closest to us, and truth is hard to find. If you love American history and the Revolutionary War period, and if you love truly great historical romance, you'll love this one. Graham's writing and well-described action does not disappoint. I really loved the way she shows us how the "lords" of England became the ordinary—or rather, extraordinary—men of America. No titles but with great courage and a greater legacy.

The Cameron Saga:

The North American Women trilogy: Sweet Savage Eden, A Pirate's Pleasure and Love Not a Rebel
The Camerons in the Civil War trilogy: One Wore Blue, And One Wore Gray, And One Rode West

[BookLuva28 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though it was good Love Not A Rebel could have been great

For a finale it started out pretty strong and then things began to dwindle for me. It was promising, but then a lot of the story detracted away from it's central characters focus by the over usage of historical facts, even historical figures that played big roles in the plot. To be fair I was expecting more of a fun bodice-ripper theme (much like A Pirate's Pleasure gave, which ended up being my favorite of the three books.)
I loved that Amanda Sterling was forced into spying for the British and that Nigel was the villian. That mixed with Eric Cameron's opposing political views added a different tension between the fated lovers. This is the first novel I have read that delved in deeply with the American Revolution beginning with the Boston Tea Party and escalating in an on going battle for the colonies that lasted within a period of ten years according to the novel. I didn't bother doing the research while trudging along. Unfortunately, I put the book down a few times because it didn't quite hold my interest enough not to want to. Heather Graham even felt a bit redundant in this one, another reason I'm glad I read other novels in the midst of completing this trilogy.

[fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A enjoyable satisfying historical by heather graham ,with flawed characters but lovable

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This passionate book would have been truly epic for me if there was only one (or at the most two) historical individual who personally knew the main characters. But the gratuitous use of actual people, from the American founding fathers to the King and Queen of France, among others, was just too much. It detracted from the beautiful love story. There were also times that it seemed I was reading a history book instead of a romance novel. Too much just takes me out of the story and unfortunately, skimming is the only way to proceed.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ridiculous Scarlett O’Hara BS! I couldn’t stand traitorous lying backstabbing no loyalty but to her cousin Damian Lady Amanda and Eric would forgive her anything as long as he got to sleep with her - instead read Julie Garwood’s Guardian Angel because it’s MUCH better!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Not a Rebel

This book had many romance novel elements. But there were twists and turns and quite a bit of American history from the Revolutionary War. There were numerous spelling errors and at one point Amanda was caressing her own breast as ‘her’ should have been ‘he’.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

“And still, Amanda, I tell you, if you need me, I will be there. I will suffer your disdain, I will marry you knowing that you love another. Just don’t seek to betray me.”
“Betray you, sir? Pray, tell me what is there that I might betray?”
“Any man can be betrayed.”
“I do not betray you,” she lied smoothly.

Such exchanges make this a remarkable romance novel. Breathtaking and passionate! You must read it.

I want so badly to give it a full five stars. The leads deserve it, their chemistry deserves it and their romance deserves it. But, there is one massive flaw that makes the novel a task to read at times. Heather Graham has researched her period well. She knows all the battles, all the players and makes them a large part of her story. So much so that at times the narrative can descend into a history textbook. Pages and pages of "on July 6, 1776, blah, blah" and "on July 8, blah, blah" in a way that feels rudimentary. A contrast would be The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons, a novel, that naturally retells the historical details of a wartime era in a seamless manner.

When he left, he was gone so very long. Days passed and the weeks passed and then months.
“You tremble,” he told her.
“With the cold.”
“But I am holding you.”
“But you will leave,” she told him desolately.

Love Not a Rebel carefully crafts a volatile relationship between two passionate leads as they struggle to build a relationship during the American Revolution. Staunch loyalist Amanda Sterling is being courted by the rebel, Lord Eric Cameron. She cannot stand the man and even more detestable than his political leanings are his unwanted, yet strangely exciting kisses. The heroine hates the hero, while the poor hero is so besotted he asks for her hand in marriage upon their second meeting!

Amanda's father intends to take advantage of Eric's feelings for Amanda and bribes her into spying for England's cause. Eric is immediately alert to the reason behind Amanda's sudden turnabout and interest in him. He confronts her and her denials ring false. Even so, he offers her marriage and she accepts to rid herself of her father's control.

Hate and distrust become the cornerstones of their budding marriage. As Eric says, the leads do not have a "gentle relationship." It is pure love/hate. One minute they are literally beating on each other and the next they are on the floor having the angriest of angry sex! Amanda is an irrational, spoiled little brat and she really puts Eric through the ringer. Eric has a horrible temper and is often moved the point of violence, which is quickly displayed through lust. Luckily for him, Amanda also feels as if love and hate, anger and sex are closely intertwined when she is with him. Felt very much like this relationship is influenced by Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'hara.

The novel spans the first 3 years of the American Revolution, which coincide with the first 3 years of Eric and Amanda's marriage. Graham does an excellent job of capturing the toll that separation takes on this couple. They are reduced to brief moments together, where they meet with love, devotion and, yes, hate, before Eric must run off to another battle. The bond they form is tender and earnest, but extremely fragile. It is ultimately a journey towards love and trust that saves their marriage.

A weaker point is the unnecessary tale of Amanda's true paternity. It muddled the writing a but. But, this is one of the best love stories I have ever read!

[Suzy Vero · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Love Not a Rebel the author again uses the enemies to lovers trope as she did in the previous two books in the series. And it’s done with a heavy hand right until the last 50 pages … and this is a long book of 437 pages. Endless fighting between the hero and heroine!!

Setting: the American Colonies, 1773 at the beginning of the Revolutionary War to 1783 when it ended. When the hero, Lord Eric Cameron first sees Amanda Stirling at a party in Boston it’s instant attraction and lust. She’s also a Virginian, and they knew each other when children. She loves another, and is loyal to the Crown. He’s a rich landowner in the Tidewater of Virginia, and actively supports the patriots. The conflict between the British and the colonists form the background to this story.

Amanda gets swept up into helping the British… threatened and blackmailed by her dreadful father, and she isn’t honest with Eric … he suspects her. Is she really a spy? She can’t let down the wall of her pride, tell him her secrets, and beg him to forgive her. But when they’re together at Cameron Hall their life is good, full of passion, despite the tempest of the outside world. Oodles of intimate scenes all described with deep purple prose.

Graham is a master at filling her stories with historical details especially in this book of the Revolutionary War … battles, places and famous persons: George Washington, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin all make appearances.

Overall, the story was good, but I was exhausted by the continuous fighting, and mistrust between Eric and Amanda. Don’t think I’ll ever reread this series.., way too much negativity between all the heroes and heroines as I prefer a more balanced storyline.

The glorious paperback covers by the legendary artist Sharon Spiak however are a feast for the eyes!! Love them!

[L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is the late 1700's and the winds of rebellion are blowing through Colonial America. Amanda Sterling has been blackmailed into spying on Eric Cameron, even going so far as to marry him. Then lots and lots and lots of history. Author Heather Graham sure did put the 'history' into this historical romance.

The book didn't put up much of a fight to grab and hold on to my attention for several reasons. The hero, Eric, is one of those absolutely perfect in every way characters. Everyone else, men as well as women, were hanging on Eric like stink on a dog. I don't like my heroes to be perfect. I want them to have something to overcome, a struggle. Everything just fell into Eric's lap, including Amanda. Speaking of which, Amanda. While there were few (very few) moments where she had an opportunity to show there was more to her than a pretty face, for the majority of the story Amanda was bullied and bossed around. She just didn't do much of anything. And finally, the worst crime that can happen in a romance novel, there was zero chemistry between this couple. When Eric decides he's going to marry Amanda, another character echoes my sentiments by asking, "Why?" (It would have been totally meta if Eric had answered, "Because the author is making me.")

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed

[Copper78 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an old school tempestuous romance and I enjoyed it but it did have several common and annoying tropes from that era of writing. The heroine was very shrewish and often didn't behave as a women from that time period. She was beautiful though so she was forgiven much by our alpha hero who overlooked all her many red flags bc he was so enamored and in LUST with her. There are so many misunderstandings, lies, left out info, etc. Not admitting love like every other couple in romance history and there's a TONNNNN of over detailed revolutionary war info that noted me to tears. BUT the book is angsty and steamy which I appreciate and there is a happy ending with cute babies and an epilogue. One thing to note is that the hero does kiss another woman TWICE while married to the heroine and he also maintains a close friendship with the OW which I think the heroine should have made a bigger deal out of and made him grovel more for.

[Linda A. Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always A Thrilling Read

I've lost count of how many times I've read this book. It is awesome. I love all of H. Graham's historical novels.

All of the males are deliciously alpha and there's not a ditzy female to be found.

So kickback, grab a soda and stay inside away from the awful summer heat, and escape into romance and adventure.

WARNING -none of this author's books are clean!

[EvilAntie Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Electrifying book

Of the entire series I truly be!I've that this book is one taut with the only true war - between humankind- the battle of the sexes. Eric and Amanda are one of those amazing stories you don't want to end.Their story is reflective of the story of the rebellious colony - America. Is there truly a surrender? Maybe or is more appropriately called a truce in the name of love.

[Shellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, with lots of actual history!

[Kathy Arel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoyed this book about the beginning of the American revolution, it was informative and entertaining at the same time.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good historical romance, with the American Revolutionary War as the background.

[Vivi]

Every single character in this book infuriated me at least once. Except maybe Benjamin Franklin. So weird.

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Not a Rebel, o terceiro volume da trilogia North American Woman (The Cameron Saga), foi uma leitura muito boa, mas não conseguiu superar Sweet Savage Eden. Na verdade, o que realmente me conquistou foi o final, surpreendente e me deixou vidrada até o fim, mas confesso que estava inclinada a avaliá-lo com três estrelinhas ou um pouco mais. De qualquer forma, mais uma vez enfatizo que a escrita de Heather Graham é maravilhosa, o contexto histórico bem pesquisado e os personagens são bem construídos. Toda a narrativa é ambientada nos primórdios da Independência Americana. Aqui, Eric Cameron, um descendente direto de Jassy e Jamie Cameron, continua o legado da família. Um homem rico, respeitado, influente e, acima de tudo, um virginiano (nascido na Virgínia), um patriota. Mas esse patriotismo não é o epicentro do livro e sim a relação tempestuosa entre Eric e Amanda Sterling, uma defensora da coroa britânica. Várias circunstâncias colocam a relação de Amanda e Eric em xeque, sobretudo a traição. A heroína é arduamente chantageada por seu pai a obter provas contra Eric, mesmo quando ambos se encontram casados. Ah, Amanda! A heroína verdadeiramente deixou os meus nervos à flor da pele e quando Eric descobre a suposta traição da sua amada...só lendo para conferir. Não conto de modo algum (risos). Enfim, recomendo!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

80's covers are horrible, bodice ripers got top dollar in the 80's, hence the cover art. This story is more complex than you'd expect from the cover, one it's set during the American revolution, exposing patriots as well as tory's to the reader. Yes, our heros are seperated by loyalties except for one. It was a fun use of our revolutionary heros (Franklin, Washington, Jefferson, etc.) to help set the pace and timing of this novel, so few novels are set during colonial times that I take advantage when I find them. I like how the story starts with a bang and then backfills coming back to the flashpoint about 60% into the novel. Effective way of hooking a reader to contnue. As for the writing Heather Graham is very, very talented. I skimmed very little of this book because she didn't spend pages and pages on descriptives which drive me crazy.

[Anna McFadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful Lady Amanda Sterling is force to spy on lord Eric Cameron by the governor of Virginia aND her evil father. She has hated Eric from the minute she saw him, remembering when she was 8 and he was 14. Eric is believed to be a traitor to the King and to England, the governor and her father has sent Amanda to steal all Eric's selects about Patriots she is even force into marriage
Lord Eric Cameron sales his family's estates in England to distant cousin for his cousins land that borders his, before his true allegiance is made public. As he is fighting for the freed from England he is also fighting a war with his beautiful wife who is discover to be a spy name the Highness, that he knows he can't trust but he also knows he can never let her go.
even if it means losing his own life.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set during the American Revolution, Lord Eric Cameron must choose sides in the war and he chooses to fight with the patriots. He marries a die hard tory, Amanda Sterling, whom is blackmailed into giving his secrets to her supposed father to help the English. She gets caught and he sends her away to France where she has their babies (twins). She meets Ben Franklin and she begins to understand the need for the colonials to be independent. Good Story.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I loved Amanda's spirit as she fought for her beliefs and then against her abusive father. I loved The fact that Eric knew she was in danger and his protcive desire to keep her safe (even from herself). This story has humor, suspense, and lots of sexual chemistry. Could not put it down the first time I read it and have reread it many times since!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

FYI: This is the 3rd book in the North American Woman series. I didn't realize this until I finished the book and started reading the book "Sweet Savage Eden" which is the first book of the series.

[Kimberly Nester · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure when love comes into the equation for the couple it seems like more violent lust at least on the male characters part. Not a fan of this kinda thing but over all the book kept me entertained. Nice historical back ground,

[Taffey Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written novel, even though the back and forth mistrust between the husband and wife was tiring to read. It did take them a LONG time to trust one another, whilst making wildly passionate love. But, it was a good read anyway.

[Celeste Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Heather Graham novel that I ever read! It got me stuck on her books! Absolutely one of my favortes!! And it's a series as well!!

[Stacy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite out of the series. Revolution!!! I love the passion of it. Yes, I really do read this book once every year or so, it's that good.

[Startled Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Some parts were a little slow but over all pretty good. Love scenes were a little flowery.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

She is such a talented storyteller . It feels like she was really there in historic times . I enjoyed the characters a nd all of the story twists.