Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Helpful Score: 1
Terrific book. I am heartbroken at the knowledge there will be no more Malory books (RIP Johanna Lindsey). They are always full of emotion, fun, heat, and the importance of family. This book is the follow-on to Stormy Persuasion, in which Jack was kidnapped as part of a revenge plot. She escaped unharmed and now harbors an intense desire to get revenge of her own on the man who captured her.
As this book opens, James Malory prepares to set off with his fleet to settle the score with the old nemesis who was behind Jack's kidnapping. In typical Malory fashion, he looks forward to the confrontation. What he doesn't enjoy is being pestered by Jack, who feels it's also her right to go along and doesn't take well to being told no. An intriguing masked stranger gives Jack something else to concentrate on until she figures out why he fascinates her. Convinced he is the man she dubbed "Bastard," she and Jeremy and their friend Derek plot to capture him and bring him to justice. Their plans go awry when he captures them instead, and they find themselves headed back to the Caribbean.
This was a fast start to the book, and the pace didn't change much throughout the story. I loved the encounter between Jack and the masked man at the ball. The sparks between them were undeniable, and I was surprised that Jack didn't immediately suspect who he was. But then again, her anger over the whole kidnapping was just as intense as it had been, and likely overwhelmed the attraction. I loved what it was that gave it away and wasn't surprised that she threw herself into revenge mode. I was glad that she was smart enough to enlist Jeremy and Derek to help her. I was unsurprised that he was prepared for them, though that didn't lessen the intensity of the scene at the docks. Jack's fury is just as hot this time, and she doesn't give in easily. She certainly gets "Bastard's" attention with her impromptu swim, even though it didn't last long. She quickly realizes that she is stuck on board until they reach the islands and plans accordingly.
"Bastard," aka Damon Ross, has no intention of bringing any harm to Jack. She is a pawn in an elaborate game. Damon was forced into this kidnapping, but also uses it for his own ends. He has a score to settle with Jack's father and is willing to use her to make it happen. The problem is that she still fascinates and captivates him.
I loved watching their relationship develop. Jack is angry and delights in trying to push Damon's buttons. It's frustrating for her when she only gets amusement in return. Meanwhile, Damon's fascination with Jack continues to grow. He is also fairly blatant about his attraction to her and uses that to his advantage. It was fun to see Jack's attitude undergo a slow change as she began to realize that there were things that didn't add up. Though she calls him a pirate, he doesn't behave like one. He's let slip a few things that lead her to believe that there is more to her kidnapping than she knows. It isn't long before Jack's fascination with Damon matches his for her.
However, the growing feelings between Damon and Jack aren't all that is going on. The tensions on the ship are high because the crew is split between Damon's men and actual pirates. They were forced on him by the man behind Jack's kidnapping. There are quite a few intense scenes where Damon is all that stands between the pirates and Jack. As they draw closer to the islands, Damon finally reveals the truth to Jack, Jeremy, and Derek, as they seek a way to move the odds in their favor. And let's not forget James Malory, who is not happy (to put it mildly) to find out about Jack's abduction. The initial meeting between James and Damon was everything I expected and more. There are some exciting twists and turns as James and Damon have to work together to bring down their common enemy. That still doesn't help Damon get his heart's desire, as James whisks Jack back to England.
Damon isn't about to give up and follows as quickly as he can. The obstacles remain; however, the biggest being Jack's father. While hoping to let time soften the resistance (hah!), Damon visits his grandmother's home, where he receives one shock after another. In the meantime, Jack's mother plans another ball, which Jack requests to be a masquerade. I loved the feeling of closing a circle. There were some hilarious moments at the ball, as both Georgina and James get their licks in, but it's Jack who wins the day. I loved the ending as she and Damon get what they want. I also loved the last line, which went to James, "Where do they keep the bloody brandy here?"
As this book opens, James Malory prepares to set off with his fleet to settle the score with the old nemesis who was behind Jack's kidnapping. In typical Malory fashion, he looks forward to the confrontation. What he doesn't enjoy is being pestered by Jack, who feels it's also her right to go along and doesn't take well to being told no. An intriguing masked stranger gives Jack something else to concentrate on until she figures out why he fascinates her. Convinced he is the man she dubbed "Bastard," she and Jeremy and their friend Derek plot to capture him and bring him to justice. Their plans go awry when he captures them instead, and they find themselves headed back to the Caribbean.
This was a fast start to the book, and the pace didn't change much throughout the story. I loved the encounter between Jack and the masked man at the ball. The sparks between them were undeniable, and I was surprised that Jack didn't immediately suspect who he was. But then again, her anger over the whole kidnapping was just as intense as it had been, and likely overwhelmed the attraction. I loved what it was that gave it away and wasn't surprised that she threw herself into revenge mode. I was glad that she was smart enough to enlist Jeremy and Derek to help her. I was unsurprised that he was prepared for them, though that didn't lessen the intensity of the scene at the docks. Jack's fury is just as hot this time, and she doesn't give in easily. She certainly gets "Bastard's" attention with her impromptu swim, even though it didn't last long. She quickly realizes that she is stuck on board until they reach the islands and plans accordingly.
"Bastard," aka Damon Ross, has no intention of bringing any harm to Jack. She is a pawn in an elaborate game. Damon was forced into this kidnapping, but also uses it for his own ends. He has a score to settle with Jack's father and is willing to use her to make it happen. The problem is that she still fascinates and captivates him.
I loved watching their relationship develop. Jack is angry and delights in trying to push Damon's buttons. It's frustrating for her when she only gets amusement in return. Meanwhile, Damon's fascination with Jack continues to grow. He is also fairly blatant about his attraction to her and uses that to his advantage. It was fun to see Jack's attitude undergo a slow change as she began to realize that there were things that didn't add up. Though she calls him a pirate, he doesn't behave like one. He's let slip a few things that lead her to believe that there is more to her kidnapping than she knows. It isn't long before Jack's fascination with Damon matches his for her.
However, the growing feelings between Damon and Jack aren't all that is going on. The tensions on the ship are high because the crew is split between Damon's men and actual pirates. They were forced on him by the man behind Jack's kidnapping. There are quite a few intense scenes where Damon is all that stands between the pirates and Jack. As they draw closer to the islands, Damon finally reveals the truth to Jack, Jeremy, and Derek, as they seek a way to move the odds in their favor. And let's not forget James Malory, who is not happy (to put it mildly) to find out about Jack's abduction. The initial meeting between James and Damon was everything I expected and more. There are some exciting twists and turns as James and Damon have to work together to bring down their common enemy. That still doesn't help Damon get his heart's desire, as James whisks Jack back to England.
Damon isn't about to give up and follows as quickly as he can. The obstacles remain; however, the biggest being Jack's father. While hoping to let time soften the resistance (hah!), Damon visits his grandmother's home, where he receives one shock after another. In the meantime, Jack's mother plans another ball, which Jack requests to be a masquerade. I loved the feeling of closing a circle. There were some hilarious moments at the ball, as both Georgina and James get their licks in, but it's Jack who wins the day. I loved the ending as she and Damon get what they want. I also loved the last line, which went to James, "Where do they keep the bloody brandy here?"
