Rating: 
Summary: I never imagined a novel could go so low.
Review: Abuse. Rape. Torture. Throwing babies. I have a very very high tolerance in the name of romance- I've been reading erotic fiction for well over 10 years and I've run into some pretty bizzare and strange stuff in the name of "romance"- Not a single book before this one made my skin crawl and made me curl up with my husband so that I could erase the sour taste left in my mouth after reading.There wasn't a single tender moment, the words "I love you" have never read quite as hollow, stilted, or forced. This book drags the heroine through torture after torture- improbable situation to improbible situation, forcing the readers to suspend disbelief again and again- only to torture her more... and leave the feeling at the end of the book that you really- TRUELY wish that the hero just died and put ALL of us out of her misery. Normally I would donate a book I didn't care for to the library- but I simply threw this one in the trash. Please SERIOUSLY reconsider this book before purchasing especially if you've ever been emotionally/physically abused or a rape victim. This book is NOT for you. Consider reading her more recent releases Scandalous and Irresistable- they have fiery heorines, strong heroes... and they don't include the repeated rape of a 19 year old by the man she "loves". I'm glad Robards is producing agreeable (if not a bit strange ;) ) ficton in the recent years and will be staying far away from her early works in the future. Had I read this book first though- I would never have picked up another of her books again.
Rating:
Summary: Book didn't age well!
Review: Don't read this book expecting a typical Karen Robards book. This was one of her earliest books -- and it was written in a time when rapist heroes were accepted. The hero (and I use that term loosely) is so insanely jealous that he could have been a guest on the Sally Jesse Raphael Show. He rapes the heroine, yells at her, abuses her... The heroine is little better, for she is stubborn and childish in the most foot-stomping of ways. The saddest part of this book is that Cathy and Jon went through all this in their first book, Island Flame. You'd think he would've figured out by now that he could trust her -- after all, he married her at the end of the first book! Oh, before I forget, this book also has violence, a vomit scene, misunderstandings, and even a cat fight. There is plenty of adventure, but it's lost amid the name calling, rapes, humiliation, and foot-stomping. I gave this book an F at All About Romance.
Rating:
Summary: Yuck, yuck, yuck!
Review: I know everyone has a different opinion, but I don't understand how anyone can say this book is excellent. I needed a shower and some therapy after reading it. There is no excuse for 99% of the crap in this book. Anyone who has read romance books for a while knows that rape used to occur in them from time to time...as horrible as that was, at least romance authors used to make their heroes redeeming in some ways. There is nothing good about the hero. He nevers once feels bad about the way he treats his wife. The heroine is stupid, weak, helpless, and nearly as bad as her husband. I understand that this is a historical novel and that domestic violence and rape weren't looked down upon so much at the time, but we are modern readers, so how can we not cringe when reading this book? And first and foremost, this is a ROMANCE NOVEL! If you can read this book and feel all lovey dovey afterwards, go and see a shrink please.
Rating:
Summary: very sad
Review: I like all of Robards' books except this one and its prequel. The storyline was very weak and unbelievable. All Jon and Catherine did through out the book was hurt each other. I would think that after living together as a married couple for two years, they would at least have basic trust. But no such luck. Jon is so insecure that he believes Cathy has betrayed him at the first opportunity. He often uses force. Some of the things he does to her are unforgivable. Example, he rapes Cathy, after she catches him having sex with a prostitute. They are gone from home for almost a year and neither one of them ever remembers their two year old son left at home with a nanny. I found this book distastefull. Don't bother to read it, unless you have insomnia.
Rating: 
Summary: It could have been a lot better.
Review: I love historical romance novels, and although I haven't read many, this was my first with rape - not just once but several times! Cathy's character was ridiculous - the love/hate thing was too much! Jon was way too insecure. Also, too much name-calling. I read ahead alot hoping things would improve - they didn't. The storyline had potential with all the travelling and adventures, but I will not be reading any more of Robards' books, since there was further reference to unnecessary violence.
Rating: 
Summary: very very well written book.
Review: I think this book deserves five stars, because it is after all, an exceptionally well written book. No, I don't like Jon, or what he does, but it is still a very, very good book. Let's face it, the reason this is an historical romance - the story is set in the times it is - is because naturally, no man would be able to act like that nowadays - and get away with it, as a previous reviewer so aptly pointed out. But, in those days this was normal behavior for a man - Jon is even, actually, one of the better ones - Jon does treat Cathy kindly in his own way, seemingly the only way he knows how. The author does not whitewash his bad behavior - merely showing that he is human, and there is good with the bad. As he pointed out to Cathy - he didn't actually beat her - in his mind, at least, he felt justified. If you look back at history, in those days women were treated pretty badly - especially in some countries. Actually, the whole tone of the book is pretty bloody - pirates, people getting killed left and right - and is unsettling for modern day sensibilities, but it does accurately reflect the times JOn and Cathy lived in. Karen Robards is an excellent writer, I think she's one of the best writers, period. Her characters seem so real, you almost believe they are right there besides you, and her writing is really flawless. No, I don't think Jon is right, and I don't think I would like him at all in real life, but it is a tribute to Ms. Robards skill that I can't help liking him in the book. I think it's only fair to rate this book five stars for being a really good book. Look, you don't have to live with him! It's just a book! I agree that if you have suffered some trauma, you should not read this book - and people who were ever victims of real crimes should not read thrillers and mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: HOT, HOT, HOT
Review: I thought this was a good book, so much so that I stayed up all night reading it because I couldn't put it down. I read the first one and really enjoyed them both. Yes, there are some moments when you wish you could just reach into the book and slap them both silly, but again...its only a story. Just like every relationship, even in the present day, there are problems that have to be worked on. In the end, he finally admitted to his wrong doing and proclaimed his love. Overall, it was a good romance, faults and all.
Rating:
Summary: HOT, HOT, HOT
Review: I thought this was a good book, so much so that I stayed up all night reading it because I couldn't put it down. I read the first one and really enjoyed them both. Yes, there are some moments when you wish you could just reach into the book and slap them both silly, but again...its only a story. Just like every relationship, even in the present day, there are problems that have to be worked on. In the end, he finally admitted to his wrong doing and proclaimed his love. Overall, it was a good romance, faults and all.
Rating:
Summary: HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!!!!!!
Review: I was more than surprised to see the ratings on this book. The first book of this series is Island Flame (which is excellent, by the way)and this one is just as good. I absolutly love the story of Cathy and Jon. Talk about romantic! And lets face it girls, Jon, is as hunky as they come, even if he is a "beast" at times! We need to remember, this is make believe, not real! That is why we read these books. I highly recommend you read Island Flame first and then this book. You will not be disappointed! How can you go wrong with a handsome hunk, lots of adventure, and a heroine who is believable and absolutly infatuated with her lover!!
Rating:
Summary: only if you like characters who are really DUMB!
Review: I've read several of Karen Robards' more recent books, so let me start by saying that at least her storytelling and character development have greatly improved since she wrote this book and its predecessor, "Island Flame". After reading these two books, I felt like a motorist who passes a major car wreck and slows down to look at the carnage. I've read many novels: romance, mystery, mainstream fiction, etc., and I have never encountered two more stupid people than the "hero" and "heroine" in these books. I put the terms in quotation marks, because these characters are definitely not heroic in their behavior, especially the male character. I realize that in the old days of "bodice-rippers" nobody thought that there was anything wrong with the male protagonist forcing himself on the female protagonist, no matter what her age (in this case, she's half his age!!), but this book was written in the 1980s! I would think that Ms. Robards might have had her feminine consciousness raised just a little bit by then!
As for the female character, she does one stupid thing after another until the reader can no longer sympathize with everything that happens to her. Like I said, there are other books by this author that are worth reading, but this one is not one of them!
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