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Passion's Ransom
PASSION'S RANSOM
Blythe Woolrich had flaming hair and a fiery temper, but she was nothing if not responsible. Singlehandedly, she ran Woolrich Mercantile, ad watched over her eccentric father, her crotchety grandmother and her virtue in a Revolutionary Philadelphia teeming with unsavory characters. There were some days when she dreamed of escaping it all...but not as the helpless hostage of a dashing rogue!
Virile pirate captain Raider Prescott had sailed into port to sell his booty and make a killing...and didn't discover that Blythe's family couldn't pay her ransom until after he'd abducted and spirited her aboard his ship. He didn't expect her to charm his crew and bewitch his senses, either. Now she wanted to turn him into a gentleman--and he wanted to set her on fire with love!
Blythe Woolrich had flaming hair and a fiery temper, but she was nothing if not responsible. Singlehandedly, she ran Woolrich Mercantile, ad watched over her eccentric father, her crotchety grandmother and her virtue in a Revolutionary Philadelphia teeming with unsavory characters. There were some days when she dreamed of escaping it all...but not as the helpless hostage of a dashing rogue!
Virile pirate captain Raider Prescott had sailed into port to sell his booty and make a killing...and didn't discover that Blythe's family couldn't pay her ransom until after he'd abducted and spirited her aboard his ship. He didn't expect her to charm his crew and bewitch his senses, either. Now she wanted to turn him into a gentleman--and he wanted to set her on fire with love!
447 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
8 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Betina Krahn
60 books312 followersKrahn, born Betina Maynard, is the second daughter of Dors Maynard and Regina Triplett. Krahn learned to read at the age of four, and began making up her own stories when she was only six. In fifth grade she won a silver "Noble Order of Bookworms" pin for her achievements in reading, and the following year she began writing down her stories.
Krane was graduated from high school in Newark, Ohio and received a B.S. in Education (Biological Sciences) at Ohio State University. After college, Krahn taught science in Newark, and studied for a graduate degree at Ohio State in the summers. It was during those summers that she met her future husband, physics graduate student Donald Krahn.
The family moved to Oklahoma, where Krahn finished the work for her Masters of Education in Counseling in 1973. In 1974, she gave birth to her first child, Nathan, with the second son Zebulun arriving in 1978. With two young children, Krahn became a stay-at-home mother for a time, also finding time to volunteer on a community board working to get funding for mental health care in part of Western Oklahoma. Once the funding was secured, Krahn worked as an HR director for a mental health center.
Krane was graduated from high school in Newark, Ohio and received a B.S. in Education (Biological Sciences) at Ohio State University. After college, Krahn taught science in Newark, and studied for a graduate degree at Ohio State in the summers. It was during those summers that she met her future husband, physics graduate student Donald Krahn.
The family moved to Oklahoma, where Krahn finished the work for her Masters of Education in Counseling in 1973. In 1974, she gave birth to her first child, Nathan, with the second son Zebulun arriving in 1978. With two young children, Krahn became a stay-at-home mother for a time, also finding time to volunteer on a community board working to get funding for mental health care in part of Western Oklahoma. Once the funding was secured, Krahn worked as an HR director for a mental health center.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 18, 2022
This was such a disappointing read! The story takes place during the Revolutionary War. I was expecting a privateer fighting the British, like Pirate's Bride by Lynette Vinet. But No! It was about Pirates kidnapping and ransoming the h. They take her to the Caribbean. What a waste of a good time period!! Why even have the setting in 1777??
For a pirate story, the book was very slow. The author needed to cut the 446 pages in half. That would have helped with the pacing of the story.
I loved the h! She had a steadfast, loyal heart. She was mature, responsible, and strong. The H was the typical sexy rogue. I enjoyed watching these two fall in love. The couple was definitely the best part of the book.
My biggest problem with the book: the h believed way too long that her sleazebag suitor was the reason she was kidnapped. I also hate how the H used the word "respectable " in derogatory tones like every 5 pages. I hated that word after the 300 times of hearing it. I also wish the author would have allowed the pirates to cuss. Using words like, "Hell's balls" and "Morgan's spleen" sounded so ridiculous. If your going to spend a quarter you might as well spend the whole buck!
Conclusion, while BK books are never 5 stars for me, I still find most enjoyable. Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me.
For a pirate story, the book was very slow. The author needed to cut the 446 pages in half. That would have helped with the pacing of the story.
I loved the h! She had a steadfast, loyal heart. She was mature, responsible, and strong. The H was the typical sexy rogue. I enjoyed watching these two fall in love. The couple was definitely the best part of the book.
My biggest problem with the book: the h believed way too long that her sleazebag suitor was the reason she was kidnapped. I also hate how the H used the word "respectable " in derogatory tones like every 5 pages. I hated that word after the 300 times of hearing it. I also wish the author would have allowed the pirates to cuss. Using words like, "Hell's balls" and "Morgan's spleen" sounded so ridiculous. If your going to spend a quarter you might as well spend the whole buck!
Conclusion, while BK books are never 5 stars for me, I still find most enjoyable. Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me.
did-not-finish
June 2, 2015I yield about halfway. Too silly and fluffy for words, not to mention the adjective abuse and potty-mouthed jerk of a hero. Read the blurb if you want to know more, but I'll just quote a bit so you can decide for yourself if it's worth it.
"He felt warm and spongy inside. Her lips were stung cherry red and her great golden eyes were magnified by prisms of lingering tears. Her skin was flushed like rosy peaches and that enchanting little dent in her chin was quivering."
"It was downright chivalrous of him, pulling away like that when his real desire was to plunge into her delectable little body and pleasure her straight into paradise."
"Well, he growled reluctantly, he guessed he wasn't above a bit of wooing...as long as it led to what he wanted, in her bed. "
Our hero, and might I point out he was raised as a gentleman?
"He felt warm and spongy inside. Her lips were stung cherry red and her great golden eyes were magnified by prisms of lingering tears. Her skin was flushed like rosy peaches and that enchanting little dent in her chin was quivering."
"It was downright chivalrous of him, pulling away like that when his real desire was to plunge into her delectable little body and pleasure her straight into paradise."
"Well, he growled reluctantly, he guessed he wasn't above a bit of wooing...as long as it led to what he wanted, in her bed. "
Our hero, and might I point out he was raised as a gentleman?
August 10, 2016
Absorbing American Revolutionary Story of a Smart Heroine who Becomes a Pirate Captain’s Woman
First published in 1989, this is a “keeper” story that blends the period of the American Revolution and the pirate/privateer culture. Krahn weaves a compelling, absorbing tale with great emotion (slowly developed), rich layering of endearing characters, meaningful introspection, a believable plot, detailed historical elements and subtle humor. PASSION’S RANSOM is yet another one that quickly grabbed my attention and held it to the last page.
Set in 1768 (prologue) and then ten years later in 1778, this is the story of Gabriel Prescott, a baron’s younger son who was playing the smuggler, rebelling against both his father and England’s taxation, when the pirate Bastian Cane captures Gabriel and forces him into the scoundrel’s services. Now, ten years later, the two are partnered and our hero has become the pirate captain Raider Prescott. Hoping to find a northern market for their goods, they sail to Philadelphia where Bastian captures Blythe Woolrich expecting she is the daughter of a wealthy merchant and planning to hold her for ransom. Unhappily, they discover she comes with no money.
Raider calls Blythe “Wool-witch” for her headstrong nature, but in reality she is a young, virtuous woman who has been carrying the heavy load of responsibility for her somewhat bizarre family. Soon Raider and his crew find her irresistible and the very responsible Blythe finds herself falling in love with the pirate captain.
Krahn has created a wonderful pirate crew…not terribly debauched like a certain band who will appear in the story, but still genuinely salty dogs of the era with unique quirks.
One of my favorite lines from the book, spoken by Raider to Blythe when she regrets having to leave the island where they shared their love: “Everything worth having can be carried in your heart.”
This one won’t disappoint!
First published in 1989, this is a “keeper” story that blends the period of the American Revolution and the pirate/privateer culture. Krahn weaves a compelling, absorbing tale with great emotion (slowly developed), rich layering of endearing characters, meaningful introspection, a believable plot, detailed historical elements and subtle humor. PASSION’S RANSOM is yet another one that quickly grabbed my attention and held it to the last page.
Set in 1768 (prologue) and then ten years later in 1778, this is the story of Gabriel Prescott, a baron’s younger son who was playing the smuggler, rebelling against both his father and England’s taxation, when the pirate Bastian Cane captures Gabriel and forces him into the scoundrel’s services. Now, ten years later, the two are partnered and our hero has become the pirate captain Raider Prescott. Hoping to find a northern market for their goods, they sail to Philadelphia where Bastian captures Blythe Woolrich expecting she is the daughter of a wealthy merchant and planning to hold her for ransom. Unhappily, they discover she comes with no money.
Raider calls Blythe “Wool-witch” for her headstrong nature, but in reality she is a young, virtuous woman who has been carrying the heavy load of responsibility for her somewhat bizarre family. Soon Raider and his crew find her irresistible and the very responsible Blythe finds herself falling in love with the pirate captain.
Krahn has created a wonderful pirate crew…not terribly debauched like a certain band who will appear in the story, but still genuinely salty dogs of the era with unique quirks.
One of my favorite lines from the book, spoken by Raider to Blythe when she regrets having to leave the island where they shared their love: “Everything worth having can be carried in your heart.”
This one won’t disappoint!
January 4, 2010
This book was pretty good. I found the characters very likable and the story moved very fast. There where several parts that actually made me laugh out loud.
The story is about Blythe Woolrich who is running her fathers mercantile business and seems to be suffering from an awful lot of bad luck. So much so that she's had to sell off most of the furnishings in her house to try and stay afloat. Now Captain Raider Prescott and his men have kidnapped her for Ransoming. How much bad luck can one person suffer from?
The reason I only gave this book 4 stars apposed to 5 is because I found the book had way too many typos.
The story is about Blythe Woolrich who is running her fathers mercantile business and seems to be suffering from an awful lot of bad luck. So much so that she's had to sell off most of the furnishings in her house to try and stay afloat. Now Captain Raider Prescott and his men have kidnapped her for Ransoming. How much bad luck can one person suffer from?
The reason I only gave this book 4 stars apposed to 5 is because I found the book had way too many typos.
May 28, 2016
It's been a while since I've read a historical romance, and even longer since I've read a good one at that. Add an old fashioned bodice-ripper with a well-written story, humorous and likable characters, sex scenes that are racy for having been written 30 years ago but without any of those rape-y or dubious consent issues that were so prominent during this era of romance writing, and I've got an enjoyable book!
The book starts with a roll of the dice description that could well grace any nicely done movie opening scene. Once the plot opens up - a young Philadelphian, hard pressed to keep her family business running, is kidnapped for ransom by the pirate/privateers Bastian and Raider, who think she's from wealth and not just from society. Things move along quickly - our plucky young heroine makes friends with the crew, proves her mettle in a sea battle, and falls in love with the captain. No Stockholm syndrome here. :) Although the book is rather longish, I didn't feel bored reading it, and enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I particularly enjoyed the coming together of families - when the pirate family meets Wool-Rich's Philadelphia family towards the end of the novel.
Well done, and recommended.
The book starts with a roll of the dice description that could well grace any nicely done movie opening scene. Once the plot opens up - a young Philadelphian, hard pressed to keep her family business running, is kidnapped for ransom by the pirate/privateers Bastian and Raider, who think she's from wealth and not just from society. Things move along quickly - our plucky young heroine makes friends with the crew, proves her mettle in a sea battle, and falls in love with the captain. No Stockholm syndrome here. :) Although the book is rather longish, I didn't feel bored reading it, and enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I particularly enjoyed the coming together of families - when the pirate family meets Wool-Rich's Philadelphia family towards the end of the novel.
Well done, and recommended.
May 28, 2009
Good lord, this was a long book. The version my library stocked was actually the large print version, so it seemed even longer. My main complaint about this book is that it took about a hundred or so pages to get to anything interesting. I'd read reviews that really favored this book, so I pushed onward. I'm glad I did.
This is really two romance stories in one. And the effort by Ms. Krahn is appreciated. But the story ran long in the end too.
I loved the hero and heroine, but at times, the heroine got on my nerves and I wanted to throttle her as badly as Captain Prescott did. Good writing? Or irritating character? I don't really know. I guess while I liked the book, I'm a bit ambivalent toward it. I would have loved to see more of Blythe's interactions with the crew, and less ravaging in the captain's cabin. Which is probably a bad sign in a romance novel.
This is really two romance stories in one. And the effort by Ms. Krahn is appreciated. But the story ran long in the end too.
I loved the hero and heroine, but at times, the heroine got on my nerves and I wanted to throttle her as badly as Captain Prescott did. Good writing? Or irritating character? I don't really know. I guess while I liked the book, I'm a bit ambivalent toward it. I would have loved to see more of Blythe's interactions with the crew, and less ravaging in the captain's cabin. Which is probably a bad sign in a romance novel.
February 5, 2019
One of my very favorite books, I bet it many years ago fell in love with it and had lost my copy which was heartbreaking. Couldn't quite remember the name of it, but I knew the characters, the plot line, and when I finally found it online I was so excited period. Definitely a great read anybody who hasn't should do so it's one of those classic love stories that will leave you breathless and daydreaming for days
abandoned
November 6, 2016Abandoned at 31%
I tried. I really, really tried. I wanted to help this book along so much that I went to look for another pirate romance, read that one, finished it. Enjoyed it. I returned here and I still can't stomach it. I don't understand how two humans can remain constantly angry - at nothing. How am I supposed to accept this sort of annoying anger as passion? Stumps me. I can't take it anymore. Bye bye book. I tried.
I tried. I really, really tried. I wanted to help this book along so much that I went to look for another pirate romance, read that one, finished it. Enjoyed it. I returned here and I still can't stomach it. I don't understand how two humans can remain constantly angry - at nothing. How am I supposed to accept this sort of annoying anger as passion? Stumps me. I can't take it anymore. Bye bye book. I tried.
November 6, 2011
445 pages, small print---long but good. Pirate theme.
March 7, 2016
I loved Blythe's character in the story, how she could switch personas so fast and still be herself. The way Bastian settled down was just appalling, never would've thought it. But at the end, it was more than Blythe that changed, everyone did and I found that extraordinary.
July 15, 2022
I ended up DNFing for now… it was kinda repetitive and cliche. It’s just ehh but I wasn’t really expecting a lot from these cheesy little romance novels. I might pick it up again someday so for now I won’t rate it.
I finally finished it in may..: it was ok
I finally finished it in may..: it was ok
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews