Ann Cockcroft

If I could figure out how, I'd have given this half a star less, as it didn't live up to my expectations. After reading another of her books, "Pirated Heart", (a.k.a. "Pirate Promise") which I really enjoyed, I was disappointed in this one. It started out good, buy then it (to use an old TV expression) "jumped the shark" about midway through. Ironically this happened right after the best part, the town horse race, and all the drama that went with it. There was a sabotage attempt, two fights, a stabbing and a seduction, following that race, they happened in quick succession, everything was faced paced and entertaining, and then it all fell flat.

Set in post Revolutionary New York, the story centers around Jewel Lockridge and Skye Mc Allister, whose families have not been on the best of terms, since a feud started years ago, and now Skye's father is going to buy the home and property of Jewel's grandfather (she, her widowed mother and younger sister live with him), who can't afford to pay the taxes, due to troubles resulting from having been a Loyalist. This is a problem for Jewel and Skye from the start, and it's not helped by the difference in their social standing either, as despite their wealth, the Mc Allisters don't have the genteel background of the Lockridges. In addition, Jewel is expected to marry an aspiring lawyer who meets with her grandfather's approval.

The story was good at first, as Skye pursues Jewel, who fights her attraction for him, as she's furious about having to lose the family home because his father can't let go of his anger, and she also has to deal with the stubbornness of her self righteous grandfather. Then, this all got to be repetitious, and Jewel's continual refusal to acknowledge that Skye truly cares for her was got annoying. Skye's apparent interest in another woman turned out to be a red herring, and was a wasted opportunity, as was Aaron, Jewel's dull suitor who sure didn't know his own mind, at first called Jewel a whore when he learned about her and Skye, and wanted nothing more to do with her, then said he still wanted to be friends, then claimed he loved her and still wanted to marry her, and challenged Skye to a really ridiculous duel. (When a duel falls flat, you know a book is in trouble.)

The whole matter of the feud is never really resolved, so you don't know who was more to blame or even exactly what happened, and Jewel leaving, Skye following, Jewel coming back before she knew he followed her, and Skye following her again was just plain DUMB.

I suggest you read "Pirate Promise" - by whatever title - and skip this one.… (més)

(A novel formerly known as "Pirate's Promise") This was an entertaining story, set in the early days of the American Revolution. It has a lot packed into only a little over 300 pages: piracy, captured ships, flu epidemic, indentured servitude, deception, hidden identities, masquerades, storms at sea, shipwreck, prison, fires, attempted rape, unwelcome amorous attentions, one broken engagement, another broken, mended, then broken again, true love facing misunderstanding, separation, competition, as well as passion and desire. Add to this quite a bit of info about ships, military strategy and American history and you've got yourself a real page turner!… (més)