Cadence McShane, free-spirited nonconformist, yearns to escape the rigid code, clothes, and sidesaddles of 1880s military society in Fort Davis, Texas. She finds the daring new lieutenant exhilarating, but as the daughter of the commanding officer, she is expected to keep with family tradition and marry West Point graduate James West. Orphaned, Comanche-raised, and always the outsider looking in, … in, Ben Williams yearns to belong. Cadence embodies everything he craves, but as a battlefield-commissioned officer with the Buffalo Soldiers instead of a West Point graduate, he is neither accepted into military society nor considered marriageable. Can two people of different worlds, drawn together by conflicting needs, flout society and forge a life together on the frontier?
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I have to say historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and Karen Hulene Bartell did a great job keeping me entertained. She deftly describes the era and place, bringing alive the setting in which Cadence and Ben meet and conduct their romance. One of the reasons I enjoy historical fiction are the details and history the author can provide, and the author does a wonderful job here. From the buffalo soldiers to Mexican immigrants, as well as native plants, Bartell has done her research.
The plot with the main characters, Cadence and Ben, is also satisfying. Both characters are likable and believable.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for those who love historical fiction.
Allow most of a day for this PG13 tale of life in West Texas in the fall and early winter of 1880. I read an ARC and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
Copy of book provided by request via Netgalley
From the opening line to the end, the author paints a vivid picture of the old west. I appreciate the time and effort that must have gone into the research for this book. And while historical, Wild Rose Pass brings the characters alive.
Lt. Ben Williams has been shaped by his sometimes-horrendous past. But through these difficulties, somehow he has managed to maintain his heart and humanity. Ben longs to belong. To be part of a family. He fights his own lack of self-worth and perceived insults and grows throughout the novel.
Cadence McShane is trying to be the woman everyone thinks she should be. Marry the man chosen for her. Live a stifling life as an army officer’s wife. Something in her screams for adventure and more. When these two meet he’s something forbidden and she’s someone unreachable.
When the man who everyone thinks is perfect for her reveals his true colors, Cadence rebels against her father’s wishes. Filled with danger not only from their surroundings, Ben and Cadence attempt to navigate through the complicated social mores of the day.
Wild Rose Pass is a study of life, injustice, hatred, and prejudice of the past. But mostly about how family, friends, and fighting for the rights of self and others not only grow us as people but assist in the redemption of others.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
Ben Williams has always been an outsider, and never had somewhere he truly belonged. Cadence McShane has always longed for something more than life at the fort, a life filled with adventure and purpose. When their desires are tugging them in different directions, will they be able to overcome and compromise in the name of love?
I just adored our hero, Ben. He’s compassionate, from sparing the life of a threatening rattlesnake to providing food and shelter for a desperate family in need, he is the perfect example of humility and kindness. He knows his way around the wilderness, and there is no better person to feel safer with.
The book is well-written and filled with such incredible details that made me feel like I was right there in the story. I loved learning that allowing a horse to breathe your breath helps them get acquainted with your scent. I also love the recipes included at the end of the book. It’s so fun to read about food in a story, and then to see the actual recipe for it. I think I’m up to the challenge of making old-fashioned molasses taffy!
This was such a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it to those looking for a great historical romance with a swoon-worthy hero.
First let me say, I don’t usually read western romance, but this one hooked me from page one, a real page turner and I loved every moment of it!
Wild Rose Pass is an exciting tale of romance, second chances, and the rough & tumble Texas history set in frontier Times. Vivid details, which is something I love in a story. I enjoy being immersed in the details and the story so I feel like I am there with the detailed characters. This books fills the bill on all fronts. The details of customs/culture and mine-set of the day were spot on giving the tale historical resonance. Wild Rose Pass is an exhilarating western with high-stakes adventure and very satisfying ending. If you like tales of frontier days and western adventure, pick up this book today. You’ll love it.
Bonus – Recipes included of which I intend to try each one.
This was a very interesting read as a detailed research of the time period was evidenced in the descriptions of faun and fauna and their significance to a person in 1880’s America. There are even recipes of dishes that may have been served in this time period. The romance itself was pretty low key since it was more a meeting of ideals than emotional angst and drama. This was more steeped in reality with the prejudice and difficulties of life in this time period than an escapist fluff read.
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
If you’re looking for a heart-warming western-historical romance, Wild Rose Pass by Karen Hulene Bartell, is the book for you. The author paints such vivid descriptions of the arid Texan countryside and the unique vegetation, I feel as if I’ve been there. Ms. Bartell’s attention to detail creates a believable world in which 1880’s Fort Davis, and the many intriguing and complex characters who call the fort home, come to life. I especially enjoyed reading about the unique and delicious-sounding meals the characters partake of in the fort. As a welcome addition, the author included recipes for some of these dishes in the last chapter. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be the last.
While this book had good main characters, and good history of the times, it was just okay for me. I have to say that the author did their homework when it came to the foods, natural trees and fruits just to name a few things. But it also seemed to almost be too much details for me. There was also an overuse of the words, “sneering, snickered, snickering.” It’s like it kind of jumped up at me time and time again. That sure distracted me from the story.
Now, on the positive side, I did like both Ben and Cadence. It wasn’t hard to have empathy for Ben when you look at all he’d been through. Plus the emotional part of his longing to belong to a family. He was lonely and so tired of now belonging anywhere. Never really welcomed and always feeling like he was on the outside looking in. Even with all of that I liked that he hadn’t turned bitter and his compassion often showed up.
Cadence had some growing up to do and was often immature. But she was the only child of the commanding captain, so I get it. But she was also compassionate, loving, and intelligent. Well, when she wasn’t doing stupid stuff a time or two. It still doesn’t rule out the rest of her good points.
Other people who play a big part in the story are not only Cadence’s parents but also James and Mariana. James was one nasty piece of work. His main concern was himself no matter what it cost others. Mariana is a little girl who makes you care about her and what her future will be.
The story ends with an unexpected twist, a H.E.A. for several people. Also a couple of recipes from the story are included as well.
I’m giving it 3.5 Stars on Amazon when it opens for reviews.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
Wild Rose Pass is a sweet historical romance with a predictable love triangle trope but has a few, ‘I didn’t see that coming’ thrown in. Set in the wilderness of West Texas after the Civil War. Karen Hulene Bartell writes in a flowery word choice that makes for a picturesque story. Her characters enjoy experiences of tastes and styles ahead of history which is author license and she gives a disclaimer in the front of the book. If you can over look those specific details then you will greatly enjoy this book. Normal customs, people groups, and places are accurate. All in all Wild Rose Pass is a good read.
….Cadence McShane, free-spirited nonconformist, yearns to escape the rigid code, clothes, and sidesaddles of 1880s military society in Fort Davis, Texas. She finds the daring new lieutenant exhilarating, but as the daughter of the commanding officer, she is expected to keep with family tradition and marry West Point graduate James West.
….Orphaned, Comanche-raised, and always the outsider looking in, Ben Williams yearns to belong. Cadence embodies everything he craves, but as a battlefield-commissioned officer with the Buffalo Soldiers instead of a West Point graduate, he is neither accepted into military society nor considered marriageable.
….Can two people of different worlds, drawn together by conflicting needs, flout society and forge a life together on the frontier?
Rarely have we found a blurb which so accurately describes its nove. Karen Hulene Bartell has given western historical fans an action-packed story, filled it with a lush setting, and populated it with diverse, well-drawn characters.
Cadence McShane has a mind of her own, but isn’t pushy with it. She simply. . . yearns to live a life different from the expectations pressed on her by the society she lives in. As an aside, it came as a refreshing to realize gossip, bias and bigotry are not unique to the 21st century. Clearly, by Bartell’s extensive research, these societal woes have been around for awhile.
And now we come to Ben Williams—a hero worth knowing, appreciating, and respecting. In one word he is yummy. Nicely done, Ms. Bartell.
On a scale of 1—5, Wild Rose Pass deserves a 5.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
Wild Rose Pass
Ben and Cadence
An awesome story, set back in 1880, when Texas and Mexico feared Apache raids.
Ben Williams transferred to Fort Davis that year, and turned Cadence McShane’s world on it’s head.
Based on a true story of their love, the characters in this book dealt with the raids, refugees, arson, jilted suitors, Buffalo soldiers, and more!
Received this ARC and am leaving an honest review.