Frenchman's Creek

Rating:
Summary: A Creatively Twisted Love Story
Review: I enjoyed this a great deal because it was not the typical historical romantic novel. Although this took place in the 17th century I believe that some in the modern world could relate to Lady St. Columb. It is as though she is having mid-life crises even though she is only near thirty. She has fallen out of love with her husband and is bored with her life in London. She decides that she needs time away from both her husband and London society, so she gathers her children and heads to the family estate in Cornwall. There she finds the peace and quite she has been longing for as well as an adventurous pirate. She and the pirate are instantly attracted to each other. He is everything that she longs for in her life offering her friendship, reckless adventure, fantasy and is without responsibilities. She is torn with having to making decisions with which she will have to live for ever.

The story was wonderfully written. I found it hard to feel sorry for Dona because her character is very selfish, thinking only of herself. I felt a bit of compassion for her husband; he was completely clueless to the things that went on around him. The attraction between Dona and The Frenchman was largely based on mental attraction and the love for adventure, which helped ease the disappointment that it lacked lust. It leaves you wondering about physical and truly emotional attraction between Dona and the Frenchman, especially if you are accustomed to reading romance novels. The fact that it deals with adultery makes for an emotional read. I found myself feeling tugged in different directions, wanting her to be with pirate and keeping her family together. It is some what sad that she feels trapped and unhappy with her life. I would only recommend this novel to someone who enjoyed adventure with a bit of romance, but if you are a true lover of romance this book may leave you a little disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: A satisfying read
Review: If you like historical romances and can enjoy one even if it lacks the "sensuality" found in the historical romance novels typically sold today, you'll likely enjoy this story.

Set in the 17th century, this story is basically about a wealthy, bored housewife and mother (Lady St. Columb) who finds herself falling out of love with her husband and wanting a change from the life she is living, or in her mind merely "existing". Although her husband adores her, realizing she needs a break from him and their surroundings, she leaves him "for a visit" to their Cornwall estate. With her kids in tow, she expects nothing more than some peace and quiet. What she finds is a ship moored just off her property, and a mysterious but intriguing man that makes her laugh and feel more alive than she has in a while.

When she later learns that he's a pirate, the damage has been done; her attraction to him is too strong to end their friendship and budding relationship. And to make matters worse, he's equally attracted to her.

What follows is a bittersweet love affair that is hampered by the fact that she's a wife and mother with responsibilities. As if those weren't issues enough to deal with, she's also surrounded by nosey neighbors and other acquaintenances who are quite content to try and mind her business, and eventually through their actions, threaten her happiness and even her life.

While this story lacked the "fire" and excitement I was expecting, it was nonetheless a good read. Don't expect to be plunged into a whirlwind romance with a young, beautiful virgin being chased by the man she happens to captivate in a flurry of action. Expect instead, to find two mature people who know what they want out of life and who develop a relationship based upon mutual attraction and friendship, that simmers and builds slowly. There is some sensuality in the book, but it's subdued by today's standards.

In this story, you will find romance, some action, and an atmosphere that contributes to a feeling of "being there" in 17th century England and experiencing a part of what life would be like for a titled woman, and a pirate. It's an interesting, bittersweet story that had my emotions on a rollercoaster as the two individuals were forced to make hard decisions about their directions in life.

There wasn't much I didn't like about this book but if I had to pick something, it would be that in a few spots the pace was just a tad slow, and the fact that I happen to like the "fiery" (okay, real sensuous) historical romances of today. While a little more fire would have been nice, this book was satisfying nonetheless because the story is well told. I would recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good romance
Review: If you were a bored wife, would you go off with a handsome French pirate? yeah, me too! Daphne du Maurier is the only writer I know who can raise sexual tensions using the minimalist approach, meaning there are no explicit sex scenes, but this book manages to be really sexy. The style of the ideas of love and passion are truly poetic and you can see why Daphne du Maurier is such a great writer.

Dona St. Columb is a beautiful married woman and a mother of two. But then she encounters the sexy French pirate and goes off an adventure. Will her husband find out? What will happen to her marriage? Those are the question you ask throughout. Of course, like the technique in Rebecca, the suspense is good and will likely hold your attention until the very end.

I don't have a problem with adultery as a theme in literature as the bitter reviewer had criticized. If you like he adultery theme in literature too, check out Anna Karenina, Emma Bovary, Jude the Obscure, Age of Innocence, and Lady Chatterley's Lover,