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Dolphins for Luck
Just because Rod Kenrick had all the charm in the world did not mean that Marichelle Christie was going to fall for him. Then why was she so upset when she saw the dolphin ring on the third finger of his left hand -the wedding ring finger?
264 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 13, 2015
For Peggy Nicholson's final journey into HPlandia we go back to what is apparently a huge interest for her in real life - classic racing yachts and in DFL, it could be argued the main character is not the H or h, but the yacht they are sailing on and for which the h is named after.
The first description given in the book is of the yacht and based on what I could find on the internets it probably looked quite a bit like this :
http://www.sandemanyachtcompany.co.uk...
The yacht is described as being a 75 foot Fife yawl with teak decking and brass fittings. William Fife was a third generation Scottish boat designer who lived 1857-1944 and was one of the premier luxury boat builders of the time. If a Rockefeller or a Vanderbilt wanted a racing ship or just wanted to tool around the seas in style - Fife was the man to see.
There are only about 100 of his boats left in sea-worthy condition nowadays and they usually sell starting at £one million and up. Google Fife yacht pictures and take a look, the interiors are gorgeous and the exteriors are the epitome of an elegant sailing vessel.
FYI a yawl is a type of sailing vessel that has a little third sail that can act as a rudder - that is important if you're sailing with only yourself and another person - technically you can set the hind sail to steer your course while you deal with the main sails - usually it needs at least one other person to steer the wheel while the sails are being tacked. This type of sail system isn't really built anymore, cause most modern ships have autopilots.
So the h is going home to hang on her grandfather's yacht, which is named after his first true love now sadly passed -his wife, the h's grandma. The h is a racing yacht and ship photographer who travels a lot, but spending the summers on board with her grandfather is home to her. This time she gets "home" and finds out that her elderly grandfather and his captain can't really afford to run the ship anymore, so it has to be sold. The H turns out to be the guy buying - only he tells her it is an anonymous corporation that is buying it and he is just the representative. (We have all heard THAT one before)
The h is pretty antagonistic and strands him up in the mast during a ship inspection, the H slides down the sails like a pirate and tosses her into the harbor. Somewhere between stranding and swimming the h falls hopelessly in love, then she notices his dolphin gold band on his left ring finger and all hopes are dashed. The H is still flirting madly tho, and the h manages to finagle herself on board for the month long sail to the yacht's new port in the Caribbean-- ostensibly to take pictures so she can do a book on the yacht.
The H reluctantly agrees for her to go, and what follows is not only a really interesting and accurate recount of what it is like to spend weeks at sea on a little sailing vessel, but a long exercise in heightened sexual tension. The H keeps trying to pursue, but aside from one kiss which the h rejects (and the H doesn't push it) , the h is NOT a homewrecker to be chasing a married guy.
They do a draw together-then push apart type of relationship, when they don't think of their mutual lust, they actually do build a friendship. As the h thinks the H is married and the H thinks she is hooking up with another crewman, they limit themselves to long, lingering looks and smouldering tension. However the daily routine and challenges of sailing across an ocean are really well written, and if you ever wondered what it would be like - this is definitely the book to read. It comes complete with an H overboard rescue by the h during really stormy weather.
Finally the H is told that she thinks he is married. So he rushes to reassure the h that his sister designed the ring as a good luck token and since he broke his right ring finger in a sailing race, he just switched it to his left hand and never thought about it. Which is as a good a line as any for characters who really are only visiting HPlandia - the H just doesn't have the necessary meanness to get a permanent spot and the h was a bit too sensible to really succeed as the tstl type for long.
So with dolphins jumping around the prow of the ship and H and h cozily ensconced on the bowsprit net, we leave the happy couple and the yacht to sail the seas of lurve with a new generation. Cue big triumphant orchestration here pleeeze, as we can close the book with a happy sigh and a new knowledge of small vessel sailing skillz - who says HP's aren't educational?
The first description given in the book is of the yacht and based on what I could find on the internets it probably looked quite a bit like this :
http://www.sandemanyachtcompany.co.uk...
The yacht is described as being a 75 foot Fife yawl with teak decking and brass fittings. William Fife was a third generation Scottish boat designer who lived 1857-1944 and was one of the premier luxury boat builders of the time. If a Rockefeller or a Vanderbilt wanted a racing ship or just wanted to tool around the seas in style - Fife was the man to see.
There are only about 100 of his boats left in sea-worthy condition nowadays and they usually sell starting at £one million and up. Google Fife yacht pictures and take a look, the interiors are gorgeous and the exteriors are the epitome of an elegant sailing vessel.
FYI a yawl is a type of sailing vessel that has a little third sail that can act as a rudder - that is important if you're sailing with only yourself and another person - technically you can set the hind sail to steer your course while you deal with the main sails - usually it needs at least one other person to steer the wheel while the sails are being tacked. This type of sail system isn't really built anymore, cause most modern ships have autopilots.
So the h is going home to hang on her grandfather's yacht, which is named after his first true love now sadly passed -his wife, the h's grandma. The h is a racing yacht and ship photographer who travels a lot, but spending the summers on board with her grandfather is home to her. This time she gets "home" and finds out that her elderly grandfather and his captain can't really afford to run the ship anymore, so it has to be sold. The H turns out to be the guy buying - only he tells her it is an anonymous corporation that is buying it and he is just the representative. (We have all heard THAT one before)
The h is pretty antagonistic and strands him up in the mast during a ship inspection, the H slides down the sails like a pirate and tosses her into the harbor. Somewhere between stranding and swimming the h falls hopelessly in love, then she notices his dolphin gold band on his left ring finger and all hopes are dashed. The H is still flirting madly tho, and the h manages to finagle herself on board for the month long sail to the yacht's new port in the Caribbean-- ostensibly to take pictures so she can do a book on the yacht.
The H reluctantly agrees for her to go, and what follows is not only a really interesting and accurate recount of what it is like to spend weeks at sea on a little sailing vessel, but a long exercise in heightened sexual tension. The H keeps trying to pursue, but aside from one kiss which the h rejects (and the H doesn't push it) , the h is NOT a homewrecker to be chasing a married guy.
They do a draw together-then push apart type of relationship, when they don't think of their mutual lust, they actually do build a friendship. As the h thinks the H is married and the H thinks she is hooking up with another crewman, they limit themselves to long, lingering looks and smouldering tension. However the daily routine and challenges of sailing across an ocean are really well written, and if you ever wondered what it would be like - this is definitely the book to read. It comes complete with an H overboard rescue by the h during really stormy weather.
Finally the H is told that she thinks he is married. So he rushes to reassure the h that his sister designed the ring as a good luck token and since he broke his right ring finger in a sailing race, he just switched it to his left hand and never thought about it. Which is as a good a line as any for characters who really are only visiting HPlandia - the H just doesn't have the necessary meanness to get a permanent spot and the h was a bit too sensible to really succeed as the tstl type for long.
So with dolphins jumping around the prow of the ship and H and h cozily ensconced on the bowsprit net, we leave the happy couple and the yacht to sail the seas of lurve with a new generation. Cue big triumphant orchestration here pleeeze, as we can close the book with a happy sigh and a new knowledge of small vessel sailing skillz - who says HP's aren't educational?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2022
Gosh they don’t write them like this anymore do they?
This book was a breath of fresh air in a world of billionaires, princesses of made up countries and virgins/pregnancies.
I almost docked it a star at the beginning as the h was an immature brat but she recognised this and owned it so I admire her for that.
The misunderstanding could have been cleared up if these two communicated but then the story would have been over way quicker and where’s the fun in that?
The h is gutted that the yacht that’s been in her family is getting sold to the H because it’s a literal money pit and she dislikes the H because of this. The H however fell in love with the boat and the h (idea of her) when he saw it and her 10 years before. I think he means the idea of the h as a perfect woman when she grows up.
Anyway she finagles her way onto his crew as she’s a sail photographer and wants to write a book about the boat and the H caves and let’s her. She avoids all his advances as she thinks he’s married due to a ring he wears and uses another crew member as a cover.
Once the misunderstanding is cleared up these two are adorable - I only wish we could have had an epilogue.
One of my favourite reads of the year so far the old ones are definitely the best.
Thanks boogenhagen for reviewing this one or I may not have discovered it.
This book was a breath of fresh air in a world of billionaires, princesses of made up countries and virgins/pregnancies.
I almost docked it a star at the beginning as the h was an immature brat but she recognised this and owned it so I admire her for that.
The misunderstanding could have been cleared up if these two communicated but then the story would have been over way quicker and where’s the fun in that?
The h is gutted that the yacht that’s been in her family is getting sold to the H because it’s a literal money pit and she dislikes the H because of this. The H however fell in love with the boat and the h (idea of her) when he saw it and her 10 years before. I think he means the idea of the h as a perfect woman when she grows up.
Anyway she finagles her way onto his crew as she’s a sail photographer and wants to write a book about the boat and the H caves and let’s her. She avoids all his advances as she thinks he’s married due to a ring he wears and uses another crew member as a cover.
Once the misunderstanding is cleared up these two are adorable - I only wish we could have had an epilogue.
One of my favourite reads of the year so far the old ones are definitely the best.
Thanks boogenhagen for reviewing this one or I may not have discovered it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2022
The Marichelle was more than a classy old yacht. She was the anchor in her namesake's life, the only place the real Marichelle had ever called home.
So the loss of her home, and then her heart, was more than Marichelle could bear--especially when the pirate who had stolen both displayed a dolphin ring on his wedding-ring finger. Even the ancient symbol for good luck and happiness was against her.
No wonder Marichelle did everything in her power to hide her true feelings from Rod Kenrick--for fear of being truly lost at sea. (less)
So the loss of her home, and then her heart, was more than Marichelle could bear--especially when the pirate who had stolen both displayed a dolphin ring on his wedding-ring finger. Even the ancient symbol for good luck and happiness was against her.
No wonder Marichelle did everything in her power to hide her true feelings from Rod Kenrick--for fear of being truly lost at sea. (less)
January 29, 2025
I looooooved this one! It surprises me that the old Harlequin/Bouquet is so much more levelheaded and better paced then the new ones! The characters seemed more real, less inflated, and the drama was actually understandable (with the small note that the wedding ring drama dragged on for waayyyyy too long…). I love Rod and Marichelle!
June 29, 2025
Interesting sailing ship adventure. But heroine was annoying and did some really stupid stuff to spite the hero. Hero was great. Loving and competent and persistent.
Heroine didn't deserve him.
Heroine didn't deserve him.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews