From Publishers Weekly
Novak's first novel, a finalist for the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award, is a fast-moving Regency tale of intrigue and deception. Born with a deformed arm, Nathaniel Kent is immediately rejected by his noble father, the Duke of Greystone. Once grown, he takes his revenge for the denial of his fortune and title by turning pirate and raiding his father's trading ships. When the duke abducts one of Nathaniel's crew, the pirate retaliates by kidnapping a young woman he believes to be the duke's daughter. But she is not his half-sisterAshe is Alexandra Cogsworth, a seamstress fleeing her own family woes. Aboard the pirate ship, Nathaniel stifles yearnings he believes to be incestuous, while Alexandra struggles to save her skin as well as her heart. Once her true identity is revealed, the two fight for their safety. Some readers may be troubled by Nathaniel's deformity, and the book's later chaptersAtoo strained and hectic to permit much romantic interplayAdon't live up to the promise of its well-paced start. For most historical romance lovers, however, Novak's energetic prose and appealing characters will more than compensate. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Kurzbeschreibung
HE WAS A MAN WHO TOOK WHAT HE WANTED. AND HE WANTED HER.
To escape her cruel stepfather, seamstress Alexandra Cogsworth envisioned sailing far from England...though not as a captive aboard a pirate's ship.
Pirate captain Nathaniel Kent's strategy for exacting revenge on his coldhearted father involved taking a valuable hostage...not a seamstress he mistakenly thinks is his half sister.
Yet fate has designs of its own, landing them both on board the ROYAL VENGEANCE. At sea, Nathaniel intercepts and plunders his father's ships, all the while tormented by his illicit hunger for the tempting prisoner he thinks is his blood relation. And although Alexandra wants no part in this terrifying voyage, to reveal her true identity to the handsome, blue-eyed Nathaniel would invite danger. Not only would she become worthless cargo, but the revelation would surely unleash what she and Nathaniel have been fiercely battling--a rising undercurrent of impossible desire that could sweep them away for good.
"The game of love is played for the highest stakes. An absorbing, fast-paced romance... Don't miss this wonderful debut." --Jo Beverley
"A passionate romance...exciting...unforgettable." --Amanda Scott
"Impressive...this novel has all the elements a reader craves: delicious family secrets, high seas adventure, and a passionate love story. Read and enjoy!" --Susan Wiggs
"A great adventure. Brenda Novak is a fresh new writer to watch." --Kat Martin
To escape her cruel stepfather, seamstress Alexandra Cogsworth envisioned sailing far from England...though not as a captive aboard a pirate's ship.
Pirate captain Nathaniel Kent's strategy for exacting revenge on his coldhearted father involved taking a valuable hostage...not a seamstress he mistakenly thinks is his half sister.
Yet fate has designs of its own, landing them both on board the ROYAL VENGEANCE. At sea, Nathaniel intercepts and plunders his father's ships, all the while tormented by his illicit hunger for the tempting prisoner he thinks is his blood relation. And although Alexandra wants no part in this terrifying voyage, to reveal her true identity to the handsome, blue-eyed Nathaniel would invite danger. Not only would she become worthless cargo, but the revelation would surely unleash what she and Nathaniel have been fiercely battling--a rising undercurrent of impossible desire that could sweep them away for good.
"The game of love is played for the highest stakes. An absorbing, fast-paced romance... Don't miss this wonderful debut." --Jo Beverley
"A passionate romance...exciting...unforgettable." --Amanda Scott
"Impressive...this novel has all the elements a reader craves: delicious family secrets, high seas adventure, and a passionate love story. Read and enjoy!" --Susan Wiggs
"A great adventure. Brenda Novak is a fresh new writer to watch." --Kat Martin
