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A Marsden Romance #1

A Flawed Jewel

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Pieretta boards a ship, unaware that Thor is waiting to kidnap her for revenge against her grandfather. Will love intervene, altering both their courses?

Pieretta Carlyle experienced the loss of her father, leaving her alone in the world except for her grandpere, Comte Renard Dubois. The comte insists that she travel to France to live with him. Pieretta doesn't want to leave Charleston and the only home she has ever known. Her grandpere is her guardian, and she must do what he says.

Thor has a score to settle, and Pieretta is the key to his revenge. He became a pirate unwillingly after his business partner tried to murder him. He must acquire Pieretta by any means necessary, and he doesn't mind plundering a ship to obtain her.

When Pieretta and Thor meet, they are instantly attracted to each other against their better judgments. Pieretta is disgusted by the pirate's actions. Thor knows what Pieretta believes, but proceeds with his plans anyway. She is only a tool to achieve vengeance. What happens will depend on Thor's need for revenge and Pieretta's ability to forgive him for his dastardly deeds.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 3, 2014

68 people are currently reading
436 people want to read

About the author

Dawn Brower

266 books418 followers
USA TODAY Bestselling author, DAWN BROWER writes both historical and contemporary romance. There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.

Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She raised two boys into productive young men. There is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby and she loves all genres.

She is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To follow her or can find more about her check out her website for the pertinent information: www.authordawnbrower.com

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5 stars
67 (37%)
4 stars
59 (32%)
3 stars
29 (16%)
2 stars
15 (8%)
1 star
9 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
Profile Image for Sheritha Singh.
Author 11 books16 followers
May 6, 2014
I adore the heroine, Pieretta, in A Flawed Jewel. Thor is dangerously sexy and can't deny he's attracted to the innocent heroine. I recommend this sexy, short read to anyone looking for a classic romance along the lines of Joanna Lindsey (hope I spelt that right). I've rated Ms. Brower's book four stars because I'd have loved the book to have been longer.
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,079 reviews130 followers
April 27, 2020
A sigh worthy adventure of the high seas with a handsome pirate and beautiful southern belle are brought together.
Pieretta had just lost her father and was being forced to said to France to stay with her grandfather. At least until she reached her majority. She was perfectly capable of running the plantation on her own without a man.
Thor only seeks revenge against the man who tried to kill him and made he become the pirate he was and his granddaughter will be the perfect tool.
But when the two meet sparks fly and it seems the future gets a little tangled. A great short story that will keep you reading as quickly as you can!
Profile Image for Martina.
207 reviews6 followers
September 27, 2024
So you're telling me that she existed and slept in the same corset dress without taking it off for two weeks straight. NO BATH FOR TWO WEEKS and he still wanted her! I mean yeah it's happening during the 19th century but still!
Profile Image for Torie.
Author 37 books70 followers
October 24, 2014
One of the first 'grown up' romance books I remember reading was by Johanna Lindsay, A Pirate's Love. I become instantly smitten by roguish derring-do, sensual word play and dashing heroes that at first didn't seem too nommable but later on turned out they were. I've read many a Pirate Tale since then, off and on throughout my life and yet, not one ever managed to capture my imagination the way Johanna's did.

Until now.

Ms. Brower has woven a sassy tapestry of adventure, delicate lust and strong plot. From that she has fashioned a memorable pirate and an independent lady who's just trying to make it in a male dominated world. A fun, easy and addictive read, I highly encourage anyone to pick up this gem.
Profile Image for Lily.
306 reviews7 followers
December 24, 2015
This book was entertaining and enjoyable but not especially deep or thoughtfully executed. It was perfect for my mood since I had just finished a more dark and depressing read, so this light-hearted story was just what I needed. The characters were fun but not particularly complex. This was a nice, easy to read novella. Now I am craving something more complex to sink my teeth into.
Profile Image for Victoria Miller.
98 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2016
Pirates! :)

For a debut novella, it is a very decent start to this author's writing career. Hope to see more from her.
Profile Image for Monica.
5 reviews
April 9, 2014
Enjoyed it a lot. It's a light quick read. You get exactly what you expect from it. A short story with a happy ending.
Profile Image for Megan Michelau.
Author 5 books15 followers
December 18, 2014
I have to admit that pirates have never been one of my favorite romance genres but this novella was a great read.

I enjoyed every minute of this novella and can't wait to read Dawn's other novels.
Profile Image for Patricia Bradbury.
9 reviews4 followers
June 19, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. Can't wait for the next one. Thank you so much for giving me an ARC copy.
Profile Image for Jamie Bee.
Author 1 book119 followers
October 19, 2023
Stockholm Syndrome, Anyone?

As a lover of historical romance, I occasionally enjoy a good pirate one. Unfortunately, this book was not good. The heroine is essentially kidnapped by the pirate “hero” who hopes to get revenge on her grandfather. While on his ship, he treats her pretty terribly, threatening physical intimacy and keeping her locked in his cabin. He doesn't give her many options or choices, including not letting her bathe or change her dress for two weeks. Despite his callow and callous treatment of her, the heroine inexplicably starts to fall for him nearly immediately. Other than I knew this was a romance, and so this must happen, I saw no justification for that. Seriously, a man might be handsome, but if he treats you little better than desirable pond scum, how could you fall for that? (Oh, and she seemed VERY knowledgeable about intimacy even though she’s a supposed innocent.) Adding to the creepiness factor is how much he clearly desires his captive. I got so many “ick” vibes from this book that I'm not quite sure why I kept listening. In the end, he even forces her to marry him. The narrator was not good either. She couldn't pull off the southern accent needed for the heroine. I also wasn't wild about the revisionist history aspect of this. Authors want their characters to be likable, so they give them modern sensibilities. We all know that slavery was and is reprehensible, but giving abolitionist leanings to a southern belle set to inherit a slave-run plantation in a few years is just not believable. If there were so many plantation owners in the pre-Civil-War South who wanted to free the slaves, as depicted in modern books set in the era, slavery would not have existed at all!

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
2,097 reviews22 followers
January 17, 2019
The author brings you mystery, danger on the high seas along with death, evil and betrayal. The characters are a little confused at times as the author spins a tail pulling the reader in watching the characters dance around feeling for family, friends and each other. It all comes to an end with some surprising events that truly open the eyes of the main characters. I thought this was a delightful story not one of my favorites but still a very good plot, well thought out, with wonderful characters that you come to like very much. There are a few surprises that we the listener work out but still have to wonder until the end.

There were parts of Ms. Pendergast narration I found very enjoyable but others that I did not. I enjoyed her natural voice I truly loved her accent. I enjoyed some of her character voices I thought she really got into the character not only in tone but in emotion. I found her tones to be pretty even. There were no places where the volume was higher or lower than any other place in the book. I had no trouble feeling the emotions of the characters even if I didn’t like their voices. If any breaks were taken I could not tell. There was no place where the volume changes it stays the same throughout. There are no repeating of words, it is a very clear and clean audio. Her delivery was great and her performance was good. You always knew who was talking and just what they were
Profile Image for Twinsie Talk Angie J.
1,809 reviews
March 31, 2020
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A Flawed Jewel (A Marsden Romance #1) by Dawn Brower
I received this book from the author.
I love Historical stories and Dawn has some great stories!!
This story begins with Pia mourning the loss of her father and having to move from the USA to France. She is not happy about leaving her family home but since she is a woman, she must go to her grandpere. The story jumps in right away with lots of action. Pia and her maid Tully are secluded in the deck of the ship when pirates attack.
Pia comes face to face with pirate Thor. He is fierce and hot…wait not now Pia. She is so confused because of all the men to show interest in, a pirate is not the right one. Not for her station on life annnd for her reputation.
Thor had plans for Pia. She was the perfect revenge tool for him but once he sees her and her beauty, he is stuck stupid. He soon has a change in plan because tossing her aside is no longer his objective. Keeping her is!!
The story jumped right into the action of the kidnaping. Thor and Pia are two peas in a pod. They two are faced with feelings they should not be having yet can’t stop having. When you find out why Thor has kidnapped Pia, you understand his motives but still wanna smack him in the head for “knowing what’s best for her”. Sigh…
1,372 reviews8 followers
November 19, 2018
Pia's father has died and she is being summoned to live her grandfather but she doesn't want to go but she goes but she gets kidnapped by a pirate. Thor was shot and left for dead by his business partner Renny and so he becomes a pirate and kidnaps his granddaughter but he falls in love with her and so he says I will let you go above deck if you do everything I say if not I will kill your grandfather and she agrees and so they are married and later after the celebration pia escapes the ship to be kidnapped again but finds out it is captain devere and he will take her to her grandfather and when she gets there he tells her they will have the wedding annulled and Thor says that is impossible as we have already consummated the wedding and then she sees her grandfather has a gun and he says if we can't have an annulment we will make you a widow and Thor and he fight over the gun to have her grandfather die. They fight Thor tells her he loves and she tells him she loves him and they sail to England to end up with twins mine months later.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
4,133 reviews144 followers
November 11, 2018
1861, The South before the Civil War
Miss Pieretta's💃💋 father dies at their plantation, and since she is still underage, she is shipped off to Europe to live with her grandfather in France. A sea voyage at that time took two weeks to a month, depending on weather. Pieretta💃💋 never gets there......
She is kidnapped at sea by a pirate, Thor🐺🍆🌋🔪💣, who has a vendetta against her grandfather. Apparently, he is not the benevolent, caring relative that Pieretta💃💋 believes he is! He sucked dry Thor's 🐺🍆🌋🔪💣estate when he was a lad, and he has drained off most of the money from Pieretta's💃💋 estate, and is trying to get his hands on her inheritance, being held in trust until she is twenty-five.
Thor🐺🍆🌋🔪💣 believes Pieretta💃💋is the only thing that her grandfather values. By stealing her, he can get his revenge. He never knew he would fall in 💘love with her.....

ARC Received from Booksprout🌱.
This book was $2.99 on Amazon at the time of this review.

This is a novella, book one in a series. Loved the tale! Thor🐺🍆🌋🔪🔫💣 is quite a tall, handsome, swashbuckling pirate!
Profile Image for Jill Anna  Freeman.
549 reviews10 followers
November 24, 2018
” A Flawed Jewel” by Dawn Brower is a tale of one Pieretta Carlyle ...who at the demise of her father is now forced by her grandpere..the Comte Renard Dubois ...to leave her beloved Charleston plantation.....and travel via ship to France ...unknown to her is the peril that action will place her in...as she is soon to be a pawn in the ongoing battle between her grandpere and one dashing pirate by the name of Thor ...what ensues as a result of this kidnaping is sheer delight...as this story is sexy swashbuckling at it’s best. Much enjoyed...and Highly Recommended.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
441 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in this series. It has great characters, romance, intrigue and of course a HEA. Pia lived on a plantation in South Carolina in America and her father had just died. She had to go to France to live with her grandfather who owned the shipping line she was on. The ship was attacked by pirates who only took Pianoforte. Thor, the pirate captain, was getting revenge for her grandfather trying to kill hum, since he owned half the shipping company. He then became a pirate and waited for his revenge, which he got. There was a lot of intriguing, but the ending was great. Thor and Pianoforte were hot together. The next book looks interesting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Elizabeth John.
Author 31 books111 followers
October 22, 2017
I enjoyed this book, and I am not a reader of historical romance. I went in expecting the same song and dance. Damsel in distress, a hunky man comes to save her, happily ever after.
I was mistaken.
Brower put HR on a different and entertaining level for me. I couldn't put this book down. Her ability to apply the historical accuracy was phenomenal, and I was engrossed by Pia and Thor's story.
The romance, it was clean and fun but leaves you wanting more. Thor was my favorite character for sure. Phew! He is tall, mysterious, and simply mouthwatering.
Brower has hooked me with this story and I will be reading more from this author
Profile Image for Viper Spaulding.
3,147 reviews25 followers
November 17, 2018
Dread Pirate Roberts meets Scarlett O'Hara!

What a wonderful historic romance! Thor is as swashbuckling as they come, and Pia was channeling her inner Vivian Leigh right from the start. Pia is a little bit lost at first, with no remaining family but her grandfather across the Atlantic, so she sets out to sea, bound for France and a new life. She certainly got that, but not quite the way she expected!

This story has a terrific foundation, believable characters, and a sweeping story that is instantly captivating. The attention to detail is refreshing, and the many layers keep the reader guessing all the way to their HEA. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Emma.
2,864 reviews38 followers
November 21, 2018
A delightful short story that is very entertaining. We have Pieretta Carlyle, a sharp tongued, independently fierce young woman. She grew up on a plantation in the States. Her mother died giving birth to her. All she had was her father. Then he died and her grandfather in France ordered her to move in with him until she met her majority of twenty-five. She was seven years away from that. Little did she know that a man that was wronged by her grandfather would exact revenge that included her. A quaint story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,259 reviews6 followers
April 9, 2020
Revenge so sweet. Pia is alone now and can’t stay in America. She has to leave the estate and travel to France as her Grandfather is her guardian. But on the way to France a Pirate named Thor attacks the ship and kidnaps her. She doesn’t know but her grandfather is not honorable and tried murdering Thor years ago to gain full ownership of the shipping company they co-owned. Now Pia will be Thor’s revenge against her grandfather. Getting revenge and getting his life back is within reach. But what happens if he falls in love with her? I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,445 reviews4 followers
April 13, 2020
This is a good tale of revenge enacted out upon the high seas. Thor was forced into a life of piracy when his former business partner robbed him of his half of their business and left him destitute. When the opportunity to snatch the granddaughter of his former partner presents itself, he kidnaps her and intends to use her for his revenge. The one thing he never took into consideration though was falling in love with Pieretta. This is a nice story that allows the reader to escape into the past and into an age of pirates and drama carried out on the high seas and on into old-world France.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews360 followers
April 13, 2020
Pieretta Carlyle lost her father, leaving only her grandfather, Comte Renard Dubois, who insists that she travel to France to live with him. Pieretta really doesn't want to leave Charleston but, since her grandfather is her guardian, she has no choice.

Thor is a pirate and plunders the ship Pieretta is travelling on. The two of them are attracted to each other, even though they know this isn’t a good idea. He tries to treat her like a mere tool to achieve vengeance he believes he is owed. Will Pieretta suffer at his hands? Or will he find something more worthy than vengeance to pursue?
Profile Image for JOAN Stout.
208 reviews16 followers
January 8, 2021
A Flawed Jewel
A Marsden Romance, Book 1

By: Dawn Brower
Narrated by: Beatrice Pendergast
Series: A Marsden Romance, Book 1
Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins

I listened to this book at 1.50x

To tell the truth this is the first Historical fiction seriers that I have listened too. AND my first time listening to Author DAWN BROWER.

Not sure if its really for me, but I am going to listen to the rest of the series.

It's a good story about a snobby upper class lady and a out for revenge pirate.

If you like Historical fiction you'll probably like it. I just have to listen to more to find out if its really for me.

At speed 1.50x the vocal artist did really good.
Profile Image for Jayne Butcher.
1,332 reviews15 followers
August 20, 2021
Such a yummy story! This book fulfills every girl’s fantasy of being kidnapped by a pirate. Thor becomes a pirate after being shot and left for dead by Pia’s grandfather. He hatches a plan for revenge that involves kidnapping her. However, Cupid arrived uninvited and altered the plan in a rather satisfying way. The hero is georgeous, courageous and honorable in his own way. The heroine is fiesty, witty and desirable. Together, they right a wrong and create a life of value. This story is quick, fun, and steamy. You don’t want to miss it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,720 reviews40 followers
November 13, 2018
I found most of A Marsden Romance series on Booksprouts so just had to download all five books. Ms. Brower work is so unique and wonderful and this story is a prime example. It was an interesting story and left you wanting more-great job by the author. The characters were fantastic and Thor oh my, what a mysterious hunk who just does not understand Pia. This makes for a great read. I always recommend Dawn’s books to my friends she is a writer you will not go wrong with. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Profile Image for Mary.
2,753 reviews23 followers
November 19, 2018
This is amusing, interesting and romantic. Thor is determined, bold, smug and impulsive. Pia is feisty, naive and impatient. Thor kidnapped Pia as part of his plan to revenge against her grandfather, but he didn't plan on falling for her. Pia was dismayed to find herself attracted to Thor, he was her kidnapper, a pirate, and all he did was infuriate her. Thor loved her feistiness and her strength, so he purposely riled her up, but was also respectful of her. I loved the storyline and the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Laila Viking.
4,090 reviews30 followers
November 26, 2018
A well written story that is fast paced. It has a nice storyline and plot. Sometimes is lacked depth but I liked it anyway. The characters are well described and have secrets to unweal. Their chemistry is amazing and they have instant attraction in spite of the situation they meet in.
Both characters are likeable and they have a lot in the past that hurt them. He has a secret that he has to tell her but will she believe him. Will she go with him?
Absolutely a sweet and passionate story.
I was caught from the first to last chapter.
Profile Image for Tracey.
1,301 reviews12 followers
December 4, 2018
A quick but romantic read. 💓❤️️💓

This is a really good, quick read about Pia and Thor. It's one of those that just pulls you in and holds you to see what happens. Pia is on her way to stay with her grandfather after the death of her father. Thor has been just waiting to get even with "Renny" and when he hears that his granddaughter is on her way to stay with him, he sees his chance. But things don't work out the way he planned them to and, just maybe... that's not a bad thing. 💕💗💕

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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