Siren's Song

by Constance O'Banyon

Directed by the president to impersonate a privateer and harass Napoleon's ships in the Caribbean, captain Judah Gallant is lured into a trap by impoverished aristocrat Dominique Charbonneau, who seeks to win her brother's freedom. Original.

Genres: Historical Romance, Pirates, Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 1996

About the author

Evelyn Gee was born on 1939 in Texas, USA. She makes her home in San Antonio with her husband, Jim and their son, Jason.

She signed her novels as Constance O'Banyon. She also wrote as Micah Leigh with Texan writer Emma Merritt. Her books range from historical to contemporary and include several novellas. Many of her books have been published in trade paperback.Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the 1996 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. There are eight million copies of her books in print.

She says: "I have always loved history, and I loved storytelling — it was only natural that I would one day put them both together. I must have lived in another life and time, because when I write, I can almost feel I was there. My favorite part of writing is the research. Whenever possible, I will go to the place I am writing about to walk the land and smell the air."

https://www.facebook.com/Constanceobanyon/

Reviews

[Lucia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, in part because it takes place during the Napoleonic Wars, my favorite time period, next to the American Revolution. Also, I like that some of the story takes place on islands in the West Indies, and you get vivid descriptions of both the atmosphere and geography, so you feel like you're there. Also, the book tells the story of Dominique Charbonneau and Capt. Judah Gallant in a background of adventure, intrigue, deception, role playing, storms at sea, naval battles, a daring rescue plot....well, need I say more?

Maybe just to add: what do you do if helping your family means betraying the man you love?

I would have given it another star, except that I felt the ending was a bit rushed. Dominique's long absent brother, Valcour put in an appearance rather late, not leaving enough time for him to play more of a part in the novel. Also, Judah's troubled relationship with his late wife, Mary wasn't revealed to Dominique until the last few pages, and even then she wasn't told the entire story. I also saw no reason for Mary's sister to show up at a social event and make insulting and bitchy comments to Dominique, even though she was put in her place.

Be that as it may, I still recommend this book.

[Wednesday · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great adventure romance set on the high seas and the tropical islands of the Caribbean at the time of the rise of Napoleon in France and the establishment of the USA. These great historical events are forever present in the background and are subtly integral to the story. Dominique and Judah are great foils to each other and must survive a number of twists and turns and misunderstandings before they can achieve their happy ever after. It wasn't fantastic but I did enjoy it - the only criticism being that it dragged in parts which meant an action packed resolution at the end. Lots of great secondary characters and villains fully populate the story, which is a feature I really like.

[Shabooyah · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are parts that are pretty ok and then the rest is just meh. Sorry Ms Constance

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book thinking it was a different one that I'd read before. It was completely new to me! And I was pleasantly surprised. Dominique is blackmailed into spying on Captain Judah, who is a pirate. To get the job done, she stows away on board. This may be the only pirate ship in which a woman is not immediately raped by the Captain - instead, she finds some friends. Add in a dash of betrayal, some steamy love scenes and a trek through the jungle and we really intriguing story.

I admit to being a bit puzzled about how Judah could have fallen in love with Dominique even knowing that she was sent to spy on him. And then to get angry when he thinks she's betrayed him is kind of ridiculous. She never professed her love. Also, I think the whole thing with Judah's previous wife was drawn out a bit too much and it felt like it was just thrown in there without really being needed. These two did not need another obstacle - it felt too contrived.

[Booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

BETRAYED BY LOVE
Captain Judah Gallant always did his country's bidding, no matter what it was. When President Jefferson required Gallant's services to harass Napoleon's ships in the Caribbean under the guise of a privateer, the bitter war hero agreed.

Beautiful Dominique Charbonneau, born on the island of Guadeloupe, was an impoverished member of the French aristocracy. In order to win her beloved brother's freedom from imprisonment, she agreed to lure the ruthless pirate Gallant into a trap that would seal his destruction. But when Dominique stowed away aboard his ship, she found herself touched by the gentle, yet tormented, man behind the black heart. Forced to make an impossible decision, Dominique had sworn to save her brother -- even if it meant sacrificing a glorious love she might never know again.

[Xai Xai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappointed