What do you think?
Rate this book
The Seahawk's Sanctuary
* 2013 Silver Medal Winner - Global eBook Award: Historical Romance
* Best Book of 2011 Nominee - The Romance Reviews
* 2011 Nominated for the Global eBook Award in 2 categories: Historical Literature – Fiction and Best eBook Cover
Pirates. Now she had to contend with pirates. Victoria wondered at the magnitude of her bad luck as she tried to gulp down her fear. Contempt narrowed her eyes as they swept over the British captain's inert form lying on the floor. Her hopes rose with her gaze when the blows to the door ceased.
In the eerie silence, resounding words echoed throughout the cabin. "Find Buck," ordered a voice of authority. "Seems I have need of his special talents. I'll handle this."
Historical Romance - Synopsis -
Wishing to escape the dull responsibilities of his rice plantation home, Grant Hawthorne sails the seas procuring boycotted goods for the American colonies. While plundering an British merchant ship, he discovers the captain’s ill-treated cabin boy, Vic, and offers the youth the opportunity to join his crew. Grant quickly learns, however, that Vic is actually Victoria, a young woman who, for unknown reasons, is fleeing England. They try keeping her gender a secret from the crew, until a sailor exposes her deception, causing tensions to explode to mutinous proportions.
After several weeks at sea, the ship sets anchor outside the Charles Town harbor and Grant, though intrigued by Victoria’s spirit and beauty, lets her go. While in port, he is confronted with the fact that a tragic accident has placed all the Hawthorne properties and assets in jeopardy. He suddenly realizes both Victoria and his home, are too precious to lose. With a firm determination, Grant initiates a search to locate the mysterious Victoria while he prepares to fight for what is rightfully his.
* Best Book of 2011 Nominee - The Romance Reviews
* 2011 Nominated for the Global eBook Award in 2 categories: Historical Literature – Fiction and Best eBook Cover
Pirates. Now she had to contend with pirates. Victoria wondered at the magnitude of her bad luck as she tried to gulp down her fear. Contempt narrowed her eyes as they swept over the British captain's inert form lying on the floor. Her hopes rose with her gaze when the blows to the door ceased.
In the eerie silence, resounding words echoed throughout the cabin. "Find Buck," ordered a voice of authority. "Seems I have need of his special talents. I'll handle this."
Historical Romance - Synopsis -
Wishing to escape the dull responsibilities of his rice plantation home, Grant Hawthorne sails the seas procuring boycotted goods for the American colonies. While plundering an British merchant ship, he discovers the captain’s ill-treated cabin boy, Vic, and offers the youth the opportunity to join his crew. Grant quickly learns, however, that Vic is actually Victoria, a young woman who, for unknown reasons, is fleeing England. They try keeping her gender a secret from the crew, until a sailor exposes her deception, causing tensions to explode to mutinous proportions.
After several weeks at sea, the ship sets anchor outside the Charles Town harbor and Grant, though intrigued by Victoria’s spirit and beauty, lets her go. While in port, he is confronted with the fact that a tragic accident has placed all the Hawthorne properties and assets in jeopardy. He suddenly realizes both Victoria and his home, are too precious to lose. With a firm determination, Grant initiates a search to locate the mysterious Victoria while he prepares to fight for what is rightfully his.
312 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2011
16 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Marie
8 books20 followersLynne Marie grew up in South Carolina and has lived and worked in the coastal region with her husband for over 30 years. She started writing in the mid-1990s and states that she was inspired to write these novels. And while, at most times, inspiration is a small tickle in the back of your conscious or unconscious mind as you go about your daily life, hers was not like that at all. It was a wake you up from a vivid dream in the middle of the night demand. Lynne said, "I ask you--how do you say NO to that?" So came into being the opening scene of Lion's Lair. But with no formal training in creative writing and a family to raise, the learning curve and the uncounted hours of research took years. She soon discovered that she loved what she refers to as "spike history"--a brief time span, usually five years or less, in a very localized setting.
In Lynne's spare time, she enjoys working on large and small projects in a type of faux stained glass. She also loves to cook, especially Southern comfort foods, and has recently started collecting orchids. Some bloom, some haven't yet, but they all like the muggy summer heat a lot more than she does!
If you wish to learn more about Lynne Marie, please visit her website at: LynneMarieAuthor.com
In Lynne's spare time, she enjoys working on large and small projects in a type of faux stained glass. She also loves to cook, especially Southern comfort foods, and has recently started collecting orchids. Some bloom, some haven't yet, but they all like the muggy summer heat a lot more than she does!
If you wish to learn more about Lynne Marie, please visit her website at: LynneMarieAuthor.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 3, 2011
I'm a historian, so I am picky about my historical novels. I was impressed with the thoroughness of Lynne Marie's research. Yet this book is more than a history lesson; it is a heckuva good read. (Pardon my slang.) I read a lot of historical fiction. Some of it is good, but often it is less than satisfying. It is difficult to incorporate factual research into an engaging novel. Sometimes the author is clumsy in integrating the historical facts with the fictional story. Other times, the other is a good historian and a terrible storyteller. Lynne Marie
makes neither of these mistakes; she tells a gripping story that smoothly and skillfully captures both historical facts and the “feel” of a particular age. Her characters are well-developed, and it's a lively "bodice-ripper" of a romance. When I reached the end of the novel, I wanted to know what happened to the main characters next. In my book that is the mark of a good novel.
makes neither of these mistakes; she tells a gripping story that smoothly and skillfully captures both historical facts and the “feel” of a particular age. Her characters are well-developed, and it's a lively "bodice-ripper" of a romance. When I reached the end of the novel, I wanted to know what happened to the main characters next. In my book that is the mark of a good novel.
March 6, 2013
"The Seahawk's Sanctuary" starts off with a bang: Pirate captain Grant Hawthorne finds Victoria Barlow chained to a bed in the captain's quarters of a ship he raids ... and the captain dead with a knife in his back. He decides to take Victoria as part of the booty, and she disguises herself as a boy.
Somehow, this fools some of the shipmates, although others are a bit wiser. And so, they all head back to the colonies (Grant lives in Charles Town) with the goodies.
Of course, it turns out that both Victoria and Grant are well-to-do in their own right ... but each also has some secrets that must be kept.
Overall, it was an entertaining romance. There were some scenes that were not for the under-18 set, which was fine with me. The story does deal with slavery, and at some points in the tale the interactions between Grant, Victoria and the slaves seemed unlikely to me based on history ... but they were not implausible.
There were only two incidences of anachronistic dialogue ("okay" was used twice, which has become a peeve of mine in historical fiction set before the 19th C., when the term came into use). To the author's credit, when I commented on the first incident in one of my status updates, she contacted me immediately to thank me for seeing it and said it would be corrected in the eBook edition. This kind of concern for detail is greatly appreciated.
Somehow, this fools some of the shipmates, although others are a bit wiser. And so, they all head back to the colonies (Grant lives in Charles Town) with the goodies.
Of course, it turns out that both Victoria and Grant are well-to-do in their own right ... but each also has some secrets that must be kept.
Overall, it was an entertaining romance. There were some scenes that were not for the under-18 set, which was fine with me. The story does deal with slavery, and at some points in the tale the interactions between Grant, Victoria and the slaves seemed unlikely to me based on history ... but they were not implausible.
There were only two incidences of anachronistic dialogue ("okay" was used twice, which has become a peeve of mine in historical fiction set before the 19th C., when the term came into use). To the author's credit, when I commented on the first incident in one of my status updates, she contacted me immediately to thank me for seeing it and said it would be corrected in the eBook edition. This kind of concern for detail is greatly appreciated.
Want to read
June 20, 2011This book seems like it will be an interesting read :)
June 12, 2014
I forgot how much I really loved this book. So glad I decided to re-read this book. Plan on reading more by this author. She just knows how to make you feel like you are part of the story!
January 12, 2025
Loved! I couldn’t put it down.
October 2, 2011
OMG! Hello Capt. Grant Hawthorne...He is such a dynamic character that's so richly described, I thought he would materialize from the pages. However, I think it was very clever of Lynne Marie to introduce Victoria first. I was immediately drawn in by her 'what's next' attitude while pirates are bashing on the cabin door, and her quick wit of putting on a disguise. The reader gets a good taste of her fortitude and knows she will hold her own - even against Grant. The true depth of Victoria and Grant is revealed against the vivid backgrounds of the colonial Carolina coastal region. The supporting cast of characters are well-rendered, and I especially loved spunky Mama Lil and Grant's loyal best friend, David. The love scenes were highly sensual, but tasteful - well worth the wait. Definitely an easy read that's hard to put down. I believe ANYONE will enjoy reading The Seahawk's Sanctuary; it's escapism at its best!
This was my review after I found and finished reading this wonderful novel on Smashwords in February. I have been watching this author's development over the last 7 months...and let me tell you, she has come a long way! I believe that this is due not only to the quality of her writing, but to her persistence in getting her work out there. From a lone Facebook page, I now see posts on Twitter, LinkedIn, and lately HootSuite and let's not overlook her GREAT website that is showing improvements on a weekly basis. (love the cobbler recipe) Her latest teasers on Twitter about a new novel that I believe will be released in 2012 are driving me nuts! All I wish to say to this debut author is: YOU GO GIRL, AND DON'T LET THE ONES WHO 'DON'T GET IT' STAND IN YOUR WAY!!!
This was my review after I found and finished reading this wonderful novel on Smashwords in February. I have been watching this author's development over the last 7 months...and let me tell you, she has come a long way! I believe that this is due not only to the quality of her writing, but to her persistence in getting her work out there. From a lone Facebook page, I now see posts on Twitter, LinkedIn, and lately HootSuite and let's not overlook her GREAT website that is showing improvements on a weekly basis. (love the cobbler recipe) Her latest teasers on Twitter about a new novel that I believe will be released in 2012 are driving me nuts! All I wish to say to this debut author is: YOU GO GIRL, AND DON'T LET THE ONES WHO 'DON'T GET IT' STAND IN YOUR WAY!!!
August 16, 2011
I do not usually read books from the romance genre and its subcategories, but I like trying new things every now and then. While not being the best thing I've read, it certainly wasn't the worst either.
The story is a familiar one: boy meets girl, they initially hate each other but secretly start falling in lust/love with one another. Something happens that forces them to be together and they live happily ever after. Of course, there were more details, but they seemed secondary to the love story. Personally I thought the details that weren't emphasized were more interesting, and could have given the plot some oomph when (I felt) it started to drag towards the end. While I like love stories, I don't think sex and romance is all that should be going on.
I think the setting was my favourite part of this book. It takes place in the southern US colonies just before the USA came into being, and the author did a good job of making it feel real.
On the whole, I'd recommend it for those who like historical romance novels, as a good summer read.
I won this book from goodreads giveaways.
The story is a familiar one: boy meets girl, they initially hate each other but secretly start falling in lust/love with one another. Something happens that forces them to be together and they live happily ever after. Of course, there were more details, but they seemed secondary to the love story. Personally I thought the details that weren't emphasized were more interesting, and could have given the plot some oomph when (I felt) it started to drag towards the end. While I like love stories, I don't think sex and romance is all that should be going on.
I think the setting was my favourite part of this book. It takes place in the southern US colonies just before the USA came into being, and the author did a good job of making it feel real.
On the whole, I'd recommend it for those who like historical romance novels, as a good summer read.
I won this book from goodreads giveaways.
November 29, 2015
Poorly written
This is a rudimentary attempt at writing. I read a book a day and try very hard to read even badly written books once I've begun them in an attempt to redeem an author. This one is full of grammatical and historical error th st makes it very difficult to take the writing seriously. I was astonished at the ignorance of the happy slaves on a plantation as,well as trying to understand what angered the captain at any given time. The captain comes off as a silly lunatic. The other main character, Victoria, also comes off poorly.....having been so abused I doubt she would rebound so quickly. It is a rather juvenile story except for the sex. I wouldn't bother reading it again nor recommending it.
This is a rudimentary attempt at writing. I read a book a day and try very hard to read even badly written books once I've begun them in an attempt to redeem an author. This one is full of grammatical and historical error th st makes it very difficult to take the writing seriously. I was astonished at the ignorance of the happy slaves on a plantation as,well as trying to understand what angered the captain at any given time. The captain comes off as a silly lunatic. The other main character, Victoria, also comes off poorly.....having been so abused I doubt she would rebound so quickly. It is a rather juvenile story except for the sex. I wouldn't bother reading it again nor recommending it.
July 17, 2011
I liked this book, but I can not say it one of my favorites. I had the expectation of more adventure and more pirate action. If you are looking for nice romance novel, you will find it here. The story takes place pre-revolutionary war. A pirate, Grant Hawthorne, captures a British Merchant ship and discovers a "boy" named "Vic" tied up and abused. He soon discovered that "Vic" is actually a woman. Grant decides to take Victoria (originally Vic) to one of the American colonies. He loses her and decides he needs to find her. That is all i am going to say. This is great romance novel, but just ok in adventure.
May 1, 2011
I read this book when it first came out on Smashwords and it is a great read! The characters are well developed and interesting--even the secondary characters, who add just a little more sparkle and pizazz to an already awesome story. (I love Mama Lil! :D) The interaction between the two main characters is also spicy and exciting, and the love scenes are sensual and erotic without being tasteless. There's also obviously a lot of research and attention to historical detail without it being overbearing or reading like a text on the 18th century. I would highly recommend this book.
August 15, 2015
Lynne Marie has created an exciting and romantic novel that all readers, both male and female, will enjoy. Her characters are round and dynamic, making the reader want to turn the page for more. She has nailed both the time period and location in which the book is set, and the reader can easily visualize the characters sailing in and out of the Charleston Harbor during pre-revolutionary times. I hope to read more from this author and would love to see a sequel to The Seahawk's Sanctuary.
Want to read
May 2, 2011I didn't read this. I made a mistake and hit the wrong shelf.
May 17, 2011
I'm afraid I've read this story before. It is a good read, entertaining if not original.
August 7, 2011
A very enjoyable read - fun characters and excellent historical detail. An amazing cover, too! Hear this one's been nominated for a couple Global EBook awards as well... kudos to Lynne Marie!
June 5, 2012
The Seahawk Sanctuary caught my interest from the first page,looked forward to picking it up each day. FYI: Some passionate moments between Capt Grant Hawthorne and Victoria.
September 4, 2012
I highly recommend this book for anyone
FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews