Tears Like Rain

Trails West Trilogy #1

by Connie Mason

Risking her life to save cavalry officer Zach Mercer so that she could make him her slave, vengeful Cheyenne Tears Like Rain could not anticipate that her captive would incite a desire for him as strong as her hate. Original.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Westerns, Historical Fiction, Native American, Western Romance

448 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1994

About the author

Connie Mason or Cara Miles is the best-selling author of more than fifty historical romances and novellas. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as American locales. Connie was named Story Teller of the Year in 1990 by Romantic Times and was awarded Career Achievement award in the Western category by Romantic Times in 1994. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida with her husband Jerry.

Prior to her first published work in 1984, Connie was a full time homemaker. Always an avid reader, writing was one of Connie's dreams.

In 1995 Connie was featured on a segment of the CBS news show 48 Hours, a television production that devoted an entire program to the romance novel industry. Connie was also featured in an article published by National Inquirer.

In addition to writing and traveling, Connie enjoys telling anyone who will listen about her three children and nine grandchildren, and sharing memories of her years living abroad in Europe and Asia as the wife of a career serviceman. In her spare time Connie enjoys reading, dancing, playing bridge and freshwater fishing with her husband.

Reviews

[MaryReadsRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
Romance & Heat Rating (3 Stars)/Plot & Theme (4 Stars)/ Characterization (H-4 Stars;h-3 Stars) /History (5 Stars)
In Summary: Not as fun a romantic read as Wind Rider ( Book 2 of this Trails West trilogy series). Despite the disappointing heroine, a very good historical read with an outstanding story that you will remember long afterwards.

Central to this historical romance fiction is the horrific historical Sand Creek Battle.


Also known as the Chivington Massacre, the Battle of Sand Creek or the Massacre of Cheyenne Indians, The Sand Creek Massacre was an atrocity in the Indian Wars that occurred on November 29, 1864, when a 700-man force of Colorado Territory militia attacked and destroyed a peaceful village of Cheyenne and Arapaho encamped in southeastern Colorado Territory,killing and mutilating unarmed Indians camped for Peace Talks with the USA, about two-thirds of whom were women and children.



Personally I enjoyed the second book in this series, Wind Rider (rated 4 stars), much more than this book. It is odd as the writing style is comparable and the theme the same, and Tears Like Rain is actually a better book based upon actual historical content and theme delivery.

I think the fault is primarily with the heroine, Tears Like Rain. I understand that she had to be written to think and behave as a Native American of the time - which some reviewers have missed in their reviews when they criticize the writing as too simplistic. Clearly this simplicity is intentional -particularly in the heroine's thought processes and dialogues. But even with that in mind, it did become tedious. In addition, her ongoing and strong distrust of the hero, which was inverse discrimination, seemed to go on for far too long. Despite the extreme and consistent sacrifices of the hero, the heroine's faith in him was all to easily and frequently shaken - which killed the romantic buzz for me.

It is unfortunate that the heroine of this story wasn't more appealing as this book has an amazing story to tell and a very worthy theme.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE TABLES ARE TURNED IN THIS STORY, WHEREBY THE MALE LEAD BECOMES THE SAVAGE'S SLAVE INSTEAD OF THE OTHER WAY AROUND. IT'S DIFFERENT AND I LIKED THAT SHIFT OF POWER, ESPECIALLY IN THE CIVIL ERA.

OUR HERO was captured and wounded by the Cheyenne, and there is no love lost between the Indians and the Whites. Believing that he was a goner, the beautiful half-breed who caught his eye saves his life by claiming him as her own slave. Zach is perplexed as to why Tears Like Rain insists that she is Cheyenne when it's obvious that her parents were whites. Her gray eyes were a dead giveaway. Despite his situation, Zach finds himself enamoured of this white savage, and given the freedom to leave, he refuses to go home without Tears Like Rain/Abby. Why? It should be obvious enough to you. I like that Zach wasn't an asshole, and he does truly try his best to protect Abby and I'm glad there wasn't the usual dramatic misunderstanding in this story.

OUR HEROINE was raised by the Cheyenne people with her brother, Ryder/Wind Rider when their parents were killed by the Crow people. Age 20, she believes herself to be Cheyenne and is pretty much in self-denial that her heritage is Caucasian. When her people captured a white man, she's disgusted by him and watches as the villagers physically bully and taunt him. To say she was prejudiced and brainwashed by the friction between the whites and the Indians was an understatement. I believe her to be VERY prejudiced for something she should know better than to just judge without knowing. Zach is the only one who stirs her passion and it's not long before she succumbs when she returns to civilization and eventually marries the man.

OVERALL it was a typical Connie Mason story but, it held the qualities that made the story enjoyable and interesting. It's not the BEST but it's still a great story to pass the time.

[Rebecca Jaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really started off strong and stayed strong until the last two chapters. As the story wrapped up, it got so cheesy and gushy. I know that's somewhat usual, but this was more obvious. Doesn't elicit a smile, just eye-rolling. All the work from the majority of the book felt negated somehow by the tone of the ending. Characters' personalities somehow shifted, making them feel written as opposed to real, which throws the reader out of the story. It just seemed the author was ready to end the damn thing already.

[Lillian Bonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was my first venture into the world of historical romance. I bought the book because of the cover and the blurb on the back, but what keeps me hooked are the words that Connie strings together and making me feel as though I'm right there on the page in the scene whatever is happening to them is happening to me love it

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connie Mason has a way of telling a story that even after I've become aquainted with her formula I still gnaw my nails to the quick and rack my brain trying desperately to figure out - how in the world these two people will ever find away to be together - and sometimes- how in the world these two people will even find a way to survive.
This was such a good read - as she seems to always be. I don't devour too many books like I do a Connie Mason book. If you're looking for a quite accurate historical read you've found it but more than that if you're looking for lust, adventure and love - if you're looking for a book that will turn you on, woo you a book that will flip your heart in circles then I recommend not only this book but Connie Mason in general.

[Lori Kircher · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars. I loved this book. Everything was perfect, the characters, setting, plot. Zach and Abby's (Tears Like Rain) romance was beautiful and full of passion. I cared for the characters and what happened to them. This book has more of a deeper meaning then being a romance book, prejudice and discrimination were major topics and are needed to be discussed more throughly in society. Also, learning from a new perspective (Native Americans) was refreshing. I realized how wrong it is to take something and not give in return, being greedy is never a good thing. I learned more about the tribes culture and customs, which was interesting. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book and reread it in the future.

[Catherine Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connie Mason done it again with this book! I hardly like stories about wild west and American Indians, but this book just made me hooked. I like Connie Mason style of writing, with this it comes with real history about the Sand Creek Massacre. I have learned something about this book and at the same time I have a story that I can imagine and put me into a different world. Since this is a romance novel, this is not of those cheesy stories (at least for me). It is more of adult romance, I enjoyed her erotic scenes in this book. I can't wait to read the next 2 trilogy.

[Kathrynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #1 in the Tears Trilogy and should be read in order. #2 is Wind Rider and #3 is Sierra. I enjoyed all three in this trilogy.

This is Abby (Tears Like Rain) and the sister of Wind Rider and Sierra. She and Wind Rider (are raised by a group of Indians). Sierra was the youngest and was sent to live with her relatives.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is #1 in the series. Very good book. Abby is the sister of the Wind Ryder and Sierra. She was captured and raised by the Cheyenne. Zach Mercer is caught and brought to the Cheyenne to be killed/torchered, but she asks to make him her slave to save him. Great love story. I really liked this entire trilogy. Connie does write some pretty hot love scenes in these older romance novels.

[Susan Laine]

have

[Tutti Dolci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the heroine. The story was historically accurate (which was great). The conflict was en-pointe. But the hero? He felt wooden and one-dimensional. Never got around to loving him.

[Eugenia · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's wtitten like fanfiction by 14 years old teen. After so many historical novels this one is not worth reading at all!

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best in this little series. There is great development in plot and character with a very interesting story line.

[**Sognatrice di libri** · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro davvero molto bello ed intenso peccato non abbiamo pubblicato il seguito.

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable book quite enjoyed this author in several books

[Selly - Leggere Romanticamente · Rating 4 out of 5]

titolo italiano: Lacrime di pioggia