Review: Absolutely delicious and a wonderful reading experience
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 23, 2010
The path laid out for us is straight and does not vary much in width or length.  At times we wonder - is this the one I want to be on or is there more if I just walk that way?  Can I see life with my own imagination and have my personal idea of what is proper or not?William "Will" Atkins left home young to discover what life was like outside of his family business.  He became a good soldier, brave leader and an excellent shot which elevated him in the Rifle Company where he served.  He was on the path he had chosen for himself and right now in Spain he felt he had a complete life.  That was up until fate brought Anna Arrington into his life and nothing would be the same.  Anna is an aristocrat and an officer's wife and Will knew better.Anna thought that love was enough to make her husband fulfill every childhood dream she had.  It turned out that the marriage she entered into was with a brute and their marriage was as bad and violent as any battlefield.  But her husband made one too many bad decisions and wound up dead at the hands of men who did not tolerate his behavior.  Anna now a widow is forced to leave the life she knew and head back to her family in Scotland.  As fate would have it, Will's company is chosen to escort th wounded convoy that will take her home.  Along the route they traveled the French attack and take them prisoners but there is more than prisoner status for Anna at the hands of her captor.  Will comes to her rescue and they escape and start off on an adventure that no one would enjoy yet both of them don't want to end.Will fights off the enemy, keeps Anna safe for the four days they traverse along fighting dehydration, hunger and the passion they feel for one another.  Anna and Will both know that there are rules in life and if you break one the rest quickly to follow.  But Anna does not see herself as highborn and Will as just a soldier she sees them both on equal footing and wants more than anything to show Will how much he means to her even for this short period of time, but Will believes duty cannot be ignored regardless of the temptation.  While he wants so much to just feel the warmth of her skin against his hand he knows he must not but can he stay strong?After the adventure and they are back in the safety of countrymen the love between them does not burn out but grows stronger despite family opposition, manipulating officers and horrific battles fought.  Anna has transformed herself from child bride to a mature woman who has experienced life fulfilling love and there is no going back.This book has historical aspects that are fascinating, mixed with characters that are riveting and interesting.  It is so difficult to let this book come to an end as you as a reader become so engrossed in the story you become greedy for more.  I read a synopsis of this book and was so in love with it I bought an eReader just so I could have the whole book.  Great purchase and worth the price of admission.Mary Gramlich is The Reading Reviewer at [...].