Captain's Bride

Rating:
Summary: A Sub-Par Hackneyed Romance
Review: I usually write reviews only for books I like, but I feel obligated to warn readers away from this disappointing novel.

A beautiful Southern Belle meets her father's Ship Captain friend. Obviously the Captain is handsome, capable of charm, a rogue with a horrible reputation...& also much younger than her father. Daughter & friend are attracted to each other, but he thinks she is spoiled. When she proves that she is more than eye candy, (but not much more), he distances from her because he doesn't want to seduce his friend's daughter...nor does he want to get married. Commitment is so hard. Then the Belle & the Captain bicker a lot. Most of the book is about their bickering & misunderstandings. This constant arguing, (nothing interesting - no repartee here), does not build sexual tension...it just builds boredom.

Anyway, due to unfortunate, (but not original), circumstances, the Belle runs away from home with her half-brother, who is part Negro slave. They seek refuge on the Captain's ship. She lies about the reasons they have run away. More bickering...then a shipwreck...a desert island, a seduction & a hold on bickering for awhile. However, the sex is less interesting than the bickering. Then a rescue, a major misunderstanding that leads Sir Captain to rape Ms. Belle & behave sadistically for about 100 pages. I had to stop reading after this. I will say that no matter what this rude, boorish man does, he never completely alienates the Belle - which says a lot about her IQ & emotional stability.

I love a good, sexy romance & can certainly get into some alpha male, dominant behavior - but please do not bore me with formulaic plots & dialogue & super shallow characters. Kat Martin loses with this one. Thumbs down!

Rating:
Summary: This was a compelling romance
Review: This is a truly unique novel by Kat Martin. If you ever get your hands on it (as it is out of print), GET IT. You won't be sorry.