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Emerald Queen
Simone Devereaux is the emerald-eyed hoyden of the Vieux Carré, mysterious queen of a steamboat empire, chateleine of a grand plantation.
Arrogant Marcel vows to have her, to destroy anyone who stands in his way--even Simone herself. Genteel Alain swears he'll turn the spitfire into a lady, but instead, his passion makes a woman of her. Steamboat captain Tom, l'américain, offers Simone an unexpected refuge, an unprecedented partnership-- and his heart.
Yet the beautiful Simone will belong to no one, unless he truly loves her for herself -- and forever.
Arrogant Marcel vows to have her, to destroy anyone who stands in his way--even Simone herself. Genteel Alain swears he'll turn the spitfire into a lady, but instead, his passion makes a woman of her. Steamboat captain Tom, l'américain, offers Simone an unexpected refuge, an unprecedented partnership-- and his heart.
Yet the beautiful Simone will belong to no one, unless he truly loves her for herself -- and forever.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
16 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Karen Jones Delk
2 books9 followersTwo of my novels, Emerald Queen and The Bride Price, are currently available online. I have also written four historical romances for Harlequin Historicals, under the name Kate Kingsley: Ransom of the Heart, Season of Storms, The River Sprite and The Scout's Bride.
With my husband of 40 years, I have begun to split my time between Northern California and the Texas Gulf Coast and am re-learning how to write on the fly.
With my husband of 40 years, I have begun to split my time between Northern California and the Texas Gulf Coast and am re-learning how to write on the fly.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 22, 2020
Emerald Queen great read
I love historical romances and this one did not disappoint. The characters are well developed with intriguing twists and turns throughout in a stunner of an ending.
I love historical romances and this one did not disappoint. The characters are well developed with intriguing twists and turns throughout in a stunner of an ending.
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July 31, 2014So I'm probably going about this all wrong but hey. That's my prerogative right?
The synopsis on Amazon reads "Simone Devereaux is the emerald-eyed hoyden of the Vieux Carré, mysterious queen of a steamboat empire, chateleine of a grand plantation.
Arrogant Marcel vows to have her, to destroy anyone who stands in his way--even Simone herself. Genteel Alain swears he'll turn the spitfire into a lady, but instead, his passion makes a woman of her. Steamboat captain Tom, l'américain, offers Simone an unexpected refuge, an unprecedented partnership-- and his heart.
Yet the beautiful Simone will belong to no one, unless he truly loves her for herself -- and forever."
Simone really leads a life full of danger, sadness, despair, and joy. Just when she thinks she has it all-it keeps coming back to crush her.
After her father's death Simone runs from her guardian-and the man who killed her father. once Alain finally finds her they both fight the love they have for each other-until he swept out of her life-presumed dead.
For over a year she mourns Alain's death while trying to protect herself. Captain Alain comes to her rescue when she flees the only home she has never known and they strike up a friendship that turns to something more. Once again Simone is happy, she has everything, and then it all comes back to haunt her.
Who will she choose? Her beloved husband, or the man she has loved from childhood, come back from the grave to claim his woman. And what is haunting her?
This book is well written, the characters are fleshed out, and it keeps you guessing. I think my favorite part of this are the rich characters and the scenery. I've always wanted to visit New Orleans, and the secondary characters are so full of life and mystery themselves. I sincerely hope that Karen Jones Delk continues in this same vein.
I love that Simone doesn't take life lying down. She fights for what is hers and what she wants, it's satisfying to see that-unfortunately while there are strong heroines out there today, too many of them are helpless. Simone is never truly helpless, and when surrounded by her friends there is nothing this courageous young woman cannot do.
The synopsis on Amazon reads "Simone Devereaux is the emerald-eyed hoyden of the Vieux Carré, mysterious queen of a steamboat empire, chateleine of a grand plantation.
Arrogant Marcel vows to have her, to destroy anyone who stands in his way--even Simone herself. Genteel Alain swears he'll turn the spitfire into a lady, but instead, his passion makes a woman of her. Steamboat captain Tom, l'américain, offers Simone an unexpected refuge, an unprecedented partnership-- and his heart.
Yet the beautiful Simone will belong to no one, unless he truly loves her for herself -- and forever."
Simone really leads a life full of danger, sadness, despair, and joy. Just when she thinks she has it all-it keeps coming back to crush her.
After her father's death Simone runs from her guardian-and the man who killed her father. once Alain finally finds her they both fight the love they have for each other-until he swept out of her life-presumed dead.
For over a year she mourns Alain's death while trying to protect herself. Captain Alain comes to her rescue when she flees the only home she has never known and they strike up a friendship that turns to something more. Once again Simone is happy, she has everything, and then it all comes back to haunt her.
Who will she choose? Her beloved husband, or the man she has loved from childhood, come back from the grave to claim his woman. And what is haunting her?
This book is well written, the characters are fleshed out, and it keeps you guessing. I think my favorite part of this are the rich characters and the scenery. I've always wanted to visit New Orleans, and the secondary characters are so full of life and mystery themselves. I sincerely hope that Karen Jones Delk continues in this same vein.
I love that Simone doesn't take life lying down. She fights for what is hers and what she wants, it's satisfying to see that-unfortunately while there are strong heroines out there today, too many of them are helpless. Simone is never truly helpless, and when surrounded by her friends there is nothing this courageous young woman cannot do.
April 18, 2016
Two Men in Love With the Same Woman… and Steamboats in New Orleans!
First published in 1992, this is the story of Simone Devereaux, from one of the Creole families. It begins in New Orleans in 1831 when her father dies in a duel with a man named Marcel Baudin, who demanded Simone become his mistress in payment of her father’s debts. Having lost her father, Simone disguises herself as a boy and gets a job at the fencing club where Baudin and all the young bucks hang out, vowing to have her revenge.
Marcel searches for her, determined to have her, but she has a protector, the man her father asked to be her guardian, Alain de Valliere. Alain, a known womanizer, recognizes her and takes her from the fencing club, intending to keep her safe. Very quickly (too quickly, I thought), he declares his love for her. And she for him. But then something happens to Alain and he disappears.
Once Simone finds herself on the run from Baudin, she finds refuge with Tom Franklin, a very likeable American steamboat captain, who has great plans to build a steamboat empire. She offers him a partnership and he accepts so that she runs the gambling saloon on the Emerald Queen.
The first thing I noticed about this story is that the author head hops unmercifully from one character’s thoughts to another. At other times, she drops as the omniscient narrator to tell us what someone is thinking. I would have preferred one point of view at a time.
This is a long book (448 pages) and reflects much research into the New Orleans society of the day and the culture of the Creoles. The author provides vivid descriptions of the places and serves up some wonderful characters, though the villain, Baudin, was a bit over the top. With all its twists and meanderings, the story held my attention.
It’s a saga of one woman’s life who was loved, it seemed, by all the men who met her.
First published in 1992, this is the story of Simone Devereaux, from one of the Creole families. It begins in New Orleans in 1831 when her father dies in a duel with a man named Marcel Baudin, who demanded Simone become his mistress in payment of her father’s debts. Having lost her father, Simone disguises herself as a boy and gets a job at the fencing club where Baudin and all the young bucks hang out, vowing to have her revenge.
Marcel searches for her, determined to have her, but she has a protector, the man her father asked to be her guardian, Alain de Valliere. Alain, a known womanizer, recognizes her and takes her from the fencing club, intending to keep her safe. Very quickly (too quickly, I thought), he declares his love for her. And she for him. But then something happens to Alain and he disappears.
Once Simone finds herself on the run from Baudin, she finds refuge with Tom Franklin, a very likeable American steamboat captain, who has great plans to build a steamboat empire. She offers him a partnership and he accepts so that she runs the gambling saloon on the Emerald Queen.
The first thing I noticed about this story is that the author head hops unmercifully from one character’s thoughts to another. At other times, she drops as the omniscient narrator to tell us what someone is thinking. I would have preferred one point of view at a time.
This is a long book (448 pages) and reflects much research into the New Orleans society of the day and the culture of the Creoles. The author provides vivid descriptions of the places and serves up some wonderful characters, though the villain, Baudin, was a bit over the top. With all its twists and meanderings, the story held my attention.
It’s a saga of one woman’s life who was loved, it seemed, by all the men who met her.
May 19, 2014
In Karen Jones Delk's Emerald Queen, she told us a beautiful tale that takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana in the 18th century. This is Simone Deveraux's love story. As a little girl, Simone wanted to learn to fence and become one of the boys. She also fell in love with Alain de Valliere, an expert in fencing. When her father died at age thirteen, Alain became her ward. Within time, Simone discussed herself as a young boy and hide out from a mad man who brought danger and heartache to her family and to her own life. Simone's been through a lot over the ages from love and death, motherhood and widowhood and finding new love once again. During the time of the steamship, she protected her heart from the evil out there and endured so much heartache from childhood to adulthood. Intricately woven and beautifully told, this is going to be a classic historical romance for all time with many twists and turns to the heartfelt ending.
January 2, 2014
This book was wonderfully written and the story was executed well. It was a very emotional and the end of Simone and Vilain's tale found me surrounded by discarded tissue at least ankle deep. Their story was at times sweet, hilarious, heart breaking, tempestuous, agonizing and wholly entertaining. While I saw from the first the way the crow flew for Tom, I was still dishearten at the conclusion of his story. He was an amazing character. I was also happy to see Batiste get his happy ending. In fact, most characters' stories were tidily brought a satisfactory conclusion. However, I do wish there had even just a bit more at the end. I really wanted to see Simone and Vilain together a bit down the line.
I do believe I'd be happy to read most anything from this author. Her writing sucked me in and gave a fertile field for my imagination to expound upon.
I do believe I'd be happy to read most anything from this author. Her writing sucked me in and gave a fertile field for my imagination to expound upon.
July 21, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. The only thing I felt was overdone was the character of Marcel. While his obsession with Simone was obvious the reason behind it wasn't clear. Several times while reading I felt like I had read this before but I never was quite sure. Either way it was a great read.
July 8, 2013
I got more than half way through the book. Then I lost interest because of the repetitive themes.
August 1, 2013
emotional, i cried, softy ha ha
December 26, 2013
Is a great book to read
Want to read
July 18, 2014Free 07-18-14 (Historic-Fiction-Romance)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CZ28WYC?i...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CZ28WYC?i...
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November 14, 2015What an excellent read!
Really enjoyed reading this story. It was totally believable. I loved the characters involved. The setting was tremendous. The shipping business exciting.
Really enjoyed reading this story. It was totally believable. I loved the characters involved. The setting was tremendous. The shipping business exciting.
December 1, 2015
Too stupid and rapey to finish. ugh.
August 3, 2014
More interesting than expected - not predictable plot -
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews