Every now and then I find a romance
that is hard to rate. Like this one. It was Sharon’s first novel and there is
much to commend it: It is rich in detail and history with wonderful scenes
featuring pirates, treachery and intrigue, all set in the early 18th
century in the Caribbean, North Africa, Italy, France, and England. Unlike one
reviewer, I do not believe this story has the master touch of the romances of
Kathleen Woodiwiss and Judith McNaught. There were places where the action and
the romance lagged a bit and the Italian history got a bit thick. But I did
like it and I think the ending was wonderful.
Lady Alaina, the granddaughter of the Duke
of Dellamore, decides to travel to Jamaica to visit her fiancé Lucas Hunter,
Viscount Silverlake, who she hasn’t seen in three years. On the way, her French
ship is attacked by pirates and Alaina is captured by the notorious Italian
pirate "Eros." The handsome well-spoken pirate tells her he will set
her free as she is only a means to an end. When Lucas rescues her, Alanis understands
what Eros meant for Lucas is holding Eros’ sister. Alanis observes that Lucas
is in love with Eros’ sister so Alanis breaks her engagement and takes off with
Eros, hoping to see the world. Eros agrees, wanting her out of the way so his
sister can marry Lucas.
Positives: clever plot; well-told story
(though it is slower in the first half and the romance lags in places); a drool-worthy
pirate hero; interesting, well-researched historical setting (lots of history in this one), and varied geography.
Negatives: (1) The constant use of
Italian phrases was a distraction. Most were translated but not all, and their
interjection broke my train of thought. (2) The heroine came across as a snippy
bitch early in the story when Eros was being nice to her and trying to provide
for her needs. I suppose it was a device to create tension but there are other
ways to do it without making the heroine look unsympathetic. (3) Modern phrases
that don’t fit the 18th century (“sounds like a plan” and “put a lid
on it” were among several). (4) some questionable plot elements (i.e., the idea
that Eros’ cousin would torture him to find the medallion before searching Eros’
home—where it was—or using Alanis to get to him).
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