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Duke of Rutland #4
Lord of the Wilderness
International Book Award winning author Elizabeth St. Michel returns to her action and adventure historical romance roots with this passionate redemptive story, a probing tale that reminds us that love and sacrifice can shape even the most broken among us into a perfect and stunning masterpiece.
~ ~ ~
While the Revolutionary War rages on the eastern coast, Patriot spy, Lord Joshua Rutland, gathers information from the new frontier for General George Washington. Posing as a trapper, Joshua travels the territories collecting intelligence—but also searching for the man who killed his beloved betrothed. His need for vengeance drives him almost as much as his need to help the colonists build the new life they are struggling to forge. Amid the breathtaking scenery of the wilderness, Joshua finds a red-haired beauty who tempts him to open his hardened heart.
Lady Juliet Faulkner has been sold into indenture by a cruel baron, sent to America where she slaves on a wild outpost. Nearly starved and constantly fighting off advances by her lecherous master—not to mention the fear of Indian attacks—Juliet never expected to find a hero in a mysterious buckskin-clad warrior who saves her from rape. In this man, Juliet sees someone she could build a life with if he would only stay, but a dark guilt from his past eats at his soul and he’s vowed to never love again, despite the undeniable attraction between them. But Juliet will not give up, believing he could be as passionate about love as he is about his country.
This heart jolting historical romance blends the dangerous world of espionage and patriotism with the threat of death and the promise of a brave new future together.
~ ~ ~
Full of action and adventure, mystery and suspense, and humor with a love and passion as powerful and beautiful as the wilderness. St. Michel’s Duke of Rutland Series IV is captivatingly fresh, and unblinkingly gritty, balancing war and hardship with amusing, romantic, and vivid characters you will long remember.
~ ~ ~
While the Revolutionary War rages on the eastern coast, Patriot spy, Lord Joshua Rutland, gathers information from the new frontier for General George Washington. Posing as a trapper, Joshua travels the territories collecting intelligence—but also searching for the man who killed his beloved betrothed. His need for vengeance drives him almost as much as his need to help the colonists build the new life they are struggling to forge. Amid the breathtaking scenery of the wilderness, Joshua finds a red-haired beauty who tempts him to open his hardened heart.
Lady Juliet Faulkner has been sold into indenture by a cruel baron, sent to America where she slaves on a wild outpost. Nearly starved and constantly fighting off advances by her lecherous master—not to mention the fear of Indian attacks—Juliet never expected to find a hero in a mysterious buckskin-clad warrior who saves her from rape. In this man, Juliet sees someone she could build a life with if he would only stay, but a dark guilt from his past eats at his soul and he’s vowed to never love again, despite the undeniable attraction between them. But Juliet will not give up, believing he could be as passionate about love as he is about his country.
This heart jolting historical romance blends the dangerous world of espionage and patriotism with the threat of death and the promise of a brave new future together.
~ ~ ~
Full of action and adventure, mystery and suspense, and humor with a love and passion as powerful and beautiful as the wilderness. St. Michel’s Duke of Rutland Series IV is captivatingly fresh, and unblinkingly gritty, balancing war and hardship with amusing, romantic, and vivid characters you will long remember.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2019
31 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth St. Michel
12 books116 followersWelcome aboard! I enjoy children, cats, dogs, gardening and writing award-winning and bestselling historical romance. The Winds of Fate is a swashbuckling tale of love lost and retribution. I also have a great fondness for the American Civil War period as shown in my Surrender Series. For American Revolution fans there is my International Book Award Winning, The Duke of Rutland Series about a Duke and his four strong-willed offspring. My latest International Hemingway Award-winning novel, On Prevailing Winds is an enthralling WWII love triangle that spans the globe. Half of my year is spent in New York and the other half in the Bahamas where I obtain so much inspiration for my work.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 23, 2020
Lord of the Wilderness, by Elizabeth St. Michel. Ten stars! Twenty stars! This is what I give this book. I give praise to Elizabeth for all the in-depth details and information regarding the different cultures.
From the Native American tribes to the British military and The Patriots of the American Colonies, the history background helped. Clearly she did her research with American history. It was amazing. The excitement. The drama.
The action. Elizabeth explain the action scenes with good details that moved at a coordinated medium pace. The intense scenes. Some were heart stopping. Some were you couldn’t believe that it happened.
All of these combined together, had me chomping at the bit. More give me more I was saying to myself. I was definitely into this book. I was scared to read what would happen next, but then after the flip of the page, I was rooting Juliet, Joshua and Two Eagles on.This book is that exciting.
I feel it reads like a movie which made it even better. Then the love scenes between Joshua and Juliet. The romance and the overheated passion they share is so beautiful and so sweet. Joshua and all his male masculinity will melt the women’s heart. I know that Joshua captivated me with his strong presence in the storylines.
I did enjoy reading the romance that was brewing between Two Eagles and Mary. I found it quite entertaining to read. It did help add some light heart moments during the respite from the tragic events that these four souls went through. I found this a heart stopping book, filled with so much strong emotions and the will to survive. You have to ask yourself, will they survive?
Who will survive? I truly loved that the writer did not let up with the twist and turns, or the shock and aww of the impacting scenes. The cruel and inhuman treatments that Juliet and the staff went through in the beginning was so horrific. The way Elizabeth worded these scenes really pulled at your heart. Her words tapped into my imagination where it played out with the realities of what the innocent people endured during those times of survival.
This played so well. Hand in hand with the excitement and intensity of the book. I always love a strong heroine in books. Juliet was that and then some. She didn’t coward. She didn’t back down from anyone. She held her head high and took on what ever came her way. This is one of the many things Joshua loved about her.
Joshua is this strong warrior that protects his battered heart from all the hate that spreads across the land. Clearly he’s a smart and intelligent man. He tries so hard to fight and deny his strong feelings he has for Juliet and her fiery red hair. His strong irresistible urges for Juliet Continuously consumes him daily. Joshua finds himself torn between fighting for his adopted country or leaving all behind to fight for the woman that he loves.
I recommend this book book with two snaps and Bethany go find another man for your girls. Joshua is all mine. Until next time my fellow readers... read on! I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
From the Native American tribes to the British military and The Patriots of the American Colonies, the history background helped. Clearly she did her research with American history. It was amazing. The excitement. The drama.
The action. Elizabeth explain the action scenes with good details that moved at a coordinated medium pace. The intense scenes. Some were heart stopping. Some were you couldn’t believe that it happened.
All of these combined together, had me chomping at the bit. More give me more I was saying to myself. I was definitely into this book. I was scared to read what would happen next, but then after the flip of the page, I was rooting Juliet, Joshua and Two Eagles on.This book is that exciting.
I feel it reads like a movie which made it even better. Then the love scenes between Joshua and Juliet. The romance and the overheated passion they share is so beautiful and so sweet. Joshua and all his male masculinity will melt the women’s heart. I know that Joshua captivated me with his strong presence in the storylines.
I did enjoy reading the romance that was brewing between Two Eagles and Mary. I found it quite entertaining to read. It did help add some light heart moments during the respite from the tragic events that these four souls went through. I found this a heart stopping book, filled with so much strong emotions and the will to survive. You have to ask yourself, will they survive?
Who will survive? I truly loved that the writer did not let up with the twist and turns, or the shock and aww of the impacting scenes. The cruel and inhuman treatments that Juliet and the staff went through in the beginning was so horrific. The way Elizabeth worded these scenes really pulled at your heart. Her words tapped into my imagination where it played out with the realities of what the innocent people endured during those times of survival.
This played so well. Hand in hand with the excitement and intensity of the book. I always love a strong heroine in books. Juliet was that and then some. She didn’t coward. She didn’t back down from anyone. She held her head high and took on what ever came her way. This is one of the many things Joshua loved about her.
Joshua is this strong warrior that protects his battered heart from all the hate that spreads across the land. Clearly he’s a smart and intelligent man. He tries so hard to fight and deny his strong feelings he has for Juliet and her fiery red hair. His strong irresistible urges for Juliet Continuously consumes him daily. Joshua finds himself torn between fighting for his adopted country or leaving all behind to fight for the woman that he loves.
I recommend this book book with two snaps and Bethany go find another man for your girls. Joshua is all mine. Until next time my fellow readers... read on! I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
June 30, 2019
2.5 stars ...
November 3, 2019
Rating: 4.5/5.0
For a rich and riveting read amidst the backdrop of revolution, this story is a can’t-put-downer!
Read full review in the 2019 Nov issue of InD'tale Magazine.
For a rich and riveting read amidst the backdrop of revolution, this story is a can’t-put-downer!
Read full review in the 2019 Nov issue of InD'tale Magazine.
June 16, 2019
Lord of the Wilderness
Duke of Rutland, Book 4
Elizabeth St. Michel, author
Let me just say, Ms. Michel's is a true magnificent story teller!!! As a reader you will not be able to put this one down. I read long into the night. Like all her other books, this one has it all. History, excitement, drama, action, adventure, mystery and yes love stories. Yep, I said stories..... So dive in and enjoy this magical read. I promise you'll love every minute of it!
It's the year of our Lord 1779 and the youngest son of the Duke of Rutland, Lord Joshua is in America. The Revolutionary War is in progress and he finds himself, along with his good friend, Two Eagles somewhere in the New York wilderness. Joshua and Two Eagles are posing as trappers, but he and his friend are actually spies for General George Washington. Unbeknown to him and Two Eagles, Lady Juliet Faulkner and her good friend Mary are serving as indentured servants to a frontier family, as they were abducted and shipped off to America and sold on the open market as slaves.
This last installment in the Rutland series brings with it intense and compelling characters that present as emotionally driven individuals. The situations they find themselves in affords the reader exciting, riveting and often times graphic scenes, one after the other. Be ware, you will laugh at the antics, become angry and cry at the injustice and rejoice in the strength of the characters. Not to mention learn about the American Revolutionary War.
As far as the plot of the story line, it follows well right along with the actually timeline of the Revolutionary War. The hardship the American people endured, the loss they incurred and the inner strength they developed in order to cope and carry on with their lives is phenomenal. It is most apparent that Ms. Michel's did her research before putting together her story line.
I most highly recommend this book, as it is so much more than a romance novel. I was afforded an advanced reader copy of this novel, but I also chose to per-order the book. I leave this review voluntarily.
Duke of Rutland, Book 4
Elizabeth St. Michel, author
Let me just say, Ms. Michel's is a true magnificent story teller!!! As a reader you will not be able to put this one down. I read long into the night. Like all her other books, this one has it all. History, excitement, drama, action, adventure, mystery and yes love stories. Yep, I said stories..... So dive in and enjoy this magical read. I promise you'll love every minute of it!
It's the year of our Lord 1779 and the youngest son of the Duke of Rutland, Lord Joshua is in America. The Revolutionary War is in progress and he finds himself, along with his good friend, Two Eagles somewhere in the New York wilderness. Joshua and Two Eagles are posing as trappers, but he and his friend are actually spies for General George Washington. Unbeknown to him and Two Eagles, Lady Juliet Faulkner and her good friend Mary are serving as indentured servants to a frontier family, as they were abducted and shipped off to America and sold on the open market as slaves.
This last installment in the Rutland series brings with it intense and compelling characters that present as emotionally driven individuals. The situations they find themselves in affords the reader exciting, riveting and often times graphic scenes, one after the other. Be ware, you will laugh at the antics, become angry and cry at the injustice and rejoice in the strength of the characters. Not to mention learn about the American Revolutionary War.
As far as the plot of the story line, it follows well right along with the actually timeline of the Revolutionary War. The hardship the American people endured, the loss they incurred and the inner strength they developed in order to cope and carry on with their lives is phenomenal. It is most apparent that Ms. Michel's did her research before putting together her story line.
I most highly recommend this book, as it is so much more than a romance novel. I was afforded an advanced reader copy of this novel, but I also chose to per-order the book. I leave this review voluntarily.
July 9, 2019
Elizabeth St. Michel has a way of capturing your imagination not only with wonderful characters, but with a grippingly detailed and descriptive story.
From the moment you start this fourth installment of The Duke of Rutland series, you have to keep turning the pages, as you never want to put it down!
Lady Juliet Faulkner is beautiful both inside and out. She is a strong, motivated character who is determined to survive and get justice for the despicable way she has been treated, being sold into indenture by a Baron and mistreated by her family.
In the midst of trying to keep herself and her closest friend Mary alive, she meets the wonderful Lord Joshua Rutland, a Patriot spy, posing as a trapper. Handsome, honourable, passionate with a strong belief in justice and truth, together their passionate love story begins and ignites. But Joshua is damaged, hiding his heart from the loss of his fiancee because of her cruel and vindictive murder
How will Juliet get him to open his heart to her....
But it is not just Juliet and Joshua that make this romantically passionate adventure so special. Wonderful characters abound, adding even more to the storyline, such as Two Eagles and his Indian family, the dark and cruel, vengeful villains that make you nervous when they walk onto the page, the suffering of this cruel, violent Revolutionary war, all this is excellently described by Elizabeth, who is a truly magical wordsmith. She describes this terrible time without getting too bogged down in politics, but this story is not all doom and gloom, there is humour, emotion, camaraderie and love.
I absolutely loved this book and you will too. I heartily recommend this grippingly passionate love story. Enjoy!
From the moment you start this fourth installment of The Duke of Rutland series, you have to keep turning the pages, as you never want to put it down!
Lady Juliet Faulkner is beautiful both inside and out. She is a strong, motivated character who is determined to survive and get justice for the despicable way she has been treated, being sold into indenture by a Baron and mistreated by her family.
In the midst of trying to keep herself and her closest friend Mary alive, she meets the wonderful Lord Joshua Rutland, a Patriot spy, posing as a trapper. Handsome, honourable, passionate with a strong belief in justice and truth, together their passionate love story begins and ignites. But Joshua is damaged, hiding his heart from the loss of his fiancee because of her cruel and vindictive murder
How will Juliet get him to open his heart to her....
But it is not just Juliet and Joshua that make this romantically passionate adventure so special. Wonderful characters abound, adding even more to the storyline, such as Two Eagles and his Indian family, the dark and cruel, vengeful villains that make you nervous when they walk onto the page, the suffering of this cruel, violent Revolutionary war, all this is excellently described by Elizabeth, who is a truly magical wordsmith. She describes this terrible time without getting too bogged down in politics, but this story is not all doom and gloom, there is humour, emotion, camaraderie and love.
I absolutely loved this book and you will too. I heartily recommend this grippingly passionate love story. Enjoy!
June 26, 2021
I didn't particularly enjoy this book and I will explain why in a moment. But first, I want to say that I've not read anything of this time era or in this setting. I liked that part quite a lot. I was interested in a character who was an indentured servant, never having read anything like that before, either. Those elements worked for me. I knew indentured servants were a thing during Revolutionary War times and I knew that many of them were mistreated and didn't survive the ordeal when they got to America.
That is an important part of the story. Lady Juliet Faulkner was an indentured service. Her uncle had set her up with that and took all of her property after her father died. I would've liked to known more about that other than the summary that was incognito as an epilogue. Regardless, Juliet ended up with some greedy, nefarious Tories who were beating her and starving her along with two other unfortunate souls. Juliet goes about her business, trying to stay out of their way and off their radar all while protecting Eldon and Mary.
Not all was well when Joshua Rutland (he's assumed a name that escapes me at the moment) shows up at the Hayes home where Juliet is working. He knows this, but is more interested in he uncommon beauty than anything else. He's got a cross to bear, though; something he can't overcome that affects his relationship with her practically throughout the whole book.
Maybe I would've been more sympathetic toward them had their characters been more developed. I thought all the characters were one-dimensional and Juliet's character was all over the place. I had a hard time liking her with her self-righteous diatribes, stupid moves where he was concerned, her so-called strength, and then wallowing in self-pity.
I wasn't drawn into the story. I found Two Eagles and Mary to be more interesting than Joshua and Juliet. I thought the dialogue between Juliet and Joshua was contrived and preachy, but I did enjoy the history of it all. I didn't feel them falling in love, like I did the secondary characters, Two Eagles and Mary. There was steam, but no romance to speak of. There's plenty of action and even some mystery.
Possible Triggers:
Physical Abuse
Rape
Graphic violence
That is an important part of the story. Lady Juliet Faulkner was an indentured service. Her uncle had set her up with that and took all of her property after her father died. I would've liked to known more about that other than the summary that was incognito as an epilogue. Regardless, Juliet ended up with some greedy, nefarious Tories who were beating her and starving her along with two other unfortunate souls. Juliet goes about her business, trying to stay out of their way and off their radar all while protecting Eldon and Mary.
Not all was well when Joshua Rutland (he's assumed a name that escapes me at the moment) shows up at the Hayes home where Juliet is working. He knows this, but is more interested in he uncommon beauty than anything else. He's got a cross to bear, though; something he can't overcome that affects his relationship with her practically throughout the whole book.
Maybe I would've been more sympathetic toward them had their characters been more developed. I thought all the characters were one-dimensional and Juliet's character was all over the place. I had a hard time liking her with her self-righteous diatribes, stupid moves where he was concerned, her so-called strength, and then wallowing in self-pity.
I wasn't drawn into the story. I found Two Eagles and Mary to be more interesting than Joshua and Juliet. I thought the dialogue between Juliet and Joshua was contrived and preachy, but I did enjoy the history of it all. I didn't feel them falling in love, like I did the secondary characters, Two Eagles and Mary. There was steam, but no romance to speak of. There's plenty of action and even some mystery.
Possible Triggers:
Physical Abuse
Rape
Graphic violence
November 2, 2020
Almost 5 stars. The book reminds me to Defiant by Pamela Clare which I really loved. I enjoy reading romance stories where the protective alpha hero rescues heroine. This book had great potential but somehow I just did not feel anything ‘deep’ in their relationship. Joshua and Juliet spent so much time apart and I felt Juliet deserved more from Joshua. Nevertheless the author did a wonderful job of describing the Americal frontier scenes.
July 2, 2019
Lord of the Wilderness: Duke of Rutland Series Book IV
This is a beautifully written book with a strong and entertaining storyline. I loved the developing love story between Joshua and Juliet, the main characters in this book. I also enjoyed another romance between two secondary characters as well and I wished for them a HEA. Elizabeth St. Michel's breathtaking descriptions of everything taking place, pulled me right into the happenings as if I was there. I loved the book and will recommend it to family and friends. JudyE
This is a beautifully written book with a strong and entertaining storyline. I loved the developing love story between Joshua and Juliet, the main characters in this book. I also enjoyed another romance between two secondary characters as well and I wished for them a HEA. Elizabeth St. Michel's breathtaking descriptions of everything taking place, pulled me right into the happenings as if I was there. I loved the book and will recommend it to family and friends. JudyE
August 15, 2019
Lord of the Wilderness
I love loved this book. I loved all of the secondary characters as well as the hero and heroine. I think what I liked the most is that Juliet and Joshua weren't bickering all the time. I loved the secondary romance between Two Eagles and Mary.
The suspense and adventure was intense. If I could I would give it 10 stars. All of the Rutland novels were great and will join the books I re-read again and again.
I love loved this book. I loved all of the secondary characters as well as the hero and heroine. I think what I liked the most is that Juliet and Joshua weren't bickering all the time. I loved the secondary romance between Two Eagles and Mary.
The suspense and adventure was intense. If I could I would give it 10 stars. All of the Rutland novels were great and will join the books I re-read again and again.
August 24, 2019
Just The Best
Another adventure told by a seriously gifted story teller. This one is woven throughout with events in history making her characters and their friends and enemies come to life. She gives is just the best experience!
Another adventure told by a seriously gifted story teller. This one is woven throughout with events in history making her characters and their friends and enemies come to life. She gives is just the best experience!
March 21, 2021
Lady Juliet Faulkner has been cruelly taken from her home and sold into indenture in America. There is a war raging between England and the Patriots of this new land. As nothing more than a slave, Juliet can only survive whatever is thrown at her.
Lord Joshua Rutland has decided to make his home in this new world. The injustice he witnesses persuade him to join the Patriots . This means he uses the trade and contacts he has made to spy on the Royalists who just want to exploit the land and people that live there.
There are evil people everywhere, all just trying to gain power over others. Some wear white skin, other wear red. It is an incredibly dangerous time to exist as a man, and even more as a young defenseless white woman.
This is a very exciting story set in a raw new land. It's filled with brave, strong characters and evil villains. The fight scenes are so very life like and will have you ducking for cover. It may be a little graphic for some. You can't help but realise these sorts of things really happened. War is a terrible time, no matter which side you are on.
A great story, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Lord Joshua Rutland has decided to make his home in this new world. The injustice he witnesses persuade him to join the Patriots . This means he uses the trade and contacts he has made to spy on the Royalists who just want to exploit the land and people that live there.
There are evil people everywhere, all just trying to gain power over others. Some wear white skin, other wear red. It is an incredibly dangerous time to exist as a man, and even more as a young defenseless white woman.
This is a very exciting story set in a raw new land. It's filled with brave, strong characters and evil villains. The fight scenes are so very life like and will have you ducking for cover. It may be a little graphic for some. You can't help but realise these sorts of things really happened. War is a terrible time, no matter which side you are on.
A great story, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 24, 2022
DNF 20%
Ah, more Last of the Mohicans fanfiction.
The writing is so so bad. It makes the plot and dialogue IMPOSSIBLE to follow. The pacing is non-existent. You are constantly bombarded with red-head tropes. No relationship building. Lots of instalust.
I tried so hard to read this. The synopsis is nothing like the actual plot.
Ah, more Last of the Mohicans fanfiction.
The writing is so so bad. It makes the plot and dialogue IMPOSSIBLE to follow. The pacing is non-existent. You are constantly bombarded with red-head tropes. No relationship building. Lots of instalust.
I tried so hard to read this. The synopsis is nothing like the actual plot.
July 28, 2022
An inspiring classic
What an incredible retelling of sorts. The wilderness of early America. What a riveting conclusion of an amazing series from an extraordinary author.
What an incredible retelling of sorts. The wilderness of early America. What a riveting conclusion of an amazing series from an extraordinary author.
April 12, 2023
Great book
Loved this book. Read all of the books that Elizabeth St Michael has written. Couldn’t put the book down. I recommend this book.
Loved this book. Read all of the books that Elizabeth St Michael has written. Couldn’t put the book down. I recommend this book.
September 7, 2023
ok read
The plot was enjoyable, but I felt the book was preachy in parts. The heroine kept giving out advice like a fortune cookie. It got to be annoying. Also the flowery prose was distracting , and I found myself skimming over paragraphs to get on with the story
The plot was enjoyable, but I felt the book was preachy in parts. The heroine kept giving out advice like a fortune cookie. It got to be annoying. Also the flowery prose was distracting , and I found myself skimming over paragraphs to get on with the story
Read
March 26, 2021It was full of adventure, fear, horror, courage and love
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews