Cheryl Sawyer The Chase

The Chase

Cheryl Sawyer

Signet, Jun 2005, $6.99 448

ISBN: 0451215664

In 1815, as Napoleon returns to France, Jacque Decernay, who fought for the English, is accused of desertion. Convicted, the English military sentence Jacques to death. No one stands up for Jacques, perhaps because he is as low a rank as anyone can be in the English army as fodder because how else would one use a French "traitor". Surprisingly in light of the French killed her husband, Francophile Lady Sophia Hamilton sends a letter to the leadership that saves Jacques's life. She sees this as payment for his saving hers years ago.

Meanwhile Jacques worries that Sophia is probably in danger from her fellow Englishmen, who want her dead because they fear she knows they betrayed their country. One man in particular pursues her to her home in Sussex with plans to murder her at the first opportunity. Only Jacques who has also followed her to Sussex can keep her alive, but she wonders if she trust a Frenchman especially one whose loyalties seem wrong.

THE CHASE is a fine Regency romantic suspense starring an intrepid heroine struggling between whom to believe has her interests at heart. Interestingly, she remains ignorant to what she possesses while a traitor has everything to lose if she learns and reveals what she holds. Jacques is a refreshing protagonist as the audience learns the conflicting emotions that run through his head as he betrays his beloved vivre la France. Cheryl Sawyer writes a tense historical intrigue starring a novel hero and the brave woman he protects with his life.

Harriet Klausner