In Savage Rapture by Sylvie F. Sommerfield, Snow Blossom awaits her lover’s return to the reservation, only to find that he has changed after living in the white man’s world.
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Savage Rapture by Sylvie F. SommerfieldRating:
Published: 1982
Illustrator: Walter Popp
Imprint or Line: Zebra Historical Romance
Published by: Kensington
Genres: Historical Romance, Native American Romance, Western Romance
Pages: 542
Format: Paperback
Buy on: Amazon, AbeBooks
Reviewed by: Blue Falcon
TOTAL SPOILER ALERT ⚠
The Book
This is a review of Savage Rapture by Sylvie F. Sommerfield, a 1982 Zebra Native American romance novel about three couples.
The Plot
Part One of Savage Rapture
Savage Rapture begins with two lovers parting company. Michael Holliday, a white doctor, leaves his wife, Waterflower, and their son, Cade, 2, with her people, the Cheyenne Indians. They make a pact: one day, Cade will go to Michael in the white world and then return to the Cheyenne and assist them with the knowledge he gains.
Fast forward 15 years. Michael summons Cade to Washington, D.C., to expand his knowledge. Among those he leaves behind is Snow Blossom, the daughter of Tekata, the village chief. She is the book’s heroine and is deeply in love with Cade.
While with his father, Cade gains knowledge, becomes a doctor, and falls in love with and becomes affianced to Lauren Brent, a local heiress. Their relationship comes apart, however, over their disparate views of what their lives will be.
Cade returns to the Cheyenne, as does Michael, with Lauren in tow.
As Cade returns to the Cheyenne camp, he falls in love with, and later marries, Snow Blossom.
Her brother, White Eagle, falls in love with a white woman, Rebecca Wade, and later marries her.
When Lauren arrives, she thinks she can break up Snow Blossom and Cade and reunite with him. Once she realizes this isn’t going to happen, Lauren becomes deeply depressed. This depression is lifted once she matures a bit and falls in love with Running Wolf, a brave member of another Cheyenne band.
For a while, the three couples are happy.
Part Two of Savage Rapture
Yet, major trouble is literally on the horizon.
Major John Chivington is a noted Indian-hater who is supported by government factions. He employs three trappers, one of whom has his own agenda, to kidnap the three women in order to force the Cheyenne off their land.
Snow Blossom finally returns to Cade, but not before learning a dark secret about his past. Chivington is eventually defeated—for the time being.
The three main couples, Snow Blossom and Cade, Running Wolf and Lauren, and Rebecca and White Eagle, all extend their lineages with children.
All of them have their Happily Ever After.
Upside
This is the first book by Mrs. Sommerfield where she really made me care about the characters. All of the characters are fully developed, and there is a strong vein of family themes running through the book.
Downside
This is more of a personal thing for me, but Savage Rapture could have been a little spicier regarding the love scenes. The ending was a little disappointing. I would have liked to see Chivington and the other evil characters get a little more comeuppance.
Sex
Mrs. Sommerfield’s love scenes are all about purple prose and euphemisms.
Heat Level
The steam factor is about a 2 or 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Neither hot nor cold, but warm and comfy at room temperature.
Violence
Multiple killings, which are mostly done “offscreen.” Physical violence, threats of violence, but nothing really graphic.
Bottom Line on Savage Rapture
Savage Rapture, for me, is great but not a 5-star read. More like a 4.25- or 4.5-star book.
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| Overall: | 4.3 |
Synopsis
CAPTIVE OF HIS PASSION
Beautiful Snow Blossom had waited years for Cade to return to the reservation. His warm smile and sparkling blue eyes had promised her a lifetime of fiery passion. Just the thought of their first lingering kiss made her ache with desire. Without her even knowing it she had become a…CAPTIVE OF HIS LOVE
Savage Rapture by Sylvie F. Sommerfield
But as soon as the handsome half-breed rode into the Cheyenne camp, Snow Blossom knew that he had changed. He had lived in the white man’s world too long; he was in love with another. Yet when he held her in his arms all else ceased to matter. He had made her a prisoner of his passion – somehow she’d make him a captive of her heart.