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Beloved Outcast
THE CRUEL HAND OF FATE...
Beautiful Nicole D'Arcenaux is unjustly accused of killing a gendarme and is sentenced to death by hanging. But her sentence is commuted to deportation to the harsh Louisiana colonies where she is expected to "comfort" the women-starved settlers of the Mississippi Delta. Thrust into a savage world where her beauty becomes a target for brute lust and exploitation, Nicole suffers innumerable depravities as hope for the future dies coldly in her heart.
But then she meets renegade sea captain Paul Dawson, whose fierce smile and deep blue eyes awaken a burgeoning passion in her. There, on his ship, in the battle-swept waters off the Florida coast, they find a tenuous love amidst the fiery Spanish warships ruled by ruthless Rodrigo Escobar -- Dawson's most hated enemy. And when fate sweeps Nicole into the brutal Spaniard's hands, he uses her to lure Dawson into a desperate battle where old debts are finally settled, and a new love struggles to survive the bitter ravages of war...
Beautiful Nicole D'Arcenaux is unjustly accused of killing a gendarme and is sentenced to death by hanging. But her sentence is commuted to deportation to the harsh Louisiana colonies where she is expected to "comfort" the women-starved settlers of the Mississippi Delta. Thrust into a savage world where her beauty becomes a target for brute lust and exploitation, Nicole suffers innumerable depravities as hope for the future dies coldly in her heart.
But then she meets renegade sea captain Paul Dawson, whose fierce smile and deep blue eyes awaken a burgeoning passion in her. There, on his ship, in the battle-swept waters off the Florida coast, they find a tenuous love amidst the fiery Spanish warships ruled by ruthless Rodrigo Escobar -- Dawson's most hated enemy. And when fate sweeps Nicole into the brutal Spaniard's hands, he uses her to lure Dawson into a desperate battle where old debts are finally settled, and a new love struggles to survive the bitter ravages of war...
- GenresHistorical Romance
429 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 23, 2021
This book was written in what I call the transitional period for romance novels, which began in the mid 1980's. Bodice rippers were being reformed, as lust gave way to love, rape gave way to unsuccessful attempts and unfaithfulness gave way to honor and trust. Morality was wining the war and debauchery began to wave the white flag. "Beloved Outcast" is a good example.
The h, Nicole D'Arecenaux, is arrested for murder, as no one believes her true story of self defense, and falsely (and literally) branded a harlot. She meets the H, Captain Paul Dawson, when he mistakes her for a prostitute, and yes, he technically rapes her, but he honestly believed she was a "working girl", and felt remorse when he discovered she had been a virgin. He then purchased her from her captors and took her aboard his ship, but didn't force himself on her after that (another change that was taking place, as before it wasn't unusual for the H to rape the h more than once). He sought to gain her trust, which took some time (and who could blame her, after all she'd been through) but when the ship was attacked and she thought he might be killed, Nicole admitted her true feelings and soon they both declared their love and got married.
Of course, that didn't put an end to their troubles, as they were soon separated, when he went back to sea, as he was British, and was helping England (along with France) to fight Spain for control of land and sea around the Mississippi. Soon, Nicole gets word that Paul was captured and hanged, while attempting to rescue her from his archenemy, Rodrigo Escobar, who has made Nicole his prisoner.
Had this been written a few years earlier, Nicole would no doubt have been raped by Escobar and forced to submit to all kinds of depravity, then, as a lovely young widow, she'd have been desired by many men, and would have given in to one (or more) of them with orgasms galore. But instead, Escobar's attempt at rape is a failure (and I won't spoil the story by telling the reason) and while she's definitely desired by more than one man, she has no interest in any of them, her heart still belongs to her beloved, as well as to his unborn child.
I won't say anymore of the story, except that you can read it without feeling like you have to take a bath afterward. You'll also learn a bit of colonial history in the bargain.
Just a thought: I think the reason those early BR books were so popular, despite all the violence and immorality, is because it was the first time sex scenes were able to be written in books, without them having to be sold in brown paper wrapping, in fear of the morals squad. It was such a novelty, that readers accepted it no matter how crude. Later, when he novelty wore off, better judgment prevailed, and readers wanted more romance rather than meaningless sex, seduction rather than rape, and an entertaining storyline rather than a chaotic mess. A vast improvement, indeed!
The h, Nicole D'Arecenaux, is arrested for murder, as no one believes her true story of self defense, and falsely (and literally) branded a harlot. She meets the H, Captain Paul Dawson, when he mistakes her for a prostitute, and yes, he technically rapes her, but he honestly believed she was a "working girl", and felt remorse when he discovered she had been a virgin. He then purchased her from her captors and took her aboard his ship, but didn't force himself on her after that (another change that was taking place, as before it wasn't unusual for the H to rape the h more than once). He sought to gain her trust, which took some time (and who could blame her, after all she'd been through) but when the ship was attacked and she thought he might be killed, Nicole admitted her true feelings and soon they both declared their love and got married.
Of course, that didn't put an end to their troubles, as they were soon separated, when he went back to sea, as he was British, and was helping England (along with France) to fight Spain for control of land and sea around the Mississippi. Soon, Nicole gets word that Paul was captured and hanged, while attempting to rescue her from his archenemy, Rodrigo Escobar, who has made Nicole his prisoner.
Had this been written a few years earlier, Nicole would no doubt have been raped by Escobar and forced to submit to all kinds of depravity, then, as a lovely young widow, she'd have been desired by many men, and would have given in to one (or more) of them with orgasms galore. But instead, Escobar's attempt at rape is a failure (and I won't spoil the story by telling the reason) and while she's definitely desired by more than one man, she has no interest in any of them, her heart still belongs to her beloved, as well as to his unborn child.
I won't say anymore of the story, except that you can read it without feeling like you have to take a bath afterward. You'll also learn a bit of colonial history in the bargain.
Just a thought: I think the reason those early BR books were so popular, despite all the violence and immorality, is because it was the first time sex scenes were able to be written in books, without them having to be sold in brown paper wrapping, in fear of the morals squad. It was such a novelty, that readers accepted it no matter how crude. Later, when he novelty wore off, better judgment prevailed, and readers wanted more romance rather than meaningless sex, seduction rather than rape, and an entertaining storyline rather than a chaotic mess. A vast improvement, indeed!
July 15, 2025
Beloved Outcast
This book is a really good read. It has romance, action and a happily ever after ending. I highly recommend this book.
This book is a really good read. It has romance, action and a happily ever after ending. I highly recommend this book.
October 24, 2023
This was a good story, with some history thrown in. I liked both the H and h, Paul and Nicole, and could sure sympathize with all they had to go through, and how unfairly they were both treated! it was fun, the way he was determined to win her over, in spite of how badly things got started (there was the familiar "he thought a virgin was a whore" episode, but it's not done in a way where it leaves you angry or offended), even though he had to "purchase her in order to rescue her!
And once she falls for him, she gives him her body, heart and soul! There's is a true love match!
There are enough exciting moments (escape attempts, battles at sea, a near fatal encounter with quicksand, being held prisoner by a vengeful Spaniard with a score to settle with Paul, rescues, travels through swamps and jungles, etc.) to keep you from being bored, and makes for fast reading.
Worth your time!
And once she falls for him, she gives him her body, heart and soul! There's is a true love match!
There are enough exciting moments (escape attempts, battles at sea, a near fatal encounter with quicksand, being held prisoner by a vengeful Spaniard with a score to settle with Paul, rescues, travels through swamps and jungles, etc.) to keep you from being bored, and makes for fast reading.
Worth your time!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews