Reviewer: Janet Davies
Title: Indentured Love
Author: Irene O'Brien
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
E-book ISBN: 978-1-59374-934-7
Release Date: February 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: Virginia 1773 - 1776
Overall Rating: 4.0
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Irene's Website: None found
Maureen Maguire is 16 years old when two men come into her life. Shamus O’Toole is the son of the neighboring plantation owner. He is handsome, charming and highly suitable to court her affections. The other man is anything but suitable. He is Bryant Taylor, a criminal transported to Virginia for his crimes. However this particular convict does not remember his past or his crimes. All Bryant knows is he is not what or who they say he is and he is determined to prove it no matter what it takes.
Maureen’s father takes on the indentured man. He sees the promise in Bryant. He is educated, sturdy and honorable. Maureen also sees something in the man in question but she is scared. Is Bryant Taylor a criminal? What was his crime? Can she seriously give in to the attraction she feels or is it much safer to turn her attention to Shamus whose family ties are well know and respected? The conventions of the time weigh heavily on her. Is she strong enough to defy them?
Shamus O’Toole plans to marry Maureen with or without her consent. As far as he is concerned she is his. He covets the land she will inherit. Although Bryant Taylor does not know who he is, he does know two one things. Firstly, that he loves Maureen O’Brien and will fight for her and her honor. And secondly, that Anglophile Shamus is not a man to be trusted. With revolution in the air loyalties are tested and men are forced to stand up for what they believe in.
Maureen is a sweet character. She is a woman of her times who is bound by convention as she struggles to fight her growing attraction to someone who is considered wrong for her. Although I understood her hesitation, I kept hoping she would have nothing to do with the ever so smooth and arrogant Shamus. As for Bryant, he is strong and smart and the mystery about him slowly unravels throughout the book keeping it interesting. The secondary characters and their lives and romances gave the book a full bodied feel.
I liked the strong historical content in Indentured Love. The story is set in the time of the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere and Revolution. There are Indians and slaves, adventure abounds and danger lurks in the most unlikely places.
Indentured Love has an extremely interesting twist at the end. I knew something was up but I never suspected it would end as it did. I really enjoyed that.
This is sweet, historical romance that is set in turbulent times with complex characters. I found it an enjoyable, believable book with an excellent ending.
Janet
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