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Savage Romance #2
Savage Journey
There is no way out for 12- year old Nicholas Belline. Caught stealing on the shores of Montreal, the orphan is forced into a debt of servitude for his crimes, and is sent down the mighty St. Lawrence River with a troop of the hardest and deadliest men known in the New World. They are French-Canadian Voyageurs of the wilds.
On the very same night, a White Medicine Woman gives birth to twins in the midst of a storm-laden Lenni Lenape village. Katari of the Minsi, borne to Jenna and Running Wolf, is soon to be a force of nature herself. Spirited, intelligent, and intent on experiencing life to the fullest, she embarks upon the journey of a lifetime into an unknown multi-cultural city on the burgeoning East Coast of the New World.
Their paths are destined to intertwine. When a terrible accident befalls Katari on the eve of a historic English invasion, Nicholas is the man who saves her. What happens next is a series of dazzling events that fulfill Katari's every hope for a life of adventure...and love.
But Nicholas Belline is a man with a hard, cold past, full of secrets and regrets. Katari's beauty and wit pull at his heart, but can she melt the fierce walls that have protected him since childhood?
Read how their journey continues... and deepens into something life-changing and truly miraculous in the pristine and magical land know to the Native peoples as the Dark Forest.
"The second book in the series even outshines the original - highly recommend! I am totally in love with the characters, and did not want to see this book to end!" ~Bobby Donnelly Haas
Note from the Author: To date, Nicholas Belline hold the place of my favorite male lead of all time. If you can fall in love with someone who is born in your mind, and lives on paper....well, I'm guilty. I cannot wait to hear what my readers think. Always, always, send me your thoughts! ~ Jessica Leigh
On the very same night, a White Medicine Woman gives birth to twins in the midst of a storm-laden Lenni Lenape village. Katari of the Minsi, borne to Jenna and Running Wolf, is soon to be a force of nature herself. Spirited, intelligent, and intent on experiencing life to the fullest, she embarks upon the journey of a lifetime into an unknown multi-cultural city on the burgeoning East Coast of the New World.
Their paths are destined to intertwine. When a terrible accident befalls Katari on the eve of a historic English invasion, Nicholas is the man who saves her. What happens next is a series of dazzling events that fulfill Katari's every hope for a life of adventure...and love.
But Nicholas Belline is a man with a hard, cold past, full of secrets and regrets. Katari's beauty and wit pull at his heart, but can she melt the fierce walls that have protected him since childhood?
Read how their journey continues... and deepens into something life-changing and truly miraculous in the pristine and magical land know to the Native peoples as the Dark Forest.
"The second book in the series even outshines the original - highly recommend! I am totally in love with the characters, and did not want to see this book to end!" ~Bobby Donnelly Haas
Note from the Author: To date, Nicholas Belline hold the place of my favorite male lead of all time. If you can fall in love with someone who is born in your mind, and lives on paper....well, I'm guilty. I cannot wait to hear what my readers think. Always, always, send me your thoughts! ~ Jessica Leigh
- GenresNative American
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2014
About the author
Jessica Leigh
16 books23 followersJessica Leigh writes historical romance and romantasy filled with imperfect heroes, resilient heroines, and the fierce, world-shifting love that binds them. Her stories are born from a lifelong fascination with the early American wilderness—and from countless hours spent deep in the archives of Penn State’s Old Main library, digging through century-old histories, ethnographies, and forgotten memoirs.
Before writing fiction, Jessica studied environmental science at Penn State, learning the language of the eastern forests, its native plants, and its wild secrets—knowledge that now breathes life into every page of her books. She brings the land itself into her storytelling: the river’s pulse, the hush of pines, the healing power of plants, and the whisper of wind carrying myth and memory.
Jessica is known for writing characters who are beautifully flawed, passionately loyal, and shaped by the savage frontier worlds that test them. Whether it’s a young woman navigating cultural boundaries or an accomplished warrior wrestling with myth and magic, her characters fight, love, heal, and always rise above.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find her wandering nature trails, crafting herbal skincare products, dreaming up fascinating for her next novel, or trying to keep her cat from sleeping on her keyboard.
She is currently at work on book #4 of Native American historical romance series.
Before writing fiction, Jessica studied environmental science at Penn State, learning the language of the eastern forests, its native plants, and its wild secrets—knowledge that now breathes life into every page of her books. She brings the land itself into her storytelling: the river’s pulse, the hush of pines, the healing power of plants, and the whisper of wind carrying myth and memory.
Jessica is known for writing characters who are beautifully flawed, passionately loyal, and shaped by the savage frontier worlds that test them. Whether it’s a young woman navigating cultural boundaries or an accomplished warrior wrestling with myth and magic, her characters fight, love, heal, and always rise above.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find her wandering nature trails, crafting herbal skincare products, dreaming up fascinating for her next novel, or trying to keep her cat from sleeping on her keyboard.
She is currently at work on book #4 of Native American historical romance series.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 7, 2020
Having read and reviewed the first book in this series, I can definitely say that this second book, Savage Journey, was much better written. The author did a good job of characterising the MCs, as they were much more fleshed out, as well as having a more decent plot line.
Having said that, this book up until 75% of the way was a solid three stars - it was an average romance book nothing really special or memorable about it and with not a whole lot of heat for my taste. The romance between the main characters Nicholas and Katari was tepid at best.
I’ve come to realise, having now read both books, why this author’s romance aspect of the story falls so flat. It is purely because there is no FIGHT for the relationship. By this I mean the struggle to be together is always one-sided, in both books it is the heroine for some bizarre reason that is consistently fighting to be with the hero. I don’t understand why this is so since this is not a “betrayal by the heroine” type of story that she constantly needs to grovel and beg for his love and affection. We never see any such passion or struggle from the H to be with the h.
Nicholas, in particular, is a pretty lame hero. He spends the journey with Katari caring and falling in love with her, then insists she go back to be with her family as he feels his upbringing and background makes him not worthy of her. Up to this point I can understand this, since there wouldn’t be much of a story if he didn’t let her go. But what I don’t get is after this long separation when he realises he misses and loves her, instead of going to her tribe with the intention of fighting to be with her, he simply goes there ‘to see her’ and then intends to leave her once again. It is the heroine that throughout the entire book fights to be with him - tbh I don’t know what she’s fighting for, since he doesn’t have the passion or temerity to fight for her. It makes him seem almost cowardly, as though he is running away from the fight, which is the height of unattractiveness in a romance novel hero. This is especially seen in his interactions with the OM, whom he never challenges nor confronts. He simply accepts she is to marry the OM and barely feels any jealousy or possessiveness for the h, making their relationship seem half-hearted and passionless. Hence, the two stars since the hero’s character is very important in a romance novel, and his took a nosedive at this point.
On the whole, this was a decent read but had nothing unique to add to the journey trope. While Katari and the secondary characters were nicely characterised, the author really needs to work on her portrayal of a romance hero - he may be big and brawny but he also needs to appear brave and fearless esp. when fighting for his love.
Having said that, this book up until 75% of the way was a solid three stars - it was an average romance book nothing really special or memorable about it and with not a whole lot of heat for my taste. The romance between the main characters Nicholas and Katari was tepid at best.
I’ve come to realise, having now read both books, why this author’s romance aspect of the story falls so flat. It is purely because there is no FIGHT for the relationship. By this I mean the struggle to be together is always one-sided, in both books it is the heroine for some bizarre reason that is consistently fighting to be with the hero. I don’t understand why this is so since this is not a “betrayal by the heroine” type of story that she constantly needs to grovel and beg for his love and affection. We never see any such passion or struggle from the H to be with the h.
Nicholas, in particular, is a pretty lame hero. He spends the journey with Katari caring and falling in love with her, then insists she go back to be with her family as he feels his upbringing and background makes him not worthy of her. Up to this point I can understand this, since there wouldn’t be much of a story if he didn’t let her go. But what I don’t get is after this long separation when he realises he misses and loves her, instead of going to her tribe with the intention of fighting to be with her, he simply goes there ‘to see her’ and then intends to leave her once again. It is the heroine that throughout the entire book fights to be with him - tbh I don’t know what she’s fighting for, since he doesn’t have the passion or temerity to fight for her. It makes him seem almost cowardly, as though he is running away from the fight, which is the height of unattractiveness in a romance novel hero. This is especially seen in his interactions with the OM, whom he never challenges nor confronts. He simply accepts she is to marry the OM and barely feels any jealousy or possessiveness for the h, making their relationship seem half-hearted and passionless. Hence, the two stars since the hero’s character is very important in a romance novel, and his took a nosedive at this point.
On the whole, this was a decent read but had nothing unique to add to the journey trope. While Katari and the secondary characters were nicely characterised, the author really needs to work on her portrayal of a romance hero - he may be big and brawny but he also needs to appear brave and fearless esp. when fighting for his love.
August 26, 2014
13 years old Nicholas Belline caught stealing a beaver pelt by a merchant along the rough waterfront of Montreal. It wasn't his first time to steal without a family it was only way to survive. This time he was forced into servitude as a Engagés - indentured servants, with contracts upwards of three years - a band of uncivilized men - They paddled canoes deep into the wild interiors to receive and return pelts gathered from the trappers of New France’s booming fur trade. It was endlessly laborious, and wickedly dangerous, even for men twice his age, bulk, and cunning. The hostile interior of the New World was filled with every kind of danger known - weather extremes, sicknesses before unheard of, and predators of every kind, from giant bears to scalping Natives. He Survived. He had paid off his indentured servitude in less than three years and grow to a barrel-chested, with thick beard. He also had ended up in many brawls and spent more time in the rough-hewn brigades under the torment of self-appointed lawmen than he would have liked. He didn’t seek out trouble, but it seemed to follow him doggedly. he also had come to love the wilds
Opichi was a girl that Nicholas saved from a drank trapper who kidnapped her without an turning her to her to be his “country wife". By the Native traditions, it's an agreement between the girl's family and the white man. The sides usually exchange gifts to celebrate the arrangement and the fur trader would become, through marriage, an honorary member of the girl’s family. Thus, he would gain the loyalty of the woman's kin when it came to trading furs and supplying game. It put coin in a man’s pockets, made Native allies, and warmed his bed in the process
Katari - On a wintery April first at Wolf Clan Lenni Lenape village - Jenna Ulfsson gave birth to boy and girl twins. Jenna was of Swedish ancestry, and not of Native Lenape birthright, Back in the Dutch-controlled harbor settlement of New Amstel, along the Delaware River where she was raised, many women died in childbirth. Jenna had faced death, betrayal, capture and captivity, and had survived it all, finding love and a home with her father Running wolf.
As a toddler, Katari’s mischievous enthusiasm had been impossible to contain and as adult Katari was simply the continued gale-force. She was a truly gifted in the the art of Medicine but she seemed almost afraid to embrace her talents.
Mingan, or Grey Wolf, Katari’s twin brother, had become a trapper of extreme talent and notoriety in the Minsi clan, as well as their neighboring tribes. He wished to make trade and procure coin and gifts so that he could then select the finest of bride-wives. And he certainly had plenty to choose from. Katari could tell that her brother did not like rooming in a White man’s house. He did not like the way the bedding smelled, or fact that piss pots were commonplace. He did not trust walking on wooden floorboards that creaked loudly, as if under extreme duress, from even the lightest of footsteps. Yet he had given into her pleas in the end.
On the day that Katari succeed to convince her family to sent her with her father to New Amsterdam, King Charles II of England who had promise New Netherland to his brother, James, Duke of York, sent four warships and over six hundred soldiers to carry out the task. It was the cause of turmoil and confusion which lead to a terrible accident. A yoke of four oxen thundered, torn free from an overturned dray, and charging in unfettered fear toward them. They crush onto them cause the separation of unconscious Katari from her brother.
Nicholas saw the accident and save Katari from a certain death, the confused mass of people caused him to turned and flee the town. without his best friend but with 2 native Indian women. One injured and unconscious and the other he could barley communicate with. When ” the injured girl had moaned “Mingan ( a warrior’s name of Lenape origin. Wolf) he was sure that due to his superior luck, it was likely that he had kidnapped the injured mate of a fierce Lenape warrior, and was also traveling with the stolen and defiled daughter of an Ojibwe elder – of high status – as he had earlier learned from Opichi.
To his amazement he discovered that Katari could speak both Dutch and French with a good degree of competency.
Opichi was a girl that Nicholas saved from a drank trapper who kidnapped her without an turning her to her to be his “country wife". By the Native traditions, it's an agreement between the girl's family and the white man. The sides usually exchange gifts to celebrate the arrangement and the fur trader would become, through marriage, an honorary member of the girl’s family. Thus, he would gain the loyalty of the woman's kin when it came to trading furs and supplying game. It put coin in a man’s pockets, made Native allies, and warmed his bed in the process
Katari - On a wintery April first at Wolf Clan Lenni Lenape village - Jenna Ulfsson gave birth to boy and girl twins. Jenna was of Swedish ancestry, and not of Native Lenape birthright, Back in the Dutch-controlled harbor settlement of New Amstel, along the Delaware River where she was raised, many women died in childbirth. Jenna had faced death, betrayal, capture and captivity, and had survived it all, finding love and a home with her father Running wolf.
As a toddler, Katari’s mischievous enthusiasm had been impossible to contain and as adult Katari was simply the continued gale-force. She was a truly gifted in the the art of Medicine but she seemed almost afraid to embrace her talents.
Mingan, or Grey Wolf, Katari’s twin brother, had become a trapper of extreme talent and notoriety in the Minsi clan, as well as their neighboring tribes. He wished to make trade and procure coin and gifts so that he could then select the finest of bride-wives. And he certainly had plenty to choose from. Katari could tell that her brother did not like rooming in a White man’s house. He did not like the way the bedding smelled, or fact that piss pots were commonplace. He did not trust walking on wooden floorboards that creaked loudly, as if under extreme duress, from even the lightest of footsteps. Yet he had given into her pleas in the end.
On the day that Katari succeed to convince her family to sent her with her father to New Amsterdam, King Charles II of England who had promise New Netherland to his brother, James, Duke of York, sent four warships and over six hundred soldiers to carry out the task. It was the cause of turmoil and confusion which lead to a terrible accident. A yoke of four oxen thundered, torn free from an overturned dray, and charging in unfettered fear toward them. They crush onto them cause the separation of unconscious Katari from her brother.
Nicholas saw the accident and save Katari from a certain death, the confused mass of people caused him to turned and flee the town. without his best friend but with 2 native Indian women. One injured and unconscious and the other he could barley communicate with. When ” the injured girl had moaned “Mingan ( a warrior’s name of Lenape origin. Wolf) he was sure that due to his superior luck, it was likely that he had kidnapped the injured mate of a fierce Lenape warrior, and was also traveling with the stolen and defiled daughter of an Ojibwe elder – of high status – as he had earlier learned from Opichi.
To his amazement he discovered that Katari could speak both Dutch and French with a good degree of competency.
January 30, 2015
A special thanks to Goddess Fish Promotions for bringing this talented author to The Library's attention. I had a hint that this book was the second in the series when Running Wolf spoke about Jenna's adventures, and I am excited to find I was right-- the story of Katari's parents is found in Savage Forest, the first book of the series. Savage Journey, however, is a completely standalone book, although I do want to get the first book.
This is a beautifully written story about a fated love. The characters are wonderfully drawn and I was really pulling for Katari and Nick to get together. He is definitely a man of honor, though, and it broke my heart when he sent her back to her people--thinking that because she was born of nobility and was a gifted healer that he was not good enough for her.
The action and adventure is page-turning and we find that Katari has more talents and gifts than even she knows. The book is relatively short (less than 300 pages) and I was able to read it in one sitting-- it was that good. I couldn't put it down and wanted to find out what was going to happen next.
I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series and have plans to buy the first as soon as it's released on BN. 5 stars.
This is a beautifully written story about a fated love. The characters are wonderfully drawn and I was really pulling for Katari and Nick to get together. He is definitely a man of honor, though, and it broke my heart when he sent her back to her people--thinking that because she was born of nobility and was a gifted healer that he was not good enough for her.
The action and adventure is page-turning and we find that Katari has more talents and gifts than even she knows. The book is relatively short (less than 300 pages) and I was able to read it in one sitting-- it was that good. I couldn't put it down and wanted to find out what was going to happen next.
I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series and have plans to buy the first as soon as it's released on BN. 5 stars.
February 22, 2016
Totally loved this series and I'm impatiently awaiting the third book.
March 1, 2016
A great series well written and interesting characters.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews