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Virgin Star
Bold and reckless Captain Sean Seanessy has braved the fury of nature and the treachery of men on the perilous main. But the discovery of a beautiful virgin lying abandoned and unconscious on his London doorstep leaves the hardy seafarer weak with passionate longings unlike any he has ever known. When the feisty honey-haired enchantress awakens with no memory save fear, Sean names her Shalyn, after the beguiling wind fairies of his Irish homeland. But his innocent angel turns out to be a devil in disguise -- an infuriating, high-spirited hellion whose breathtaking sensuality inflames Sean's desires to tame her...and to love her with all his soul.
408 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 9, 2025
“I knew you were trouble, Shalyn, the moment I first saw you. Here's a pretty package of trouble, I thought.”
Looking past the lame title, I'm the weirdo who sometimes enjoys the amnesia trope. So here you find me, reading a story about a ship captain, sailing, evil Frenchmen and "Oriental" things.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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Looking past the lame title, I'm the weirdo who sometimes enjoys the amnesia trope. So here you find me, reading a story about a ship captain, sailing, evil Frenchmen and "Oriental" things.
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━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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September 5, 2012
The title is not good! It sounds like the worlds most boring cruise liner! But I am hoping it is going to be an old school, bodice ripping historical romance. Fingers crossed!
Well I was right about the boats and the boring but nothing else!
Well I was right about the boats and the boring but nothing else!
January 8, 2013
Shipboard Romance with a Twist
While I think CRIMSON RAPTURE may be my favorite by Horsman, I can recommend VIRGIN STAR as another of her shipboard historical romances, but this one has an Irish hero and a heroine who doesn’t know who she is.
Set in 1823, this is the story of a young Englishwoman who, as a child, was taken from England to Malacca near the South China Sea. (We don’t know why for most of the book.) When the story opens, she is 21 and has been beaten and dumped on the doorstep of Captain Sean Seanessy, a wealthy Irish sea captain living in opulent splendor in England where he’s become an asset to the British government. A man of the world who takes his pleasure wherever he finds it, Seanessy is smitten by the girl with amnesia who wears only a ruby necklace he calls the “virgin star.” He names her Shalyn after the wind fairies of Ireland. She has no memory save for Malacca and the nightmares that haunt her of a beach with human skulls stuck in the sand. Seanessy is intrigued when he discovers the intelligent, well-educated young woman has been trained in Oriental fighting techniques, and of course, his attraction is immediate.
Consumed with an assignment from the British government to destroy a cache of opium held on an island near Malacca by a French duke, Seanessy has no time for the troublesome young woman. He believes the French duke has already made an attempt on the life of his half brother and his wife. It’s a game of cat and mouse that finally leads to Seanessy’s sailing for Malacca unaware that Shalyn has stowed away onboard. As they sail toward the duke’s island, Shalyn’s memories begin to return, both those of England as a child and in Malacca.
Horsman has created a wonderful set of characters in Seanessy’s crew, including a big dog named Oliver who takes a liking to Shalyn. There’s enough historical detail to satisfy the romance reader who likes more than “wallpaper” history and enough chemistry between Seanessy and Shalyn to make for an intriguing romance. (We don’t learn her true identity until late in the book.)
Note: Both the hero and heroine have light hair, the heroine’s described as golden blonde, notwithstanding the redhead on the cover.
While I think CRIMSON RAPTURE may be my favorite by Horsman, I can recommend VIRGIN STAR as another of her shipboard historical romances, but this one has an Irish hero and a heroine who doesn’t know who she is.
Set in 1823, this is the story of a young Englishwoman who, as a child, was taken from England to Malacca near the South China Sea. (We don’t know why for most of the book.) When the story opens, she is 21 and has been beaten and dumped on the doorstep of Captain Sean Seanessy, a wealthy Irish sea captain living in opulent splendor in England where he’s become an asset to the British government. A man of the world who takes his pleasure wherever he finds it, Seanessy is smitten by the girl with amnesia who wears only a ruby necklace he calls the “virgin star.” He names her Shalyn after the wind fairies of Ireland. She has no memory save for Malacca and the nightmares that haunt her of a beach with human skulls stuck in the sand. Seanessy is intrigued when he discovers the intelligent, well-educated young woman has been trained in Oriental fighting techniques, and of course, his attraction is immediate.
Consumed with an assignment from the British government to destroy a cache of opium held on an island near Malacca by a French duke, Seanessy has no time for the troublesome young woman. He believes the French duke has already made an attempt on the life of his half brother and his wife. It’s a game of cat and mouse that finally leads to Seanessy’s sailing for Malacca unaware that Shalyn has stowed away onboard. As they sail toward the duke’s island, Shalyn’s memories begin to return, both those of England as a child and in Malacca.
Horsman has created a wonderful set of characters in Seanessy’s crew, including a big dog named Oliver who takes a liking to Shalyn. There’s enough historical detail to satisfy the romance reader who likes more than “wallpaper” history and enough chemistry between Seanessy and Shalyn to make for an intriguing romance. (We don’t learn her true identity until late in the book.)
Note: Both the hero and heroine have light hair, the heroine’s described as golden blonde, notwithstanding the redhead on the cover.
July 16, 2010
This has been on my keeper shelf for years now. This book has it all--an amazingly cool heroine, a ridiculously sexy hero, and an awesome story. It never feels forced or trite, in fact, it was incredibly fresh and original. This is one of the few books I've ever read where my whole body would feel engaged because it was just. that. hot. and. sexy. I have been reading to pick up more of her backlist. Maybe that's a good idea to keep me busy for the rest of summer.
June 12, 2018
I read this book in high school many years ago and lent it to my ex sister in law...who ran off with it. It took me YEARS to find this book. I could not remember the name of it... just the storyline and the name Shalyn. I found it finally though after much searching on the net and was able to purchase it on Amazon.
Still a great read. I love her strength. I wish there had been more books to come after this one. The men in the group were all so interesting!!
Still a great read. I love her strength. I wish there had been more books to come after this one. The men in the group were all so interesting!!
March 7, 2018
A HEROINE WHO LOST HER MEMORIES, AND A DEVIL MAY CARE HERO WHO HAS FINALLY FOUND HIS HEART IN A FRAIL BUT EQUALLY STRONG WOMAN.
OUR HERO is a powerful Sea Captain and everyone on the streets knows his name. He has power in his own right, although not an esteemed one yet the Prime Minister acknowledges his influence. Sean has lived however he wanted- imbibing on drinking, whoring and pirating. Yet, he has never fallen in love, not until he finds a wounded young woman on his doorstep, one on the brink of death. There's something about her that wormed its way into his heart and he can't seem to shake her off his mind. Of course, he's not going to let her go no matter how much she demands or tries to escape. In fact, it was absolutely exhilarating to see a man like Sean be challenged by a slip of a woman. He's fighting his attraction and lust for her, at the same time desperate to uncover the truth behind her past. Was she truly mad or had she really lost her memories?
OUR HEROINE doesn't remember who she is nor her past. Waking up in someone else's home, naked and with a tattoo on her body, she's scared and a little bewildered. Her awakening was rather tumultuous, and she sought aplenty to escape. The little vixen even knows how to defend herself, trained in the oriental arts! To Sean's delight. She's definitely no simpering miss, and proves to be a challenge, and more trouble to the Captain. Something in her past is gnawing at her to return to Malacca, a place of her memories and she'll do just about anything to get there, even incurring Sean's wrath.
OVERALL this story ended too soon but I'm glad there was no dramatic angst to ruin the relationship between Sean and Isabel. It was sweet and filled with camaraderie between shipmates.
OUR HERO is a powerful Sea Captain and everyone on the streets knows his name. He has power in his own right, although not an esteemed one yet the Prime Minister acknowledges his influence. Sean has lived however he wanted- imbibing on drinking, whoring and pirating. Yet, he has never fallen in love, not until he finds a wounded young woman on his doorstep, one on the brink of death. There's something about her that wormed its way into his heart and he can't seem to shake her off his mind. Of course, he's not going to let her go no matter how much she demands or tries to escape. In fact, it was absolutely exhilarating to see a man like Sean be challenged by a slip of a woman. He's fighting his attraction and lust for her, at the same time desperate to uncover the truth behind her past. Was she truly mad or had she really lost her memories?
OUR HEROINE doesn't remember who she is nor her past. Waking up in someone else's home, naked and with a tattoo on her body, she's scared and a little bewildered. Her awakening was rather tumultuous, and she sought aplenty to escape. The little vixen even knows how to defend herself, trained in the oriental arts! To Sean's delight. She's definitely no simpering miss, and proves to be a challenge, and more trouble to the Captain. Something in her past is gnawing at her to return to Malacca, a place of her memories and she'll do just about anything to get there, even incurring Sean's wrath.
OVERALL this story ended too soon but I'm glad there was no dramatic angst to ruin the relationship between Sean and Isabel. It was sweet and filled with camaraderie between shipmates.
October 23, 2025
This is my first read by this author and I originally chose it because I like the amnesia trope in historical romance. It is a ship-themed novel from the early 90s so there are going to be some aspects that some modern readers do not enjoy.
I thought the writing was very pretty without being too flowery and the plot had a good combination of mystery and romantic tension build up. Some parts of the book were a little silly and dated but I am willing to forgive that because the motivations for certain characters were realistically depicted, and the ending was not a typical HEA.
I will definitely read more from this author in the future.
I thought the writing was very pretty without being too flowery and the plot had a good combination of mystery and romantic tension build up. Some parts of the book were a little silly and dated but I am willing to forgive that because the motivations for certain characters were realistically depicted, and the ending was not a typical HEA.
I will definitely read more from this author in the future.
February 13, 2011
This book started out very slow for me, too many characters and a lot of political relationship discussions. I was about to put it down which was a disappointment because of seeing it listed several times as "Fav Book of All Time" and "Books I've ReRead" on Amazon. I am glad I didn't, about 70 pages in, it took off and became a historical Bourne Identity with Jason Bourne being played by the heroine Shaylan. Both Sean, the hero, and Shaylan were well developed, inspiring and lovable characters. When Sean found Shaylan naked on his front step clutching a paper with his name on it he knew she was trouble, he was dead on! She didn't give him peace for a minute, she was pure and innocent, yet had a mysterious tattoo and comfortable with her nakedness. She was small and fragile, but was educated in the martial arts and could take out big, dangerous men. She was feisty, sassy and high spirited and made every mean, surly pirate fall in love with her. Sean was a guy's guy; cocky, a smooth talker, a lover of women and needed them only for relief, which he needed a lot of every time he had an encounter with Shaylan. I loved their interactions, even though he tried to stay away from her for her sake he still took such care of her, protecting her, and naming her after a touching fable about an Irish fairy. There was some funny dialog as well, like the first time they did the deed- lets just say she was never easy for Sean.
I plan on reading more from this author, Crimson Rapture (another highly recd one), if I can ever find it.
July 23, 2016
Loved it. I would definitely read more of her books. (Passion's Joy is the prequel to this one apparently, but you don't really have to read it first.)
August 12, 2016
For someone that doesn`t like pirate books I liked these two I`e read by her quite a lot.This h is certainly different and started the book out with a bang.
I do dislike war and history stories and these had more than I needed.Magic Embrace was also a good book....
I do dislike war and history stories and these had more than I needed.Magic Embrace was also a good book....
April 29, 2014
The story was pretty good, but OMG! The formatting was absolutely horrible. Sometimes you couldn't tell who was speaking. Incorrect words were used, and there was some funky punctuation. It got so annoying it really hampered my enjoyment of the story.
February 6, 2013
part of a series. liked it because the hero suffered from migraine headaches ...as a fellow migraineur, could identify with him somewhat.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews