Review: His for the taking - Sarah Parr

Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 320
Published: July 2010

On a mission to investigate treason, Privateer Marquis Warrick Barry believes he'll have no trouble getting the information he seeks from Karly Bane - the dark-haired beauty the Crown has ordered him to marry. But none of Warrick's tactics work. Unable to deny the hunger the fiery temptress elicits in him, Warrick realizes he must use seduction to persuade his new wife to trust him - both in and out of the bedroom. As the daughter of a pirate, Karly knows she has nothing in common with the aristocratic Warrick - except an overwhelming mutual attraction. And though Warrick's intentions appear honourable, Karly cannot bring herself to reveal her closely guarded secrets. But when danger threatens to tear them apart, she must decide if she can share herself fully with the man who is now her husband - and if she wants a love that can last forever.

I liked this book, Warrick's parents was in a previous book, but that time I wasn't too thrilled about some choices his mum made. But now it all worked for me. And I do give that it was fun to see his parents again and see that they had gotten children, and that there was happiness.

Pirates! Ok, no, but sort of later on, a few. Re-wind.
Warrick Barry is investigating smugglers and pirates. To gain some information he marries Karly Bane, the daughter of a pirate. But a stronger reason for this is that her uncle sold her to be a mistress to this bad guy, and buy marrying her Warrick saves her. Then it's time to uncover a plot regarding Bermuda, and trying to keep Karly alive. And yes then some pirates show up when they head on over there.

I liked Warrick, he was so protective of her, and wanted to save her, and yes he wanted her in other ways too. But he was such a gentleman, he needed her trust. I did find myself liking him a lot. He is also very forgiving, and doesn't give a damn about what others think.

Karly, I understood her completely. She was the daughter of a pirate, she had lived among them, she had been in prison, she had a bad reputation, and had secrets that could make her end up in jail again. She understood that marriage to her was a bad thing, it would tarnish his reputation. So she wanted out, that is before she started to fall in love, and I started to think, what the hell, who need the blessing of the ton. Of course I knew there was to be a HEA, but how would she deal was the question. And in the end she is such a good innocent girl.

Two people married without knowing each other, falling in love, trust issues, and secrets. There was some sweet loving there too.

Then there is the other aspect of the book. The adventure and thrill part, the hunt for smugglers, pirates, spies and finding out what is going on with Bermuda. A girl needs some action too. As for Bermuda, yes I might have pictured everything from Pirates of the C, but it fitted, and it was etched into my mind.

At the end of this book I did some counting, if they have some kids, then that would be a regency novel, now wouldn't that be lovely ;) I'd read that.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Not a fan of the floating heads, but they are better than half-heads or no heads. Also, he is handsome. But that ship in the bay at the bottom is truly lovely.

Reason for reading: From the author.

Final thoughts: Some nice romance, good characters and the hunt for a truth that could kill them all. Sounds like an adventure.

3

Review: Renegade - Sarah Parr

* Previously posted over at Royal Reviews*

Genre: Historical romance
Copyright: June 2009
Pages: 320

Synopsis: Far from England, alone for too long, Captain Jonathon Barry is captivated the instant he sees Jaline - she is too magnificent not to notice. There is a grace to her movements, an elegance to her bearing, that sets her apart even before she lifts her exotic black eyes or speaks. Her voice is intoxicating, soft as velvet with a sweet, lilting quality, as she recounts an evil bargain made against her will. She is to be his mistress, and he may do with her as he pleases. Jonathon is deeply torn, for Jaline is indeed his by right. She is only a slave, the prize he has won in a Constantinople gambling den. Trembling, bared to him, body and soul - oh no - he can see how cruelly she has been treated. It is clear that Jaline is in danger still and he may well be her only hope. Yet even a renegade like Jonathon would risk anything to save so beautiful a woman...and to love her, if she will let him.

My Review: This book, well there is nothing wrong with the author's writing, her imagination and her willingness to explore other lands. But I had a problem with this book, and that was the story itself.

Jonathon, the hero, buys Jaline, sure he does it to save her, but he sure wants her too. Am I supposed to root of for a man who buys himself a mistress? But he grew on me, because he loved her and it showed through out the book. This was a love story, at least from his point of view. From his part I truly saw it.

But then there was Jaline. The way she came in to the relationship telling him that ok if I must I will be your mistress, and her being a virgin and all. And she kept on saying that even though he made it clear he would not force her, and he was willing to let her go. Still she wanted to stay, and that is the point I do not get. Stay as a slave when she didn't even love him then? All the decisions she made in this book were strange, and one part was her unwillingness to tell him about his accident that we learnt about early on. That she had raced horses, I never understood why she couldn't just tell him.

So there you go, that is why I had problems with this book. When it came down to it all I guess it was Jaline.

I am not telling you it was a bad book. No, I am sure many will be swept away with this book and the lovestory that slowly grows between these people. One who wants to love the other person, the other that is scared to be loved. It can be rather bittersweet.

Then there is the danger in the book, Jonathon buys exotic objects and now there seems to be someone after him, or is it after Jaline? The reader does not know for sure. There is some action, and a mystery concerning what really is going on.

I also liked that she started the book in Constantinople in the beginning, I like a romance novel that at lest to some parts takes place in another country, even if they later go to England. It gave more flavour to the book.

Some romance fans will love this concept, even if I didn't.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Meh

Reason for reading: Own copy

Final thoughts: Can't really remember anymore I guess I was annoyed by some of Jaline's choices