Broken Wing

by Judith James

Set during the chaotic beginnings of Napoleon's rule, this saga tells the story of Gabriel St. Croix, a street survivor searching for a place to belong. Abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, he has never known friendship or affection. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy facade, his only relationship is with a young boy he has spent the last five years protecting from the brutal reality of their environment. But all that is about to change. The boy's family has found him, and they are coming to take him home.

Sarah Munroe blames herself for her brother's disappearance. When he's located, safe and unharmed despite where he has been living, Sarah vows to help the man who rescued and protected him in any way she can. With loving patience she helps Gabriel face his demons and teaches him to trust in friendship and love. But when the past catches up with him, Gabriel must face it on his own. Becoming a mercenary, pirate, and professional gambler, he travels to London, France, and the Barbary Coast in a desperate attempt to find Sarah again. On the way, however, he will discover the most dangerous journey and the greatest gamble of all is within the darkest reaches of his own heart.

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

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Judith James, is an avid reader and history buff who grew up in Montreal Quebec. She is also a bit of an adventure junkie and has travelled, worked and lived many places, including the Arctic and several of the places she writes about. Variously employed as a trail guide, horse trainer, and clinical psychologist, she's had the opportunity to live out many of her dreams. She’s even found the perfect place to settle on the East Coast, with a view of the ocean from her window. Judith’s writing combines her love of history, romance and adventure with her keen interest in the complexities of human nature, and the heart’s capacity to heal. Ms James is always pleased to hear from fellow readers and writers and invites you to visit her at www.Judithjamesauthor.com, or join her on face book at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i... or her fan page at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i...

Reviews

[Eastofoz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why all the hoopla about this book I don’t know. It’s not really a romance novel even though it’s touted as one. It’s almost like an adventure story about a very damaged hero and it is ALL about the hero. The romance is a sub-story. What little steam there is is glanced over like you would find in regular fiction and after the first half of the book the h/h don’t get together until the end –that’s about 200 pages covering the hero and what happens to him –so it’s not a romance for me.

There quite a bit of use of French and a glossary is provided at the back but there are misspellings or things that just don’t sound right with the dialog of the story if that kind of thing bothers you. If you don’t speak French you might find those smatterings romantic.

I never had any feelings for Gabriel and Sarah as a couple. Gabriel is too broken and needs too much care for my taste. The things that happened to him were horrible which the author brings out well enough and the same goes for his adventures in far off places, but as for the romance it’s just not there. Some of the actions on the hero’s part towards the heroine make no sense and frustrate the reader to the point that you just want the book to end. The ending is a bit too perfect and sticky sweet for me --suddenly everything is wrapped up with a pretty bow.

The story itself didn’t really flow. It was like snippets of their lives that you think will eventually develop into a story that flows along but that didn’t seem to happen.

Maybe if the book is approached as historical fiction one would enjoy it more but I’ve been told that it’s one of those be all end all romances --- having read a few romances already it couldn’t be farther from the mark.

[MelissaB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Wing was a very good book that kept me turning the pages. The writing style is different than most romances, I felt a little more removed from the characters than normal but it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. There was a historical fiction feel to the story but there is also a very good romance being told.

Sarah Monroe and her brother travel to France to bring home her younger brother who disappeared five years ago but was recently found in a brothel. They find him relatively unharmed thanks to the protection of Gabriel St. Croix, a very jaded male prostitute who was sold to the Madam as a young boy and has been unable to escape. Sarah insists on Gabriel being released and brought home to Cornwall with them since he saved her younger brother from great harm. Gabriel had all hope burnt out of him at a young age and doesn’t know what to do with his newfound freedom. He is afraid to believe that he is finally free to live and has no idea what to do with that freedom.

Gabriel settles into their house in Cornwall as a paid companion to the younger brother but has trouble assimilating into a normal life. He has been taught his only value is his body and what he can do with it but Sarah strives to bring out the sensitive man who was buried inside. Gabriel and Sarah have a great connection that grows as she slowly brings him out of his shell with the help of her brother and cousin. The couple fall in love over a long period of time which made it believable despite Gabriel’s horrible past. They had to deal with a lot of his emotional issues related to his treatment at the hands of others but slowly were able to overcome them.

After they fall in love there was a turning point to the story where Gabriel was separated from Sarah and had to endure even more trials. While it was hard to read about this poor guy enduring even more in his life, this part of the book was also interesting. I am not a fan of separations in my romance but the author was able to write this section well. The locations moved to Northern Africa, which is a very interesting place during the early 1800’s. The ending was good and heart-wrenching but I would have enjoyed a little more detail to the story after the couple was reunited.

Overall, this was a very good historical romance. The romance aspect was sweet and endearing, I really enjoyed Gabriel and Sarah as a couple. Sarah was a wonderful heroine, I love how she believed in Gabriel from the beginning and always fought for him. My heart broke for the pain Gabriel endured during his life but he was able to become a good man despite everything.

Read this book if you want to read a good story that tells of how love can conquer over hardship and pain. Also read this if you want a historical romance that is a bit different than most of the others – in a good way.

[MomToKippy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is interesting romantic historical fiction interspersed with smut or smut interspersed with interesting historical fiction. I do not get the reviews that indicate this is your traditional romantic historical. Egads no. I would recommend Kinsale or McNaught for authors who need lessons on artistically described romantic interludes. Ok, I need to go wash my eyeballs out...

[Kristiej · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read this book yet again. It called to me

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A GoodReads friend said she was going to read this book and that reminded me of how much I love it and it was time to read it again. It still remains one of my top 2 books of all time and one of most reread book - because it’s still remains one of my top two of all time *grin*

*&*&*&*&*&

When I first read this book, I’ll admit I went a bit nutty at the time. I couldn’t get enough of it and it zoomed to the top of my all time favourite book. It’s one I reread quite often but it’s been a while since that last time and it was beginning to haunt me again so I had no choice but to do another reread. This is the kind of book I wish we could somehow add another level of stars to and I simply can’t recommend it strongly enough to anyone who hasn’t read it yet. I wasn't using GoodRead that often when I first read this book so quite a few of the times I did a reread didn't get captured.

*******

Gabriel is a young man living in complete despair. Since he was given as a very young boy to a French brothel, he has been used – terribly so. Hauntingly so. Heartbreakingly so. The only thing that keeps him going, that keeps him there, is the protection he is giving to a young boy, Jamie. He is terrified that the same thing will be done to the Jamie that was done to him. When he finds out the family, a brother and sister, of Jamie have discovered his whereabouts after years of searching for him, Gabriel knows it’s his time to escape – except he has no where to go. The brothel is all he has known. So when young Jamie refuses to go with this family he barely remembers unless his friend Gabriel accompanies him back to England, his older brother and sister agree, and Gabriel has a place to go. But he’s not happy. Gabriel doesn’t feel worthy. He sees himself a whore and is just waiting for either Ross or Sarah, Jamie’s brother or sister to make a move on him. But Sarah senses there is something worthwhile underneath his hard shell. And slowly, and angrily Gabriel begins telling her about some of his past, expecting her to be horrified and send him away. But instead Sarah is compassionate and understanding. They slowly, over time, fall in love. And it’s beautiful to read. I was close to tears many times.
Sarah is an unconventional heroine. Married against her will at a young age to an old rue, she does the unthinkable and leaves him. He later dies but she is ostracized from polite society. But rather than mourn, she is now liberated to live life the way she wants to. Her brother Ross, supports her, rather than trying to get her to conform. He is very leery of the growing closeness he sees between Sarah and Gabriel since he knows what Gabriel was but he is convinced by a family friend Davey to look beyond the surface of what Gabriel once was and try and see what Sarah sees.
Now in most romances this would signal the end of the book, but not so in this case. Instead in Broken Wing, Gabriel leaves with Davey, a privateer, to try and make his fortune so he can support Sarah. What follows is all Gabriel’s story and his descent back into his personal hell but always with Sarah in his heart. My heart ached, and I mean really and truly ACHED during this part for all that Gabriel suffers and all that he goes through.
As I said, I wish I could give this more than 5 stars as it is a book that deeply moved me with it's story of an all conquering love.

[Wollstonecrafthomegirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 65%. I had to take a couple of days off from this in order to get my working life sorted before going away for a week and I found when I came back to my Kindle that I had absolutely no desire to spend even one minute of my holiday finishing it. You know what? Life is just too short when you feel like that about a book. And I suspect this is a specific thing to me, reviewers I respect and usually agree with really liked this one and I can see why. It's challenging and different and feels very realistic in terms of its setting. But, but some really significant issues.

It's very purple. Perhaps I would've persevered if I didn't find the writing style so jarring, but, for me, it didn't work. The sex scenes, well:

'He was intensely aware of his clothing, caressing and constraining, his erection heavy and turgid, twitching and swollen again this breeches.' [honestly, I read this and just cannot escape the conclusion that it's just a thoroughly unpleasant description - turgid is an awful word. I gather from all my knowledge of the male of the species that having a thwarted erection is frustrating but this makes it sound like a diseased animal dying an undignified death in the front of a man's trousers - somehow all at once hilarious and gross].

'With a guttural cry, he plunged himself into her slick, tight, heat. Oh Christ, he was in heaven!' (37%)

'Their groans and echoed wildly about the cabin as they consumed one another, ecstatic, eager and unrestrained. It was rapture when her tight hot muscles began to contract around him.' (48%)

It wasn't just the sex scenes either, the whole book (or what I read of it) was adjective heavy. There's plainly a market for this style of romance writing, but I'm not it.

The romance didn't work for me in two ways. Firstly I did think the relationship was born out of Sarah's desire to save Gabriel and his amazement that anyone would want to be with him. Perhaps you have to read to the end of the book to get the author's full vision for the two of them but I did not buy that there was a genuine connection. Secondly, they're separated for ages after their declarations of love. I didn't stick around to see them reunite but by the 66% mark it had ceased to feel like a romance novel and became the Gabriel show.

I've read some James before and had the same basic issues with her writing and sex scenes. She's not my cup of tea.

[Verity · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

I dunno what to make of this book. The romance dept was so lacking that I was tempted to rate it lower. I do give JJ credit for originality, but “The chronicles of Gabriel’s miserable life” woulda been a more apt title. I don’t mind long separations as long as the pay-off in the end makes me go ooh & aah, but in this case, the HEA felt like the author was made aware that the deadline was just around the corner, so she wrapped it up @ a rapid ‘blink & U’ll miss’ speed. He makes a big fuzz ‘bout not wanting to be an eternal shameless freeloader, he’s eager to earn his own dough, but then WTF, he chickens out in the end. He doesn’t have the b@ll$ to face her. He thinks his chance @ luv is shot to hell. Well, I couldn’t fathom why he felt tainted. After all the grisly trials & tribulations he’s gone thru’, U’d think he’ll do whatever it takes, @ least make a conscious effort to move heaven & earth to be w/ his wife again. Doesn’t it defeat the purpose of the 145 pages of separation ? Gabriel’s self-flogging was overabundant. I didn’t fall for his sob “I’m a victim” story, I thought he was a tad immature (@ times he acts like a surly, ungrateful teenager who drifts thru’ life w/ no sense of purpose) & too emotionally stunted to have a real long-lasting relationship. Batman’s own Rachel has a corny but memorable quote : “It’s not who U are underneath. It’s what U do that defines U.” Gabriel prolly thinks it’s a policy he should adhere to, ‘cuz obviously he feels the sum of his worth is defined by his bloody acts, thus his feeling of unworthiness. Gimme a break =^2 Sarah has given him a taste of heaven. She opens her heart, her house, her chunky family coffers & yez, most crucially, her pearly gates of heaven. She waits for him for over 2 freakin’ long years. She has proven that she has an unlimited capacity for sympathy & accepting him the way he is, slit wrists & all. Instead of rushing to her arms, he condemns himself to a lifetime of unhappiness. There’s lotsa telling & not enuff showing. The plot of ‘Highland rebel’ meanders @ times, hence the more lackadaisical pace. In comparison, BW is less hefty but suffers from a meandering hero. I enjoyed the 2ndary characters’ (Davey = Sarah’s cousin / Gabriel’s mentor, Ross = Sarah’s over-protective bro’, Valmont = Gabriel’s newfound BFF) & their droll sense of humor. I also liked it when Gabriel turned into a cold-blooded, take-no-prisoners killing machine in the name of revenge & delivered the kiss of death. 1 chapter of his life is closed as the villain gets his comeuppance. Relentless physical battery aside, the book has its highlights, but unfortunately Sarah is relegated to the corner of the storyboard as a mental prop. If Gabriel’s rambling luv letters were supposed to be the barometer of his esteem for Sarah, she coulda lived w/out ‘em. For once, actions should speak more eloquently than words. For all his boasting & jeering, his luvmaking is 1-dimensional. Why not let his much-touted talents do the talking ? If this book is a showcase for human’s resilience in the face of 1 horrific event after another, JJ has succeeded, but I prefer a tortured hero w/ more layers, who gives more than he takes. He woulda endeared himself more if he’d groveled, after putting Sarah thru’ years of worrying & loneliness. Even after the saccharine-sweet HEA, he still needed lifelong therapy. I betcha my glorious crown that anytime the family piggy bank runs dry, he’ll run off again to make ends meet, then feel unworthy of her & no amount of Sarah’s unconditional luv, caring & affection will ever be enuff to heal his wounded soul. “Gabriel” seems to be the go-to hero’s name for any books featuring fallen angels. So I guess I’m no bleeding heart ‘cuz he broke her heart, it was a slap in Sarah’s face when he didn’t bend over backwards or crawl on broken shields for being MIA while she ate her heart out for her cynical hubby, esp when she’s only a stone’s throw away. I almost wished she’d hook up w/ Killigrew, ‘cuz he injects a bit of fun in her otherwise-dreary life.

[Mollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book first appeared on my radar way back when Kristie(j) posted her review then her subsequent quest to get EVERYONE to read it, much like her North & South crusade! I don't know why I didn't read this sooner. Kristie hasn't steered me wrong yet between Ride the Fire, North & South, and the Joss Ware Envy series; I should know by now to read everything Kristie tells me!

I don't know that there's a lot for me to add with all of the amazing reviews of Broken Wing but if you're a girl who loves a tortured hero, they don't make 'em much more tortured than Gabriel St. Croix.

This is one seriously damaged soul, so drawn into himself, having experienced nothing at all of love, he can't imagine anyone expressing any kindness towards him. His perceptions of people's actions and intentions toward him are so skewed, your heart just breaks for him. Especially when Sarah says or acts out of complete kindness or generosity and he immediately assumes the worst and often lashes out unnecessarily.

You might think, as a reader, that this would grate on your nerves however, I think it's an accurate representation of the psychological and emotional damage that people who suffer the kind of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse that Gabe endured.

While Gabriel has serious issues and the book deals with some disturbing content, I think James does an excellent job of giving the reader just enough information regarding Gabe's past without crossing a line into gratuitous descriptions of his abuse.

Sarah is an excellent heroine, almost too perfect in my opinion though. She's so forgiving and understanding and always manages to react to Gabe's outbursts with the perfect amount of patience and sympathy. She's exactly the type of woman Gabriel needs, however she just seems so perfect it would have been nice if she had some flaws!

This is definitely a hero centric story, there is a large chunk of the story where Gabriel and Sarah are separated but if you're like me and enjoy a good tortured hero, no doubt you'll fall in love with Gabriel! You HAVE to pick up Broken Wing. I love it!

Kristie, consider me a Questor!

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many emotions!

This book was a ride. It was painful and beautiful and romantic. Not what I was expecting at all.

5/5 stars

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think Judith James writes with a very distinctive style, which makes her stories very interesting for me. It can be a little trying to follow though. I find it interesting all the same. Whether I love it, I cannot say. But it certainly makes interesting reads.

Broken Wing has a man whore for a hero. I have seen quite a few courtesan books but this is my first book which has the male lead cast as a male prostitute at the time when the story begins. I did not know what to expect so I read on with a certain level of anticipation.

I think 3 things bothered me:

1. Gabriel's inferiority complex: it is only normal that he felt he was not worthy of Sarah. I understand that. I don't always need an alpha hero to like the book. But I do want to see that the characters not pity themselves. When the characters are so harsh on themselves to the point where they exhibit self-pity.....I have trouble holding respect for them. Speaking of a beta hero who I love, Harry from The Leopard Prince, is a servant in love with the lady of the manor, his employer, no less. But you never, ever, feel that he felt he was really beneath her. Yeah he felt the differences in their social classes, he regonized that she was out of his league. But he did not pity himself or whine about how he did not "deserve" her. Maybe I am too harsh on Gabriel, but I am never one for pity party.

2. Sarah's "wild behaviors": she considered herself unmarriagable. So she enjoyed her freedom, wearing men clothes. That immediately turns me off. I like my girls girly. I have trouble liking heroines who are too "wild". Unconventional, ok, but not feminine, no go. I could not see Sarah as the lady that she was supposed to be. She sounded more like a young lad than a lady.

3. The plots: Like other reviewers have said, Gabriel and Sarah were seperated for a LONG time in this book. Gabriel went on the ship to make a life for himself. I get that. I think it is important too. It is just About 70% of the book is spent on first, getting Gabriel to Sarah's house so that they could get to know each other and second, getting Gabriel to "find a place for himself" to be worthy of Sarah. Where is the romance? I imagine this was necessary for the story, which means, this is probably not my kind of story.

[Maqluba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good cathartic story like this one. You've got a thoroughly abused hero and a very original heroine who doesn't play by the rules. The best part? they TALK to each other...that's right! a historical romance where the hero and heroine actually talk about their feelings and don't hide a away or reject how they feel, it's miracle! He has such a messed up history and more crap just keeps happening to him, poor guy... you just wanna hold him and let him cry on your shoulders (which the heroine liked to do too:)
I was a little annoyed with the random time jumps here and there so quickly (especially in the beginning), and I wished the heroine wasn't soooo carefree about things (I get she's supposed to be the 'Gypsy widow' but really it it went too far sometimes).
I do appreciate the author's historic info (I honestly don't know how much is true, but I appreciate that she made us aware of it and not swept off to the side).

[Regan Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the late 1700s/early 1800s in France and England with stops in the Mediterranean and North Africa, this story is rich in the history of the times and will sweep you away with an enthralling story of love, hardship, inner strength, forgiveness, acceptance and the joy of life. I think the heroine may be my favorite of all time: beautiful, intelligent, creative—a rebel with a past. But the hero, Gabriel, is to die for. You will love him, I promise. (They are both on my Favorite Heroes & Heroines list on my Regan's Romance Reviews blog.)

The story begins in Paris where a young boy, Gabriel, is left at a brothel, raised to pleasure both men and women. We learn in backstory that he was sold to a sick aristocrat, who educated the handsome boy and taught him music at which he excels. But when Gabriel tried to escape he was "disciplined" and returned to the brothel.

Years later, having become most attractive to both men and women, and one of the brothel's most prized possessions, Gabriel so hates himself he cuts his arms to remind himself he is alive. He has only one thing keeping him there...he saves another boy from ending up like him, protecting young Jamie against any who would rob the child of his innocence. As it turns out, Jamie is the young brother of an English nobleman who learns where the boy is and comes for him. With the nobleman comes his sister, Sarah, Lady Munroe, known as "the Gypsy Countess."

Sarah is a most unusual woman who thinks more like a man and often dresses like one. Thankful for Gabriel's protection of the boy, she and her brother contract with Gabriel to return with them to England for a year to help settle Jamie. During that time, the family comes to appreciate Gabriel's honorable nature, his intelligence and his character. Sarah, who can see into Gabriel's soul, longs to heal his many hurts. In the process, she and Gabriel share a love for the night sky, music and the ocean. And Sarah and Gabriel fall deeply in love.

Gabriel, who has trained as a seaman and a swordsman, decides to go with Sarah's cousin, Davey, a privateer captain, to the Mediterranean in order to earn enough money to one day support Sarah. And here a real adventure begins.

James is meticulous in detail and the historical setting is rich, accurate and absorbing. She tells the tale through many perspectives and I found that refreshing. I loved knowing what all the characters were thinking and she did it very well. The characters are well developed and varied. You will love Davey the pirate/privateer, Ross the older brother who is a pirate at heart...and so many others along the way.

I highly recommend this one. It’s a keeper.

[Emery Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judith James weaves a dark and compelling spell in Broken Wing, the story of a seemingly irredeemable man, a former male prostitute raised in a Parisian brothel, who through self-sacrifice for another is able to escape his life and find his soul.

Although this did feel like two books in one, I loved the multiple settings and "pirate adventure" that gave Gabriel his final chance for revenge and desperately needed closure.

Gabriel's ultimate redemption, however, is only found in the arms of Sarah, an unconventional woman who through strength of character, unfailing compassion, and forgiveness, is able to teach him to truly love.

A great read for lovers of darker romance, tortured heroes and unconventional heroines. Four and a half stars!

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

06/13/22 re-read

I come back to this book every couple of years and each time it’s like reading a brand-new book. This is an incredibly emotional book, if you want to read it, prepare yourself.

This is very much a character driven book, our MC’s both being developed and formed though the book, so you get to grow with them. Our heroine, Sarah has been tossed from society for rule breaking and leads a boho lifestyle with not a care in the world. She has money, manners, class, and a strong mind. Her older brother lets her embrace her eclectic life and he loves her for her individuality. They are together, a wonderful family with a considerable amount of understanding considering they let the hero into their lives….

Gabriel is the most tortured character I believe I have ever read. He was a child prostitute that was abused horribly and viciously. However, Gabriel was able to hold onto some goodness and tuck it away. He has a very damaged heart, but it still beats, and he is still able to think with his conscious.
But, at the end of the day, he was a male prostitute that had killed, had major anger issues and could be unpredictable. It was a huge risk taking him into their home. However, to say Gabriel grew in the time spent with Ross and Sarah is an understatement.

Watching Gabriel’s transformation is what makes this book wonderful. Judith James did not make it easy, and the book is long, with many obstacles standing in the way of Gabriel and Sarah’s love.
Sarah and Gabriel’s love story is one for the ages. These two loved each other so much that nothing stood in their way. Many times, you think they won’t make it. Many times, you think Gabriel’s past will always hold him and never let him go. If you hold on though, you will read an incredible story of love and development.



Emotional and so beautiful. I don't always cry reading books, but when I do they are gut wrenching. This is one of them.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

No rich, handsome Earl, Duke, Marquis...meets plucky virgin and loses his heart here!

This is the story of Gabriel and Sarah. It is romantic, exciting and heartbreaking. Gabriel was abandoned in a whore house as a child. We never get the story on who leaves this lovely child there or why. But his life is a nightmare as he is forced to become a whore. Somehow he manages not to lose his soul. Sarah is a young, vibrant sixteen year old when her bastard uncle forces her to marry one of his very old friends. Although the marriage is consummated, luckily for Sarah the old dude dies. The bastard uncle also does something with Sarah's five year old brother and she and her older brother spend five years searching for him. He has been in the Paris whore house with Gabriel, who has protected him from harm, by doing whatever is asked of him.

Sarah and her brother Russ come for their younger brother and Sarah is immediately drawn to the angry, icy Gabriel and rescues him too. He is not grateful and figures at first he has traded one hell for another. But they offer him enough money to go.

What follows is a story of love and redemption against so many odds.

Sarah and Gabriel never felt like false, cardboard characters. Their story develops at a good pace. Gabriel is so broken, but Sarah has so much faith. I especially appreciated that the story didn't wrap up overly fast, it had a very satisfying conclusion. This book was a very nice surprise.

[Feminista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have easily been a 5 star rating.


But I don't understand where the author was trying to go with Gabriel's voluntary one year exile. After all Sarah and her family had done for him, after Sarah and Gabriel got MARRIED, he stayed away from her when he could have been home one year earlier! She was mourning him still!

The author makes it out to be that he was ashamed for murdering his childhood abuser. But I just wanted him to stand up for Sarah and their relationship for once. And to be honest, it makes no sense why he would stay away, only for the author to resolve this issue within the last few pages of the novel.

It was really poorly thought out and written. It made Gabriel seem really weak and illogical. He alleges that he loves Sarah so much, but he also says he came to London hoping she would hear about him. What is wrong with him! He is like a child.

Anyway rant over!

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book ripped my still-beating heart out of my chest, put it back in, and repeated the procedure many times!

You know you're in for a great read, when you love the dedication and acknowledgements in a novel, and from the first sentence, "Broken Wing" soared! (sorry for the pun)

I love a vulnerable hero who keeps loving and hoping in spite of what he may suffer, and Gabriel is that in full measure! This story wounded me, because while this is fiction, the subject matter is not, and it makes me sick that real people suffered this fate! But this is a tale of hope and redemption, not despair, and for a first-time novelist, Judith James wrote something beautiful, aching, and real. I have never wanted a happily-ever-after so much as I did for Gabriel and Sarah! Read, cry, and ultimately, marvel at the triumph of the human spirit.

[Anzû · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* mostly because I really liked Gabriel's character. Sarah was too kind and perfect, but the author didn't overdo it so it was easy on the eye. The story was a bit too slow and stretched out more than needed. But overall it's an enjoyable book. If you're into romance you should give this one a try.

[ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...] · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

This debut book by Judith James is by no means formulaic. I’ve read many of those in my long years of Romance reading and while I loved some of them to bits, others bored me to death. I totally appreciated the storyline of Broken Wing, the historical research JJ obviously done so well and created someone like Gabriel; a man you can’t just NOT adore, love and respect, even though his past was every bit sordid. Varying bunch of emotions gripped me while I was reading it: laughter, tears, shock, dread... I felt I myself was being tortured with Gabriel. But overall, I wasn’t bored once and I wasn’t disappointed, which is where I can truly say that I’m glad that I’ve read this book.

Before I continue with my review, first a few things that bugged me:
1)Somewhat stilted dialogues at times. Didn’t always correspond the actions of the characters correctly IMO. Same goes for the prose structure. But JJ’s writing grew on me gradually and I really didn’t have much trouble getting into the book later. The story was very intense and intriguing; the Historical notations were very interesting so I was more focused on those. I didn’t mind it as much as some reviewers did and vehemently ditched the book on the basis of it.
2)Sudden POV shifting. This bugged me a bit but I waded through.
3)The time frame all through the book was the biggest problem. I wish JJ gave us the exact time-frame, years passing in between. Would’ve been really convenient.
4)The protagonists’ respective ages. Those were very confusing too.

The story starts with a disillusioned Gabriel trying to connect himself with the outer world, sitting on the rooftop of the Parisian brothel where he was abandoned as a young child. He never knew his parents and there was no one who cared for him. Gabriel has never known a little bit of love. No one ever wanted him unless it’s his beautiful face and body. No one was there to rescue him when he needed to be rescued. My heart lurched from that moment, when I found him cutting his wrist and smiling jadedly, just to see if he’s alive. He grew up there and as a pretty child, caught lecherous attentions of some dirty SOBs. One, de Sevigny, bought Gabriel from the madame when he was 14 and forcibly converted him. I feel sick when I think of it; Gabriel was so young and he was made to do things he had no notion about. For about two years, he suffered through this. De Sevigny kept him as a page boy and taught him to read, write, sing, play various musical instruments, riding... most of it to amuse himself when he needed it. He also taught Gabriel things to pleasure him. Gabriel went with it, not knowing the right or wrong and took part in his own ruination (as he tells Sarah in one scene). One day, he ran away. When de Sevigny found him, he tortured him and then passed him on to his other cronies. I can’t tell you how utterly horrible I found it all and felt so much for the poor babe. The trauma of it never left Gabriel. And then he was back at his ‘home’, the only home he’d ever known, to become a trained prostitute who can pleasure both men and women. He lived his life, doing things many of us can’t even imagine and resigned to it. When Jamie was brought in here, somehow Gabriel found a purpose of his ruined, damaged life. He kept the little boy alive and safe from the dirty environment of the brothel. Jamie was a pretty child and Gabriel knew from his own experience what is awaiting him in the future. As Jamie grew up, he once saved him from a lecher and killed that man. It was an involuntary action, born out of his hatred and darkness, of which he was a part of. Then, after 5 long years, Jamie’s family found him and was coming to take him away. Gabriel doesn’t know how he’ll go on when this one little and innocent purpose of his life goes away.

Sarah is called the Gypsy Countess because of her unconventional ways and looks, inherited from her Roma ancestors. She was married at a very young age, forcibly, to a man old enough to be her grandfather. After her parents died, Sarah’s evil uncle became her guardian. Her older half-brother Ross was serving in the military so he wasn’t around to help her or a young Jamie. Because Sarah’s mother descended from Roma ancestry, her uncle couldn’t stand her or even Jamie. Jamie was kidnapped and then sold and somehow landed in that brothel, of which no one knew until now. Sarah left her husband just about a week after her marriage, causing a lot of talk and scandal. The man died soon after, leaving her a rich widow. Then one of their distant cousins, Davey joined her, who is of Huguenot descendant. Davey or Gypsy Davey, as he’s called, is a wild adventurer. He is older than both Sarah and Ross but he’s closer to both of them. But when Davey came into her life, Ross wasn’t here. So he and Sarah formed a strong bond. Sarah was frantically looking for Jamie at that point and without luck, she joined Davey’s pirate ship and spent two years touring with him. Ross came back, took back what was his and hired men to look for Jamie. Their estate borders on a sea shore, nestled against a cliff, with the backdrop of sea and the beach down below, so it wasn’t a big problem for Davey to anchor closer to the house. Afterwards, Ross also would join Davey in his adventures. Davey is a charming pirate, hungry for the finer things in life; be it riches or women. And he appreciates both, takes whatever life presents him with. I did like Davey a lot; his piraty dark good looks, quick wit and charm (minus the womanizing, that I can live without knowing) was very appreciable. And it was pretty obvious that he has a deeper affection for Sarah. He appreciates the strong and vivacious woman she is. Ross was a character I didn’t know well, as I felt it. He was a bit pompous but an essentially good man. Still, we don’t really know much of his life outside this estate or whatever he does whenever he was ‘on business’ in London.

Now that they have found Jamie in a brothel, both Ross and Sarah are much tensed about this and the changes this might wrought in their younger brother. They travel to Paris, only to be surprised again and again. First off, they find Jamie visibly healthy; both in body and mind. He’s doesn’t recognize them but he would leave with them, only if Gabriel accompanies him. Both siblings are perplexed by this demand. Then, on Jamie’s insistent, they meet the male prostitute. One look at Gabriel and his surly demeanor (with dark good looks), Sarah can’t help feel attracted. On her argument and much insistent, Ross gives in.

Gabriel didn’t at all think that Jamie’s family would want to meet him but this grows weirder by the minute. When Ross proposes him to come with them as Jamie’s paid companion, he’s instantly suspicious. He acts hostile, with sharp words and innuendos. But Sarah has already caught his eyes and the money sounded lucrative. With a year-long deal, they make the madame relieve Gabriel of all his duties. Through their travel to England, Sarah tries to make friends with Gabriel but he won’t open up. Sarah knew that it won’t be easy but there is something about him, almost hauntingly sad, makes her reach out to him. If only she knew how to do that! After they’re in England, all settle down. Even Jamie, after sometimes, shows great potentials and it was very apparent that he has suffered no bad effects, thanks to Gabriel. But, it’s the man in question who can’t settle himself down. Gabriel might’ve given up his job but the nightmares of the brothel and what he suffered at de Sevigny’s hands haunt him at night. He can’t sleep well and drinks much. Even though he does his duty by Jamie, he feels he doesn’t fit into the family. His lacking self-worth and depression was clearly visible and saddened me. Sarah tried more than once but thankfully she never gave up, even when he was being rude. They kiss once or twice and Sarah knows he wants the man. But she also knows that Gabriel won’t appreciate her pawing, like many other women (or men) of his past. After a few months, Gabriel starts loosening up though. It was a big step when Sarah invited him to her balcony at night for sky watching with telescope. Gabriel thought she had an assignation in mind. Oddly, it disappointed him but he was willing to accommodate because he wanted her too. He was proven wrong soon after. After this, their relationship improves noticeably and Gabriel was communicating more and more with her. There’s also a shared love of music between them. Gabriel would climb up the big Oak tree that sides her balcony and to her chamber; sometimes to chat with her, sometimes to escape his nightmares and wallow himself into drinks.

Ross was pretty suspicious of Gabriel but he proved all of it wrong. He didn’t engage in any sort of debauchery while residing with them. Gabriel was celibate. After all he went through, sex wasn’t the topmost thing on his mind. Meanwhile, Davey’s ship anchors. Gabriel was already curious to know this man of whom everyone talks about and very highly. After a little shaky start, he gave into Davey’s personality. He always had an interest in the ocean and Davey, after some talks with Ross, was willing to show him around his ship. Gabriel jumps to the chance, training under Davey on his ship. He didn’t know that Ross or Sarah didn’t want him gone anymore but Ross was planning for something that would improve his life and it isn’t ‘privateering’, as Davey likes to call it. But nothing can thwart Gabriel’s interest to work as a sailor and in Sarah. This training gave him some purpose of life and Sarah’s company made him dream. They were becoming closer and it was a lure that Gabriel couldn’t deny. He was madly in love already. I loved the scenes where Sarah ‘teaches’ Gabriel to kiss, since his job didn’t really require kissing. Then there were scenes as Sarah coaxes confessions out of Gabriel, where he can’t but talk about the darkest, dirties aspects of his past. He was always welcomed in her room at night. She made her window seat exclusive for Gabriel, keeping his comfort in mind. I really enjoyed reading these scenes and yet felt sad again and again how Gabriel felt torn into giving in and fought because he couldn’t believe that a woman like Sarah would want ever him. But Sarah wasn’t just another woman! Once Sarah finds out about his wrists and makes him wrist guards. She also sees the whip marks on his back and hips. It upsets Gabriel but Sarah soothes away his fears. And then, one day they just end up making love. Ross wasn’t at home, Jamie was somewhere else for his schooling. These two months of their life was like a dream. They become engaged and would marry soon.

But Gabriel wants to make money. He won’t live off his wife, it’s as simple as that. Soon Ross is home but not at all happy to find the former prostitute fondling his sister. He berates Gabriel. Later, Gabriel talks to Davey about his plan and the pirate agrees. He was very fond of Gabriel already. Sarah isn’t very happy about it but she knows she can’t thwart him. Gabriel sails without saying goodbye but can’t stay away because he felt guilty of hurting Sarah. One night, Davey plans something. Gabriel comes back and proposes to Sarah. She is very surprised and happy; they marry secretly and spend a blissful night in the ship. I still didn’t know what lies ahead of them or how long they’d be really apart, though Gabriel promises to come back ASAP, maybe within the year.

You can say that from here started the second part of the story. It was full of adventures, but mostly with lost ones, with both bleakness and hope. And Gabriel suffers along with it. His raids with Davey went very well and in a few months, he was rich enough. He learned a lot from Davey and was happily anticipating his return to Sarah. Even though Davey helped himself with women (and more women) everywhere they went, Gabriel missed Sarah and wrote her letters. We see some adventures here, with Davey and the crew, on their raids. But, fate struck Gabriel again and proved herself a fickle b*ch once more. On their way home, a storm was brewing. Gabriel fell off the ship while helping a fellow mate. He was badly injured and unconscious for days when he woke up in a middle-eastern slave ship. It was a putrid situation, both the ship and his luck. Gabriel finds a friend in Jacques, a chevalier; unwanted son of a nobleman. He spent his life in adventures, much like Gabriel’s own. Jacques has this amazing humor and undeniably easy-going charm. But soon, when they arrive in their destination, Gabriel was delusional with a raging fever from his infections and stays in the infirmary. When he wakes up, he finds Jacques gone, sold to his new master. The people of the infirmary tell him that he has been sold too and would be going to his new master soon. Gabriel wanted to write to home for ransom but he had no scope whatsoever in this foreign land. As he’s taken to his new ‘home’, at first Gabriel thinks maybe it’s for the best of give in and wait for a chance. He finds Jacques there, one his own, as his father denied his ransom. Apparently it’s been two months already. Gabriel’s jubilation of seeing his good friend dies away at night when his nightmares come to haunt him again, this time for real. My stomach dropped... “Reveille tois, mon ange.” (wake up, my angel)... think I won’t forget this line, so innocuous and yet brought such terror for Gabriel. A dirty hand on his body and he knows it to be no one but de Sevigny. The old bastard is now a rich man and knew it was Gabriel from the description. He is in slave trading and provides pretty boys to men with his own taste. And, apparently he still has a penchant for Gabriel. Jacques is dumbstruck but says nothing when Gabriel plays the besotted lover to de Sevigny and kisses him on his urging. I was shaking literally, feeling the kind of strength he needed to do this, without Sarah to weather his nightmares. But Gabriel had an ultimate plan. When he was taken to the vile bastard’s rooms and was alone, Gabriel finally shows him how much he ‘loves’ him, by gutting him inside out. The kiss and this murder wrought some drastic changes in Gabriel, shadowing the softer side that Sarah unearthed from within. Later he takes whatever he can from de Sevigny’s riches, rescues Jacques, killing many guards on their way. Gabriel didn’t feel anything but a numbness taking him over.

As they were trying to get out of the city, they meet a band of renegados. When the team leader invites them to join, not knowing their real identity, they do. Used to with rough men, these two had no trouble fitting in. They proved to be very useful and the team-leader takes them to their leader, Murad Reis, formerly known as Peter Lisle, a Scotsman in origin. The Reis is happy to take big, strong and good looking Jacques in but still thinner from his illness Gabriel had to pass a ‘test’ of sort. Remember that I’ve sort of lost track of time here but it was about a yr or so after Gabriel sailed from England. Under the Reis, they worked as hired mercenary, killing for whoever paid them. About 2 more yrs pass by without any luck on escaping. Jacques proved to be quite the womanizer (dimming much of my enthusiasm about him). Only the fact that he genuinely cared for Gabriel and was with him through all these kept me intrigued. Nightmares still haunted Gabriel but he was still celibate, still hoping to see Sarah someday. But outwardly, he convinces himself that after this life, he can’t go back to Sarah anymore. One day, on Reis’s pirate ship, they find a chance of escaping. The escape plan was well organized, loved reading those scenes. They land in Paris where they lived a life full of debauchery, with gambling, drinking and whoring. At least the first two was correct for Gabriel and all three for Jacques, who was shagging left and right. Since he didn’t know about Sarah, Jacques was confused as to why Gabriel doesn’t show interest in either women or men. One day, Gabriel grows tired of all these and asks Jacques to sail to England. He definitely wanted Sarah to find him out but Gabriel thought she’d probably moved on and is married by now.

But for the last two years, Sarah hadn’t moved on. She was still holding to the promise they made when they parted, of waiting for one another as long as it takes. She sometimes can’t really believe that Gabriel is gone forever but she couldn’t give up. On Ross’s pressure, Sarah finally decides to find life again. She makes some plans, for the coming the Christmas and one concerning horse breeding. Ross sends Sarah, alone, to this infamous libertine, Foul...oops Falmouth, to talk about his studs. She meets him while he was having an orgy in his house, comes out drunk with his mistress, fondling the woman shamelessly in front of her. I was so dumbfounded, at first thinking how could Ross send Sarah to this lecherous goat? Then, when Sarah begins to enjoy Falmouth’s false charms, finding him amusing and even let him kiss her once with the intentions of taking it further, I was royally pissed. I mean, really Sarah? Let me assure you that this man had not one good intention towards her whatsoever, even though she was his friend’s sister, her widow status notwithstanding. He at first wanted her as a few days of diversion and then, when he finds he likes her, as his mistress. It disturbed the hell outta me that Sarah was so deliberately blind! Anyway, trouble happens when Sarah couldn’t put Gabriel out of her mind to take it further. Still, she definitely disappointed me here.

When Gabriel and Jacques come back to England and settle closer to Ross’s townhouse (where Sarah was at that moment), their lives were an extension of what they lived in France, maybe even more debauched. We get to see Jacques’s indiscretions all over the place (made me gag for sure). He just doesn’t care whom he f*cks as long as it’s a loose woman. But Gabriel *sigh*, he stays celibate. Soon he begins to grow restless, knowing Sarah is so close and yet so far away. Even though he’s cool about everything around him, men and women alike won’t stop fawning over him. With a lot of annoyance, Gabriel hatches a plan to thwart unwanted attentions; something at first shocked and disappointed me, not knowing the truth behind it. I won’t reveal it since it made the ending all the more appealing.

Yes, that ending was worth more than anything. The scene where finally Sarah and Gabriel come together, opening up about their lost hopes and frustrations, sad times missing one another and the love that never left them. What a scene! Totally loved the words they shared, especially Gabriel to Sarah... I was a melting puddle of tears and wanted to grab and kiss him hard. *sigh* It made me cry for sure. Overall, even though there were glitches and I thought Gabriel and Sarah were kept apart too long for my liking, I appreciated Gabriel’s journey of life and his fights to stay strong. He gets a 5 star alone. It was beautiful, with both darkness and the light. Someday, I hope, JJ would give Davey and Jacques their books because these two need to be brought down to the ground by two fiery ladies. I’m rating this book a 4.5 star gladly.

[Victoria Vane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judith James weaves a dark and compelling spell in Broken Wing, the story of a seemingly irredeemable man, a former male prostitute raised in a Parisian brothel, who through self-sacrifice for another is able to escape his life and find his soul.

Although this did feel like two books in one, I loved the multiple settings and "pirate adventure" that gave Gabriel his final chance for revenge and desperately needed closure.

Gabriel's ultimate redemption, however, is only found in the arms of Sarah, an unconventional woman who through strength of character, unfailing compassion, and forgiveness, is able to teach him to truly love.

A great read for lovers of darker romance, tortured heroes and unconventional heroines. Four and a half stars!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was exactly what I was looking for. I was in the mood for a romance where the hero is desperately, achingly in love. This was it. Gabriel loved Sarah with a passion that was all consuming. She was the only one who ever really knew him. She loved him just the way he was, even though he didn't love himself. There were a few chapters that made me panic a little, but the end was blissful. Great read!!

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Broken Wing has many great reviews but I didn't feel it. Barely 3 stars for me. I love romance but this didn't feel much like a romance. The style of writing was hard for me to read. It wasn't a horrible book but just wasn't a good romance for me. I guess this author just isn't for me.

[butwhytho · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sucked into this immediately. Sarah’s (h) little brother Jamie (roughly 10 years old) has been missing for 5 years. When she and her older brother locate him in a Parisian brothel, they’re ecstatic to find him un-traumatized— a fortune completely owed to Gabriel (H), a beautiful young man who’s been living and working in the brothel since he was a child and who took it upon himself to protect Jamie from the hell he himself had suffered. Jamie refuses to leave without Gabriel so he returns to England with the family.

Sarah’s practically perfect: patient, kind, understanding, not the least bit judgmental, says and does all the right things, is adventurous, and is not like the other women around her (she wears pants, attends lectures, isn’t vain, reads, has a “man’s” wit and sense of humor, and knows horses). 🙃

Gabriel’s broken and leery of everyone’s intentions as he has never felt love or friendship and feels undeserving of either. He was easily my favorite thing about this book. Well, until the 71% mark when he’s being an uncommunicative dumbass seemingly just for the sake of plot drama. But luckily that doesn’t last too long. (sidenote: I read this on KU and the book’s actual story ends at 82%; after that it’s a long afterward and glossary)

Author noted in the afterword that it’s largely Gabriel’s story and you can definitely tell. 3.5

[ALPHAreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarah and Ross Munroe have been searching for their missing younger brother for five long years. Following the sudden death of their parents, and an unfortunate marriage for Sarah, little Jamie Munroe was caught up in a family revenge plot and kidnapped . . . but now he has been found.

Ross and Sarah have had privateers and investigators searching every back street for a sign of their sibling for years, and now their search has paid off . . .
Jamie has been located in a French brothel, and the Munroe’s fear the worst for their kin. But when Sarah and Ross arrive at Madame’s they are shocked to discover an educated, well-adjusted and healthy young boy. The Munroe’s can credit Jamie’s safety to his friend and protector, the whore Gabriel St. Croix.

Gabriel had a similar fate to Jamie – bought and sold to a brothel as a child. But where Gabriel was left to surrender and buckle to the life of whoring and masochism, Jamie was spared. Gabriel took the child under his wing at a great cost to his own safety - he prevented any harm befalling the child, in exchange for breaking his own will.

Sarah and Ross are undeniably grateful. For five years Gabriel has been young Jamie’s protector, and the Munroe’s intend to repay him.

They buy Gabriel’s contract from the brothel and invite him to stay, for one year, on their country estate as Jamie’s ‘companion’. After one year he is free to do as he pleases – stay or go – either way, he is a slave no more and a whore never again.

But Gabriel is unused to freedom. He has been under lock and key his entire life, forced to depravity and made to please others. He is unprepared for the Munroe’s kindness . . . especially that of Sarah Munroe. In Gabriel, Sarah sees a wounded and beautiful soul. Despite his horrendous childhood, Gabriel still found the strength to save her brother from a twin fate. And now Gabriel is experiencing the joys and wonders of a life to be lived on his own terms . . . the chance to go where he pleases, and love who he chooses.

‘Broken Wing’ is the 2008 historical romance novel from Judith James.

‘Broken Wing’ starts off as a rather sweeping grand romance. James writes a Dickensian beginning for the poor hero, Gabriel St. Croix – his life as a young whore is understandably tragic and unbelievably saddening. When he is welcomed into the Munroe’s home he is initially stand-offish and mulish as he adjusts to freedom. He keeps waiting for people to use and abuse him – assuming that Sarah wants him for his body, and Ross cannot wait for an excuse to kick him out in the street. So Gabriel is shocked and unbelieving when Ross insists on beginning an investment fund for Gabriel, with a mind towards his future away from the whore house. Gabriel is doubly awed when Sarah stubbornly befriends him – despite his acerbic wit and wounding words – she is determined to win his trust and show him kindness.

Sarah and Gabriel have a sweetly tender romance. Because of his tragic past Gabriel is a hard nut to crack, so his and Sarah’s relationship is a slow unfolding. They begin their friendship star-gazing, with Sarah introducing Gabriel to the brilliance of modern technology and the wonders of a world he has been cut off from since childhood. Slowly but surely Gabriel finds safety and comfort in Sarah’s presence, eventually turning to her when the nightmares of his past get to be too much . . . and then Gabriel falls in love with her. Sarah shows him the first kindness and patience of his life – and for the first time in his memory, Gabriel is permitted to want someone for themselves, and not for their money. But it’s not so easy to forget the pains of a past as terrible as Gabriel’s, and with his love comes great fear;

A sudden bolt of fear seized him, twisting his vitals, and clamping tight around his throat. It couldn’t be real. Such a life was never meant for him. Certainly, not such a woman. She was clean and sweet, kind and wholesome, everything he was not. He needed to take stock, to slow this headlong rush toward destruction. He concentrated on breathing until his panic receded. If he were careful, he might keep her as a friend. But he had to be careful not to reach too high, not to want too much, or he’d lost it all.

Sarah and Gabriel were incredibly adorable. I loved the slow-burn of their romance; a much-needed unhurried pace considering Gabriel’s past pains. And of course Gabriel’s experience in the bedroom means he and Sarah experience a hot and sensual eventual coupling.

I loved the first-half of this book. Judith James wrote a brilliant balance of tragedy and romance, redemption and misfortune. But when Gabriel takes to the sea for a grand privateering adventure, the plot gets a little wonky. . .

In the second-half of the novel Gabriel does something absolutely horrendous and hurtful to his beloved Sarah. I fully expected Judith James to write an additional 100-pages involving Gabriel making up for his foolish mistakes and hurtful actions. However, Sarah is quick to forgive and love again. I was utterly gob-smacked by the lack of dramatic tension and believable resolution. The lacking ending almost ruined the entire book for me – it’s just a good thing that James wrote such a fascinating beginning and wrote an incredible hero in Gabriel, or else I would have been truly upset.

‘Broke Wing’ is an epic historical romance. It’s a novel of Dickensian beginnings, high-seas adventure and reforming love. Despite a poor second-half, the character of Gabriel St. Croix was endearing enough and his story so tragically epic as to make up for the let-down finale.

[KatiD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Kati Dancy
Grade: 5+ stars
Publisher: Medallion Press

Every once in a while, if one is very lucky, they read a romance novel so lyrically written, so wonderfully conceived, so thoroughly researched, so full of interesting and different characters, it practically ruins reading for them for a few days, or weeks, or months. I very much fear that this will be the case for me after reading BROKEN WING by Judith James. I requested this book at the recommendation of KristieJ, a wonderful and sensitive reviewer whose blog, Ramblings on Romance, is a delight for those who love romance. Kristie was so moved after reading the book that she emailed practically everyone in her email address book with the insistence that we all run out, buy, read and go forth and spread the word about BROKEN WING. I immediately wrote Marisa and requested the book, which I was lucky enough to receive on Friday. I’ve spent the weekend immersed in England, France, the Barbary Coast, Algiers and piracy.

Gabriel St. Croix is a prostitute – he has been most of his life. Recently he’s begun protecting Jamie, a young boy sold to the house of ill repute where Gabriel lives and makes his living, such as it is. Gabriel has found that his only reason for living or surviving is to protect Jamie, who has become his family. Thus, Gabriel is quite disconcerted to hear that Jamie’s well-to-do family has come from England, after conducting a three year long search, to take him home. Jamie has very little recollection of his family, and absolutely insists that Gabriel accompany him home. So it is that Gabriel and Lady Sarah Monroe meet and find themselves living together in uneasy company.

Sarah is fascinated by Gabriel. He’s well read, an incredibly accomplished musician, and a closed off and bitter man. Yet she can’t seem to resist her attraction to him. Despite his razor sharp temper, which he occasionally takes out on her, she continues to try to get to know him. Sarah herself is quite a hoyden. She suffered through a very brief marriage to a much older man who had to good sense to die very shortly after their marriage leaving her a wealthy widow who cares very little for what society thinks of her. She wears breeches; she rides horses, has sailed with her cousin, a privateer, and generally does as she pleases. And for now, she wants to get to know the mysterious prostitute who has agreed to come and live with her.

For his part, Gabriel is, at turns, confounded and drawn to Sarah. It seems that nothing he does offends her, despite some incredibly boorish behavior on his part. She is as smart as anyone he’s ever known, and has no qualms about asking intrusive and impertinent questions. He’s fascinated and soon finds himself becoming very close friends with Sarah. When she finds that he is an insomniac, she invites him to her chambers to join her in stargazing. And they talk of everything, and nothing. Soon their platonic friendship has become something more. He finds himself having both lustful and loving thoughts that she reciprocates fully. Gabriel begins leaving his previous life behind. He becomes comfortable with Sarah and her family. Sarah introduces him to Davey, her cousin, who is a privateer, and soon Gabriel discovers a deep love of the sea. Davey teaches him everything about ships, sword battle, and yes, piracy. As Gabriel and Sarah become closer, he realizes that he must make his fortune in order to be the kind of man that he needs to be to marry her. He agrees to leave with Davey to make his fortune. He departs practically without saying goodbye to Sarah, and almost immediately realizes his mistake. He convinces Davey to turn the ship around, and he steals back to the house in the middle of the night, and asks Sarah to come to the ship so that they can be married before he goes. She happily agrees and they have a wonderfully passionate night before he takes off.

You’d think that would be the end of the story, but no indeed, it’s only the start of it.

Gabriel is one of the most deliciously tortured heroes I’ve ever read, he’s at turns angry, nasty, sweet and loving. And almost every moment the reader spends with him is a revelation. There is absolutely no question as to why Sarah falls in love with him. Who wouldn’t adore such a complex and flawed man? Sarah herself is a terrific foil for Gabriel. She’s also brilliant, and has a very well developed spine and a sense of humor. She doesn’t put up with Gabriel being nasty to her, and persists even when he’s cold and closed off. The secondary characters are wonderful, from Sarah’s concerned and protective older brother, Ross (who could do with his own happily ever after), to Davey, their pirate cousin, to Valmont, who becomes Gabriel’s confidant, comrade in arms and family.

The settings are exquisite and thoroughly researched. A good portion of the book happens in post Revolutionary France, and the tidbits and details that James includes many times made me pause to absorb them.

Many regular readers know that The Windflower by Tom and Sharon Curtis is my all time favorite romance. As such, I don’t invoke their names lightly, but the lightness of the prose and the wonderful wit and depth of the characters strongly evoked the Curtises for me. It is the highest possible compliment I could give an author. I am beside myself waiting for Ms. James’s next book, which I hope will be just as luscious and wonderful.

*REVIEW ORIGINALLY POSTED ON ROMANCE NOVEL TV

[Caroline The HEA Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This was originally posted on Book Lovers Inc)

Warning this might be the longest review ever…I promise to wake you up when I’m done. Oh and it might be a little tiny bit spoilery, but I’ll keep it as vague as I can!

It took me a while to finish this book. Why? Because halfway through it I had the strange thought ‘Ah, if it ended there it would be a HEA…could be nice!’…after that I had a hard time picking it up again not knowing what drama was going to ruin it all! (but it always does, you know!) Lol But let’s start at the beginning…

We meet Gabriel at a brothel in France, broken inside, desperate at the idea that the little lost boy he’s been protecting for years will soon go back with his family who is coming to take him back. This is the kind of hero I love,tortured and broken hero! He’s been through hell since he was abandoned as a babe in the street. Ever since he’s been living in a brothel and contrary to the little boy he protected, Gabriel has been a whore since childhood…no one was there to protect him. My heart was breaking when I saw how desperate he was , in the last 5 years, the little boy was the only reason he had to live. There are a few scenes where he cut himself to feel alive, heart-wrenching I tell ya! (Look at the bandage on his arms on the cover!)

Sarah has been looking for her little brother since he disappeared, when she hears he’s been in a brothel for 5 years she is afraid of the worst. She’s coming to Paris to take him back, she never thought she would have to take his protector with him, but the little boy won’t leave without him. They agreed that he could work as a companion to the boy for a year and come back with them to England. For the first half of the book, Gabriel will slowly come back to life, he’s learning to trust again and he’s fighting his own demons.

Sarah is known as the Gypsy Countess, she left her husband 5 days after her (arranged) wedding, started wearing pants and embarked with her pirate of a cousin on his ship to find her brother. She is happy this way, she doesn’t care what people think of her, she will still dress like a man and do whatever she wants. (that’s my girl!)

It felt like a standard Historical romance, a really good one! I loved how the heroes fell for each other gradually. Sarah didn’t throw herself at Gabriel, she tried for months to help him feel at home, she became his friend. Did I tell you that Gabriel is gorgeous? Well I am telling you now! Friendship slowly turned into love…but then it had to end! Bahhhh

The second part of the book, is an adventure! Sarah’s cousin has been training Gabriel to become a ‘privateer’ so he could have a living. This is where thing changes…Gabriel wants Sarah but he feels that he needs to make a fortune for himself to deserve her. So he leaves on a mission… It felt like 2 different books, I didn’t say I didn’t like the 2 parts though! It’s just that this was a complete different story, we embark on an adventure with pirates, slavers, murders…we follow Gabriel in many countries. I won’t tell you what happens but let’s say poor Gabriel is not very lucky. We only see Sarah again nearing the end, years later. This part was mostly about Gabriel. This is something different from usual Historical Romances, we don’t know what Sarah is doing, we’re following the hero.

Of course when you’ll see the rating I gave this book you’ll guess how this book ends *wink*. This was an amazing book, I just wish I had not felt like stopping halfway through it. The heroes and secondary characters are adorable, I laughed a lot with le Chevalier, he’s pretty funny and it helped lifting my spirits when the book started to become very depressing.

All in all (because it seems I can’t write a review without saying that, go figure!) it is a great book… it is a mix of historical romance and adventure with a great cast of characters! It’s nothing I’ve read before and It’s going on my keeper shelf!

[Hira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how romance should be developed in my opinion. I loved the sweet wholesome friendship they both had at the start. Absolute cuties, both of them.when they actually got together, I confess I lost my interest in the book after that. I skipped most of their scenes( they got boring real quick for me) and I have noticed this in most historical romances-they start out real strong and the characters and plotlines so good until they actually get together and then we are subjected to another 500 pages of unnecessary drama and sappy gushing dialogues. Cheesy dialogues are cute-when done in moderation.
The main problem I had with this though was that there were almost zero interaction between Jamie and his siblings??
For people who spent the past five years looking for him and not not even spending any time, or we weren't shown those scenes in the very least, building their relationship with him??. This was a huge pothole for him plus I love cute sibling tropes and this one Had so much potential, I was so very disappointed.
If Sarah paid half the attention she did to Gabriel to her brother ( the boy just came out of a brothel for God's sake, he needs love and care no matter if he was raped or not) - he would have transitioned better.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say this was a pleasant surprise! I didn't quite know what to expect from a romance novel with the hero formerly a prostitute. There are so many pitfalls that could have happened with the characters, yet I found them intriguing. A lot of the time romance authors will paint a picture of the "painful past" that the hero/heroine has to help them overcome. Most of the time this occurs so quickly, with the wound healed so quickly it was like it never happened to begin with...

Gabriel is a man with a past, a dark, twisted and terrible past. Abandoned as a young boy to a brothel he never knows happiness and only knows his value as an object of others enjoyment.

Enter Sarah and her brother Ross, come to rescue their kidnapped brother who was sold to the same brothel as Gabriel was many years ago. This is where the story begins as Gabriel journeys back to England with Ross and Sarah in order to help the boy adjust to life back at home.

I have to admit that that part of the story did seem a little far-fetched. In fact, I'm even willing to admit that many parts of this book will seem a little too good to be true, yet that's what I love about it! Every little nuance of these characters is explained deftly, even if a little overtly, and it really helps develop the story.

There are some scenes in this book that are very sweet. When Gabriel and Sarah meet for the first time it is one of my favorite scenes, "caught with her hand in the pastries," indeed! :P

This story is also very sensual and not for those that prefer their romances chaste. Yet, sensual is exactly how I would describe it, definitely not as tawdry as some of the others out there. Ms. James also doesn't go easy on her audience when it comes to violence, so if you don't like that sort of thing, you've been warned. All I can say though is that none of it is there for show, but for very good reasons and each for a purpose.

Overall, I'm very happy I read this story and I look forward to more from this author!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Wing has a larger than life feel to it, in part, I think, because of the time span of the story and in part to wide array of settings at which the story takes place. Unlike most romance novels that take place over a few short months or even days, Broken Wing takes place over four years which in addition to making the romance part that much more realistic, it also lends a superb epic tone to the novel. There are also enough flashbacks and references to the past that make the novel feel like it spans a lifetime.

The story also takes the reader to the most amazing albeit frightening places. From a brothel in Paris to a stately manor along the ragged coast of England; from a privateer's ship sailing stormy seas to cities along the Barbary coast; from rebel fighting in the deserts of northern Africa to the beautiful countryside of Morocco and back again to Paris and London. All with amazing attention to historical and descriptive detail right down to the food, clothing, and weapons. Author Judith James certainly paints a vivid picture with her words.

Broken Wing is a most beautiful and memorable historical romance. It's not a simple story of romance and happily ever after. It chronicles the dark adventures of Gabriel St. Croix, who despite living a life of travesty after travesty, finds true, unconditional love and acceptance in an amazing woman, Lady Sarah Munroe, whose words and affections nurture him in ways he never imagined. Broken Wing is an achingly beautiful, epic romantic tale of survival and love.

[Ilze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story! Not perfectly executed, but the character and adventures (or misadventures, for the most part) of the hero Gabriel overcome any quibbles about the less-perfect aspects of the book.

I enjoyed both parts of the book - the first part where Gabriel lives with Sarah's family after leaving his life as a male slave/prostitute and they fall in love while Gabriel goes through a long emotional healing process, and the second part where Gabriel heads off to do some "privateering" (piracy) with Sarah's friend Davey, in order to make some money, and runs into a whole lot of trouble that keeps him away for about 3 years (I think - this is not too clear in the book itself). The ending and reconciliation with Sarah seemed rushed, though - after all that Gabriel and Sarah had been through I was expecting something more.

Gabriel's friend Valmont, who only appears in the later part of the book, is a great character, but definitely *not* hero material ;-) The heroine Sarah is too perfect to be truly believable as a character to me: she works more as a foil for Gabriel than a fully-fleshed character on her own.

I should mention one aspect of Gabriel's character - he is a "cutter". I've read (or at least started) other romances where a main character is a cutter, and they just weren't believable or acceptable - the cutting aspect seemed more like a fashion accessory than a real need for the character to deal with his emotional pain. In Judith James' hands, though, the cutting aspect is very well described and perfectly true to Gabriel's character.

[Gaile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel ST. Croix raised in the muck and mire of a brothel protects a young boy for four years until his family finds him. The boy's sister, Sarah Munroe insists Gabriel accompany them to help her brother, Jamie adjust. Although, Jamie adjusts just fine, Gabriel, who has long divorced his mind from his body has many devils to fight. Sarah's unconditional love brings him out of himself. He begins to trust and learns to love again. Gabriel doesn't want to be seen to take Sarah's fortune. He wants to make his own.
He goes to sea with her cousin but on the way home, an accident sends Gabriel back into captivity and depravity. Again he is unable to forgive himself. Again he feels he must put Sarah from his mind believing himself unworthy of her. Meanwhile Sarah's love doesn't change. Will these two star crossed lover ever resolve Gabriel's issues?
This novel started in the 18th century and finishes after the turn of the 19th century. it is a fast paced book and another one that is hard to put down. The author does a good job of getting into the head of a male.I would gladly re-read this book as I really enjoyed it.