Savage Conquest

(Gray Eagle #9)

by
Janelle Taylor (Goodreads Author)

4.30 · Rating details · 249 ratings · 6 reviews

There was no Virginia belle more irresistible than ebon-haired Miranda Lawrence. Though the willful beauty had her pick of handsome beaux, she felt a wild need deep within her for the kind of man she'd never meet in polite society. Heeding the call of her destiny, Miranda stole away from her plantation home, back to the land of her mother's people. But when she found the passion she sought in the arms of handsome Indian, Miranda had to make a final choice--between the life she'd left behind and the future that would giver her his love. Unfortunately, I didn't know this was a series when I picked up the book.

1873 - Post Civil War
Alexandra, Virginia

This book was written in 2 segments incorporating the lives of 18 year old wealthy fraternal twin southern belles, Amanda and Miranda Lawrence. Not only do their looks differ, according to the the story they could pass as identical twins inspite of the those differences. Amanda is blonde, fair, with bright blue eyes; while Miranda is chestnut, olive skinned, with tawny eyes. Personality-wise, the differences are very evident.

I like that Taylor combined the girl's storys in one good sized book. She could have made 2 stories out of it, but then this was published in 1985 when books were worth spending $4.99 on. :-)

So, the story opens with the girls coming to grips with the loss of their parents and are at last willing to face the task of taking care of family business.

Enters the intro to other characters: Lucas Reardon, their beloved cousin and the only family they have left (but we find that isn't so later on in the 2nd segment of the story). I'll bet the next book in the series will be his. I haven't peeked to confirm my bet, but sorry ladies, I'm not laying any money on the table on this wager.

Next is Weber Richardson, old school southern aristocrat, who at 34 has his sights on wedding Amanda and combining his shipping business with that of the twins. Within his devious heart he hides other benefits and pleasures he anticipates that the twins have to offer him...down the road.

And then there is Reis Harrison, a mysterious stranger, who shows up one rainy night at the girl's southern estate.

The 1st segment centers on all these characters, mainly focusing on Amanda's journey to her HEA, but with who? That journey is a tangled mess of secrets, lies, treachery, deception, and then some.

The 2nd segment concentrates on Miranda's journey to her HEA. In her quest, she heads out to the wild, wild west of the Dakota's with her cousin Lucas, who is journeying on a writing assignment he has been commissioned to write. There she finds her grandfather, neither twin has ever met, and the warrior who steals her heart.