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Hagen #9
Captain's Paradise
Romance
184 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1988
23 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Kay Hooper
108 books2,456 followersKay Hooper (aka Kay Robbins) was born in California, in an air force base hospital since her father was stationed there at the time. The family moved back to North Carolina shortly afterward, so she was raised and went to school there.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 20, 2018
"Captain's Paradise" is the story of Robin and Michael.
A reporter who's recently escaped from trafficking..
A DEA undercover agent..
A rescue mission for his sister and other victims..
Sparks of attraction vs tragic past..
Old characters returning to defeat a common enemy..
Resolution of conflicts..
HEA.
Enjoyed this one!
Safe
3/5
A reporter who's recently escaped from trafficking..
A DEA undercover agent..
A rescue mission for his sister and other victims..
Sparks of attraction vs tragic past..
Old characters returning to defeat a common enemy..
Resolution of conflicts..
HEA.
Enjoyed this one!
Safe
3/5
October 11, 2015
Exciting Story with Less Exciting Connection Between Main Characters
"Like ore to a magnet, she couldn't help but give in to the attraction of strong men . . . only to find herself resenting them because she, a coward, could never feel equal in such a relationship."
FINAL DECISION: Better for its plot and connection to the series than the romance itself, this is a book that if it wasn't part of the series I love would be a one time read.
THE STORY: Michael Siran is a government agent who is searching for his missing sister. One night he pulls Robin Stuart out of the ocean. Robin is a journalist who was investigating a story about white slavers until she became a part of the story. Robin is immediately attracted to Michael, but she considers herself a failure for not following in the footsteps of her family of law enforcement officers. When the two team up to find the white slavers and save Michael's sister, they are thrust into a relationship that neither is sure they want.
OPINION: This book is one where the plot is better than the relationship. I really liked seeing the other characters from the series and begin to see the overarching storyline come together as the series approaches its end. I never did, however, feel a strong connection between MIchael and Robin. For me, they are the most disappointing character combination of the series. I like the book, but it is more for its place in the series than for the romance.
WORTH MENTIONING: The ladies of the series take the lead here and the final storyline for the series begins.
CONNECTED BOOKS: CAPTAIN'S PARADISE is the eighth book in the Hagen series. It can be read as a standalone but the best part of the book is the continuing story from the series so I recommend reading it as part of the series.
STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.
"Like ore to a magnet, she couldn't help but give in to the attraction of strong men . . . only to find herself resenting them because she, a coward, could never feel equal in such a relationship."
FINAL DECISION: Better for its plot and connection to the series than the romance itself, this is a book that if it wasn't part of the series I love would be a one time read.
THE STORY: Michael Siran is a government agent who is searching for his missing sister. One night he pulls Robin Stuart out of the ocean. Robin is a journalist who was investigating a story about white slavers until she became a part of the story. Robin is immediately attracted to Michael, but she considers herself a failure for not following in the footsteps of her family of law enforcement officers. When the two team up to find the white slavers and save Michael's sister, they are thrust into a relationship that neither is sure they want.
OPINION: This book is one where the plot is better than the relationship. I really liked seeing the other characters from the series and begin to see the overarching storyline come together as the series approaches its end. I never did, however, feel a strong connection between MIchael and Robin. For me, they are the most disappointing character combination of the series. I like the book, but it is more for its place in the series than for the romance.
WORTH MENTIONING: The ladies of the series take the lead here and the final storyline for the series begins.
CONNECTED BOOKS: CAPTAIN'S PARADISE is the eighth book in the Hagen series. It can be read as a standalone but the best part of the book is the continuing story from the series so I recommend reading it as part of the series.
STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.
January 15, 2014
I am disappointed in the facts that the guys are not heard from in this one. The ladies had to take things into there own hands and get the job done. I am all down for Women's Power. I did not feel the connection between Siran and Robin. I knew it would be, but I just could not feel it. The questions this story left me with are "What the hell is Hagen up to and why is he so intent on getting Long and his friends?
October 6, 2013
I liked the book. Good, easy read, but like something out of a TV crime drama. Not what I have come to expect from a Kay Hooper book.
May 9, 2018
I am giving this novel three stars because it fits in the series. It features the women and really pressed the point you can still be brave when petrified. I did like the subtle lead characters and maybe that is what I did not like also as they were a bit too overshadowed but if you love Kay Hooper it is still a must read!
March 26, 2021
Okay already
This one wasn't as off the wall as the last one but I'm ready for a new schtick. I keep reading the Hagan series now just to say I finished it. I have always liked Kay Hooper but.....
This one wasn't as off the wall as the last one but I'm ready for a new schtick. I keep reading the Hagan series now just to say I finished it. I have always liked Kay Hooper but.....
February 25, 2018
Been awhile since I read one of hers. This was a joy. usually takes me more than a few days. I gobbled this one up fast.
April 27, 2018
It's a softer story. Good characters, but the story is a little thin. Makes me wish I had read the others in the series. Good narration.
library
July 30, 20210
May 30, 2023
Great
This was full of fun and excitement. A lot of familiar characters and of course a few new ones . The storyline had just enough intrique to want to read more.
This was full of fun and excitement. A lot of familiar characters and of course a few new ones . The storyline had just enough intrique to want to read more.
Read
June 14, 2024Weird book. It was in the free library where I’m camping.
July 12, 2025
fast read
November 20, 2013
Kay Hooper has always been one of my favorite authors. She usually snags my attention in the first chapter and this book was no exception. When I started this series I didn't know what to expect. I had picked up book nine of the series and haven't read any of the others in a while. So it was like diving into the series brand new.
Once again, I instantly fell in love with her writing. I always forget how much I enjoy the way she paints pictures and draws you into the story.
I was slightly disappointed with the last portion of the book. I realize when you walk into a book about romance you pick it up knowing that there is going to be 'love' inside of the book. The first part of the novel was so detailed and well laid out that this last portion was a bit disappointing. The 'love' between Michael and Robin seemed to flourish to quickly making it unbelievable in my eyes. I know there is the love at first sight or first weekend or in this case first traumatic event ... but I would have preferred them taking a moment, a week, hell even three days, to fall in love.
That being said, I still loved this book. It was a great read and one that I didn't want to stop once I picked it up. I read it during lunch, I listened to it on my way to and from work, I devoured it in all the free time I had.
If you love Kay Hooper then you will like this book, because as always, she delivers the goods!
I rate this book 4.5 star
Once again, I instantly fell in love with her writing. I always forget how much I enjoy the way she paints pictures and draws you into the story.
I was slightly disappointed with the last portion of the book. I realize when you walk into a book about romance you pick it up knowing that there is going to be 'love' inside of the book. The first part of the novel was so detailed and well laid out that this last portion was a bit disappointing. The 'love' between Michael and Robin seemed to flourish to quickly making it unbelievable in my eyes. I know there is the love at first sight or first weekend or in this case first traumatic event ... but I would have preferred them taking a moment, a week, hell even three days, to fall in love.
That being said, I still loved this book. It was a great read and one that I didn't want to stop once I picked it up. I read it during lunch, I listened to it on my way to and from work, I devoured it in all the free time I had.
If you love Kay Hooper then you will like this book, because as always, she delivers the goods!
I rate this book 4.5 star
February 17, 2016
When Robin Stuart was plucked, drenched and shivering, from the stormy seas, she clung desperately to the arms that had reached for her - but had she escaped from one terror into another? She'd been too close to danger not to recognize it again in the savagely beautiful man who'd pulled her from the water. Michael Siran was tough, fearless, confident - and an expert at playing dangerous games, but from the moment the terrified siren with bewitching eyes grabbed him and held on tight, he was captured by something he could never let go. Michael trusted no one, but Robin insisted on sharing his mission, determined to prove herself by facing the demons that had always pursued her. Michael knew the odds were against them, but when the heat of Robin's need fed his own fire, a passion born in turmoil and fueled by peril made hedging his bets impossible...Could he make her understand that heroes are human, that her courage ran as deep as his love?
I did not like this book as much as the others. I almost skipped it, but figured it might have something happen that I would need to know for the next book. Neither character ever really connected with me. The girl's "I'm a failure" attitude annoyed me, but she finally got her act together. As for Siran, there was nothing I really disliked about him, but he didn't really knock my socks off either. So this book felt a little bit of a filler for me.
I did not like this book as much as the others. I almost skipped it, but figured it might have something happen that I would need to know for the next book. Neither character ever really connected with me. The girl's "I'm a failure" attitude annoyed me, but she finally got her act together. As for Siran, there was nothing I really disliked about him, but he didn't really knock my socks off either. So this book felt a little bit of a filler for me.
August 15, 2014
First off I don't like this cover. It isn't the cover on the book I read. Secondly, I love this author. Lastly, I'm sick and tired of reading of couples falling in love within hours of meeting each other and ending up in bed not even 24 hours later. That's ridiculous. I don't want to hear someone planning their wedding after a day. Besides that, I liked the danger story.
March 6, 2014
Thought I'd read all of her Hagen books, but I don't remember this one. Enjoyed.
June 7, 2014
Ok. Too much mystery stuff for me but ok. Quick read.
August 2, 2014
It was ok if you like heroines and not hero's the ladies did it all
February 20, 2015
Book 9! Wow I missed a lot. This was my first Kay Hooper book.
April 26, 2015
I just finished reading this book and found it to be a good read.
February 26, 2016
Weak. I know a romance novel is unrealistic, but there should be a line.
December 25, 2016
1.5-star read
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews