Set in 1814, this is the story of Ivy Woodruff, the product of her mother’s two-week capture by a notorious pirate, Keils Cauldron (his ship is the Black Cauldron). Raised by her English mother and minister father who, though not her real father, loved and accepted her, Ivy hates the pirate who used her mother and then dismissed her.
Ivy is 22 and employed as a governess, sailing on the Chesapeake Bay with her employers, when the Black Cauldron captures her ship. On board, a young pirate leader, Drake Jordan, attempts to take her to his cabin when she cries out to her real father, Keils Cauldron, who is standing on deck. Keils’ only son has just been murdered and Keils is hunting for the killer with Drake when he is faced with the young woman claiming to be his daughter and who has his same violet eyes and black hair.
Drake, who is wildly attracted to Ivy, and Keils take Ivy with them on their hunt for the murderer, a hunt that will have some surprising turns. At the same time, Keils is keeping Ivy close, insisting she sleep in Drake’s cabin so he can watch her and prevent her escape. Keils is also exploring the evidence Ivy says proves she’s his daughter, all the while thinking she is deceiving him. Drake, an educated, wealthy pirate (by choice) prides himself on only having robbed the British, but that doesn’t impress Ivy, who is betrothed to a caring young minister and has no desire to repeat her mother’s history.
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It’s a story as old as time: we set out to be our own person and end up repeating family history. It’s also a story of choices, some good and others better (though perhaps more difficult). It’s a story of trust and how easily it can be destroyed. And, of course, it’s a story of love. Bauer did a great job of crafting Ivy’s character. She is beautiful, intelligent, honest, principled and courageous. Drake is complex, loyal (to his friends) and brave, a man who doesn’t question his choices. He is also a man who knows his own mind, and he knows he wants Ivy. He is a pirate to love!
Bauer does some important things so well: (1) She develops characters slowly, layer by layer, so you feel you really know them; (2) The chemistry between the hero and heroine develops over time; (3) the love scenes are so tender yet real they will have you squirming; (4) the plot twists are wonderfully creative but still believable, not contrived; (5) her dialog is real and complex; and finally (5) it’s an enthralling story I could not put down.
Bauer does “head hop”, moving from head to head rather quickly and briefly, but the story made up for it. You won’t regret getting this one, I promise.
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