Gabriella Deza, daughter of the Spanish governor of Florida, discovers a spy who is trying to undermine her father and take over the town. Only she and her fiance, Manuel Enriques, can stop the spy.
Indian Summer - In the spring of 1739, Gabriella Deza stands poised on the verge of womanhood. A product of her guarded upbringing, she is naive in the ways of love until dashing Manuel Enriques declares his love for her.
By accident, Gabriella uncovers the plot of British spy. Manuel embarks on a dangerous mission to save the town from being overthrown by the British. When Manuel lays an elaborate snare for the spy, Gabriella herself is caught in trap.
Excerpt
In my dreams I walked alone along the pier as the wind whipped at my clothing. I felt icy needles of cold rain pierce my dress, stinging my hands and face. It was dark and I was afraid to be there alone, but didn't know where else to go. My father was coming home. I was there to meet him.
The shadow of a man detached itself from the darkness moving near me. His face barely showed in the soft, golden glow of a lantern. His features shadowed, he stood next to me. I didn't notice when he put his arm around my shoulders, nor when he held me closely to him. His arm around my shoulders was warm, steady, comforting. I gazed up into his face, for he towered above me.
Suddenly, the grip on my shoulders became painful. He was holding me so tightly I could hardly draw breath! Turning me to him, his lips searched for mine. Then he was pressing me hard against him, crushing my mouth with his own! His strong hands held me like a vice and wouldn't let go. I tried to cry out, but he pulled my hair hard, lifting my face to his.
Close to him as I was, I saw him more clearly. He barely looked human at all, but had the face of a beast! His features were contorted with anger and lust. Again, I struggled, trying to scream, but he held me in an unyielding embrace, his mouth hard against mine.
Barely able to breathe, I awoke with a start, gasping sharply. Shaking my head to clear it, I heard the clock in the downstairs hall strike one. I struggled to undress in the dark, still feeling the places where he had held me.
What had prompted such a dream? Was it brought on by Ana's insinuations? I shook it off the best I could and lay back down in my nightdress. I didn't sleep much until around dawn, then only fitfully and didn't dream.
Sunday morning dawned gray and sullen, casting a mood of gloom over the household. We should have been happy to have the family back together. Instead we were muttering to ourselves, listless, unhappy and snappish with each other. The heat was unbearable and the air hung heavy upon us. I heard Cook say to Ana that it was storm weather. We made our way to mass on foot, for the chapel was only a short distance from our house. The congregation seemed oppressed by the weather. Even Father Moses was less energetic. His sermon should have been bold and fiery, instead it was damp and musty as a cellar.
Communion, always a time for celebration for me, was merely a duty to be performed. Father Moses ended mass as quickly as he could without seeming to be unsightly, and we all went home as the first drops of rain began to fall.
By the time we reached the house only minutes later, we were drenched from head to foot! Marcos shivered uncontrollably and Irena looked flushed in the face. A chill permeated the rain. For so hot a day, it was suddenly quite cold.
Blessedly, the hail held off until we were inside, but we prayed our friends and neighbors had made it home or found shelter for the hailstones were as big as musket balls!
As I went upstairs, I heard a commotion on the loggia, then a banging at the door. Ana rushed to the door before I could get back downstairs. There, in a huddled mass, were some of our friends who lived further than we. They were also on foot and the hail had caught them before they reached home.
Ana handed out towels then went to the kitchen to warm some bricks and ask the cook to make tea. Irena, Maria and I bustled around gathering the ladies' hats and gloves. Marcos collected the gloves and hats of the gentlemen and the maid brought in sheets from the linen cupboard to protect the furniture.
Professional Reviews
It's a True Delight
This book is historical romance at it’s best. A true delight.
In Spain in 1739 Gabriella is about to come of age. As she prepares excitedly for her big party she has no idea of what is in store for her. As the daughter of the Governor, Gabriella has led a sheltered life along with her two sisters and young brother.
Intrigue and romance go hand in hand as the author takes us on an unforgettable journey with Gabriella, a remarkable young lady.
Be thrilled when she falls in love, be concerned when she has dreams, be happy when she has her coming of age party, be afraid when she goes to the fort. What will happen when she is lost and alone? Does her destiny lie with Manuel, James or Swordfish? Read this and discover.
A very enjoyable book I strongly recommend it. I give it 5 stars.
Great for Younger Readers
ndian Summer, by Dellani Oakes, is a story that would appeal to the younger romance readers. It draws the reader into a world of the past that is not much different emotionally to the world of today. The suspense of the events surrounding the heroine draws you on through a plot that is not over-complicated and is an easy read.
Our story is set in the town of St. Augustine, Florida, which is under attack by the British.
It begins on February 15, 1739. Our heroine Gabriella Deza is a young girl of the tender age of fourteen. She is just coming into age where her mind and heart become awhirl with thoughts of boys and men instead of more childish pastimes.
As Gabriella is approaching her fifteenth birthday, and her big coming of age party, she becomes increasingly intrigued with her older sisters’ interests in men and marriage.
She soon begins to experience the first tingling of sexual attraction and the whirlwind emotions of an adolescent girl that can make a crush drive her mad and bring forth titillating fantasies.
Gabriella is also on the verge of discovering the more mature relationships and romance.
She soon finds herself considering two possible suitors. Dr. James Stevens, a surgeon attached with the fort and an Englishman is the first to show an interest. However, Gabriella’s attention is quickly drawn to the more exciting Manuel Enriques, a man her maid-servant encourages her to stay clear of for her own good.
As her fifteenth birthday draws nearer, Gabriella gets wrapped up in a whirlwind romance with Manuel. The romance becomes almost a torment for her as she finds herself terrified both by her own overpowering urges and Manuel’s passion for her.
However, before that day can come Gabriella’s world becomes turned upside down as the secrecy and intrigue between her father and Manuel deepens, taking her lover away from her for dangerous secret missions for her father.
At last, Gabriella’s big coming out party draws upon her, together with the promise that she will be permitted to marry Manuel. However, the dangerous events come home for her as the fort is attacked and Gabriella discovers the traitor in their midst. Gabriella flees for her life with her heart broken by the knowledge that her lover may be dead. Pursued by the traitor, she finds safety and solace with a new man whose passionate longing for her rivals Manuel’s and soon brings out her own passion for him.
Will Gabriella end up with her original suitor, the Englishman Dr. James Stevens who at first seemed to be the right match? Or will she stay with the aboriginals who took her in, get over her misgivings of betraying Manuel who very likely is dead, and let herself love Sailfish, the tribe’s chief’s nephew and next in line to be chief? And what of Manuel, whose death Gabriella was certain she witnessed but couldn’t quite let herself believe?
While Dellani Oakes stays true to the recipe for romance in many aspects, including the young innocent heroine falling for the older experienced man, she does stray in one significant way. It was a refreshing change to experience a romance where the obstacles involved outside forces instead of the usual emotionally abusive nature of the hero who inevitably wins the girl by treating her badly.
In this story the hero is neither abusive, nor treats our heroine badly at all. This is a true love story where love triumphs over situation and not one drawing on emotional strife to force the couple together.
I would recommend this to any young romance reader.
Dellani Does an Excellent Job
Dellani does an excellent job of taking us into the world of 18th century young love with Gabriella and Manuel. She also gives us action, adventure and betrayal without going over the top.
Giving us enough twists and turns to keep us guessing right up until the very end, this book was well written. I highly recommend it for romance readers and YA lovers.
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