Chase the Dawn

by Jane Feather

Fleeing a fiery inferno, beautiful, artisocratic Bryony Paget falls unconscious into the arms of a handsome stranger. She awakens with no memory of her proud aristocratic past--only the stirrings of desire kindled by her mysterious rescuer. American patriot Ben Clare has no time for romance--or for the dark-haired beauty who interfered with his midnight raids for liberty. But he cannot resist Bryony's innocent passion -- and together they steal joy amid the strife of bitter war. Too soon the cruel discovery of Bryony's true identity forces her to choose between the Loyalist father she adores and the rebellious man she could never live without. Publication of Chase The Dawn debuts our program to reissue select backlist favorites of Jane Feather's classic historical romances as we continue to publish her new novels.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction

528 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Jane Feather (born Jane Robotham) is a popular British–American writer of historical romance novels. In 1984 she wrote five contemporary romances under the pseudonym Claudia Bishop. She is a New York Times-bestselling, award–winning writer, and has more than ten million romance novels in print.

Reviews

[Emiliya Bozhilova]

Винаги съм се чудила по повод войната за американската независимост как робовладелци, притежаващи други хора сякаш са вещи, същевременно са изповядвали независимостта си спрямо Англия и нейното “подтисничество”? Непонятно.

Иначе приятен романс.

⭐️3,5 звезди⭐️

[Elle]

The hero is an Irish aristocrat who fought for the lot of the poor tenant farmers against the rich English landlords. He was tried for treason along with his friends. They were hanged, drawn and quartered. He was indentured and made to forfeit his family name. Somewhere along the way (we don't learn where until late in the book) he was flogged pretty badly. As a result he hates the English, their sympathizers, and especially those who come from privilege. And it becomes clear early on that the Pagetts have earned his particular hatred and scorn. He is an American Patriot now, fighting in the south against the Tories.

The heroine is Bryony Pagett (saw that coming, didn't you?). Unwitting witness to theft and arson by the Patriots, she is nearly burned to death and as a result of a bump on the head she has amnesia for awhile.

He takes her in against his comrades' advice, and a little romance develops before he finds out who she is. Then he staggers back and forth between the feelings he had begun to have and scorn for her family, and by extension her.

Ever the historian, Feather takes us into the early points at which the South became part of the revolutionary war, through the disastrous Battle of Camden, and on. Some good stuff here for fans of early American history.

I was a little unhappy with the romance. The guy was such a jerk for so long I kept wondering why exactly, the heroine loved him. Her tolerance for his frequent snide and unkind remarks and behavior went farther than I'd have liked. Even early on, when they both don't know who she is, he has to leave her at his cabin while he goes off to a meeting, and she refuses to agree to stay put, so he ties her up. His decision there isn't really mean-spirited, and it's even kind of understandable, but geez, I think any normal woman would give him an earful on his return. Not one of Feather's best but OK, esp. if you're into this era.

[Lucimar]

Em meio a guerra entre arrendatários fazendeiros e donos de terras Inglesas, Bryony e Ben vivem uma apaixonante e ardente história de amor. Uma jovem forte que não mede esforços para seguir o que quer e por isso, abandona tudo, riqueza e conforto, para acompanhá-lo numa guerra, onde a morte e a violência está sempre presente e em meio a esse mundo de horror, passa fome, mendiga, rouba para sobreviver, vistos que os ganhos dele eram poucos para sustentarem eles, um leal amigo e uma criança perdida que acolheram.
Além das diferentes opiniões sociais dos dois, está os sentimentos sombrios que ele abriga que prejudica o amor que eles sentem. Ben tem marcas de escravidão e guarda ódio mortal por aqueles da classe que o escravizaram (inclusive o pai dela) quando lutava por uma vida melhor pelos arrendatários que viviam em suas terras na Irlanda e por este motivo, foi condenado, vendido e tratado como animal na América.
* No romance há cenas excelentes de amor, mas há um passagem intensa e profunda e de certa forma monótona retrato vivo da guerra em si. Porém nada que impeça alguém de apreciá-lo. Mas isto é uma característica própria da autora, que se embrenha na história real.

[Rainelle]

For some reason, I was not able to be drawn into the book. Sorry.

[Elly rey]

love this!!

[Mary]

I had trouble rating this book...if there were half stars, I would rate this a 3.5 star. I felt mixed emotions throughout!

In the beginning I failed to feel the connection between Bryony and Benedict. It wasn't until about a third of the way through that I became engrossed in their twisted tale. Their true passion and commitment to one another became more relevant as the story unfolded.

The war adventures and their very different backgrounds make for a very interesting read.

[Iola]

First part was a heroine with amnesia falling for her rescuer. But then it turned into a political story about the American War of Independence with some anti-Irish landover sentiments thrown in. Not what I was expecting - or looking to read.

[Nadia]

fate of two loving couples can bring their happiness top their lifes

[Mel W]

Nice story but too long and I didn't really feel the passion between the h/h.

[Adeline]

i just feel that Benedict clare is too chauvinistic.. while bryony is too clingy towards him... irritates me

[Dpic]

Good story. Historical romance