WHITE ROSE – Gabriella Anderson
Five Star
ISBN: 978-1-59414-724-1
September 2008
Historical Romance

Boston, Massachusetts and Sedona, Oregon – 1872

Alessandra Whiting is fed up with her uncle Paul trying to marry her off. Paul is Alessandra's legal guardian and holds the reins on her fortune till she is married or when she turns twenty-five. Paul specifically picks weak or unsuitable men for Alessandra, because a marriage to one of them will allow her uncle to control them as well as her money. Paul even threatens to place his niece in an asylum because of her unruly behavior. Alessandra has no choice but to run away till she is of age. But how will she be able to do this without her uncle making good on his threat?

One night as Alessandra decides to take a walk, she passes a church and sees a notice on the church's marquee about an opportunity for single women to go west to Oregon. This is the chance for Alessandra to escape from her evil uncle's clutches. Since Alessandra is a young society miss, she doesn't have much to recommend herself because she cannot sew, cook, or clean, since all those things have been done for her in the past. But that will not stop her from going to Oregon to remain hidden for a few years.

Deverell Blake was born in Boston but now lives in Sedona, Oregon with his younger brother, Philip, younger sister, Christa, and pregnant sister-in-law, Sue Ann. His other brother, Ethan, is believed to be dead even though the family waits everyday for his return. Dev decides to go back to Boston with his good friend, the Reverend Jacob Perkins, to help bring back women to Sedona for the single men who reside there. When Deverell notices a beautiful young woman, unlike the majority of the women who will go to Sedona, he is intrigued. There is something very different about her because of the way she talks and her demeanor. Dev has a feeling that Miss Rose White (the alias Alessandra gives herself) is keeping secrets, and Dev wants to be the man to figure them out.

Alessandra doesn't understand why Dev keeps looking at her and standing too close when they are together. If the journey on the ship to Oregon wasn't bad enough, Dev makes her uncomfortable because her stomach is all in knots whenever she sees him. And the man has some nerve kissing her when no one is around! She must be careful because Dev has a way of getting her to talk. And things become even more strained between them because Alessandra longs for more of Dev's kisses.

When a man comes to town looking for Alessandra, she thinks all hope is lost. But then Dev needs one of the women to stay at his house to help Sue Ann because her baby is about to arrive. That would mean Dev would have to marry one of the women to save her reputation. Alessandra says she will marry Dev, which Dev is over the moon about.

These two may still be strangers, but Dev and Alessandra's passion explodes, and since they are married, Alessandra doesn't mind engaging in the lovemaking with Dev that is so wonderful at. But Dev still has no clue who his Rose really is and can't stand for lies and deceit. Alessandra must find a way to tell Dev her secrets before she loses him forever.

WHITE ROSE is a lovely romance between a woman on the run and the man who comes to love her even though he doesn't know the true Rose White. Some readers may not be a fan of a heroine who keeps secrets from the hero, but in this case, it makes sense and adds to the story. If I were in Alessandra's shoes, I would have done the same thing because of the fear of being found and taken back to a man who wants to control me.

I adored Dev to pieces because he is such a wonderful hero. This is a man who cares about others before himself. He is understanding, intelligent, and very sexy. The way he is with Alessandra is so sweet, and even though she is able to wrap him around her little finger, Dev doesn't allow Alessandra to manipulate him. These two come to love each other and that was really nice to see because their initial introduction was not a friendly one.

Gabriella Anderson has come up with some other great characters such as the Reverend Jacob, who is a great friend to Dev and Dev's immediate family, who welcome Alessandra with open arms. There is also a woman from Dev's past who wants him back, and she is a nasty piece of work and is just as greedy as Paul. The women who come to Oregon to start a new life have some interesting stories that held my interest and become great supporters of Alessandra, especially when she needs help with household duties.

If you are in the mood for the sweeter side of romance, WHITE ROSE by Gabriella Anderson may be just the book you are looking for. With some great characters, a romance that really held my interest, and a very different type of setting this is one book that you should definitely check out.

Kate Garrabrant