Marilee

by Con Sellers

MARILEE THE WILD
Her family and plantation violently destroyed by invaders, Marilee hurled herself into a part of life she had never before known. It was a life of sheer survival, across desert land and Indian territory as she headed West -- her body taken viciously by men she hated, her dreams trampled forever under the victorious hooves of Yankee horses.

Slave of a Comanche chief, unwilling wife of a Mexican aristocrat, she dared not hope to ever know love -- until she met Joe Langston, a common man who hated the Old South and all it stood for, who ravaged her, humbled her...and couldn't forget her.

MARILEE THE WOMAN

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Westerns, Civil War, Western Romance, Abuse

484 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Connie Leslie Sellers was born March 1, 1922 in Shubuta, Mississippi. In 1943 he married Mary Raineri in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are the parents of two sons, Leonard and Shannon. Sellers was a much-decorated Korean War veteran. He received prestigious medals not only from the United States, but also from the countries of France, England, and the Republic of Korea. Sellers was also awarded the Korean Medal from the United Nations.

It was while he was a soldier that Sellers began to write. He edited Army newspapers and served as a combat correspondent during the Korean War. He used his experiences in the Army to flavor his early short stories and poetry. After leaving the Army, Sellers began writing in earnest. His first published works were macho short stories and articles he wrote for men's magazines. He then wrote low grade novels that often included sexually liberal content for the times. In the 1960's, under the name of Robert Crane, he wrote a series of adventure novels about the Korean War that were mildly successful. He also wrote a screenplay, Too Late the Hero and the novel, Dallas; inspired by the television series by the same name. Over the years, Sellers wrote more than 230 novels, under 94 names, both female and male, including a few under his own name.

Besides writing, Sellers taught writing classes at Rogue Community College in Grants Pass, Oregon. He trained and managed several boxers in the Tacoma-Seattle area. Sellers himself was a lightweight boxing champion in the Army and an AAU welterweight champion. He also raised, trained and showed registered Morgan horses on his Bella Maria ranch in Wilderville, Oregon, before his death on February 2, 1992.

Reviews

[Mermarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is comprised with bittersweet spoilers, and if you gotta bridge your reading material with parental guidance screenings this isn't the place for you to test your endurance for disagreement & discontentment. :)



Perhaps it's due to the Appalachian Kentucky neutral upbringing in me that buckled down for the long haul on Sellers' Marilee, or just maybe I'm a 'take it by the steel bit' and crazy horse my tender sensibilities to the nubs because it's a wild, bucking ride from start to finish. We two-step before we take our first step, and take to Wild Turkey and dysfunctional rube dregs before we even realize that it's heathen, abnormal and depraved. Mountain people tolerate dysfunction so naturally, because we don't know any better and it's the entirety of what we truly know anyhow.
The living Scylla and Charybdis with our penchant to careen between neutral mindsets, and will rise to the challenge to viciously defend what we personally hold dear. The story, above all, matters most; despite how the details arrived at the telling. No chops are ever earned by swimming in the kiddie pool with floaties.

No one embodies neutral scavenger; the not-so-rich Rhett Butler hired-out runner (or mercenary) than our beloved\ be-loathed hero, Joe; he's every Kentuckian at their truest core. Many by locale, others by rebellious design. Joe is a bitter, shell-shocked veteran malfunctioned; his own worst enemy, and unlovable in his original cast, but as with teary-pooled, integrity-glossed Charles Ingalls, when Joe spoke or gave a speech of any kind; humility or otherwise, you LISTENED. When Charles cried, YOU cried. That's powerful. Changed people have a lot of wisdom and something worth listening to.

The overly sensitive, emo-bang-flip-ridden heroes we're introduced to nowadays wouldn't know an apology if it were written in their snuff pile with a razor. As we're constantly choked down with passive men in our romantic reading endeavors who verbally exchange all corrective behavior with weepy, glorified not-really-alpha man broken to apologism & I'm behind Joe when he says, in a presumed whiskey voice:

But not gentlemen; they sidled around like game roosters, fighting mostly with words, and sometimes the spat came down to them meeting with pistols under a special set of rules. Didn't make a lick of sense, Joe thought.

That's what our entire romance genre has devolved to. Words. Words spilled over in a dairy-free latte laden voice, that just won't do. Sure, Jan. No, it just fucking won't. Not when men were a different breed in the midst of a war-torn nation. Hand-flail your offended self elsewhere, please.

Historical accuracy and descriptions giving testimony of ages passed social structures do not pander to the reader, and romanticizing rape and uncivil mindsets are what trivialize changed behavior, IMO.

Let me say this immediately, and foremost: there is no better apology than changed behavior. No words, just deeds. Joe's behavior changed drastically after learning to love; he didn't know how to love Marilee until another woman taught him to. Dysfunctional AF, but truly magical in the conflict of the war of love. He's poor white trash who was smitten by a girl of the uppercrust, and it shatters a very innocent love he held in her cast-off. It's his journey to redeem himself from the loss, and the prejudices accompanied a man ghosted by infidelity and a cruel mistress.

That's his arc, and it was beautifully executed, through stubborn journeys and self-discovery, without mental epiphanies every mile to update the reader on the said journey's progress.

He was also the main character in as much importance as Marilee was, if not moreso. Many scenes deter the reader, and I'll be the first to admit how very unexpectedly furious I became at Marilee's treatment from the beginning. In the beginning I was like: WHERE IS OPRAH for counseling these two fucktards? @.@ JFC! But I don't think a woman's story is over, or necessarily vulgar, because of circumstances beyond her nature to control, but revenge; even on a small scale, will suffice; or at least an unwillingness to buckle under a savage world set to destroy you. I feel like some of these reviews are survival guilt projected. Well, raped, she damn well may be, but not dead! Did she die though??? Get back on the horse! And she does. Many, many times. I worship that refusal to just flutter off and die because someone who wasn't her husband, lover, handsome, or intended, raped and molested her. Capitalize on their weakness, and dust yourself clean of that junk. Your vagina isn't your life's on/off switch. Victimization is during the loss of your freedom; not afterwards. Don't carry that shit with you! And to clarify, she DOES NOT! BOOM!

Me whispers to book: Fucking survive, bitch. Keep steppin' out of the swing!

On the brutal content and loathsome treatment of Marilee:

Here's a notion: You're supposed to be disgusted by it. That's why it's RAPE. Ugly men molesting said heroines is rape in the eyes of some of these readers, and I fail to comprehend the division, compared to, say, a millionaire Don Juan. They're all rape. It's all rape. You know what makes the brutal rapes and vulgarity tolerable to read through? Because of these winning moments:

Staring down at him, at those stubbled lips that had crushed demanding and lusting against her own, at the eyes whose cruel fires had glazed over, she said, "Here -- you wanted this dress, damn you. Take it to hell with you!"

She stood up, the heavy pistol still aimed down at him. "Damn you," she whispered. "I wish I could kill you again."

"As he climbed back to his feet, she cut at him, "Comanches do it better."


Overcoming hardships and obstacles with returned fire makes for a good read; an indestructible will; a woman refusing to yield no matter the circumstances; that's historical, pioneering feminism. Feminism didn't heighten or rear its head, because a pioneer woman was raped gently by her husband, or a wealthy land owner decided to hand-tap slap her, but HAS MARRIAGE IN MIND, naturally. Are you serious, Jan? If war wasn't utterly Hell, we wouldn't be discussing its importance here and now. It wouldn't be a theme.

No.

Perhaps this Historical Romance(?lol) took a sharp dive into the war laden reality that Sellers was obviously very accustomed to, and being a man, with a backlist of smut stories, and also macho war novels; he is definitely lacking a woman's touch where war is described, but the dead-nut accuracy brings you to a newer height, IMO, because the finale is more triumphant, believable, and satisfying. Even-so, his love scenes are the added prose that create a bearable distinction in his masculine-minded deliverance, although lacking a cloying note, all the same.

Macho-centric quotes:

"Hello," Pecos said. "I'm kilt. Some goddamn Apache put one in my back -- dropped Goodnight(other traveler), too. Fixed him, though -- sawed off his whangdoodle and chunked it into the fire. Son of a bitch can't never diddle a squaw in his heaven."

I'd just as soon kill you kneeling," Joe said. "Might help you stay out of hell a minute longer if you die like you're prayin'."


**Shrug** Perhaps I like a man described & character designed by a man, because that's a chance at stepping out of my comfort zone & that proud men of that caliber don't talk shit; especially a hardened veteran of a man(Con Sellers), and could devise a rough-shod heroine who'd roll over post-rape and chop & snipe down a shitbird who dared try to ruin her. With Joe as a hero, there's very little dillydallying with sissified I WAS SO WRONG OMFG, KILL ME!! GIMME CANCER NOW GOD! Even beyond my control, or romantic fantasies, I'm glad Joe didn't comply with my natural tendency to avoid conflict. Fuck. Fight. Fuck shit up. But figure the shit out, OK? Downhill swings be damned.

Joe and Marilee as a couple only worked when they'd both learned to love, as previously stated with Joe, but with Marilee, it was a love that hadn't been tried with a man; although she had a dream she didn't realize she'd fulfilled, but neglected another precious love before her very eyes(and it wasn't Joe!) and could begin a new life, with new ambitions & hope. When you've fucked up a potential love that barely bloomed, temporary loves that don't chalk up definitely make you appreciate the love you left abandoned.

Unfortunately/Fortunately(?) Joe & Marilee cannot be roped by any HEA nonsense. They're free-ranged wildlings that happen to graze by the other once in awhile, scratching up a heart or two. The slow-burn is entertainment enough if you don't need security, reassurance and mental feedback every few pages, instead of self-discovery, building arcs and the like. Marilee isn't for everyone; hell, it probably isn't for many, but it's damn brilliant stuff, and credit is definitely due. These arcs are so very rare(think The Walking Dead), and something to be praised. PRAISES!

[Cat The Curious · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a few of my friends on goodreads whose ratings I can depend on. What they recommend is almost always stellar. So I figured I would try this book. Well there was this scene that was god awful in this book. I put it away and abandoned it. My trusty friend still swore by it so I thought I would give it another try. I'm glad I did. Let me start off by saying Con Sellers should have more fans. He is extremely talented and writes with such depth. He wrote Dallas, btw. Some of the language is dirty but very much in the style of what you think people might say in that time. From beginning to end everything in this book happens for a reason. When Marilee's home is destroyed, she is off on her own, violated by men and put through pure hell. She becomes tough and anyone one that dares cross her pays in one way or another, even or especially Joe. The hero, Joe could have easily been the main character. I don't mind that this book was written by a man because it gives an accurate depiction of what might go through a man's mind when he considers women and when he finally falls in love with one. This first encounter Marilee has with Joe Langston, shows he is a rude womanizing a-hole. He was hurt by a woman when he was young. He grew up poor white trash and had an anger towards rich beautiful southern women, (especially plantation slave owning women), He also feels put-down by them because he was born poor white trash. He goes around with a chip on his shoulder thinking he's entitled to any woman whether she is willing or not. Marilee is the rich beautiful slave owning southern belle that gets under Joe's skin. She is everything Joe resents. Joe wants her and he takes Marilee against her will. She refuses to bed down with him any further and takes off on her own only become abducted by Commanches. During this time and throughout the story Marilee develops from innocent and helpless girl into a gutsy strong, gun-toting, don't screw with me or you'll be sorry, heroine. Joe and Marilee's paths cross several times. The second time he takes her as a mistress and they have a passionate affair but Joe offends Marilee in everyway. He's in love with her but can't admit it, the reader can tell although it comes across in a very immature way,(this is all done on purpose by the author, in a way which is pretty darn brillant btw). Marilee is offended by all that Joe does and stands for so she takes off from him as soon as she gets the chance. She's pretty much saying "Screw you Joe, I don't need you. I can take care of myself." and the beauty of it is she does. She also becomes very closed off with good reason. One thing that is constant for Marilee is her love of her horse. She is a survivor and she does what she has to to survive in a man's world. After Marilee leaves Joe he does go through a succession of women, although Marilee is the one he can not forget. He does come to love another woman, Martha but in a much different way. Joe transforms into a proper gentleman and his views on women gradually change especially after he comes to love one. Martha has always been sickly and dies. After a time Joe can not forget Marilee. She has always been the one woman he could not forget and he sets off after her wondering if she will give him another chance or reject him. Either way I really developed a tender spot for Joe. This story comes full circle. There is great development with both of these characters. This story is gritty, emotional, and downright gut wrenching, but for those not faint of heart that stick with reading this, I think you'll come to love this story as much as I do. Ultimately it's a story of loss, pain, and in the end love. I found the end very satisfying. Thank you my dear goodread's friend. This is now one of my all time favorites.

[kimberly grider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marilee oh Marilee how I love you let me count the ways ....you were self sufficient...mentally made of steel ....and a total badass and oh yes you loved that morgan horse more than anything! While this book has many triggers and is by no means a soft hearted sweet love story(some would say it does not count as a love story) I knew what I was in for and devoured it for all Marilee's trials and angst and hardships that she went through....there were a lot of men that "abused" her in this book and most fluff only readers should steer clear of this book, but when I read it is not only for feel good feelings and I am completely fine with real life and angst in a book ...no question life was not peaches and creams back then and most certainly not for females, for me personally this book had me glued to it for the 3 days I made it last !!!

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me,too much "Pass-around-Polly theme"

[Circa Girl · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's nothing exactly wrong with Marilee as far as the writing goes, but a hundred pages in I just can't seem to get gripped by the characters.

[Dendera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in Nov/2015

*2.5 Stars*

I'll be quite honest here. The only rating I can give this book is 2.5 stars only because it'd not turned out as I'd expected it to turn out. It was more of a slow-paced book, usually I prefer faster paced ones with a lot of drama to keep the storyline from getting dull and boring. But Marilee had its utterly dull and dreary parts as well throughout the book. Let me be clear: the first 1/3 of this book was yes, captivating and the storyline was intriguing and exciting at the same time. Somehow this excitement faded and I'd found myself succumbing to having to skip LARGE chunks of several chapters just so I can finish the bloody thing. Overall, I do not recommend it if you prefer faster paced dramatic bodice-rippers. This one will surely make you impatient through it a few times.

[BURMA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conseguí MARILEE a través de un préstamo bibliotecario online gratuito.
La historia es original y transcurre por los territorios de aquella mítica Comanchería del sur de USA. Marilee es valiente y lo mismo se defiende a patadas que a tiros. Es violada prácticamente por todos los hombres con los que interactúa y éste es el único punto que resulta algo cansino aunque doy por sentado que eso fue muy real.
A pesar de todo hay algo frío en el personaje. No leo nunca bien sus emociones salvo su amor por su caballo.
El prota masculino es más común que ella pero interesante. Ninguno de los dos hace ascos a mantener relaciones sexuales con otros ya que están mucho tiempo separados, no son pareja "oficial", son muy abiertos y la autora plantea de manera natural un sexo sin tabúes.
Un bodice ripper en el que sin embargo la heroína no experimenta ninguna sensación de angustia tan típica de este tipo de novelas que tanto me entretienen

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a classic bodice ripper written by a male author told in two different storylines simultaneously. The H & h meet up for 5 minutes and then spend the rest of the book living separate lives. H screws his way all the way down to Mexico while h is raped by literally every male she encounters. There were lots of references to "thick, throbbing, veined" manhoods, oh my! "Me thinketh the author is overcompensating for something.) Of course, they meet up again, at the very end, and live happily ever after.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this 40 years ago as a teen. Mostly remember the relationship with the horse. I was a horse crazy girl at the time, so this struck a chord with me.

[AlexandraB95 · Rating 1 out of 5]

rape-feast