Review: Great Love Story - War Time Regency Romance - Mismatched H/h
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 20, 2014
I've only recently been introduced to Susanna Fraser's writing and I'm happy to have found her books.  I agree that she writes about similar happenings that you might find in Carly Kelly's books but I don't agree that she has a similar writing style.  Carla Kelly is one of my favorite authors but Susanna definitely has her own unique style and I for one appreciate both of these authors' ability to write about interesting characters whose lives do not fit anyone's preconceived notion of how a romance in the 1800's must be in order for the H/h to have their HEA.In The Sergeant's Lady, Anna Arrington has been accompanying her cavalry officer husband on his tours of duty in Wellington's army for two years.  Although she thought herself in love with him at the time of their marriage, she has lived to regret her choice many times over.  When he dies, she joins a convoy of wounded men and some other ladies who are traveling back to England and from there she plans to travel to her family home in Scotland.Accompanying this convoy is the handsome, capable, Sergeant Will Atkins who has befriended Anna previously and protected her from her husband at the risk of being flogged.  To say they are attracted to one another is an understatement.  They are in the midst of a war, he is an alpha male who is kind, responsible and honorable.  She is lovely, has suffered loneliness and the man who has shown her kindness is conveniently at hand.  She also happens to be the daughter of an earl and a very wealthy heiress whereas Will's family are not gentry - they own an inn and he is an enlisted man, having served in Wellington's army for 8 years. His older brother will inherit the family inn and Will's future profession will most likely be that of a simple farmer.But during wartime, things that may not be "meant to be" happen nonetheless and such is the pathway of Anna and Will.  When they become separated from their convoy because of circumstances which I won't reveal, they are thrown together for a few days without any chaperones and of course their relationship becomes deeper than they intended.  Actually, Anna is so hungry for the type of companionship denied her by his husband, she is willing to throw it all to the winds.  Will tries to be the gentleman he knows he should be... well, you get it.The big question:  How will Ms. Fraser give them their HEA?  Yes, it does take some time and a few readers may not enjoy some of the frustrations and circumstances that Will and Anna must go through. I thought this story was a refreshing change from so many books in this genre.  I plan to read all her books and look forward to future writings.