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With One Look
She is a rare and priceless jewel—a raven-haired Southern beauty who haunts dashing Victor Nolte's dreams and desires. Their first encounter in a New Orleans opera house left the handsome shipbuilder entranced by Jade Terese Devon's breathtaking sensuality, her charm and vivacity.
And now only he can rescue the green-eyed enchantress from an unthinkable slavery. In the shelter of Victor's passionate embrace, Jade seeks a cure for the strange affliction that has left her in darkness—and protection from the cruel pursuing ghosts of her tragic past. But her noble champion fears for his beloved's safety—and for his own imperiled heart as well. For the shocking truth that will heal Jade's secret torment could also destroy the most precious love Victor has ever known.
And now only he can rescue the green-eyed enchantress from an unthinkable slavery. In the shelter of Victor's passionate embrace, Jade seeks a cure for the strange affliction that has left her in darkness—and protection from the cruel pursuing ghosts of her tragic past. But her noble champion fears for his beloved's safety—and for his own imperiled heart as well. For the shocking truth that will heal Jade's secret torment could also destroy the most precious love Victor has ever known.
409 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 25, 2025
Read: 4/24/25
3.7 stars
setting: New Orleans 1818
The story starts with Victor meeting a beautiful woman at the opera. He's strongly attracted to her until he discovers that she's blind. He meets Jade again when she is being sold to the highest bidder at bordello. When he brings Jade home, he discovers she's a virgin.
Jade lost her eyesight at 13 after discovering her parents' bodies. Despite the horrible things that happened to her, Jade sees only the good and remains positive. On her way home , Jade is kidnapped. She's forced into an auction. If she is disobedient, her maid will be tortured. Once Victor discovers the truth, he helps save her and her friend. Unfortunately, she returns home to discover her maid beaten and hanging from the ceiling. Someone is after Jade, and Victor knows he has to protect her but who will protect him. He has lost his heart to this sweet girl, but he can't marry a blind girl. So, can Victor overcome his apprehension and keep Jade safe?
characters:
1. Jade was one of the best h's I've read in a long time. She's so positive and kind. She's doesn't dwell on her lost sight but moves forward and adapts. Though, she was a little too laid back when kidnapped. Jade's easy personality gets explained later.
2. Victor was likable as well. He is strongly attracted to Jade, and it doesn't take long for him to fall in love with Jade. So why not marry her? Because she's blind. He already worries about her, and he is scared she'll hurt herself.. Still, he can't let her go either. There must be a way to help her gain her sight back.🤔
3. The secondary characters were fabulous! These strangers come together and feel like a family. The first half of the book, Jade, is the one who brings everybody together, and the last half, they are there for her. They definitely enriched the story.
4. The villain? I didn't see it coming. I love it when an author can surprise me. Though, to be fair, the mystery/crime takes a back burner to Jade's personal torment.
********spoiler ******
Problems: The story dragged once Jade got her eyesight back. She spends the last half hating Victor. She couldn't forgive him for forcing her to face her past. While I understood her pain, I wanted my sweet h back!
***********
This story has some dark elements, and the author doesn't hold back. She shows how the mind and body react to horrors too horrible to remember. Jade's loss of eyesight was her body's way of protecting her. Later, Victor forces Jade to face her past. Her eyesight returns, but Jade is left shattered. The dark was better than the horror of her parents' death.
Conclusion: It was such a pleasure reading this story! I really liked the author's writing style. The characters were well developed and interesting. I will definitely be reading more books by this author
sidenote: Why did the author make Victor a (maybe) pirate? It had nothing to do with the plot
3.7 stars
setting: New Orleans 1818
The story starts with Victor meeting a beautiful woman at the opera. He's strongly attracted to her until he discovers that she's blind. He meets Jade again when she is being sold to the highest bidder at bordello. When he brings Jade home, he discovers she's a virgin.
Jade lost her eyesight at 13 after discovering her parents' bodies. Despite the horrible things that happened to her, Jade sees only the good and remains positive. On her way home , Jade is kidnapped. She's forced into an auction. If she is disobedient, her maid will be tortured. Once Victor discovers the truth, he helps save her and her friend. Unfortunately, she returns home to discover her maid beaten and hanging from the ceiling. Someone is after Jade, and Victor knows he has to protect her but who will protect him. He has lost his heart to this sweet girl, but he can't marry a blind girl. So, can Victor overcome his apprehension and keep Jade safe?
characters:
1. Jade was one of the best h's I've read in a long time. She's so positive and kind. She's doesn't dwell on her lost sight but moves forward and adapts. Though, she was a little too laid back when kidnapped. Jade's easy personality gets explained later.
2. Victor was likable as well. He is strongly attracted to Jade, and it doesn't take long for him to fall in love with Jade. So why not marry her? Because she's blind. He already worries about her, and he is scared she'll hurt herself.. Still, he can't let her go either. There must be a way to help her gain her sight back.🤔
3. The secondary characters were fabulous! These strangers come together and feel like a family. The first half of the book, Jade, is the one who brings everybody together, and the last half, they are there for her. They definitely enriched the story.
4. The villain? I didn't see it coming. I love it when an author can surprise me. Though, to be fair, the mystery/crime takes a back burner to Jade's personal torment.
********spoiler ******
Problems: The story dragged once Jade got her eyesight back. She spends the last half hating Victor. She couldn't forgive him for forcing her to face her past. While I understood her pain, I wanted my sweet h back!
***********
This story has some dark elements, and the author doesn't hold back. She shows how the mind and body react to horrors too horrible to remember. Jade's loss of eyesight was her body's way of protecting her. Later, Victor forces Jade to face her past. Her eyesight returns, but Jade is left shattered. The dark was better than the horror of her parents' death.
Conclusion: It was such a pleasure reading this story! I really liked the author's writing style. The characters were well developed and interesting. I will definitely be reading more books by this author
sidenote: Why did the author make Victor a (maybe) pirate? It had nothing to do with the plot
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2025
The book starts with the h being kidnapped by a sadistic bordello madam (but first the h met the H at the opera and the H was instantly interested)
The H buys her at the bordello auction before she loses her v-card though. She doesn't get to keep it long however. The sadistic bordello madam lies to the H and says that the h has worked as a whore for a year and has drugged her. The H brings the drugged h to his home for some nookie now that she’s fair game. He discover that she’s as white as snow and questions her about what happened.
At this point I was expecting the H to marry her (since that’s what usually seems to happen in these situations) but there’s no mention of marriage, or other compensations for that matter.
The H escorts her home but there they find her dog and the servant murdered. So he decides to protect her while they get to the bottom of the mystery of her parents death and who wants her dead.
Now the h/ H seems to become friends with benefits, as far as I can tell. She loves him and he loves her but for some reason he is reluctant to marry her. It’s not because of her being blind, so I don’t get the problem. Maybe I missed something amidst all the boring inner monologues.
After he rescues the h from kidnappers (again) he finely marries her. Then all of a sudden we skip 5 months ahead and the h has had a miscarriage and the H refuses to let her have another child since she lost it climbing a tree and he doesn't want to risk it again. (this could have been a reason for angst/drama but it’s resolved fairly quickly and he takes back the whole no kids thing)
Things pick up in the middle of the book
I have read other books by this author but this is the first time the writing felt choppy, the scene changes were abrupt. All of a sudden it was the next day or,as I mention before, several weeks and months had past.
I think this book could have been shorter. The author could just have had them marry at the beginning. As, as I said, there seemed to be no reason for the H not to marry the h.
The H buys her at the bordello auction before she loses her v-card though. She doesn't get to keep it long however. The sadistic bordello madam lies to the H and says that the h has worked as a whore for a year and has drugged her. The H brings the drugged h to his home for some nookie now that she’s fair game. He discover that she’s as white as snow and questions her about what happened.
At this point I was expecting the H to marry her (since that’s what usually seems to happen in these situations) but there’s no mention of marriage, or other compensations for that matter.
The H escorts her home but there they find her dog and the servant murdered. So he decides to protect her while they get to the bottom of the mystery of her parents death and who wants her dead.
Now the h/ H seems to become friends with benefits, as far as I can tell. She loves him and he loves her but for some reason he is reluctant to marry her. It’s not because of her being blind, so I don’t get the problem. Maybe I missed something amidst all the boring inner monologues.
After he rescues the h from kidnappers (again) he finely marries her. Then all of a sudden we skip 5 months ahead and the h has had a miscarriage and the H refuses to let her have another child since she lost it climbing a tree and he doesn't want to risk it again. (this could have been a reason for angst/drama but it’s resolved fairly quickly and he takes back the whole no kids thing)
Things pick up in the middle of the book
I have read other books by this author but this is the first time the writing felt choppy, the scene changes were abrupt. All of a sudden it was the next day or,as I mention before, several weeks and months had past.
I think this book could have been shorter. The author could just have had them marry at the beginning. As, as I said, there seemed to be no reason for the H not to marry the h.
January 10, 2013
A Keeper from old New Orleans and a Love Story with two very Extraordinary People!
Set in New Orleans in 1818 where voodoo, pirates, and various religions, races and cultures clash, it tells the story of Victor Nolte, a “pirate of pirates,” a successful shipbuilder and the handsome son of a respected priest and Jade Terese Devon, a beautiful, well-educated girl who Victor meets one night at the opera. He was strongly attracted to her—until he discovered she was blind.
From the first time he sees her, Victor knows he will not be having only a brief liaison with beautiful Jade Terese. But he had no idea he would find the seemingly innocent girl in a bordello being sold to the highest bidder.
There’s something for everyone in this captivating love story from old New Orleans: a noble, but flawed hero who can’t seem to get around the fact the woman he loves is blind; a young woman who sees only good when she looks at life despite the terrible things it’s handed her; a cast of wonderful secondary characters, including a seer who seems to aid Victor at critical times; and lots of action, mystery and some mystical elements, as well. All very well done. Of course, since this is by Horsman, you know there’s a dog to love—two actually, “Hamlet,” and “Wolf Dog” (who is really a wolf).
I thought Horsman’s treatment of how the mind and body react to horrors too horrible to remember nothing short of brilliant. She weaves a complex tale with many threads that will hold you captive. This is definitely one for the keeper shelf, and though CRIMSON RAPTURE may be my favorite of hers, I highly recommend this one.
Set in New Orleans in 1818 where voodoo, pirates, and various religions, races and cultures clash, it tells the story of Victor Nolte, a “pirate of pirates,” a successful shipbuilder and the handsome son of a respected priest and Jade Terese Devon, a beautiful, well-educated girl who Victor meets one night at the opera. He was strongly attracted to her—until he discovered she was blind.
From the first time he sees her, Victor knows he will not be having only a brief liaison with beautiful Jade Terese. But he had no idea he would find the seemingly innocent girl in a bordello being sold to the highest bidder.
There’s something for everyone in this captivating love story from old New Orleans: a noble, but flawed hero who can’t seem to get around the fact the woman he loves is blind; a young woman who sees only good when she looks at life despite the terrible things it’s handed her; a cast of wonderful secondary characters, including a seer who seems to aid Victor at critical times; and lots of action, mystery and some mystical elements, as well. All very well done. Of course, since this is by Horsman, you know there’s a dog to love—two actually, “Hamlet,” and “Wolf Dog” (who is really a wolf).
I thought Horsman’s treatment of how the mind and body react to horrors too horrible to remember nothing short of brilliant. She weaves a complex tale with many threads that will hold you captive. This is definitely one for the keeper shelf, and though CRIMSON RAPTURE may be my favorite of hers, I highly recommend this one.
July 29, 2023
Mystic and mysterious. That's how I would describe this. If someone had told me this book would feel like a Bones episode I would have laughed in their face. But I was pleasantly surprised. The romance took a wild turn and it suddenly became a mystery, filled with crime, violence and obscure practices that bordered fantasy. To make it even better, everything came together, leaving no events hanging. And every event had a reason to it, no scenes felt as mere fillers. The writing was also fantastic, I felt like I was watching a movie. If you are still wondering if you should give this a try, please do.
July 20, 2025
Fate. He thought of the darkened theater, its rows packed with maybe four hundred people and in this sea of bodies, his gaze had come to her and then stayed with a mystical compulsion he found, even then, irresistible. Fate.
A story of love and mystery. It was well written, and somehow mystical...
The main characters and the side ones were so richly described.
Though a positive thing was that Victor and Jade instantly fall in love with each other, conflicts do arise. Jade was blind as a physical reaction to the murder (of her parents) she witnessed as a child. Throughout the entire story, someone is threatening Jade, but Victor would have none of it as he steps in to protect and cherish her.
The one downside of this book was that it got a bit prolonged in the last quarter (almost a hundred pages) of the book, but yet things get resolved.
"It's a surrender, love."
Drawing on her uncanny intuition, she whispered, "It frightens you, this surrender?"
"Aye," he said with feeling. "It frightens me. I think it's different for a woman. Surrender is natural and easier because of it. When a man loses a part of himself to someone else, he loses control."
I wish there had been a book entirely dedicated to the other couple, Sebastian and Mercedes.
A story of love and mystery. It was well written, and somehow mystical...
The main characters and the side ones were so richly described.
Though a positive thing was that Victor and Jade instantly fall in love with each other, conflicts do arise. Jade was blind as a physical reaction to the murder (of her parents) she witnessed as a child. Throughout the entire story, someone is threatening Jade, but Victor would have none of it as he steps in to protect and cherish her.
The one downside of this book was that it got a bit prolonged in the last quarter (almost a hundred pages) of the book, but yet things get resolved.
"It's a surrender, love."
Drawing on her uncanny intuition, she whispered, "It frightens you, this surrender?"
"Aye," he said with feeling. "It frightens me. I think it's different for a woman. Surrender is natural and easier because of it. When a man loses a part of himself to someone else, he loses control."
I wish there had been a book entirely dedicated to the other couple, Sebastian and Mercedes.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews