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Her Vanquished Land
In 1780, Loyalist Rowena Marsh insists on spying for the British during the American Revolution. As a girl, she must dress as a boy, plus endure devastation and murder as she decodes messages for a mysterious Welshman.
The tide has turned in the rebels’ favor. General George Washington appears to be winning. The loyalists are bombarded by threats and lost battles. Rowena stays determined to aid the British cause and preserve her family as they’re chased from their Pennsylvania home.
She struggles with possible defeat and permanent exile, plus her growing love for the Welshman who may have little need for affection. Will the war destroy both their lives?
The tide has turned in the rebels’ favor. General George Washington appears to be winning. The loyalists are bombarded by threats and lost battles. Rowena stays determined to aid the British cause and preserve her family as they’re chased from their Pennsylvania home.
She struggles with possible defeat and permanent exile, plus her growing love for the Welshman who may have little need for affection. Will the war destroy both their lives?
- GenresHistorical
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2019
About the author
Diane Scott Lewis
26 books179 followersDiane Scott Lewis grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and joined the Navy at nineteen. She wrote book reviews for the Historical Novel Review magazine and was a historical editor for The Wild Rose Press. She'd been on editorial panels and a digital panel for the HNS. Her first novel was published in 2010. She's had numerous historical novels published since: adventure, romantic elements, and a time-travel. She also published a Revolutionary war novel told from the British side-Her Vanquished Land.
Her current release is a WWII romantic suspense, Bretagne, a forbidden affair.
Her current release is a WWII romantic suspense, Bretagne, a forbidden affair.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 17, 2019
A sweeping romantic adventure that carries the reader through the tumultuous years of the Revolutionary War in America.
The author has the gift for creating characters that the reader quickly develops strong feelings for. Rowena is a superb leading lady. The complexity and depth of her feelings is done in a first-rate manner. Her cousin James is a complete idiot who the reader can detest from almost the moment he first graces a page. He was my candidate for eating a musket ball almost from day one.
Possibly the finest and most likable character in the whole book is Sam. Selfless, deeply moral, brave and true. His character was a joy to watch grow in the book.
The adventures are compelling. The exciting parts keeps the reader on edge throughout. The romance is heartwarming.
Fans of the movie 'The Patriot' and even fans of the miniseries ‘The Blue and The Gray’ will love this book.
A book that rewards the reader for the effort made in reading.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
The author has the gift for creating characters that the reader quickly develops strong feelings for. Rowena is a superb leading lady. The complexity and depth of her feelings is done in a first-rate manner. Her cousin James is a complete idiot who the reader can detest from almost the moment he first graces a page. He was my candidate for eating a musket ball almost from day one.
Possibly the finest and most likable character in the whole book is Sam. Selfless, deeply moral, brave and true. His character was a joy to watch grow in the book.
The adventures are compelling. The exciting parts keeps the reader on edge throughout. The romance is heartwarming.
Fans of the movie 'The Patriot' and even fans of the miniseries ‘The Blue and The Gray’ will love this book.
A book that rewards the reader for the effort made in reading.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
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October 29, 2019"Readers will love to read this alternative view of American history."
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
August 26, 2019
Book Review – Her Vanquished Land, A Loyalist Woman’s Fight for Survival
Author – Diane Scott Lewis
Genre – Historical Romance
First Line: Easton, Pennsylvania, 1780: Rowena Marsh Flew down the portico steps despite her father’s order to stay inside.
Review:
Rowena Marsh, 17 years and mature beyond her age gets left behind by two brothers and a cousin who’ve joined the military for the British as Loyalists against the American Rebels a.k.a. Patriots. She’s beyond brave and adventurous, she’s a heroine in her own right.
Derec Pritchard, early 20’s, a dark force, a.k.a. Black Devil. He’s a rogue, a Welshman – fighting for the king…or is he? Trusting him throws Rowena into a world beyond her wildest imagination…and her belief in him continues to be her downfall, most notably to her cousin James.
My gracious does Ms. Lewis weave an amazing, sit-on-the-edge-of-your-chair, historical adventure of war and survival, deceit and honor, heartache and trust, loss and gain, and love…all rolled into a magnificently well-written, image-rich novel.
I sat on Rowena’s shoulder through the entire story, aware of her senses and emotions, and Wow! What a feisty spitfire spirit:) Bold and brash beyond her time.
If you enjoy a fast-paced historical romance, this one will most definitely satisfy. Highly recommended.
Author – Diane Scott Lewis
Genre – Historical Romance
First Line: Easton, Pennsylvania, 1780: Rowena Marsh Flew down the portico steps despite her father’s order to stay inside.
Review:
Rowena Marsh, 17 years and mature beyond her age gets left behind by two brothers and a cousin who’ve joined the military for the British as Loyalists against the American Rebels a.k.a. Patriots. She’s beyond brave and adventurous, she’s a heroine in her own right.
Derec Pritchard, early 20’s, a dark force, a.k.a. Black Devil. He’s a rogue, a Welshman – fighting for the king…or is he? Trusting him throws Rowena into a world beyond her wildest imagination…and her belief in him continues to be her downfall, most notably to her cousin James.
My gracious does Ms. Lewis weave an amazing, sit-on-the-edge-of-your-chair, historical adventure of war and survival, deceit and honor, heartache and trust, loss and gain, and love…all rolled into a magnificently well-written, image-rich novel.
I sat on Rowena’s shoulder through the entire story, aware of her senses and emotions, and Wow! What a feisty spitfire spirit:) Bold and brash beyond her time.
If you enjoy a fast-paced historical romance, this one will most definitely satisfy. Highly recommended.
September 9, 2019
Romance, adventure, and history merge in a tale of the American Revolution from the Loyalist side
With Her Vanquished Land, Lewis offers a story of the American Revolution from a perspective not often taken into account on this side of the Atlantic. Rowena is a spirited young woman whose family happens to support England, an unpopular position in Revolutionary Pennsylvania.
Brought up by parents who made sure she was well educated and independent. They might have regretted it if they'd known it would lead her to Don boy's clothes to become a loyalist spy. But no one including her proper, over-protective aunt not her overbearing cousin can stop her.
Rowena draws on her innate bravery and intelligence along with her understanding of Greek and her hard won skills at pretending to be someone she's not to get herself into and out of some difficult situations.
Romance, adventure, and history merge in this story to give the reader a sympathetic view of the Revolution from the Loyalist side.
With Her Vanquished Land, Lewis offers a story of the American Revolution from a perspective not often taken into account on this side of the Atlantic. Rowena is a spirited young woman whose family happens to support England, an unpopular position in Revolutionary Pennsylvania.
Brought up by parents who made sure she was well educated and independent. They might have regretted it if they'd known it would lead her to Don boy's clothes to become a loyalist spy. But no one including her proper, over-protective aunt not her overbearing cousin can stop her.
Rowena draws on her innate bravery and intelligence along with her understanding of Greek and her hard won skills at pretending to be someone she's not to get herself into and out of some difficult situations.
Romance, adventure, and history merge in this story to give the reader a sympathetic view of the Revolution from the Loyalist side.
December 6, 2019
A wonderful epic story of a young woman’s courage.
At just 17, Rowena Marsh witnesses her father being tortured by Bluecoats and thus is determined to fight for the Loyalists. Dressed as a boy she becomes embroiled in the war that rages across her country. This is a story of courage and determination as Rowena struggles to cope with her family’s exile when their land is confiscated, and the ensuing murder and mayhem in a war that seems endless. Then there is her growing attraction to the enigmatic Welshman who aids them along the way, always seeming to be there when she needs him most.
At just 17, Rowena Marsh witnesses her father being tortured by Bluecoats and thus is determined to fight for the Loyalists. Dressed as a boy she becomes embroiled in the war that rages across her country. This is a story of courage and determination as Rowena struggles to cope with her family’s exile when their land is confiscated, and the ensuing murder and mayhem in a war that seems endless. Then there is her growing attraction to the enigmatic Welshman who aids them along the way, always seeming to be there when she needs him most.
November 4, 2019
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Readers will love to read this alternative view of American history.
Read full review in the 2019 Nov issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Readers will love to read this alternative view of American history.
Read full review in the 2019 Nov issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 26, 2020
I wrote this story after researching the loyalists (who fled America after the revolution to live elsewhere) for my novel about the settling of New Brunswick, Canada. Loyalists stayed loyal to England, and were persecuted for it in the U. S. I wanted to show their side through the eyes of a young woman who at first believes that her country can't survive without the motherland. She learns the price of loyalism and the driving force of the patriots to govern the country without interference from a distant tyrant--George III.
She also spies for the British under the tutelage of a enigmatic Welshman.
My Book Club loved my feisty heroine and adored the Welshman. They said I made history come alive. I hope others will enjoy this story.
She also spies for the British under the tutelage of a enigmatic Welshman.
My Book Club loved my feisty heroine and adored the Welshman. They said I made history come alive. I hope others will enjoy this story.
January 20, 2020
This book starts out with a bang, and from a point of view readers are not often graced with. American loyalists are attacked by patriots during the American Revolution. Rowena, at seventeen, is a strong young woman, and quite the tomboy. Her brothers are fighting in the king’s army.
The story is peppered with period details, immersing us in this world. Rowena wants adventure and to be actively involve with the war effort, which would put her in danger. Seeing things through the eyes of a Loyalist family puts a new perspective on things. This is not a bad family. American readers can even sympathize with them if not agree with them. This is a good sign of good writing, giving us a fascinating view that is rarely seen.
There’s a mystery early on: Is Rowena’s cousin James a spy for the Loyalists, or is he possibly a Patriot?
And what about those just trying to survive this? Danger escalates. An underlying message of women’s importance, their contribution in the war weaves itself around the exciting plot.
It is a well-written story, produced by an author who knows the era. It comes across as very realistic. Rowena is constantly worried that the Royalists will not be victorious and what will become of her and her family if the “Rebels” win the war. We readers, knowing the outcome of the war, can’t help but to worry for this lovable character, whatever side we sympathize with. The author has done a good job of showing that people on both sides were complicated and not all good or bad.
Occasionally Rowena has a thought of understanding for the rebel side, making readers wonder how far this will go in the end. Details of espionage and intrigue keep those pages turning. This is an exciting historical novel well worth the read.
The story is peppered with period details, immersing us in this world. Rowena wants adventure and to be actively involve with the war effort, which would put her in danger. Seeing things through the eyes of a Loyalist family puts a new perspective on things. This is not a bad family. American readers can even sympathize with them if not agree with them. This is a good sign of good writing, giving us a fascinating view that is rarely seen.
There’s a mystery early on: Is Rowena’s cousin James a spy for the Loyalists, or is he possibly a Patriot?
And what about those just trying to survive this? Danger escalates. An underlying message of women’s importance, their contribution in the war weaves itself around the exciting plot.
It is a well-written story, produced by an author who knows the era. It comes across as very realistic. Rowena is constantly worried that the Royalists will not be victorious and what will become of her and her family if the “Rebels” win the war. We readers, knowing the outcome of the war, can’t help but to worry for this lovable character, whatever side we sympathize with. The author has done a good job of showing that people on both sides were complicated and not all good or bad.
Occasionally Rowena has a thought of understanding for the rebel side, making readers wonder how far this will go in the end. Details of espionage and intrigue keep those pages turning. This is an exciting historical novel well worth the read.
January 30, 2020
"Are there already enough novels of a feisty woman who dresses in male apparel? Maybe, yes, but when you come across something that is engrossing - who cares?"
#DDRevs
Historical Fiction Reviews
#DDRevs
Historical Fiction Reviews
September 10, 2019
In 1780 after Rowena Marsh’s father is tarred and feathered by rebels,
she is determined to defend her life and home in Pennsylvania. Dressed as a boy she follows her cousin, James, and meets a mysterious Welshman.
The author inserts historical facts into Her Vanquished Land in which brave, impulsive, reckless and sometimes foolish Rowena is determined to help the loyalists. Rowena supports the king until the land she fought for is vanquished and her family, including the Welshman, are forced into exile.
I appreciate Ms Scott-Lewis’s descriptions of places and particularly like this one. “Seen from a distance, the tower of Pennsylvania’s State House cut into a blue sky. They entered Philadelphia’s cobbled streets crowded with buildings, people and conveyances. The air rang with the clatter and shouts of industry.”
Until I read Her Vanquished Land, I knew few details about the American Revolution. I congratulate the author for bringing the struggle to life and tracing the events.
I recommend this tense, historically accurate romance by talented novelist, Ms Scott-Lewis."
she is determined to defend her life and home in Pennsylvania. Dressed as a boy she follows her cousin, James, and meets a mysterious Welshman.
The author inserts historical facts into Her Vanquished Land in which brave, impulsive, reckless and sometimes foolish Rowena is determined to help the loyalists. Rowena supports the king until the land she fought for is vanquished and her family, including the Welshman, are forced into exile.
I appreciate Ms Scott-Lewis’s descriptions of places and particularly like this one. “Seen from a distance, the tower of Pennsylvania’s State House cut into a blue sky. They entered Philadelphia’s cobbled streets crowded with buildings, people and conveyances. The air rang with the clatter and shouts of industry.”
Until I read Her Vanquished Land, I knew few details about the American Revolution. I congratulate the author for bringing the struggle to life and tracing the events.
I recommend this tense, historically accurate romance by talented novelist, Ms Scott-Lewis."
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews