Rowena's Hellion

by Velda Brotherton

Loving a man damaged by war is a challenge, but Rowena was captivated from the first time she laid eyes on the man her sister was supposed to marry. Something about his haunted eyes captured her nurturing heart. When her sister runs off with an outlaw, Rowena finds herself building a life with this difficult man as she struggles to bring him peace while at the same time adjusting from an English convent to the ways of the U.S. West.Blair Prescott fights his demons in whatever ways he can—the liquor bottle, wild rides through the night on his favorite horse, anger at anyone and everyone near him. Yet visions of his dead and dying comrades on the battlefield continue to terrorize him, and unexpected loud noises only increase his fears. No wonder he tries to warn Rowena to stay away from him, despite his certain attraction to her.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2014

About the author

Velda Brotherton writes of romance in the old west with an authenticity that
makes her many historical characters ring true. A knowledge of the rich history of
our country comes through in both her fiction and nonfiction books, as well as in
her writing workshops and speaking engagements. She just as easily steps out of
the past into contemporary settings to create novels about women with the ability
to conquer life’s difficult challenges. Tough heroines, strong and gentle heroes,
villains to die for, all live in the pages of her novels and books.

Reviews

[Arletta Dawdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A growing interest in the mid-19th century attempts by English aristocrats to re-create a Victorian imprint on the Wild West is richly seen in Velda Brotherton’s Victorian series. ROWENA’S HELLION is the second book in the list and it does not disappoint. Brotherton’s writing credits in fiction and non-fiction are well documented. What stands out is her compassion and diligence in exploring hard issues of the human condition.
Lord Prescott rescues Rowena, Wilda and Tyra from an abusive convent upbringing in England and transports them to the American West to lives never before imagined. He chooses to marry Wilda only to have her turn on him and run off with WILDA’S OUTLAW, leaving Rowena and Tyra, the wild child, behind.
Rowena knew from the first that he would be the love of her life, her only love, but how to reach him? With patience, persistence and deep love the romance unwinds in a profusion of love, sexual and emotional, as she wins him over and together they fight his “soldier’s heart.”
The author’s understanding and portrayal of the effects of PTSD on the soldier and those nearest to him is perfect. A condition known through the ages under differing names, it has warped society’s response with shame, degradation and ostracism. In ROWENA’S HELLION, I hope a vast public will learn and generate acceptance of our war-torn returnees from the battlefields.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowena's Hellion was a great love story, set in 1870's Kansas. It was historically accurate, and well-written.
This - was simply - a wonderful story. I fell in love with the characters - particularly Rowena and Blair. These two deeply wounded yet loving people deserved to be together, after all that they went through. And they did have a happily-ever-after, considering their troubled backgrounds.
I loved it!