Review: Color me converted...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 15, 2013
I went into this book prepared to wear out my eye-rolling muscles, sigh with disappointment, delete it and move on. Having read another story by this author, I didn't expect Passion's Exile to be any different....I was really, really wrong.In historical romances, heroines often like to tell themselves (and anyone else who will listen) how strong they are, with indomitable spirits and strong wills, et cetera, ad nauseum... and the reader is expected to forget those platitudes when, at the slightest hint of adversity, our Fiercely Independent Female Lead crumples into a soggy heap of deliciously endangered limbs and torn clothing for our Big Strong Manly Mannish Manlord the Manne IV to sweep in and rescue. Apparently feminine strength means simply shrieking "No!" occasionally, and running as fast as her pale, shapely legs will carry her (into the arms of Manny the Man).This book managed to portray a female character with a bit of backbone and decision-making capabilities, but without turning her into a hulking unibrowed Amazonian with the believable sex appeal of a plank.When she finds her arranged future husband is an intolerable, abusive jerk who will make her miserable, rather than wait for someone to present a solution, she assesses her options and weighs up the risks. When kidnapped, she dismisses her physical discomfort as less important than finding a way to escape, which she plans carefully and executes at the first opportunity. Rather than dissolve tearfully into confusion and dismay when the Hero tries to frighten her off with his brusque machismo and curt words, she observes his ACTIONS and forms her opinion based on what she sees.(Of course, her opinion from the word go is "Helloooo, Big Boy!" but it IS a romance, after all.)I found the chemistry between them cute and very enjoyable-- the heroine understands and accepts that she's attracted to his aura of danger, rather than wondering limply what makes him so gosh darn alluring. I think that's what I liked best about this book... for all the turmoil and miscommunication involved with falling in love (for there will always be a bit of s/he loves me, s/he loves me not), the female lead THINKS about things in a manner conducive to good decisions. Is every decision completely wise? Well, of course not. No one is going to make nothing but wise decisions, especially under these circumstances. But at least she damned well thinks about it!I didn't get through the whole thing without at least a few eye-rolls, however...Like the male lead's name and pseudonym.He goes by "Blade"... right, okay... a little cheesy, but tolerable-- until you find out...His real name is "Pierce".Ohhhh boy. Pierce, the Blade, the mercenary-warrior-knight. May as well call him Sir Pointy the Sharpe. Or Man Sample B.And for all the analytical prowess of our Heroine, the Hero more than makes up for it in dull "Nuh-uh!" attitude. He's a bit thick, a bit self-punishing, a bit contrary for my liking. But... that's probably more realistic presentation of a character like that-- not just dramatic "alas! Tragically flawed! Haunted by his past! But those muscles...", but with a dash of actual human imperfection that makes him a little unlikable.All things accounted for, this was an engaging story with strong, well-drawn characters and plenty of seasoning. NOTHING like the other book I've read by this author-- so now I have to figure out which is more true to form, I suppose, and read a third to decide if I need to read a fourth. ;-)