Was finally able to borrow the first book The Pelican Bride in this series. I once again this author pulled me into the setting of her story set during the American Revolution unlike any I have read before. Looking forward to reading the third book in this wonderfully written historical
Christian romance series.

1776, Louisiana.
Lyse is a girl from complicated background - poor, coming from an interracial marriage, with a drunkard father - but she is proud, intelligent and hard-working. And times are changing with the start of fight for the American independency.

Ms White is a very talented author, when it comes to colourful desctiptions and building of interesting characters and family situations. She certainly has a way with words!
The start of the book is very strong and I very much devoured the first half of the book.
Unfortunately, the trouble for me starts, when the personal side connects with the historical side, and this is where the story has lost its steam.

Lyse is an engaging character with her spunk. But I like her cousin Scarlett, the "black" slave, even more - her arc is simple, but there is certain strength in her.
Rafa, the main hero, is, on the other side, totally engaging! A nod to Zorro in his intelligence and the maneuvering of his double life, he is a guy with quick intelligence and remarkable lack of respect to societal norms, so he locates his girl quickly. As a lover of words, I very much like his rich dictionary and creative way with it!

There are also certain interesting facts of the early American history to be learned, namely the Spanish influence and presence in America.

On a critical note - the authoress has a tendency for certain black-and-whiteness, both in characters (the good ones are good (or changing very quickly for good) and the bad ones are just bad) and in her interpretation of historical events (like looking at them with modern sensitivities and a certain idealism).
I would love for such a talented author to acknowledge doubts and questions more - like a character change and evolution and limitations coming from humanity.

"Listen, a lot of what happens in life, you don't get a choice.
When you got a decision puts you on one road or another, the least you do is think about the consequences in light of what you know."
Lyse is a very headstrong young woman who won't be pushed around by the men in her life. Which was surprising to see in the 1700's. She has worked different jobs, including her brothers fishing boat since her father's drinking problem started, and that has made her feisty and strong about her own opinions. She still tries to follow the rules put in place for women, but she also knows that sometimes they have to be broken.

"Well, let me tell you something, you pompous r-rooster! It is not your place to give me ultimatums or blackmail me with your stupid threats! You can't tell me what to believe, you can't make me turn my back on my father - drunkard or not- and you can't make me marry you!"

One day she ends up running into Don Rafael 'Rafa' and they start an unusual friendship that ends up helping them both out many times. Not only does Rafa help Lyse get back at someone, and makes it possible for a certain someone in her life to become free as well.

Lyse isn't your typical character that you read about for the 1700's because her mother was a slave that her father had bought and then freed, meaning that she and her older brother which some in society tend to hold against them. I was expecting for this to be problematic, but it really wasn't talked about much, and instead, the story focused on the things that were happening and the start of the revolution.
I really did love Lyse friendship with Daisy who was a Generals daughter which makes things a little complicated the closer war gets.

Overall I surprisingly really enjoyed this book, and I learned so much about how the Spaniards really helped the Revolution start and I want to learn more about it. Which is something I want to look more into and see if I can find other books with Spain being involved.

As for the romance part, I didn't mind it and I'm glad the two actually got to know each other. I also liked that Lyse didn't just say yes to a certain someone who was constantly asking her just because it would have provided her security with the british.