A Patriot's Heart

Rating:
Summary: A dynamic and effervescent storyteller
Review: During the Revolutionary War, Philadelphia was a city run by the British Army, who moved into the better houses, even Ben Franklin's place. The city's citizens, not just the rebels sympathizers, are being starved to death. Out of hopelessness, children have turned to stealing. Teenager Nina leads one band of children in acts of robbery. Her current job is to break and enter into the temporary residence of English Captain Damian Knox, who possesses the keys to the food storehouse. Damian catches Nina in his room, but instead of handing her off to the authorities, he shocks her by providing her and her cohorts with food.

However, during an attempt to steal weapons from a nearby armory, one of Nina's crew is killed and she finds herself in danger from the mean and lethal Banastre Tarleton. Damian rescues Nina again by pretending she is his kept woman. Forced into close proximity by their mutual enemy (Banastre), Damian and Nina fall in love. However, not only are they on opposing sides in the Revolutionary War, they both have suffered from the same traumatic incident from the French and Indian War. The couple must surmount their own beliefs and stay one step ahead of Banastre, if they are to share a long term relationship.

Superstar Stobie Piel demonstrates her cross genre appeal with this tremendous novel. A PATRIOT'S HEART will be loved by fans of historical fiction and historical romance because of the writer's ability to bring alive the Revolutionary war era from a fresh perspective. The story line is extremely interesting and the lead protagonists are a classy couple. The secondary players, including genuine historical personage, provide the extra authenticity that turns this into what is sure to be one of the top ten historical fictions of the year.

Harriet Klausner