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Duke of Rutland #1
Sweet Vengeance
Some say life is a grand adventure—but for Lady Abigail Rutland, it’s a tremendous bore. As a woman of noble birth in eighteenth-century England, she is expected to keep quiet and marry well, but she longs for so much more.
“Be careful what you wish for,” the old saying goes. After a chaotic night, she wakes up in the hold of a former slaver with her body bound and her hair shorn. She is soon “rescued” by an American privateer, who assumes she is a cabin boy and puts her to work. Eager for adventure, Abigail maintains her disguise despite a budding attraction to the infamous Captain Jacob Thorne. Meanwhile, Captain Thorne schemes to spring his kin from a British prison.
What follows is a thrilling tale that tosses and churns with the high seas. Set during the height of the American Revolution, Sweet Vengeance contains accurate historical details that enrich and complicate the story. Abigail yearns for danger and excitement, and it isn’t long before she discovers that the most urgent peril comes from within her own wild heart.
“Be careful what you wish for,” the old saying goes. After a chaotic night, she wakes up in the hold of a former slaver with her body bound and her hair shorn. She is soon “rescued” by an American privateer, who assumes she is a cabin boy and puts her to work. Eager for adventure, Abigail maintains her disguise despite a budding attraction to the infamous Captain Jacob Thorne. Meanwhile, Captain Thorne schemes to spring his kin from a British prison.
What follows is a thrilling tale that tosses and churns with the high seas. Set during the height of the American Revolution, Sweet Vengeance contains accurate historical details that enrich and complicate the story. Abigail yearns for danger and excitement, and it isn’t long before she discovers that the most urgent peril comes from within her own wild heart.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2017
164 people are currently reading
756 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth St. Michel
12 books115 followersWelcome aboard! I enjoy children, cats, dogs, gardening and writing award-winning and bestselling historical romance. The Winds of Fate is a swashbuckling tale of love lost and retribution. I also have a great fondness for the American Civil War period as shown in my Surrender Series. For American Revolution fans there is my International Book Award Winning, The Duke of Rutland Series about a Duke and his four strong-willed offspring. My latest International Hemingway Award-winning novel, On Prevailing Winds is an enthralling WWII love triangle that spans the globe. Half of my year is spent in New York and the other half in the Bahamas where I obtain so much inspiration for my work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 1, 2018
What a wonderful adventure this first book in The Duke of Rutland series this is. From the first few pages of chapter one a fight for survival begins for the beautiful, intelligent, resourceful Lady Abigail Rutland. Thrown in to life threatening situations she is rescued by the handsome, strong, sexy and heroic Captain Jacob Thorne. And so their romantic journey begins... It is full of lies, deception, danger and hatred, but together their attraction for each other burns strongly, igniting into a deep love that cannot be shattered by the events happening in the outside world, the war between America and England, not to mention the men who want to see both of them destroyed. This book is a roll-a-coaster of a ride and Elizabeth St. Michel has as usual captured the age so well, recreating the terrors of life at sea and the cruelty of men excused by war. Elizabeth has also wrapped a secondary story of amusing characters (Captain Thorne's crew) into this adventure by putting her usual wit and compassion through the pages, which makes this tale even better. My heart clenched many times throughout this book with the turmoil Abigail, Jacob and his crew endured. I couldn't put this book down.
February 15, 2018
Happily ever....watch your backs!
Great story, Abby was smart, tough, brave everything you want in a heroine...Thorne was kind of a jerk, so set in his ideas, so because I command it....he ticked me off, a lot. I think Abby forgave him far too easily, he needed to humble himself for it, in my opinion...be prepared for the unfinished mystery...the build up for the series
Great story, Abby was smart, tough, brave everything you want in a heroine...Thorne was kind of a jerk, so set in his ideas, so because I command it....he ticked me off, a lot. I think Abby forgave him far too easily, he needed to humble himself for it, in my opinion...be prepared for the unfinished mystery...the build up for the series
July 5, 2018
Exceptional read!! Plenty of interaction between main parties and lots of exciting interaction and some drama. Exciting, loads of love and a HEA!!! Enjoy her books very much!!💖💖💖
Look.forward to reading her other books.
B J
Look.forward to reading her other books.
B J
February 5, 2018
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
This is a fantastic book, the storyline, characters, setting and the plots were so involved and it read so easily .
Jacob is a very endearing character , he’s damaged and extremely demanding , but in there Too is a man that is crying out for understanding and the love of a good woman , he’s almost been on a destructive road and just needs the right direction.
Abby had everything, then she was kidnapped and Imprisoned on a pirate ship , rescued by Jacob and thrown into all kinds of adventure and turmoil, all the time believing her family dead .
It was inevitable that the two would find each other , but the journey they embark on to that end is nothing short of wonderful.
Can’t wait to read the next one , a brilliant series .
💋💋💋
This is a fantastic book, the storyline, characters, setting and the plots were so involved and it read so easily .
Jacob is a very endearing character , he’s damaged and extremely demanding , but in there Too is a man that is crying out for understanding and the love of a good woman , he’s almost been on a destructive road and just needs the right direction.
Abby had everything, then she was kidnapped and Imprisoned on a pirate ship , rescued by Jacob and thrown into all kinds of adventure and turmoil, all the time believing her family dead .
It was inevitable that the two would find each other , but the journey they embark on to that end is nothing short of wonderful.
Can’t wait to read the next one , a brilliant series .
October 20, 2017
Sweet Vengeance!
This is the second book I've read by Elizabeth St. Michel and once again, she took me on another awesome adventure. I trust this Author enough to buy her books without reading the reviews or knowing what it's all about. I know it will be a beautifully written novel with a wonderful storyline, completely different from others I've read. I know the characters will be perfect for their roles and I know I'll love the hero and heroine. And this novel did not disappoint, it had all of that plus more, to keep this reader very happy, following our hero and heroine to a HEA. Looking forward to the next one. JudyE
This is the second book I've read by Elizabeth St. Michel and once again, she took me on another awesome adventure. I trust this Author enough to buy her books without reading the reviews or knowing what it's all about. I know it will be a beautifully written novel with a wonderful storyline, completely different from others I've read. I know the characters will be perfect for their roles and I know I'll love the hero and heroine. And this novel did not disappoint, it had all of that plus more, to keep this reader very happy, following our hero and heroine to a HEA. Looking forward to the next one. JudyE
December 11, 2017
Strong
I am always impressed with a strong female. She has grit, strength, perseverance, and intelligence. I loved the humor placed just right in specific moments. It was refreshing to read a book about a woman pretending to be a boy without the conflict of the main male character "freaking out" about an attraction to the same sex. Making him totally oblivious just added to the humor of the moment when everyone learns the truth.
I am always impressed with a strong female. She has grit, strength, perseverance, and intelligence. I loved the humor placed just right in specific moments. It was refreshing to read a book about a woman pretending to be a boy without the conflict of the main male character "freaking out" about an attraction to the same sex. Making him totally oblivious just added to the humor of the moment when everyone learns the truth.
March 7, 2018
Be prepared for adventure on the seas in this historical romance!
Read full review in the 2018 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2018 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read
March 7, 2018"Lady Abigail Rutland has never worked a day in her life..."
Check out the rest of the review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
Check out the rest of the review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
November 29, 2017
*****
Exciting and lots of Adventure and love...little bit of everything mixed together in this story love the ending there are some characters in this story I would love to read about also.
Exciting and lots of Adventure and love...little bit of everything mixed together in this story love the ending there are some characters in this story I would love to read about also.
December 5, 2017
You don't have to be hooked on historicals to read this book. Good action, well-defined characters, and a plot that is intriguing. I enjoy history and romance and this is a good combination. Looking forward to reading the next book.
January 12, 2018
fantastic characters lots of witticism. perfect for anyone who enjoys adventure in a major part of american history. I highly recommend this book because it was well written with lot of surprises. I will be reading more by Elizabeth St.Michel
December 5, 2017
Wonderful
I couldn't put it down. I stayed up way too late finishing this one. Loved the adventure and excitement. Twists and turns. Excellent.
I couldn't put it down. I stayed up way too late finishing this one. Loved the adventure and excitement. Twists and turns. Excellent.
December 16, 2017
Good, but long
I enjoyed the story and the characters, but for me the book was slow going and felt long. I will put book 2 on my tbr list.
I enjoyed the story and the characters, but for me the book was slow going and felt long. I will put book 2 on my tbr list.
January 21, 2018
I really liked the travel, love, and suspense through out the whole story. Also the transition of change from the life of English to American. Well written. Good Reading.
February 24, 2023
Abigail wanted an adventure....well, she sure got one! I so love a high seas adventure and I must say this was one of the best I've read. Elizabeth St. Michel has a winner with this series if this first book is any indication. The characters, the danger, the passion, the secrets, the twists and turns, pirate ships, humour, etc, everything comes together in a story that held my complete interest.
I loved both Abigail and Jacob, such exciting characters! I really enjoyed the banter between them when she's in her disguise as "Abe":) Their voyage to love is not an easy one and there will be extreme heartbreak but then it makes their HEA that much sweeter.
I really enjoyed Elizabeth St. Michel's way of writing and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I loved both Abigail and Jacob, such exciting characters! I really enjoyed the banter between them when she's in her disguise as "Abe":) Their voyage to love is not an easy one and there will be extreme heartbreak but then it makes their HEA that much sweeter.
I really enjoyed Elizabeth St. Michel's way of writing and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
November 23, 2018
Hard to Put Down
A delightful romance about an American privateer during Revolutionary times and a lady disguised as a lad on board his ship. As I have an ancestor who was in that war and was a privateer helping to capture the "Hannah", it really held my interest.
A delightful romance about an American privateer during Revolutionary times and a lady disguised as a lad on board his ship. As I have an ancestor who was in that war and was a privateer helping to capture the "Hannah", it really held my interest.
July 3, 2019
An excellent traditional historic novel
It is wonderful to read a true romance. Lively repartee between characters. There is conflict in the story but no angst like so many would be historical romances now being written. No Social Justice issues to overcome. Historic romantic novels ought to provide some escapism and this story will do that for the reader.
It is wonderful to read a true romance. Lively repartee between characters. There is conflict in the story but no angst like so many would be historical romances now being written. No Social Justice issues to overcome. Historic romantic novels ought to provide some escapism and this story will do that for the reader.
April 14, 2019
A Journey of Many Transformations
The characters in this book are well defined; Abby and Jacob go through not only physical journeys, but journeys of mental growth and pain. Elizabeth's words transport you along with them to a very satisfying ending.
The characters in this book are well defined; Abby and Jacob go through not only physical journeys, but journeys of mental growth and pain. Elizabeth's words transport you along with them to a very satisfying ending.
October 8, 2018
Sweet Vengeance
I love history, especially the Revolutionary war. This book took me on a journey through time back to that time period. The romance was there, characters likeable, intrigue and adventure, everything that makes up a good story.
I love history, especially the Revolutionary war. This book took me on a journey through time back to that time period. The romance was there, characters likeable, intrigue and adventure, everything that makes up a good story.
October 27, 2018
You will enjoy
Eagerly will continue reading this series it has a bit of everything. Thrilling moments, romance excitement, a bit of sorrow ,and ends with the reader smiling and still leaves you wondering who. It's a must read if you enjoy these historical books . I definitely recommend it . On to my next .thank you Elizabeth
Eagerly will continue reading this series it has a bit of everything. Thrilling moments, romance excitement, a bit of sorrow ,and ends with the reader smiling and still leaves you wondering who. It's a must read if you enjoy these historical books . I definitely recommend it . On to my next .thank you Elizabeth
September 22, 2019
Forms of address are all wrong. I still enjoyed it though.
March 17, 2018
A very well written, fast paced easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed how this author was able to incorporate true historical facts into her book.
March 1, 2018
It didn't take long after starting SWEET VENGEANCE to know it would be wrought with intrigue and suspense. And, it did not disappoint. The love story of Lady Abigail Rutland and Captain Jack Thorne has many twists and turns, and lots of emotion. Captain Thorne, the rugged captain of the Vengeance, is strong and will full. But, he has met his match with Abby. She's rugged and dupes him, but has a heart and allegiance to her family, and her love for Jacob, beyond compare.
Elizabeth St. Michel will draw you in to their world with her mesmerizing dialogue. You become part of the action and can't put the book down, anxious to reach the conclusion. It is worth the wait until the end. I look forward to the second in this series, LIGHT OF MY HEART, in the Duke of Rutland series.
Elizabeth St. Michel will draw you in to their world with her mesmerizing dialogue. You become part of the action and can't put the book down, anxious to reach the conclusion. It is worth the wait until the end. I look forward to the second in this series, LIGHT OF MY HEART, in the Duke of Rutland series.
December 4, 2017
Uggghhh! I'd typed it out, but lost it.
Short version- Good book despite several typos/ wrong word choices. Favorite quotes: Abby (as Abe, the cabin boy) insults Captain Thorne to drive him away:
“If I didn’t know better,” Thorne offered an off-hand remark, “I would have guessed you had an easy life up until now, Abe, you’re as soft as a woman.” Abby about died. She managed to draw enough breath to hurl another insult. “Your mother should have thrown you away and kept the stork.”
and again:
[Thorne:] “A thought has crossed my mind.” Abby froze mid-stroke. “That thought must have been a long and lonely journey.”
Short version- Good book despite several typos/ wrong word choices. Favorite quotes: Abby (as Abe, the cabin boy) insults Captain Thorne to drive him away:
“If I didn’t know better,” Thorne offered an off-hand remark, “I would have guessed you had an easy life up until now, Abe, you’re as soft as a woman.” Abby about died. She managed to draw enough breath to hurl another insult. “Your mother should have thrown you away and kept the stork.”
and again:
[Thorne:] “A thought has crossed my mind.” Abby froze mid-stroke. “That thought must have been a long and lonely journey.”
April 28, 2018
Wonderful
This book was delightful and never boring. I would suggest this book to anyone who loves historical romance as much as I do I intend to follow the rest of the series
This book was delightful and never boring. I would suggest this book to anyone who loves historical romance as much as I do I intend to follow the rest of the series
February 10, 2020
Dnf. Sooooo many plot holes
August 23, 2023
I lived for the interactions between Abe and Thorn when she was a cabin boy haha! They were so funny together! ‘I ain’t bathing, that’s for peacocks’🤣 I really love all Abigail, Abby and Abe but I definitely love Abe the most because that’s when she was the most carefree and unrestrained with lady ethical codes.
Love all the crew backing up Abe even when her disguise fell apart. And the wager Enos kept making everytime Thorne couldn’t contain his desire for Abby any longer hahaha!
Thorne could be quite insufferable sometimes, I still couldn’t quite forgive him the night where he brought Lucette home to this cabin where Abe got locked in too. I don’t really like OW element in a romance novel so the reason I have to give this book 4-stars instead.
Love all the crew backing up Abe even when her disguise fell apart. And the wager Enos kept making everytime Thorne couldn’t contain his desire for Abby any longer hahaha!
Thorne could be quite insufferable sometimes, I still couldn’t quite forgive him the night where he brought Lucette home to this cabin where Abe got locked in too. I don’t really like OW element in a romance novel so the reason I have to give this book 4-stars instead.
December 4, 2017
Good story line
Good story line, good basic characters, action adventure, even blood shed, slavery, and abuse not to mention romance. However it is not as well written as it could have been. Wording is disjointed, sloppy. Dialogue does not always flow logically so the reader has to reread to make sense of the meaning and situation. The author has also all!owed her characters to become overly dramatic at times almost cartoons which keeps the reader from believing in them and what is important to the characters.
Good story line, good basic characters, action adventure, even blood shed, slavery, and abuse not to mention romance. However it is not as well written as it could have been. Wording is disjointed, sloppy. Dialogue does not always flow logically so the reader has to reread to make sense of the meaning and situation. The author has also all!owed her characters to become overly dramatic at times almost cartoons which keeps the reader from believing in them and what is important to the characters.
July 31, 2022
This one wasn't bad, but I felt like it fell a little short. I chose to overlook a lot of the improbability of the how she ended up kidnapped and on a slave ship. However, the rest of the book, the heroine was just terminally stupid, yet somehow she managed to uphold her ruse towards the captain and most of his crew when she slipped so many times? Nah, I liked the writing style, but some of the story had many plot holes that needed a good editor to clean up.
February 3, 2021
Very much enjoyed. Romance, action packed. Everything you’d want in a pirate romance novel.
But, I just finished another Elizabeth St. Michel book, “Surrender the Wind”, also an amazing book... but I couldn’t help but notice, they both share some of the exact same dialogue? Word for word. What’s up with that?
But, I just finished another Elizabeth St. Michel book, “Surrender the Wind”, also an amazing book... but I couldn’t help but notice, they both share some of the exact same dialogue? Word for word. What’s up with that?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews