Crystal Passion

McClellan Brothers #1

by Jo Goodman

Ashley is drugged by her evil guardian, the Duke of Linfield, and offered as a prostitute to Captain Salem McClellan, who then feels obligated to rescue her.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, American Revolution, British Literature, American Revolutionary War, American

494 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1985

About the author

To find characters to illustrate my first family saga, I cut out models from the Sears catalogue. I was in fourth grade, but it was a start. In seventh grade I wrote a melodrama about two orphan sisters, one of whom was pregnant. There was also a story about a runaway girl with the unlikely name of Strawberry and one about mistaken identities and an evil blind date. My supportive, but vaguely concerned parents, sighed with relief when I announced I was going to write children's books. They bought me an electric typewriter and crossed their fingers, but somehow PASSION'S BRIDE came out. No one was really surprised.
I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry and some notion that I would do marine research. Years of competitive swimming didn't help me anticipate seasickness. A career change seemed in order. I began working with adolescents and families, first as a childcare worker and later, after graduating from West Virginia University with a master's degree in counseling, as a therapist. I am currently the executive director of a child caring/mental health agency and find my work and my writing often compliment each other. One grounds me in reality and the other offers a break from it.

Reviews

[Mary23nm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the original un(re)edited version of Crystal Passion. I thought it was very entertaining for the first half, and was headed for a 4 star rating. The second half had pages and pages of unneccesary flirty and sexy times between the hero and heroine that I just skimmed through. There was a confrontation with the crazy mistress of the evil villain, her subsequent death and finding out the villain is in fact, not dead. I was very disappointed with the (non)ending, but then realized this was a series. 3.5/5 stars
(The author has edited Author's Cut versions now available on kindle.)

[vaneeta naik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is d 1st book in "McClellan Brothers" series by Jo Goodman ...i loved d book ...it was Excellent...

This is the story of Ashley, an orphan under guardianship of Nigel who is a vicious personality with a twisted soul and tries to bend others to his will, using every conceivable evil way to do so. Ashley succeeds in escaping his grip in England by sailing to America with Captain Salem McClellan . On the journey across the ocean Ashley & Salem discover, passion, heartache and love ...Ashley and Salem, r strong,sensible,level headed characters whose journey together makes a very good story ...

The plot is captivating & well written ... There is thrill , adventure , suspense, action ,Romance ,Sex all elements to make a good book...the story keeps u hooked on not one moment u r bored ...Jo has a good gripon her presentation of a story...

Crystal Passion is a sweeping historical romance that spans from England to the colonies at the beginning of the American Revolution. The descriptions & research done by Jo Goodman on d Revolution is superb ...the details very interesting ...good work Jo keep it up...


"I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many facets to this story that it is difficult to know where to begin. That being said, the book is very well written without any obvious editing errors, and covers an era that has been well researched. The plot starts off with an element of darkness as Ashley’s guardian, the Duke of Linfield treats her with the kind of cruelty that is not only obsessive and vindictive, but also arouses emotions of anger in the reader. His mistress Davina is equally obsessed with Ashley, but for different reasons. When Captain Salem McClellan visits the estate at the invitation of Davina, he is furious when he realises that he has walked into a trap. Having thwarted the Duke’s plans without him realising it, Salem makes a hasty retreat, but the Duke is unfortunately not finished with his vindictive purposes for him. From there the story takes on a more adventurous element when Ashley realises that she has something worth fighting for. A romance under dubious circumstances evolves and it is only when Ashley and Salem reach the Colonies that Ashley finds the full truth of the matter. Finding herself in the middle of the American Revolution, Ashley has some choices to make and when Davina arrives on the scene, Ashley questions whether she will ever be safe. The story is exciting and holds the reader’s attention from start to finish, and as a non-American I found the history behind the Revolution very interesting. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book. This is my honest review.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the saga of Ashley, an orphan under guardianship of Nigel, whose relationship to her is unclear until the middle of the book. Nigel is a twisted soul and tries to bend others to his will, using every conceivable evil way to do so. Ashley succeeds in escaping his grip in England by sailing to America, never dreaming Nigel will try to claw her back to England. She suffers several harrowing escapes in the course of the story.
If that was all there was to the book, I would not have enjoyed it. The redeeming factor is Salem, the young man who appears early in the story, is rescued by her from prison and returns to America I with her to his family. We then have a sweet love story developing along the way, interspersed with the shenanigans of Nigel. Their love is true, and it is a joy to watch their life unfold.
The story ends with Nigel still alive after yet another attempt to steal Ashley from Salem. Clearly, there will need to be another book to finish him off so Ashley and Salem can live happily ever after, if that is in the cards for their story.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book. This is my honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

With no options left for her and in pursuit of her hateful guardian, the Duke of Linfield, Ashley makes an escape with Captain Salem McClellan to the wilds of America. On the journey over things take a different turn as Ashley is unsure of her feelings and those of the Captain.

I liked Salem, he had a strong sense of what was right and wrong and he fought for those he loved. Ashley in her own right was a powerful heroine, she was able to stand up to her attacker by whatever means she could and devise a plan to make a better life for herself.

[Dorine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4.5 - CRYSTAL PASSION by Jo Goodman cured my romance reading moratorium. The pandemic and the political unrest this year eliminated my ability to read for pleasure. I tried everything – new, old, unusual, weird, and completely out of my comfort zone. Nothing appealed. I tossed more books unfinished than ever in my life. Finally, this book written in 1985 gave me comfort and revived my love of romantic historical fiction.

See this review in full color at my blog, TheZestQuest.com.

Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR? Our theme for this month’s TBR Challenge is exactly why this book was on my digital shelf. Jo Goodman is my favorite historical western romance writer. Our theme was to find a “comfort read”. What can be more comforting than a favorite author? Well, there’s more to that comfort reading than I knew I was in for with this book.

I started reading historical romance fiction in the 1980s. Yes, I know I’m dating myself, but this old lady is beyond caring about who knows she’s old, especially when her mind doesn’t agree, even if her body refuses to listen. I had overindulged in all the historical fiction I could find, after discovering it in the late 1970s. I fell upon historical romance by accident, which instigated my love for this style of historical fiction that has been with me ever since.

So, the fact that Jo Goodman writes my favored historical romance westerns didn’t phase me when this book began in England in 1775. Once I realized this was going to be a late colonial, my absolute favorite period in American history, I was digging in with my whole heart. These stories are a rarity and I was beyond excited to find this one.

It didn’t disappoint. Oh sure, it has a lot of the nuances of 1980s historical romance that can be maddening to us modern historical romance readers, but I did not care. I loved it all. Even the bits that normally make me roll my eyes and scream at the heroine for being so stupid. And I yelled at the hero, too, for being a jerk and not realizing he had lain with the heroine in his ill stupor. She was mortified, of course, and didn’t tell him.

It all makes sense in the end and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. That’s because both characters are good people in unusual circumstances. They’re easy to forgive because they’re so likable.

What I loved most was all the detail about the Sons of Liberty and the unfolding of possible treason that sounded all too familiar. This was the time of American democracy and I couldn’t wait to read more. It was exactly what I needed. I wanted to feel good about our freedoms and where we started.

CRYSTAL PASSION is book one of THE MCCLELLANS SERIES. I downloaded all three books when I found the first one, then set them aside for someday. I’m glad I had them in my stash, because I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. SEASWEPT ABANDON is book two and TEMPTING TORMENT is book three.

At 448 pages, CRYSTAL PASSION is a large book. Toward the middle, I thought the book was ending and was pleasantly surprised when we were treated to the early days of this couple’s life together. This gave me a chance to get to know the McClellan clan, as well as imagine where Jo Goodman will take us next. If you love a detailed historical full of adventure, evil men set on controlling others, and a lively group of men and women who strive to win against anything put before them while falling in love, then I think you’ll enjoy this one, too.

P.S. – it’s good to be back writing on my blog again. I have a lot planned for the future, including posts on gardening, recipes, and travel, and I’m excited about the year to come. I hope you’ll join me. Happy 2021!

Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. A digital copy was purchased by me. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media. #RomBkBlog #TBRChallenge

[Bronte Dickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid read overall—very much what I’ve come to expect from Jo Goodman. Her characters always have depth, and that’s true here as well. No one feels entirely perfect or entirely villainous, which gives the story a more realistic emotional texture. Ashley is a feisty heroine and Salem is a capable, confident hero, which is a pairing I generally enjoy.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the playful dynamic between Salem and Ashley. Their teasing and banter felt natural and affectionate, and Salem’s attitude around her is often surprisingly light. That sense of playfulness also extends to Salem’s family, who bring a fun, sarcastic energy whenever they appear. Those interactions added warmth and charm to the story and helped balance some of the heavier elements.

That said, the story itself felt a bit slow at times. While I appreciated the setting in Virginia, I personally tend to gravitate more toward maritime or adventure-based historical settings (captains, ships, etc.) rather than plantation-centered stories, so that may have influenced my engagement with the plot.

I also think part of the pacing issue came from the romance developing fairly early in the book. Salem and Ashley settle into their relationship quickly, which is refreshing in some ways—there’s very little miscommunication or unnecessary conflict between them. I actually appreciated that their relationship felt healthy and supportive, especially when they’re facing challenges together. Watching them grow closer as a couple and strengthen their partnership was satisfying.

However, the lack of relational conflict also made the overall story feel a little slower and less suspenseful. It’s one of those trade-offs: the relationship is mature and steady, but the plot sometimes loses momentum because of it.

Even though I didn’t connect as strongly with Salem and Ashley as I’ve connected with some of Goodman’s other couples, I still enjoyed parts of their journey and the family dynamic around them. I’m definitely interested in continuing with the series to see where it goes next.

Rating: 3/5

[Nabilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with some other reviewers; unfortunately, this book fell short of the mark. The writing is definitely less polished compared to her later works. If you've never tried her books, please don't start with this one. It'll put you off her works, which is a shame since she is such a gifted author. Her American Westerns are a favorite of mine. The first half is not bad, but the second half is simply tedious. I've never skim-read any of her books, but I did with this one after the 70% mark. Ashley is simply the kind of heroine I dislike; Too Stupid To Live (TSTL). Salem is not that bad, but I'm so used to her heroes being the bee's knees (protective, but not alpha). So, this one was just an okay read.

[Tapa in lovezone · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s not a bad book but I was zoning out.
The H seems sweet and the h was sweet too.
And that’s the problem I guess. Both were sweet. Too sweet for my taste.
There chemistry was sweet.
I’m in mood for some heavy intense book. Angst will be appreciated.
This book though started out well, was dragging a lot. Very long.
Also when the H was introduced, it seemed that he will be the one who will help the Cinderella h. But it turns out that the h has to rescue him. I’m not really into this kind of role reversal. I want my heroes to do the rescuing (not that the H wasn’t trying here but he was in the prison so he couldn’t).

Not a bad book but not in the mood.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story that took place in two countries. Ashley Lynne and Salem McClellan met due to the machinations of her guardian, Nigel, Duke of Linfield.
Quite an adventure follows as Ashley tries to out manoeuvre her guardian. At times there was plenty of action but at other times, the storyline seemed quite slow. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, although there are still some problems to solve, probably in the next book. I received a copy from eBooks Discovery and have voluntarily and honestly reviewed it.

[Giulia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to muddle through it since I did enjoy previous books from the author
but alas, the characters or story were not memorable to me
a huge plot hole that ate at me was Salem's mission... his parents knew that it was a woman he should be looking for and yet told him it was a horse
???? and he only discovered the truth because he accidentally saw her naked
...
I couldnt get over how nonsensical that was


Ashley was constantly getting on my nerves, her self-pitying was too much to handle

[Joan Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

This book had a captivating story with likable characters that kept me entertained throughout. The only thing that bothered me was that the Duke never paid for the evil he committed and we are left with the fact that his obsession with Ashley wouldn't end. Maybe this will be resolved in other books from the series. I thoroughly enjoyed the romance between Salem and Ashley and found their interactions amusing. Highly recommended.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Drags along

This is not Goldman's finest. The heroine,a character starts off as a timid girl trapped by an evil guardian, immediately morphs into this brazen hellion who masterminds as escape from Newgate prison, moves back into a trembling neurotic , and continues to fluctuate back and forth. The hero isn't much better. The plot is okay if one can move past the annoying characters and the sex scenes every chapter but it isn't enough to save the book. This one can be missed.

[Gia Monet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. I was captivated from the very first page and could not put it down. Characters (both protagonists and antagonists) are vividly drawn. Plot is tightly woven and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommend. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars ~ A Good solid read. Ms. Goodman has the knack of combining moments of humor during Salem's and Ashley's pillow talk that enriches the love scenes and makes them heart~warmingly real. There is also a nice mix of good~natured familial humor, fairly empathic history, adventure, madness and evil obsession in this delightful book.

P.S. ~ "I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review."

[merilie Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story!

I loved this book. It was romantic and sweet. I was wary in one part of this story where the villain intimated that our hero and heroine were siblings. It's not true..sorry if it's a spoiler. Loved both Salem and Ashley and the whole McClellan family. I'm ready to read the next book

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A great story! It had me hooked. I felt so much for Ashley Lynne! She is a survivor and comes out stronger than ever. Who could not also love Ashley's rescuer, Salem McClellan, who is a Colonial visiting England to get a "Prized Filly" for his father! I will say no more because if you like this genre you will want to read this book.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Skip this one. CW: attempted rape, intended setup for rape, "pretend" rape where the supposed good guy takes an awful lot of liberties. It read like a rape fantasy, which is very much not my thing.

This author's more recent books are pretty good. This one was first published in 1985 and was impossible for me to get through. DNF @ 18%

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was a good one that there was too many sex scenes. I like a good sex scene as well as the next person, but it was just repetitious after a while. The other complaint I have about the book is the editing. There were so many editing errors that it became difficult to ignore them… They got in the way of enjoying the book.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

It shows that this is an earlier work. Jo Goodman writes well but if you want to try one of her books do not be put off by this one that meanders all over the place. The story in England was fine but maybe it should have ended there. I liked the characters.

[Gwendolyn A. Pack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great beginning!!

This book is part of a series. The romantic storyline is very believable with realistic historical facts written into the story; making it a great read! I can’t wait to read the second book in the series!

[Robyn Echols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

Quite a story of a sweet girl raised by one nasty uncle, plot full of action and suspense. Good characters, and a plot that starts in England and continues in the colonies.

[Cecily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love a Jo Goodman, and an early one at that. Ashley's plight is a little on the wrong side of horrible in the early parts of this book and time has not been kind to the 'sex whilst feverish' plot device but overall it was a cracking read.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good historical romance

There was a lot of history and intrigue in this Love story. Salem and Ashley loved each other but because of the lies Nigel told her she was confused. But love won out in the end.

[Ellyn (Mrs. Darcy in my Dreams) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not as good as Goodman's later books. My favorite is still In Want of a Wife. You can tell this is an early book and so it is a good beginning.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started well, but sank into absolute disarray and became boring. It was a ton of filler and no action

[Valerie Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy the historical background of the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

[Roo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A neutral ratings, as I didn’t finish it. Well written but I wasn’t in the mood for a long, ‘80s book. I may try it at another time.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley was a rebellious young woman with a strong sense of what is right. Initially, her actions are to protect Salem from the destructive machinations of the Duke of Linfield, but she also has a soft spot for the man who saved her virtue by making the duke think he had taken it. Ashley is repeatedly put to the test to survive both her uncle's attempts to control her and her life as well as the American revolution. Salem falls almost instantly in love with Ashley and repeatedly has to save her from one danger after another.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ashley is a ward to her uncle who wants to marry her off in exchange for a horse. When she threatens to have the marriage annulled, her uncle decides he'll just make sure she goes to the marriage without her virginity and he sends his mistress off to find someone to get rid of that for her. She brings back Salem McClelland, who is drugged and placed in the room with an equally drugged Ashley. Long episode short, Salem decides to rescue Ashley but gets himself captured and jailed. So it's Ashley who rescues Salem and afterward they set sail for America. But weeks spent in prison cause Salem to become sick and in one of his nightly fevers Salem accidentally rapes Ashley. He wakes up with no memory of it. It's important to note at this point, that Ashley believes Salem is her brother. When they arrive in the U.S. and have settled in with Salem's family, Ashley learns that she is not Salem's sister, that she is pregnant with Salem's child and that she loves him. He loves her too, but they still have to worry about Ashley's uncle, who wants her back and the pesky little Revolutionary war that the McClelland family have gotten themselves caught up in.

Only in retelling do I realize how much of a soap opera this actually is. This is definitely interesting. In fact, the drama and angsty were enough that I would have given this a 4-star rating if it had ended somewhere around the 60% mark, after Ashley and Salem were married and she was giving birth. If they had thwarted the Duke and ended the story there, then this would have been great. But it dragged on afterwards with Salem acting the spy for the rebels and going through the daily routine of being married...not quite as exciting.