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Blakewell/Kenleigh Family Trilogy #1
La famille Blakewell (Tome 1) - L'amour sans entraves
Cassie Blakewell gère une plantation de tabac aux États-Unis et, bien qu’elle répugne à recourir aux esclaves, elle se retrouve obligée d’en acheter un. Elle jette son dévolu sur Cole Braden, un forçat anglais en proie à une terrible fièvre. Elle sait que s’il reste aux mains de son trafiquant, il est condamné. Elle soigne cet homme à la beauté troublante avant de le faire entrer à son service. Mais sitôt rétabli, Cole prétend s’appeler Alex Kenleigh, avoir été agressé à Londres puis s’être réveillé aux Colonies sous une autre identité. Il doit à tout prix prouver à Cassie que ce qu’il dit est vrai, car des ennemis rôdent dans l’ombre…
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2003
545 people are currently reading
3456 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Clare
56 books4,315 followersUSA Today best-selling author Pamela Clare began her writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor-in-chief of two different newspapers. Along the way, she and her team won numerous state and national honors, including the First Amendment Award and the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, she was honored by the Colorado Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists with their Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for her work. A single mother with two grown sons and two cats, she writes historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense within view of Colorado’s beautiful Rocky Mountains. She is a two-time RITA finalist (Surrender, Defiant) and a three-time Daphne du Maurier finalist (I-Team series). She loves history, having studied archaeology in college, and has traveled extensively, living for almost three years in Denmark, which feels like home to her. She attributes her love of historical romance with the years she spent visiting ruins and castles in Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
June 9, 2020
3.5 Stars
I’m not sure why I don’t feel like I can give this one 4 full stars because I actually liked this story.
I liked the main characters as well as the side characters. And the story itself had potential but I didn’t feel like it lived up to it.
I think this falls somewhere between a dramatic/angsty read and a light one and I never like it when that happens but the balance is not done well.
The story covers a lot of serious issues but they are treated lightly and towards the end, the plot became too ridiculous and convoluted. A bit of a soap opera to be honest.
I’m gonna continue with the series because I’m intrigued to read about Jamie and Nicholas as grown ups and perhaps catch up with the others from this book.
Overall, I’d say this book can be a hit or a miss depending on personal likes and dislikes.
I’m not sure why I don’t feel like I can give this one 4 full stars because I actually liked this story.
I liked the main characters as well as the side characters. And the story itself had potential but I didn’t feel like it lived up to it.
I think this falls somewhere between a dramatic/angsty read and a light one and I never like it when that happens but the balance is not done well.
The story covers a lot of serious issues but they are treated lightly and towards the end, the plot became too ridiculous and convoluted. A bit of a soap opera to be honest.
I’m gonna continue with the series because I’m intrigued to read about Jamie and Nicholas as grown ups and perhaps catch up with the others from this book.
Overall, I’d say this book can be a hit or a miss depending on personal likes and dislikes.
November 22, 2015
This is an amazing story! One of Pamela Clare's finest - Sweet Release (Blakewell/Kenleigh #1) and just $0.99 for a limited time! http://amzn.to/1HKRw66
Sweet Release is the first book in the Blakewell/Kenleigh trilogy, and I don’t even know where to start when reviewing this story, so I’ll skip the plot synopsis and keep it short and sweet. It’s a tale filled with adventure, passion, and romance that will stay with you long after you’ve read those final words. No matter the genre, Ms. Clare knows how to bring her characters to life making them so much more than just names and words on the page, and Alec Kenleigh and Cassie Blakewell are among my favorites. They are people of honor and integrity who aren’t afraid of hard work. They’re the kind of people who built this country, the ones we read about in our history books - those who have become heroes and legends.
The bottom line – Whether they’re hanging out of helicopters trying to rescue the heroine, or picking tobacco on a Virginia plantation, I can’t get enough of the men and women from Pamela Clare’s stories and find myself constantly on the edge of my seat waiting to see where life will take them next. And hot? Sweet Mary!! Can this woman write some hot, sexy scenes!
I have very few auto-buy authors on my list, but Ms. Clare is one of them. If you’ve read her books then you understand why, but if you haven’t you need to fix that fast because you’re missing out on some wonderful stories!
Oh, and great news!!! If you’ve been trying to track this book down with no success, it’s now available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com in ebook format for $2.99, and worth every penny!
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If you're already a Pamela Clare fan, or interested in learning more about her and her books, be sure to stop by our Pamela Clare Fan Group here on Goodreads!
August 20, 2024
*4.5* Released in 2003, this was Pamela Clare’s debut.
Catherine "Cassie" Blakewell has been secretly tasked to run her father’s plantation once his memory begins to fail. It isn’t implicitly stated, but it sounds like he has dementia. Women were not allowed to own property, so she has explained that her father is in Europe, looking for new horses to breed with his stock.
Alec Kenleigh/Cole Braden, a wealthy ship builder from London and manwhore extraordinaire is set upon by thieves one evening, and wakes up across the ocean on a Virginia plantation. His name has been changed, and he has been sentenced to 14 years as a bondsman or indentured servant.
1730s Virginia plantation
Mistaken identity
Epic drama
Strong female protagonist
Great side characters
Smokin hot intimacy
So. Much. Angst.
OTT bad guy
One of the hardest earned HEAs ever
If you love historical romances, and are a fan of this authors writing, I recommend this historical soap opera!
Catherine "Cassie" Blakewell has been secretly tasked to run her father’s plantation once his memory begins to fail. It isn’t implicitly stated, but it sounds like he has dementia. Women were not allowed to own property, so she has explained that her father is in Europe, looking for new horses to breed with his stock.
Alec Kenleigh/Cole Braden, a wealthy ship builder from London and manwhore extraordinaire is set upon by thieves one evening, and wakes up across the ocean on a Virginia plantation. His name has been changed, and he has been sentenced to 14 years as a bondsman or indentured servant.
1730s Virginia plantation
Mistaken identity
Epic drama
Strong female protagonist
Great side characters
Smokin hot intimacy
So. Much. Angst.
OTT bad guy
One of the hardest earned HEAs ever
If you love historical romances, and are a fan of this authors writing, I recommend this historical soap opera!
October 5, 2015
Final rating: 4/5 stars
My thought after finishing the book: It was really good. Not as awesome as i hoped it to be, but it was interesting romance and i don't regret reading it. I ventured into this story wanting to read third book "Ride the Fire", but i changed my mind when i saw that all three books involve two families Blakewell & Kenleigh families. And then i thought... why not? Sometimes reading out of order is a good choice, but i don't think it would be good for this trilogy.
This book was a slow building romance , and the book itself was really terribly long - but what kind of bothered me is that i read it slower because of the slang... But overall, i just wish there were more scenes in London, but nevertheless it was well done. What i didn't like .
____________________________________________
CHARACTERS :
____________________________________________
And thus i ventured into reading the story of Catherine Blakewell and Alec Kenleigh.
♦ Catherine "Cassie" Blakewell is a daughter of a mentally ill man, and while pretending that he is on business trip, she runs Virginia plantation until her brother Jamie comes of age. She has hidden the condition of her father because she doesn't want to be married to someone who isn't her choice, despite the postion of women in 1730 Virginia. She doesn't want to face it - she would lose everything - her freedom, her freedom to speak and freedom of all people who are depending on her. Cassie despises slavery, and although her family owns many slaves - she cannot do anything. But what she can do is to treat them as human beings. So when she goes to buy more people because her plantation needs more workers, she saves a man known as Cole Braden, a vicious criminal accused of being rapist... And she being as kind as she is buys him and saves him when he should have died.
Cassie was interesting, strong female protagonist who stood in defiance of the theories that women can't manage managing the plantation. She fought hard to prove that she is as fitting as any other man to do the job and she won't back down. She was naive for a while, but i wouldn't say she was naive all the time - afterall she didn't trust Cole in the beginning.
♦ Alec Kenleigh , aka, Cole Braden is a wealthy owner of ship maker company in London. So how does he end up being sold as a slave on a auction all the way in Virginia? He doesn't know. And how does he end up being owned by Cassie Blakewell is even better question. He doesn't remember, but he is set to prove his identity, which is not Cole Braden. Being charged as defiler and ravisher of women, he finds himself in even tougher position than he imagined. Even though he "accepted" that he had no other choice but to serve 14 years as a bondsman on Cassie's plantation, he tries to prove that he is indeed Alec Kenleigh. Else, he would try to run. But that will prove to be harder than he thought.
I liked how Alec managed to remain who he used to be, but sometimes it was like he forgot his situation and that his life could hang in balance. But, he is nice person, although he is also one of those who were led to believe that women managing stuff is wrong. Thankfully, Cassie makes him understand that he was wrong.
♦ Other characters were well done as well, but sometimes they got on my nerves. For example Geoffrey, who was the most selfish SOB that ever existed, and who made me loose my mind and role my eyes and shout endlesly at how horrible and despicable he was. Being childhood friend of Cassie, he sure was a jerkish kind who doesn't respect women at all, not even Cassie. Elly and Zach were interesting, although i didn't agree with Elly most of the time, i did find Zach quite more interesting. He was such a sweet guy and he deserved all the happiness. Jamie , Cassie's brother, was adorable and cute, and he was just so kind and nice.
There are so many other characters i wish to talk about, but it would take a lot of time and remembering to write, for example Alec's family back in London and others. And after all i do not wish to reveal more than i should.
____________________________________________
OVERALL :
____________________________________________
Overall, i can't wait to see what other two book will bring, but i saw that they will be better than the first one so i really can't wait. It was dragging and slow in some parts but i liked it nonetheless. One star less was because i was endlessly frustrated in some parts (or more like 20% of the book) but i am glad that the problem was sorted out :)
This review can be found on my blog: infinity-of-time.blogspot.com also known as...
My thought after finishing the book: It was really good. Not as awesome as i hoped it to be, but it was interesting romance and i don't regret reading it. I ventured into this story wanting to read third book "Ride the Fire", but i changed my mind when i saw that all three books involve two families Blakewell & Kenleigh families. And then i thought... why not? Sometimes reading out of order is a good choice, but i don't think it would be good for this trilogy.
This book was a slow building romance , and the book itself was really terribly long - but what kind of bothered me is that i read it slower because of the slang... But overall, i just wish there were more scenes in London, but nevertheless it was well done. What i didn't like .
____________________________________________
CHARACTERS :
____________________________________________
And thus i ventured into reading the story of Catherine Blakewell and Alec Kenleigh.
♦ Catherine "Cassie" Blakewell is a daughter of a mentally ill man, and while pretending that he is on business trip, she runs Virginia plantation until her brother Jamie comes of age. She has hidden the condition of her father because she doesn't want to be married to someone who isn't her choice, despite the postion of women in 1730 Virginia. She doesn't want to face it - she would lose everything - her freedom, her freedom to speak and freedom of all people who are depending on her. Cassie despises slavery, and although her family owns many slaves - she cannot do anything. But what she can do is to treat them as human beings. So when she goes to buy more people because her plantation needs more workers, she saves a man known as Cole Braden, a vicious criminal accused of being rapist... And she being as kind as she is buys him and saves him when he should have died.
Cassie was interesting, strong female protagonist who stood in defiance of the theories that women can't manage managing the plantation. She fought hard to prove that she is as fitting as any other man to do the job and she won't back down. She was naive for a while, but i wouldn't say she was naive all the time - afterall she didn't trust Cole in the beginning.
♦ Alec Kenleigh , aka, Cole Braden is a wealthy owner of ship maker company in London. So how does he end up being sold as a slave on a auction all the way in Virginia? He doesn't know. And how does he end up being owned by Cassie Blakewell is even better question. He doesn't remember, but he is set to prove his identity, which is not Cole Braden. Being charged as defiler and ravisher of women, he finds himself in even tougher position than he imagined. Even though he "accepted" that he had no other choice but to serve 14 years as a bondsman on Cassie's plantation, he tries to prove that he is indeed Alec Kenleigh. Else, he would try to run. But that will prove to be harder than he thought.
I liked how Alec managed to remain who he used to be, but sometimes it was like he forgot his situation and that his life could hang in balance. But, he is nice person, although he is also one of those who were led to believe that women managing stuff is wrong. Thankfully, Cassie makes him understand that he was wrong.
♦ Other characters were well done as well, but sometimes they got on my nerves. For example Geoffrey, who was the most selfish SOB that ever existed, and who made me loose my mind and role my eyes and shout endlesly at how horrible and despicable he was. Being childhood friend of Cassie, he sure was a jerkish kind who doesn't respect women at all, not even Cassie. Elly and Zach were interesting, although i didn't agree with Elly most of the time, i did find Zach quite more interesting. He was such a sweet guy and he deserved all the happiness. Jamie , Cassie's brother, was adorable and cute, and he was just so kind and nice.
There are so many other characters i wish to talk about, but it would take a lot of time and remembering to write, for example Alec's family back in London and others. And after all i do not wish to reveal more than i should.
____________________________________________
OVERALL :
____________________________________________
Overall, i can't wait to see what other two book will bring, but i saw that they will be better than the first one so i really can't wait. It was dragging and slow in some parts but i liked it nonetheless. One star less was because i was endlessly frustrated in some parts (or more like 20% of the book) but i am glad that the problem was sorted out :)
This review can be found on my blog: infinity-of-time.blogspot.com also known as...
September 1, 2010
This is a great, fairly epic story. It is longer than most HRs, and the plot, settings and descriptions of characters and locations is far more detailed than most. It gives you a real taste for the period and the people, the cruelty and the struggles. It is set over a considerably longer timeframe than most HRs and this allows the relationship between the hero and heroine to develop at a more realistic pace, making their love and affection more credible. It also allows the secondary characters to be more like real people than the cardboard cutouts that seem to populate a lot of books (I'm not complaining - sometimes all you want is the main romance). But what I probably like most is that the plot develops at a faster and faster pace, until it starts getting incredibly exciting and you suddenly realise that you are completely sucked in and you just cannot put this book down. And then.. the author leaves you hanging as the story shifts to another scene in the next chapter, leaving you frustrated, short of breath, desperate to find out what happens next and turning the page so damned fast you almost rip it.
Loved it. 5 stars.
Loved it. 5 stars.
May 13, 2015
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Mistaken identity with devastating results!
Quick summary
Alec Kenleigh is assaulted on the streets of London and his next conscious thought is in the colonies. He's now a "bonded convict," purchased by Catherine (Cassie) Blakewell for her Virginia plantation near Williamsburg. Her purchase was more a sentimental rescue as Alec was near death. As he begins his recovery, no one believes his story that he's not the convicted rapist, Cole Braden. Meanwhile, Alec's family believes he's been murdered as his brother, Philip, has identified a body as being Alec.
About the setting
My most favorite historical romances are those set in America as they allow for more expansive storylines. This story starts in the year 1730 so while it's in the colonies, they are still under British rule with many of the societal restrictions and customs though the ownership of slaves is unique to America. Even Alec comments on how abhorrent a practice it is, an affront to English gentry. Cassie's family owns slaves and it's honestly acknowledged that their plantation couldn't afford to run without unpaid labor. Life at Blakewell Neck is honestly portrayed with all the boils of the period, though Cassie's father had very liberal ideals that created a somewhat better lifestyle than most.
What I enjoyed
Alec's dilemma was interesting and believable, making for some challenging situations as it's no easy matter to verify his identity when it's tied to another continent. Cassie's situation was also intriguing given that women had no rights in that era. There's a strong cast of secondary characters that add flavor to the story, including an irritating but evil fop out to win Cassie's heart (and her property). There's lots of tension, duplicity and romance that kept me in the story and things progress rather rapidly. I especially liked Alec and Cassie's steamy romance.
Narration
If you're interested in reading this book, do yourself a favor and get the audio version just to indulge in the delightful performance of Kaleo Griffith. I fell for his voice when listening to Clare's Surrender and he's just as skilled here. He handles a huge cast expertly, though Cassie sounds a little raspy at times but Alec was a huge hit.
The bottom line
This is an extremely interesting story that is expertly narrated. If you're a fan of American historical romance, this should be part of your collection. There are so few set in the pre-civil war era and that historical context adds even more value to the reading experience. The romance works (there are several of them in play) and I'm definitely continuing the series.
(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)
Mistaken identity with devastating results!
Quick summary
Alec Kenleigh is assaulted on the streets of London and his next conscious thought is in the colonies. He's now a "bonded convict," purchased by Catherine (Cassie) Blakewell for her Virginia plantation near Williamsburg. Her purchase was more a sentimental rescue as Alec was near death. As he begins his recovery, no one believes his story that he's not the convicted rapist, Cole Braden. Meanwhile, Alec's family believes he's been murdered as his brother, Philip, has identified a body as being Alec.
About the setting
My most favorite historical romances are those set in America as they allow for more expansive storylines. This story starts in the year 1730 so while it's in the colonies, they are still under British rule with many of the societal restrictions and customs though the ownership of slaves is unique to America. Even Alec comments on how abhorrent a practice it is, an affront to English gentry. Cassie's family owns slaves and it's honestly acknowledged that their plantation couldn't afford to run without unpaid labor. Life at Blakewell Neck is honestly portrayed with all the boils of the period, though Cassie's father had very liberal ideals that created a somewhat better lifestyle than most.
What I enjoyed
Alec's dilemma was interesting and believable, making for some challenging situations as it's no easy matter to verify his identity when it's tied to another continent. Cassie's situation was also intriguing given that women had no rights in that era. There's a strong cast of secondary characters that add flavor to the story, including an irritating but evil fop out to win Cassie's heart (and her property). There's lots of tension, duplicity and romance that kept me in the story and things progress rather rapidly. I especially liked Alec and Cassie's steamy romance.
Narration
If you're interested in reading this book, do yourself a favor and get the audio version just to indulge in the delightful performance of Kaleo Griffith. I fell for his voice when listening to Clare's Surrender and he's just as skilled here. He handles a huge cast expertly, though Cassie sounds a little raspy at times but Alec was a huge hit.
The bottom line
This is an extremely interesting story that is expertly narrated. If you're a fan of American historical romance, this should be part of your collection. There are so few set in the pre-civil war era and that historical context adds even more value to the reading experience. The romance works (there are several of them in play) and I'm definitely continuing the series.
(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)
November 14, 2010
So, this review is a bit ill fated. It kept getting erased while I typed so I copied it to a file on my computer and now that file's disappeared. Is this the haunted title that won't be reviewed? Yikes!
This is Pamela Clare's first novel and it's set in colonial Virginia. That right there is enough to start the book on a positive note for me. I love Virginia and I love American history. Woo hoo!
Not many historical romance authors bother with this time and place and I'm so glad that Clare has taken it upon herself to give us this unique subset of the genre. As always, her research is thorough, her love scenes are scintillating, and her characters have chemistry mixed with humor and angst.
Alec, heir to a ship-building empire, has been brutally thrust into a dangerous situation where he finds himself an indentured felon with a brand new name. Cassie has purchased his indenture in a moment of ill-advised compassion and worries she'll come to regret it.
There are a lot of intriguing characters including a couple of truly evil ones and a few annoying twits. There are also some interesting conversations relevant to the times, particularly regarding slavery. There's adventure, action and suspense. And the romance works.
Apparently this title might not be available soon, so snap it up while you can.
This is Pamela Clare's first novel and it's set in colonial Virginia. That right there is enough to start the book on a positive note for me. I love Virginia and I love American history. Woo hoo!
Not many historical romance authors bother with this time and place and I'm so glad that Clare has taken it upon herself to give us this unique subset of the genre. As always, her research is thorough, her love scenes are scintillating, and her characters have chemistry mixed with humor and angst.
Alec, heir to a ship-building empire, has been brutally thrust into a dangerous situation where he finds himself an indentured felon with a brand new name. Cassie has purchased his indenture in a moment of ill-advised compassion and worries she'll come to regret it.
There are a lot of intriguing characters including a couple of truly evil ones and a few annoying twits. There are also some interesting conversations relevant to the times, particularly regarding slavery. There's adventure, action and suspense. And the romance works.
Apparently this title might not be available soon, so snap it up while you can.
October 13, 2019
Çok güzeldi. Yazar biraz gereksiz sahnelerle uzatmıştı, ama olsun. Uzun soluklu historical okumayalı baya olmuştu. Ve o mahkeme sahnesi gerçekten güzeldi.
April 22, 2013
Great book!
When I started reading it the first thing I suspected is that is very similar to Shanna and after finishing it, I had it confirmed.
Obviously, this story is NOT a photocopy! It is good, it is still fresh and it is HOT! *wink*
Alec/Cole at the beginning is a high-stung English, but as the story proceedes he's doing a fast growing up! I like him though. I liked how he was capable to remain himself, even in front of very difficult situation he found himslef in: from rich to indentured servant in an almost blink. He's not afraid of hard work, he's not so haughty to avoid slaves, he's good with children.
Cassie is sometimes incredibly strong, sometimes too naive for everyone's good. She's in a difficult situation: her father is mentally sick, but she must avoid anyone outside the estate finding it out, else she'l have the estate taken out of her hands, her slaves sold to other, more cruel owners, her married off to somebody... a very dire stiuation! She's a good person: her slaves are treated good, her indentured servants too. She shares her food and medicine with everybody on her estate without distinction. But she's also young and naive...
Obviously, when she buys Alec, she does it because she think that otherwise he will die and she's not going to allow it. She nurses him, but when he awakens and tell her who he really is, she doesn't believe him. But as she gets to know him better, she changes her mind, and tries to help him prove it and, in the meanwhile falls in love with him. He too is not immune to her: what starts as lust, grows into love.
But there are others to consider: the neighboring estate owners. Some are good people, but there's one family that is really awful. And the hair wants Cassie and doesn't understand why she doesn't want him.
So all kind of problems arise: she has to maintain the ruse that her father is abroad and not sick; that Alec is only her indenture servant when he's her lover; that she's just a weak female following her father's directived about managing the esatte when she's a clever manager herself...
Sometimes she is a very mature and intelligent, but sometimes she's jut plain naive. Alec too...
One complaint: the back-story in England is barely touched. I would have preferred to get more information of how Matthew find out about Philip's treachery. This part was just overlooked and I missed it. I think the book could have been much more rich if this was included.
The chemistry between Cassie and Alec is hot, hot, HOT. Pamela Clare knows how to write a sex scene!!! :D
When I started reading it the first thing I suspected is that is very similar to Shanna and after finishing it, I had it confirmed.
Obviously, this story is NOT a photocopy! It is good, it is still fresh and it is HOT! *wink*
Alec/Cole at the beginning is a high-stung English, but as the story proceedes he's doing a fast growing up! I like him though. I liked how he was capable to remain himself, even in front of very difficult situation he found himslef in: from rich to indentured servant in an almost blink. He's not afraid of hard work, he's not so haughty to avoid slaves, he's good with children.
Cassie is sometimes incredibly strong, sometimes too naive for everyone's good. She's in a difficult situation: her father is mentally sick, but she must avoid anyone outside the estate finding it out, else she'l have the estate taken out of her hands, her slaves sold to other, more cruel owners, her married off to somebody... a very dire stiuation! She's a good person: her slaves are treated good, her indentured servants too. She shares her food and medicine with everybody on her estate without distinction. But she's also young and naive...
Obviously, when she buys Alec, she does it because she think that otherwise he will die and she's not going to allow it. She nurses him, but when he awakens and tell her who he really is, she doesn't believe him. But as she gets to know him better, she changes her mind, and tries to help him prove it and, in the meanwhile falls in love with him. He too is not immune to her: what starts as lust, grows into love.
But there are others to consider: the neighboring estate owners. Some are good people, but there's one family that is really awful. And the hair wants Cassie and doesn't understand why she doesn't want him.
So all kind of problems arise: she has to maintain the ruse that her father is abroad and not sick; that Alec is only her indenture servant when he's her lover; that she's just a weak female following her father's directived about managing the esatte when she's a clever manager herself...
Sometimes she is a very mature and intelligent, but sometimes she's jut plain naive. Alec too...
One complaint: the back-story in England is barely touched. I would have preferred to get more information of how Matthew find out about Philip's treachery. This part was just overlooked and I missed it. I think the book could have been much more rich if this was included.
The chemistry between Cassie and Alec is hot, hot, HOT. Pamela Clare knows how to write a sex scene!!! :D
April 21, 2019
Kitapları Füsun’a yollayınca bir re-read yapasım geldi.
•
Az bir olaydan bahsedip diyeceğimi dedikten sonra kaçacağım:
Alec Kenleight büyük bir komploya kurban gider; saldırıya uğrar, bilincini kaybeder, bir gemiye bindirilip Kolonilere köle taşıyan gemilerden birinde başka bir suçlunun yerine geçirilir.
Yetmezmiş gibi kendinde olamayacak kadar hastadır. Bu hasta hâliyle kimsenin işine yaramayacak olsa da beş sterline bir toprak sahibine köle olarak satılır.
Olan biten burada bahsettiğim gibi; Alec’i satın alan kişi toprakları babası adına idare eden Cassie. Genel toprak sahibi kişilere göre altlarında çalışanlara karşı daha insaflılar. Ama bu yeni ve yakışıklı işçisi hastalıktan kurtulup bir soylu olduğunu iddia edince işler azıcık karışıyor.
Karakterleri, kurguyu, yazarın tarzını ve çeviriyi sevdim. Bu ikinci okuyuşumda bazı yerlerin bana uzatılmış gelmesi haricinde her şey çok güzeldi.
Yazarın en büyük talihsizliği Koridor Yayınları’nın historical basmaktan vazgeçmiş olması. Ne yazık ki bugüne kadar yazarcığıma sahip çıkan başka yayınevi de olmadı. Oysa öyle güzel bir kalemi var ki böyle boynu bükük kalması beni üzüyor.
Umarım birileri tekrar kendisini keşfeder de yeni kitaplarını görürüz/görürsünüz.
•
Az bir olaydan bahsedip diyeceğimi dedikten sonra kaçacağım:
Alec Kenleight büyük bir komploya kurban gider; saldırıya uğrar, bilincini kaybeder, bir gemiye bindirilip Kolonilere köle taşıyan gemilerden birinde başka bir suçlunun yerine geçirilir.
Yetmezmiş gibi kendinde olamayacak kadar hastadır. Bu hasta hâliyle kimsenin işine yaramayacak olsa da beş sterline bir toprak sahibine köle olarak satılır.
Olan biten burada bahsettiğim gibi; Alec’i satın alan kişi toprakları babası adına idare eden Cassie. Genel toprak sahibi kişilere göre altlarında çalışanlara karşı daha insaflılar. Ama bu yeni ve yakışıklı işçisi hastalıktan kurtulup bir soylu olduğunu iddia edince işler azıcık karışıyor.
Karakterleri, kurguyu, yazarın tarzını ve çeviriyi sevdim. Bu ikinci okuyuşumda bazı yerlerin bana uzatılmış gelmesi haricinde her şey çok güzeldi.
Yazarın en büyük talihsizliği Koridor Yayınları’nın historical basmaktan vazgeçmiş olması. Ne yazık ki bugüne kadar yazarcığıma sahip çıkan başka yayınevi de olmadı. Oysa öyle güzel bir kalemi var ki böyle boynu bükük kalması beni üzüyor.
Umarım birileri tekrar kendisini keşfeder de yeni kitaplarını görürüz/görürsünüz.
April 7, 2012
3 1/2 stars
Sweet Release is Pamela Clare's debut book. Though it isn't in the same league as her current books, in terms of concise writing and strong plot and character development, it's well-written, poignant, sensual, and at time heart-wrenching. I will say that the drama toward the end of the book felt a little over-the-top and took away from the overall quality of the story. That being said, I really enjoyed this story and am blown away by the knowledge that this is Pamela Clare's first book. She's one talented lady.
Sweet Release is Pamela Clare's debut book. Though it isn't in the same league as her current books, in terms of concise writing and strong plot and character development, it's well-written, poignant, sensual, and at time heart-wrenching. I will say that the drama toward the end of the book felt a little over-the-top and took away from the overall quality of the story. That being said, I really enjoyed this story and am blown away by the knowledge that this is Pamela Clare's first book. She's one talented lady.
February 27, 2018
I picked this up because the blurb reminded me of Woodiwiss’ Shanna– a book I remember and adore from decades ago.
A guy kidnapped and transported as another person – a convict to the colonies to work as indentured labor for the h’s father’s plantation in Virginia. While Shanna was a deceiving witch, this h is a sweet and kind plantation owner who treats her slaves kindly and is trying to run things in her father’s absence. The H, angry and rebellious at first, dislikes and distrusts her but later they become lovers, and while the H is hopeful of return to England and claim back his identity, the h is more realistic and unsure of his feelings for her.
While the first half is great even as certain things beggar belief, the later part is plagued with lots of problems, the main being the length of the climax which seems to have a life of its own and refuses to die away! And the way the h’s father, sick and hidden away from the world, is invisible – to the readers as well!
Few things were off like when the H kills the villain in self-defense and is captured, being a slave his crime includes not only murder but also ‘ravishment’ of the h. what I found weird is that on proving that he indeed is who he says he is and not a convict, he’s not only cleared of the ravishment charge but also of the murder charge. That was a not only difficult to swallow but also quite a travesty, if law worked just so in those days.
But a great entertainer for all that and a likable pair of mcs.
A guy kidnapped and transported as another person – a convict to the colonies to work as indentured labor for the h’s father’s plantation in Virginia. While Shanna was a deceiving witch, this h is a sweet and kind plantation owner who treats her slaves kindly and is trying to run things in her father’s absence. The H, angry and rebellious at first, dislikes and distrusts her but later they become lovers, and while the H is hopeful of return to England and claim back his identity, the h is more realistic and unsure of his feelings for her.
While the first half is great even as certain things beggar belief, the later part is plagued with lots of problems, the main being the length of the climax which seems to have a life of its own and refuses to die away! And the way the h’s father, sick and hidden away from the world, is invisible – to the readers as well!
Few things were off like when the H kills the villain in self-defense and is captured, being a slave his crime includes not only murder but also ‘ravishment’ of the h. what I found weird is that on proving that he indeed is who he says he is and not a convict, he’s not only cleared of the ravishment charge but also of the murder charge. That was a not only difficult to swallow but also quite a travesty, if law worked just so in those days.
But a great entertainer for all that and a likable pair of mcs.
August 6, 2016
This book was sooo good. I loved it. One of the best historical romance books I've read.
April 12, 2010
Alec Kenleigh is a wealthy shipbuilder from England. One night he is set upon by thieves and knocked unconscious. In a daze of pain, he is sent to Newgate where he becomes a victim of mistaken identity and is sent to the Colonies.
Cassie Blakewell is running her father's plantation under the guise of her father being "out of town" for awhile. She's good at it, but knows she will be unable to retain her authority if people found out the truth. In the midst of all this, she purchases the Indentureship of Alec- although he's now known as Cole Braden.
When he's finally on his way to healing and awakens he's shocked to find months have gone by and that everyone is laboring under the impression he's a criminal. Cassie is smart enough to not believe his claims out right, but she does agree to send word England to make some inquiries.
In the meantime, Alec and Cassie find an unwanted attraction exists between them and, despite the interference of a local rich boy who desires Cassie's hand in marriage, they discover neither is who the other thought they were.
Pamela Clare's Historicals are classic Historical Romance Novels, to be sure. They retain the familiar themes, but they also add the spice we've come to expect from more recent entries in the romance genre. But even given that, they have a way of making you feel like you've arrived home after being away for a very long time.
In Sweet Release, Clare has written a thick, rich historical novel. It has a fierce hero, wrongly imprisoned and sent to the colonies for indentureship, A feisty heroine who runs an entire plantation for her indisposed father and enough atmosphere to make plantation life during the early days of the colonies come alive without overburdening us with mundane details.
Unfortunately, our heroine is a naïve virgin. In the past, I was able to brush over the shy machinations of a virgin too scared to handle the far more knowledgeable hero. In fact I scoffed at others who brought up this issue in historical romance novel reviews, thinking them elitist snobs. Not anymore.
Another drawback for me was the fact I also felt like I was watching these two from afar. I'm not sure what was missing, but something kept me at a distance. Perhaps a lack of depth? Not sure, but Ride the Fire by Clare was a much better read, imo.
(PS This apparently is Ms. Clare's debut novel, so I did give the author some grace on this one!)
Cassie Blakewell is running her father's plantation under the guise of her father being "out of town" for awhile. She's good at it, but knows she will be unable to retain her authority if people found out the truth. In the midst of all this, she purchases the Indentureship of Alec- although he's now known as Cole Braden.
When he's finally on his way to healing and awakens he's shocked to find months have gone by and that everyone is laboring under the impression he's a criminal. Cassie is smart enough to not believe his claims out right, but she does agree to send word England to make some inquiries.
In the meantime, Alec and Cassie find an unwanted attraction exists between them and, despite the interference of a local rich boy who desires Cassie's hand in marriage, they discover neither is who the other thought they were.
Pamela Clare's Historicals are classic Historical Romance Novels, to be sure. They retain the familiar themes, but they also add the spice we've come to expect from more recent entries in the romance genre. But even given that, they have a way of making you feel like you've arrived home after being away for a very long time.
In Sweet Release, Clare has written a thick, rich historical novel. It has a fierce hero, wrongly imprisoned and sent to the colonies for indentureship, A feisty heroine who runs an entire plantation for her indisposed father and enough atmosphere to make plantation life during the early days of the colonies come alive without overburdening us with mundane details.
Unfortunately, our heroine is a naïve virgin. In the past, I was able to brush over the shy machinations of a virgin too scared to handle the far more knowledgeable hero. In fact I scoffed at others who brought up this issue in historical romance novel reviews, thinking them elitist snobs. Not anymore.
Another drawback for me was the fact I also felt like I was watching these two from afar. I'm not sure what was missing, but something kept me at a distance. Perhaps a lack of depth? Not sure, but Ride the Fire by Clare was a much better read, imo.
(PS This apparently is Ms. Clare's debut novel, so I did give the author some grace on this one!)
November 10, 2008
This one started out will all kinds of intriguing possibilities, but the lengthy and frequent scenic descriptions, too many start-stops in the climax coupled with too many stutters to the ending ruined it for me.
The author admits this book took her 7 years to write due to personal issues in her life. I can see it in the story as she must have forgotten she already said that--numerous times. Also, that can be the only explanation for all the "almost" climaxes and shifts in the storyline.
The two main characters (Cassie and Alec) had a lot of potential. Both carried their conflict well, but once their problems started to resolve they started up again. It got annoying.
I want to say that it was extremely bothersome to switch the tone of the story from high drama, edge of seat action, to mundane and useless information--repeatedly. I found myself skipping large chunks of scene changes to follow the action, then going back to see what I missed and it wasn't even necessary to the story. Blech!
I gave this 3 stars because the story interested me enough to continue reading and I did want to see how it ended, but the ending wasn't so hot, IMO, and I felt...cheated somehow.
Hope the next one is better!
The author admits this book took her 7 years to write due to personal issues in her life. I can see it in the story as she must have forgotten she already said that--numerous times. Also, that can be the only explanation for all the "almost" climaxes and shifts in the storyline.
The two main characters (Cassie and Alec) had a lot of potential. Both carried their conflict well, but once their problems started to resolve they started up again. It got annoying.
I want to say that it was extremely bothersome to switch the tone of the story from high drama, edge of seat action, to mundane and useless information--repeatedly. I found myself skipping large chunks of scene changes to follow the action, then going back to see what I missed and it wasn't even necessary to the story. Blech!
I gave this 3 stars because the story interested me enough to continue reading and I did want to see how it ended, but the ending wasn't so hot, IMO, and I felt...cheated somehow.
Hope the next one is better!
October 11, 2019
Tatlı Ceza
Ne kitaptı be! Kitabı Esracığım'la beraber okuduk. İlk gün ben, rs modunda olduğumdan beraber bir birlik içinde okuyamadık ikinci gün de Esra rs olmuş ben o da okuyor sanıp kendimi kaptırıp kitabı bitirdim. Yani tam zamanlı bitiremedik ama yine de yeni bir yazar keşfetmenin mutluluğunu beraber yaşadık.
Kitap öncelikle dopdoluydu ve önceden okuduğum historical kitapları arasında kurgusuyla en farklı olanlardandı bence. İlk defa köle kitabı okuyorum ve kitabı ilk gördüğümde baya dikkatimi çekip uzun süre önce okuma listeme alınmıştı.
Sonra okuyayım dediğim gün, kitabın ilk başlarında reading slump yüzünden zevk alamadım. O yüzden başları için pek bir yorum yapamayacağım. Ama sanki rs olmasaydım da kitap ortalarına kadar çok uzamış gelirdi bana. Ben kitaplarda hep bir güldürü unsuru bulundurmalarına alıştığımdan kitabın başlarında olan çaresizlik anları yüzünden eğlenemedim.
Kitap ikinci yarısına geldiğimde yani kitaba bir sonraki gün devam ettiğimde kitaptaki olayların hızlanmasıyla da kitap baya sürükledi beni. Bir rs tehlikesini de alnımın akıyla atlattım😂😂
Kitabı okurken eski Brezilya pembe dizileri okur gibi oldum hatta orada yaşadım resmen. Güzeller güzeli bir çiftlik sahibinin masum kızı, yakışıklı bir köle aslında köle değil😂😂 ve olmazsa olmazımız kızımıza göz koymuş gaddar çiftlik sahibi ve hikayenin ana teması olan imkansız bir aşk hikayesi. Tamamen bir Brezilya dizisi tadı vardı. Zaten Koridor yayıncılık kitapları pembe dizi tadında oluyor ve tadından da geçilmiyor.
Çiftlik kitaplarında her zaman bir samimiyet oluyor. Ve ben buna bayılıyorum. Başrol erkeğimiz kitapta doğuma bile girdi daha ne olsun? Hem de ebeden hallice siz düşünün samimiyet seviyesini 😂😂 Cassie ise çiftlik sahibinin kızı olduğunu unutmuş gibi kölelerle aynı düzeyde çalışıyordu. Yani bu bana biraz imkansız gelse de okudum işte ajsjsjjas Özellikle Elly adındaki hizmetçisine verdiği yüz sayesinde kölesi kendini asil sanıyordu ve sonra olanlar oldu zaten. Zavallı Zach sevdiğinin başka adama gitmesini izledi canlı canlı. Zach Elly seni haketmiyordu. Anlayacağınız çiftlik gönül işleri yüzünden birbirine ara sıra giriyordu.😂😂
Kitapta bazı yerlerde Cassie'nin adama olan aşkında adamın soylu olmasının da katkısı olduğunu düşünüyorum. Çünkü adam kadına yaklaşıyor kadın da diyor ki soylu olamasa ben böyle hissetmem falan orası saçmalıktı. Yani sonuçta bu aşk? Adam gerçekten de köle olabilirdi ve soylu olmadan da yakışıklı olabilirdi ve yine de adama karşı bir çekim hissedebilirdi. İşte o zaman gerçekten imkansız bir aşk hikayesi okurduk. Sonunda kesin bir ölüm olurdu ama neyse aajajsjsjs
Hoş bu da sonlara doğru adam idam edildi edilcek oldu ve o durumda adamın bebeğin adının ne olacağını düşünmesi, bebeğini görememisi düşüncesiyle kötü olması falan çok güzel yazılmıştı ya. Cidden orda üzüldüm. Kitap sonlara doğru o kadar harketlendi ki neyin nerden geldiğini anlayamadım bile. Aşırı hareketliydi ve sonunda da o kadar ölüm tehlikesinden sonra en ufak şeyde tartışıp sevgilerinden şüphe duymaları beni sinir etti, azıcık.😔
Kitabın son sahnesindeki Nicholas detayına da bayıldım. Baya gülümsetti beni 😊 Hem çiftlik hem de historical sevenlerin bayılacağı bir kitap emin olun 😉
Alec, nöbetçiler onu kapıdan geçirirken, “Seni seviyorum, Catherine Blakewell,” diye bağırdı. “Eğer Tanrı’nm yarattığı bu âlemde zerre miktar adalet varsa, sen ve ben tekrar bir araya geleceğiz. Buna tüm kalbinle inanmalısın..."
Şu sahneye çok fena düştüm nasıl kurtulurum zerre bilmiyorum 💜😍
Ne kitaptı be! Kitabı Esracığım'la beraber okuduk. İlk gün ben, rs modunda olduğumdan beraber bir birlik içinde okuyamadık ikinci gün de Esra rs olmuş ben o da okuyor sanıp kendimi kaptırıp kitabı bitirdim. Yani tam zamanlı bitiremedik ama yine de yeni bir yazar keşfetmenin mutluluğunu beraber yaşadık.
Kitap öncelikle dopdoluydu ve önceden okuduğum historical kitapları arasında kurgusuyla en farklı olanlardandı bence. İlk defa köle kitabı okuyorum ve kitabı ilk gördüğümde baya dikkatimi çekip uzun süre önce okuma listeme alınmıştı.
Sonra okuyayım dediğim gün, kitabın ilk başlarında reading slump yüzünden zevk alamadım. O yüzden başları için pek bir yorum yapamayacağım. Ama sanki rs olmasaydım da kitap ortalarına kadar çok uzamış gelirdi bana. Ben kitaplarda hep bir güldürü unsuru bulundurmalarına alıştığımdan kitabın başlarında olan çaresizlik anları yüzünden eğlenemedim.
Kitap ikinci yarısına geldiğimde yani kitaba bir sonraki gün devam ettiğimde kitaptaki olayların hızlanmasıyla da kitap baya sürükledi beni. Bir rs tehlikesini de alnımın akıyla atlattım😂😂
Kitabı okurken eski Brezilya pembe dizileri okur gibi oldum hatta orada yaşadım resmen. Güzeller güzeli bir çiftlik sahibinin masum kızı, yakışıklı bir köle aslında köle değil😂😂 ve olmazsa olmazımız kızımıza göz koymuş gaddar çiftlik sahibi ve hikayenin ana teması olan imkansız bir aşk hikayesi. Tamamen bir Brezilya dizisi tadı vardı. Zaten Koridor yayıncılık kitapları pembe dizi tadında oluyor ve tadından da geçilmiyor.
Çiftlik kitaplarında her zaman bir samimiyet oluyor. Ve ben buna bayılıyorum. Başrol erkeğimiz kitapta doğuma bile girdi daha ne olsun? Hem de ebeden hallice siz düşünün samimiyet seviyesini 😂😂 Cassie ise çiftlik sahibinin kızı olduğunu unutmuş gibi kölelerle aynı düzeyde çalışıyordu. Yani bu bana biraz imkansız gelse de okudum işte ajsjsjjas Özellikle Elly adındaki hizmetçisine verdiği yüz sayesinde kölesi kendini asil sanıyordu ve sonra olanlar oldu zaten. Zavallı Zach sevdiğinin başka adama gitmesini izledi canlı canlı. Zach Elly seni haketmiyordu. Anlayacağınız çiftlik gönül işleri yüzünden birbirine ara sıra giriyordu.😂😂
Kitapta bazı yerlerde Cassie'nin adama olan aşkında adamın soylu olmasının da katkısı olduğunu düşünüyorum. Çünkü adam kadına yaklaşıyor kadın da diyor ki soylu olamasa ben böyle hissetmem falan orası saçmalıktı. Yani sonuçta bu aşk? Adam gerçekten de köle olabilirdi ve soylu olmadan da yakışıklı olabilirdi ve yine de adama karşı bir çekim hissedebilirdi. İşte o zaman gerçekten imkansız bir aşk hikayesi okurduk. Sonunda kesin bir ölüm olurdu ama neyse aajajsjsjs
Hoş bu da sonlara doğru adam idam edildi edilcek oldu ve o durumda adamın bebeğin adının ne olacağını düşünmesi, bebeğini görememisi düşüncesiyle kötü olması falan çok güzel yazılmıştı ya. Cidden orda üzüldüm. Kitap sonlara doğru o kadar harketlendi ki neyin nerden geldiğini anlayamadım bile. Aşırı hareketliydi ve sonunda da o kadar ölüm tehlikesinden sonra en ufak şeyde tartışıp sevgilerinden şüphe duymaları beni sinir etti, azıcık.😔
Kitabın son sahnesindeki Nicholas detayına da bayıldım. Baya gülümsetti beni 😊 Hem çiftlik hem de historical sevenlerin bayılacağı bir kitap emin olun 😉
Alec, nöbetçiler onu kapıdan geçirirken, “Seni seviyorum, Catherine Blakewell,” diye bağırdı. “Eğer Tanrı’nm yarattığı bu âlemde zerre miktar adalet varsa, sen ve ben tekrar bir araya geleceğiz. Buna tüm kalbinle inanmalısın..."
Şu sahneye çok fena düştüm nasıl kurtulurum zerre bilmiyorum 💜😍
January 28, 2015
http://gamzeninkitapdunyasi.blogspot....
Kitap aslında pazar akşamı bitmişti ancak migren sayesinde 2 gündür yatıyordum. Kendime gelebilmişken yorumu yapmadan geçmek istemedim ^^
Pekala.. Nasıl giriş yapsam bu harika kitaba acaba?
Şöyle başlamama ne dersiniz? Eğer sizde benim gibi Historical hayranı iseniz, kesinlikle kaçırmayın derhal alın, okuyun :)
Öncelikle size kitabın içeriği ile ilgili bilgi vereyim.
Alec Kenleigh, adamımız 30 yaşında. Kendisinden 6 yaş küçük belalı bir erkek kardeşi ve kız kardeşi var. Philip, inanın o adam ile karşılaştığınız ilk sahnede dahi boğmak istiyorsunuz. O kadar rezil bir kardeş yani..
Neyse Alec, bir gece sevgilisinin yanından ayrıldıktan sonra saldırıya uğruyor. Ve gözünü açtığında artık Londra'da değil, Virginia'dadır.
Köle tacirlerince satılmak üzeredir. Ancak o kaçırılma esnasında o kadar kötü dayak yiyiyor ki..
Cassie, o haline dayanamıyor. Ve onu satın almak istiyor. Bu arada belirtmeliyim 5 sterlin falan değil bildiğin 10 sterlin veriyor adama :D Neyse işte bunlar bir güzel bakıyorlar adam iyileşsin diye. Kendini toparlıyor ve işte olayların gidişatı da bu şekilde başlıyor.
Gelelim kişisel yorumuma.
Yazarın kalemini genel olarak seviyorum. Daha önce de Aşka Adanmış Bir Gün kitabını okumuş ve çok beğenmiştim. Günahkar kitabı da kütüphanemde var ancak onu daha okuyacak zamanım olmadı :) Zaten genel olarak Koridor Yayınevinin çıkarmış olduğu historical tarzından beğenmediğim çok çok azdır.
Kitabın başlangıçta bir Londra bir Virginia'da geçeceğini düşünmüştüm. Ama Yeni Dünya topraklarında geçmesi ağırlıklı olarak daha keyifliydi.
Bu kitapta sevdiğim bir diğer noktaysa, bu tarzlarda görmeye alışık olduğumuz o balolar, süslü çay davetleri gibi ıvır zıvırların olmamasıydı. Cassie benim için mükemmel bir karakterdi. Kız hem 4 yaşındaki kardeşi Jamie'ye annelik yapıyor, hem çiftliği idare etmeye çalışıyor, hem de tarlalar da herhangi bir köle veya sözleşmeli çalışan gibi iş görüyor. Kendini hiç kimseden yüksekte görmüyor. 1730lu yılları.. Köleler, hayvanlar kadar bile değerli değilken. Cassie, elinden geldiği kadar yardımcı olmaya çalışıyor herkese.
Ve sevgili Alec :) Tatlı İngiliz Beyiiiii ^^ Ne yazayım ben şimdi onun hakkında..
Alec'i de en az Cassie kadar çok sevdim. Arada sinir etse de.. Ki çok normal :)
Çok uzattım değil mi? :D Elimde değil çünkü kitabı çok sevdim. Umarım sevgili yayınevi bizleri çok bekletmeden diğer iki kitabı da hemen çıkarır. Kesinlikle tavsiye ederim der ve sizleri okurken beğendiğim alıntılarla baş başa bırakırım :)
"Ayrıca traş olmak ve uygun giysiler ile donatılmak istiyorum. Bu yerin adetleri arasında, genç kızların çıplak erkekleri izlemesi gibi bir şey varsa durum değişir tabii."
Cassie ellerini istemsiz bir şekilde, sinirden ve utançtan kızaran yanaklarına doğru götürdü.
"Size elbette kıyafet getirilecek, Bay Braden. Bizler medeni insanlarız. Orada uygunsuz bir biçimde durmak, sizin kendi tercihiniz. Buna rağmen, bu halinizi hemen hemen hiç farketmedim denebilir."
"Demek öyle." Yüzündeki küstah gülümseme, Cassie'nin aklından geçenleri bildiğini gösteriyordu.
"Bütün hayatım bu çiftlikte geçti, Bay Braden. Birçok hasta adamın ve hayvanın bakımıyla ilgilendim. Erkekler öyle çok da farklı değil atlardan, boğalardan, yaban domuzlarından ve... ve horozlardan!"
"Horoz mu? O halde sanırım yeterince yakından bakmamışsınız."
"Erkeklerin gösteriş meraklısı olmalarına ve kurumlanmalarına atıfta bulunuyordum sadece, Bay Braden."
***
Mutfağın merdivenlerinde oturmuş bezelye ayıklarken, bir yandan da avlu zeminine serptiği mısırlar için tavuklarla mücadele eden mavi alakargaları izliyordu. Yaklaşan sonbaharın kokusu, burnunu gıdıklıyordu. Çok geçmeden yapraklar renk değiştirecek, havalar soğumaya başlayacaktı. Güz, hep en sevdiği mevsim olmuştu. Ne ilkbahar kadar yağmurlu, ne de kış kadar soğuktu; yaz mevsiminin yapış yapış sıcağından uzak olan sonbahar, dünya yavaş yavaş kış uykusuna yatarken, beraberinde bir sükunet ve hoşnutluk duygusu getiriyordu.
***
Alec, nöbetçiler onu kapıdan geçirirken, "Seni seviyorum, Catherine Blakewell," diye bağırdı. "Eğer Tanrı'nın yarattığı bu alemde zerre miktar adalet varsa, sen ve ben tekrar bir araya geleceğiz. Buna tüm kalbinle inanmalısın!"
Kitap aslında pazar akşamı bitmişti ancak migren sayesinde 2 gündür yatıyordum. Kendime gelebilmişken yorumu yapmadan geçmek istemedim ^^
Pekala.. Nasıl giriş yapsam bu harika kitaba acaba?
Şöyle başlamama ne dersiniz? Eğer sizde benim gibi Historical hayranı iseniz, kesinlikle kaçırmayın derhal alın, okuyun :)
Öncelikle size kitabın içeriği ile ilgili bilgi vereyim.
Alec Kenleigh, adamımız 30 yaşında. Kendisinden 6 yaş küçük belalı bir erkek kardeşi ve kız kardeşi var. Philip, inanın o adam ile karşılaştığınız ilk sahnede dahi boğmak istiyorsunuz. O kadar rezil bir kardeş yani..
Neyse Alec, bir gece sevgilisinin yanından ayrıldıktan sonra saldırıya uğruyor. Ve gözünü açtığında artık Londra'da değil, Virginia'dadır.
Köle tacirlerince satılmak üzeredir. Ancak o kaçırılma esnasında o kadar kötü dayak yiyiyor ki..
Cassie, o haline dayanamıyor. Ve onu satın almak istiyor. Bu arada belirtmeliyim 5 sterlin falan değil bildiğin 10 sterlin veriyor adama :D Neyse işte bunlar bir güzel bakıyorlar adam iyileşsin diye. Kendini toparlıyor ve işte olayların gidişatı da bu şekilde başlıyor.
Gelelim kişisel yorumuma.
Yazarın kalemini genel olarak seviyorum. Daha önce de Aşka Adanmış Bir Gün kitabını okumuş ve çok beğenmiştim. Günahkar kitabı da kütüphanemde var ancak onu daha okuyacak zamanım olmadı :) Zaten genel olarak Koridor Yayınevinin çıkarmış olduğu historical tarzından beğenmediğim çok çok azdır.
Kitabın başlangıçta bir Londra bir Virginia'da geçeceğini düşünmüştüm. Ama Yeni Dünya topraklarında geçmesi ağırlıklı olarak daha keyifliydi.
Bu kitapta sevdiğim bir diğer noktaysa, bu tarzlarda görmeye alışık olduğumuz o balolar, süslü çay davetleri gibi ıvır zıvırların olmamasıydı. Cassie benim için mükemmel bir karakterdi. Kız hem 4 yaşındaki kardeşi Jamie'ye annelik yapıyor, hem çiftliği idare etmeye çalışıyor, hem de tarlalar da herhangi bir köle veya sözleşmeli çalışan gibi iş görüyor. Kendini hiç kimseden yüksekte görmüyor. 1730lu yılları.. Köleler, hayvanlar kadar bile değerli değilken. Cassie, elinden geldiği kadar yardımcı olmaya çalışıyor herkese.
Ve sevgili Alec :) Tatlı İngiliz Beyiiiii ^^ Ne yazayım ben şimdi onun hakkında..
Alec'i de en az Cassie kadar çok sevdim. Arada sinir etse de.. Ki çok normal :)
Çok uzattım değil mi? :D Elimde değil çünkü kitabı çok sevdim. Umarım sevgili yayınevi bizleri çok bekletmeden diğer iki kitabı da hemen çıkarır. Kesinlikle tavsiye ederim der ve sizleri okurken beğendiğim alıntılarla baş başa bırakırım :)
"Ayrıca traş olmak ve uygun giysiler ile donatılmak istiyorum. Bu yerin adetleri arasında, genç kızların çıplak erkekleri izlemesi gibi bir şey varsa durum değişir tabii."
Cassie ellerini istemsiz bir şekilde, sinirden ve utançtan kızaran yanaklarına doğru götürdü.
"Size elbette kıyafet getirilecek, Bay Braden. Bizler medeni insanlarız. Orada uygunsuz bir biçimde durmak, sizin kendi tercihiniz. Buna rağmen, bu halinizi hemen hemen hiç farketmedim denebilir."
"Demek öyle." Yüzündeki küstah gülümseme, Cassie'nin aklından geçenleri bildiğini gösteriyordu.
"Bütün hayatım bu çiftlikte geçti, Bay Braden. Birçok hasta adamın ve hayvanın bakımıyla ilgilendim. Erkekler öyle çok da farklı değil atlardan, boğalardan, yaban domuzlarından ve... ve horozlardan!"
"Horoz mu? O halde sanırım yeterince yakından bakmamışsınız."
"Erkeklerin gösteriş meraklısı olmalarına ve kurumlanmalarına atıfta bulunuyordum sadece, Bay Braden."
***
Mutfağın merdivenlerinde oturmuş bezelye ayıklarken, bir yandan da avlu zeminine serptiği mısırlar için tavuklarla mücadele eden mavi alakargaları izliyordu. Yaklaşan sonbaharın kokusu, burnunu gıdıklıyordu. Çok geçmeden yapraklar renk değiştirecek, havalar soğumaya başlayacaktı. Güz, hep en sevdiği mevsim olmuştu. Ne ilkbahar kadar yağmurlu, ne de kış kadar soğuktu; yaz mevsiminin yapış yapış sıcağından uzak olan sonbahar, dünya yavaş yavaş kış uykusuna yatarken, beraberinde bir sükunet ve hoşnutluk duygusu getiriyordu.
***
Alec, nöbetçiler onu kapıdan geçirirken, "Seni seviyorum, Catherine Blakewell," diye bağırdı. "Eğer Tanrı'nın yarattığı bu alemde zerre miktar adalet varsa, sen ve ben tekrar bir araya geleceğiz. Buna tüm kalbinle inanmalısın!"
April 27, 2014
Dry writing. Lengthy development of predictable things. It needs richer characters.
TWO BOOKS (Sweet Release and Carnal Gift):
I liked books 3 and 5 in the author’s I-Team series, but I did not like her first two books “Sweet Release” and “Carnal Gift.” The main conflicts were based on the settings where it was against the law for hero and heroine to be together. SR takes place on a tobacco plantation in 1730. Heroine’s father owns the plantation. Hero is a bondsman. If they are discovered he will be hung and she will be punished. Secondary plot has evil masters doing horrible things to slaves and bondsmen. In CG, it is against the law for Catholics to marry Protestants. She is Catholic he is Protestant. This takes place in Ireland and England in1751. Secondary plot has evil Lord doing horrible things to Catholics, peasants, and servants.
Both of these books felt like textbook writing. The author takes her time to fully describe and develop plot events. But they are predictable. Nothing special. For example, yes it’s painful giving birth but I don’t want to spend a bunch of time hearing the details and having it drawn out with her painful cries - like the author was trying to be true to life rather than interesting. Too many things were drawn out like that.
Right after reading these I read “Carnal Innocence” by Nora Roberts. CI had what was missing from Clare’s books. CI characters were colorful and rich with interesting dialogue - unexpected dialogue. I smiled often during CI. I did not smile during Clare’s two books.
DIFFERENT VERSIONS:
When SR and CG were first published, the publisher shortened one or both of them by about 100 pages. The author recently released the “full” versions in ebook form. I read the full versions.
SWEET RELEASE:
It could have used feelings of hope and anticipation. Instead I felt bad hearing about tragic things. The horrible treatment of slaves and bondsmen is included.
The story is set in 1730 Virginia. Land owners have slaves and bondsmen. Alec is a wealthy Englishman who is beaten, put in chains on a ship, given a false name (a convict’s name) and sold in Virginia as a bondsman - 14 years of servitude. Due to her father’s illness, Cassie is running the tobacco plantation. She and Alec fall in love. If their relationship is discovered, he could be hung and she could be punished. An evil neighbor with power wants to marry Cassie and torture and kill Alec.
Sex scenes were ok, but I skimmed a couple of them. There is one rape.
There is a stupid misunderstanding that occurs at a bad time. This discussion should have happened weeks earlier. It felt contrived to add conflict.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count length: 7,240. Swearing language: mild including religious swear words. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 7. Setting: 1730 Virginia and with a little in England. Copyrights: 2003 and 2011. Genre: historical romance with suspense.
TWO BOOKS (Sweet Release and Carnal Gift):
I liked books 3 and 5 in the author’s I-Team series, but I did not like her first two books “Sweet Release” and “Carnal Gift.” The main conflicts were based on the settings where it was against the law for hero and heroine to be together. SR takes place on a tobacco plantation in 1730. Heroine’s father owns the plantation. Hero is a bondsman. If they are discovered he will be hung and she will be punished. Secondary plot has evil masters doing horrible things to slaves and bondsmen. In CG, it is against the law for Catholics to marry Protestants. She is Catholic he is Protestant. This takes place in Ireland and England in1751. Secondary plot has evil Lord doing horrible things to Catholics, peasants, and servants.
Both of these books felt like textbook writing. The author takes her time to fully describe and develop plot events. But they are predictable. Nothing special. For example, yes it’s painful giving birth but I don’t want to spend a bunch of time hearing the details and having it drawn out with her painful cries - like the author was trying to be true to life rather than interesting. Too many things were drawn out like that.
Right after reading these I read “Carnal Innocence” by Nora Roberts. CI had what was missing from Clare’s books. CI characters were colorful and rich with interesting dialogue - unexpected dialogue. I smiled often during CI. I did not smile during Clare’s two books.
DIFFERENT VERSIONS:
When SR and CG were first published, the publisher shortened one or both of them by about 100 pages. The author recently released the “full” versions in ebook form. I read the full versions.
SWEET RELEASE:
It could have used feelings of hope and anticipation. Instead I felt bad hearing about tragic things. The horrible treatment of slaves and bondsmen is included.
The story is set in 1730 Virginia. Land owners have slaves and bondsmen. Alec is a wealthy Englishman who is beaten, put in chains on a ship, given a false name (a convict’s name) and sold in Virginia as a bondsman - 14 years of servitude. Due to her father’s illness, Cassie is running the tobacco plantation. She and Alec fall in love. If their relationship is discovered, he could be hung and she could be punished. An evil neighbor with power wants to marry Cassie and torture and kill Alec.
Sex scenes were ok, but I skimmed a couple of them. There is one rape.
There is a stupid misunderstanding that occurs at a bad time. This discussion should have happened weeks earlier. It felt contrived to add conflict.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count length: 7,240. Swearing language: mild including religious swear words. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 7. Setting: 1730 Virginia and with a little in England. Copyrights: 2003 and 2011. Genre: historical romance with suspense.
December 22, 2014
Another Great Read by Pamela Clare
I've read almost every novel by romance author Pamela Clare but I finally had the pleasure of delving into the one series I haven't read: Kenleigh/Blackwell Family Saga. And it's another winner!
In 1730, Alec Kenleigh owns a shipbuilding company in London. His ne'er-do-well younger brother Philip is an alcoholic up to all sorts of mischief. When Alec decides to withhold money until Philip gets his act together, Philip threatens that he'll regret it.
Months later, Cassie Blackwell lives in eighteenth century Virginia but has a modern sensibility about the role of women. She's feisty and strong, and secretly runs a huge tobacco plantation because her father is incapacitated by dementia. When it's time to buy slaves off the boat, her heart goes out to a badly beaten Englishman convict, and she decides to buy him (basically saving his life). His reported crime? Ravishment of women, aka rape.
Turns out the suspected convict is Alec Kenleigh. Someone wanted him out of the picture and swapped his identity with a dead prisoner. But nobody in America believes his story. He will have to serve 14 years as an indentured servant unless he can prove his real identity.
Cassie starts to question his reported crimes when she witnesses Alec's strong work ethic and kindness toward her young brother. She's under great pressure to hide her father's infirmity -- no way a woman could be CEO of the estate back then -- and her pressure only builds with the growing attraction she feels toward Alec. As an unmarried woman, she would risk everything by having sex with him.
Alec, unfortunately, can't get Cassie out of his head. He doesn't want to ruin her reputation but all he can think about is bedding her. The Virginia summer isn't the only part of the story that's steamy!
Pamela Clare is masterful at creating strong heroines and honorable heroes, and Cassie and Alec definitely fit the bill. Alec is slightly pompous but quite lovable. I enjoyed learning about the tobacco farms and the morays of that time. I felt sickened reading about slaves, particularly how the villainous Crichton family treated them. Geoffrey Crichthon is an odious man who lusts for Cassie but will never deserve her sweet attention, and he vows to make Alec pay for that.
There are elements of suspense and imprisonment (yay!) and interesting characters like the Native American healer Takotah. At times I had trouble keeping the bondsmen, bondswomen, and slaves apart, and there are some plot elements that were a little clunky (like the identity of Alec's betrayer and Alec's slowness in appreciating Cassie's wishes about where to live). But this was a page turner that I devoured, and I can't wait for Carnal Gift, book two in the series.
I've read almost every novel by romance author Pamela Clare but I finally had the pleasure of delving into the one series I haven't read: Kenleigh/Blackwell Family Saga. And it's another winner!
In 1730, Alec Kenleigh owns a shipbuilding company in London. His ne'er-do-well younger brother Philip is an alcoholic up to all sorts of mischief. When Alec decides to withhold money until Philip gets his act together, Philip threatens that he'll regret it.
Months later, Cassie Blackwell lives in eighteenth century Virginia but has a modern sensibility about the role of women. She's feisty and strong, and secretly runs a huge tobacco plantation because her father is incapacitated by dementia. When it's time to buy slaves off the boat, her heart goes out to a badly beaten Englishman convict, and she decides to buy him (basically saving his life). His reported crime? Ravishment of women, aka rape.
Turns out the suspected convict is Alec Kenleigh. Someone wanted him out of the picture and swapped his identity with a dead prisoner. But nobody in America believes his story. He will have to serve 14 years as an indentured servant unless he can prove his real identity.
Cassie starts to question his reported crimes when she witnesses Alec's strong work ethic and kindness toward her young brother. She's under great pressure to hide her father's infirmity -- no way a woman could be CEO of the estate back then -- and her pressure only builds with the growing attraction she feels toward Alec. As an unmarried woman, she would risk everything by having sex with him.
Alec, unfortunately, can't get Cassie out of his head. He doesn't want to ruin her reputation but all he can think about is bedding her. The Virginia summer isn't the only part of the story that's steamy!
Pamela Clare is masterful at creating strong heroines and honorable heroes, and Cassie and Alec definitely fit the bill. Alec is slightly pompous but quite lovable. I enjoyed learning about the tobacco farms and the morays of that time. I felt sickened reading about slaves, particularly how the villainous Crichton family treated them. Geoffrey Crichthon is an odious man who lusts for Cassie but will never deserve her sweet attention, and he vows to make Alec pay for that.
There are elements of suspense and imprisonment (yay!) and interesting characters like the Native American healer Takotah. At times I had trouble keeping the bondsmen, bondswomen, and slaves apart, and there are some plot elements that were a little clunky (like the identity of Alec's betrayer and Alec's slowness in appreciating Cassie's wishes about where to live). But this was a page turner that I devoured, and I can't wait for Carnal Gift, book two in the series.
June 5, 2012
Spoiler Free Review
4 STARS
Genre: Historical Romance
Setting: Virginia and London
" Running an Estate is men's work" -Alec
"Why? Why must it be so? A woman once ruled all of England, yet Englishwomen aren't even allowed to rule themselves." -Cassie
"Women rule their own way. They raise the children, run the household-" -Alec
"While men run everything else." -Cassie in Sweet Release
->My my my how far we have come.... I LOVED CASSIE!! She was Bold, Brazen, Sexy & Empowered all while living in a man's world!
Alec Kenleigh owner of a ship building empire in London,England awakes from an attack to find himself an indentured servant. His identity is said to be Cole Braden a convicted ravisher and defiler of women. Now in the debt and ownership of Ms.Catherine Blakewell on a Virginia plantation a world away from his home. Catherine Blakewell(Cassie) has been asked by her father to tend to his business after he finds himself unable to do so. Cassie buys Cole Braden for five pounds in cash thinking he will die seeing as he could barely remain concious due to his injuries at the time of purchase. But Cole does recover and after a weeks worth of care he is none to happy when he realizes that he is the victim of mistaken identity. Cole tells Cassie who he really is and she allows him to write a letter to send home to inform his family of his whereabouts. Because this will take months to occur Cassie informed Cole that he will remain there to work and that he is not to attempt escape or the law would get him. Cole/Alec agree's.
The two slowly fall in love but how long will it last. Cassie knows that eventually Alec will return to London while Cassie remains to take care of the Blakewell land. But Alec shares his plans to take her to London with him. What neither knows is that people are plotting against them. A family friend seeks Cassie's hand in marriage and will stop at nothing to get her. And Alec's life hangs in the balance when he is accused of another crime. Murder. Will these two find their Happily Ever After?!
Thoughts
This was my first Pamela Clare book. I think she did and excellent job with the plot and how she allowed the story to unfold. The pace was good, the writing and suspense was even better. The secondary characters are very lovable and the subplots are very good as well. Pamela Clare now has a new fan!
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable and Witty
Writing Style- Solid, Telling of the times, And Savory
Plot/Storyline- Excellent
Overall- Very Enjoyable! I recommend it to Historical Romance lovers!
4 STARS
Genre: Historical Romance
Setting: Virginia and London
" Running an Estate is men's work" -Alec
"Why? Why must it be so? A woman once ruled all of England, yet Englishwomen aren't even allowed to rule themselves." -Cassie
"Women rule their own way. They raise the children, run the household-" -Alec
"While men run everything else." -Cassie in Sweet Release
->My my my how far we have come.... I LOVED CASSIE!! She was Bold, Brazen, Sexy & Empowered all while living in a man's world!
Alec Kenleigh owner of a ship building empire in London,England awakes from an attack to find himself an indentured servant. His identity is said to be Cole Braden a convicted ravisher and defiler of women. Now in the debt and ownership of Ms.Catherine Blakewell on a Virginia plantation a world away from his home. Catherine Blakewell(Cassie) has been asked by her father to tend to his business after he finds himself unable to do so. Cassie buys Cole Braden for five pounds in cash thinking he will die seeing as he could barely remain concious due to his injuries at the time of purchase. But Cole does recover and after a weeks worth of care he is none to happy when he realizes that he is the victim of mistaken identity. Cole tells Cassie who he really is and she allows him to write a letter to send home to inform his family of his whereabouts. Because this will take months to occur Cassie informed Cole that he will remain there to work and that he is not to attempt escape or the law would get him. Cole/Alec agree's.
The two slowly fall in love but how long will it last. Cassie knows that eventually Alec will return to London while Cassie remains to take care of the Blakewell land. But Alec shares his plans to take her to London with him. What neither knows is that people are plotting against them. A family friend seeks Cassie's hand in marriage and will stop at nothing to get her. And Alec's life hangs in the balance when he is accused of another crime. Murder. Will these two find their Happily Ever After?!
Thoughts
This was my first Pamela Clare book. I think she did and excellent job with the plot and how she allowed the story to unfold. The pace was good, the writing and suspense was even better. The secondary characters are very lovable and the subplots are very good as well. Pamela Clare now has a new fan!
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable and Witty
Writing Style- Solid, Telling of the times, And Savory
Plot/Storyline- Excellent
Overall- Very Enjoyable! I recommend it to Historical Romance lovers!
September 18, 2012
3.5 Stars!
This was Pamela Clare's debut book, and though it wasn't as good as "Surrender", which I read before this, it was a decent read and the setting in early Colonial America was lovely. Clare certainly does her research and I continuously find that her period storylines are some of the best I've read; a close second to Gabaldon's work.
Cassie Blakewell hates the slave trade and labor her Virginia plantation demands although, she knew this fevered man would most certainly die if she left him in the care of a filthy slave trader. Abducted, beaten, and given a new name, Alec Kenleigh went from master of an English shipbuilding empire to fourteen years of indentured servitude. But as his body begins to heal, a strikingly handsome man emerges from the remains of a heavy beard and festering cuts and lacerations - which is the moment Cassie realizes that Cole Braden was far more dangerous than his papers had indicated; this man took her breath away.
On the plantation, he is known as Cole Braden, a convicted ravisher and defiler of women. While he is overwhelmingly attracted to Cassie, the auburn-haired beauty who owned him, he knew his one hope of freedom was to prove his true identity. Only then could he turn the tables and possess the woman he now longs for...
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I found myself a little bored at times, but just when my eyes would grow droopy, Clare would cleverly give me a little shake and I was enjoying the flow once again. For a first book, she should be proud! Although, now that I know how great her writing has become, looking back, I wish I had started with this one. Therefore, that is my suggestion: If you enjoy early Colonial American storylines, read this Pamela Clare series first!!
Thank you, to my GR buddy, Michelle, for the loan!!
This was Pamela Clare's debut book, and though it wasn't as good as "Surrender", which I read before this, it was a decent read and the setting in early Colonial America was lovely. Clare certainly does her research and I continuously find that her period storylines are some of the best I've read; a close second to Gabaldon's work.
Cassie Blakewell hates the slave trade and labor her Virginia plantation demands although, she knew this fevered man would most certainly die if she left him in the care of a filthy slave trader. Abducted, beaten, and given a new name, Alec Kenleigh went from master of an English shipbuilding empire to fourteen years of indentured servitude. But as his body begins to heal, a strikingly handsome man emerges from the remains of a heavy beard and festering cuts and lacerations - which is the moment Cassie realizes that Cole Braden was far more dangerous than his papers had indicated; this man took her breath away.
On the plantation, he is known as Cole Braden, a convicted ravisher and defiler of women. While he is overwhelmingly attracted to Cassie, the auburn-haired beauty who owned him, he knew his one hope of freedom was to prove his true identity. Only then could he turn the tables and possess the woman he now longs for...
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I found myself a little bored at times, but just when my eyes would grow droopy, Clare would cleverly give me a little shake and I was enjoying the flow once again. For a first book, she should be proud! Although, now that I know how great her writing has become, looking back, I wish I had started with this one. Therefore, that is my suggestion: If you enjoy early Colonial American storylines, read this Pamela Clare series first!!
Thank you, to my GR buddy, Michelle, for the loan!!
March 24, 2009
Great Story. Alec Kenleigh the 3rd owns a shipping bizz in England. His younger bro Phillip (loser) has him killed, only the men didn't kill him but sold him and he arrives in the Colonies (Virginia) beaten and sold as endentured slave to Cassie Blackwell. He can't remember much about what happened to him after his attack in London, but he knows he is not Cole Braden. He convinces Cassie to let him write to his bro. While he works on her plantation, they fall in love, only evil neighbor wants her for his wife (and her land) and evil brother Phillip destroys his letter making it difficult for his brother-in-law Matthew to find out the truth. A few good love scenes starting half way into the book, but not a hot read. Exciting Ending.
February 26, 2016
This was another great historical read by Pamela Clare. She has such a way of writing love stories. Everything just seems to come to life. There is so much drama and intensity and you know it will end well but you are still hanging out to your seat to see how it will resolve itself. I really enjoying reading her books.
I loved both Alec and Cassie. They were so sweet together and constantly had me smiling. I liked how Cassie believed Alec was a good man pretty much from the beginning.
All in all this was a good book even if there was one female in the book I wanted to strangle.
I love how things work out in the end of Pamela Clare's books. They make the story just right. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I loved both Alec and Cassie. They were so sweet together and constantly had me smiling. I liked how Cassie believed Alec was a good man pretty much from the beginning.
All in all this was a good book even if there was one female in the book I wanted to strangle.
I love how things work out in the end of Pamela Clare's books. They make the story just right. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
March 19, 2021
This was such a hard book for me. Hugely because of slavery. It's hard. My sensitive mind kept pondering away, thinking of how bad the situation was at the time. I couldn't even imagine how *I* could survive if I was given that hand.
However besides that, it was a great book. The roleplay scene was amazingly hot but most of the time, I was sad. They had to jump so many hurdles to get to the end. Like, shit kept getting thrown at them and we had to see them dodging it with their lives. So, I was sad.
But thank God for HEA!
However besides that, it was a great book. The roleplay scene was amazingly hot but most of the time, I was sad. They had to jump so many hurdles to get to the end. Like, shit kept getting thrown at them and we had to see them dodging it with their lives. So, I was sad.
But thank God for HEA!
July 19, 2019
Cassie Blackwell needs slaves and indentured servants to work her father's Virginia Plantation. When she gets to the auction, she finds a man who contracted a fever on the ship. Hoping to nurse him to good health, Cassie purchases the indentured papers of Cole Braden, a man convicted of ravishing women. The last thing British Shipbuilder Alec Kenleigh remembers is being attacked on the streets of London. Now, he is in America where everyone is calling him Cole and no one believes his wild story. The sheriff listens to his story and promises to send inquiries to England. In the meantime, Alec is stuck in Virginia, working for Cassie with the rest of the convicts and slaves.
This book was Pamela Clare's debut novel. It's nice to read a historical romance that isn't set in Regency England. There are so many stories to tell in Colonial America. I wish more authors would use this setting.
I liked the story and the characters, especially Alec. He can either decide to stick around and wait for word from England to clear him of the charges, or he can try to escape and make his own way back to his home. When Cassie allows him to talk to the Sheriff, he promises her he will not try to run. That promise gets very hard to keep later in the book.
Cassie was a nice heroine, but she drove me a little crazy when she would suddenly start doubting Alec's story. I did like that she was running the plantation herself, telling people that she had received instructions from her father who was away. Actually, her father is suffering from dementia and has been moved away from the plantation where someone could take care of him. Cassie knows that a woman alone would never be allowed to take over the working plantation. Someone would see that she was married immediately so her husband could take over.
Overall, a solid historical romance. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This book was Pamela Clare's debut novel. It's nice to read a historical romance that isn't set in Regency England. There are so many stories to tell in Colonial America. I wish more authors would use this setting.
I liked the story and the characters, especially Alec. He can either decide to stick around and wait for word from England to clear him of the charges, or he can try to escape and make his own way back to his home. When Cassie allows him to talk to the Sheriff, he promises her he will not try to run. That promise gets very hard to keep later in the book.
Cassie was a nice heroine, but she drove me a little crazy when she would suddenly start doubting Alec's story. I did like that she was running the plantation herself, telling people that she had received instructions from her father who was away. Actually, her father is suffering from dementia and has been moved away from the plantation where someone could take care of him. Cassie knows that a woman alone would never be allowed to take over the working plantation. Someone would see that she was married immediately so her husband could take over.
Overall, a solid historical romance. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
March 28, 2021
Sweet Release was an okay read for me. In it, you will meet Catherine and Alec. They were okay but they just made me laugh so much. No, they didn't really have humorous parts or sayings. It just felt like this was becoming a telenova or something. It just made me laugh a lot.
Other than that, it didn't necessarily drag from me or anything. I will say that the characters did end up annoying me from time to time. When they aren't diving into drama and such. Besides that, this book definitely dove into some pretty serious topics but then sort of glossed over it at the same time.
For me, I don't really think they should've been swept under the rug like they did. Then again, it could just be me. I still somehow found a way to power through the book and finish it. Not sure if I will dive into the next book or not but if it's on KU .. then maybe.
Other than that, it didn't necessarily drag from me or anything. I will say that the characters did end up annoying me from time to time. When they aren't diving into drama and such. Besides that, this book definitely dove into some pretty serious topics but then sort of glossed over it at the same time.
For me, I don't really think they should've been swept under the rug like they did. Then again, it could just be me. I still somehow found a way to power through the book and finish it. Not sure if I will dive into the next book or not but if it's on KU .. then maybe.
March 13, 2023
This book started slow. And by started - I mean like, the first 200 pages. But I didn't get it, I didn't understand how long and detailed Sweet Release was.
The side characters I initially felt were unnecessary were fleshed out and made integral. The fact that the main characters were never in the same room allowed for them to be developed individually. They were their own people, they stayed their own people even after first meeting, and they came together in an organic way that made sense. Nothing about this book felt rushed. Clare took her time, and man... those last few hundred pages were WORTH IT!
GAHHH!!! The angst, the fear, the tears, (yeah I cried), and then the ending. It was just right. All of it was just right.
I don't really have any particulars to mention that would jog my memory if I choose to reread this. 🤔 I wish there was something, but the story had so many things going on but all of them were woven just right. I don't want to ruin anything.
The side characters I initially felt were unnecessary were fleshed out and made integral. The fact that the main characters were never in the same room allowed for them to be developed individually. They were their own people, they stayed their own people even after first meeting, and they came together in an organic way that made sense. Nothing about this book felt rushed. Clare took her time, and man... those last few hundred pages were WORTH IT!
GAHHH!!! The angst, the fear, the tears, (yeah I cried), and then the ending. It was just right. All of it was just right.
I don't really have any particulars to mention that would jog my memory if I choose to reread this. 🤔 I wish there was something, but the story had so many things going on but all of them were woven just right. I don't want to ruin anything.
March 10, 2015
Bitirmek nedense inanılmaz uzun sürdü, halbuki kitap da güzeldi.
July 20, 2016
Alec Kenleigh was having problems with his younger brother, Phillip. It was 1730 and Alec was tired of always picking up after him. His heir, should something happen to him, was becoming a wretch and lush. And he wasn't even five and twenty! He recently made it known that his devilish ways would no longer be tolerated and, if nothing changed, Phillip's inheritance would be frozen.
Then Alec's life took a turn for the worse and became a nightmare. Robbed and left for dead, he woke up two months later and found himself in His Majesty's Commonwealth of Virginia. He is no longer Alec Kenleigh but Cole Braden, a convict and defiler of women. He was bought along with another slave by Miss Cassie Blakewell. Her father is temporarily overseas on business and she has his written consent to take care of his home and lands while he is gone. Or so it would seem.
Butting heads from the beginning, Alec is determined to prove his innocence and return to London. Unused to women who act out-of-place, Alec/Cole finds that this woman gives as good as she gets. And sometimes, he is on the receiving end that proves him wrong; something he finds hard to admit.
Cassie is leery but she slowly comes to realize that perhaps this unusual man might be telling the truth. The closer Alec comes to overcoming Cassie's doubt, the more they become attracted to each other. In addition to what is going on between these two people, there are several secondary stories that involve Cassie or Alec in some way or another.
Somewhat long-winded, there is the light mystery surrounding the reason for Alec's confinement in America. There is also a neighbor that gives Cassie some grief. And where is Cassie's father, Abraham Blakewell?
This is the first book in the Blakewell/Kenleigh Family Trilogy. CARNAL GIFT is second and RIDING THE FIRE is third. All three books take place in the 1700's. If you enjoy historical romances and can set your suspension of disbelief aside, you should like SWEET RELEASE.
Then Alec's life took a turn for the worse and became a nightmare. Robbed and left for dead, he woke up two months later and found himself in His Majesty's Commonwealth of Virginia. He is no longer Alec Kenleigh but Cole Braden, a convict and defiler of women. He was bought along with another slave by Miss Cassie Blakewell. Her father is temporarily overseas on business and she has his written consent to take care of his home and lands while he is gone. Or so it would seem.
Butting heads from the beginning, Alec is determined to prove his innocence and return to London. Unused to women who act out-of-place, Alec/Cole finds that this woman gives as good as she gets. And sometimes, he is on the receiving end that proves him wrong; something he finds hard to admit.
Cassie is leery but she slowly comes to realize that perhaps this unusual man might be telling the truth. The closer Alec comes to overcoming Cassie's doubt, the more they become attracted to each other. In addition to what is going on between these two people, there are several secondary stories that involve Cassie or Alec in some way or another.
Somewhat long-winded, there is the light mystery surrounding the reason for Alec's confinement in America. There is also a neighbor that gives Cassie some grief. And where is Cassie's father, Abraham Blakewell?
This is the first book in the Blakewell/Kenleigh Family Trilogy. CARNAL GIFT is second and RIDING THE FIRE is third. All three books take place in the 1700's. If you enjoy historical romances and can set your suspension of disbelief aside, you should like SWEET RELEASE.
June 12, 2012
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For five pounds in cash, the convict was hers. Though Cassie hated the slave trade, her Virginia plantation demanded the labor, and she knew this fevered man would surely die if she left him. But as his wounds healed and his muscled chest bronzed in the sun, Cassie realized Cole Braden was far more dangerous than his papers had indicated—for he could steal her breath with a glance and lay siege to her senses with a touch.
Abducted, beaten, and given a new name, Alec went from master of an English shipbuilding empire to fourteen years of indentured servitude in the American colonies. There, he was known as Cole Braden, a convicted ravisher and defiler of women. And while he longed to ravish the auburn-haired beauty who owned him, he knew his one hope of earning her love—and his freedom—was to prove his true identity. Only then could he turn the tables and attain his ... Sweet Release.
REVIEW: Ms. Clare captures my attention – completely – ever…single…time. Not a huge fan of historical romances, but this book managed to hook me in and refused to let go.
I loved the story Ms. Clare set up here and felt as though how it came to be was completely original. The writing was superb and the action enough to make you sit on the edge of your seat in fear. I loved the basis behind the plot and found that the sensuality scenes in the book didn’t distraction, only enhanced, the overall story.
These two characters really gathered my attention and the secondary characters only made the entire experience that much better. I won’t spoil the second book review in this one, but Ms. Clare had deemed that one her favorite. This would be the only time I would have to disagree with her – I found this piece so enthralling that I have set it as one of my favorites.
Steamy, funny, fantastic read for five stars. Run, don’t walk, to get this now!
For five pounds in cash, the convict was hers. Though Cassie hated the slave trade, her Virginia plantation demanded the labor, and she knew this fevered man would surely die if she left him. But as his wounds healed and his muscled chest bronzed in the sun, Cassie realized Cole Braden was far more dangerous than his papers had indicated—for he could steal her breath with a glance and lay siege to her senses with a touch.
Abducted, beaten, and given a new name, Alec went from master of an English shipbuilding empire to fourteen years of indentured servitude in the American colonies. There, he was known as Cole Braden, a convicted ravisher and defiler of women. And while he longed to ravish the auburn-haired beauty who owned him, he knew his one hope of earning her love—and his freedom—was to prove his true identity. Only then could he turn the tables and attain his ... Sweet Release.
REVIEW: Ms. Clare captures my attention – completely – ever…single…time. Not a huge fan of historical romances, but this book managed to hook me in and refused to let go.
I loved the story Ms. Clare set up here and felt as though how it came to be was completely original. The writing was superb and the action enough to make you sit on the edge of your seat in fear. I loved the basis behind the plot and found that the sensuality scenes in the book didn’t distraction, only enhanced, the overall story.
These two characters really gathered my attention and the secondary characters only made the entire experience that much better. I won’t spoil the second book review in this one, but Ms. Clare had deemed that one her favorite. This would be the only time I would have to disagree with her – I found this piece so enthralling that I have set it as one of my favorites.
Steamy, funny, fantastic read for five stars. Run, don’t walk, to get this now!
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