The Chase (Signet Eclipse) [Mass Market Paperback]

Some women like to discuss politics and world events; some women like to discuss nonsense and men. The first group holds my respect, but the second group holds my interest. Cheryl Sawyer's THE CHASE belongs to the first group. This is a book steeped in history, detail, and description. Is it my kind of book? No. However, Cheryl Sawyer worked far too hard on research, time, and effort for me to slam this endeavor!

The Italians have an expression "Colpo di fulmine" meaning A THUNDERBOLT OF LOVE or LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. This is the premise Cheryl Sawyer unravels in her history laden novel, THE CHASE. Jacques Decernay is a "Chasseur" - a captured French soldier who now fights with the British, against Napoleon. However, such a soldier is considered a betrayer and assigned to the lowest ranks. This is the military distinction Jacques Decernay holds when he encounters the lovely widow Lady Sophia Hamilton.

Sophia Hamilton is disgusted with her reaction to the French gentleman, Jacques Decernay. No one has ever affected her so, now she feels guilt, shame, and betrayal. After all, the French murdered her husband - her friend, her lover, the father of her son - Harry. Now someone is trying to murder Harry - could it be the Frenchman who has writhed into her heart?

Cheryl Sawyer tells her love story through Sophia Hamilton - a woman who detests war. More important, Sophia Hamilton detests the weakness found in women. The weakness when they do not speak out, when they sacrifice in silence, when they betray those they love - as their men go off to war - for Sophia Hamilton, too, was guilty of weakness. Cheryl Sawyer may use the backdrop of the Napoleonic resurgence to tell her story, but she lets her reader know this weakness is an age-old problem despite a woman's country or race.

This writer definitely did not follow the normal path attributed to this genre. It is obvious, Ms. Sawyer researched this era fully and her love of history shines through brilliantly. So if instructive history is your forte, then you will likely enjoy Sawyer's sweeping historical work, but a warning: it is intense.

Grade: B+

MaryGrace Meloche.

I really like this author.

The Chase is a big fat historical romance, this time about a Chasseur (a French soldier who fought for the English rather than be a POW) and a widow whose husband was killed by the French.

The writing is just so lush and dense, the emotions intense, and the historical details fit perfectly into the story.

I'd had this for a while, but waited to read it until we were on vacation because I wanted big chunks of uninterrupted time to savor it. Just perfect.

In 1815, as Napoleon returns to France, Jacque Decernay, who fought for the English, is accused of desertion. Convicted, the English military sentence Jacques to death. No one stands up for Jacques, perhaps because he is as low a rank as anyone can be in the English army as fodder because how else would one use a French "traitor". Surprisingly in light of the French killed her husband, Francophile Lady Sophia Hamilton sends a letter to the leadership that saves Jacques's life. She sees this as payment for his saving hers years ago.

Meanwhile Jacques worries that Sophia is probably in danger from her fellow Englishmen, who want her dead because they fear she knows they betrayed their country. One man in particular pursues her to her home in Sussex with plans to murder her at the first opportunity. Only Jacques who has also followed her to Sussex can keep her alive, but she wonders if she trust a Frenchman especially one whose loyalties seem wrong.

THE CHASE is a fine Regency romantic suspense starring an intrepid heroine struggling between whom to believe has her interests at heart. Interestingly, she remains ignorant to what she possesses while a traitor has everything to lose if she learns and reveals what she holds. Jacques is a refreshing protagonist as the audience learns the conflicting emotions that run through his head as he betrays his beloved vivre la France. Cheryl Sawyer writes a tense historical intrigue starring a novel hero and the brave woman he protects with his life.

Harriet Klausner