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King's Girl #1
Heaven In His Arms
From a City of Depravity...
The illegitimate daughter of a courtesan, Genevieve Lalande struggles to survive on the dangerous streets of Louis XIV's Paris. Desperate for a new life, she trades identities with a woman chosen to be a mail-order bride...and is soon bound for the new French colony of Quebec.
...To a Savage Wilderness
A rugged loner who prowl the frigid Canadian wilderness like a sensual lion, Andre Lefebvre is furious to learn he must wed in order to keep his fur-trading license. He selects the pale, seasick Genevieve, believing she can't possibly survive in such a harsh, unyielding land.
...And a Wild Love
Yet as they embark on a perilous journey into soaring mountains and rushing rivers, neither Andre nor Genevieve can know their true destination: the unexplored regions of desire that await two wary hearts hiding secrets...and hungry for love.
The illegitimate daughter of a courtesan, Genevieve Lalande struggles to survive on the dangerous streets of Louis XIV's Paris. Desperate for a new life, she trades identities with a woman chosen to be a mail-order bride...and is soon bound for the new French colony of Quebec.
...To a Savage Wilderness
A rugged loner who prowl the frigid Canadian wilderness like a sensual lion, Andre Lefebvre is furious to learn he must wed in order to keep his fur-trading license. He selects the pale, seasick Genevieve, believing she can't possibly survive in such a harsh, unyielding land.
...And a Wild Love
Yet as they embark on a perilous journey into soaring mountains and rushing rivers, neither Andre nor Genevieve can know their true destination: the unexplored regions of desire that await two wary hearts hiding secrets...and hungry for love.
352 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 1995
1421 people are currently reading
1333 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Ann Verge
31 books110 followersLisa Ann Verge was a PhD candidate in organic chemistry when she began writing emotionally-intense romances about hot men and dangerous women and, as Lisa Verge Higgins, penning life-affirming, critically acclaimed women’s fiction. Published worldwide in eighteen languages, Lisa has earned a Bean Pot and a RITA nomination and is the winner of three Golden Leaf trophies and five RT Book awards. When not writing, she hunts wild mushrooms, studies Turkish, and keeps tabs on the antics of her three wild-and-talented daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
July 20, 2017
OMG I am so damn bored with this book. I got to the 25% mark and it's like torture!!!! I walked away from this book 5 times yesterday. Came back and was so bored I went to bed thinking tomorrow I would try again. I tried all day today and I just can't get into this book. It's so fucking boring!
The plot didn't draw me in. The hero is a total unlikable asswipe, and the heroine has no real personality. I couldn't give a fuck if they get together or fall off a cliff and die. Their fake people so it's okay to be that bloodthirsty. :)
I was sitting here trying to make myself finish this book even though watching paint dry would be funner, but then I thought fuck this! I can totally DNF this book I don't gotta read it if I don't wanna.
So DNF at 25%
The plot didn't draw me in. The hero is a total unlikable asswipe, and the heroine has no real personality. I couldn't give a fuck if they get together or fall off a cliff and die. Their fake people so it's okay to be that bloodthirsty. :)
I was sitting here trying to make myself finish this book even though watching paint dry would be funner, but then I thought fuck this! I can totally DNF this book I don't gotta read it if I don't wanna.
So DNF at 25%
June 27, 2025
2.5 stars
This wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t as interesting as it had the potential to be.
The year is 1670. Desperate to escape the Paris charity prison to which she is confined, Genevieve switches places with Marie, a member of the petty nobility bound for the Canadian wilderness to be chosen as a wife by a French settler. Fever strikes the ship during the crossing, and Genevieve arrives in Quebec ill and barely conscious. André, who refuses to marry until he finds out he will not get a fur trading license as a single man, goes to choose one of the “king’s girls” just arrived, sees a desperately ill Genevieve, and thinks, “Aha! I’ll marry this one, get my license, and leave arrangements for her burial after I’m long gone.”
Genevieve is tougher than she looks, recovers before he can disappear on his fur trading expedition, and maneuvers André into taking her with him. He refuses to consummate the marriage, planning an annulment on their return to civilization. Soon, however, his resourceful, stubborn wife tempts him beyond what a man can endure and they proceed to horn dog it through fall and winter in the Canadian wilderness, encountering a few surprises along the way and experiencing one of the most joyful Christmas Days I’ve ever encountered in a romance novel.
This was meticulously researched. Unfortunately it felt like the author incorporated every detail of that research into the story and my eyes frequently glazed over. We travelled through the Canadian wilderness and, well, the most exciting thing that happened was a goose or two was killed for food and André suspected everyone of sampling his wife. The fights between Genevieve and André added the occasional spark, and their growing love for each other was fairly convincing, but this had the potential to be a rip-roaring adventure story and instead felt more like a trip to the grocery store.
This wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t as interesting as it had the potential to be.
The year is 1670. Desperate to escape the Paris charity prison to which she is confined, Genevieve switches places with Marie, a member of the petty nobility bound for the Canadian wilderness to be chosen as a wife by a French settler. Fever strikes the ship during the crossing, and Genevieve arrives in Quebec ill and barely conscious. André, who refuses to marry until he finds out he will not get a fur trading license as a single man, goes to choose one of the “king’s girls” just arrived, sees a desperately ill Genevieve, and thinks, “Aha! I’ll marry this one, get my license, and leave arrangements for her burial after I’m long gone.”
Genevieve is tougher than she looks, recovers before he can disappear on his fur trading expedition, and maneuvers André into taking her with him. He refuses to consummate the marriage, planning an annulment on their return to civilization. Soon, however, his resourceful, stubborn wife tempts him beyond what a man can endure and they proceed to horn dog it through fall and winter in the Canadian wilderness, encountering a few surprises along the way and experiencing one of the most joyful Christmas Days I’ve ever encountered in a romance novel.
This was meticulously researched. Unfortunately it felt like the author incorporated every detail of that research into the story and my eyes frequently glazed over. We travelled through the Canadian wilderness and, well, the most exciting thing that happened was a goose or two was killed for food and André suspected everyone of sampling his wife. The fights between Genevieve and André added the occasional spark, and their growing love for each other was fairly convincing, but this had the potential to be a rip-roaring adventure story and instead felt more like a trip to the grocery store.
July 11, 2017
So much to like.
The first thing I liked about this book is that it was free when I downloaded it six months ago. And when I checked today, this book was still free through Amazon!
The second thing I liked was the setting. It takes place in 1670 France and then moves to frontier Montreal and interior Canada. The plot is centered around André, a fur trader with aristocratic blood, and Genevieve, whose background is a little muddled. Since her story is revealed piecemeal throughout the book, I don't want to expose it here. Suffice it to say that her struggles in France make her imminently suitable to take on the dangers of colonial Canada. She travels there under the auspices of the King's Daughters immigration program sponsored by Louis XIV. The program was apparently a rousing success, with 700 children born rapidly after the women arrived, with the population of New France doubling in less than 10 years.
Third, I liked the tone. This book had the sensibility - at the beginning - of a Regency. The quips were sardonically spot-on: “She's well and expecting another child.” Philippe puffed out his chest whenever he uttered those words, as if he had succeeded at some feat never before accomplished. In André’s opinion, it was the prevention of conception that was the trickier task." and “Of course, if she has any intelligence, she won't marry you, so we'll just have to settle for good manners.” Some of this playful tone is lost as the story travels onward, but every once in a while it pops back up to delight the reader.
Fourth, I thought the story was paced very well. Verge excels at dropping the proverbial word bomb at just the right time. She maintains surprise, suspense and freshness with information revealed at just the right moment. In addition, the information revealed develops the story, moving the narrative down a newly forged path.
5) Both main characters grow throughout the story. André marries Genny under the most despicable circumstances and continues to prove his deviousness through the journey into the interior. Despite himself he is attracted to his "wife," and goes to great lengths to avoid consummating the marriage. This fodder provided one of the real laugh-out-loud moments in the book for me. Should I have laughed? No. But I still did. Genny, bless her, hands it right back to her husband. No hand-wringing here. Just a pragmatic approach to a difficult situation and a verve for life that shines through the most difficult circumstances. I liked her. "It occurred to him that she wasn’t afraid. Someone had woven steel into this bit of French lace."
Sixth, we rarely see - in such wondrous detail - the moment where affection or regard turns to love. This was a pivotal moment in this book, and Verge executed it with panache. I had to go back and re-read the scene I liked it so much.
For some reason, the later part of the book lost some of its sparkle for me, but there is no shortage of conclusion or hope. I would love to see Verge pen another "King's Daughters" sequel. I would definitely go back to 1670 Quebec.
4.5 rounded to 5 stars.
Book source: Amazon Freebie.
The first thing I liked about this book is that it was free when I downloaded it six months ago. And when I checked today, this book was still free through Amazon!
The second thing I liked was the setting. It takes place in 1670 France and then moves to frontier Montreal and interior Canada. The plot is centered around André, a fur trader with aristocratic blood, and Genevieve, whose background is a little muddled. Since her story is revealed piecemeal throughout the book, I don't want to expose it here. Suffice it to say that her struggles in France make her imminently suitable to take on the dangers of colonial Canada. She travels there under the auspices of the King's Daughters immigration program sponsored by Louis XIV. The program was apparently a rousing success, with 700 children born rapidly after the women arrived, with the population of New France doubling in less than 10 years.
Third, I liked the tone. This book had the sensibility - at the beginning - of a Regency. The quips were sardonically spot-on: “She's well and expecting another child.” Philippe puffed out his chest whenever he uttered those words, as if he had succeeded at some feat never before accomplished. In André’s opinion, it was the prevention of conception that was the trickier task." and “Of course, if she has any intelligence, she won't marry you, so we'll just have to settle for good manners.” Some of this playful tone is lost as the story travels onward, but every once in a while it pops back up to delight the reader.
Fourth, I thought the story was paced very well. Verge excels at dropping the proverbial word bomb at just the right time. She maintains surprise, suspense and freshness with information revealed at just the right moment. In addition, the information revealed develops the story, moving the narrative down a newly forged path.
5) Both main characters grow throughout the story. André marries Genny under the most despicable circumstances and continues to prove his deviousness through the journey into the interior. Despite himself he is attracted to his "wife," and goes to great lengths to avoid consummating the marriage. This fodder provided one of the real laugh-out-loud moments in the book for me. Should I have laughed? No. But I still did. Genny, bless her, hands it right back to her husband. No hand-wringing here. Just a pragmatic approach to a difficult situation and a verve for life that shines through the most difficult circumstances. I liked her. "It occurred to him that she wasn’t afraid. Someone had woven steel into this bit of French lace."
Sixth, we rarely see - in such wondrous detail - the moment where affection or regard turns to love. This was a pivotal moment in this book, and Verge executed it with panache. I had to go back and re-read the scene I liked it so much.
For some reason, the later part of the book lost some of its sparkle for me, but there is no shortage of conclusion or hope. I would love to see Verge pen another "King's Daughters" sequel. I would definitely go back to 1670 Quebec.
4.5 rounded to 5 stars.
Book source: Amazon Freebie.
September 21, 2009
4 1/2 stars
This was a very interesting take on the arranged marriage, with a unique setting: 17th Century Canada. The setting was what sold this book for me, because part of my family would have been coming over from France at the same time, and they settled Montreal for almost two hundred years before breaking up and migrating south to settle in Illinois.
Genevieve Lalande is a courtesan's daughter with nowhere to turn. She has been living in a charity house in Paris since she was sixteen after being picked up living on the streets. She will do anything to find a new life, even switch places with an orphaned aristocrat. After a horrible, illness-inducing ride across the Atlantic, Genevieve is barely alive as she lands in Montreal.
Andre Lefebvre is in need of a wife - not that he wants one, but the government is refusing to issue out trading licenses to men who are not married. So when Andre meets who he thinks is an exceedingly ill aristocrat, he marries her and leaves her to die in the Hotel de Dieu. Genenvieve, however, recovers and sets out to find the man who would callously marry her and leave nothing more than instructions on her burial. She is unprepared for the attraction that springs up between them, but is more than willing to use it to get what she wants: a stable home, a husband, and children. Andre has other plans, as he has spent three years preparing for a journey west through Canada, his ultimate goal being to reach the China Sea. When Genevieve decides to go with, he knows nothing good will come of it, and sets out to make her beg to return to Montreal. But Genevieve isn't the spoiled, soft aristocrat Andre thinks she is. A-
This was a very interesting take on the arranged marriage, with a unique setting: 17th Century Canada. The setting was what sold this book for me, because part of my family would have been coming over from France at the same time, and they settled Montreal for almost two hundred years before breaking up and migrating south to settle in Illinois.
Genevieve Lalande is a courtesan's daughter with nowhere to turn. She has been living in a charity house in Paris since she was sixteen after being picked up living on the streets. She will do anything to find a new life, even switch places with an orphaned aristocrat. After a horrible, illness-inducing ride across the Atlantic, Genevieve is barely alive as she lands in Montreal.
Andre Lefebvre is in need of a wife - not that he wants one, but the government is refusing to issue out trading licenses to men who are not married. So when Andre meets who he thinks is an exceedingly ill aristocrat, he marries her and leaves her to die in the Hotel de Dieu. Genenvieve, however, recovers and sets out to find the man who would callously marry her and leave nothing more than instructions on her burial. She is unprepared for the attraction that springs up between them, but is more than willing to use it to get what she wants: a stable home, a husband, and children. Andre has other plans, as he has spent three years preparing for a journey west through Canada, his ultimate goal being to reach the China Sea. When Genevieve decides to go with, he knows nothing good will come of it, and sets out to make her beg to return to Montreal. But Genevieve isn't the spoiled, soft aristocrat Andre thinks she is. A-
April 7, 2016
Buddy Read
I love buddy-reads because we can share passages and thoughts. Thank you, Lyuda, Luli and Oana!
On my own, I would have marked this story as not finished long before the halfway point. The initial narrative was intriguing and I looked forward to reading a story that was set in France and Canada during the 1600s. After all, like others, I appreciate a well-written historical romance in a country other than England or the US. And maybe, just a teensy bit, I was expecting something like The Last of the Mohicans.
Also, be aware that my other GR buddy-friends would have given Heaven In His Arms more than one star: this is just my two cents. Please, please, please DON'T look at my review if you have any intention of reading the story. Clearly, I am in the minority with my rating.
Adult-rated review:
I love buddy-reads because we can share passages and thoughts. Thank you, Lyuda, Luli and Oana!
On my own, I would have marked this story as not finished long before the halfway point. The initial narrative was intriguing and I looked forward to reading a story that was set in France and Canada during the 1600s. After all, like others, I appreciate a well-written historical romance in a country other than England or the US. And maybe, just a teensy bit, I was expecting something like The Last of the Mohicans.
Also, be aware that my other GR buddy-friends would have given Heaven In His Arms more than one star: this is just my two cents. Please, please, please DON'T look at my review if you have any intention of reading the story. Clearly, I am in the minority with my rating.
Adult-rated review:
October 27, 2020
I had downloaded this as a freebie a while back, and now that I'm doing a bit of Kindle cleaning, I finally got around to reading it. For the first couple of chapters I didn't think I'd like it much, but I kept reading and got more and more immersed in the story. It turned out to be everything I want in a romance: it was interesting, sexy as hell, and just the right amount of sweet. The author did meticulous research to bring the setting to life. I'm so happy I found this because it's been a long time since I've read a really good, satisfying romance novel.
A strong 4.5 stars!
A strong 4.5 stars!
April 7, 2016
Buddy-Read with Linda, Luli, and Oana
The premise of the story sounded interesting and quite unique-arranged marriage in the 17th century French colony of Quebec between the King’s Girl and a fur-trader. And for the first 15-20%, it was just that-fairly interesting and unique. That is until the characters embarked on the journey into the Canadian wilderness. The more the story concentrated on the characters’ relationship, the worse it became. Between their numerous sexy times, non-existing chemistry, and wooden (no pun intended) dialog, I wasn’t sure what to do- laugh or cringe. I chose the former thanks to my buddy-read group. Thank you ladies for the fun time! Your presence along the way was invaluable:)
The premise of the story sounded interesting and quite unique-arranged marriage in the 17th century French colony of Quebec between the King’s Girl and a fur-trader. And for the first 15-20%, it was just that-fairly interesting and unique. That is until the characters embarked on the journey into the Canadian wilderness. The more the story concentrated on the characters’ relationship, the worse it became. Between their numerous sexy times, non-existing chemistry, and wooden (no pun intended) dialog, I wasn’t sure what to do- laugh or cringe. I chose the former thanks to my buddy-read group. Thank you ladies for the fun time! Your presence along the way was invaluable:)
February 9, 2018
A delightful French Colonial road romance. Fur trapper Andre Lefebvre is forced to marry in order to keep his fur-trading license. He chooses Genevieve Lalande from among the "King's Girls" (boatloads of women of good health and upbringing) shipped to New France to raise the numbers of eligible women of good breeding and help settle the French colonies), thinking she is deathly ill & won't survive long after he embarks on a trapping expedition into the interior. Andre has no interest in marriage, especially to a frail & pampered Frenchwoman who will require him to live in the settlements, when all he craves is the unfettered freedom of the wilderness. Genevieve proves stronger than Andre had thought, however, and she not only survives her illness but presents herself to Andre on the eve of his departure, refusing to be left behind. Andre agrees, thinking that the rigors of the trail will break Genevieve, and she will gladly return to the settlements. Yet once again, his inconvenient, unpredictable wife proves to be more than she seems - in more ways than one.
I'll just cut to the chase here: this is an enjoyable, fully engrossing story and I loved it. I initially thought it was something I've seen before, and in some ways it was, but Verge manages very nicely to bring something refreshing & unique to what might otherwise be a boring and predictable marriage of convenience plot. Despite the fact that Andre and Genevieve are basically deceiving each other, there is a surprising degree of candor and depth to their budding relationship. When the deceptions are fully revealed, they weather the storm with remarkable strength and devotion. Once I got to the second half of the story I literally couldn't put it down. The love scenes are scorching & very well-written, the dialogue witty and engaging. I gave it a solid A.
I'll just cut to the chase here: this is an enjoyable, fully engrossing story and I loved it. I initially thought it was something I've seen before, and in some ways it was, but Verge manages very nicely to bring something refreshing & unique to what might otherwise be a boring and predictable marriage of convenience plot. Despite the fact that Andre and Genevieve are basically deceiving each other, there is a surprising degree of candor and depth to their budding relationship. When the deceptions are fully revealed, they weather the storm with remarkable strength and devotion. Once I got to the second half of the story I literally couldn't put it down. The love scenes are scorching & very well-written, the dialogue witty and engaging. I gave it a solid A.
June 26, 2015
“King Louis XIV himself has dowered me. He has paid my passage to some horrible place called Quebec and he intends to marry me off to some coarse, half–savage settler—”
For once the blurb does a good job recapping the main story, so I'll be lazy and skip that. This has to be one of the better older Zebras that's popped up on the freebies lately. I like the relationship of the two, especially the heroine's determination not to be left behind, she's not some hot-house flower who can't take the elements and the wildness of the Canadian wilderness.
For once the blurb does a good job recapping the main story, so I'll be lazy and skip that. This has to be one of the better older Zebras that's popped up on the freebies lately. I like the relationship of the two, especially the heroine's determination not to be left behind, she's not some hot-house flower who can't take the elements and the wildness of the Canadian wilderness.
July 30, 2017
A lovely historical romance set in the wilds of Canada. The life of fur trappers was a rough one - and not usually something done by women - but our intrepid heroine is not going to be left behind by her husband - especially as he had already made arrangements to bury her before he left!!!
April 7, 2016
Buddy-Read with Linda, Lyuda and Oana.
Ladies, I have never had so much fun reading a book, although it has been a dnf.
It has been a pleasure. I hope we do it again soon.
Thanks a lot!
Ladies, I have never had so much fun reading a book, although it has been a dnf.
It has been a pleasure. I hope we do it again soon.
Thanks a lot!
April 7, 2016
*3.5 stars*
March 29, 2013
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"4.5 stars" Heaven in His Arms was a refreshing change of pace for a historical romance that was filled with unusual elements. First of all, it takes place in 17th century, colonial Canada when the country was still known as New France and largely unexplored. Both lead characters are also French. The heroine trades places with one of the King's Girls (the equivalent of a mail order bride, except she was sent by King Louis XIV's decree) who was bound for Quebec to become a wife to one of the men who was already settled there. The hero is a fur trader and intrepid explorer who loves the land and can't stand to be cooped up in a settlement. The characters take part in an expedition from Montreal to a tiny outpost on Lake Superior, battling nature and the elements all along the way, so fans who like epic adventure mingled with their romance should really enjoy this one. Despite all the exciting uniqueness of the story, I can't say that I fell in love with it immediately. The hero does a few things in the beginning that made me want to slap him, and early on, the adventure element seemed to outweigh the romance. However, the further and further I got into the story, the more and more it drew me in, until I was fully invested in all the ups and downs of the relationship and couldn't wait to see what challenges they might face next.
As I mentioned, Andre, the hero, kind of got on my bad side at first. Initially, he doesn't seem to have a compassionate side at all. He appears to be a stubborn man with selfish ambitions whose mistress is the land and she calls to the wanderlust in him constantly. The last thing he wants is a wife to muck up his plans of adventuring in the wilderness, but the government has decreed that he must marry in order to receive his fur trading license. He goes to meet the King's Girls, not really caring who he marries. He'll take anyone as long as he gets his license and can get away from the settlement as soon as possible. Andre chooses a sickly girl, simply because he doesn't think she'll survive, which will leave him free to do as he pleases. He seemingly has no care for his new wife whatsoever, leaving her to languish in a hospital for days without ever checking on her and only leaving instructions for her burial. When Genevieve recovers and goes after him, he doesn't recognize her at first and is ready to cheat on his wife with her, not knowing that she is his wife. As one can see, there doesn't appear to be much to recommend the guy at this point, but as the story progresses, I discovered that he was not as bad as I originally feared. In fact, I came to admire and appreciate him very much. Even though Genevieve is doing everything in her power to seduce him, Andre refuses, for quite a while, to take her virginity on the hard ground within earshot of his men. His excuse was that he still wanted to seek an annulment when they returned to civilization, but it was pretty obvious that he was protesting too much. As it turns out, there are events in his past which make him quite vulnerable and afraid to allow himself to fall in love. We also find out that Andre has done some very nice things for some of his men, but he hates for anyone to know about them or make a fuss. In the end, Andre did harbor a soft heart beneath his hard body and stubborn personality. It just took a while for him to let it show, but when he finally did, he gave himself fully to Genevieve, body, heart, and soul and trusted her even when he found out the truth about her origins.
Genevieve was a strong, brave young woman to do what she did by switching places with the King's Girl. For years, her life was a desperate fight for survival, and finally tired of that, she took measures which she hoped would ensure her future. She aches for a home, husband, and family to call her own, and is willing to marry a stranger to find that peace she craves. She is just the kind of spitfire heroine I love, one who is tough and feisty without being TSTL or annoyingly obstinate. I liked her spunk in chasing after her errant husband and forcing him to take responsibility for her. It was pretty ingenious how she essentially blackmailed him into taking her with him on his expedition by threatening to go to the governor and request an annulment on the grounds that he was mistreating her. Andre expects Genevieve to cave no more than a couple of days into the journey and start whining to return to civilization, but she surprises everyone with her fortitude and determination. She's suffered through far worse than trekking through the wilderness, so she's not about to complain. She also doesn't want her husband to set her aside when they do return, so she's determined to seduce him and consummate their marriage if it's the last she does. Genevieve's backstory made her an incredibly sympathetic heroine who I greatly admired. She has many secrets in her past which she doesn't share with Andre, but she does share every other bit of herself with him and loves him to distraction. I liked how Genevieve intuitively knew that Andre was in love with her too even though he stubbornly refused to admit it for a long time. She just instinctively knew that he couldn't possibly treat her with such gentleness and passion if he weren't.
Andre and Genevieve made an interesting pair. They both have very troubled pasts, but are not what I would traditionally call tortured. This is because neither of them is particularly dark and brooding. Instead, they are both strong survivors who will do anything to stay alive which I admired a lot. Andre and Genevieve both have very bold personalities, so they begin the story spending quite a bit of time arguing. This isn't usually something I care for in a romance, but it didn't annoy me like it usually would, because it fit the situation and they gradually simmered down as they fell more and more in love. Their butting of heads also made for some amusing moments too. It did create a rather tumultuous relationship, but at least, I felt like I understood them most of the time, even though their stubbornness sometimes kept them from communicating effectively. When Andre and Genevieve finally give into their feelings for one another though, their passion is explosive and their love scenes are some of the most sensual I've read in a book that is only moderately descriptive.
In addition to the wonderful characters, Heaven in His Arms has richly drawn settings with lots of descriptive narration. I felt like I was there with Andre, Genevieve, and his men in this pristine, virgin wilderness. It makes me think of all the men and women of old who sacrificed in order to settle the western lands of North America, and yet, for someone like Andre, it really was no sacrifice. He loved the wilderness so much and was so curious about what was still out there that it was no hardship for him to explore, but it was still very dangerous. If it were not unfriendly Indians, then Mother Nature could take her toll on expeditions like theirs. Still, reading about their adventures left me feeling invigorated, so a part of me can understand why they would want to go on these journeys. It was like the setting became a character unto itself. Anyone who enjoys their romance laced with adventure should really like this one.
Heaven in His Arms was a very well-written book that was quite different then any other historical romance I've read and one that I would highly recommend. The story may have gotten off to a slightly slow start for me, but it just got better and better as it went, making it a keeper in the end. This was my first read by Lisa Ann Verge, but it certainly won't be my last. It appears that her career as a romance writer was somewhat short-lived and more recently she has been writing women's fiction, but I'm certainly looking forward to checking out some of her other works.
"4.5 stars" Heaven in His Arms was a refreshing change of pace for a historical romance that was filled with unusual elements. First of all, it takes place in 17th century, colonial Canada when the country was still known as New France and largely unexplored. Both lead characters are also French. The heroine trades places with one of the King's Girls (the equivalent of a mail order bride, except she was sent by King Louis XIV's decree) who was bound for Quebec to become a wife to one of the men who was already settled there. The hero is a fur trader and intrepid explorer who loves the land and can't stand to be cooped up in a settlement. The characters take part in an expedition from Montreal to a tiny outpost on Lake Superior, battling nature and the elements all along the way, so fans who like epic adventure mingled with their romance should really enjoy this one. Despite all the exciting uniqueness of the story, I can't say that I fell in love with it immediately. The hero does a few things in the beginning that made me want to slap him, and early on, the adventure element seemed to outweigh the romance. However, the further and further I got into the story, the more and more it drew me in, until I was fully invested in all the ups and downs of the relationship and couldn't wait to see what challenges they might face next.
As I mentioned, Andre, the hero, kind of got on my bad side at first. Initially, he doesn't seem to have a compassionate side at all. He appears to be a stubborn man with selfish ambitions whose mistress is the land and she calls to the wanderlust in him constantly. The last thing he wants is a wife to muck up his plans of adventuring in the wilderness, but the government has decreed that he must marry in order to receive his fur trading license. He goes to meet the King's Girls, not really caring who he marries. He'll take anyone as long as he gets his license and can get away from the settlement as soon as possible. Andre chooses a sickly girl, simply because he doesn't think she'll survive, which will leave him free to do as he pleases. He seemingly has no care for his new wife whatsoever, leaving her to languish in a hospital for days without ever checking on her and only leaving instructions for her burial. When Genevieve recovers and goes after him, he doesn't recognize her at first and is ready to cheat on his wife with her, not knowing that she is his wife. As one can see, there doesn't appear to be much to recommend the guy at this point, but as the story progresses, I discovered that he was not as bad as I originally feared. In fact, I came to admire and appreciate him very much. Even though Genevieve is doing everything in her power to seduce him, Andre refuses, for quite a while, to take her virginity on the hard ground within earshot of his men. His excuse was that he still wanted to seek an annulment when they returned to civilization, but it was pretty obvious that he was protesting too much. As it turns out, there are events in his past which make him quite vulnerable and afraid to allow himself to fall in love. We also find out that Andre has done some very nice things for some of his men, but he hates for anyone to know about them or make a fuss. In the end, Andre did harbor a soft heart beneath his hard body and stubborn personality. It just took a while for him to let it show, but when he finally did, he gave himself fully to Genevieve, body, heart, and soul and trusted her even when he found out the truth about her origins.
Genevieve was a strong, brave young woman to do what she did by switching places with the King's Girl. For years, her life was a desperate fight for survival, and finally tired of that, she took measures which she hoped would ensure her future. She aches for a home, husband, and family to call her own, and is willing to marry a stranger to find that peace she craves. She is just the kind of spitfire heroine I love, one who is tough and feisty without being TSTL or annoyingly obstinate. I liked her spunk in chasing after her errant husband and forcing him to take responsibility for her. It was pretty ingenious how she essentially blackmailed him into taking her with him on his expedition by threatening to go to the governor and request an annulment on the grounds that he was mistreating her. Andre expects Genevieve to cave no more than a couple of days into the journey and start whining to return to civilization, but she surprises everyone with her fortitude and determination. She's suffered through far worse than trekking through the wilderness, so she's not about to complain. She also doesn't want her husband to set her aside when they do return, so she's determined to seduce him and consummate their marriage if it's the last she does. Genevieve's backstory made her an incredibly sympathetic heroine who I greatly admired. She has many secrets in her past which she doesn't share with Andre, but she does share every other bit of herself with him and loves him to distraction. I liked how Genevieve intuitively knew that Andre was in love with her too even though he stubbornly refused to admit it for a long time. She just instinctively knew that he couldn't possibly treat her with such gentleness and passion if he weren't.
Andre and Genevieve made an interesting pair. They both have very troubled pasts, but are not what I would traditionally call tortured. This is because neither of them is particularly dark and brooding. Instead, they are both strong survivors who will do anything to stay alive which I admired a lot. Andre and Genevieve both have very bold personalities, so they begin the story spending quite a bit of time arguing. This isn't usually something I care for in a romance, but it didn't annoy me like it usually would, because it fit the situation and they gradually simmered down as they fell more and more in love. Their butting of heads also made for some amusing moments too. It did create a rather tumultuous relationship, but at least, I felt like I understood them most of the time, even though their stubbornness sometimes kept them from communicating effectively. When Andre and Genevieve finally give into their feelings for one another though, their passion is explosive and their love scenes are some of the most sensual I've read in a book that is only moderately descriptive.
In addition to the wonderful characters, Heaven in His Arms has richly drawn settings with lots of descriptive narration. I felt like I was there with Andre, Genevieve, and his men in this pristine, virgin wilderness. It makes me think of all the men and women of old who sacrificed in order to settle the western lands of North America, and yet, for someone like Andre, it really was no sacrifice. He loved the wilderness so much and was so curious about what was still out there that it was no hardship for him to explore, but it was still very dangerous. If it were not unfriendly Indians, then Mother Nature could take her toll on expeditions like theirs. Still, reading about their adventures left me feeling invigorated, so a part of me can understand why they would want to go on these journeys. It was like the setting became a character unto itself. Anyone who enjoys their romance laced with adventure should really like this one.
Heaven in His Arms was a very well-written book that was quite different then any other historical romance I've read and one that I would highly recommend. The story may have gotten off to a slightly slow start for me, but it just got better and better as it went, making it a keeper in the end. This was my first read by Lisa Ann Verge, but it certainly won't be my last. It appears that her career as a romance writer was somewhat short-lived and more recently she has been writing women's fiction, but I'm certainly looking forward to checking out some of her other works.
October 29, 2025
3⭐️ This is a tricky one to rate. I really enjoyed it because it transported me to a place and time I’d never read about before and I found that aspect fascinating, but at the same time, I also felt like something was missing.
Plot: Genevieve is the bastard daughter of a Paris courtesan. When her mother dies, she’s left to survive on the streets alone. Years later, she gets the chance to escape her life by taking another woman’s place sailing to New France to marry a stranger in order to get what she always wanted, a safe place for herself, a family of her own.
Once there, she meets André, a fur trader who never wanted to remarry again, but the King’s rules leave him no choice. And so they get married!
Interesting concept, right? I thought the same thing!
Buuut the thing that bothered me a bit, was that certain parts didn’t feel fully developed. The author often jumped ahead in time, summarizing days worth of events in just a couple of sentences, and this left me feeling like I missed important moments in the story.
Alsoo, some sections were overly descriptive (to the point where I’d occasionally skim a line or two) while the overall plot felt somewhat surface level with conflicts being resolved rather quickly.
That being said, I don’t regret reading it and I’m still planning to read book two in the series because I want to see what happens to Marie.
Plot: Genevieve is the bastard daughter of a Paris courtesan. When her mother dies, she’s left to survive on the streets alone. Years later, she gets the chance to escape her life by taking another woman’s place sailing to New France to marry a stranger in order to get what she always wanted, a safe place for herself, a family of her own.
Once there, she meets André, a fur trader who never wanted to remarry again, but the King’s rules leave him no choice. And so they get married!
Interesting concept, right? I thought the same thing!
Buuut the thing that bothered me a bit, was that certain parts didn’t feel fully developed. The author often jumped ahead in time, summarizing days worth of events in just a couple of sentences, and this left me feeling like I missed important moments in the story.
Alsoo, some sections were overly descriptive (to the point where I’d occasionally skim a line or two) while the overall plot felt somewhat surface level with conflicts being resolved rather quickly.
That being said, I don’t regret reading it and I’m still planning to read book two in the series because I want to see what happens to Marie.
February 21, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this HR. I have never read one in a similar setting. I didn’t know the history of the King’s Girls and found it fascinating. I really loved Andre. He was a dreamy H. Genevieve was so badass. I loved her plucky, resourceful character.
December 17, 2019
"All single men in the colony must marry within a fortnight of the arrival of the king’s girls. If they don’t, they’ll be denied their precious fur trading licenses. (Loc. 500-501)
For today’s post I’ve chosen to write a review for an adventure romance entitled Heaven in His Arms, written by Lisa Ann Verge, which is set in Quebec in the 17th century, a place of which I’ve never read anything before.
Genevieve Lalande’s past is filled with grief, terrible events and circumstances that led her to the miserable existence on the streets of Paris. Her only chance to escape from the wretched underbelly of the French society and to begin a better life is to switch places with a king’s girl (Marie Duplessis) in order to become a mail-order bride and to be sent to Quebec, the newest colony in King Louis XIV’s possession.
Every year since she’d arrived in the Salpêtrière, dozens of girls had been given a dowry by the king and sent off to the Caribbean islands or to the northern settlements of New France, to marry and settle in the colonies. (Loc. 61-62)
Even if Genevieve will be forced to marry a stranger when she arrives in Quebec, she accepts to do so because anything seems better than a life of poverty, theft and constant humiliations. She went through a lot of hardship in the past to be afraid of the unknown, whether it is the place where she will be settling down or the man who will choose her as his bride.
Meanwhile, in Quebec, André Lefebvre has to marry and settle down into the colony, due to an ordinance sent from France, if the fur trader wants to keep his license. Obviously, André hates this new law because he is a man who loves freedom, pleasures of all kinds, venturing into the unknown parts of New France, and he’s not at all interested in raising a family of his own. Though André tries to avoid such a marriage of convenience, he reluctantly obeys the ordinance for his trade’s sake, picks up the sickly Genevieve and quickly marries her, secretly hoping she will die soon. So much for a warm welcome, eh?
But André doesn’t know that Genevieve can play dirty too and he can’t fool her that easily because she's also tenacious – she looks for him and insists to go with him on the voyage he planned for so long. Even though André doesn’t want her around, partially because he lusts for her and partially because he’s afraid she won’t survive the journey, Genevieve's presence is actually useful sometimes because she has skills that surprise her husband who thought that she would have a hard time adapting to the expedition.
In fact, Genevieve somehow belongs in the wilderness because she is a free-spirited, courageous woman like the native Indian women and even though she makes silly or apparently innocent mistakes, she knows what she is doing most of the time. I think that her attitude and adaptability to any unexpected situation is a lesson for misogynistic André, who wrongly compares her to the whiny Frenchwomen who needed comfort, protection and coquetries to be happy: “This woman was as unpredictable and as stubborn as this great stretch of untamed land. A man could spend a lifetime making love to her, and it would be like riding these rapids—wild, exhilarating, bordering on the brink of control.” (Loc.1852-1853).
I’m glad that I've read this book. I don’t have many complaints about it, except for Genevieve’s pet name – Genny – that sounds very American to me and not quite French and the sex scenes after André, Genevieve and their crew arrived at their destination. I understand that the purpose of those scenes is to show that the relationship strengthened and that the two lovers had their duties as a married couple, but sometimes these sex scenes dragged a little. However, the rest of the story was very interesting and I didn't expect to enjoy it this much.
Overall, it was a pleasant read that made me imagine what Canada looked like before the country we all know today. The characters made this fictional journey pass very fast, in good company, and Genevieve and André’s relationship made the experience steamy and unique.
http://elitere.ro/heaven-in-his-arms/
For today’s post I’ve chosen to write a review for an adventure romance entitled Heaven in His Arms, written by Lisa Ann Verge, which is set in Quebec in the 17th century, a place of which I’ve never read anything before.
Genevieve Lalande’s past is filled with grief, terrible events and circumstances that led her to the miserable existence on the streets of Paris. Her only chance to escape from the wretched underbelly of the French society and to begin a better life is to switch places with a king’s girl (Marie Duplessis) in order to become a mail-order bride and to be sent to Quebec, the newest colony in King Louis XIV’s possession.
Every year since she’d arrived in the Salpêtrière, dozens of girls had been given a dowry by the king and sent off to the Caribbean islands or to the northern settlements of New France, to marry and settle in the colonies. (Loc. 61-62)
Even if Genevieve will be forced to marry a stranger when she arrives in Quebec, she accepts to do so because anything seems better than a life of poverty, theft and constant humiliations. She went through a lot of hardship in the past to be afraid of the unknown, whether it is the place where she will be settling down or the man who will choose her as his bride.
Meanwhile, in Quebec, André Lefebvre has to marry and settle down into the colony, due to an ordinance sent from France, if the fur trader wants to keep his license. Obviously, André hates this new law because he is a man who loves freedom, pleasures of all kinds, venturing into the unknown parts of New France, and he’s not at all interested in raising a family of his own. Though André tries to avoid such a marriage of convenience, he reluctantly obeys the ordinance for his trade’s sake, picks up the sickly Genevieve and quickly marries her, secretly hoping she will die soon. So much for a warm welcome, eh?
But André doesn’t know that Genevieve can play dirty too and he can’t fool her that easily because she's also tenacious – she looks for him and insists to go with him on the voyage he planned for so long. Even though André doesn’t want her around, partially because he lusts for her and partially because he’s afraid she won’t survive the journey, Genevieve's presence is actually useful sometimes because she has skills that surprise her husband who thought that she would have a hard time adapting to the expedition.
In fact, Genevieve somehow belongs in the wilderness because she is a free-spirited, courageous woman like the native Indian women and even though she makes silly or apparently innocent mistakes, she knows what she is doing most of the time. I think that her attitude and adaptability to any unexpected situation is a lesson for misogynistic André, who wrongly compares her to the whiny Frenchwomen who needed comfort, protection and coquetries to be happy: “This woman was as unpredictable and as stubborn as this great stretch of untamed land. A man could spend a lifetime making love to her, and it would be like riding these rapids—wild, exhilarating, bordering on the brink of control.” (Loc.1852-1853).
I’m glad that I've read this book. I don’t have many complaints about it, except for Genevieve’s pet name – Genny – that sounds very American to me and not quite French and the sex scenes after André, Genevieve and their crew arrived at their destination. I understand that the purpose of those scenes is to show that the relationship strengthened and that the two lovers had their duties as a married couple, but sometimes these sex scenes dragged a little. However, the rest of the story was very interesting and I didn't expect to enjoy it this much.
Overall, it was a pleasant read that made me imagine what Canada looked like before the country we all know today. The characters made this fictional journey pass very fast, in good company, and Genevieve and André’s relationship made the experience steamy and unique.
http://elitere.ro/heaven-in-his-arms/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2017
4,5 Bring Me With You For A New Life Stars
Sometimes is not just a good book, but a good book at the right moment. This is pretty much what happened with Heaven in his arms: I was completely delighted by the plot, the locations, the pace and the lovestory, I wished the adventures would never stop...I needed a book like this right now. I didn't even realise this was actually published in 1995, it didn't feel or sound dated to me.
It is not a literary masterpiece, but it works so perfectly at every level, even if the tension slacks during the last part. The language flew and swept me along, there is a warmth, effervescence and verve running through all of it that got me easily captivated. The historical period is one of my favourites, same as the settings - France after La Fronde, colonialism in Canada - and I felt right at home. I watched the story unfold with the excitement of a child in a unicorn shop. The plot was perhaps not super original but perfectly executed, the pace kept me holding my breath almost constantly and the lovestory is equally sweet and wonderfully lustful.
Two strongheaded protagonists, André and Genevieve, bound to have memorable clashes of will, words and yes, eventually sex too. They fight, they banter, they plot, they try to up each other, they seduce and run from it at the same time and believe me, there are some mean pranks too here, something I didn't see coming at all in a romance. After so much UST and the abandon or real consumption of such bottled desire, seeing them fall in love, full selfless love, not only lust, was a beautiful thing. Both characters had the chance to grow and change during the story arch, becoming both softer and stronger at the same time. They are not perfect, they are not noble, they are fighters and survivers, self-making individuals, but when they give, they give completely. Jealousy and virginity tropes are used in a way I didn't expect but very much worked.
I fell in love with the nature of course, I love Canada, how could I not? I found it again an important character and it had to be, most of this book being spent travelling through breathtaking but unforgiving wilderness to establish a steady fur trade. I wanted to know more about every single canoemen of the expedition! I had a slight problem with how some Indian tribes were repeatedly described, very one-sided, but it did make sense to the period and the characters. There were also quite some consistent jabs at nobility and societal wrong limitations.
I am not giving 5 stars because the last section became a bit tamer, the sex scenes (which are welcome of course) more frequent but not adding anything to the story anymore and the end was wrapped a bit too quickly. I will remember André and Genevieve with fondness and gratitude but I will let them go at a certain point. They gave me what I needed right now.
Thank you Celestine for bringing this to my attention! <3
Sometimes is not just a good book, but a good book at the right moment. This is pretty much what happened with Heaven in his arms: I was completely delighted by the plot, the locations, the pace and the lovestory, I wished the adventures would never stop...I needed a book like this right now. I didn't even realise this was actually published in 1995, it didn't feel or sound dated to me.
It is not a literary masterpiece, but it works so perfectly at every level, even if the tension slacks during the last part. The language flew and swept me along, there is a warmth, effervescence and verve running through all of it that got me easily captivated. The historical period is one of my favourites, same as the settings - France after La Fronde, colonialism in Canada - and I felt right at home. I watched the story unfold with the excitement of a child in a unicorn shop. The plot was perhaps not super original but perfectly executed, the pace kept me holding my breath almost constantly and the lovestory is equally sweet and wonderfully lustful.
Two strongheaded protagonists, André and Genevieve, bound to have memorable clashes of will, words and yes, eventually sex too. They fight, they banter, they plot, they try to up each other, they seduce and run from it at the same time and believe me, there are some mean pranks too here, something I didn't see coming at all in a romance. After so much UST and the abandon or real consumption of such bottled desire, seeing them fall in love, full selfless love, not only lust, was a beautiful thing. Both characters had the chance to grow and change during the story arch, becoming both softer and stronger at the same time. They are not perfect, they are not noble, they are fighters and survivers, self-making individuals, but when they give, they give completely. Jealousy and virginity tropes are used in a way I didn't expect but very much worked.
I fell in love with the nature of course, I love Canada, how could I not? I found it again an important character and it had to be, most of this book being spent travelling through breathtaking but unforgiving wilderness to establish a steady fur trade. I wanted to know more about every single canoemen of the expedition! I had a slight problem with how some Indian tribes were repeatedly described, very one-sided, but it did make sense to the period and the characters. There were also quite some consistent jabs at nobility and societal wrong limitations.
I am not giving 5 stars because the last section became a bit tamer, the sex scenes (which are welcome of course) more frequent but not adding anything to the story anymore and the end was wrapped a bit too quickly. I will remember André and Genevieve with fondness and gratitude but I will let them go at a certain point. They gave me what I needed right now.
Thank you Celestine for bringing this to my attention! <3
August 30, 2017
Fur Trapper Love in the French Canadian Wilderness
The story begins in Paris in 1670 where Genevieve Lalande, an orphan and illegitimate daughter of a courtesan, struggles to survive. Desperate for a new life, she trades identities with a woman who is among those chosen to be brides for the settlers in the new French colony of Quebec.
A fur trader in the Canadian wilderness, Andre Lefebvre is not happy to learn he must wed in order to keep his license. Given a choice of women, he selects the pale, sickly Genevieve, believing she can't possibly live. But he is wrong. She gets well. When she realizes he married her hoping she would die, she follows him into the wilderness demanding he treat her as a wife. Despite the temptation of her beauty, Andre doesn’t want to consummate the marriage because he plans to annul it.
The story reflects the author’s considerable research into the era and the locations. The descriptions of the unusual setting are vivid. Rides over the rapids and portaging through the wilderness on the way to Chequamegon Bay, an inlet on Lake Superior, are exciting.
Andre was concerned about a woman’s ability to handle the difficulties but Genny matches them for endurance and cleverness at every turn, winning Andre’s respect (and his lust, of course). The dialog is often witty and the love scenes are graphic (and there are many).
The story begins in Paris in 1670 where Genevieve Lalande, an orphan and illegitimate daughter of a courtesan, struggles to survive. Desperate for a new life, she trades identities with a woman who is among those chosen to be brides for the settlers in the new French colony of Quebec.
A fur trader in the Canadian wilderness, Andre Lefebvre is not happy to learn he must wed in order to keep his license. Given a choice of women, he selects the pale, sickly Genevieve, believing she can't possibly live. But he is wrong. She gets well. When she realizes he married her hoping she would die, she follows him into the wilderness demanding he treat her as a wife. Despite the temptation of her beauty, Andre doesn’t want to consummate the marriage because he plans to annul it.
The story reflects the author’s considerable research into the era and the locations. The descriptions of the unusual setting are vivid. Rides over the rapids and portaging through the wilderness on the way to Chequamegon Bay, an inlet on Lake Superior, are exciting.
Andre was concerned about a woman’s ability to handle the difficulties but Genny matches them for endurance and cleverness at every turn, winning Andre’s respect (and his lust, of course). The dialog is often witty and the love scenes are graphic (and there are many).
February 9, 2020
A strong historical romance reminiscent of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
I adored this book and plan to one day own a physical copy. The romance was lovely, the characters realistic and the plot strong. At times it strongly made me think of Outlander, one of most favorite romances. There's plenty of adventure within these pages and I highly recommend it. 5 🌟!
I adored this book and plan to one day own a physical copy. The romance was lovely, the characters realistic and the plot strong. At times it strongly made me think of Outlander, one of most favorite romances. There's plenty of adventure within these pages and I highly recommend it. 5 🌟!
January 5, 2025
This was a far better read than my previousDaughters of the King/Filles du Roi experience. It is definitely not a "clean-read," but there is more depth here than the usual "bodice-ripper." The resolution was a bit rushed.
February 13, 2017
Never before have I encountered a historical romance set during Canada's colonial period. So Heaven In His Arms proved to be quite the educational, fascinating and refreshing read. Lisa Ann Verge's lush, descriptive writing style and wonderful characters captivated me completely from beginning to end.
After assuming the identity of a highborn lady, penniless orphan Genevieve Lalande embarks on the adventure of her life. Though for Genevieve, the danger that could await her is worth the risk because it is her only chance to start a new and hopefully better life, and an escape from her constricting and painful past. By impersonating a King's Girl/Daughter (a young but impoverished French woman of noble birth who is sent to Quebec to be the bride of a French settler) Genevieve is soon wed to (and abandoned by) one Andre Lefebvre, a fur trader who only marries Genevieve in order to get the trading license he needs for his latest expedition. Never one to be left behind, Genevieve tracks down her wayward husband and demands to be taken with him on his perilous journey. And from that point on I was hooked.
I loved Genny. She was a survivor, a fighter and made of much stronger stuff than anyone ever gave her credit for. Her bravery and resilience endeared her to me from the very first chapter onward. Genny was a ginger-haired firecracker who faced down any danger or obstacle in her path making her the very best kind of heroine.
Andre was a much tougher nut to crack. He didn't come across as all that likable at first, but nor was be outrightly cruel either. His determination to succeed was commendable and his obvious love of the land and what he did for a living offered glimpses of his true self. Genny's fiery spirit and unrelenting fortitude did wonders of breaking down his roughened exterior and revealing the honest to good man beneath. Their palpable chemistry and terrific banter had me laughing, grinning and even tearing up at times.
The neverending hijinks, hot and heart wrenching moments throughout once again reminded me why road trip romances have become my absolute favorite trope in the romance genre. The colorful cast of characters that made up Andre's ragtag team of fellow explorers were wonderful additions as well. Lisa Ann Verge is a new author to me and after finishing this surprise delight of a book, I can't wait to read more from her soon.
After assuming the identity of a highborn lady, penniless orphan Genevieve Lalande embarks on the adventure of her life. Though for Genevieve, the danger that could await her is worth the risk because it is her only chance to start a new and hopefully better life, and an escape from her constricting and painful past. By impersonating a King's Girl/Daughter (a young but impoverished French woman of noble birth who is sent to Quebec to be the bride of a French settler) Genevieve is soon wed to (and abandoned by) one Andre Lefebvre, a fur trader who only marries Genevieve in order to get the trading license he needs for his latest expedition. Never one to be left behind, Genevieve tracks down her wayward husband and demands to be taken with him on his perilous journey. And from that point on I was hooked.
I loved Genny. She was a survivor, a fighter and made of much stronger stuff than anyone ever gave her credit for. Her bravery and resilience endeared her to me from the very first chapter onward. Genny was a ginger-haired firecracker who faced down any danger or obstacle in her path making her the very best kind of heroine.
Andre was a much tougher nut to crack. He didn't come across as all that likable at first, but nor was be outrightly cruel either. His determination to succeed was commendable and his obvious love of the land and what he did for a living offered glimpses of his true self. Genny's fiery spirit and unrelenting fortitude did wonders of breaking down his roughened exterior and revealing the honest to good man beneath. Their palpable chemistry and terrific banter had me laughing, grinning and even tearing up at times.
The neverending hijinks, hot and heart wrenching moments throughout once again reminded me why road trip romances have become my absolute favorite trope in the romance genre. The colorful cast of characters that made up Andre's ragtag team of fellow explorers were wonderful additions as well. Lisa Ann Verge is a new author to me and after finishing this surprise delight of a book, I can't wait to read more from her soon.
June 25, 2015
This is the first book I have read by this author. Let me say I truly loved this story. Lisa Verge Higgins takes you on an a romantic adventure from the streets of Paris across a ocean to the wild frontier of Canada. This is a story about a courageous woman who dares to masquerade as a kings girl to escape Paris to become a wife to an unknown man in a New World to have the stability of a home. Genevieve is a strong heroine who follows her husband who doesn't want her into the unknown. Andre is a fur trapper who in order to get his license is forced to marry a King's Girl. What he gets is a strong woman who shows him how to love again. The author's writing made me feel like I was in the story riding the rapids with the men and Genevieve on their adventure. This is a beautiful love story that made me just sigh as I came to the end. I will definitely be buying more books by Lisa Verge Higgins.
February 15, 2016
I loved it. This takes place in Canada in the late 1600's. It was a rare book in that the couple had the ability to actually communicate with each other. They didn't spend half the book in some type of vague misunderstanding. If they had something to say they said it. The heroine was spunky and likable. The hero was a bit of a jerk at times but that's just who he is . If she loves him then the reader has to put up with him. Sort of like a goof ball son in law. There are some twists in the end and a very hopeful ending. This is my first book by this author and I will definitely try her again. In fact I'm hoping there is a book on Marie the woman she swipes places with to become a contracted bride. She seemed like an interesting character.
I might add that pretty much all romance type novels have a HEA. But in this one you really feel that the couple were soul mates. A nice touch.
I might add that pretty much all romance type novels have a HEA. But in this one you really feel that the couple were soul mates. A nice touch.
May 26, 2017
Very, very good. Historically accurate, teaching even a history buff like me a few things. But really, the characters are what makes this book a beauty. Don't let the fluffy title and cover dissuade you from picking this one up.
March 11, 2018
Original and vividly painted setting of fur trading days in Canada, French settlement in Montreal, Kings policy and the dealings with various Indian tribes. I appreciated Genny's character as a survivor, she is true to herself throughout and knows how to live for the day knowing life can be too short. The characters had beautiful names, Genevieve and André. Halfway through, when they made it to the end of their journey, the dialogue turned wooden and flat. It became a struggle to stay with the story. Towards the end, when it turns adventurous, it picks up wonderfully once again. Lots of fascinating historical detail made up for shortcomings of the telling.
March 15, 2018
I started this freebie while I sat for 13 hours ‘working’ our town election, during a nor’easter blizzard, where only 629 people showed up to vote. I wasn’t expecting much, just anything to pass the time, but what a fun read this turned out to be. I loved the setting - Canadian wilderness, fur-trading, 1670s - I honestly love mini history lessons when I read.
Best line of the book: “He’d intended to kiss his wife and prove that he wanted so much more than just her body - he wanted to bottle her laughter, to kiss her wit, and cradle her determination in his arms....”
Yowza! Yes please💕
Best line of the book: “He’d intended to kiss his wife and prove that he wanted so much more than just her body - he wanted to bottle her laughter, to kiss her wit, and cradle her determination in his arms....”
Yowza! Yes please💕
June 18, 2019
So very much not my kind of book. Everything about it screamed "You're going to hate me". But it was free so I downloaded it out of curiosity. And despite myself I loved it. I'm no fan of romantic fiction or of breathless heroines melting into the arms of their strong mate, but move the story into 17th century Canada's frozen wastelands and give both hero and heroine the inherent difficulties to overcome, and the story takes on a new aspect. I learned a lot about history and the peopple who lived through it by reading this book, even if the characters involved had personalities more suited to the 21st century. But since I wasn’t around at the time, who am I to say it isn’t an accurate portrayal?
Want to read
February 21, 2022Feb 2022
I didn't realize this was on Kindle Unlimited - which I am super excited about. Mail order bride trope but set in French Quebec - never read a romance in that setting!!!
I didn't realize this was on Kindle Unlimited - which I am super excited about. Mail order bride trope but set in French Quebec - never read a romance in that setting!!!
February 18, 2022
Beyond the Shining Mountains by Doris Shannon is one of my favourite books and I am always on a lookout for something similar. Heaven in His Arms had a great premise but unfortunately turned out to be a bit of a disappointment, maybe my expectations were too high….
After first few chapters it became very tedious and I struggled to keep going. Eventually, action picked up a little and I managed to finish but it was uphill straggle; one of those books that’s not bad but not great either.
After first few chapters it became very tedious and I struggled to keep going. Eventually, action picked up a little and I managed to finish but it was uphill straggle; one of those books that’s not bad but not great either.
July 12, 2015
REVIEW
To date, I have loved and enjoyed the light lyrical works of Lisa Verge Higgins’ Historical Romance novels and novellas. In His Arms left the “light and lyrical” behind to delve into the realms of a realistic historical fiction that covered an Era and place that are typically overlooked by historical fiction writers. True to Lisa’s style, the novel maintained the deep emotional and lyrical rhythms of the bedroom that she is famous for and does so well. But this time, she left the civilized world behind and planted the hero and heroine (Genny and Andre) in the deep northern woods of colonial Canada, during the 1700’s when it was still a wild and unexplored territory.
Just as you reached a point in your reading, when you thought that you might know the back story for Genny, a turn of the page revealed a new clue leading you down an unexpected path out in the wilds. But these wilds were not fraught with blood-curdling, heathens who would lift your scalp (even if Andre tried his best to get the socialite upper-class French Courtesan to believe him).
In truth Genny was made of the stuff, and had the moral caliber and fortitude that women of that day needed to live and survive in the remote backwoods and wilds of a wilderness. Or, was she running from a bigger monster that anything that the wilds of the Canadian wilderness could throw her way?
Just like in real life, no matter how determined you are to lock your heart and mind away, if you continually find it in close quarters with a wildly enticing creature for days and weeks on end, whose very essence and being start to seep and creep into your pores, you wear down. Much like a strong rock wall held together with old mortar and daub, the fortification slowly crumbles as love and friendship seep down through the cracks and daub. Finally, one hard knock (a crisis of potential loss) sends all the final reserves tumbling into a pile of defeat.
I loved the questions that were raised in the story line, the fact that the ebb and flow allowed each of the readers to draw their own conclusions to what really happened in Andre and Genny’s past, and outside the written pages of the novel. I do hope that a sequel to In His Arms will come along before long, because there are many twists and turns, and discoveries waiting to happen; along with much more history waiting to peek out from behind unexpected corners, providing terror and potential reward.
Lisa gives her readers strong, independent heroines, who are capable of conquering their worlds and making their own way through adversity. At the same time, she knows how to provide strong and stalwart heroes to serve as supporting cast, without being wimps and bedroom eye-candy. On the other hand, her cast of villains is varied and crosses the gender lines. They are as likely be pulled from places you would expect supporting characters to come from as from the gutters and barrooms of the back alleys. What she shows is that goodness and evil prevail in all walks of life. Just like in real life, you never know where your help will come from, nor where the nefarious blackguard will leap out from to destroy your world.
Lisa, has left the soufflé romance in the dirt, with this wonderful piece. I give it a FIVE STAR rating for story-telling, character development, and romance.
To date, I have loved and enjoyed the light lyrical works of Lisa Verge Higgins’ Historical Romance novels and novellas. In His Arms left the “light and lyrical” behind to delve into the realms of a realistic historical fiction that covered an Era and place that are typically overlooked by historical fiction writers. True to Lisa’s style, the novel maintained the deep emotional and lyrical rhythms of the bedroom that she is famous for and does so well. But this time, she left the civilized world behind and planted the hero and heroine (Genny and Andre) in the deep northern woods of colonial Canada, during the 1700’s when it was still a wild and unexplored territory.
Just as you reached a point in your reading, when you thought that you might know the back story for Genny, a turn of the page revealed a new clue leading you down an unexpected path out in the wilds. But these wilds were not fraught with blood-curdling, heathens who would lift your scalp (even if Andre tried his best to get the socialite upper-class French Courtesan to believe him).
In truth Genny was made of the stuff, and had the moral caliber and fortitude that women of that day needed to live and survive in the remote backwoods and wilds of a wilderness. Or, was she running from a bigger monster that anything that the wilds of the Canadian wilderness could throw her way?
Just like in real life, no matter how determined you are to lock your heart and mind away, if you continually find it in close quarters with a wildly enticing creature for days and weeks on end, whose very essence and being start to seep and creep into your pores, you wear down. Much like a strong rock wall held together with old mortar and daub, the fortification slowly crumbles as love and friendship seep down through the cracks and daub. Finally, one hard knock (a crisis of potential loss) sends all the final reserves tumbling into a pile of defeat.
I loved the questions that were raised in the story line, the fact that the ebb and flow allowed each of the readers to draw their own conclusions to what really happened in Andre and Genny’s past, and outside the written pages of the novel. I do hope that a sequel to In His Arms will come along before long, because there are many twists and turns, and discoveries waiting to happen; along with much more history waiting to peek out from behind unexpected corners, providing terror and potential reward.
Lisa gives her readers strong, independent heroines, who are capable of conquering their worlds and making their own way through adversity. At the same time, she knows how to provide strong and stalwart heroes to serve as supporting cast, without being wimps and bedroom eye-candy. On the other hand, her cast of villains is varied and crosses the gender lines. They are as likely be pulled from places you would expect supporting characters to come from as from the gutters and barrooms of the back alleys. What she shows is that goodness and evil prevail in all walks of life. Just like in real life, you never know where your help will come from, nor where the nefarious blackguard will leap out from to destroy your world.
Lisa, has left the soufflé romance in the dirt, with this wonderful piece. I give it a FIVE STAR rating for story-telling, character development, and romance.
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