Book Review: Once A Soldier

Author: Mary Jo Putney

Title: Once A Soldier

Publisher: Kensington

Publish Date: June 28, 2016

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley

BLURB:

ROGUES REDEEMED 

As heir to a title and great wealth, Will Masterson should have stayed home and tended his responsibilities. Instead he went to war. Now, after perilous years fighting the French, he intends his current mission to be his last. But all his plans are forgotten when he arrives in the small mountain stronghold of San Gabriel and meets her.

Knowing herself to be too tall, strong, and unconventional to appeal to a man, Athena Markham has always gloried in her independence. But for the first time in her life, she finds a man who might be her match.

Two of a kind, too brave for their own good, Athena and Will vow to do whatever it takes to vanquish San Gabriel’s enemies. For neither will back down from death, and only together can they find happiness and a love deeper than any they'd dared imagine...

Review:

Mary Jo Putney is one of my favorite authors of regency era romances. In some ways it reminded me a bit of the most recent Stephanie Laurens novel I read.

One of those reasons I say that is that because this book really had an adventure type feel and the romance really seemed to take a back burner. The only thing different between this book and the Laurens was this one was much more readable, and a normal length.

Athena is not your typical heroine. She's a tall and because of her upbringing much different from the average young lady of the time. (It would have been nice if Ms. Putney would have stopped telling us about how tall Athena was though. It was something that seemed to be remarked upon on every page, and it got old.) Athena's mother was an aristocrat that was wild and was pretty much a courtesan, called Lady Whore.

There was a great chemistry between Athena and Will. Will had to be the sweetest hero ever. But the best chemistry in this book had to be between Sofia and Will's best friend, Justin Ballard. I found their love affair to be more of what I'd expect from a romance.

Athena and Will had more tension. (I wouldn't say conflict). Athena was more concerned about how her illegitimate background would affect her life if she returned to England, as Will was a Lord.

Athena and Will work to get San Gabriel back on its feet and they fight to protect the small island country from French bandits trying to take it over.

I loved how Sofia was involved with getting Athena and Will together at the end, when he was injured.

It was a great read!

Rating: 4 flowers