Gretchen Jeannette

I did enjoy A Devil Of A Time by Gretchen Jeannette and how she vividly brings to life the colonial era and makes the characters, with their trials and tribulations seem very real and believable.
Andrew and Clarice Wade were newlyweds when he volunteered to go to Spanish territory to secure gun powder as requested by his friend, the Governor of Virginia to aid in the Revolutionary War. Andrew is unfamiliar with the wild unsettled territory through which they must travel and has been assigned to go with a company of soldiers including famed Niall McLane, who has fought in the Indian Wars, protecting rural settlements from attack. Andrew and Niall's group ends up getting ambushed by a band of Shawnee warriors and if not for Niall's bravery, would have died.

Fast forward a few years, and Andrew is back home with his wife Clarice and their son William, but still battles himself in his mind, badgering himself daily over his cowardice and the resulting injury he had sustained at the hands of the Indians, self-medicates with alcohol most of the time. He creates a vicious cycle of self-pity, drinking, disappointing his wife and shirking responsibility. He runs into his old friend and protector Niall, who lately has developed a notorious reputation for losing his temper, revenge and extreme violence once provoked. Granted, much of that is due to extreme trauma and living for years a lifestyle of kill- or- be- killed. Andrew offers Niall a job as an overseer of his tobacco plantation, hoping super-efficient Niall will be the answer to his prayers, saving the plantation from ruin and placating his wife.

Upon Niall taking the position, he hires Roger, a disadvantaged youth who has for all of his young years been mistreated and maligned for a wine-stain birthmark covering half his face. The story is full of action, romance, suspense, a serial killer on the lose and a sheriff bent on seeing Niall hang. If you enjoy historical romance or suspense, you would enjoy A Devil Of A Time. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review-- thank you.… (mer)

This historical fiction with some romance and mystery was well researched and written. Ethan Matlock, the principal male character, keeps the reader guessing through the book as to who he really is. A good guy or bad? One is left guessing as he seems to have sympathies with the rebel Americans fighting for liberty, but has befriended many influential and important Loyalists and British military soldiers. As the book progresses, one finds that he is actually acting as a double spy, giving the Americans accurate information while the British inaccurate. To complicate matters that threaten his mission to uncover a rumored plot against General Washington's life, he develops a fondness for a Miss Madelaine, step-niece to a Robert Sinclair, a particularly dastardly fellow who is helping fund the British forces. Maddie has much animosity for her step-uncle because he was responsible for having her father imprisoned for treason against the crown and she shares her father's beliefs. The book has lots of action and suspense, wondering if Ethan and Maddie will fall in love, if she will get to see her father released and if her uncle will get his just desserts; wondering if Ethan will get caught as every turn he could be discovered by the British or Maddie and wanting him to be successful in foiling the despicable plots.

One minor character I liked, who is only mentioned briefly, was elderly Lydia Beltram, "a spry old widow who had fought Indians on the Pennsylvania frontier, rumored to have taken scalps, refused to house British soldiers when (General) Howe's army arrived in town. Owing to her age and her threat to burn down the place rather than live with redcoats, Howe made an exception for the woman he dubbed 'that white-haired fiend'. She sounds like a tough woman, strong and independent, not easily cowed... I like that!

I would recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction, suspense and romance. I received this book in exchange for an honest review-- thank you!… (mer)

This is a historical fiction tale filled to the brim with action, adventure, espionage, and romance. Taking place during the years 1777-1779 in the history-laden setting of Pennsylvania, this is a very well researched, well written, and thoroughly entertaining novel that any history buff should read.

"Leftenant" Ethan Matlock is well liked by his superiors, and admired as a devout defender of the Crown and unrelenting catcher of rebel spies. Robert Sinclair, a very wealthy and influential Englishman, takes him under his wing as the son he wished he had. Maddie Graves, Sinclair's niece and ward, is a headstrong patriot for the rebel cause, who never thought she could fall for a man who fought for the Crown until she met Ethan.

Ethan Matlock, however, is a double agent fighting for General Washington, seeking information concerning an assassination attempt that he knows they are plotting. When his love for Maddie grows, his entire mission is thrown into jeopardy. Will he have to choose between his cause and her?

I liked this book very much. It is powerfully told, and the history is woven into the story so skillfully. I am very impressed with the writing talent of the author. The story was also to my knowledge very historically accurate, except for one small thing. I thought the story was much too vulgar for the time period. I don't think that people used the f-word with such frequency in the 1700's. And I especially don't think they cursed that way to their friends, or in front of women. If it wasn't for the love scenes and the cursing, this would have been a five-star book. Still, I thought that the skill of the author makes this book well deserving of at least four stars.… (mer)