I enjoyed this book both as historical fiction and as a romance, though I agree with some of the other reviewers that the emotional connection between the two main characters was a little lacking. Learning about Alta California was new for me, and I enjoyed it. I would definitely read another book by this author.

I enjoyed the descriptive quality of Gibson's writing but struggled with the author's tendency to substitute lust for emotional development.

To be clear, I don't mind the sexual content, I just felt it packed authenticity and purpose.

That said, Iappreciated the historical context of this piece and would have no trouble recommending it to fans of lighter period pieces.

The story began well enough then fizzled. Mostly because of the unnecessary sex scenes. It would have been better without this. I lost interest in the book.

First of all, there's another book out with the same title but they're by different authors and are in very different genres.



This novel is a historical novel which takes place in Southern California during the mid-1800s before and during the war between US and Mexico over the lands in California. This is about a young woman who most people would call old maid if she's not married by a certain age. She only wants to marry for love. She works on the ranch with her wealthy father. She finds out that her marriage is arranged with her father's neighbor whom she despised. She makes plans to run away to avoid marrying the man. She hired a man whom she's met in England at a ball which turned to be a disaster back then.

I love the fact how the author described the areas and what was the cause of the war and anything historical. It was very realistic. However, this book felt unfinished which leads me to believe this is a book in a series.



At this moment, I'm going to give this book 3 stars until I can finish all the books in this series.

Shadow of the Fox by Pamela Gibson is set in California during the time when the US and Mexico were set to fight over the control of California.. Sorina is a strong-willed young woman. When in England, she meets a American Naval officer Lance Granger who she remembers after she was sent back to California. He shows up as a worker at her grandfather's ranch and the spark is still there. Her grandfather forces her to be betrothed a despicable man. She engages Granger to help her escape the marriage. Their escape forces Lance and Sorina to spend time alone and the spark grows into a flame. Be warned, there are some rather explicit sexual scenes and that was unnecessary to the historical side of the story.

An excellent historical fiction novel set in the mid 1800's in Southern California. This book was a light and quick read with wonderfully scandalous characters and a storyline that involves arranged marriages, kidnapping and of course romance. When Sorina enlists the help of an undercover American Navy Lieutenant turned spy, she has no idea of the danger, to her life and her heart, that awaits. It's an intriguing beginning to the new series, and I'm anxiously awaiting the next story.

I was given an Advanced Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of this novel from net galley in exchange for a review. I was excited to read a historical fiction of thus time period 1840s California. This novel seemed to have many historical details but was too sexual for my taste. I did not finish this novel because of that fact only making it to about the 30% mark. Sorina seemed like a great female lead but the immoral content was just too much.

I received this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

So I thought this novel was refreshing in the fact that it painted a realistic picture of historical times and it stayed true to its Hispanic depictions with the use of Spanish and Latin customs.

I did like that the heroine was strong and independent although we kept reading about how rebellious and unlady like she was rather that seeing that through her actions.
The chemistry between her and the American spy felt rather rushed and many scenes felt clichéd. Felt like deja vu as if I've read these scenes before in other romantic westerns. The romance felt forced and the story felt long and drawn out.
The plot to escape her fiance could have created opportunities for the H and H to merge as one powerful force against evil but it ended unclimactic and predictable.

I would still try more from this author can't judge by just one novel.