Deep As the Rivers

Title: Deep As the Rivers (1997)
Author: Shirl Henke (St. Martin's)
Period: American-Federal/Jacksonian (1811-15 D.C., Missouri, & Louisiana)
Grade: D+

Why the fuck is "As" capitalized and "the" is not in the title. Shouldn't they both be capitalized or neither one? It is really bothering me.

I love epic storytelling and real history in my historical romance. When Shirl Henke is good on that score, she's better than most of the standard romance fare. Here? She isn't very good. Deep As the Rivers is reminiscent of Connie Mason or Rosemary Rogers. Against the War of 1812 backdrop, Olivia and Samuel are constantly being separated and reunited by increasingly more asinine circumstances as if the plot was constructed by romance madlibs. Spunky redhead orphan heroine? Check. Spy hero? Check. Villainous guardian? Check. Evil wife? Check. Mystical survivalist mountain man? Check. Secret baby? Check. The world only needs one Johanna Lindsey, Shirl!

The exploration of Native American tribes roles during the War of 1812 is interesting and accurate, but occasional passages read like they were cribbed from the encyclopedia. I'd hate to she Henke become the next Cassie Edwards. The romance, on the other hand, is trite and barely worth recapping.