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With Proud Humility
Marie's mother died protecting something, but what? Determined to find answers, Marie is prepared to go to any length to locate her mother’s legacy, even to pursue the man responsible for her death - Black Vane. No price is too dear to Marie, who gambles everything on a marriage of convenience to a ship's captain she knows she can’t trust, but who may be one ally she needs.
This is a historic story of romance and adventure, set on the Caribbean seas of the early 1800's, a tale of betrayal and sacrifice in pursuit of an unknown goal.
This is a clean novel of approx 85,000 words long.
This is a historic story of romance and adventure, set on the Caribbean seas of the early 1800's, a tale of betrayal and sacrifice in pursuit of an unknown goal.
This is a clean novel of approx 85,000 words long.
- GenresPirates
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2010
41 people want to read
About the author
Jess Mountifield
111 books66 followersJess was born in the quaint village of Woodbridge in the Uk, has spent some of her childhood in the States and now resides in the beautiful Roman city of Bath. She lives with her husband Phil and her very dapsy cat, Pleaides. Jess can often be found either in a cafe, grinning behind a large mug of hot chocolate, at her desk, getting annoyed with her cat for sitting on her keyboard, or on her comfy corner sofa with friends, enjoying her high definition tv and surround sound system.
Jess likes playing massively multiplayer on-line games and has written fan fiction for Entropia. Her choose your own adventure story, written under the penname Marie Woodell, covers a romance about two in game characters. She also runs Flight Productions, a film production company, with a fellow writer. Jess' role is managing script writing and she's involved with a science fiction twitter project, a television fantasy drama and a feature film. She also has a clothing company where she produces her own original designs in a gothic style.
Jess likes playing massively multiplayer on-line games and has written fan fiction for Entropia. Her choose your own adventure story, written under the penname Marie Woodell, covers a romance about two in game characters. She also runs Flight Productions, a film production company, with a fellow writer. Jess' role is managing script writing and she's involved with a science fiction twitter project, a television fantasy drama and a feature film. She also has a clothing company where she produces her own original designs in a gothic style.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 11, 2011
Oh, yes! Yes, I really enjoyed reading this novel!
It’s light, really fun, adventurous and stylish, and at times frustrating. Like the last few pages, where Marie and Hayes are sort of dancing around each other with much politeness, so much politeness in fact they’re totally missing the point for a while. While reading I was almost screaming “Just talk to each other, damn it!”. Let’s take things one at a time.
The style of writing is more on the traditional side; I enjoyed it, and it’s wonderfully suited to the time period the story takes place in. The story itself is wonderful, really dynamic, full of fun action, and at times very tense, either on a sandy beach turned battle field or in a Captain’s cabin (especially in the Captain’s cabin…*sigh*). The plot is elaborated enough to keep you guessing all the while, but not so much so that it engulfs and overshadows the characters. This is something I highly appreciate in any form of writing; action is good, but character is much better, in my opinion.
I will however add one thing: this would have been a total 5 butterflies(here stars) novel (I think I’m going to become famous for these words, I keep on saying them over and over again, don’t I? …), if the sentences would have been built just slightly differently. By this I mean, there are some pages where despite the fact that the focus is on Marie, and it doesn’t change, her name appears again and again in relation to whatever it is she does, thinks or feels. It seems a bit script-like in such moments and it takes from the beauty that could have been achieved, I think. As is, it was more of 3 and a half then a 4 butterflies, but I decided I enjoyed all other elements too much to make it a 3 rating.
The characters are delectable. Marie, constantly oscillating between the perfect Lady and the free spirited, adventurous woman she is, and Hayes, the gentleman that dislikes spoiled brats, are a match made in Heaven. Of course, they’re bickering and pocking sticks at each other all through most of the book. I mean, a hot, polite, capable captain of a ship, that generally keeps his word, gets things done, and is hot – who wouldn’t be bickering with him? *that is, if one wasn’t fangirling about him xD*
Not only the main characters are fun and quite endearing, but pretty much all of them. Well except Vane. He’s nasty.
It was a very fun read, completely suited for younger audiences; no gore, no viral violence despite the conflicts that emerge, no mature content.
(I would have appreciated some! After fuming about Marie and Hayes not being together all through the novel, just when they finally get on the same page, the credits roll, so to speak! *sigh*)
And, it has a beautiful cover, that I totally loved!
I recommend this beautiful novel to everyone that loves adventures with spunky Ladies and charming ship captains, and historic fics of any kind. Give it a read, I’m sure you’ll be glad you did!
It’s light, really fun, adventurous and stylish, and at times frustrating. Like the last few pages, where Marie and Hayes are sort of dancing around each other with much politeness, so much politeness in fact they’re totally missing the point for a while. While reading I was almost screaming “Just talk to each other, damn it!”. Let’s take things one at a time.
The style of writing is more on the traditional side; I enjoyed it, and it’s wonderfully suited to the time period the story takes place in. The story itself is wonderful, really dynamic, full of fun action, and at times very tense, either on a sandy beach turned battle field or in a Captain’s cabin (especially in the Captain’s cabin…*sigh*). The plot is elaborated enough to keep you guessing all the while, but not so much so that it engulfs and overshadows the characters. This is something I highly appreciate in any form of writing; action is good, but character is much better, in my opinion.
I will however add one thing: this would have been a total 5 butterflies(here stars) novel (I think I’m going to become famous for these words, I keep on saying them over and over again, don’t I? …), if the sentences would have been built just slightly differently. By this I mean, there are some pages where despite the fact that the focus is on Marie, and it doesn’t change, her name appears again and again in relation to whatever it is she does, thinks or feels. It seems a bit script-like in such moments and it takes from the beauty that could have been achieved, I think. As is, it was more of 3 and a half then a 4 butterflies, but I decided I enjoyed all other elements too much to make it a 3 rating.
The characters are delectable. Marie, constantly oscillating between the perfect Lady and the free spirited, adventurous woman she is, and Hayes, the gentleman that dislikes spoiled brats, are a match made in Heaven. Of course, they’re bickering and pocking sticks at each other all through most of the book. I mean, a hot, polite, capable captain of a ship, that generally keeps his word, gets things done, and is hot – who wouldn’t be bickering with him? *that is, if one wasn’t fangirling about him xD*
Not only the main characters are fun and quite endearing, but pretty much all of them. Well except Vane. He’s nasty.
It was a very fun read, completely suited for younger audiences; no gore, no viral violence despite the conflicts that emerge, no mature content.
(I would have appreciated some! After fuming about Marie and Hayes not being together all through the novel, just when they finally get on the same page, the credits roll, so to speak! *sigh*)
And, it has a beautiful cover, that I totally loved!
I recommend this beautiful novel to everyone that loves adventures with spunky Ladies and charming ship captains, and historic fics of any kind. Give it a read, I’m sure you’ll be glad you did!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2012
This story reminded me very much of the swashbuckling adventures I always loved as a young teenager (a while ago now!) both in books and film. Marie is feisty and fearless, a larger than life character but a fitting heroine for the tale. Her poor father is left to worry over the fate of his daughter on more than one occasion.
All the elements are there to make this a fun story; pirates, maps, treasure and the obligatory he-loves -me, he -loves-me-not romance that just has to come right in the end.
There was what was, for me, a lot of ‘having lunch’ and ‘breakfast’ and a rather over-long scene when a poker game was being played. Though it showed off Marie’s skill and pluck I found myself flicking more quickly through that section, finding it a little too detailed and that I wanted to get back to the main story.
Other chapters, though, were full of action and bravery; Marie fights hard for everything she loves and does not hesitate to throw herself into the fray when time comes for the final battle. The indominateable heroine proves that girls can do all that exciting boy stuff and with a nice touch of flair!
The young and the young at heart will love this story.
All the elements are there to make this a fun story; pirates, maps, treasure and the obligatory he-loves -me, he -loves-me-not romance that just has to come right in the end.
There was what was, for me, a lot of ‘having lunch’ and ‘breakfast’ and a rather over-long scene when a poker game was being played. Though it showed off Marie’s skill and pluck I found myself flicking more quickly through that section, finding it a little too detailed and that I wanted to get back to the main story.
Other chapters, though, were full of action and bravery; Marie fights hard for everything she loves and does not hesitate to throw herself into the fray when time comes for the final battle. The indominateable heroine proves that girls can do all that exciting boy stuff and with a nice touch of flair!
The young and the young at heart will love this story.
July 18, 2012
Heart pounding reading! Travel across the seas with Captain (and also Lord) Hayes, first mate Pasty and a spoiled but multi-talented Lady Marie Woodell. When I say multi-talented I mean a sharp poker playing sword fighting women. Add in a villain pirate by the name of Vane and our story begins. Captain Hayes starts out by saving Lady Hayes who has been kidnapped and shackled to Vanes Captains quarters. He discover's her quite by accident. Then a mysterious map is found and the story begins. Riches, romance, card playing, sword fighting, island finding . . . its all in there. I was sad for this book to end, yes it is one of those.
June 23, 2011
With Proud Humility is a swashbuckler. I can't think of any other way to put it; pirates, hidden treasure, romance, and everything else you need for a good adventure. This is well written and entertaining and I enjoyed every second of it. The female protagonist is a strong woman, and I enjoy reading about those kinds of characters. Set them in a great storyline, and I'm hooked.
I was enthralled from the very first, and I read it in nearly one big gulp. Great story with great characters; get the book, you won't regret it. I'll look for more from this author.
I was enthralled from the very first, and I read it in nearly one big gulp. Great story with great characters; get the book, you won't regret it. I'll look for more from this author.
July 19, 2012
Very entertaining. I enjoyed this book. I love that it took place on the sea with old pirate ships. The story had mystery, adventure and light romance. It kept me reading to see what would happen next. I also think the author has a great book cover - which is a must for selling. That shows me the writer thought about her product from beginning to end and it shows - GREAT READ!
July 16, 2011
I enjoyed reading this book. I perfer a little bit more romance in my stories but the pirates and fighting made up for it. Comedy is definitely not what you will find in this book. If your into pirates, sword fights, cannons and history definitely check this book out.
August 21, 2011
It just didn't sit well with me. So much of the book was about poker... I'm not sure if it was a sequel to another book or not, but for some reason the heroine's mother was on some island with a treasure???? where were the daughter and husband??? This wasn't explained at all. And the ppl that Marie is closest with that she confides her deepest darkest secrets to, she doesn't even reveal their first names! She calls them Mr and Mrs... WHAT???? In public maybe, but not in private. It rambled on forever with fighting and tears... what man is going to ignore a woman in his bed who is trying to seduce him... he kisses like crazy then runs away... not likely. This book left me wanting and it is going on my "do not read again" list of my NOOK.
August 9, 2013
"With Proud Humility" by Jess Mountifield is a beautiful cross between a pirate story, historical novel and romance.
Set in the early 1800s it follows Marie, a young heiress on a personal mission in the Caribbean and her on and off chemistry with the Captain of the ship she travels on.
Later the story moves to England, where the book becomes more historical novel than adventure.
Trust and betrayal are themes well explored in the romance part of the book.
Marie is a great character who sways between stubborn strength and vulnerability, unlike more one-dimensional characters in pirate stories.
The ending is cleverly done and brings everything together. An enjoyable read.
Set in the early 1800s it follows Marie, a young heiress on a personal mission in the Caribbean and her on and off chemistry with the Captain of the ship she travels on.
Later the story moves to England, where the book becomes more historical novel than adventure.
Trust and betrayal are themes well explored in the romance part of the book.
Marie is a great character who sways between stubborn strength and vulnerability, unlike more one-dimensional characters in pirate stories.
The ending is cleverly done and brings everything together. An enjoyable read.
August 16, 2013
I was given this book by the author in return for an honest review.
What a fantastic swash-buckling story.
I loved how head-strong and adventurous Marie was and how determined Hayes was.
I loved following these two on their travels and adventures and watching their growing love for one another along the way.
I love how they take on Vane and finally manage to capture him.
I also loved how they finally admit to their feelings for one another.
I was drawn into this story from the start and couldn't put it down until I had finished it!!!!!
What a fantastic swash-buckling story.
I loved how head-strong and adventurous Marie was and how determined Hayes was.
I loved following these two on their travels and adventures and watching their growing love for one another along the way.
I love how they take on Vane and finally manage to capture him.
I also loved how they finally admit to their feelings for one another.
I was drawn into this story from the start and couldn't put it down until I had finished it!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews