Midnight Marauder
Becca ColebankHistorical romance
Available from New Concepts Publishing
ISBN: 1-58608-818-1
February 2006
| The year is 1863; Evangeline Gauthier and her ward Emma are all alone at Darlington Oaks, their home in Vicksburg. Evangeline's brother Jules has gone off to fight for the Confederacy. One evening a soldier wearing a Union uniform bursts into their home carrying a wounded soldier. He demands assistance, a bed and water. Evangeline refuses because she is a loyal Confederate woman and would not be known as a traitor. He threatens her with the possibility of rape of herself and her ward to get her to comply. The soldier is Captain Wolffman Ulbricht and the wounded man is his brother Karl. Karl has a head injury and will have to stay at Evangeline's home to recover. Karl assures Evangeline that Wolff was desperate and would never have carried out his threats. Karl is a man that is difficult to dislike, he is friendly and funny. Karl is attracted to Evangeline and hopes to become closer. It is while waiting for Karl that Wolff reappears and seduces Evangeline. Evangeline falls in love with Wolff but Karl is not out of the picture and the story is only beginning.
Midnight Marauder the title describes Wolff as he intrudes upon Evangeline's home one night. The year is 1863 and throughout the story we are reminded of the war through the highly descriptive and imaginative writings of Becca Colebank. She describes the sounds of the cannons as Evangeline cares for the wounded soldiers brought to her home. The plight of the men that return from the war is discussed, as many return with missing limbs. There is also the discussion of what will become of the freed slaves after the war. This is an emotional story that depicts the fears of the women when their safety is threatened and their homes and belongings are confiscated by the army. The characters are colorful in description and personalities. Evangeline, the brave southern belle that tries to stay loyal yet is forced to obey, as all control is taken from her. Wolff, a loyal brother and Union soldier will do anything to save his brother and finish his mission. He is a passionate, possessive, and forceful character that seems overbearing at times. The dialogue is forceful and successfully communicates the emotions and attitudes of the characters. The main plot of the story is a love triangle involving Evangeline, Wolff, and Karl. This is resolved in a thorough and creative manner. Midnight Marauder is a passionate and innovative story that effectively brings to life the story of these characters during the Civil War.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Anita |
