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Hearts at War #1
A Sweet Surrender
New York, 1777…
Siaragowaeh of the Onyota’aka tribe has a love for all things living and when a fallen British soldier becomes severely wounded, Siara secretly nurtures the officer back to health, putting her own position in her tribe at risk.
Sergeant James Blake of His Majesty’s elite assault troops vaguely remembers the ambush that left him at the mercy of a beautiful native woman…a woman he isn’t yet certain he can trust. When a narrow escape from Siara’s village forces them on the trail together, desire soon flares even brighter between them.
Yet in a journey driven by duty and complicated by loyalty, Siara and James must determine if they will follow their predestined paths or surrender to their hearts and chart anew…
Siaragowaeh of the Onyota’aka tribe has a love for all things living and when a fallen British soldier becomes severely wounded, Siara secretly nurtures the officer back to health, putting her own position in her tribe at risk.
Sergeant James Blake of His Majesty’s elite assault troops vaguely remembers the ambush that left him at the mercy of a beautiful native woman…a woman he isn’t yet certain he can trust. When a narrow escape from Siara’s village forces them on the trail together, desire soon flares even brighter between them.
Yet in a journey driven by duty and complicated by loyalty, Siara and James must determine if they will follow their predestined paths or surrender to their hearts and chart anew…
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2015
246 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Lena Hart
91 books323 followersLena Hart is an author of sensual romances with alpha heroes and smart, sexy heroines. She's a proud member of Romance Writers of America, busy writing more happily ever afters. A Florida-native, Lena currently lives in New York City with her two calico kitties, Duchess and Daisy. When she is not writing, she's reading, researching, or conferring with her muse.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 1, 2016
This was a perfect example of how people of color are still fully capable of cultural appropriation and erasure/oppression. The heroine was an Iroquois woman (actually half black through her father) who finds a British soldier injured and dying in the woods somewhere. She builds a shelter and nurses him back to health, but their sexual attraction to each other (which is handled in a hamfisted way with little chemistry between the characters) is hindered by the heroine's forced engagement to a Native man she doesn't care for and who attempts to dominate her.
Unfortunately, very little of this is plausible in the least. As my bullshit radar started pinging, I started Googling. The pervasive myth of Native American and African mixing has been largely shown to be just that--a myth--with a greater likelihood in certain slaveholding southern tribes, such as the Cherokee and the Seminole. So while it is, in theory, not impossible that some random Black man found himself adopted into a Native tribe in New York state, it's incredibly unlikely, and genetic research seems to back this up. The forced marriage is also a complete fabrication. Iroquois women had a great deal of autonomy and chose their own partners from other tribes (Hart did get that detail correct--that the man was from another tribe). The husband did not have authority over the wife, however, putting lie to the main character's stubborn assertion that her future husband might be able to exert his authority over her soon, but not until they were formally wed. And in addition to not being forced to marry, Iroquois women were also actually allowed to initiate a divorce if they were unsatisfied with their marriage. So much for losing all her freedom forever.
The story itself was not engaging enough to ignore the blatant abuse of Native culture. The woman is portrayed as a saintly healer who can do no harm while the hero is shown to be a Troubled Gentleman who can barely control his Manly Urges when the beautiful, dark-skinned savage (yeah, he calls her a savage once) is around. The chemistry feels forced and icky, the characters feel wooden, and the babyish broken English spoken by the heroine makes me roll my eyes. Is it necessary, on top of everything else, to make her sound like a child or a painful cliche?
I'm not Native and I don't know where else this story might have stomped on Iroquois culture, but if even a quick Googling reveals how badly handled the historical and cultural research was, I'm afraid to find out. Ultimately, the only positive thing I can say about this story is that it encouraged me to learn more about history, if only to see for myself what Ms. Hart got very wrong.
Unfortunately, very little of this is plausible in the least. As my bullshit radar started pinging, I started Googling. The pervasive myth of Native American and African mixing has been largely shown to be just that--a myth--with a greater likelihood in certain slaveholding southern tribes, such as the Cherokee and the Seminole. So while it is, in theory, not impossible that some random Black man found himself adopted into a Native tribe in New York state, it's incredibly unlikely, and genetic research seems to back this up. The forced marriage is also a complete fabrication. Iroquois women had a great deal of autonomy and chose their own partners from other tribes (Hart did get that detail correct--that the man was from another tribe). The husband did not have authority over the wife, however, putting lie to the main character's stubborn assertion that her future husband might be able to exert his authority over her soon, but not until they were formally wed. And in addition to not being forced to marry, Iroquois women were also actually allowed to initiate a divorce if they were unsatisfied with their marriage. So much for losing all her freedom forever.
The story itself was not engaging enough to ignore the blatant abuse of Native culture. The woman is portrayed as a saintly healer who can do no harm while the hero is shown to be a Troubled Gentleman who can barely control his Manly Urges when the beautiful, dark-skinned savage (yeah, he calls her a savage once) is around. The chemistry feels forced and icky, the characters feel wooden, and the babyish broken English spoken by the heroine makes me roll my eyes. Is it necessary, on top of everything else, to make her sound like a child or a painful cliche?
I'm not Native and I don't know where else this story might have stomped on Iroquois culture, but if even a quick Googling reveals how badly handled the historical and cultural research was, I'm afraid to find out. Ultimately, the only positive thing I can say about this story is that it encouraged me to learn more about history, if only to see for myself what Ms. Hart got very wrong.
January 10, 2019
Talk about all the lame shitty romance-tropes thrown into one pot. I had to try my luck with selfpublished books again.
My BS-alarm was going through the roof. The historical part is just so damn wrong and I don't understand why, since a quick Wikipedia-search gives you already way too much information to back up that immensely short read.
The story goes as follows: She's a Native. He's an English "Gentleman". He's hurt during an ambush. She finds and cares for him, sometimes touching him cz Jesus, he's equipped like a stallion. Our hero is the culmination of all wet female dreams since the beginning of time. The sexual spark, which comes out of the blue, leads to a naughty kiss by the river. Some time later her betrothed shows up, hits her, calling her a whore in the process. Sweaty Alpha-Male fighting follows. The winner sweeps up the girl, she says she wants to go home, he says no. On the run they share a cave, he says he wants her - she says no, he says she is his now - she says yes. Boring sex ensues. Suddenly the world changes and the English Gentleman discovers that he now is adult enough to provide and care for his wife. Blah blah.
My BS-alarm was going through the roof. The historical part is just so damn wrong and I don't understand why, since a quick Wikipedia-search gives you already way too much information to back up that immensely short read.
The story goes as follows: She's a Native. He's an English "Gentleman". He's hurt during an ambush. She finds and cares for him, sometimes touching him cz Jesus, he's equipped like a stallion. Our hero is the culmination of all wet female dreams since the beginning of time. The sexual spark, which comes out of the blue, leads to a naughty kiss by the river. Some time later her betrothed shows up, hits her, calling her a whore in the process. Sweaty Alpha-Male fighting follows. The winner sweeps up the girl, she says she wants to go home, he says no. On the run they share a cave, he says he wants her - she says no, he says she is his now - she says yes. Boring sex ensues. Suddenly the world changes and the English Gentleman discovers that he now is adult enough to provide and care for his wife. Blah blah.
January 2, 2022
A short and sweet romance between a British soldier and a Black Indigenous woman during the Revolutionary War!
May 14, 2023
Too short to adequately address the challenges facing an indigenous heroine and British officer hero. They decide they're madly in love at lightning speed and there's a heaping dose of dubious consent (she says no, he convinces her to say yes...). No thanks.
December 12, 2015
Very good book! From a new to me author!, December 11, 2015
By Beverly Ross
This review is from: A Sweet Surrender (Kindle Edition)
This was a very touching story! I will definitely be reading more of Lena's books! It pulled you in and really made me feel the emotional pull the two had for each other!
By Beverly Ross
This review is from: A Sweet Surrender (Kindle Edition)
This was a very touching story! I will definitely be reading more of Lena's books! It pulled you in and really made me feel the emotional pull the two had for each other!
November 16, 2017
In a A Sweet Surrender Siaragowaeh of the Onyota’aka tribe finds a wounded British soldier and finds a way to heal him. James Blake finds in Siara a reason to seek a new life with her and they end up in Canada.
The book is full of the problems of soldiers and the Native people that are caught in positions where they are away from their people and don't know what is happening in the battles and where they really belong and begin to question the loyalty to their home country or people. In this love story James and Siara find the place they belong together despite the difficulty of war and pain around them.
The book is full of the problems of soldiers and the Native people that are caught in positions where they are away from their people and don't know what is happening in the battles and where they really belong and begin to question the loyalty to their home country or people. In this love story James and Siara find the place they belong together despite the difficulty of war and pain around them.
November 9, 2017
A short yet heartfelt read.
I enjoyed this book from the very beginning to the end. Even though it was short, the only thing I regret about this book, as I wanted to get to know more about the characters, I fell in love with them both. I also loved the plot of the forbidden love between a British soldier and a African-Native-American mix.
I enjoyed this book from the very beginning to the end. Even though it was short, the only thing I regret about this book, as I wanted to get to know more about the characters, I fell in love with them both. I also loved the plot of the forbidden love between a British soldier and a African-Native-American mix.
July 15, 2017
This was an interesting book dealing with the issue of prejudices in the time of the wars, and how a multiracial couple defied the times. You will get some history and romance in this book.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
October 30, 2017
Good story!
A bit brief, I felt they fell in love really quick, but all together a lovely story about the losing side of the American Revolution. A much different approach and interesting plot. Good read.
A bit brief, I felt they fell in love really quick, but all together a lovely story about the losing side of the American Revolution. A much different approach and interesting plot. Good read.
October 31, 2017
Short but good
Saw this on BookBub and since it was free, didn't think it would hurt to check it out. Be warned that the story is surprisingly short, but it's pretty good. Would love to have read more about these two.
Saw this on BookBub and since it was free, didn't think it would hurt to check it out. Be warned that the story is surprisingly short, but it's pretty good. Would love to have read more about these two.
March 31, 2018
Interesting
This is a very short but interesting book. I did not know that any of the native American tribes helped nurse British soldiers during the revolutionary war. I assume that this author has verified that fact. The story is a bit depressing for me.
This is a very short but interesting book. I did not know that any of the native American tribes helped nurse British soldiers during the revolutionary war. I assume that this author has verified that fact. The story is a bit depressing for me.
November 23, 2020
Not enthused
More short story than novel, I just couldn’t get into it. The characters are two dimensional and their ‘passion turned into lifelong love’ in two weeks seems as realistic as a Disney princess getting married after knowing her prince for one day.
More short story than novel, I just couldn’t get into it. The characters are two dimensional and their ‘passion turned into lifelong love’ in two weeks seems as realistic as a Disney princess getting married after knowing her prince for one day.
August 3, 2017
Very short but solid read, and a good introduction to the Hearts at War series.
October 30, 2017
Back from the dead
An interesting sad, but information love story, leaving behind your homeland and not ever g giving up your hopes. Written well, great ending
An interesting sad, but information love story, leaving behind your homeland and not ever g giving up your hopes. Written well, great ending
December 15, 2017
The African ancestry of the heroine is an unexpected treat. Not good on consent, though that's historically accurate.
January 21, 2018
A Love story
I loved this story. I look forward to reading more of her books. I recommend everyone to read this book. Kattie.
I loved this story. I look forward to reading more of her books. I recommend everyone to read this book. Kattie.
January 28, 2018
A good romance read.
June 29, 2020
Short story
I didn’t realize this was a short story. The story line was good but the sex scenes in it seemed totally out of place.
I didn’t realize this was a short story. The story line was good but the sex scenes in it seemed totally out of place.
October 4, 2021
Strong and warm
The characters are strong and through the death and destruction of war around them you meet their warm, kind hearted sides.
The characters are strong and through the death and destruction of war around them you meet their warm, kind hearted sides.
November 9, 2022
Sustainable takes care of James, a wounded soldier. It doesn’t matter that he is the enemy. She is a healer. They flee together when he is better, but somehow their hearts become one. A short book.
February 9, 2018
It is a great book to read
November 2, 2015
I really liked this short book (72 pages), it was great almost to the end...at the end the only snag was the future of these awesome characters not really being spelled out for me (I love totally happy endings with not much doubt about the future for the characters left). It did tell me what the characters planned in broad terms and the decision that home was (spoiler here) where they were together, but I'm just the kind of reader that loves to know that they found happiness and not more turmoil after deciding that.
The guy was described as a real hunk of a man, definitely swoon worthy ;) The female seemed to almost be described more by her personality which was very strong in her beliefs of helping people and not hurting anyone (described as very beautiful too of course). There was a surprise in the background of the female that is found out after the initial descriptions (nope I won't ruin that one, it definitely makes you reevaluate what you knew of her before that to see if there had been any foreshadowing of that tidbit of info). It did have one hot passionate descriptive night of lovemaking, which was definitely required by the time it finally happened (adult eyes here: the alluded to very big member was almost torturous waiting for its use, and it was about worth all that suspense).
In all, a great love story that was easily believable. I was able to connect with this story personally thinking of some of my own long-ago ancestors and many other such people at that time in this new location who chose to wed people with different backgrounds, cultures, nationalities and yes even some different races than themselves. I would still have loved for the story to have been a bit longer with a wonderful epilogue that would let me know that all went well for them...or even another book with more on these characters.
This was a goodreads giveaway book I won, and one I'm very happy to have gotten and will keep it for future rereads (loved these characters).
The guy was described as a real hunk of a man, definitely swoon worthy ;) The female seemed to almost be described more by her personality which was very strong in her beliefs of helping people and not hurting anyone (described as very beautiful too of course). There was a surprise in the background of the female that is found out after the initial descriptions (nope I won't ruin that one, it definitely makes you reevaluate what you knew of her before that to see if there had been any foreshadowing of that tidbit of info). It did have one hot passionate descriptive night of lovemaking, which was definitely required by the time it finally happened (adult eyes here: the alluded to very big member was almost torturous waiting for its use, and it was about worth all that suspense).
In all, a great love story that was easily believable. I was able to connect with this story personally thinking of some of my own long-ago ancestors and many other such people at that time in this new location who chose to wed people with different backgrounds, cultures, nationalities and yes even some different races than themselves. I would still have loved for the story to have been a bit longer with a wonderful epilogue that would let me know that all went well for them...or even another book with more on these characters.
This was a goodreads giveaway book I won, and one I'm very happy to have gotten and will keep it for future rereads (loved these characters).
September 29, 2015
I received this book as part of a Goodreads Firstreads promotion.
A sweet Surrender by Lena Heart is short but sweet. It is about a British soldier named James who is injured in a skirmish. He is found and nursed back to health by Native American Siaragowaeh. While he is unconscious, Siaragowaeh starts to fall in love with James. Unknown to her, he regains consciousness (but doesn't let on right away) and starts to fall in love with her. Siaragowaeh is supposed to marry another, so she must choose wisely who she will love.
A sweet Surrender by Lena Heart is short but sweet. It is about a British soldier named James who is injured in a skirmish. He is found and nursed back to health by Native American Siaragowaeh. While he is unconscious, Siaragowaeh starts to fall in love with James. Unknown to her, he regains consciousness (but doesn't let on right away) and starts to fall in love with her. Siaragowaeh is supposed to marry another, so she must choose wisely who she will love.
November 7, 2016
I enjoyed reading this short historical romance and found the author wrote creatively and the characters were well done as well. As this is only a story and not a fact book on history, the story read well and was an example of what life could have been like at that period in history.
"Leaning down, he kissed her again, reigniting the gut-wrenching desire that tugged with in her."
"She was sweetness and goodness- and had literally saved his life."
"As stupid and dangerous as it was, he found her naive innocence refreshing, even a bit charming."
"Leaning down, he kissed her again, reigniting the gut-wrenching desire that tugged with in her."
"She was sweetness and goodness- and had literally saved his life."
"As stupid and dangerous as it was, he found her naive innocence refreshing, even a bit charming."
September 16, 2015
I received this book from a contest. It's less than 100 pages (Historical Romance). It's a quick read book that I enjoyed very much. A most unlikely pair, but just never know where you'll find love.
November 2, 2016
It's a quick sweet read.
November 29, 2016
Sweet historical romance story
A quick delightful read. Would have liked an epilogue but the story was still a good one. A good book to read while doing laundry.
A quick delightful read. Would have liked an epilogue but the story was still a good one. A good book to read while doing laundry.
July 12, 2017
Sweet Love Story
This short, sweet story takes place in the Revolutionary War era. Two different cultures come together during war time and find love.
This short, sweet story takes place in the Revolutionary War era. Two different cultures come together during war time and find love.
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March 13, 2018WM/Native American Woman and I wasn't reading it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews