Beloved Woman
by Sheri Peppers
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Pub Date 28 Jan 2020 | Archive Date 15 Apr 2021
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Description
Beloved Woman, a Historical Romance takes place in 1705 in the Allegheny Mountains, South Carolina. Bryanna, a strong, privileged young English woman loses the love of her life, her father, to a brutal and bloody campsite attack by Iroquois renegades. Injured, and so full of grief, she grows determined to learn the ways of the Cherokee and become a respected war woman called Beloved Woman in the Cherokee town of Toxaway. This is the only way to find her father's killer and have peace within herself once again. Black Bear, the Cherokee Chief is enamored by Bryanna's courage and beautiful charm, so much that he desires to help her in every way he can. She rejects him blaming all Indians for her father's murder. Still, his strength and determination bring them together to face amazing obstacles to find the Iroquois renegades who were spreading havoc and murder across the great mountains. Can Bryanna learn the ways of these amazing people in this untamed land, and find her peace, and maybe love, once again? Although the story is fiction, the customs, names of the towns, and ways of the Beloved Woman are authentic.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
Readers' Favorite 5 Star Review By Bernadette Diane Anderson
A true historical romance, Beloved Woman by author Sheri Peppers has its beginning in the early days of America when Native Americans raided and destroyed the wagon trains of anyone who dared travel across America's wide-open spaces. A self-made, successful businessman leaves England with his wife and only daughter in her early twenties to continue his business there with the more peaceful tribes. His daughter is just one woman in a family line of strong-headed businesswomen successful in their own right. She is joining him on the journey to learn the family business in the hope of one day inheriting and continuing this family line. Opposition to her presence on this trip is made perfectly clear by their hired expert guide who bombards them at dinner with horrible tales of the 'savages' and their exploits, desperate to deter them from allowing her (Bryanna) from accompanying them. Join them on their journey and experience the story of this young woman's adventure. Meet the Native American chief that restores her faith in humanity, Black Bear, bringing love and kindness back into her life. Enjoy the end of this story after a dramatic start to their journey.
In Beloved Woman, Sheri Peppers displays a very strong and descriptive style of writing. She brings such depth to this story that your emotions are stirred to the point of tears, anger, astonishment, along with feelings of love and hate for the characters within its pages. Each character is made quite distinct by their mannerisms, thought processes, and dealings with each other. Sheri Peppers describes in detail the devastation and horror of an era that is well documented in both historical writing and movies but with great feeling and passion. It intertwines beautifully the conflicts found in both European society and the culture of the Native American people. Bringing their history and daily struggles into keen focus, Sheri Peppers helps you feel part of this story, wanting only the best outcome for those left behind after a great deal of heartfelt pain and tragedy. A refreshing read by an author worthy of following with keen interest. Both lovers of historical drama and romance will find delight in this brilliant book.
I do love a historical novel and I was excited to receive the review request for this book. I instantly looked it up and told the group how keen I have been.
I absolutely love that the main character in this one is a strong female protagonist and I have to say the author has created a stunning portrayal of this one. The author has an engaging writing style which completely pulls you in to the pages and makes this a read which is hard to put down.
There is overwhelming heartbreak in this book. However, I have found this to be an addictive and gripping read. I loved the female leadership present within this one and the fight for justice. I am definitely hoping that the author follows this one up with a sequel. I need more!!
This is a definite five star read! I have loved it! - Vikkie, The Ladies Who Read - South Wales
From the first page of Beloved Woman, the incredible story about the strong and courageous heroine, Bryanna, and her journey into an unknown world draws you in, enveloping readers in an authentic historical saga that keeps the pages turning until the very unpredictable ending. This adventurous love story begs for a sequel!! -Tracy Marcynzsyn, Editor & Writer
I highly recommend this novel and can’t wait for a sequel. Every man will love the adventure, every woman will love the struggle and romance. – Kyle C. Fitzharris, Best Selling Author
Available Editions
EDITION | Paperback |
ISBN | 9781532079030 |
PRICE | $5.38 (USD) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
I am a big fan of historical fiction and I am very interested in indigenous history so I figured I would give this book a try. I do appreciate the author's willingness to write about a period that receives little attention in historical fiction, but the book needs some polishing. Perhaps there was something off about the version I downloaded, but I came across numerous grammar and formatting errors. These are relatively simple issues to fix, but the story also had issues with weak, heavy-handed prose. The book was fairly by the beat--traumatized white woman finds love in an unexpected place seems to be an increasingly popular trope in historical romance--and did not hold my interest. Having said that, I respect the research the author put into the book and I hope the author continues to put more books out.
So wordy.
For example, "Her eyes scoured her surroundings keeping certain no one was remotely near. Although she was a distance away and behind the rock, she still heard the playful screams from the children and the chattering of the women as they worked."
I was never able to get immersed in the story because it lacked impact, conduciveness.
EDIT, PLEASE READ: It has been brought to my attention that I spoiled too much of the plot in my review. That was not my intention as I tend to write all my reviews similarly and it has never been a problem before. I removed a few lines / changed some stuff so hopefully it's better now. But just in case read at your own risk / SPOILERS AHEAD.
Bryanna is a woman of twenty years who happens to be her father's only heir so it's natural for her to accompany him, not only on his travels across the pond, but to trade with the indigenous people of the New World as well.
Not long into their journey, they meet the man Bryanna is destined to be with and the attraction is instantaneous. He's known as the Cherokee War Chief Black Bear,
The next time they meet, Bryanna's father is dead, she's injured and Black Bear takes her back home, attempting to save her life.
The more Bryanna learns about the Cherokee ways, the more she's determined to become a warrior like them so she can avenge her father.
Usually, I love books like this. It's my favourite time period to read about, after all, so when I saw this was available to request I jumped. So what happened?
The beginning was very promising and I loved it, even thought "here comes a five star read". But then Bryanna met Black Bear and the slow decline in quality started.
I don't mind insta-love when it's done well but in this case I think it would've worked better as a slow burn.
Yes, this is probably the only time she's seen a man half naked in her life, I understand, but...too fast.
Relationships in general felt rushed. Bryanna started considering Beatrice a sister immediately after meeting her. And I didn't feel her love for Beatrice's father at all. A developing relationship sure, but love? No.
Bryanna's training was also too quick. Maybe she has a natural predisposition for being good at archery, I don't know...I just don't feel like enough time passed.
The transition between chapters was very rough and I wish there were more difinitive markings of how much time had gone by.
The words used were all appropriate but the speech felt off, stiff. Stiff as in it didn't sound like the characters actually talked like that, there was no flow.
The whole storyline with Black Bear's brother could've been done better, especially the first (unneeded) part.
Niles wasn't much of a surprise, the hints were strong.
What I did like was how supportive Bryanna's father was. It's a shame he had to meet an unfortunate end.
I liked Storyteller (even though I hardly believe she never met anyone as brave), No Name and occasionally Bryanna and Black Bear.
And yeah, I liked the setting and the culture/customs.
The plot was okay. The ending too.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*