Prairie Embrace by Rosanne Bittner is a Western and Native American Zebra historical romance involving abuse, love, and resilience.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Sweet Savage Flame earns a small percentage from qualifying purchases.
Prairie Embrace by Rosanne BittnerRating:
Published: 1987
Illustrator: Elaine Duillo
Imprint or Line: Zebra Lovegram Romance
Published by: Kensington
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 477
Format: eBook, Paperback
Buy on: Amazon, AbeBooks
Reviewed by: Blue Falcon
TOTAL SPOILER ALERT ⚠
The Book
This review is of Prairie Embrace by Rosanne Bittner, a Western and Native American historical romance published by Zebra.
The Plot
Prairie Embrace begins with an introduction to the heroine of the book, Cathryn Elaine “Katie” Russell, 19. Katie and her new husband, Ezra Russell, have moved from Illinois to Nebraska to farm on former Indian reservation land.
The Russells’ marriage is not a happy one, as Ezra emotionally, mentally, physically, and sexually abuses Katie endlessly.
The only bright spot in Katie’s horrid life is meeting Sioux-Cheyenne Indian warrior Tohave, 26, the hero of the book. Katie and Tohave become clandestine lovers, and they plan to run away together.
Those plans get thwarted, however, when six bandits who had an earlier run-in with Tohave, then attack Katie. Tohave and his braves kill four of the bandits, but one who survives lies and says Tohave and his men did the act.
When Tohave tries to take the bodies of the bandits to the Army, he and his men are attacked. His attackers shoot and seriously wound him. He asks that Katie be told he is dead, even though he is not. Katie later gives birth to a son.
As the book comes to a close, Ezra dies in an accident, leaving Katie a widow.
A soldier named Will Rogers falls in love with Katie. But when Katie discovers that Tohave is still alive, she goes to be with him. Then they have their Happily Ever After.
The Upside
Ms. Bittner’s books are meticulously researched, and she effortlessly weaves actual historical events into her characters. Ms. Bittner always touches my emotions with her evocative, lyrical writing.
The Downside
Despite all of the above, which is typical of her writing, Ms. Bittner never made me feel a connection with her characters in Prairie Embrace.
While I certainly empathized and sympathized with Katie for all she endured with Ezra, I didn’t find very much of a connection or chemistry between Katie and Tohave. The characters were not as fully developed as in Bittner’s other books.
Katie and Tohave’s romance is more “slow burn” than “hot passion.”
Sex
There was a little more spark to Ms. Bittner’s love scenes than she usually shows, but just a little.
Heat Level
This certainly isn’t a “sweet romance,” but the heat level barely qualifies as warm. Let’s mark Prairie Embrace at room temperature.
Violence
Frequent readers of Ms. Bittner’s work know that there is plenty of violence in her work, and she doesn’t change that here. Assault, rape, and killings are woven throughout the book. Sadly, much of the former two are directed at Katie.
Bottom Line on Prairie Embrace
Prairie Embrace is nowhere near as good as Ms. Bittner’s gold standard “Savage Destiny” series.
Only her writing style compels me to give the book 4 stars. Without that, I would give it a lower rating.
| Rating Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| Writing | |
| Chemistry | |
| Fun Factor | |
| Cover | |
| Overall: | 3.8 |
Synopsis
RAPTURE ON THE RANGE
As the hot sun sparked the fiery highlights of her auburn hair, all Katie Russell could see was the monotonous horizon of Southwest Nebraska. Then, out of the blue, she met the heated gaze of a bronze-skinned, jet-haired Indian –and suddenly the dry, barren landscape was lifeless no more. Her flesh tingled with his nearness; her blood sang through her veins as he leaned even closer. The gorgeous pioneer reminded herself that he was a savage heathen and beneath her regard… but deep inside she knew her fate was forever bound to his!PASSION ON THE PLAINS
Prairie Embrace By Rosanne Bittner
When the powerful Sioux warrior Tohave spotted the lone wagon trespassing on reservation land, he raised his lance and charged, intent on punishing the pale faces for invading his territory. But where he expected to see an ugly white-eyes, he found the creamy-skinned temptress who had haunted his dreams. He pulled her close so she wouldn’t run away; he traced her lush curves to make sure she was real. Tohave hated her for coming West, but couldn’t stop the swell of love that filled him with primitive passion, as he took her in his PRAIRIE EMBRACE.
💯
I am so upset that publishers aren’t releasing historical western romances in stores anymore. How the heck would they know if they would sell again if they don’t try?