Stevie‘s review of Once A Soldier (Rogues Redeemed, Book 1) by Mary Jo Putney
Historical Romance published by Zebra 28 Jun 16

I’m not a great fan of contemporary royal romance (except where lesbian princesses feature), or of stories set in fictional European micro-states, but I have a fondness for Ruritanian romances in the true classical sense: historical heroes and heroines joining forces with the residents of an obscure principality in order to overthrow dictators and restore the rightful rulers. So this tale of a tiny kingdom held to ransom by remnants of the French Army following Napoleon’s first great defeat, and harking back to the earlier Peninsular Wars, was bound to appeal, especially since it also provides the set-up for a new series by an author I only recently discovered.

Major Will Masterson escaped execution as a spy in French-occupied Portugal and has served with honour in the British Army for the following five years. Now that the war in Europe seems to be at an end, he plans to resign his commission and return to the estate and political duties in England that he has been neglecting since the death of his wife. However, his commanding officer has one last assignment for him: to accompany a group of soldiers from a small country bordering Spain and Portugal back to their own land while their own officers are still recovering from wounds sustained in recent battles.

The country in question, San Gabriel, has suffered greatly during the wars. With most of the men off fighting, enemy forces have overrun its lands, destroying crops and houses, and kidnapping the king and his heir. The king’s younger daughter has been forced to take charge, with her rapidly aging uncle as Regent, and with her English companion, Athena Markham, as her chief – albeit unofficial – advisor. Athena is the daughter of an infamous courtesan, whose aristocratic father refuses to acknowledge her, and who has exiled herself from England on account of her scandalous heritage. She also knows how to defend herself and others – she and Will almost met in five years earlier when both were helping Portuguese women and children escape the invading French armies.

Athena and Will join forces to expel the remnants of the French Army from San Gabriel, and then to repair the damage done to the country’s resources and open up new trade routes with Portugal. Will has worked with engineers while in the army and has a friend in the wine trade who regularly travels between Portugal and London. Both of which mean he is perfectly placed to suggest ways in which the country can become a more important player in international affairs. Working together leads to an attraction developing between the pair, although Will is unwilling to risk his heart again after losing his wife, and Athena has vowed never to attach herself to a titled husband for fear her mother’s reputation will overshadow both of theirs.

Alongside all this is a charming secondary romance between the ruling Princess and Will’s friend from Porto – which also seems doomed: since if she ascends to the throne in her own right when of age, she will be expected to make a political marriage to one of the royal houses of Europe. Of course, everything works out in the end, but it’s fun seeing how the complications get untangled.

All in all, a fun read. I shall definitely look out for the next in this series and perhaps eventually catch up with the series it’s spun off from.

Grade: B

Read ShannonC’s review here.

Summary:

As heir to a title and great wealth, Will Masterson should have stayed home and tended his responsibilities. Instead he went to war. Now, after perilous years fighting the French, he intends his current mission to be his last. But all his plans are forgotten when he arrives in the small mountain stronghold of San Gabriel and meets her.

Knowing herself to be too tall, strong, and unconventional to appeal to a man, Athena Markham has always gloried in her independence. But for the first time in her life, she finds a man who might be her match.

Two of a kind, too brave for their own good, Athena and Will vow to do whatever it takes to vanquish San Gabriel’s enemies. For neither will back down from death, and only together can they find happiness and a love deeper than any they’d dared imagine. . .

Read an excerpt.