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Bold Women of the 19th Century #2
Vagabond Wind
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B015NGF8E8
For readers who like historical fiction with a bit of a love story.
Wild and hard-hearted, Zya Lazar is reckless with her life. Raised by the Romani, she rides with gypsy marauders terrorizing settlers across Virginia. Relishing the violence, the young Melungeon woman seems hell-bent on destruction until a series of events opens her eyes. Retreating to the mountains, Zya finds a more peaceful existence, but it does not last. Another vortex of violence is brewing, and it is the American Civil War. Joining a group of Confederate partisans on the fringe of the fight, Zya and eight men wage their own kind of war in the mountains of Virginia. Captain Davis Wyndham has a dangerous plan, and Zya finds herself putting not only her life, but her heart on the line for the enigmatic commander. Once again Amanda Hughes splashes the pages with gritty adventure and love stories about audacious women in the 18th and 19th Century. Her page-turning tales will keep you on the edge of your seat as you take wild rides through dramatic and dazzling periods of history.
For readers who like historical fiction with a bit of a love story.
Wild and hard-hearted, Zya Lazar is reckless with her life. Raised by the Romani, she rides with gypsy marauders terrorizing settlers across Virginia. Relishing the violence, the young Melungeon woman seems hell-bent on destruction until a series of events opens her eyes. Retreating to the mountains, Zya finds a more peaceful existence, but it does not last. Another vortex of violence is brewing, and it is the American Civil War. Joining a group of Confederate partisans on the fringe of the fight, Zya and eight men wage their own kind of war in the mountains of Virginia. Captain Davis Wyndham has a dangerous plan, and Zya finds herself putting not only her life, but her heart on the line for the enigmatic commander. Once again Amanda Hughes splashes the pages with gritty adventure and love stories about audacious women in the 18th and 19th Century. Her page-turning tales will keep you on the edge of your seat as you take wild rides through dramatic and dazzling periods of history.
329 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2015
164 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 11, 2016
Zya, an exotic woman of unknown origins and part of a gypsy caravan, and Davis, a Confederate soldier tasked with heading up a brigade of “hit and run” tactical soldiers against the B&O Federal railroad, meet under conditions of war and Zya decides to join Davis’s brigade as a scout who knows the area well and who wants to escape the leader of the gypsy caravan. Ms. Hughes’ knowledge of the Civil War and the type of war waged by the Confederacy against the Federals’ greater odds is astounding and her no-nonsense style of narration kept my eyes glued to the pages until I finished the full-length book in two days. This is Book 2 in Ms. Hughes’ series called Bold Women of the 19th Century. I like her writing so much that I’m going to read the rest of her backlist. I highly recommend her writing!
December 6, 2015
Great Civil War Adventure!
The story begins in 1853 in West Virginia as we meet Zya Lazar, a woman of Cherokee, Portuguese and African blood (a “Melungeon”—a person of tri-racial heritage) who was orphaned as a young child and raised by Romani gypsies. Her gypsy father is a kind man but her gypsy uncle is ruthless, cruel and uses her as well as his own sons for his raids that bring terror to the countryside.
Zya, trained up to be a part of the raids, marries one of her uncle’s sons when she is 14 and becomes “bait” to lure the unsuspecting settlers to the gypsies’ trap. Only later does Zya discover that her gypsy uncle murdered her father who was a free black and her family. When she learns this, she leaves to live in the wild for years.
When War Between the States breaks out, Capt. Davis Wyndham comes to Western Virginia where Zya is living in the woods and in trouble with the law (through no fault of her own). Davis gets the charges dropped on the condition she becomes his guide as he travels about the countryside raising a brigade of Confederates to harass the enemy. She agrees and becomes a part of his most unusual band of raiders.
Some wonderful characters will hold you captive as you are plunged into the Civil War and Davis sets his band to interfering with the B&O Railroad. Zya and Davis soon find they are attracted to each other and love takes its course. But there are many obstacles and much they must overcome to be together.
The story begins in 1853 in West Virginia as we meet Zya Lazar, a woman of Cherokee, Portuguese and African blood (a “Melungeon”—a person of tri-racial heritage) who was orphaned as a young child and raised by Romani gypsies. Her gypsy father is a kind man but her gypsy uncle is ruthless, cruel and uses her as well as his own sons for his raids that bring terror to the countryside.
Zya, trained up to be a part of the raids, marries one of her uncle’s sons when she is 14 and becomes “bait” to lure the unsuspecting settlers to the gypsies’ trap. Only later does Zya discover that her gypsy uncle murdered her father who was a free black and her family. When she learns this, she leaves to live in the wild for years.
When War Between the States breaks out, Capt. Davis Wyndham comes to Western Virginia where Zya is living in the woods and in trouble with the law (through no fault of her own). Davis gets the charges dropped on the condition she becomes his guide as he travels about the countryside raising a brigade of Confederates to harass the enemy. She agrees and becomes a part of his most unusual band of raiders.
Some wonderful characters will hold you captive as you are plunged into the Civil War and Davis sets his band to interfering with the B&O Railroad. Zya and Davis soon find they are attracted to each other and love takes its course. But there are many obstacles and much they must overcome to be together.
June 5, 2016
Civil War Adventure
This book was based on a headstrong, clever, pistol shooting, adventure seeking woman. Zya had many hardships throughout her life including abduction from her original family and taken by Romani Gypsies at the age of 5. She learned so many hard lessons and was hardened from the people who she found she could not trust. This book is just packed with action and a little romance. Different than any book I've read so far. I enjoyed the different relationships she encountered as she moved throughout the mountains and the south during the war between the North and South. Each one taught her something and helped her grow. She became involved with a group of "Irregulars" commissioned by the military that was headed up by Capt. Davis Wyndham. This group ran special missions. If your a civil war buff you'll love this book.
This book was based on a headstrong, clever, pistol shooting, adventure seeking woman. Zya had many hardships throughout her life including abduction from her original family and taken by Romani Gypsies at the age of 5. She learned so many hard lessons and was hardened from the people who she found she could not trust. This book is just packed with action and a little romance. Different than any book I've read so far. I enjoyed the different relationships she encountered as she moved throughout the mountains and the south during the war between the North and South. Each one taught her something and helped her grow. She became involved with a group of "Irregulars" commissioned by the military that was headed up by Capt. Davis Wyndham. This group ran special missions. If your a civil war buff you'll love this book.
June 3, 2016
Vagabond Wind
Wow! What a story,so well written in so many ways. I just could not put this book down. When I first started this story I almost thought I do not think I am going to like this story and almost quit reading and then before I knew it I was hooked and did not put it down. It was exciting adventurous and a beautifully well written history of our civil war. I could go on and on. Yes highly recommended.
Wow! What a story,so well written in so many ways. I just could not put this book down. When I first started this story I almost thought I do not think I am going to like this story and almost quit reading and then before I knew it I was hooked and did not put it down. It was exciting adventurous and a beautifully well written history of our civil war. I could go on and on. Yes highly recommended.
October 19, 2016
Although I am not normally a fan of novels in the time frame of the civil war, Amanda has made this a good read. I put off reading this one because of that. But as Ms. Hughes has done with her past novels, she has written such a perfect story that the factors of war don't matter much. Thanks for another fabulous adventure. looking forward the the house of five fortunes.
October 15, 2015
Vagabond Wind will stick with me forever! The depth of the story and of Amanda Hughes' writing is uncanny. The characters are wonderfully colorful and I actually miss them now that I've finished the book. I would give it 10 stars if I could! Highly recommended! This is a MUST READ!!!!!!!
June 7, 2016
Action-packed
This is the second book I have read by this author. Both are well worth reading but very different stories with satisfying endings but not simply happily ever after. I would highly recommend this book.
This is the second book I have read by this author. Both are well worth reading but very different stories with satisfying endings but not simply happily ever after. I would highly recommend this book.
October 15, 2015
Awesome! Another terrific story from Amanda Hughes! She keeps getting better and better.
October 12, 2022
Vagabond Wind (Bold Women of 19th Century Series Book 2)
The love story of Zya and Davis. Zya is a gypsy and she was a raider. When she left her tribe, she live a lonely life as trapper then two men attack her and she was sentence to help the Confederate army. Civil war is at its high and Zya and Davis are trying not to fall in love. Can they live though this war? Great story.
The love story of Zya and Davis. Zya is a gypsy and she was a raider. When she left her tribe, she live a lonely life as trapper then two men attack her and she was sentence to help the Confederate army. Civil war is at its high and Zya and Davis are trying not to fall in love. Can they live though this war? Great story.
October 12, 2024
Joan813
Another great novel by Amanda Hughes. The setting is the American
Civil War seen from the Confederate side. A feisty heroine who joins a band of Confederate raiders that harass the enemy. Filled with a set of wonderful characters sprinkled with a growing romance between that hero & heroine. It kept me up to the wee hours of the morning.
I
Another great novel by Amanda Hughes. The setting is the American
Civil War seen from the Confederate side. A feisty heroine who joins a band of Confederate raiders that harass the enemy. Filled with a set of wonderful characters sprinkled with a growing romance between that hero & heroine. It kept me up to the wee hours of the morning.
I
June 12, 2018
Loving Bold Women
I've been ripping through Amanda's stories one after another each one so good yet so different. Characters you feel for, intelligent but flawed, overcoming distance and culture, never trite, good stories. I will read each one happily.
I've been ripping through Amanda's stories one after another each one so good yet so different. Characters you feel for, intelligent but flawed, overcoming distance and culture, never trite, good stories. I will read each one happily.
June 24, 2021
Vagabond Wind
A interesting story set in the civil war times, , it has a number of interesting characters along with unusual main Hero and heroine.
A interesting story set in the civil war times, , it has a number of interesting characters along with unusual main Hero and heroine.
June 24, 2021
Good read!
I love d this book but after the other 4 of her books I have read, I kind of had an idea of how it would end up. She is a wonderful writer. It was exciting
I love d this book but after the other 4 of her books I have read, I kind of had an idea of how it would end up. She is a wonderful writer. It was exciting
September 4, 2023
My favorite book of hers.
February 27, 2017
Good reading
5 Stars because of the intensity of the historical novel. It moved quickly through a terrible time in our history and gave graphic pictures of how terrible the civil war was. Amanda Hughes is an excellent writer.
5 Stars because of the intensity of the historical novel. It moved quickly through a terrible time in our history and gave graphic pictures of how terrible the civil war was. Amanda Hughes is an excellent writer.
May 18, 2021
Read my full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
A five year old abducted from her “Melungeon” family (Indian, African, and Portuguese) is raised by a band of Romani. By the time she is fourteen, her Romani uncle has married her to one of his sons and trained her in the art of raiding and stealing.
Zya is capable and independent when her husband is killed in a skirmish, and she simply carries on. She enjoys the raids and the excitement until one raid has her reassessing the role and eventually ends in her flight from the band.
She survives on her own in the western Virginia mountains and later agrees to scout for Captain Davis Wyndham. All her experiences of the mountains serves both she and the band of eight well when they progress to hit and runs in the war between the North and South.
Her irregular tactical soldiers build quite the reputation for themselves. The setting of movement, conditions, and spies is immersive in detail and draws you into the war. Whether you initially liked Zya or not, you are gradually drawn to the character as she progresses through the well-plotted and paced storyline.
There is an explosive and brilliant battle scene at the climax—satisfying conclusion. A history buff, Civil War buff or not, this is thoroughly engaging and entertaining. The reversal of the protagonist from unlikable to effective and respected is an interesting and unique departure from the norm. 4.5 stars. Highly recommended.
A five year old abducted from her “Melungeon” family (Indian, African, and Portuguese) is raised by a band of Romani. By the time she is fourteen, her Romani uncle has married her to one of his sons and trained her in the art of raiding and stealing.
Zya is capable and independent when her husband is killed in a skirmish, and she simply carries on. She enjoys the raids and the excitement until one raid has her reassessing the role and eventually ends in her flight from the band.
She survives on her own in the western Virginia mountains and later agrees to scout for Captain Davis Wyndham. All her experiences of the mountains serves both she and the band of eight well when they progress to hit and runs in the war between the North and South.
Her irregular tactical soldiers build quite the reputation for themselves. The setting of movement, conditions, and spies is immersive in detail and draws you into the war. Whether you initially liked Zya or not, you are gradually drawn to the character as she progresses through the well-plotted and paced storyline.
There is an explosive and brilliant battle scene at the climax—satisfying conclusion. A history buff, Civil War buff or not, this is thoroughly engaging and entertaining. The reversal of the protagonist from unlikable to effective and respected is an interesting and unique departure from the norm. 4.5 stars. Highly recommended.
June 7, 2016
Zya is loved by her father, but is forced to wed his brother's son at 15 years old. She is beautiful, wild, impulsive and easy to love. After the death and murder of her husband and father, disturbing matters are revealed; causing Zya to leave the life she knew.
She winds up working with Confederate soldiers of a different breed under Captain Davis Wyndham. This is when the adventure and romance begins anew!
Interesting take on the Civil War. Love the way the co!orful irregulars are introduced and brought together. Change is constant in their lives. Parts of the books beginning is slow; after that, wow! Action. Adventure. Romance.
3 1/2 stars.
She winds up working with Confederate soldiers of a different breed under Captain Davis Wyndham. This is when the adventure and romance begins anew!
Interesting take on the Civil War. Love the way the co!orful irregulars are introduced and brought together. Change is constant in their lives. Parts of the books beginning is slow; after that, wow! Action. Adventure. Romance.
3 1/2 stars.
January 26, 2018
Zya spent almost her whole life with Romani gypsies, traveling with them all over the new state of West Virginia before the Civil War. Married at a young age, life seemed grand until her husband and father were killed. Falling in with a group of Confederate Rangers, she helped guide them through the wilderness as they worked to thwart the Yankees at every turn through sneak attacks. Read the rest of the review on my blog: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....
May 30, 2018
Amanda Hughes is one of my favorite authors because of her truthful realism. If you have ever wondered what life might have been like for a southerner during the Civil War, this is the book to read. The defense the characters mount of their home state of Virginia felt both authentic and heart-rending. And her convincing descriptions of the setting and people made me feel as if I were riding along with them through the hills of Virginia. Amanda is a gifted writer and an amazing storyteller.
June 8, 2016
All romance and adventure but fun. this is set in Virginia during the civil war. The girl kidnapped by the gypsies is making her way as a trapper and hermit until she meets the confederate officer gathering a band of raiders.
October 8, 2016
Civil War. I want to read this one again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews