Horsman’s historical romances
are wonderful, well-written tales of passion and love that are on my keeper
shelf.
Though no date is given,
since England is at war with France and President Jefferson’s Embargo Act is
referenced, I believe the story is set in 1807-08. It begins on a British naval
vessel (a 3-masted sailing ship) on its way to Australia, transporting a famous
prisoner—American privateer, Justin Phillips—as well as civilian passengers,
including shy, 17-year old Christina Marks, in mourning for her father’s death
and going to live with her uncle.
From the first time they
meet, Justin and Christina share a love for books and ideas but are terribly
different personalities. Were it not for the unusual circumstances in which the
shy, unselfish girl speaks through a small window to a prisoner she can’t see,
they never would have formed the bond they did. Though Justin, a successful
privateer and man of the world, thought the timid young woman who brought him
books, food and conversation was probably a plain girl (all he could see were
her feet), she was nevertheless “a most sympathetic and sweet young lady.” And
when, in the course of his crew’s rescuing him, he first sees her, her beauty
leaves him speechless.
Horsman has brilliantly
crafted a heroine who will win your heart from the first page. She is winsome,
loving and incredibly unselfish. Christina has led a very sheltered life as the
daughter of a vicar and is totally unprepared for a hardened man like Justin.
To him, her kindness is a soothing balm. But his rough ways and harsh judgments
are often too much for Christina. Despite that, the two fall quickly and
desperately in love.
This is a love story of
misunderstandings and second, even third chances as Justin struggles to accept the
purity of Christina’s love, a love he has sought since childhood.
There is love on the high
seas, a monsoon, a shipwreck, a tropical island and life in colonial America—and
a wonderful crew of men and even a sweet, loyal St. Bernard dog, “Beau,” whose
thoughts we occasionally hear.
A story to read and re-read, I
highly recommend it!
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