Wednesday, April 25

Book Review: Apache Flame

Author:  Madeline Baker
Title: Apache Flame
Genre: Historical Romance, Adventure
Pages:342
First Published: September 1st, 1999
Where I Got It: Borrowed from my library

"As a child, Mitch Garrett was excluded from respectable society. His father was the town drunkard, his mother was an Apache, and his only friend was Alisha Faraday, the sweet, innocent daughter of a preacher.

But as adults, their secret affection turned into a powerful love that neither could deny. And when the forces of prejudice and anger drove Mitch from his hometown, neither forgot the joy and desire they'd once shared in each others arms.

Now Mitch is back --- to put to rest memories that have haunted him for years. What he finds instead is a love for Alisha that has never died --- a love he is willing to fight anything and anyone to keep, even as the shocking secrets of their shared past threaten to tear them apart once again."


This the third book I've read by Madeline Baker.

Alright, this is a slightly hard book to review, so I'll divide this review in three: beginning, middle, and end.

BEGINNING
I really enjoyed how Madeline Baker shook up the normal set-up of a romance. Normally two stranger meet, fight a little, find common ground, fall in love, fall into some trouble, and happily-ever-after. However, in this one the two grew up together and at first didn't have any connect until they stubble across a little conflict with one another. They then become best friends and as they grow they become lovers. I loved how she intertwined the childhood memories with the "present" events. As we get to know the character, we also get past events that lead to their separation. I loved how she mixed the past with the present. As time goes by and new events occur the memories slowly fade.

I did enjoy the beginning, but I felt it was pretty slow in some aspects. It was enjoyable though.

MIDDLE
Best part of the book by far! I couldn't keep my hands off the book (;D). I was dying to see what happened next. I was rooting for Alisha and Mitch the entire way! I mean I pretty much guessed who the son was, but oh well. Romances are not known to be very suspenseful. It was a fun and exciting ride.

THE END
Mhmm, this is where I stumbled a little. The last 60 pages (except the epilogue) was dragging along. It took me forever to actually get to the epilogue. Yes, there was some action and drama and whatnot, but I felt like it was at times not important to the tale at hand. I was also a little upset because there was a few loose ties and it ended to perfect. I feel like the ending was too perfect. It's hard to explain without giving away important points. I did like the ending, expect for how slow the last 60 pages were and the too-perfectness of it. 

OVERALL
I liked this book quite a bit. I'm a sucker for nice Historical Romances and for my Native men. If you like this genre, Native men, the crazy West, and one heck of an adventure I recommend this book for you!  Of course I'll be reading more of Madeline Baker's books in the future. Out of five stars I grant this one 4 stars...it would be 3.6 but I rounded. 
  
Favorite Character(s): Mitch, Alisha, and Red
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Roger and Alisha's father (a buttcheek)


    
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6 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

Not a fan of an ending that drags along, well to be honest I am not a fan of anything that drags along

Carole Rae said...

Same here. I was getting highly annoyed and I rejoiced when the epilogue appeared!

Tabby said...

Oh no! The cover totally caught my attention; but like the others, the ending will KILL me if it just goes and goes!
Thank you for sharing :)

Tabby @Insightful Minds
Come check out Book Week with author D.T. Dyllin

Carole Rae said...

Thanks for stopping on by! The cover is lovely and he's a hunk. :D It was good, but the ending was a little...well...neverending. lol

Ruth said...

I enjoy historical romances, but I have never read anything with a Native American as he hero. It sounds interesting, but in light of the review, I am not sure if I would like this. Maybe I should check out earlier books in her series?

Carole Rae said...

As do I! I would suggest 'Lakota Love Song', that's my favorite by her BY FAR!