White Horses

by Joan Wolf

Two people meet for the first time at the Hotel Royal in Brussels. Mesquerading as lovers, they must embark on a dangerous plan to smuggle gold through Napoleonic France in order to fund the advancing British army.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, France

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

Joan Wolf is a USA TODAY bestselling American writer, whose acclaimed Regency romances have earned her national recognition as a master of the genre. Her many historical and contemporary romances, some of which have been chosen as Literary Guild selections, have been highly praised by reviewers and authors alike.

Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.

Reviews

[Gemma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed Joan Wolf's SILVERBRIDGE and hated ROYAL BRIDE. So I really wasn't sure what to expect from WHITE HORSES, but when I found it on clearance, I decided to give this author one more try.

But this book was so boring! I hardly even know where to begin with my list of complaints. There was practically no character development. This story felt like all plot (albeit an extremely slow-moving plot). I never really felt like I knew what made the characters tick. They were just there, taking up space. I was never engaged by the story or invested in the characters. I never felt like I knew who they were.

And the way the heroine was constantly bossing the hero around! Ugh. I had no respect for people who are such pansies. A romance hero should make the reader sigh with delight, not grind their teeth in frustration. A doormat in a relationship is never attractive, whether it be the man or the woman who's being dominated. And it seemed totally historically inaccurate that he would put up with her domineering ways. How many men would put up with that nowadays, let alone in 1813?

I had to keep forcing myself to keep reading another chapter, hoping that this book would get better. But it didn't. I couldn't keep my focus on the book, and had to keep rereading pages because my mind kept wandering. A good book grips your attention and won't let it go. WHITE HORSES did not.

[Darien · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great concept for the story (smuggling gold to Wellington in circus wagons during the Peninsular campaign), and some nice detail on advanced equestrian training and the Lipizzaner horses. But while there are interesting characters introduced they are not well developed, and the dialog and interactions are quite wooden.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gabrielle and Leo are very strong and independent people who have to pose as husband and wife to carry out a mission delivering gold to Wellington in the year 1813. Interesting story about a circus that mainly had performing horses and riders, acrobats, and tight rope acts.

[Mary Ann Zinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful Book

Such a beautiful and wonderful book. A great heroine and the hero was a very good person as well. The circus was fun to follow. A very delightful book. I am sad that it is over. Oh and the horses were magnificent.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the same book as Dangerous Masquerade. I enjoyed the story and it has plenty of adventure.

[Janet Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Circus Circus

I found the book and characters very engaging. Good tension and a little bit of humility bring lots of entertainment

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Circus owner smuggles gold for the British army and winds up falling in love with an earl. Good story.

[LoveReadingRomance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a while back and decided to reread since it was not the typical historical romance novel that I normally go to. The main characters are Gabrielle Rochon, a circus owner, and Leo Branford, a colonel. They must work together to bring the gold to Spanish territory and avoid suspicious from Napoleon's army.

I enjoyed the dynamics between Gabrielle and Leo. She is someone very independent and even though Leo is used to taking charge, he slowly relents to her. He is very observant in that he recognizes the talents among Gabrielle's brothers. There were definitely several characters who were annoying.

Overall, a good book with a unique storyline.

[Rick]

error. I read White Horses by Alice Hoffman

[Sharon Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small circus run by a girl travels in France in 1800s makes for an interesting story especially when she agrees to carry gold for the fight against Napoleon.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Romance Genre pick-