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Wellinghams #1
High Seas To High Society
Asher Wellingham, Duke of Carisbrook, was captivated by her! He had happened upon Lady Emma Seaton swimming naked and, beyond her beauty, had seen the deep curling scar on her thigh— a wound that could only be the mark of a sword.
Who was this creature of contradictions? Something about her brought back tantalizing memories from the past. Her ill-fitting, threadbare clothes concealed the body of an angel, but what kind of woman truly lay behind her refined mask? Highborn lady or artful courtesan, she intrigued him and Asher wanted to possess both!
Who was this creature of contradictions? Something about her brought back tantalizing memories from the past. Her ill-fitting, threadbare clothes concealed the body of an angel, but what kind of woman truly lay behind her refined mask? Highborn lady or artful courtesan, she intrigued him and Asher wanted to possess both!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
43 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Sophia James
172 books126 followersGeorgette Heyer novels formed Sophia James' reading tastes as a teenager, but her writing life only started when she was given a pile of Mills & Boons to read after she had had her wisdom teeth extracted! Filled with strong painkillers, she imagined that she could pen one, too. Many drafts later, Sophia thinks she has the perfect job writing for Harlequin Historical, as well as taking art tours to Europe with her husband, who is a painter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 25, 2018
3 Estrellas. Es el primer libro que leo de esta escritora, no soy muy de leer harlequines, pero sí que de vez en cuando me apetece alguno histórico de Harlequin Internacional, porque a veces me he llevado sorpresas.
En “Un pasado misterioso” tenemos una historia que al principio parece algo original, pero luego no deja de ser un cliché. El protagonista Asher, es duque, pero también fue soldado durante la guerra. La protagonista Emerald es la hija de un pirata que tuvo su base de operaciones en Jamaica. Asher estaba destinado a las aguas del Caribe cuando tuvo la desgracia de topar con esta familia, que de un modo u otro lo destruyó a él y su familia.
Por otro lado, un tiempo después y en venganza, Asher mató a su rival, y se llevó como trofeo su bastón. Pero en ése bastón está la salvación de Emerald, y de lo que le queda de familia tras la muerte de su progenitor, ella, su tía y su hermanastra. En ése bastón está el mapa de un tesoro que puede darles la independencia económica que necesitan. Así es como Emerald llegará a Londres y ocultará su verdadera identidad para acercarse a Asher y así poder hacerse con el bastón.
En principio, a Asher le fascina Lady Emma (Emerald) cuando la conoce en un baile, le suena de algo, pero no consigue ubicarla; sus primeros escarceos juntos harán que Asher se fije más en ella y la desee, y por supuesto, quiera hacerla suya. Tras un favor que Emerald hace a la familia de Asher, será invitada durante unos días a la mansión ducal junto al mar, donde podrá iniciar la búsqueda del bastón. Así es como empezará una historia llena de secretos, por parte de Emerald, y sospechas por parte de Asher, pues no es tan tonto como parecía.
Dado el tamaño del libro, que no es muy largo, la historia no dará para mucho más, aunque sí entretiene bastante, pero no deja de ser bastante sencillita. Me ha convencido como para continuar con los hermanos Wellingham, sobre todo porque el siguiente libro es el de Taris y tengo muchas ganas de conocer su historia, nunca le hago ascos a un escacharradito histórico.
En “Un pasado misterioso” tenemos una historia que al principio parece algo original, pero luego no deja de ser un cliché. El protagonista Asher, es duque, pero también fue soldado durante la guerra. La protagonista Emerald es la hija de un pirata que tuvo su base de operaciones en Jamaica. Asher estaba destinado a las aguas del Caribe cuando tuvo la desgracia de topar con esta familia, que de un modo u otro lo destruyó a él y su familia.
Por otro lado, un tiempo después y en venganza, Asher mató a su rival, y se llevó como trofeo su bastón. Pero en ése bastón está la salvación de Emerald, y de lo que le queda de familia tras la muerte de su progenitor, ella, su tía y su hermanastra. En ése bastón está el mapa de un tesoro que puede darles la independencia económica que necesitan. Así es como Emerald llegará a Londres y ocultará su verdadera identidad para acercarse a Asher y así poder hacerse con el bastón.
En principio, a Asher le fascina Lady Emma (Emerald) cuando la conoce en un baile, le suena de algo, pero no consigue ubicarla; sus primeros escarceos juntos harán que Asher se fije más en ella y la desee, y por supuesto, quiera hacerla suya. Tras un favor que Emerald hace a la familia de Asher, será invitada durante unos días a la mansión ducal junto al mar, donde podrá iniciar la búsqueda del bastón. Así es como empezará una historia llena de secretos, por parte de Emerald, y sospechas por parte de Asher, pues no es tan tonto como parecía.
Dado el tamaño del libro, que no es muy largo, la historia no dará para mucho más, aunque sí entretiene bastante, pero no deja de ser bastante sencillita. Me ha convencido como para continuar con los hermanos Wellingham, sobre todo porque el siguiente libro es el de Taris y tengo muchas ganas de conocer su historia, nunca le hago ascos a un escacharradito histórico.
January 4, 2013
Fırtınalı Denizler Orjinal adı Hİgh Seas To High Society
Goodreads Puanı 5/3,52 Benim puanım 5/4,5 aslında daha yüksek verebilirdim notu ama
Hah iste dedigim müthis bir hikayedi. Marsha Canhamin Demir Gülündeki kadin kahramanndan daha cok sevdim bu kadın korsani. Daha sıcak duygu yüklüydü hikaye. Tek kusur vardi kitap da Miranda halaya bir teyze bir hala diyen çevirmen. İşte o yüzden kırdım notu üzülerek..
Her sey kusursuzdu bu yazari daha sık okumak istiyorum. Araştırdığımda Wellingham Serisinin birinci kitabımış gelecek hikayeyi okumak için fazla beklemek istemiyorum.. Umarim devami hemen gelir.İkinci hikaye Asher Wellingham'ın hayatını kurtarırken kör kalan oğlan kardeşin hikayesi olacak..
Konusuna gelince Carisbrook Dükü Asher Wellingham uzak denizlerd iken hastalanıp ölem eşi Melanie'ni ölümünden sonra hayata adeta küsmüştü.Ama bir davette karşılaştığı tuhaf bir tipi olan Emma Seton ile karşılaştıktan sonra hayatının değişeceğini bilemezdi..
Emma Seton ise Asher'in tahminlerinin çok ötesinde çok uzak yerlerden Asher'de bulunan baston için Londra'ya gelmişti.Sahte isim kullanıyordu yıllar önce karşılaştığı Dükün hayatını kurtarmıştı ama Dük babasını öldürmüştü.O sırada babasının bastonu onda kalmıştı.Bastondan çok içindeki saklı olan şey önemli idi.Bir yolunu bularak o bastonu almalı bu oyuna bir son vermeliydi..Ama göz ardı ettiği şey birbirleri arasındaki çekim idi..
Tavsiyemdir..
Hülya
Goodreads Puanı 5/3,52 Benim puanım 5/4,5 aslında daha yüksek verebilirdim notu ama
Hah iste dedigim müthis bir hikayedi. Marsha Canhamin Demir Gülündeki kadin kahramanndan daha cok sevdim bu kadın korsani. Daha sıcak duygu yüklüydü hikaye. Tek kusur vardi kitap da Miranda halaya bir teyze bir hala diyen çevirmen. İşte o yüzden kırdım notu üzülerek..
Her sey kusursuzdu bu yazari daha sık okumak istiyorum. Araştırdığımda Wellingham Serisinin birinci kitabımış gelecek hikayeyi okumak için fazla beklemek istemiyorum.. Umarim devami hemen gelir.İkinci hikaye Asher Wellingham'ın hayatını kurtarırken kör kalan oğlan kardeşin hikayesi olacak..
Konusuna gelince Carisbrook Dükü Asher Wellingham uzak denizlerd iken hastalanıp ölem eşi Melanie'ni ölümünden sonra hayata adeta küsmüştü.Ama bir davette karşılaştığı tuhaf bir tipi olan Emma Seton ile karşılaştıktan sonra hayatının değişeceğini bilemezdi..
Emma Seton ise Asher'in tahminlerinin çok ötesinde çok uzak yerlerden Asher'de bulunan baston için Londra'ya gelmişti.Sahte isim kullanıyordu yıllar önce karşılaştığı Dükün hayatını kurtarmıştı ama Dük babasını öldürmüştü.O sırada babasının bastonu onda kalmıştı.Bastondan çok içindeki saklı olan şey önemli idi.Bir yolunu bularak o bastonu almalı bu oyuna bir son vermeliydi..Ama göz ardı ettiği şey birbirleri arasındaki çekim idi..
Tavsiyemdir..
Hülya
October 12, 2016
Es un libro muy original dentro del romance histórico, no sigue para nada la "estructura" de este tipo de novelas.
Emerald es una gran protagonista, fuerte y feminista, aunque a veces cuando las culpas la asolan se vuelve un poco insoportable. Asher no me agrado tanto como protagonista masculino, vive en el pasado y responsabilizándose por todo, aun cuando es obvio que no debe hacerlo. Me gustó mucho más su hermano, Taris y me encantaría saber qué fue de él, ya que debido a su ceguera tenía toda la sociedad en contra. También me agrado Lucy, es una joven muy inocente y dulce, y me hubiera gustado que Ruby apareciera un poco más. ¡Me quede con las ganas de conocerla!
January 31, 2022
I wrote a huge rambling review for this one and it didn’t save
🤬🤬🤬
I’ll try again although it definitely won’t be as awesome as my first review.
The h is a pirates daughter with a much younger sister she supports back in the Caribbean and a titled aunt. She’s come to London to track down an ebony cane which was taken from her father when he was killed by the H. (Her dad was not a very nice man fyi)
The H is a grumpy miserable toad with issues he is a titled lord and was a prisoner in a pirate hellhole for a long time until his brother rescued him. While there his wife died and he is very bitter about the whole thing as his brother was also injured rescuing him. He was tortured in the prison and is missing fingers because of his time there.
h for all her bluster is very pretty but practically penniless so she wears horrible clothes that don’t fit her and a lot of her hair disappears between her arrival on the boat and her meeting with the H. He suspects her but is also attracted esp when he gets a glimpse down her dress as she’s scandalously not wearing any underwear and he also spots a butterfly tattoo on her breast!
She is also flitting around London in a man disguise and happens to rescue the H’s sister who develops a bit of a crush on him/her and this allows her an invite to the country house as family of the rescuer. (She was being followed at time and traced to Aunts house)
She makes the H smile with her strange ways and he fancies the pants off her esp when he catches her naked in the sea. He is also curious about a big scar on her leg which he knows is from a sword and one on her eyebrow which looks like a knife.
When he is explaining what happened to him she realises they met before his ship was raided by her dad and they were engaged in a sword fight. When he realised she was a girl he stopped. The h knowing that if her dad gets hold of him he will kill him pushes him into the sea with a barrel to give him a chance. Unfortunately this is when he’s captured. She seems to think they had a “moment”
When he’s recovered he goes back to wipe out the pirate prison and the h”s dad which is when he takes the cane not realising there’s a map to his treasure inside.
Someone else is also after the treasure map putting everyone on danger so it’s back to the H’s country house for protection.
h gives the H herself to make up for some of his trauma as she doesn’t have anything else to offer but when he finds out who she is he is not a happy bunny. Off he goes in a snit but soon comes to his senses.
They are ambushed on the way back to his house but the h fights alongside him with her sword to defeat all the bad guys. However she is shot in the process and the H doesn’t realise he’s still in a bit of a mood until he realises.
When the h recovers he offers to take her back to the Caribbean to get her sister as long as she promises to return.
They marry on the boat as she confesses to not being popular due to her dad and he can offer her respectability if she marries him and he’s crazy about her.
I’d like to know a bit more about what happened to her hair and what happened to him in prison but overall I enjoyed it.
🤬🤬🤬
I’ll try again although it definitely won’t be as awesome as my first review.
The h is a pirates daughter with a much younger sister she supports back in the Caribbean and a titled aunt. She’s come to London to track down an ebony cane which was taken from her father when he was killed by the H. (Her dad was not a very nice man fyi)
The H is a grumpy miserable toad with issues he is a titled lord and was a prisoner in a pirate hellhole for a long time until his brother rescued him. While there his wife died and he is very bitter about the whole thing as his brother was also injured rescuing him. He was tortured in the prison and is missing fingers because of his time there.
h for all her bluster is very pretty but practically penniless so she wears horrible clothes that don’t fit her and a lot of her hair disappears between her arrival on the boat and her meeting with the H. He suspects her but is also attracted esp when he gets a glimpse down her dress as she’s scandalously not wearing any underwear and he also spots a butterfly tattoo on her breast!
She is also flitting around London in a man disguise and happens to rescue the H’s sister who develops a bit of a crush on him/her and this allows her an invite to the country house as family of the rescuer. (She was being followed at time and traced to Aunts house)
She makes the H smile with her strange ways and he fancies the pants off her esp when he catches her naked in the sea. He is also curious about a big scar on her leg which he knows is from a sword and one on her eyebrow which looks like a knife.
When he is explaining what happened to him she realises they met before his ship was raided by her dad and they were engaged in a sword fight. When he realised she was a girl he stopped. The h knowing that if her dad gets hold of him he will kill him pushes him into the sea with a barrel to give him a chance. Unfortunately this is when he’s captured. She seems to think they had a “moment”
When he’s recovered he goes back to wipe out the pirate prison and the h”s dad which is when he takes the cane not realising there’s a map to his treasure inside.
Someone else is also after the treasure map putting everyone on danger so it’s back to the H’s country house for protection.
h gives the H herself to make up for some of his trauma as she doesn’t have anything else to offer but when he finds out who she is he is not a happy bunny. Off he goes in a snit but soon comes to his senses.
They are ambushed on the way back to his house but the h fights alongside him with her sword to defeat all the bad guys. However she is shot in the process and the H doesn’t realise he’s still in a bit of a mood until he realises.
When the h recovers he offers to take her back to the Caribbean to get her sister as long as she promises to return.
They marry on the boat as she confesses to not being popular due to her dad and he can offer her respectability if she marries him and he’s crazy about her.
I’d like to know a bit more about what happened to her hair and what happened to him in prison but overall I enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2009
Maybe, this was just the kind of book that I needed at the time, but I really liked it. No major (or minor) surprises.
Guilt-stricken hero. Check. (Yummy. Love those.)
Heroine with a secret. Check.
Scandal amongst the ton. Check.
Quirky side characters. Check.
Anyway, I think this is a good vacation read. It was VERY quick read and entertaining. Exactly what I wanted to read.
Guilt-stricken hero. Check. (Yummy. Love those.)
Heroine with a secret. Check.
Scandal amongst the ton. Check.
Quirky side characters. Check.
Anyway, I think this is a good vacation read. It was VERY quick read and entertaining. Exactly what I wanted to read.
June 8, 2014
The first meeting of Emerald Sandford and Asher Wellingham, Duke of Carisbrook occurs five years before the story begins, when she's the member of her nobleman-pirate father's crew and he's the captain of one of his merchant ships. Discovering she's female, Asher refuses to fight her, because a gentleman never harms a lady. Emerald repays him by knocking him overboard and out of harm's way, not knowing this will make Asher the pirates' captive. It eventually loses him the use of his right hand and his brother his sight. Asher escapes and returns to wipe out the stronghold and kill her father and this is where the story begins. Emerald follows him to England. It isn't for revenge but to retrieve her father's walking stick he took because inside it is the map to a treasure she can use to pay off Beau Sandford's debts and free herself from the past.
Using her father's family name and right to a title, Emerald becomes Lady Emma Seaton. Naturally Asher's suspicious of her and intrigued because of her obvious lies and uneasiness in high society. Of course they fall in love but this is more an in-depth study of the main characters attitudes than a mere will-they/won't-they love story. Asher is bound by duty and honor...and extreme guilt. His wife died while he was seeking his revenge, his brother was blinded during his rescue. He returns to his family home a widower, disabled in body, but more disabled in spirit, blaming himself for the tragedies occurring during his own travail. Emerald meanwhile sees herself as the cause. If she hadn't knocked him overboard, none of this would've happened. Still pursuing her hunt for the walking stick, she believes the only way she can repay Asher for the misery she has caused is to become his mistress and give him back the love he lost and remove his grief over his brother's condition.
It's an interesting story and an entertaining one, sensuous in spots, but staying away from the ballrooms and usual locales for such tales with most of the action taking place at Asher's estate. Flashbacks give reasons for everything that happens instead of playing them out in detail. Though this is the only James' novel I've read, I got the feeling there may be more on this family because of various hints given. If so, I'd like to read them,too.
Harlequin Historical #888
This novel was a gift to the reviewer and no remuneration was involved in the writing of this review.
Using her father's family name and right to a title, Emerald becomes Lady Emma Seaton. Naturally Asher's suspicious of her and intrigued because of her obvious lies and uneasiness in high society. Of course they fall in love but this is more an in-depth study of the main characters attitudes than a mere will-they/won't-they love story. Asher is bound by duty and honor...and extreme guilt. His wife died while he was seeking his revenge, his brother was blinded during his rescue. He returns to his family home a widower, disabled in body, but more disabled in spirit, blaming himself for the tragedies occurring during his own travail. Emerald meanwhile sees herself as the cause. If she hadn't knocked him overboard, none of this would've happened. Still pursuing her hunt for the walking stick, she believes the only way she can repay Asher for the misery she has caused is to become his mistress and give him back the love he lost and remove his grief over his brother's condition.
It's an interesting story and an entertaining one, sensuous in spots, but staying away from the ballrooms and usual locales for such tales with most of the action taking place at Asher's estate. Flashbacks give reasons for everything that happens instead of playing them out in detail. Though this is the only James' novel I've read, I got the feeling there may be more on this family because of various hints given. If so, I'd like to read them,too.
Harlequin Historical #888
This novel was a gift to the reviewer and no remuneration was involved in the writing of this review.
April 1, 2011
Just started this 3/27 & admit to being somewhat perplexed by the storyline. I hvn't figured out who is who & what is happening! Talk about odd...
May 28, 2017
If you want a book about a character who was raised on the sea, learning all the skills to stay alive & healthy among pirates from childhood to age 21, you will be SO frustrated by this! There are virtually NO ocean/ship scenes, except the briefest flashbacks to a battle that is never fully described. The ocean is only described as if it were a painting.
Many readers won't care about the lack of authenticity about the ocean/ships/sea, but there is more to be frustrated about:
The author clearly can't figure out how to differentiate between hiding the whole truth from the reader for suspense and having multiple characters forget (unbelievably!), omit (intentionally), and lie (against their own will!) to other characters for both valid reasons and for no reason at all. Almost every character's lie or misunderstanding or omission seemed more linked to building suspense in the story rather than a valid reason for the character to say it - especially because as each lie is revealed, there are NO NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES, other than momentary whispering in one scene at one society function.
There is much made of shame in historical novels that take place in England, and how British people raised abroad - among pirates, in the Caribbean, for example, might have less shame around their body or their social class. This author seems to be playing with that complex social construct, but got confused about which bits might cause pride and which might cause shame. Individual characters are difficult for some readers to differentiate (in my opinion) because they seem to have a hodge-podge of pride & shame, disconnected from their personal experiences - or at the very best, the author misses her chance to provide a plausible psychological portrait of each or any of them.
Finally, when the romance inevitably develops into intimate physical relations, he fails to hear her say, "I have never--" and "I have not--" because first he interrupts, and then he silences her, covering her mouth with his hand. After 2 short sentences describe his thrusting, he suddenly realizes she was a virgin, and his first words are, "Ahh sweetheart. Why the hell didn't you tell me?" and he tells her the pain will pass in a moment, and then he can continue to have sex with her. SO AWFUL IN EVERY WAY.
I realize this was written way back in 2007, before...NO SORRY. I realize many people don't really believe in the whole idea of "virginity", but these 2 do, so this is just baloney. And it sounded unenjoyable, but Emerald didn't even notice that part.
Many readers won't care about the lack of authenticity about the ocean/ships/sea, but there is more to be frustrated about:
The author clearly can't figure out how to differentiate between hiding the whole truth from the reader for suspense and having multiple characters forget (unbelievably!), omit (intentionally), and lie (against their own will!) to other characters for both valid reasons and for no reason at all. Almost every character's lie or misunderstanding or omission seemed more linked to building suspense in the story rather than a valid reason for the character to say it - especially because as each lie is revealed, there are NO NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES, other than momentary whispering in one scene at one society function.
There is much made of shame in historical novels that take place in England, and how British people raised abroad - among pirates, in the Caribbean, for example, might have less shame around their body or their social class. This author seems to be playing with that complex social construct, but got confused about which bits might cause pride and which might cause shame. Individual characters are difficult for some readers to differentiate (in my opinion) because they seem to have a hodge-podge of pride & shame, disconnected from their personal experiences - or at the very best, the author misses her chance to provide a plausible psychological portrait of each or any of them.
Finally, when the romance inevitably develops into intimate physical relations, he fails to hear her say, "I have never--" and "I have not--" because first he interrupts, and then he silences her, covering her mouth with his hand. After 2 short sentences describe his thrusting, he suddenly realizes she was a virgin, and his first words are, "Ahh sweetheart. Why the hell didn't you tell me?" and he tells her the pain will pass in a moment, and then he can continue to have sex with her. SO AWFUL IN EVERY WAY.
I realize this was written way back in 2007, before...NO SORRY. I realize many people don't really believe in the whole idea of "virginity", but these 2 do, so this is just baloney. And it sounded unenjoyable, but Emerald didn't even notice that part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2017
I was entertained by this Regency Historical Romance. The unraveling of the backstory, piece by piece, was interesting and nicely done. But it was kind of ruined by the fact that it was just not believable that Asher did not understand who Emma was a lot earlier, when it was all there right in front of him! A little too many cliches for my taste. But on the plus side: a strong, independent female character who can handle a sword (I have a thing for that!) - and pirates! Arrrr! Need I say more?
August 21, 2017
K uzoufání nudná.
Nepobrala jsem, jak se Emma dostala do vysoké společnosti a proč se všichni předháněli, aby ji mohli pozvat k sobě domů. Emma byla chudá příbuzná nějaké nevýznamné zchudlé šlechtičny.
Začátek byl neskutečně nudný, pak se trochu zlepšila.
s. 115, 116 odlívka
s. 250 usmála se na obrázkem na přebalu
Nepobrala jsem, jak se Emma dostala do vysoké společnosti a proč se všichni předháněli, aby ji mohli pozvat k sobě domů. Emma byla chudá příbuzná nějaké nevýznamné zchudlé šlechtičny.
Začátek byl neskutečně nudný, pak se trochu zlepšila.
s. 115, 116 odlívka
s. 250 usmála se na obrázkem na přebalu
February 11, 2024
I would have given it five stars if there were more action scenes, and more into when they were wed. I enjoyed this very much and I love how both of them are bound by duty, and by the love of their family.
October 3, 2017
BRAIN CANDY !!!!
Asher Wellingham is the Duke of Carisbrook or a murderer in her eyes?? . Emma Seaton is a lady or is she maybe a pirate ???? Can they make it work ?? Absolute a must to read.
Asher Wellingham is the Duke of Carisbrook or a murderer in her eyes?? . Emma Seaton is a lady or is she maybe a pirate ???? Can they make it work ?? Absolute a must to read.
October 14, 2017
Leído en Ene 2011
October 13, 2021
This is the only one of this 4 book series not available as an audiobook. Who does that?
November 23, 2013
The first book in the series and I read it last!
The story is just magnificent. Piracy, revenge, pride and hope.
A flicker of uncertainty can cause a major change in how you see things and for Emerald that flicker opens her up to the realization that Ashe is a man of honor. Could everything she believes be not as it seams? How far will she go on her quest to attain what is lost?
As for Ashe his guilt over past actions are ruling his life yet this intriguing woman reignites life inside him. Trying to unravel her secrets will he allow happiness a chance when eventually he finds out the truth?
Such a wonderful beginning to a fantastic series.
Sophia James is a master story teller who brings you skipping happily into the world of a by gone era. An author to read that creates characters you care about. Be prepared to read this series again and again. I totally love this wonderful series.
The story is just magnificent. Piracy, revenge, pride and hope.
A flicker of uncertainty can cause a major change in how you see things and for Emerald that flicker opens her up to the realization that Ashe is a man of honor. Could everything she believes be not as it seams? How far will she go on her quest to attain what is lost?
As for Ashe his guilt over past actions are ruling his life yet this intriguing woman reignites life inside him. Trying to unravel her secrets will he allow happiness a chance when eventually he finds out the truth?
Such a wonderful beginning to a fantastic series.
Sophia James is a master story teller who brings you skipping happily into the world of a by gone era. An author to read that creates characters you care about. Be prepared to read this series again and again. I totally love this wonderful series.
April 25, 2013
So much of this story was really good. What was not good was how confused I was much of the time of what had happened in the past. It is not confusing to have a story fill in the past while telling the present, but much was left unexplained or vague. How exactly did he get the scars on his back and how did he lose his two fingers. He was held prisoner but I don't know by whom nor how he got there since the last Emerald knew she had knocked him off the ship into the ocean.
The other thing that didn't work for me was their relationship. She has deceived him AND she's the daughter of the pirate that attacked his ship. Sorry, but people don't fall in love with someone who is deceitful. Broken trust takes years, if ever, to repair.
I did like her character though, and Asher was an intelligent, honorable guy. The secondary characters were marvelous.
The other thing that didn't work for me was their relationship. She has deceived him AND she's the daughter of the pirate that attacked his ship. Sorry, but people don't fall in love with someone who is deceitful. Broken trust takes years, if ever, to repair.
I did like her character though, and Asher was an intelligent, honorable guy. The secondary characters were marvelous.
May 13, 2013
Grade: B-
The happy couple....
Asher Wellingham is the Duke of Carisbrook. Emma Seaton is a lady — or is she???
The set-up....
He sees her swimming naked in a cove. You do the math.
The conflicts....
Pirates.
The romance....
In between all the piratical plot shenanigans, there’s some pretty good chemistry.
The recommendation....
Kind of all over the place story-wise, but I re-read it solely for the backstory of the duke’s younger brother, hero of the next book in the series.
She was cold and he warmed her. She was hot and he cooled her. He was of her and she was of him and there seemed no place that they were separate or solitary in the heady secrets of the flesh.
The happy couple....
Asher Wellingham is the Duke of Carisbrook. Emma Seaton is a lady — or is she???
The set-up....
He sees her swimming naked in a cove. You do the math.
The conflicts....
Pirates.
The romance....
In between all the piratical plot shenanigans, there’s some pretty good chemistry.
The recommendation....
Kind of all over the place story-wise, but I re-read it solely for the backstory of the duke’s younger brother, hero of the next book in the series.
September 4, 2015
3,5 Sterne - Nette Liebesgeschichte mit ein paar Schwächen im Schreibstil, sonst hätte sie 4 Punkte bekommen.
INHALT:
Emma sucht nach einer Schatzkarte um für ihre Schwester zu sorgen. Deshalb mischt sie sich unter die feine englische Gesellschaft, wenn die aber wüsste, dass sie jahrelang ein Piratenleben geführt hat... Besonders hat es ihr der Duke of Carisbrook angetan, denn er ist vermutlich im Besitz eines bestimmten Gehstockes, kurzerhand schmiedet sie einen Plan um ihn näher kennenzulernen.
INHALT:
Emma sucht nach einer Schatzkarte um für ihre Schwester zu sorgen. Deshalb mischt sie sich unter die feine englische Gesellschaft, wenn die aber wüsste, dass sie jahrelang ein Piratenleben geführt hat... Besonders hat es ihr der Duke of Carisbrook angetan, denn er ist vermutlich im Besitz eines bestimmten Gehstockes, kurzerhand schmiedet sie einen Plan um ihn näher kennenzulernen.
October 6, 2014
Je me suis forcée à finir ce livre en pensant en tirer quelque chose mais vu ma note je vous laisse deviner l'ampleur de ma déception... J'aurais beaucoup de choses à dire, notamment à propos de l'inconstance et la stupidité des personnages, mais je vais juste faire part de quelque chose qui me dérange particulièrement ; Depuis quand une romance entre une fille et l'assassin de son père est censé être crédible ?
April 7, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. Asher seems like he is just a great Duke who tries to take care of everyone. Emerald thinks that he is really bad since he killed her father but as the book progresses she learns things about her family, her father and mother both, that chnges her mind. I like how the author got you interested in how Emerald gets to know the Duke. He is widowed and fighting his attraction for her. I really liked this book.
March 20, 2008
So i am reading romance novels to see what i think and for research. It is such brain candy, I love it. I thought this one was actually pretty well written. I have nothing to judge against it, so we will see what I think after the other ones
April 12, 2016
I can't say that there was anything amazing or astounding in this novel. It was your stock standard regency romance with a few pirates thrown in just to keep things a little spicy.
The characters were likeable and the whole novel was rather nice.
There is my raving review.
The characters were likeable and the whole novel was rather nice.
There is my raving review.
May 13, 2011
Not the worst I've read, but I was hoping it to be more entertaining than it was. Maybe it was the author, maybe it was the translator, either way the language was not for me.
November 3, 2016
1st time read author. I enjoyed this and it definitely kept my interest and definitely want to read more. Duke of Carrisbrook and Emerald.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2012
Maybe I was just not smart enough to get this book. So dark, and referring to past situations that took the entire book to unravel.
October 17, 2014
Çok severek okudum kitabı.. Devamını da çok merak ediyorum Taris olduğu için ;)
April 9, 2013
Not the worst book I've ever read. No real surprises and all rather stock standard but I was at the time only after a quick throw away read to fill in a spare hour so it did its job.
October 6, 2013
Pretty good. Got better at the end. Pirates and regency England... fun!
Read
February 8, 2016D.N.F.
There wasn't any interesting or explosive chemistry between the characters that made me want to finish it. The plot behind was also vague and seemingly uninteresting.
There wasn't any interesting or explosive chemistry between the characters that made me want to finish it. The plot behind was also vague and seemingly uninteresting.
January 22, 2016
Aw, that was really an enjoyable read, with pirates too! Very much liked this well written story.
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