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Hasta que el alba dome la noche
Cuando Aurora Dayne, huérfana desde muy temprana edad, abandona el orfanato en el que ha vivido desde el lejano día en que su padre la abandonara, jamás imaginó que su anodina y monótona vida pudiera dar un vuelco de ciento ochenta grados, que es lo que le sucede. Apenas tiene recuerdos del hombre que le dio la vida: una vaga y nebulosa imagen que puebla su mente, una sensación cálida que la cobija en sus días más tristes y solitarios, y un extraño medallón con incrustaciones de esmeralda como única posesión.
Cuando el único hogar que ha conocido pasa a manos de un nuevo dueño y ve tambalearse su futuro, ya que éste es un hombre avaro y egoísta, obsesionado con casarse con ella, decide abandonar el orfanato. Recibe una propuesta de trabajo, misteriosa pero muy interesante que parece caer llovida del cielo y que le abre las puertas a lo que espera sea una nueva vida. Eso sí, abismalmente diferente de la que ella espera.
Con la finalidad de viajar a Jamaica, donde le aguarda un trabajo como dama de compañía para una anciana dama, embarca en el Seabravery . A bordo de este navío conoce al misterioso Vashon, el dueño del mismo, del que descubre poco después se trata de un temido y peligroso pirata.
Cuando el único hogar que ha conocido pasa a manos de un nuevo dueño y ve tambalearse su futuro, ya que éste es un hombre avaro y egoísta, obsesionado con casarse con ella, decide abandonar el orfanato. Recibe una propuesta de trabajo, misteriosa pero muy interesante que parece caer llovida del cielo y que le abre las puertas a lo que espera sea una nueva vida. Eso sí, abismalmente diferente de la que ella espera.
Con la finalidad de viajar a Jamaica, donde le aguarda un trabajo como dama de compañía para una anciana dama, embarca en el Seabravery . A bordo de este navío conoce al misterioso Vashon, el dueño del mismo, del que descubre poco después se trata de un temido y peligroso pirata.
356 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 1991
46 people are currently reading
1036 people want to read
About the author
Meagan McKinney
72 books211 followersRuth Leslie Goodman Roberson (1961), well-known as Meagan McKinney gave up a thriving career as a biologist to become a full-time romance writer. She is author of over 20 critically acclaimed novels. Divorced, she lives with her two children in in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
December 18, 2021
3.5 stars
This was a very well written love story. The author took her time developing a slow burn romance that paid off very well. I enjoyed watching the prig h and suave H fall in love.
My only problem was the lack of excitement. The author create great character development but the rest of the plot was slow. The book missed out on any excitement. For a pirate book, I expected more interaction between the villian and H . I won't even go into illogical parts, like a stepson being able to inherit a title or that the villian was able to catch up with the H after being months behind in travel.
Still, the MC made this an enjoyable read.....ar least most of the time. I would recommend it!
This was a very well written love story. The author took her time developing a slow burn romance that paid off very well. I enjoyed watching the prig h and suave H fall in love.
My only problem was the lack of excitement. The author create great character development but the rest of the plot was slow. The book missed out on any excitement. For a pirate book, I expected more interaction between the villian and H . I won't even go into illogical parts, like a stepson being able to inherit a title or that the villian was able to catch up with the H after being months behind in travel.
Still, the MC made this an enjoyable read.....ar least most of the time. I would recommend it!
March 8, 2010
My favorite pirate book of all time. Although it does have one hilarious scene in it, it's not really humorous. But if you want a pirate book that portrays pirates realistically and goes right to the edge of making the hero unlikable, this is it. His redemption is the most moving thing I've ever read.
August 23, 2018
3 Estrellitas, y podrían haber sido más si no hubiese sido por la cantidad de relleno que hay en broncas entre sus personajes. A ver, llevo una racha de lecturas de novelas de amor/odio, y me tienen muy cansada porque en todas el conflicto no se sostiene, parece que tienen que odiarse porque sí, y ya no sabes quién es el mas ilógico de todos.
Volviendo a la novela, finalmente me ha convencido, pero diría que han sido las últimas 100 páginas, donde por fin he visto el deseado acercamiento y se me ha hecho mas llevadero.
¿De qué trata este libro? Es básicamente una aventura de piratas, asi que la mayor parte de la novela transcurre a bordo de un barco. La protagonista Aurora es la hija huérfana de un ladrón profesional. Cuando era muy pequeña su padre la dejó en un orfanato junto con el colgante de un lagarto y una canción, nunca volvió a por ella. Ya adulta, Aurora es maestra de la escuela donde la abandonaron, no es feliz allí, pero su suerte está a apunto de cambiar, acaba de recibir una misteriosa carta de una señora británica que vive en una isla del Caribe y necesita una dama de compañía. Así es como Aurora caerá en las garras del dragón.
Años atrás, cuando no era mas que un niño, Vashon fue traicionado por su hermanastro mayor, que se deshizo de él de la manera mas cruel para quedarse con su título y fortuna. Los años de cautiverio le dieron a Vashon la frialdad e inteligencia que necesita para derrotar a su hermano cuando estuviera preparado, y ahora ha llegado el momento. El vizconde de Blackwell, el hermanastro de Vashon, ansía una joya que según se dice, el que la posea derrotará a todos sus enemigos. Pero la esmeralda está perdida o en manos del ladrón que la robó, y parece que nadie sabe donde encontrarla, aunque quizas la hija del ladrón sí lo sepa...
Una vez a bordo del Seabravery, el barco que llevará a Aurora a su nueva vida, ésta conocerá a Vashon, al que llaman el dragón y propietario del barco, ademas de ser un conocido pirata. Muy tarde descubrirá Aurora las autenticas intenciones de Vashon, pues todo no fue más que una encerrona para secuestrarla y que ayude a Vashon a encontrar la joya que su padre robó.
En seguida de esto, el libro se convierte en una lucha de voluntades entre los protagonistas, pues Vashon está decidido a salirse con la suya a cualquier precio, y por desgracia su actitud para con Aurora es una de las cosas mas desagradables del libro, pues la violencia de sus actos y palabras es a mi juicio injustificada. En cuando a Aurora, cree ser una persona inteligente, valiente e independiente, y por desgracia no encuentras mucho de esto en el libro, aunque la ves luchar por lo que desea, su voluntad es muy floja y en seguida cede, y desde luego no es muy inteligente todo el tiempo que pierde el libro en broncas sin sentido para que Vashon no pueda salirse con la suya. Como digo siempre, el problema de muchos de estos libros es la falta de comunicacion y confianza, mas si encima desde el primer momento ves que los protagonistas se fijan el uno en el otro o se desean, pero sí, sé que sin conflicto no hay historia, pero a veces el lector se desespera si no ve que está bien llevado.
A pesar de todo, creo que el libro se ha arreglado de un modo bastante favorable. Empezó muy bien y me enganchó, pero hacia la mitad se me desinfló mucho por la cantidad de capítulos donde no los ves más que discutiendo y siendo un par de tontos, y sí, al final se arregló bastante y me ha gustado mucho, así que me quedo con ese recuerdo, y también con los personajes secundarios, pues todos han sido un gran elenco, desde el capitán del barco a la viuda Flossy, o del joven Benny y su mona.
No es el mejor libro que he leído de Meagan McKinney, pero sí me ha gustado más que el anterior que leí de ella. De todas formas creo que pasará un tiempo antes de que me anime a leer otro libro suyo, o quizás otro de amor/odio en general.
Volviendo a la novela, finalmente me ha convencido, pero diría que han sido las últimas 100 páginas, donde por fin he visto el deseado acercamiento y se me ha hecho mas llevadero.
¿De qué trata este libro? Es básicamente una aventura de piratas, asi que la mayor parte de la novela transcurre a bordo de un barco. La protagonista Aurora es la hija huérfana de un ladrón profesional. Cuando era muy pequeña su padre la dejó en un orfanato junto con el colgante de un lagarto y una canción, nunca volvió a por ella. Ya adulta, Aurora es maestra de la escuela donde la abandonaron, no es feliz allí, pero su suerte está a apunto de cambiar, acaba de recibir una misteriosa carta de una señora británica que vive en una isla del Caribe y necesita una dama de compañía. Así es como Aurora caerá en las garras del dragón.
Años atrás, cuando no era mas que un niño, Vashon fue traicionado por su hermanastro mayor, que se deshizo de él de la manera mas cruel para quedarse con su título y fortuna. Los años de cautiverio le dieron a Vashon la frialdad e inteligencia que necesita para derrotar a su hermano cuando estuviera preparado, y ahora ha llegado el momento. El vizconde de Blackwell, el hermanastro de Vashon, ansía una joya que según se dice, el que la posea derrotará a todos sus enemigos. Pero la esmeralda está perdida o en manos del ladrón que la robó, y parece que nadie sabe donde encontrarla, aunque quizas la hija del ladrón sí lo sepa...
Una vez a bordo del Seabravery, el barco que llevará a Aurora a su nueva vida, ésta conocerá a Vashon, al que llaman el dragón y propietario del barco, ademas de ser un conocido pirata. Muy tarde descubrirá Aurora las autenticas intenciones de Vashon, pues todo no fue más que una encerrona para secuestrarla y que ayude a Vashon a encontrar la joya que su padre robó.
En seguida de esto, el libro se convierte en una lucha de voluntades entre los protagonistas, pues Vashon está decidido a salirse con la suya a cualquier precio, y por desgracia su actitud para con Aurora es una de las cosas mas desagradables del libro, pues la violencia de sus actos y palabras es a mi juicio injustificada. En cuando a Aurora, cree ser una persona inteligente, valiente e independiente, y por desgracia no encuentras mucho de esto en el libro, aunque la ves luchar por lo que desea, su voluntad es muy floja y en seguida cede, y desde luego no es muy inteligente todo el tiempo que pierde el libro en broncas sin sentido para que Vashon no pueda salirse con la suya. Como digo siempre, el problema de muchos de estos libros es la falta de comunicacion y confianza, mas si encima desde el primer momento ves que los protagonistas se fijan el uno en el otro o se desean, pero sí, sé que sin conflicto no hay historia, pero a veces el lector se desespera si no ve que está bien llevado.
A pesar de todo, creo que el libro se ha arreglado de un modo bastante favorable. Empezó muy bien y me enganchó, pero hacia la mitad se me desinfló mucho por la cantidad de capítulos donde no los ves más que discutiendo y siendo un par de tontos, y sí, al final se arregló bastante y me ha gustado mucho, así que me quedo con ese recuerdo, y también con los personajes secundarios, pues todos han sido un gran elenco, desde el capitán del barco a la viuda Flossy, o del joven Benny y su mona.
No es el mejor libro que he leído de Meagan McKinney, pero sí me ha gustado más que el anterior que leí de ella. De todas formas creo que pasará un tiempo antes de que me anime a leer otro libro suyo, o quizás otro de amor/odio en general.
March 5, 2024
I loved Lions and Lace by this author, so I was excited for this one. The beginning was interesting as the heroine was traveling to Jamaica to be a governess, but then nothing really happens with the story. This is a pirate romance and there's NO PIRATING. I felt robbed. The hero wasn't really all that great and there was not that much for the romance that I was loving. With not a lot of plot and a romance I didn't really love, this was a two star read.
February 17, 2024
This book was such a bummer! I lovedddd Lions and Lace from this author, it was even one of my fav reads of 2023. So I fully went in expecting to love this one, and I sadly just didn’t even like it.
This is a regency, pirates, old school historical romance (i.e. bodice ripper dubcon). Basically Aurora was raised in an orphanage, when she “aged out” she became a teacher there. But now she’s ready for adventure and sets off on a ship to Jamaica. She has her dragon locket she was giving by her father years ago, and that definitely comes into play in the story. Vashon has been searching for the Star of Aran, a giant emerald and is very happy to see Aurora on his ship as he planned to abduct her anyways! He is convinced she knows more about her past and her father and the stolen jewel than she’s letting on and he decides to hold her captive and bang the answers out of her.
This was just a mess. I didn’t care about the characters and was sooo over the constant back and forth, push-and-pull over and over with this couple. We did get a dragon tattoo, a baby monkey, family secrets, and a whole lotta time set at sea.
This is a regency, pirates, old school historical romance (i.e. bodice ripper dubcon). Basically Aurora was raised in an orphanage, when she “aged out” she became a teacher there. But now she’s ready for adventure and sets off on a ship to Jamaica. She has her dragon locket she was giving by her father years ago, and that definitely comes into play in the story. Vashon has been searching for the Star of Aran, a giant emerald and is very happy to see Aurora on his ship as he planned to abduct her anyways! He is convinced she knows more about her past and her father and the stolen jewel than she’s letting on and he decides to hold her captive and bang the answers out of her.
This was just a mess. I didn’t care about the characters and was sooo over the constant back and forth, push-and-pull over and over with this couple. We did get a dragon tattoo, a baby monkey, family secrets, and a whole lotta time set at sea.
March 21, 2013
I said in another review that I appreciate when an author lets me draw my own conclusions as reader. I have been reading romance novels voraciously for 2 months now, and I can only conclude that in this genre, the authors by and large cannot rely on something like the readers own intelligence. No, no--the author must tell the reader exactly what to think. An exercise in control against which I as reader rebel.
This would be tolerable if this were done with an omniscient POV. Unfortunately, that POV is never used. The de rigeuer POV is third person limited, which SHOULD mean that the reader only observes what that specific character does. But how then to control the reader's opinion and response when limited to the Third Person narrative?
Ah, you see here is when we find the standard romance machima: a heroine (and sometimes hero) who observes a godlike amount of detail and insight into the people around her (or him). Usually, this insight is limited to the lover, but occasionally the villain. But in order to keep the story moving, to create dramatic tension or sometimes create mystery, the author then has the heroine (or hero) completely misunderstand, misinterpret, forget or worse still, ignore what she/he has just observed. So observational omniscience; interpretational idiocy. Really, it is frustrating, annoying and insulting to the reader.
Since starting The Great Romance Reading Project of 2013, I have found scenario in nearly every novel I have read. There were some noticeable exceptions, and universally, those novels were enjoyable AND outstanding. You will find those in my 5 star column.
In several books, I have managed to fall for a book with such authorial intrusion simply because the Author only occasionally resorts to such heavy-handedness, and the overall technique balances out these instances. My reviewed Julia Quinn novels would be examples of this.
Then there are the novels that were wonderful in some aspect (characterization, plot, setting) but whose POV's sloppiness and authorial intrusion make the novel unsuccessful for me. That would be this novel, and it pains me. There is much to like in Till Dawn Tames the Night - the beautifully drawn hero Vashon, an exciting kidnapped by pirates plot, a villain worthy of all the angst - but I simply cannot get past the technique or lack thereof. This was a novel that needed an editor. I am really annoyed thinking about it because with some careful editorial assistance, this novel could have been a Romance classic.
Unfortunately, it is not.
To return to the POV discussion, here is a humorous reinterpretation of the observational omniscience I had when reading Till Dawn Tames The Night--
"Aurora looked down over the railing to the stranger on the deck below. Her eyes unwillingly met those of this dangerous, dangerous, oh so dangerous but still sexay man. They were green in an unnatural way never found in nature but which 200 years later would be easily recognized as the color of anti-freeze. As his eyes held hers against her will, she could see the speculation in them. Speculation and triumph. As if he had finally achieved what he had wanted all these years, when he was a youth and swore revenge on his brother. She would have wilted under this knowledge that his eyes held, but it was as if his eyes forbid her from turning away. They bore into her and she felt like he could see her soul, as if he knew all her secrets. He knew she was an untried virgin who had only now today ventured out into the world and had no understanding of people, let alone dangerous, dangerous men like him. And she knew then that she had revealed to him that it was she, Aurora, who had broken the vase in the Orphanage's drawing room and blamed it on another orphan when she was 7. His look changed and he smiled. Something fierce like future sex lurked there. And she knew in her heart that he really only wanted her to exact revenge on his brother and...and that he had had nothing to eat since breakfast and that he was likely to drink brandy before bed. All this she could see even though I the author just told you it was midnight, it's dark as hell and the man is at least 20 feet from the heroine. But you needed me to tell you all this because it's sex-ay writing and because you, the reader are too dumb to ever understand what I meant if I had only written "the stranger's eyes lit with a speculative gleam." "
Anyway, this novel was chockfull of such passages. There was also a continuing conflict between the hero and the heroine which grew tiresome and repetitious, the only purpose of which was to make their sex semi-non-consensual ("sexay writing!") Even this I could rise above if it hadn't been contradictory as hell -- er...well.
An editor, an editor! My royalties for an editor!
This would be tolerable if this were done with an omniscient POV. Unfortunately, that POV is never used. The de rigeuer POV is third person limited, which SHOULD mean that the reader only observes what that specific character does. But how then to control the reader's opinion and response when limited to the Third Person narrative?
Ah, you see here is when we find the standard romance machima: a heroine (and sometimes hero) who observes a godlike amount of detail and insight into the people around her (or him). Usually, this insight is limited to the lover, but occasionally the villain. But in order to keep the story moving, to create dramatic tension or sometimes create mystery, the author then has the heroine (or hero) completely misunderstand, misinterpret, forget or worse still, ignore what she/he has just observed. So observational omniscience; interpretational idiocy. Really, it is frustrating, annoying and insulting to the reader.
Since starting The Great Romance Reading Project of 2013, I have found scenario in nearly every novel I have read. There were some noticeable exceptions, and universally, those novels were enjoyable AND outstanding. You will find those in my 5 star column.
In several books, I have managed to fall for a book with such authorial intrusion simply because the Author only occasionally resorts to such heavy-handedness, and the overall technique balances out these instances. My reviewed Julia Quinn novels would be examples of this.
Then there are the novels that were wonderful in some aspect (characterization, plot, setting) but whose POV's sloppiness and authorial intrusion make the novel unsuccessful for me. That would be this novel, and it pains me. There is much to like in Till Dawn Tames the Night - the beautifully drawn hero Vashon, an exciting kidnapped by pirates plot, a villain worthy of all the angst - but I simply cannot get past the technique or lack thereof. This was a novel that needed an editor. I am really annoyed thinking about it because with some careful editorial assistance, this novel could have been a Romance classic.
Unfortunately, it is not.
To return to the POV discussion, here is a humorous reinterpretation of the observational omniscience I had when reading Till Dawn Tames The Night--
"Aurora looked down over the railing to the stranger on the deck below. Her eyes unwillingly met those of this dangerous, dangerous, oh so dangerous but still sexay man. They were green in an unnatural way never found in nature but which 200 years later would be easily recognized as the color of anti-freeze. As his eyes held hers against her will, she could see the speculation in them. Speculation and triumph. As if he had finally achieved what he had wanted all these years, when he was a youth and swore revenge on his brother. She would have wilted under this knowledge that his eyes held, but it was as if his eyes forbid her from turning away. They bore into her and she felt like he could see her soul, as if he knew all her secrets. He knew she was an untried virgin who had only now today ventured out into the world and had no understanding of people, let alone dangerous, dangerous men like him. And she knew then that she had revealed to him that it was she, Aurora, who had broken the vase in the Orphanage's drawing room and blamed it on another orphan when she was 7. His look changed and he smiled. Something fierce like future sex lurked there. And she knew in her heart that he really only wanted her to exact revenge on his brother and...and that he had had nothing to eat since breakfast and that he was likely to drink brandy before bed. All this she could see even though I the author just told you it was midnight, it's dark as hell and the man is at least 20 feet from the heroine. But you needed me to tell you all this because it's sex-ay writing and because you, the reader are too dumb to ever understand what I meant if I had only written "the stranger's eyes lit with a speculative gleam." "
Anyway, this novel was chockfull of such passages. There was also a continuing conflict between the hero and the heroine which grew tiresome and repetitious, the only purpose of which was to make their sex semi-non-consensual ("sexay writing!") Even this I could rise above if it hadn't been contradictory as hell -- er...well.
An editor, an editor! My royalties for an editor!
April 29, 2022
This book had it all. It's peak adventure pirate romance with a little bit of everything:
Treasure Hunting
Mysterious prophecy
A little bit of paranormal elements
Morally grey hero
Kidnapping
Feisty orphan heroine who holds the clue to the missing treasure
An island pirate hideaway
Swords and derring do
And a monkey! It is my opinion after reading this that every romance should have a monkey 🐒
My only grumble is that I wished for more steam. But the rage-y foreplay was a good substitute.
Tropes:
Slow burn
Pirate hero
Enemies to Lovers
CW: dub con. This book is definitely old school so YMMV
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥/5
Treasure Hunting
Mysterious prophecy
A little bit of paranormal elements
Morally grey hero
Kidnapping
Feisty orphan heroine who holds the clue to the missing treasure
An island pirate hideaway
Swords and derring do
And a monkey! It is my opinion after reading this that every romance should have a monkey 🐒
My only grumble is that I wished for more steam. But the rage-y foreplay was a good substitute.
Tropes:
Slow burn
Pirate hero
Enemies to Lovers
CW: dub con. This book is definitely old school so YMMV
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥/5
May 9, 2022
Lovely writing, and the hero Vashon is swoon-worthy with his dark nature and his vulnerability. However, as is a common issue with some older bodice rippers, the leads jump from hate to love with a lot of it off-screen, and I think I would have preferred more development on this front to even things out.
February 27, 2024
2.75 stars
Some brilliance in the midst of an under-developed bore, Till Dawn Tames the Night was overall a conflicting experience because there were aspects I found deeply engrossing (the various pirate-related settings, Meagan McKinney's grandiose writing style), but dragged down by equal amount of elements that simply didn't work.
As a romance, the novel never properly set up the chemistry between the two leads. So throughout the whole love/hate back and forth, I was left baffled, not grasping where these deep-rooted emotions came from. After enduring the hollow first half, the novel finally provided the much needed backstory for the hero, and solidified him as a fairly dimensional anti-hero. There was a reason behind his sexual violence, which made this novel closer to a classic bodice ripper (or contemporary dark romance). The pseudo-consenting sex scenes were uncomfortable to read, but knowing the origin of his upbringing, they became quite fascinating psychologically.
The lack of polish also applies to its adventure aspect; the 'revenge' was never clear to me why it was such a decades long grudge, and the logic to the treasure hunt was flimsy at best (not to mention all the ill-planning from the supposedly cunning hero). But there were scattered details that kept me entertained: the hero's dragon tattoo (I found it unintentionally hilarious), the colorful secondary characters (particularly the romance between Issac and Flossie), the cold-blooded villain (basically a psychopath), and the presence of an openly queer character (though very stereotypical—lusting over his straight employer).
Even though overall Till Dawn Tames the Night was a total miss, I'm glad I persevered because there were stuff happened in the second half that almost saved the initial lack of engagement. I did enjoy Meagan McKinney's writing, and the overall vibe of her story. This one just felt like she made things up along the way without ever revising to ensure coherence. Lions and Lace seems to be a common favorite—perhaps I'll check that one out down the road.
***Historical Hellions Book Club | Feburary 2024 Selection***
Some brilliance in the midst of an under-developed bore, Till Dawn Tames the Night was overall a conflicting experience because there were aspects I found deeply engrossing (the various pirate-related settings, Meagan McKinney's grandiose writing style), but dragged down by equal amount of elements that simply didn't work.
As a romance, the novel never properly set up the chemistry between the two leads. So throughout the whole love/hate back and forth, I was left baffled, not grasping where these deep-rooted emotions came from. After enduring the hollow first half, the novel finally provided the much needed backstory for the hero, and solidified him as a fairly dimensional anti-hero. There was a reason behind his sexual violence, which made this novel closer to a classic bodice ripper (or contemporary dark romance). The pseudo-consenting sex scenes were uncomfortable to read, but knowing the origin of his upbringing, they became quite fascinating psychologically.
The lack of polish also applies to its adventure aspect; the 'revenge' was never clear to me why it was such a decades long grudge, and the logic to the treasure hunt was flimsy at best (not to mention all the ill-planning from the supposedly cunning hero). But there were scattered details that kept me entertained: the hero's dragon tattoo (I found it unintentionally hilarious), the colorful secondary characters (particularly the romance between Issac and Flossie), the cold-blooded villain (basically a psychopath), and the presence of an openly queer character (though very stereotypical—lusting over his straight employer).
Even though overall Till Dawn Tames the Night was a total miss, I'm glad I persevered because there were stuff happened in the second half that almost saved the initial lack of engagement. I did enjoy Meagan McKinney's writing, and the overall vibe of her story. This one just felt like she made things up along the way without ever revising to ensure coherence. Lions and Lace seems to be a common favorite—perhaps I'll check that one out down the road.
***Historical Hellions Book Club | Feburary 2024 Selection***
August 15, 2018
This romance has it all: superb writing, intriguing plot, a tortured (but strong) hero and a heroine who won't give up. Oh yes, and did I mention pirates?
Set in 1818, this is the story of Aurora Dayne, raised in an orphanage where she stayed on to become a teacher (think Jane Eyre), until the day she received an offer to become a lady's companion in Jamaica. Desperate for a new life, she leaves behind her past and strikes out for adventure, never knowing the invitation came from a pirate named Vashon.
Vashon was the heir to Blackmoor but his twisted half brother sought to kill him and steal the title. At 13, Vashon was sold into white slavery in Algiers and that experience forged the dragon that lives within him. He has grown wealthy as a merchant seaman though he is not above piracy. He has lured Aurora to the Caribbean because her father, a thief, gave her the key to finding a cursed emerald he stole, the Star of Aran--an emerald Vashon's half brother is desperate to have.
Much of the story takes place on the high seas where innocent Aurora is taken captive by Vashon, who will use any method, including seducing Aurora, to get the clues to the emerald. But Vashon doesn't bargain on Aurora's fierce goodness that sees the lost goodness in him.
A great story of lost innocence, unrequited love and passionate moments that won't be denied...all set aboard ship and turquoise Caribbean seas. You will not be disappointed.
However, I must say that it was most unfortunate McKinney engaged in disparaging comments about Christianity and the message of William Wilberforce (who was truly a great man who fought slavery all his life). It was also unnecessary to the story. If you can overlook the author’s obvious bias, it’s otherwise a wonderful historical romance.
Set in 1818, this is the story of Aurora Dayne, raised in an orphanage where she stayed on to become a teacher (think Jane Eyre), until the day she received an offer to become a lady's companion in Jamaica. Desperate for a new life, she leaves behind her past and strikes out for adventure, never knowing the invitation came from a pirate named Vashon.
Vashon was the heir to Blackmoor but his twisted half brother sought to kill him and steal the title. At 13, Vashon was sold into white slavery in Algiers and that experience forged the dragon that lives within him. He has grown wealthy as a merchant seaman though he is not above piracy. He has lured Aurora to the Caribbean because her father, a thief, gave her the key to finding a cursed emerald he stole, the Star of Aran--an emerald Vashon's half brother is desperate to have.
Much of the story takes place on the high seas where innocent Aurora is taken captive by Vashon, who will use any method, including seducing Aurora, to get the clues to the emerald. But Vashon doesn't bargain on Aurora's fierce goodness that sees the lost goodness in him.
A great story of lost innocence, unrequited love and passionate moments that won't be denied...all set aboard ship and turquoise Caribbean seas. You will not be disappointed.
However, I must say that it was most unfortunate McKinney engaged in disparaging comments about Christianity and the message of William Wilberforce (who was truly a great man who fought slavery all his life). It was also unnecessary to the story. If you can overlook the author’s obvious bias, it’s otherwise a wonderful historical romance.
October 17, 2017
I'm pretty sure I read this one back in the day; if not this particular one, then dozens with similar plots. I reread it because Sarah MacLean chose it for our OSRBC BoTM for October - it's one of her favorite old school romances. I have consistently found that my sentiment for these books is much greater than my opinion on rereading and once again, that is proven true.
Our hero, Vashon, is a former pirate who owns a small *secret* Caribbean island called Mirage, conveniently linked to St. Kitts by an underground tunnel. He has built a vast mansion there, run by former slaves. He is also rightfully Viscount Blackwell, but Josiah Peterborough, his stepbrother, gave thirteen-year-old Vashon to white slavers from Algiers to be put to service in a brothel. Vashon killed the first man who would have raped him and managed to escape. He grew up in the streets of Algiers, eventually became a pirate and made a fortune - his past is sketched in a bit hazily; what isn't at all hazy is the mutual hatred between Vashon and Peterborough, who took the title (how? if he was a stepbrother and not a blood son of the former Viscount Blackwell, the title would have passed to the next closest male relative?).
Aurora Dayne was left at an orphanage by her father, Michael Dayne. The only thing he gave her was a locket in the shape of a lizard, with a nonsensical-sounding rhyme about a Star of Aran inside it. As the story begins, she is leaving England to become a companion for a wealthy, elderly Lady Perkins who lives in Kingston, Jamaica. Lady Perkins had written to her at the orphanage and offered her the position.
However, there is no Lady Perkins. The letter was written by Vashon because the Star of Aran is actually a giant emerald that was stolen from Viscountess Blackwell by Michael Dayne and he believes Dayne left instructions with his daughter on how to find it. Peterborough is also after the emerald because it supposedly gives power to the possessor over his enemies; he wants it so he can kill Vashon.
There are some really good bits. I love the opening sentence, which is repeated as the last sentence of the first chapter: "Her adventure had begun." There is a really good secondary romance between an older couple. Also, the banana scene had me LOLing.
Whew! All kinds of crazy sauce in this one, which is the best thing about these old school historical romances. What aren't so good, to 21st century sensibilities, are the repeated coerced seductions. If your tolerance for this kind of love scene is low, you'll want to steer clear of this one, otherwise you'll throw the book against the wall a number of times. Having cut my romance teeth on classic bodice rippers, I get the reason for this - "good girls" weren't supposed to want sex or initiate sex or even enjoy sex. Which is, of course, a bunch of hooey. However, having a rational brain (also once considered the province of males only), I can separate what is tolerable in fiction from what is unacceptable IRL.
Our hero, Vashon, is a former pirate who owns a small *secret* Caribbean island called Mirage, conveniently linked to St. Kitts by an underground tunnel. He has built a vast mansion there, run by former slaves. He is also rightfully Viscount Blackwell, but Josiah Peterborough, his stepbrother, gave thirteen-year-old Vashon to white slavers from Algiers to be put to service in a brothel. Vashon killed the first man who would have raped him and managed to escape. He grew up in the streets of Algiers, eventually became a pirate and made a fortune - his past is sketched in a bit hazily; what isn't at all hazy is the mutual hatred between Vashon and Peterborough, who took the title (how? if he was a stepbrother and not a blood son of the former Viscount Blackwell, the title would have passed to the next closest male relative?).
Aurora Dayne was left at an orphanage by her father, Michael Dayne. The only thing he gave her was a locket in the shape of a lizard, with a nonsensical-sounding rhyme about a Star of Aran inside it. As the story begins, she is leaving England to become a companion for a wealthy, elderly Lady Perkins who lives in Kingston, Jamaica. Lady Perkins had written to her at the orphanage and offered her the position.
However, there is no Lady Perkins. The letter was written by Vashon because the Star of Aran is actually a giant emerald that was stolen from Viscountess Blackwell by Michael Dayne and he believes Dayne left instructions with his daughter on how to find it. Peterborough is also after the emerald because it supposedly gives power to the possessor over his enemies; he wants it so he can kill Vashon.
There are some really good bits. I love the opening sentence, which is repeated as the last sentence of the first chapter: "Her adventure had begun." There is a really good secondary romance between an older couple. Also, the banana scene had me LOLing.
Whew! All kinds of crazy sauce in this one, which is the best thing about these old school historical romances. What aren't so good, to 21st century sensibilities, are the repeated coerced seductions. If your tolerance for this kind of love scene is low, you'll want to steer clear of this one, otherwise you'll throw the book against the wall a number of times. Having cut my romance teeth on classic bodice rippers, I get the reason for this - "good girls" weren't supposed to want sex or initiate sex or even enjoy sex. Which is, of course, a bunch of hooey. However, having a rational brain (also once considered the province of males only), I can separate what is tolerable in fiction from what is unacceptable IRL.
August 4, 2021
Si hay algo que me hace disfrutar mucho es un protagonista antihéroe, y Vashon sin duda lo es.
Tengo que decir, que en muchas ocasiones, el protagonista sobrepasa todos los límites. Su comportamiento es abusivo y hay diversas escenas de sexo no consentido, o bueno las recurrentes seducciones forzosas, muy de moda en los años 80 y 90, año de publicación original del libro aunque a España no llegó hasta los principios de los 2000. Seguramente, en la actualidad este libro se podría catalogar como "dark romance".
Es una novela de aventuras de piratas, con una intensa historia de amor adictiva.
Vashon lleva años embarcado en una venganza contra su hermanastro. Por culpa de él paso de ser un niño mimado primogénito de un vizconde a un niño que tuvo de hacer de todo para sobrevivir en las calles de Argel.
Esa vida convirtió a Vashon en un hombre cruel, duro que le importa muy poco morir, temido por todos con tan solo oír su nombre.
Aurora, una joven recién salida del orfanato se convierte en la pieza clave para esa venganza tan ansiada.
Aurora, mediante, engaños termina en manos de Vashon que esta dispuesto a todo para que esa inocente muchacha le dé la clave para destruir a su enemigo.
Entre Aurora y Vashon se desata una lucha de voluntades. Esa insignificante muchachita recién salida de la escuela será capaz de atravesar la coraza, y por primera vez, en mucho tiempo, le hará volver a sentir cosas olvidada hace mucho.
Aurora se preguntó cómo podría Vashon satisfacer aquella necesidad sin matar al invencible dragón, y, en ese momento lo entendió: el dragón lo poseía y lo poseería, porque el lado oscuro de Vashon nunca desaparecería del todo
Tengo que decir, que en muchas ocasiones, el protagonista sobrepasa todos los límites. Su comportamiento es abusivo y hay diversas escenas de sexo no consentido, o bueno las recurrentes seducciones forzosas, muy de moda en los años 80 y 90, año de publicación original del libro aunque a España no llegó hasta los principios de los 2000. Seguramente, en la actualidad este libro se podría catalogar como "dark romance".
Es una novela de aventuras de piratas, con una intensa historia de amor adictiva.
Vashon lleva años embarcado en una venganza contra su hermanastro. Por culpa de él paso de ser un niño mimado primogénito de un vizconde a un niño que tuvo de hacer de todo para sobrevivir en las calles de Argel.
Esa vida convirtió a Vashon en un hombre cruel, duro que le importa muy poco morir, temido por todos con tan solo oír su nombre.
Aurora, una joven recién salida del orfanato se convierte en la pieza clave para esa venganza tan ansiada.
Aurora, mediante, engaños termina en manos de Vashon que esta dispuesto a todo para que esa inocente muchacha le dé la clave para destruir a su enemigo.
Entre Aurora y Vashon se desata una lucha de voluntades. Esa insignificante muchachita recién salida de la escuela será capaz de atravesar la coraza, y por primera vez, en mucho tiempo, le hará volver a sentir cosas olvidada hace mucho.
Aurora se preguntó cómo podría Vashon satisfacer aquella necesidad sin matar al invencible dragón, y, en ese momento lo entendió: el dragón lo poseía y lo poseería, porque el lado oscuro de Vashon nunca desaparecería del todo
October 14, 2011
Enjoyable with dark overtones.
Warning spoilers:
Aurora dayne is the illegitimate daughter of an Irish adventurer who had stolen a necklace from an evil noble man ( imposter villain). Peterborough is searching for her as it is believed that the necklace will hold they key to the location of an emerald with mystical powers ( this aspect of the book is pretty ridiculous)
Anyway, aurora grows up in an orphanage and when she is 17 , she leaves for an offer of a post in Jamaica . She boards the ship the sea bravery. In fact the whole thing is a set up by the hero vashon - there is no job and this is just a cover to hide her kidnaping.
For a large part of the journey, aurora is suspicious of vashon. She is attracted to him but feels that something is wrong and she is alarmed by his fairly ungentlemanly/ knowing comments.
When they come to port at a carribean island, aurora overhears vashon talking about his plans with the captain. She is discovered and is over powered by vashon who ties her to his bed. There follows a cat and mouse game between the h and h. He keeps her prisoner and she lives in fear that he will rape her.
They call at another island to collect water and she tries to escape. He catches her and the pair fight in the governer's bed room. There is a violent altercation between the two with what starts off as a rape eventually ending up as a seduction.
However afterwards vashon is cold and cruel, not wanting to be exposed to any tender feelings and aurora is devastated. They spend further weeks at his hidden island where despite sexual tension, he does not bed her further, although there is a rape threat. Eventually aurora realises she is in love with him and they make love. Peterborough attacks the island and whilst they escape , they are pursued. they return to the uk, find the emerald but peterborough wounds vashon and aurora believes he is dead. Peterborough is killed. Aurora returns to the orphanage to work and realises that she is pregnant. Vashon turns up alive, having reclaimed his title and they have a hea.
This probably sounds pretty confused. Some of the book was fairly silly but there was great tension and chemistry between the main couple. The 'will he won't he' element in respect of the hero worked well and although he was close to the line, he never crossed over to the part of unforgivableness. I really enjoyed this.
Warning spoilers:
Aurora dayne is the illegitimate daughter of an Irish adventurer who had stolen a necklace from an evil noble man ( imposter villain). Peterborough is searching for her as it is believed that the necklace will hold they key to the location of an emerald with mystical powers ( this aspect of the book is pretty ridiculous)
Anyway, aurora grows up in an orphanage and when she is 17 , she leaves for an offer of a post in Jamaica . She boards the ship the sea bravery. In fact the whole thing is a set up by the hero vashon - there is no job and this is just a cover to hide her kidnaping.
For a large part of the journey, aurora is suspicious of vashon. She is attracted to him but feels that something is wrong and she is alarmed by his fairly ungentlemanly/ knowing comments.
When they come to port at a carribean island, aurora overhears vashon talking about his plans with the captain. She is discovered and is over powered by vashon who ties her to his bed. There follows a cat and mouse game between the h and h. He keeps her prisoner and she lives in fear that he will rape her.
They call at another island to collect water and she tries to escape. He catches her and the pair fight in the governer's bed room. There is a violent altercation between the two with what starts off as a rape eventually ending up as a seduction.
However afterwards vashon is cold and cruel, not wanting to be exposed to any tender feelings and aurora is devastated. They spend further weeks at his hidden island where despite sexual tension, he does not bed her further, although there is a rape threat. Eventually aurora realises she is in love with him and they make love. Peterborough attacks the island and whilst they escape , they are pursued. they return to the uk, find the emerald but peterborough wounds vashon and aurora believes he is dead. Peterborough is killed. Aurora returns to the orphanage to work and realises that she is pregnant. Vashon turns up alive, having reclaimed his title and they have a hea.
This probably sounds pretty confused. Some of the book was fairly silly but there was great tension and chemistry between the main couple. The 'will he won't he' element in respect of the hero worked well and although he was close to the line, he never crossed over to the part of unforgivableness. I really enjoyed this.
April 13, 2022
I’m stumped on what grade to give this book so I’m giving it a 3.5, rounding up to a 4.
This book came out in 1991 and it really reads like a book of that time. I read it in the 90’s and at the time would have given it 5 stars. For the most part it’s aged pretty well though there were a few cringe worthy scenes that in today’s era come across as racist and while they are, I’m not sure how much they would have been back then.
This is a pirate romance and Vaschon is our mysterious pirate. Though he’s gone straight,he has one last pirating adventure. He owns a fleet of ships and manoeuvres our young heroine, Aurora, to sail on one of his ships and journey to what she thinks, is a position as a lady’s companion on a tropical island. His purpose is to discover what she knows about an emerald stolen by her father many years ago.
When Aurora overhears the plan he’s come up with, she’s horrified and determined to escape. But Vaschon really wants this emerald. He’s been playing cat and mouse with the villain for years and the emerald is the key to ending things. Most of the book takes part on his ship and some on a tropical island he owns.
Vaschon is a hero, or kind of more of an anti hero, we could only hope to be captured by. He’s mysterious. He’s wealthy. He’s suave. He’s gorgeous and he’s a 10 out of 10 on the sexy pirate scale. At times he comes across as rather cruel and cold to Aurora, but he’s had to be in order to survive. The reader can tell underneath his intimidating behaviour he wouldn’t really hurt her. So he’s perfect. The supporting characters are well done. I really like the captain of the ship and a good and loyal friend to Vaschon.
Aurora, on the other hand drove me bonkers. She’s very much like the Katy Perry song, she’s hot and she’s cold, she’s up and she’s down, she’s in and she’s out. She’s quite young, 18 she thinks but she’s no idea when her birthday is. She never knew her mother and she barely remembers her father. He dropped her off in an orphanage and hasn’t been heard from in years. So I suppose I’ll give her a bit of slack for that. But she’s an uptight little prig. She’s attracted to Vaschon but she hates him. Sh doesn’t think before she acts and Vaschon deserves some credit for his patience in dealing with her. There are a few times she endangers their lives trying to escape and there are some sexy consequences she rather enjoys but then is furious after. She, along with some of the outdated cringe scenes lower the rating a bit. Though I’m still glad I read it. It’s a book that as I said I first read in the early 90’s, again sometime in the 2000’s and it’s stayed with me ever since first reading it.
I recommend it though know going in that it���s dated.
This book came out in 1991 and it really reads like a book of that time. I read it in the 90’s and at the time would have given it 5 stars. For the most part it’s aged pretty well though there were a few cringe worthy scenes that in today’s era come across as racist and while they are, I’m not sure how much they would have been back then.
This is a pirate romance and Vaschon is our mysterious pirate. Though he’s gone straight,he has one last pirating adventure. He owns a fleet of ships and manoeuvres our young heroine, Aurora, to sail on one of his ships and journey to what she thinks, is a position as a lady’s companion on a tropical island. His purpose is to discover what she knows about an emerald stolen by her father many years ago.
When Aurora overhears the plan he’s come up with, she’s horrified and determined to escape. But Vaschon really wants this emerald. He’s been playing cat and mouse with the villain for years and the emerald is the key to ending things. Most of the book takes part on his ship and some on a tropical island he owns.
Vaschon is a hero, or kind of more of an anti hero, we could only hope to be captured by. He’s mysterious. He’s wealthy. He’s suave. He’s gorgeous and he’s a 10 out of 10 on the sexy pirate scale. At times he comes across as rather cruel and cold to Aurora, but he’s had to be in order to survive. The reader can tell underneath his intimidating behaviour he wouldn’t really hurt her. So he’s perfect. The supporting characters are well done. I really like the captain of the ship and a good and loyal friend to Vaschon.
Aurora, on the other hand drove me bonkers. She’s very much like the Katy Perry song, she’s hot and she’s cold, she’s up and she’s down, she’s in and she’s out. She’s quite young, 18 she thinks but she’s no idea when her birthday is. She never knew her mother and she barely remembers her father. He dropped her off in an orphanage and hasn’t been heard from in years. So I suppose I’ll give her a bit of slack for that. But she’s an uptight little prig. She’s attracted to Vaschon but she hates him. Sh doesn’t think before she acts and Vaschon deserves some credit for his patience in dealing with her. There are a few times she endangers their lives trying to escape and there are some sexy consequences she rather enjoys but then is furious after. She, along with some of the outdated cringe scenes lower the rating a bit. Though I’m still glad I read it. It’s a book that as I said I first read in the early 90’s, again sometime in the 2000’s and it’s stayed with me ever since first reading it.
I recommend it though know going in that it���s dated.
December 11, 2020
I decided to buddy-read this with Nenia because we both enjoyed other Meagan McKinney books. Unfortunately, it's been sitting on my "currently reading" for some time now, and it's been days since I picked it up. It's just been sitting at 60% and I think the solution is clear.
TIME TO DNF THIS BITCH.
I think my problem with this book is the characterization of Vashon. He's just all over the damn place: a ruthless plundering pirate, a soft and sensitive lover, a fucking asshole, etc. etc. He had no consistency. On top of that, he and Aurora had next to no development in their relationship. It was all fighting about the jewel and Vashon being forceful. It just wasn't at all satisfying.
I'm sad because I loved Lions and Lace so much. I hope my next McKinney read lives up to it!
TIME TO DNF THIS BITCH.
I think my problem with this book is the characterization of Vashon. He's just all over the damn place: a ruthless plundering pirate, a soft and sensitive lover, a fucking asshole, etc. etc. He had no consistency. On top of that, he and Aurora had next to no development in their relationship. It was all fighting about the jewel and Vashon being forceful. It just wasn't at all satisfying.
I'm sad because I loved Lions and Lace so much. I hope my next McKinney read lives up to it!
September 2, 2025
DNF 54%. Wanna read a book about a manipulative sexual predator? Here ya go. Careful you don’t get Stockholm syndrome.
July 25, 2016
Wow. There haven't been much romances lately that have captured me as much as this one did. I don't remember how I found this book, I'm guessing it was on a page from one of my favorite authors about her favorite books. And boy do I get that. Not once have I been tempted to skip paragraphs or pages to hurry the story along knowing I wouldn't miss anything. When I did stray and skipped a few lines, I immediately was forced back. Wow. I haven't got the words for it. The only thing that could have made it even better, was if there had been an epilogue.
This book had me near tears at one point and only the knowledge that it's a romance novel and they all have the HEA kept me from actualy crying. Instead it made me get up very early the next morning instead of turning and sleeping some more, to get to the end as fast as I could... and now that I have ofcourse part of me is sorry it's over... but wow, what a read.
This must be the ultimate boy hates girl romance in history. They hate each other most sincerely and are, although stereotypes at some point, so opposite from each other. She the stiff, orphan, schoolteacher and he the very very bad pirate. I absolutely LOVED how miss McKinney showed us how bad he was. I know I'm going to read this book again, just to read those descriptions again and again.
It's an older book, so although it's a historical, it's a little bit dated. It didn't bother me at all (my 5-star rating is proof of that), but I can see why some readers might have a different opinion. Our hero in this book is bad, bad, bad and his scenes, even the intimate ones, are not seen through a pink cloud. The word 'no' is used... and not listened to (like saying no means yes), but in the end, nobody forces anyone to do anything intimate against their will. The actions make that clear, but if you can't or won't see that the way the author has intended it (at least in my opinion), as a way of making clear that our heroine isn't some silly girl with no sense, but she does know right from wrong, but is, in the end and forced to the limit, to admit that she's not who she thinks she is.
This was also my first Megan McKinney book and since I saw a lot of them on Amazon, I just know I won't be able to resist reading some more... and hoping they all turn out to be this good. Then I'm going to find the webpage of that author again, and read every last book she recommended. We definitely have the same preference in reading.
This book had me near tears at one point and only the knowledge that it's a romance novel and they all have the HEA kept me from actualy crying. Instead it made me get up very early the next morning instead of turning and sleeping some more, to get to the end as fast as I could... and now that I have ofcourse part of me is sorry it's over... but wow, what a read.
This must be the ultimate boy hates girl romance in history. They hate each other most sincerely and are, although stereotypes at some point, so opposite from each other. She the stiff, orphan, schoolteacher and he the very very bad pirate. I absolutely LOVED how miss McKinney showed us how bad he was. I know I'm going to read this book again, just to read those descriptions again and again.
It's an older book, so although it's a historical, it's a little bit dated. It didn't bother me at all (my 5-star rating is proof of that), but I can see why some readers might have a different opinion. Our hero in this book is bad, bad, bad and his scenes, even the intimate ones, are not seen through a pink cloud. The word 'no' is used... and not listened to (like saying no means yes), but in the end, nobody forces anyone to do anything intimate against their will. The actions make that clear, but if you can't or won't see that the way the author has intended it (at least in my opinion), as a way of making clear that our heroine isn't some silly girl with no sense, but she does know right from wrong, but is, in the end and forced to the limit, to admit that she's not who she thinks she is.
This was also my first Megan McKinney book and since I saw a lot of them on Amazon, I just know I won't be able to resist reading some more... and hoping they all turn out to be this good. Then I'm going to find the webpage of that author again, and read every last book she recommended. We definitely have the same preference in reading.
October 17, 2025
More like a 2.5.
November 5, 2017
Old School Romance
3.5 stars I’m sure I would have enjoyed this more had I read it in the late ‘90s. Forced seduction is such a hot-button issue that it’s difficult for the reader to place herself in the timing and setting of Till Dawn Tames the Night and not have their opinions be colored by today’s events. It’s truly unfair to the book and the author.
While I liked the adventures and the development of the love between the main characters, I didn’t much like the characterization of Aurora. She seemed a bit silly and annoying. Vashon is your typical alpha male, very forceful and slow to love.
What I liked best is the presence of diverse characters. I believe the author is ahead of her time in that aspect of storytelling.
There was humor and loads of action. Overall, a good read.
3.5 stars I’m sure I would have enjoyed this more had I read it in the late ‘90s. Forced seduction is such a hot-button issue that it’s difficult for the reader to place herself in the timing and setting of Till Dawn Tames the Night and not have their opinions be colored by today’s events. It’s truly unfair to the book and the author.
While I liked the adventures and the development of the love between the main characters, I didn’t much like the characterization of Aurora. She seemed a bit silly and annoying. Vashon is your typical alpha male, very forceful and slow to love.
What I liked best is the presence of diverse characters. I believe the author is ahead of her time in that aspect of storytelling.
There was humor and loads of action. Overall, a good read.
March 1, 2024
I thought this book was a fun ride. It has a lot of the elements that are expected from an old school romance. They are parts that mark it as a product of its times regarding the way certain side characters are portrayed. Overall, I found it to be an entertaining read, and I always love a morally grey hero.
February 25, 2024
3.5 stars
October 16, 2017
I would probably go with 3.5 stars on this actually. While there were times I felt part of the story was a bit redundant, there were some good parts that made you express emotion and turmoil.
April 15, 2020
4.5 stars excellent book! This was my first read by MM. I own 6 of her other books and am looking forward to reading them!
February 16, 2024
Loathsome hero, annoying heroine and overall pretty boring. I did find the side character Flossie entertaining at least.
June 24, 2021
Till Dawn Tames the Night by Meagan McKinney brings to readers the story of 19 year old Aurora Dayne who is set to travel to Jamaica with her modest belongings in tow, which includes a unique bejeweled locket, the sole legacy from her dead father. Little does she know that the journey she embarks upon puts her at the mercy of none other than 34 year old Vashon, a ruthless privateer with an agenda for vengeance that has carried him thus far, who is in pursuit of the very locket that she holds.
When these two opposites meet, sparks of course, fly. When a series of events ensures that Aurora is Vashon’s prisoner, the clash of wills begins in earnest, Aurora on her mission to reform a man who is driven by hatred and consumed by the memories of his past riddled with darkness.
I really wanted to love the two main protagonists of the story. Vashon was something fierce and determined, with a ruthless edge to him that I crave in my heroes. While Aurora, though innocent and sheltered for the most part, had the sort of fire in within her that refused to take everything he dished lying down. I was set to enjoy them both, but alas.
What annoyed me to no end was how Aurora wanted to reform Vashon. She continuously bickered about his actions, is always shocked by the violence that surrounds him, even when he does what he must to protect what is his. In my opinion, any redeeming qualities that comes forth should come of one’s own volition – it should never be forced upon the character at any point in time. Aurora nagging about Vashon continuing on his path of vengeance wasn’t how I wanted the changes to come about.
Or here is a wild thought; how about just accepting someone for who they are? Vashon does not try to change Aurora, maybe because she is so perfect? I hardly think so. There are plenty of romances that work with heroes who embrace their darkness and whatever redeeming qualities they have, whatever softness they show, are partial to the heroine for whom they would risk everything and lay down their very life for. And that is enough, if you want your characters to stay true to who they are, because some characters have reached a tipping point that makes it difficult for them to become mushy cuddle bears.
The saddest part is that this story had so much potential and could have ended up being so much more. As things stood, I skipped chunks of paragraphs and went for the end. An epilogue would also have been much appreciated.
Recommended for fans of Meagan McKinney.
Final Verdict: In Till Dawn Tames the Night, Ms. McKinney brings to life a heroine who would stop at nothing to reform the hero, be it nag her way towards the redemption of his character.
Rating = 2.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
When these two opposites meet, sparks of course, fly. When a series of events ensures that Aurora is Vashon’s prisoner, the clash of wills begins in earnest, Aurora on her mission to reform a man who is driven by hatred and consumed by the memories of his past riddled with darkness.
I really wanted to love the two main protagonists of the story. Vashon was something fierce and determined, with a ruthless edge to him that I crave in my heroes. While Aurora, though innocent and sheltered for the most part, had the sort of fire in within her that refused to take everything he dished lying down. I was set to enjoy them both, but alas.
What annoyed me to no end was how Aurora wanted to reform Vashon. She continuously bickered about his actions, is always shocked by the violence that surrounds him, even when he does what he must to protect what is his. In my opinion, any redeeming qualities that comes forth should come of one’s own volition – it should never be forced upon the character at any point in time. Aurora nagging about Vashon continuing on his path of vengeance wasn’t how I wanted the changes to come about.
Or here is a wild thought; how about just accepting someone for who they are? Vashon does not try to change Aurora, maybe because she is so perfect? I hardly think so. There are plenty of romances that work with heroes who embrace their darkness and whatever redeeming qualities they have, whatever softness they show, are partial to the heroine for whom they would risk everything and lay down their very life for. And that is enough, if you want your characters to stay true to who they are, because some characters have reached a tipping point that makes it difficult for them to become mushy cuddle bears.
The saddest part is that this story had so much potential and could have ended up being so much more. As things stood, I skipped chunks of paragraphs and went for the end. An epilogue would also have been much appreciated.
Recommended for fans of Meagan McKinney.
Final Verdict: In Till Dawn Tames the Night, Ms. McKinney brings to life a heroine who would stop at nothing to reform the hero, be it nag her way towards the redemption of his character.
Rating = 2.5/5
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October 12, 2010
Yawn. This is what I thought of most of the book, so forgive me if the review follows along that same line.
The secondary character Flossie, who is a fellow passenger on the ship to our star of the show Aurora, starts off quite entertaining. The old gal is a considerable drama queen, but this just makes her fun to read. The exchanges between her and Aurora are a delight to read.
For most of the beginning of the book our resident hunk Vashon is a mystery. It's hard to get a clear picture of who he is until he kidnaps Aurora (middle of book) and starts laying the law down. He's broody, dark, sinfully handsome bloke but imagine more substance than the usual. He has legitimate reasons for being dark and broody. If the author had focused more on Vashon and his complexity the grade would have fo' sure been different. Instead the focus of the story centers on Aurora (remember, our star of the show?).
Descriptive words for Aurora: annoying, whiny, naive in an obnoxious way, annoying, indecisive, immature, and annoying. Oh, and she has amazing aqua colored eyes. To hell with her annoyances!
In regards to the actual story of the villain and good guys searching for a big ass cursed emerald, meh, meh, meh. It took until around chapter 7 for me even to remotely get into this book. I would say this book had a slow beginning, boring middle, and long boring annoying ending. Some of the most important components that make up a story were seriously failing here. The secondary romance between Isaac (Vashon's ship captain) and Flossie (remember, spunky old gal?) was not really interesting. The main storyline of everyone searching for the Star of Aran (remember, big ass cursed emerald) that destroys your enemies was not really interesting. Our star couple's relationship, not really interesting. The back and forth between Vashon and Aurora wasn't spicy or intriguing, just boring and annoying. I happen to agree with Vashon when he says there is a stick up Aurora's butt. Way to much of the "don't touch me oh wait TOUCH me" syndrome from our heroine Aurora while our hero is a little too alpha, you know the "I'm having sex with you NO MATTER WHAT" type.
I would be remiss howevah if I didn't comment on this line: "...kissed her like a sinner seeking salvation…". Great line.
The writing quality was up to par just not the story and characters. Let's just say this book was published in 1991 and shows every bit of it's age in regards to the main characters.
C-
The secondary character Flossie, who is a fellow passenger on the ship to our star of the show Aurora, starts off quite entertaining. The old gal is a considerable drama queen, but this just makes her fun to read. The exchanges between her and Aurora are a delight to read.
For most of the beginning of the book our resident hunk Vashon is a mystery. It's hard to get a clear picture of who he is until he kidnaps Aurora (middle of book) and starts laying the law down. He's broody, dark, sinfully handsome bloke but imagine more substance than the usual. He has legitimate reasons for being dark and broody. If the author had focused more on Vashon and his complexity the grade would have fo' sure been different. Instead the focus of the story centers on Aurora (remember, our star of the show?).
Descriptive words for Aurora: annoying, whiny, naive in an obnoxious way, annoying, indecisive, immature, and annoying. Oh, and she has amazing aqua colored eyes. To hell with her annoyances!
In regards to the actual story of the villain and good guys searching for a big ass cursed emerald, meh, meh, meh. It took until around chapter 7 for me even to remotely get into this book. I would say this book had a slow beginning, boring middle, and long boring annoying ending. Some of the most important components that make up a story were seriously failing here. The secondary romance between Isaac (Vashon's ship captain) and Flossie (remember, spunky old gal?) was not really interesting. The main storyline of everyone searching for the Star of Aran (remember, big ass cursed emerald) that destroys your enemies was not really interesting. Our star couple's relationship, not really interesting. The back and forth between Vashon and Aurora wasn't spicy or intriguing, just boring and annoying. I happen to agree with Vashon when he says there is a stick up Aurora's butt. Way to much of the "don't touch me oh wait TOUCH me" syndrome from our heroine Aurora while our hero is a little too alpha, you know the "I'm having sex with you NO MATTER WHAT" type.
I would be remiss howevah if I didn't comment on this line: "...kissed her like a sinner seeking salvation…". Great line.
The writing quality was up to par just not the story and characters. Let's just say this book was published in 1991 and shows every bit of it's age in regards to the main characters.
C-
May 22, 2015
Wow, while I have nothing against the occasional bodice ripper (and the author's own Lions And Lace is a brilliant ripper of one such book), this book literally ripped way too many bodices which became somewhat tiresome after a while.
Our pirate who wasn't one, Valshon, was certainly a very messed up mean bastard, except he was not really a bastard. That honour went to his half-brother who somehow hijacked his viscountcy title despite evil Bro's illegitimacy. Whole flimsy revenge plot revolved around Valshon's single-minded pursuit of a mysterious emerald also wanted by his sibling, because of all the things he can think of to pay back Bro's wicked deeds, getting his hands on this sparkler seems to top the list. As an act of vengeance from Valshon's reputedly fearsome character, it distinctly lacked flair and blood-letting. This is especially ludicrous considering the violent atrocities Valshon put our innocent heroine through, her only crime being that she might unknowingly hold the clues to the whereabouts of this gem. Aurora goes from horror and fear of being raped to ecstasy in a heartbeat, too dumb to know she was being abused and too little self-worth to realise that she deserves better than the crumbs he was willing to bestow on her.
Overdramatic with a wildly oscillating plotline, it was a headshaking exercise down to the very incredulous end and yet fascinatingly bad, that I could not help but to continue reading in the vain hope that the characters might redeem themselves eventually.
Our pirate who wasn't one, Valshon, was certainly a very messed up mean bastard, except he was not really a bastard. That honour went to his half-brother who somehow hijacked his viscountcy title despite evil Bro's illegitimacy. Whole flimsy revenge plot revolved around Valshon's single-minded pursuit of a mysterious emerald also wanted by his sibling, because of all the things he can think of to pay back Bro's wicked deeds, getting his hands on this sparkler seems to top the list. As an act of vengeance from Valshon's reputedly fearsome character, it distinctly lacked flair and blood-letting. This is especially ludicrous considering the violent atrocities Valshon put our innocent heroine through, her only crime being that she might unknowingly hold the clues to the whereabouts of this gem. Aurora goes from horror and fear of being raped to ecstasy in a heartbeat, too dumb to know she was being abused and too little self-worth to realise that she deserves better than the crumbs he was willing to bestow on her.
Overdramatic with a wildly oscillating plotline, it was a headshaking exercise down to the very incredulous end and yet fascinatingly bad, that I could not help but to continue reading in the vain hope that the characters might redeem themselves eventually.
February 25, 2011
This was a book I would have just loved when I was a teenager. What am I kidding, I really like this one now. Here are a few lines which show Vashon's deliciousness.
"Vashon left the gentle surf and returned to where she sat by the sea grape. He walked toward her, glistening with seawater, his black locks an erotic contrast to his broad sun-bronzed shoulders. Wet, his white trousers were almost transparent, and as he came nearer she could see every dark hair on his thighs, and even more, if she'd not have the discretion to look away. There was one thing about Vashon she knew only too intimately. No one could ever dispute his manly endowments." (page359)
By the way this pirate, Vashon, has a huge dragon tatooed on his back that sweeps across his hip and wraps twice around his "iron hard thigh before its spade tip disappeared in his groin." (page263)
"Vashon left the gentle surf and returned to where she sat by the sea grape. He walked toward her, glistening with seawater, his black locks an erotic contrast to his broad sun-bronzed shoulders. Wet, his white trousers were almost transparent, and as he came nearer she could see every dark hair on his thighs, and even more, if she'd not have the discretion to look away. There was one thing about Vashon she knew only too intimately. No one could ever dispute his manly endowments." (page359)
By the way this pirate, Vashon, has a huge dragon tatooed on his back that sweeps across his hip and wraps twice around his "iron hard thigh before its spade tip disappeared in his groin." (page263)
November 2, 2023
3 stars
Solid story telling that didn’t move me in spite of all the drama taking place. It was one of those stories that so much was happening but nothing happened. The last few pages held promise but it was too little too late for me. Technically it had all the right elements but it never all came together to make a compelling and exciting story.
Solid story telling that didn’t move me in spite of all the drama taking place. It was one of those stories that so much was happening but nothing happened. The last few pages held promise but it was too little too late for me. Technically it had all the right elements but it never all came together to make a compelling and exciting story.
November 21, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While it is Old School, it didn't come across as many Old School historical romances do - purple prose, overblown everything, sugar-coated rapes. The writing flowed beautifully, lyrical in many ways. I liked all the characters, the plot was wild and wonderful. I'm fairly sure I've never read this book, I'm not even sure I have many or any of her few books in my collection.
Either I'm very open-minded or I'm a complete book slug because there aren't a lot of things/themes/plots that turn me off, my comfort zone is fairly wide. I can't apologize for this, this is just the kind of reader I am. The "rape" scenes in Old School historicals don't bother me as much as they do most readers - factoring in the place in time they were written, and the fact that the heroine and hero are the participants and they end up in love and have their HEA sort of smooths out the rough edges of seedy seduction scenes. Revile me if you will - I can only be true to myself.
Either I'm very open-minded or I'm a complete book slug because there aren't a lot of things/themes/plots that turn me off, my comfort zone is fairly wide. I can't apologize for this, this is just the kind of reader I am. The "rape" scenes in Old School historicals don't bother me as much as they do most readers - factoring in the place in time they were written, and the fact that the heroine and hero are the participants and they end up in love and have their HEA sort of smooths out the rough edges of seedy seduction scenes. Revile me if you will - I can only be true to myself.
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