Title: Rosehaven
Author: D.K. Lange
Publisher: Westwood Books Publishing LLC
ISBN: 978-1643616049
Pages: 326
Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance
Reviewed By: Susan Brown

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A Queen, a Prince, a Duke and a Native American Princess all come together against the backdrop of Victorian England in this historical romance novel filled with mysterious and mystical happenings, plus plot twists that keep you turning the pages until the last one.

What makes a good historical romance novel? An accurate chronicle of the period of history in which it is set in and a convincing love story. Author D.K. Lange has hit both of these benchmarks. The Queen is Victoria, short-in-stature, but large in her renown as a ruler. The Prince, her son Albert, is a truly royal diplomat. The Duke and American Indian princess are the leading man and lady around which all of the action in this novel revolves. The plot unfolds in castles and fortresses, around the countryside of 19th century England and even across the pond in America. The characters, a blend of fact and fiction, come to life on the pages, each with a distinctive personality which drives the story along.

Nothing comes alive in this novel more than the passion between Angelina Shadow Dancer Haveland, the princess, and Alex, the Duke of Weatherly. Their encounters are sensual, seductive and intense. In between the ardent glances and fervent encounters, is a compelling – albeit at times complex, storyline. Angelina comes to England from America after her English father is murdered (although she doesn’t discover it was murder, for a while). She inherits land, and a castle in a terrible state of disrepair. Her uncle (father’s brother) and step-brother, an evil duo, are trying to take everything away from her, insisting that she, as a woman, is incapable of being in charge of property. She, of course, proves them wrong with help from Duke Alex, her brother Hawk, also Indian, and a host of supporting characters.

In the midst of all of the drama, we learn that “Shadow” is also a healer, as well as a mystic who can see and communicate with the spirits of her ancestors. Angelina uses their insights to help prove that her brother Hawk is the true heir and to destroy those out to destroy her.

I like a well-written historical novel, especially one with a strong-willed, strong-minded and capable woman. The relationship between Angelina and Alex is believable and not overly schmaltzy. It is a liaison built on mutual respect and admiration, support and comfort and, most importantly, kindness and tenderness.

Rosehaven is one of those novels that you just can’t put down. So, curl up in a comfortable chair with a box of tissues (it is a love story) and take a step out of this century into another.