This was a fast, easy read that showed a very interesting slice of the Civil War that's not often featured in romance novels.This trio of irresistible stories from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Maggie Shayne and USA TODAY bestselling authors Linda Winstead Jones and Day Leclaire touch the heart of who we are and what we desire…. I didn't quite understand how her need for vengeance against one captain pushed her to get revenge against the whole Union army, but it wasn't something that stopped my enjoyment of the book. Lily has her own reasons for siding with the Confederacy, murky as they are. But he also has a good reason for fighting for the Union Army, even though his Southern-sympathizing family is a major landholder in Kentucky. Quint is an interesting character he's not a spy at heart and spying makes him extremely uncomfortable and guilty. Both come perilously close to forsaking their beliefs about the war that has put them on opposing sides. As he tries to use her to get closer to the captain, Quint quickly becomes enraptured with her, and though Lily fights it, she can't deny the connection. Little does Quint know, the captain is actually simpering Southern belle Lily Radford, who is posing as the captain's mistress. Quint Tyler of the Union Army is wounded in battle, he is offered a chance to travel to Nassau to try and infiltrate the blockade runners that are supplying the Confederate army, including the mysterious Captain Sherwood. I already have a lot of awesome Civil war romance books, and while I may not want to addd this to that collection, I do want to say it’s worth a read. Some Civil War romances manage to do just that, and some don’t. The writing style did manage to hold me captivated, even if it didn’t capture my attention. Eventually the main couple have their own son and get their happily ever after. What then follows us lots of lovemaking and heartache. Because of the blockade she runs, Quinton, is sent to spy on her from the Union. Her brother runs away from home to England. Lily’s father gets killed so she vows to join the Confederacy and get revenge for him. Most of the plot is spent at sea, while others scenes show Lily and Quinton being held prisoner from time to time. There was many fluffy parts of the romance in the story and I liked it all. You can see how they struggle to love each other as the Civil War wages around them. Lily and Quinton are a fabulous couple, and are much more cuter and loving than Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler. Because I had a chance to read it for free, I will choose not to buy it. I read most of it online in a digital library, and from what I saw and read, the story completely enraptured me.

I am pained to say, that I can’t get this book. All for love, for the chance to be-perhaps just for a short time- a part of something more than any one person could ever be.

West Wind by Linda Winstead