Broken Wing by Judith James

Historical romance with all the best adventure, plot twists, unusual characters and romanceby gl

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

June 18, 2009: Synopsis:

The book opens to Paris at the time of the French Revolution. Sarah, Lady Monroe, and her half-brother Ross, have come to find and rescue their younger brother Jamie who had disappeared five years past. Jamie had been in Maison de Joie, one of the better Parisian brothels. Gabriel, who had been surprised at his impulses, had protected little Jamie for years and was happy to hear of his friend's good fortune and desolate at losing his only friend. But Jamie refused to leave without his friend and protector Gabriel. So, Gabriel finds himself on an estate in England, companion and friend to Jamie and trying his best to keep from falling in love with the unconventional Sarah.

Sarah had been drawn to Gabriel from the moment that they'd met. Not only was he beautiful but he had tried to protect her brother at no small cost to himself. While he presents a cold and polished front, she sees his pain and draws out his love of life, music, and learning.

When Sarah and Gabriel finally come together, Gabriel leaves to prove himself and make his fortune to be able to provide for Sarah. He undertakes to join Davey as a privateer and finds himself in great danger. Though he escapes drowning, Gabriel must escape from slavers, mercenaries, and pirates along the Barbary Coast. Will he be able to find his way back to Sarah?

Review:

I suspected that I'd enjoy this book, just based on its blurb. But I hadn't expected it to be such a good read! I was unable to stop reading. I found both lead characters very sympathetic. It was unusual to have the male lead constantly objectified. While Lady Sarah is beautiful, she wasn't the focus of the descriptions of beauty. I enjoyed this twist - it was one of many unexpected aspects of the book.

The plot was chockfull of action from the first page. Pirates, Napoleon, privateers, slavers, possible duels - they all fit into the plot naturally and make for a fun and heartwrenching read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romances, pirate stories, and action filled love stories.

Beautiful!by timetravel

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

June 10, 2009: From the publisher:

Abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, Gabriel St. Croix has never known tenderness, friendship, or affection. Although fluent in sex, he knows nothing of love. Lost and alone inside a nightmare world, all he's ever wanted was companionship and a place to belong. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy façade, his only relationship is with a young boy he has spent the last five years protecting from the brutal reality of their environment. But all that is about to change. The boy's family has found him, and they are coming to take him home.

My review:

How wounded does a soul have to be before it is too late to turn it around? The character Gabriel, abused as a child and broken in spirit, takes the reader on a journey of the possibility of love and redemption. But is his psyche too badly bruised to heal? Sarah, strong willed and independent, can see beyond his gruff and emotionally detached manner. When his past comes back to haunt him, she may be the only one who can reach in and grab him back as he slips into an emotional nothingness. The author captures very well the traumatic aftermath of child sexual abuse.

While romance is not normally my chosen genre, the premise of this book appealed to me, and it did not disappoint. Broken Wing is much more than an historical romance, but also bursts into an action and adventure drama. Needing money, Gabriel takes off for the high seas engaging in dangerous but lucrative privateering. He then gets caught up in the horrors of war which only causes him to slide back emotionally.

This is a very well written book, stunning in its tragedy, and emotionally grabbing. The locations and situations are exciting and well described. The story moves quickly and smoothly, and each character is well developed. This book is very deserving of the 2009 IPPY Award (Gold) for Romance. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.