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The Westmore Brothers #1
情熱のさざめき
A lord so sinful he is dubbed the "Duke of Rogues," Damian Westmore lives for pleasure—until the day his brother dies at the hands of pirates. Abandoning the libertine life to pursue revenge, Damian finds the criminals he seeks and joins their crew in disguise, waiting for the chance to strike the brigands down. But he never imagined there would be a woman on board—or that the stunning siren would inflame the very passions Damian swore to resist until his brother's death was avenged.
Beautiful, fiery Mirabelle Hawkins longs for the freedom of the high seas—so she stows away on her brother's pirate ship at the first opportunity. But she finds something more exciting than chase and plunder: a bold, handsome, secretive sailor whose touch makes her tremble with desire . . . but whose love is a cutlass that could destroy all she holds dear.
Beautiful, fiery Mirabelle Hawkins longs for the freedom of the high seas—so she stows away on her brother's pirate ship at the first opportunity. But she finds something more exciting than chase and plunder: a bold, handsome, secretive sailor whose touch makes her tremble with desire . . . but whose love is a cutlass that could destroy all she holds dear.
Paperback Bunko
First published October 31, 2006
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About the author
Alexandra Benedict
22 books163 followersALEXANDRA BENEDICT is the author of several historical romance novels published by Avon Books. She also writes fiction as an Indie Author. Her work has received critical acclaim from Booklist and a rare and coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly. Romantic Times awarded her a "Top Pick" review and raved: "There is nothing quite as exciting as finding a fresh, vibrant new voice, and Benedict has it!" All of Alexandra's books are translated into various languages. To learn more, visit her website at www.AlexandraBenedict.ca. Alexandra retired from writing in 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 8, 2019
I absolutely love the strong woman that Mirabelle was. She was strong-willed and was driven to become a pirate, despite everyone telling her otherwise, and I loved her character.
The romance aspect though is why I didn't rate it with 5 stars. The romance apesct of Mirabelle and Damian was rather... meh (for the lack of a better word). The two didn't really have a romantic relationship in my opinion, rather sex to ease their mind of wanting the other so badly. There wasn't an established relationship between the two (granted they were on a ship with her brothers, so it would be difficult, although this would have been very interesting if it played out like this).
I read this in one sitting and completely enjoyed it, and I will definitely pick up the next in the series.
The romance aspect though is why I didn't rate it with 5 stars. The romance apesct of Mirabelle and Damian was rather... meh (for the lack of a better word). The two didn't really have a romantic relationship in my opinion, rather sex to ease their mind of wanting the other so badly. There wasn't an established relationship between the two (granted they were on a ship with her brothers, so it would be difficult, although this would have been very interesting if it played out like this).
I read this in one sitting and completely enjoyed it, and I will definitely pick up the next in the series.
January 24, 2024
ewwwww
Overbearing male lead deciding that he can control what the female lead is allowed to do even though he has no relationship to (or with) her at all. Gross. And she is angry with him but also horny. Sure. Cool. Not.
Overbearing male lead deciding that he can control what the female lead is allowed to do even though he has no relationship to (or with) her at all. Gross. And she is angry with him but also horny. Sure. Cool. Not.
April 2, 2011
Once he was a notorious sinner, he was called the Duke of Rogues, but when his brother dies at the hands of pirates, Damian Westmore has but one thing on his mind, revenge. He is forced to take a job on board a merchant vessel when he is broke and needs to return to London. Never in a million years did he anticipate to join the same crew who killed his brother or come across a stunning siren, who just happen to be the captain’s sister. She stirs up all these emotions he has kept in check for so long and there is no denying their attraction for one another. How is he to strike down the pirates without hurting the feisty siren, the one who touches his heart…
Determined to be a pirate and to escape a dull life at the mainland, Mirabelle Hawkins has stowed away on board her brother’s pirate vessel. The infamous captain Black Hawk and her three other brothers are not happy to see her but decide to give her one chance to prove herself, provided that she is no distraction to the crew. From the moment she meets Damian she knows he is a temptation too great to resist. She cannot avoid him on board the ship nor can she reject his touch and kisses, but Damian is not who he appears to be. How can she give in to her desire for the one man who is bent on destroying her family…
Too Great A Temptation by Alexandra Benedict is the first part in the Too trilogy and it pleasantly surprised me for it was such a joy to read. From the first page I was immerged in a captivating story that demanded my full attention till the very last page and left me hungry for more. This story has a typical historical romance vibe, but at the same time it is refreshing and fast-paced to read.
A great part of this story takes place on board a pirate ship and this author lures you into her world with her superb writing skills. With a keen eye for detail she describes the day-to-day life on board the vessel, the struggle of being a woman in a man’s world and she builds up the underlying tension between her main characters to perfection. The dialogues sparkle, are snappy and full of wit. The plot is simple and human, but it keeps you enthralled.
You will immediately fall in love with the captivating and charming characters in this book. The main characters are Damian and Mirabelle (Belle), they are well-drawn and rounded. Damian is easy to figure out, he used to be a sinner all the way, he is weighed down by guilt over his brother’s death, now he has clean up his act and is trying to redeem himself by avenging his brother. Belle is not your average type of heroine, she is a feisty, pretty woman who speaks her mind and wants to be a pirate. But most of all she just wants to be accepted by her brothers, to belong somewhere. She has to be assertive otherwise she is completely carped by her overprotective brothers. Their interactions are passionate, snappy and brighten up the pages.
Damian to Belle and vice versa:
“You speak your mind most freely. It’s not what a proper miss would do.” “And what do you know of a proper miss, Damian?” “I know enough to suspect an innocent maid would never speak of things lustful … which leads me to believe you might not be a very innocent maid.” “Who I am is none of your affair.” “But you are my affair, Damian.”
The secondary characters immediately caught my eye. Belle’s brothers are hilarious, witty and they supply you with lots of snappy bickering. James is the leader, William is the even-tempered one, Edmund and Quincy are the youngest of the lot and are always at each other’s throats, they don’t care about propriety or order. Your heart cries out for Belle who has to deal with her overprotective, “loving” brothers. With secondary characters like these Hawkins boys you will keep flipping those pages faster and faster.
Quincy to Edmund and vice versa:
“What is the matter with her?” wondered Quincy. “I don’t know,” said Edmund, his attention back on his finger. “Maybe she’s having her monthly courses.” Quincy looked back at his brother. “I’m going to knock your teeth out for putting that thought in my head.”
With Too Great A Temptation Alexandra Benedict has written a story you will remember long after you have finished it. This story is the perfect combination of a heart rendering romance, fast-paced action, captivating characters and witty dialogues. In short, Alexandra Benedict provides you with top-notch reading material!
February 16, 2009
I realize half the point of a romance novel is the happy ending, and I loves me a happy ending as much as anyone else, but this story reached too hard, I think. It ended up being too pat, too convenient. Not only was everyone happy, but everyone was happy for everyone else's happiness. Given the violence intended and sometimes accomplished by the characters, the ending wound up being too simple.
I love strong female characters, especially when their actions actually agree with the narration. Too often the book tells you the heroine is fiery and stubborn, but she spends the whole time acting like a doormat. This is not the case with Mirabelle, which I was happy to see, but given that this is meant to be a historical, her attitudes were a little too modern for me to fully believe in her. She spent most of the book trying to convince her brothers to stop treating her like a woman, that she was the equal of any man. Their care of her was actually fairly progressive considering the time this is set, so I'm really not sure what she was complaining about. They even let her run around in tight pants the whole time, which would have been beyond scandalous in reality.
For a romance, there wasn't actually much in the way of romance. Damian and Mirabelle are consumed with lust over each other at first sight, and they both declare (privately, of course) the only peace they'll ever find is in each other's arms. But that's really about as much romance as we get, since they're too busy having sex to worry about silly things like affairs of the heart. I'll grant, the sex scenes were actually pretty hot, which is good, really, since that's all we really have to hinge the romance between the two main characters.
The main characters were interesting enough, but I was actually far more interested in a couple of the secondary characters. Mirabelle's youngest brother Quincy and her friend Henrietta (known as Henry) were quirky, fun characters, and I wanted to see more of them. Actually, I liked them enough to do a quick search, and found that Henrietta gets her own book, Too Scandalous To Wed, and I have to admit, I'm considering picking it up.
I love strong female characters, especially when their actions actually agree with the narration. Too often the book tells you the heroine is fiery and stubborn, but she spends the whole time acting like a doormat. This is not the case with Mirabelle, which I was happy to see, but given that this is meant to be a historical, her attitudes were a little too modern for me to fully believe in her. She spent most of the book trying to convince her brothers to stop treating her like a woman, that she was the equal of any man. Their care of her was actually fairly progressive considering the time this is set, so I'm really not sure what she was complaining about. They even let her run around in tight pants the whole time, which would have been beyond scandalous in reality.
For a romance, there wasn't actually much in the way of romance. Damian and Mirabelle are consumed with lust over each other at first sight, and they both declare (privately, of course) the only peace they'll ever find is in each other's arms. But that's really about as much romance as we get, since they're too busy having sex to worry about silly things like affairs of the heart. I'll grant, the sex scenes were actually pretty hot, which is good, really, since that's all we really have to hinge the romance between the two main characters.
The main characters were interesting enough, but I was actually far more interested in a couple of the secondary characters. Mirabelle's youngest brother Quincy and her friend Henrietta (known as Henry) were quirky, fun characters, and I wanted to see more of them. Actually, I liked them enough to do a quick search, and found that Henrietta gets her own book, Too Scandalous To Wed, and I have to admit, I'm considering picking it up.
June 2, 2013
Mirabelle is having a tough time becoming a pirate. After the death of her father, her brothers take it upon themselves to be her guardians. To their way of thinking, this involves leaving her living alone on family-owned land while they sail the seas as pirates.
After her first lonely spell, Mirabelle stows aboard their ship where she is not caught for two weeks. As her brothers attempt to get her safely back home, she does her best to get them to notice she is seaworthy. Her biggest obstacle comes in the form of Damien.
Poor Damien. Growing up he was never allowed to see his mother or brother,though they lived in the same home. As the eldest,his father saw fit to raise him alone and in the image of himself. By the age of thirteen, he was having sex, gambling, drinking, and smoking. His reputation around the town was that of a user and abuser. To make matters worse, he was a wealthy duke. After the death of his father, Damien sunk so low that he still cannot reach out to his mother. His only ray of hope lies with his brother Adam. After Adam is brutally slain, Damien puts his way of life behind him in search of revenge.
Once fortune and fate place Damien on the same ship as Mirabelle, the sexual tension immediately begins. Mirabelle is instantly pulled to Damien, but knows she must stay far away if she is to prove she is worthy of being a pirate and not a distraction to men.
Damien knows if he is to keep his cover as a seaman, he must stay away from Mirabelle. Revenge is worth more than a roll in the hay.
So the battle begins.
Though this was a well-told and exciting story, I must confess I was a bit disappointed. Too much graphic sex and too little romance left me feeling empty. However, the author has a wonderful way of writing that really kept me interested. I look forward to reading her future books to see her grow.
After her first lonely spell, Mirabelle stows aboard their ship where she is not caught for two weeks. As her brothers attempt to get her safely back home, she does her best to get them to notice she is seaworthy. Her biggest obstacle comes in the form of Damien.
Poor Damien. Growing up he was never allowed to see his mother or brother,though they lived in the same home. As the eldest,his father saw fit to raise him alone and in the image of himself. By the age of thirteen, he was having sex, gambling, drinking, and smoking. His reputation around the town was that of a user and abuser. To make matters worse, he was a wealthy duke. After the death of his father, Damien sunk so low that he still cannot reach out to his mother. His only ray of hope lies with his brother Adam. After Adam is brutally slain, Damien puts his way of life behind him in search of revenge.
Once fortune and fate place Damien on the same ship as Mirabelle, the sexual tension immediately begins. Mirabelle is instantly pulled to Damien, but knows she must stay far away if she is to prove she is worthy of being a pirate and not a distraction to men.
Damien knows if he is to keep his cover as a seaman, he must stay away from Mirabelle. Revenge is worth more than a roll in the hay.
So the battle begins.
Though this was a well-told and exciting story, I must confess I was a bit disappointed. Too much graphic sex and too little romance left me feeling empty. However, the author has a wonderful way of writing that really kept me interested. I look forward to reading her future books to see her grow.
January 27, 2013
DNF. Did not like the heroine, an innocent miss who wants to be a pirate. The characterization made me roll my eyes too many times. For a twenty something woman, part of pirate family and with five pirate brothers, she was beyond naive. She was stupid, thinking she could be young and beautiful and men would not take note or respond. Men are men and always will be. They won't behave like geldings, especially pirates. I've read much better characterizations of women who want to be or are pirates, far more enjoyable because they know how to use the power of womanhood to sway men to their cause.
As for the hero, a Duke on a quest for revenge, well he ain't no prize either. As a Duke, he could use his position, wealth and power to obtain an ships and men from the Crown to assist in his quest instead of going lone wolf, in disguise, not even telling his own crew who he is.
Don't romance writers understand what the title "Duke" means?
Moving on....
As for the hero, a Duke on a quest for revenge, well he ain't no prize either. As a Duke, he could use his position, wealth and power to obtain an ships and men from the Crown to assist in his quest instead of going lone wolf, in disguise, not even telling his own crew who he is.
Don't romance writers understand what the title "Duke" means?
Moving on....
September 12, 2008
so, this book was pretty sweet. i skimmed the last page because it was just too saccharine LOL. the hero's this hot guy who is bent on revenge. he's hunting down the pirates who killed his brother... spoiler--his brother isn't really dead...
anyway, he's torn because he loves this chick whose brothers are pirates...he almost kills them; he even goes so far as to lock her in a dungeon to set a trap for them. yeah. so of course, happy ending.
anyway, he's torn because he loves this chick whose brothers are pirates...he almost kills them; he even goes so far as to lock her in a dungeon to set a trap for them. yeah. so of course, happy ending.
February 13, 2015
I do so enjoy a good Pirate romance. It was a nice change to see a woman as the pirate for once. She was a tough cookie, who knew what she wanted. Mirabelle ended up being swept off her feet by a Rogue who didn't want her to be a pirate. Damian had his own agenda and at times thought himself not worthy of love.
November 18, 2016
I'm peeved at giving only two stars to a Pirate story, but really, the berating and downplaying of woman's at sea was awful. And un redeemed in the end. The girl is amazingly resourceful but finally it was just her place in life to stay at home because "love"
March 11, 2010
This book was good enough to make me want go read more from this author.
January 15, 2012
Rated 3.5
April 8, 2012
The plot was rather obvious but it was nice to read a pirate-themed romance novel again, they seem to have gone out of fashion.
March 30, 2016
Yes, good,...I liked the brothers and Damian,....but she was very soft, for a pirate!
I hope to read one day about James,..he is cool!
I hope to read one day about James,..he is cool!
September 25, 2009
Regency
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews