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Misadventures in Matrimony #2
Good Groom Hunting
On the trail of fortune . . . Adventurous Josephine Hale is determined to live up to her scandalous heritage. With half of a crumbling treasure map that belonged to her grandfather, the legendary pirate, in her possession, the bold and beautiful lady is half-way to a fortune. Unfortunately, the remainder of the map belongs to Stephen Doubleday, Earl of Westman, her family's sworn enemy—and Josie will do anything to get her hands on it . . . even if it means seducing the handsome rogue. And a passion beyond dreams Utterly destitute, Stephen never dreamed a fairy tale about pirate's treasure would turn out to be true—bringing him a possible fortune and a passionate lover. But will joining in this wild, impetuous beauty's perilous undertaking be the biggest mistake of his life? Or will it lead Stephen and Josie to a treasure far more precious than pirate gold—a fiery and forever love?
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 30, 2007
77 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Shana Galen
96 books1,544 followersShana Galen is three-time Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of fast-paced, witty, and adventurous Regency romances. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.
Want to know more? Visit Shana's website at http://www.shanagalen.com and sign up to be notified when Shana has a new release http://bit.ly/ShanaGalenNews
Want to know more? Visit Shana's website at http://www.shanagalen.com and sign up to be notified when Shana has a new release http://bit.ly/ShanaGalenNews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 16, 2015
This was a delightful read. Just what I needed, to get immersed into an escapist story that kept my eyes glued to the page. I think that Josie and Westman are such a great couple. I love how Westman's determination to be a better, more sober man is juxtaposed with Josie's impish desire to be free and do what she wants.
Normally, I'm not a big fan of the hoydenish historical heroine, but Galen does it very well with Josie. Her desire to be a free woman is very understandable and I respected her for it. I liked how she was out and out propositioning Westman in the desire to take a lover with no strings attached. Yes, I hear the record scratching for all the folks who know me. But it really did work for this book. I could see that Josie wasn't anachronistic. She understood, although somewhat naively, that her choices weren't the typical. But after a being in a family where her scary mother holds her on a very tight leash and dealing with the double standards for females, she is determined to live her own life and make her own decisions. She has never gotten over her childish wish to be a pirate like her grandfather.
Westman seems like a good partner, despite the fact that their families are sworn enemies and he's avoiding his old rakish ways, and he's arrogant, bossy and domineering like other men. She's drawn to him in ways that don't quite make sense at first. But as this story unfolds, Josie realizes that there is no way she can keep her heart unattached, and she really doesn't want an uninvolved (other than sexually) lover.
I think Westman is a super sweetie. I really felt respect for him that he had faced how ugly his actions were before he shipped off to India. He wanted to be a better man and make amends. He desired Josie, but in his mind, she was just the kind of woman he'd loved to get involved with when he was a conscienceless rake. However, Josie is different. She's ready to meet him as an equal. She might be inexperienced in comparison, but she's a passionate woman and the only woman for him.
The love scenes are very steamy and well-written. Josie and Westman have great chemistry and you could see that love wasn't far behind. The ending was very romantic. Westmore's gesture turned me into a buttery puddle on the floor. I really needed a strong romance story this weekend, and this fit the bill. I loved how even though their family issues weren't fully resolved, they made a united stand as a couple who were deeply in love, together and fully committed to each other.
I love the camaraderie between Josie and her cousins. They are all different foils for each other, and great partners in crime. If you haven't checked out this older series, you should if you like fun, sexy, exciting, adventurous historicals with heroines and heroes who are perfect for each other, but don't find out until you do about that.
The adventure aspect is a crucial part of this story, and I liked how Galen intersperses letters and correspondence from the history of their grandparents. I still have a fascination with pirates and while this is past the golden age of piracy, it fits well in this story through Josie and Westman's familial heritage as grandchildren of pirates.
There really is much to love about this book. I'm being more picky about giving five star ratings, but this is very close. It was the right book at the right time. Looking forward to continuing this series!
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.
Normally, I'm not a big fan of the hoydenish historical heroine, but Galen does it very well with Josie. Her desire to be a free woman is very understandable and I respected her for it. I liked how she was out and out propositioning Westman in the desire to take a lover with no strings attached. Yes, I hear the record scratching for all the folks who know me. But it really did work for this book. I could see that Josie wasn't anachronistic. She understood, although somewhat naively, that her choices weren't the typical. But after a being in a family where her scary mother holds her on a very tight leash and dealing with the double standards for females, she is determined to live her own life and make her own decisions. She has never gotten over her childish wish to be a pirate like her grandfather.
Westman seems like a good partner, despite the fact that their families are sworn enemies and he's avoiding his old rakish ways, and he's arrogant, bossy and domineering like other men. She's drawn to him in ways that don't quite make sense at first. But as this story unfolds, Josie realizes that there is no way she can keep her heart unattached, and she really doesn't want an uninvolved (other than sexually) lover.
I think Westman is a super sweetie. I really felt respect for him that he had faced how ugly his actions were before he shipped off to India. He wanted to be a better man and make amends. He desired Josie, but in his mind, she was just the kind of woman he'd loved to get involved with when he was a conscienceless rake. However, Josie is different. She's ready to meet him as an equal. She might be inexperienced in comparison, but she's a passionate woman and the only woman for him.
The love scenes are very steamy and well-written. Josie and Westman have great chemistry and you could see that love wasn't far behind. The ending was very romantic. Westmore's gesture turned me into a buttery puddle on the floor. I really needed a strong romance story this weekend, and this fit the bill. I loved how even though their family issues weren't fully resolved, they made a united stand as a couple who were deeply in love, together and fully committed to each other.
I love the camaraderie between Josie and her cousins. They are all different foils for each other, and great partners in crime. If you haven't checked out this older series, you should if you like fun, sexy, exciting, adventurous historicals with heroines and heroes who are perfect for each other, but don't find out until you do about that.
The adventure aspect is a crucial part of this story, and I liked how Galen intersperses letters and correspondence from the history of their grandparents. I still have a fascination with pirates and while this is past the golden age of piracy, it fits well in this story through Josie and Westman's familial heritage as grandchildren of pirates.
There really is much to love about this book. I'm being more picky about giving five star ratings, but this is very close. It was the right book at the right time. Looking forward to continuing this series!
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.
August 26, 2022
Dit was helaas niet veel beter dan het eerste deel . Al mijn commentaar op deel 1 is ook weer van toepassing op dit deel .
October 28, 2017
DNF 45%. 18 years old sexually curious and impetuous heroine goes treasure-hunting with neighbouring hero. She tongue snogs him at their first meeting, without much participation from the shocked hero. In fact, she tongue snogs quite a lot of men out there in the ton, and permits wandering hands on a not irregular basis. Her outrageous conduct hardly seems stifled by her professed fear of being found out by her mother, who sounds like the latter administered well-deserved punishments for her past transgressions and misbehaviour. The hero's conduct is not much better. He blew the family fortune through his reckless gambling and whoring lifestyle, which ended when he inherited the earldom following his brother's passing. He decides to follow the straight and narrow path and to his credit initially tries to resist the heroine's shameless indecent proposal to him. His resolve lasted one day, but to be fair, the heroine is rather pushy and forward and he is only a man after all. What really turned me off this book, was the fact that he proceeded to happily initiate and enthusiastically participate in pre-coital acts with another woman the day after he became quite sexually intimate with the heroine. I said pre-coital, because coitus interruptus came in the physical form of the heroine breaking into his house - yet again. Reading a few reviews, it seems that their conducts will not improve much by my standards later in the book. It's a pity, because I just finished and really enjoyed my first book by the author, Third Son's A Cham, which is genuinely funny and heart-warming, while the humour in Good Groom Hunting really fell flat for me. Nothing funny about bad behaviour.
August 6, 2014
"Good Groom Hunting" follows the fiery Josie Hale, a young woman who has sworn not to get married and to become a pirate. Her grandfather was a pirate, after all! Josie owns half of her grandfather's treasure map but, unfortunately, the other half is owned by Stephen Doubleday, Earl of Westman, whose family is sworn enemies of the Hales.
So, of course, as they work together to find the treasure - Josie so that she can be rich and independent and not married, Stephen because his family is destitute - they become irresistibly attracted to each other and have quite a bit of naughty, out-of-wedlock sex. Josie is thoroughly ruined and doesn't care, Stephen feels bad about it, they get into scrapes because other people want the treasure too. There is a lot of romance in this book, but there is also a lot of solid adventure.
I liked Josie throughout the book. I appreciate a woman who wants to be independent. I also like that Josie is a woman who is in touch with her sexuality, and genuinely desires to have sex with Stephen without feeling all embarrassed about it. A lot of times, especially in historical romance, the women are shocked that they actually like sex, but Josie has a healthy curiosity about it.
Stephen is a bit annoying at the beginning of the book - he's quite pompous and acts like a jerk to Josie - but I really soften on him as things go on, especially after it's revealed that However, I was a bit turned off at the end when
Overall, "Good Groom Hunting" was a good book that I'm glad I bought for 25 cents at the library. It's the second book in a series, but I didn't feel like I was really missing much (although Josie's cousin and her husband were obviously the people the first book was about). It was a good standalone book with a great amount of action and excitement and, of course, pirates! That, alone, made it worth the time!
So, of course, as they work together to find the treasure - Josie so that she can be rich and independent and not married, Stephen because his family is destitute - they become irresistibly attracted to each other and have quite a bit of naughty, out-of-wedlock sex. Josie is thoroughly ruined and doesn't care, Stephen feels bad about it, they get into scrapes because other people want the treasure too. There is a lot of romance in this book, but there is also a lot of solid adventure.
I liked Josie throughout the book. I appreciate a woman who wants to be independent. I also like that Josie is a woman who is in touch with her sexuality, and genuinely desires to have sex with Stephen without feeling all embarrassed about it. A lot of times, especially in historical romance, the women are shocked that they actually like sex, but Josie has a healthy curiosity about it.
Stephen is a bit annoying at the beginning of the book - he's quite pompous and acts like a jerk to Josie - but I really soften on him as things go on, especially after it's revealed that However, I was a bit turned off at the end when
Overall, "Good Groom Hunting" was a good book that I'm glad I bought for 25 cents at the library. It's the second book in a series, but I didn't feel like I was really missing much (although Josie's cousin and her husband were obviously the people the first book was about). It was a good standalone book with a great amount of action and excitement and, of course, pirates! That, alone, made it worth the time!
May 29, 2017
I wanted to like this. I really did. The concept sounded fun - spunky heroine goes treasure hunting with her family's enemy, to find the long-lost treasure hidden by their grandfathers... partnered pirates.
But.
It went wrong in every possible way. Josie was incredibly disappointing as an independent female... she was the worst kind of stereotype: the independent woman who secretly wants a man to own her. Because she just straight-up caved to the hero on every front. Every. Single. Front.
Let's be clear here:
He was The Worst. And she never, ever, ever holds any of it against him, which makes her The Worst Worst.
I barely got through this. Definitely not continuing on with this series.
P.S. Please, Avon, for the love of God, have someone do a copyedit on the Kindle edition of this book (because I'm assuming the print edition doesn't look like this). The word "tonight" was constantly written as "to night" ... and even worse, the word "pleasure" was constantly written as "plea sure"!!! This is a fucking romance novel! Those two words (well, four words when Avon does the copyediting, apparently) are probably in this book 150 times, and it is goddamn annoying. Or I guess that would be an noying to you, Avon.
But.
It went wrong in every possible way. Josie was incredibly disappointing as an independent female... she was the worst kind of stereotype: the independent woman who secretly wants a man to own her. Because she just straight-up caved to the hero on every front. Every. Single. Front.
Let's be clear here:
He was The Worst. And she never, ever, ever holds any of it against him, which makes her The Worst Worst.
I barely got through this. Definitely not continuing on with this series.
P.S. Please, Avon, for the love of God, have someone do a copyedit on the Kindle edition of this book (because I'm assuming the print edition doesn't look like this). The word "tonight" was constantly written as "to night" ... and even worse, the word "pleasure" was constantly written as "plea sure"!!! This is a fucking romance novel! Those two words (well, four words when Avon does the copyediting, apparently) are probably in this book 150 times, and it is goddamn annoying. Or I guess that would be an noying to you, Avon.
November 4, 2018
I am not a fan of the virgin acts like experienced courtesan trope, so I did not enjoy Good Groom Hunting. It took me so long to slog through this book, that I've forgotten some of the things I disliked about it. 2/5 stars
July 30, 2008
Great adventure, great tension between the h/h... I love the banter and the tension. This one was a lot of fun!!
April 24, 2025
This was a really good book. It was the second story in the series. I loved the book one and I really love book 2. I love the fact of the pirates, the treasure hunting the man that she wanted to love that her grandfather was friends with his grandfather when they were alive, looking for treasure, and now their families hated each other, but she ended up falling for him towards the end. It was like a and we still love her slowburn, and it was just really good and what top the cake was the treasure hunting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2010
Cute story about a group of girls who swear off marriage and form the Spinsters Club. Searching for a family treasure only she believes exists Josephine propositions her neighbor, Stephen, to an affair so as to gain access to the house where she believes the other half of the treasure map she possesses may be found. Fun read.
August 5, 2025
MC's h. Josephine Hale, 18, and H. Stephen Doubleday, Earl of Westman, 32.
This was a pirate treasure adventure, romance story. The Hale and Doubleday families are enemies because they believed Nathan Hale, Josie's grandpa killed his bestfriend James Doubleday, Earl of Westman. The two men traveled the seven seas along with James's wife Margaret and Nathan's wife was content at home. They found treasure made a map and buried it. James had several diaries, a wooden box, a safety deposit box and Nathan had half a map.
Years later when Josie was 18 she found her grandpa's map. It was only half a map. She looked all over for the other half but never found it. She showed it to her cousin Ashley. She wanted to go on an adventure and look for the other half of the map. Her enemy the Earl of Westman lived next door. She broke into his house to look for the map. He caught her and she made up a story that she wanted him to be her lover. He didn't buy that and she accidently told him about the map. Long story short they became partners and agreed to share all information including the treasure.
The Romance: Josie had been kissed before and she really wanted to remain a spinster but wanted a lover. The only man she was attracted to was the Earl of Westman. The first time she kissed him he didn't respond. She thought he was a horrible kisser and didn't understand how he could be a rake.
The next time she asked him outright what was wrong with her. He informed her there was nothing wrong with her looks. She goaded him and he ended up kissing her but stopped because he didn't want to compromise her. After Stephen and Josie found all the information they needed to find the treasure in Cornwall, Stephen said he would go and bring it back to share with her. She decided to borrow Catie and L. Valentine's carriage and follow him to Cornwall. She slipped into his room and she kissed him and he gave in and they made love for the first time.
Characters: Josie: Josie loved her Grandpa Nathan and doted on all his pirate stories. She and her brother playacted with sword fights etc. growing up. Her biggest dream for the last 12 years is to find her Grandpa's treasure and clear his name of murdering his best friend James Doubleday. Her best friends and cousins: Maddie, Catie, Ashley made a pact they would all be spinsters and never marry when they were 12. Earlier in the year Catie was married to the Earl of Valentine.
Stephen was the Black Sheep of his family. After his Grandfather, Father and brother James (Heir) passed away, Stephen came home from India to claim the Earldom. He was banned because of a scandal with a girl he ruined that ended up commiting suicide. He also lost a lot of money gambling. His parents looked at him with disdain. After he came back he really wanted to redeem himself and changed his ways. He was working on restoring the family coffers and stopped being a rakehell. The Hales and the Doubledays were sworn enemies because Nathan Hale murdered his Grandfather. His grandmother lived alone and was a recluse since she lost her husband.
Other Characters in the story: Josie's family: Mother (Mavis nee Fullbright) & Father Joseph Hale, son's Joseph Jr.,John & Josie, Uncle William, Earl of Castlereigh & wife Ellen (nee Todd) and Madelaine (Josie's cousin), Uncle Edmund (Fullbright) and Aunt Cordelia (nee Brittany) daughter's and Josie's cousins, Catie and Lizze and Uncle Sir Gareth Brittany & Aunt Imogen (Nee Stafford) and children and Josie's cousins: Thomas, Charles, William, Ashley, Devlin and George.
Stephen's family: Mother Beatrice Doubleday (Dowager Countess Westman) and Grandmother Margaret Doubleday ( elder Dowager Countess of Westman).
Opinion: This was a great romance, adventure (Pirate Treasure hunt) along with family feuds and humerous situations between the MC's Josie and Stephen. I enjoyed it. Who doesn't love a Pirate Treasure hunt? I gave this 4 stars.
This was a pirate treasure adventure, romance story. The Hale and Doubleday families are enemies because they believed Nathan Hale, Josie's grandpa killed his bestfriend James Doubleday, Earl of Westman. The two men traveled the seven seas along with James's wife Margaret and Nathan's wife was content at home. They found treasure made a map and buried it. James had several diaries, a wooden box, a safety deposit box and Nathan had half a map.
Years later when Josie was 18 she found her grandpa's map. It was only half a map. She looked all over for the other half but never found it. She showed it to her cousin Ashley. She wanted to go on an adventure and look for the other half of the map. Her enemy the Earl of Westman lived next door. She broke into his house to look for the map. He caught her and she made up a story that she wanted him to be her lover. He didn't buy that and she accidently told him about the map. Long story short they became partners and agreed to share all information including the treasure.
The Romance: Josie had been kissed before and she really wanted to remain a spinster but wanted a lover. The only man she was attracted to was the Earl of Westman. The first time she kissed him he didn't respond. She thought he was a horrible kisser and didn't understand how he could be a rake.
The next time she asked him outright what was wrong with her. He informed her there was nothing wrong with her looks. She goaded him and he ended up kissing her but stopped because he didn't want to compromise her. After Stephen and Josie found all the information they needed to find the treasure in Cornwall, Stephen said he would go and bring it back to share with her. She decided to borrow Catie and L. Valentine's carriage and follow him to Cornwall. She slipped into his room and she kissed him and he gave in and they made love for the first time.
Characters: Josie: Josie loved her Grandpa Nathan and doted on all his pirate stories. She and her brother playacted with sword fights etc. growing up. Her biggest dream for the last 12 years is to find her Grandpa's treasure and clear his name of murdering his best friend James Doubleday. Her best friends and cousins: Maddie, Catie, Ashley made a pact they would all be spinsters and never marry when they were 12. Earlier in the year Catie was married to the Earl of Valentine.
Stephen was the Black Sheep of his family. After his Grandfather, Father and brother James (Heir) passed away, Stephen came home from India to claim the Earldom. He was banned because of a scandal with a girl he ruined that ended up commiting suicide. He also lost a lot of money gambling. His parents looked at him with disdain. After he came back he really wanted to redeem himself and changed his ways. He was working on restoring the family coffers and stopped being a rakehell. The Hales and the Doubledays were sworn enemies because Nathan Hale murdered his Grandfather. His grandmother lived alone and was a recluse since she lost her husband.
Other Characters in the story: Josie's family: Mother (Mavis nee Fullbright) & Father Joseph Hale, son's Joseph Jr.,John & Josie, Uncle William, Earl of Castlereigh & wife Ellen (nee Todd) and Madelaine (Josie's cousin), Uncle Edmund (Fullbright) and Aunt Cordelia (nee Brittany) daughter's and Josie's cousins, Catie and Lizze and Uncle Sir Gareth Brittany & Aunt Imogen (Nee Stafford) and children and Josie's cousins: Thomas, Charles, William, Ashley, Devlin and George.
Stephen's family: Mother Beatrice Doubleday (Dowager Countess Westman) and Grandmother Margaret Doubleday ( elder Dowager Countess of Westman).
Opinion: This was a great romance, adventure (Pirate Treasure hunt) along with family feuds and humerous situations between the MC's Josie and Stephen. I enjoyed it. Who doesn't love a Pirate Treasure hunt? I gave this 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2018
2nd book in the series
I'm new to this author, just started this series. I'm not sure how I feel about the book, the series or the author. Personally, I think her sex scenes are too long. One was 11 pages. I like sex scenes, but I'd rather see some of those pages devoted to character development. The plot was a little better in this book, but the book still felt undeveloped and unfinished. It felt shallow. I saw sparks of promise and was able to read in one sitting. It just feels like an early work of a new author, I'm not sure if that is the case. Its not a bad book. Read it if you'd like an easy, light read, with a few inconsistencies for the time.
I'm new to this author, just started this series. I'm not sure how I feel about the book, the series or the author. Personally, I think her sex scenes are too long. One was 11 pages. I like sex scenes, but I'd rather see some of those pages devoted to character development. The plot was a little better in this book, but the book still felt undeveloped and unfinished. It felt shallow. I saw sparks of promise and was able to read in one sitting. It just feels like an early work of a new author, I'm not sure if that is the case. Its not a bad book. Read it if you'd like an easy, light read, with a few inconsistencies for the time.
September 4, 2018
another good book by Shana.
Josie is looking for the rest of a treasure map. She believes that Lord Westman has it.
She sneaks into his house but gets caught.
Stephen Doubleday needs to find the treasure to save his family.
Sparks fly when they first meet. They agree to be partners to find the treasure.
Things happen but they finally end up finding but other want it too.
Stephen and Josie find their love throught their adventure. They find the love that is meant for them.
They manage to get their families together and end the feud between.
Josie is looking for the rest of a treasure map. She believes that Lord Westman has it.
She sneaks into his house but gets caught.
Stephen Doubleday needs to find the treasure to save his family.
Sparks fly when they first meet. They agree to be partners to find the treasure.
Things happen but they finally end up finding but other want it too.
Stephen and Josie find their love throught their adventure. They find the love that is meant for them.
They manage to get their families together and end the feud between.
February 18, 2024
an adventure
This the 2nd book of 4 . From age of 8 the heroine Josie has dreamed of looking for the treasure of a map, her grandfather told her about. Stephen had the other half of the map. Their families do not like each other. The story has lots of humorous elements, intrigue and a lovely conclusion. An enemies to lovers scenario . Looking forward to reading book 3.
This the 2nd book of 4 . From age of 8 the heroine Josie has dreamed of looking for the treasure of a map, her grandfather told her about. Stephen had the other half of the map. Their families do not like each other. The story has lots of humorous elements, intrigue and a lovely conclusion. An enemies to lovers scenario . Looking forward to reading book 3.
March 22, 2019
Loving the misadventures in matrimony stories.
April 23, 2019
A good plot with well conceived characters.
The gold formula an alpha male/heroe and a damsel in distress and the birth of a everlasting love story with humour.
A good historical, regency, ChicLit
The gold formula an alpha male/heroe and a damsel in distress and the birth of a everlasting love story with humour.
A good historical, regency, ChicLit
June 30, 2024
This book was an adventure. I loved how these two got where they did at the end. I wouldn’t change a thing at all.
March 27, 2025
Once I started reading I realized I had read this book when it was originally released. I enjoyed the book again and the series is good too.
April 21, 2018
Impetuous, flighty and not terribly charming female lead. Also, pirates. Like with one eye and swords and all. I shit you not. Lastly, in the kindle version I read, every single 'pleasure' was transformed into 'plea sure'. I have never noticed that particular word so much before.
May 21, 2013
Better than the first. Ms. Galen has a way of creating characters that literally step out of the pages of her books. The haunting soul of Stephan Doubleday, second child who could never live up to the shining example of his older brother in his parents eyes. A man trying to atone for his mistakes and restore his family’s name. Maybe then he might see a glimmer of love in his mother’s eyes.
Josephine Hale, a woman who has bucked society’s rules, has no desire for a man or husband and seeks only three things. One clear the name of her grandfather who was unjustly accused of murder, find the pirates treasure and then live a life where no man can rule over her. In a time where a lady’s role is to marry well and serve her husband she is clearly living in the wrong era.
Her only hope comes when she must reluctantly join forces with Stephan to find the treasure. If successful than both parties will achieve what they want. What neither counts on is the desire that they both share for each other that once ignited will only grow to consume them both.
Enjoyed this book from the first page to the last and while I had fallen for Lord Valentine in her first book, Stephan clearly knocks him off the shelf with his rakish ways, honorable intentions and incredible wit. Well done Shana, look forward to the next in the series.
While I did find some errors in the book I easily overlooked them. As a fellow writer I understand the difficulty in editing. I have yet to come across any books that can't be marked up with a red pencil. To me what matters most is the storyline, the development of the characters and the authors ability to take me away and get me lost within her pages, this Shana has done with great success.
Josephine Hale, a woman who has bucked society’s rules, has no desire for a man or husband and seeks only three things. One clear the name of her grandfather who was unjustly accused of murder, find the pirates treasure and then live a life where no man can rule over her. In a time where a lady’s role is to marry well and serve her husband she is clearly living in the wrong era.
Her only hope comes when she must reluctantly join forces with Stephan to find the treasure. If successful than both parties will achieve what they want. What neither counts on is the desire that they both share for each other that once ignited will only grow to consume them both.
Enjoyed this book from the first page to the last and while I had fallen for Lord Valentine in her first book, Stephan clearly knocks him off the shelf with his rakish ways, honorable intentions and incredible wit. Well done Shana, look forward to the next in the series.
While I did find some errors in the book I easily overlooked them. As a fellow writer I understand the difficulty in editing. I have yet to come across any books that can't be marked up with a red pencil. To me what matters most is the storyline, the development of the characters and the authors ability to take me away and get me lost within her pages, this Shana has done with great success.
February 6, 2011
I'm not sure if it is because I read this right after another Shana Galen book, When Dashing Met Danger, but this one just didn't hold my interest. I think part of it was that this book is pretty similar to When Dashing Met Danger in that they both are dealing with some kind of intrigue that takes them to another country. Although this books intrigue was treasure and the other was spying, they both had the man that didn't really want the female along for the ride but needed them in order to complete their mission, as well as similar endings . Which, granted, is not a totally uncommon plot for historical romances, but there were some other similarities between the two books and I ended up a little bored with Good Groom Hunting.
Although I have really enjoyed Galen's books so far, I just think that she is one of those authors where she has a very set writing style and it is hard to read her books back-to-back. I will give this another try some time in the future and will continue reading Galen's works (and would really recommend them to people who like historical romances that aren't overly heavy), but I will just pace myself a little better :)
Although I have really enjoyed Galen's books so far, I just think that she is one of those authors where she has a very set writing style and it is hard to read her books back-to-back. I will give this another try some time in the future and will continue reading Galen's works (and would really recommend them to people who like historical romances that aren't overly heavy), but I will just pace myself a little better :)
September 24, 2014
A fun read about Josie and Stephen, members of feuding families, who got caught up in searching for pirate treasure that their grandfathers stashed.
There treasure hunt took them to strange and dangerous places, but also led them to finding more in each other than they ever expected.
I loved Josie's character. She was fearless, fun loving, sassy and adorable. Stephen didn't stand a chance when she broke into his house through the library window.
Stephen has recently claimed the family title after his brother's death and now needs to rebuild the family fortunes that he wasted away in his younger days. Josie's treasure hunt is the perfect way to do so. He just has to learn to tolerate Josie.
Together, they are quite a pair. They had me laughing at their antics and "awwwing" at their budding relationship. Quite an enjoyable read.
There treasure hunt took them to strange and dangerous places, but also led them to finding more in each other than they ever expected.
I loved Josie's character. She was fearless, fun loving, sassy and adorable. Stephen didn't stand a chance when she broke into his house through the library window.
Stephen has recently claimed the family title after his brother's death and now needs to rebuild the family fortunes that he wasted away in his younger days. Josie's treasure hunt is the perfect way to do so. He just has to learn to tolerate Josie.
Together, they are quite a pair. They had me laughing at their antics and "awwwing" at their budding relationship. Quite an enjoyable read.
June 11, 2008
The scions of the two romantic leads' families were pirates who worked together, then one of them purportedly murdered the other. The lady lead's quest to find their grandfathers' buried treasure brings them together, and then they find love.
Jeez, am I reading some cheesy contrived romance novels lately or what??
No boy had ever made her feel like that before. And she'd kissed quite a few boys. Several men, too.
Jeez, am I reading some cheesy contrived romance novels lately or what??
No boy had ever made her feel like that before. And she'd kissed quite a few boys. Several men, too.
August 4, 2011
This was an entertaining read. I loved the character of Josie, you rarely read a heroine quite like her. Tempestuous, stubborn, daring and wanton, despite being virginic. The romance between Josie and Stephen Westman is good, and charmingly developed. My only complaint was Stephen had a tendency to imagine throttling Josie, and I found that less than heroic!
All in all an enjoyable read for anyone who likes a bodice ripper with a bit of a difference.
All in all an enjoyable read for anyone who likes a bodice ripper with a bit of a difference.
September 2, 2012
I really enjoyed this book! Josie and Stephen are on the hunt for a treasure map and then the treasure and along the way fall in love. What I liked was that although the characters are searching for pirate's gold, they aren't stuck on a boat. The majority of the story occurs before they ever get close to the gold. I loved Shana Galen's reference to the way Stephen touched Josie. "...her body was an instrument to him. He was the virtuoso, playing her exquisitely." (p.218)
October 7, 2015
Another Great Book By Shana Galen.
I really enjoyed this book very much. Buried treasure and pirates and more adventure for Josephine and Stephen. This book kept my interest and I had a hard time putting it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I love every book I have read by Shana Galen and I will continue buying her books.
Thank You Shana Galen for an enjoyable book to read.
I really enjoyed this book very much. Buried treasure and pirates and more adventure for Josephine and Stephen. This book kept my interest and I had a hard time putting it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I love every book I have read by Shana Galen and I will continue buying her books.
Thank You Shana Galen for an enjoyable book to read.
November 26, 2007
This is a book I would recommend to those that want to read a simple book that is simple and sweet. But I would recommend that you read the first in the series simply to understand the players. Although this book can stand a lone it would have been nice to read it from the beginning of the series.
That being said it is an okay simple book.
That being said it is an okay simple book.
September 21, 2011
This was suppose to be a Quartet but something happened (not sure what) and the fourth book is on hold possibly permanently. Fortunately the way the 3rd one ends you are not left with a major feeling of disappointment at knowing what happens next because you have a very real sense of the final Heroine's happily ever after. If its ever published its a definite buy IMO.
August 4, 2016
Another fun book from this author. If you are really into the historical details, please be assured this is not the book for you. The situations and speech were pretty modern and there was lots of action. However this book was a light and entertaining read and hit the brief for some afternoon escapism. Nice steamy scenes too !!
June 15, 2020
this is the adventure type of book which i dislike. stopped at chapter 8. i felt the 1st book in this series was better than this. i usually love shana galen's books but i was disappointed by this which is sad because i liked westman. josie is a little..not to my liking.
January 15, 2010
Very enjoyable book, love the banter between h/h.
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