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Indian Summer
In the spring of 1739, Gabriella Deza stands poised on the verge of womanhood. A product of her guarded upbringing, she is naive in the ways of love until dashing Manuel Enriques declares his love for her. By accident, Gabriella uncovers the plot of British spy. Manuel embarks on a dangerous mission save the town from being overthrown by the British. Unfortunately, Gabriella herself is caught in the trap and kidnapped.
- GenresRomance
282 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2008
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Dellani Oakes
33 books65 followersDellani Oakes is a former A.P. English teacher, photo-journalist. She's a published author who avidly reads & reviews the work of others. She hosts two shows on Blog Talk Radio for the Red River Radio Network – Dellani's Tea Time and What's Write for me.
You can join Dellani as she interviews different authors the second Monday @ 4:00 PM Eastern and fourth Wednesday @ 3:00 PM Eastern of each month on Blog Talk Radio.
Dellani has published ten books, in all forms of romance. You can find out more about Dellani by visiting her blog www.dellanioakes.com
You can join Dellani as she interviews different authors the second Monday @ 4:00 PM Eastern and fourth Wednesday @ 3:00 PM Eastern of each month on Blog Talk Radio.
Dellani has published ten books, in all forms of romance. You can find out more about Dellani by visiting her blog www.dellanioakes.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 28, 2011
An historical Romance seething with love, jealousy and danger…
Dellani Oakes has crafted not only a touching period romance, she has also beautifully illustrated the cultures and environs that comprised and surrounded St. Augustine, Florida in 1739.
Fifteen-year-old Gabriella is a beautiful young daughter to the Governor of the Spanish Township of St. Augustine. Along with her young brother and two sisters, Bella is comfortably ensconced in childish fancies and romantic flights of imagination, until two handsome young men come into her life. Doctor James Stevens, a handsome ex-soldier with a limp is immediately smitten with her, but her heart ultimately flutters toward Manuel Enriques a dark-skinned Spaniard who with the help of the good doctor saves her young brother Marco’s life during a storm.
As this historical romance swirls adeptly across colonial Florida ballrooms, we also begin to glimpse French, English, and Native American intrigues and dangers that threaten to unseat her father from his position and maybe their entire family from their lives. While Gabrielle (Bella) begins plans for her grand marriage, jealousies begin to fester and her fiancé disappears for longer and longer periods of time for what she soon learns are furtive missions on behalf of her father.
As Dellani carries us further and further into a 1700s-world so convincing we can feel the itch of rough cotton and smell the odor of musket fire, she also makes us realize how precious life was at a time when a simple storm could threaten an entire town and when a disease could and often did wipe out entire families. So with danger and intrigue swirling closer and closer to her characters’ world, Dellani somehow makes us yearn to be there at that place and time where emotions are as raw as life itself.
Indian Summer and Bella’s foray into love and adulthood is a magical and historical coming of age story you won’t soon forget. Definitely a book for every “to be read” list.
Reviewed by “Maine’s Other Author”(TM) Tim Greaton
Dellani Oakes has crafted not only a touching period romance, she has also beautifully illustrated the cultures and environs that comprised and surrounded St. Augustine, Florida in 1739.
Fifteen-year-old Gabriella is a beautiful young daughter to the Governor of the Spanish Township of St. Augustine. Along with her young brother and two sisters, Bella is comfortably ensconced in childish fancies and romantic flights of imagination, until two handsome young men come into her life. Doctor James Stevens, a handsome ex-soldier with a limp is immediately smitten with her, but her heart ultimately flutters toward Manuel Enriques a dark-skinned Spaniard who with the help of the good doctor saves her young brother Marco’s life during a storm.
As this historical romance swirls adeptly across colonial Florida ballrooms, we also begin to glimpse French, English, and Native American intrigues and dangers that threaten to unseat her father from his position and maybe their entire family from their lives. While Gabrielle (Bella) begins plans for her grand marriage, jealousies begin to fester and her fiancé disappears for longer and longer periods of time for what she soon learns are furtive missions on behalf of her father.
As Dellani carries us further and further into a 1700s-world so convincing we can feel the itch of rough cotton and smell the odor of musket fire, she also makes us realize how precious life was at a time when a simple storm could threaten an entire town and when a disease could and often did wipe out entire families. So with danger and intrigue swirling closer and closer to her characters’ world, Dellani somehow makes us yearn to be there at that place and time where emotions are as raw as life itself.
Indian Summer and Bella’s foray into love and adulthood is a magical and historical coming of age story you won’t soon forget. Definitely a book for every “to be read” list.
Reviewed by “Maine’s Other Author”(TM) Tim Greaton
March 17, 2010
I knew Dellani as a friend from Facebook so when I was asked to read her book so I could comment on it I didn't hesitate. At the time I needed something to whisk me away from my real life which was difficult and it accomplished this and more. From the moment I started reading I felt like an observer in 1739. The story is set in St. Augustine, Florida during the time when there were still forts and danger from the local tribes of native Americans.Gabriella, the youngest of her sisters at fourteen, becomes embroiled in both romance and politics when she finds herself with the attentions of two men. After her fifteenth birthday where she was accompanied by one of these young men, Gabriella has a terrifying dream which will prove to be prophetic.
As I read of Gabriella and the real life of a girl in the eighteenth century I enjoyed the attention to detail that the author took and Gabriella's personality, though mature for a girl her age was feisty and at the same time a little shy at times. The book moves along as if you were in a gliding time machine watching the events out of your window. Besides Gabriella there are her sisters, Manuel's aunt, Gabriella's grandmother and Manuel and James, the two men that are important in her life.
I was with Gabriella all the way through the story as she had to deal with events that would have been difficult for any girl, but for a girl of just fifteen she performs and shows that she is an admirable character. She is extremely likable and the love story was very strong. I would recommend that you read this book. It will definitely carry you away!!!
As I read of Gabriella and the real life of a girl in the eighteenth century I enjoyed the attention to detail that the author took and Gabriella's personality, though mature for a girl her age was feisty and at the same time a little shy at times. The book moves along as if you were in a gliding time machine watching the events out of your window. Besides Gabriella there are her sisters, Manuel's aunt, Gabriella's grandmother and Manuel and James, the two men that are important in her life.
I was with Gabriella all the way through the story as she had to deal with events that would have been difficult for any girl, but for a girl of just fifteen she performs and shows that she is an admirable character. She is extremely likable and the love story was very strong. I would recommend that you read this book. It will definitely carry you away!!!
October 23, 2013
A historical romantic adventure set in a nicely different time and place, Dellani Oakes’ Indian Summer tells of the Spanish governor’s family in St. Augustine, Florida, enjoying high society while still treating the common people with sensible care. But the British are coming with plans to change the world.
Intriguing details of Indian tribes, British spies, history and politics feed very naturally into this young adult romance as teenager Bella wonders what the future will bring to her. About to become officially adult as she turns fifteen, she knows little of the world of men, and doesn’t understand why a servant might tell her to beware. Soon two handsome characters are vying for her attentions. But a storm of weather, matching Bella’s storm of emotions, helps her decide where her heart might lie.
Soon there are promises of wedding vows. Humor and innocence combine in the gently natural conversation and innuendos of Bella and her confidantes. But the dashingly handsome spouse-to-be is kept away by work, and suddenly fun and games give way to earnest danger and plots. New temptations loom and Bella struggles to stay true to her body and the man she loves, while her world falls apart.
Indian Summer is a pleasing light-hearted story of love, loyalty, friendship and fun, with just a hint of history’s dark themes, making it a thoroughly enjoyable, slightly edgy YA romantic suspense.
Disclosure: I got my ecopy free through a book club, I think.
Intriguing details of Indian tribes, British spies, history and politics feed very naturally into this young adult romance as teenager Bella wonders what the future will bring to her. About to become officially adult as she turns fifteen, she knows little of the world of men, and doesn’t understand why a servant might tell her to beware. Soon two handsome characters are vying for her attentions. But a storm of weather, matching Bella’s storm of emotions, helps her decide where her heart might lie.
Soon there are promises of wedding vows. Humor and innocence combine in the gently natural conversation and innuendos of Bella and her confidantes. But the dashingly handsome spouse-to-be is kept away by work, and suddenly fun and games give way to earnest danger and plots. New temptations loom and Bella struggles to stay true to her body and the man she loves, while her world falls apart.
Indian Summer is a pleasing light-hearted story of love, loyalty, friendship and fun, with just a hint of history’s dark themes, making it a thoroughly enjoyable, slightly edgy YA romantic suspense.
Disclosure: I got my ecopy free through a book club, I think.
April 10, 2011
A tale that holds surprises for the reader in every page, Dellani Oakes tells a masterful romantic tale of a young girl growing up in Saint Augustine. Gabriella is a spunky beautiful young lady who holds a special brand of humor, honor and the ability to draw adventure.
Indian Summer is full of surprises of adventure, betrayal, love won and lost. Her characters are rich with a depth that is seldom found in romance novels. It leaves the reader wanting to know more and looking forward to a sequel. Like Rembrandt she has painted her characters so clearly that you feel you know them and care what happens to them.
Indian Summer is full of surprises of adventure, betrayal, love won and lost. Her characters are rich with a depth that is seldom found in romance novels. It leaves the reader wanting to know more and looking forward to a sequel. Like Rembrandt she has painted her characters so clearly that you feel you know them and care what happens to them.
March 22, 2009
Indian Summer by Dellani Oakes is the first historical romance novel I've ever read. In fact, it's the only romance novel of any kind I've ever read. That being said, I enjoyed reading it. The story is set in an interesting period in early colonial Florida. I think Dellani did a particularly good job of subtly capturing the more formal way people spoke and acted at the time, without getting caught up in using a lot of distracting dialect in the dialogue. As far as the romance side of things, I'll just say that Gabriella, the protagonist, was one popular young lady!
January 7, 2010
This book is out of my reading genre but I enjoyed it. Perhaps this is because it is a historical romance and I love history. I learned quite a bit about life in Spanish Florida, especially about the Native Americans who lived there. The main character in this book is an adolescent female and she's got a mind of her own. She also has a good sense of humor. I think those elements added to the story.
May 1, 2009
A unique regency novel of a girl’s coming-of-age. The Spanish call it “quinceanera” a girl's 15th birthday. Gabriella Deza, innocent daughter of a nobleman in 1739
St. Augustine, Florida, finds herself caught up in international intrigue and romance far beyond her years.
St. Augustine, Florida, finds herself caught up in international intrigue and romance far beyond her years.
July 6, 2012
Indian Summer, by Dellani Oakes, is a story that would appeal to the younger romance readers. It draws the reader into a world of the past that is not much different emotionally to the world of today. The suspense of the events surrounding the heroine draws you on through a plot that is not over-complicated and is an easy read.
Our story is set in the town of St. Augustine, Florida, which is under attack by the British.
It begins on February 15, 1739. Our heroine Gabriella Deza is a young girl of the tender age of fourteen. She is just coming into age where her mind and heart become awhirl with thoughts of boys and men instead of more childish pastimes.
As Gabriella is approaching her fifteenth birthday, and her big coming of age party, she becomes increasingly intrigued with her older sisters’ interests in men and marriage.
She soon begins to experience the first tingling of sexual attraction and the whirlwind emotions of an adolescent girl that can make a crush drive her mad and bring forth titillating fantasies.
Gabriella is also on the verge of discovering the more mature relationships and romance.
She soon finds herself considering two possible suitors. Dr. James Stevens, a surgeon attached with the fort and an Englishman is the first to show an interest. However, Gabriella’s attention is quickly drawn to the more exciting Manuel Enriques, a man her maid-servant encourages her to stay clear of for her own good.
As her fifteenth birthday draws nearer, Gabriella gets wrapped up in a whirlwind romance with Manuel. The romance becomes almost a torment for her as she finds herself terrified both by her own overpowering urges and Manuel’s passion for her.
However, before that day can come Gabriella’s world becomes turned upside down as the secrecy and intrigue between her father and Manuel deepens, taking her lover away from her for dangerous secret missions for her father.
At last, Gabriella’s big coming out party draws upon her, together with the promise that she will be permitted to marry Manuel. However, the dangerous events come home for her as the fort is attacked and Gabriella discovers the traitor in their midst. Gabriella flees for her life with her heart broken by the knowledge that her lover may be dead. Pursued by the traitor, she finds safety and solace with a new man whose passionate longing for her rivals Manuel’s and soon brings out her own passion for him.
Will Gabriella end up with her original suitor, the Englishman Dr. James Stevens who at first seemed to be the right match? Or will she stay with the aboriginals who took her in, get over her misgivings of betraying Manuel who very likely is dead, and let herself love Sailfish, the tribe’s chief’s nephew and next in line to be chief? And what of Manuel, whose death Gabriella was certain she witnessed but couldn’t quite let herself believe?
While Dellani Oakes stays true to the recipe for romance in many aspects, including the young innocent heroine falling for the older experienced man, she does stray in one significant way. It was a refreshing change to experience a romance where the obstacles involved outside forces instead of the usual emotionally abusive nature of the hero who inevitably wins the girl by treating her badly.
In this story the hero is neither abusive, nor treats our heroine badly at all. This is a true love story where love triumphs over situation and not one drawing on emotional strife to force the couple together.
I would recommend this to any young romance reader.
Indian Summer is published by Second Wind Publishing, LLC.
January 20, 2012
INDIAN SUMMER
It is 1739 in pre-revolutionary America. Gabriella Deza is only fifteen years old but is about to be swept in to the world of romance and intrigue. It covers all the societal norms of the times and the political climate including spies and espionage. Indian summer is a whirl wind ride and adventure at every page turn. Gabriella is caught between two men at the turning point of American history.
All this is brought together by Dellani Oakes, a consummate author of romance, sci fi , and crime fiction. This is Ms. Oakes first shot at historical romance, but this reader is convinced that she has found a niche in the genre. I look forward to future stories like Indian Summer. I give this five flamenco dances.
It is 1739 in pre-revolutionary America. Gabriella Deza is only fifteen years old but is about to be swept in to the world of romance and intrigue. It covers all the societal norms of the times and the political climate including spies and espionage. Indian summer is a whirl wind ride and adventure at every page turn. Gabriella is caught between two men at the turning point of American history.
All this is brought together by Dellani Oakes, a consummate author of romance, sci fi , and crime fiction. This is Ms. Oakes first shot at historical romance, but this reader is convinced that she has found a niche in the genre. I look forward to future stories like Indian Summer. I give this five flamenco dances.
February 17, 2009
Gabriella Deza is an unlikely heroine. As the pampered daughter of Florida's territorial governor, she has known nothing but a good life.
By a series of circumstances, Gabriella finds herself embroiled in intrigue as she and her fiance, Manuel, track a British spy. The spy is determined to overtake the Castillo de San Marcos and occupy the city with British troops. Manuel lays a trap for the spy, but Gabriella herself is caught in it.
By a series of circumstances, Gabriella finds herself embroiled in intrigue as she and her fiance, Manuel, track a British spy. The spy is determined to overtake the Castillo de San Marcos and occupy the city with British troops. Manuel lays a trap for the spy, but Gabriella herself is caught in it.
Want to Read
March 12, 2009should be in a box to me soon
Read
March 6, 2011Awesome!!!!1
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews