Dance With Destiny by Becky Lower – a Review

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DESCRIPTION
William Myers feels it’s his duty to answer the call to fight for the Union Army—but his wife, Susannah, doesn’t agree. How does he expect her to survive with four small children in the cold Ohio winter during the three-month enlistment period? Angry and abandoned, Susannah learns soon after William leaves that she is also pregnant again. 

Raoul Lafontaine is a half-Ojibwa, half-French-Canadian drifter who is more Indian than white. Also known as Lone Wolf, he has recently left the Ojibwa village in search of a fair-haired woman both he and his grandfather have seen in visions. She is important to him—but how? He will never allow himself to care for another—not after losing the wife he loved so much.

But Raoul could not have planned for the sizzling emotions that surface when he comes near Susannah, nor the love he feels for her children. When he realizes that Susannah returns his feelings, he knows he must leave—for how can he stay close by knowing she can never be his? William will return to his homestead, and they’ll once again be a family. One in which Raoul has no place. Or does he?

Will Fate relent and grant the love between Susannah and Raoul in this DANCE WITH DESTINY? 

REVIEW
5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

OH this has to be a new BECKY fave of mine!  I absolutely adored this read! 🙂

Dance With Destiny by Becky Lower is a stand alone historical romance that is set during the American Civil War.  This was a different read for me however, as I have never read a romance that featured a half French Canadian (Canadian here myself..  lol) half Native American hero.  As usual Becky does her homework and weaves in true historical events with believable characters set in that time.  This story was heart breaking and freeing all at the same time.  I always know that when I dive into one of Becky’s books, I will set it down feeling like I was smacked in the gut, wiping a runny nose and 100% completely satisfied.  If you are an emotional reader like I am, you will appreciate her kind of writing!

William and Susannah are a married couple with children living in Ohio.  When The Civil War commences William opts to leave home and fight much to Susannah’s dismay.  Like many women during this time, she does what she has to do in his absence .. SURVIVE.  Left with children, limited provisions, isolated living and a pregnancy, Susannah is left to stew in her anger.  She is having trouble making ends meet and is feeling very alone.

Raoul is our Native American/French Canadian hero.  He has set out on a journey of sorts.  A journey that will hopefully enable him to heal from his own broken heart. When he comes across Susannah and her family, he is smitten but decides to stay back .. until … winter sets in and he must help them survive the harsh conditions.  Stepping up where her husband should have been, it’s hard for Raoul to not fall in love, but it is even harder to deny it.

Raoul and Susannah are beautifully matched.  I know Sussansh is married, but I have to say that I was so mad at her husband for not just leaving, but making other decisions that greatly affected this family.  I was proud that Susannah was mad about it as well. She didn’t sit in a corner and play “poor me”, she was honest with herself and decided she was meant to live and if her husband had no concern for her welfare. than maybe it was time to be true to her own feelings.  Raoul has got to be one of the strongest most endearing characters I have read in quite a while.  He struggles with his sense of right and wrong.  This family already has a man, but how can this man be acknowledged when he has clearly disregarded them?  Raoul and Susannah soon must decide if their love is truly forbidden or if they say “to hell with it all” and go for it.

I am really am not doing these characters justice in my review here and maybe that is because it wasn’t so much the characters that made this story for me.  Don’t get me wrong, they are very strong characters and so deserving of “gushy words” but I have to say Becky has this incredible talent for writing visceral scenes/imagery.  When I read her books, I feel like I have jumped right into the daily living and times of that era.  I was a pioneer who struggled, who was married and fell in love with another man who assisted in my survival.  It’s absolutely fascinating and I really believe that there are not many authors out there who can extend this kind of experience to their readers.

I feel like this review may be a little scattered, but that is how I usually feel after a Becky Lower book.  LOL  If you want a break from many of the European historical romances out there, I strongly recommend you read anything that Becky has written.  You will be taken into a completely different world where you will be indulged in some strong romance and history.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND and bring more Canadian to me Becky!  LOL

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for review