DNF. The book was good in parts, but I finaly had to conclude that the 2 main characters were totally unbelievable as actual living people. Yes, romance books are supposed to require a fairly large suspension of disbelief, but this one is too far over the top - there was almost nothing in the experiences and lives of the H/H that I could understand or relate to in any way. The hero is unbelievable for another reason too - supposedly the middle son of English aristocrats who were murdered in a robbery when he was 4 years old, he actually grows up illiterate in a family of pickpockets, which means that he would have spoken with a distinctly lower-class Cockney accent up to time he was restored to his older brother (as an adult). The author would have us believe that he learns to read, write, captain the fastest sailing ship in the world (never having set foot in a ship before this), and speak like an upper-class English gentleman in the space of three (3) years! Sorry, totally impossible, IMHO.A lot of the major events in the plot just happen without warning, without any lead up into the event, and seem to be totally out of character for the people involved - e.g. the initial seduction scene and the marriage. The book also seems to require pre-knowledge, i.e. reading the first book in the series, My Steadfast Heart, because a lot of what happens in the book seems to be a continuation of the previous one. I say "seems" because the plot of this book is so jumpy and poorly edited that it's possible that reading the previous book would make no difference.
Decker, the charming, fast on his feet sea captain endured Jonna, the strong, confident prickly boss of Remington Shipping. Never seeing eye to eye on anything flourished slowly into a full blown cautious dance between them. Complicated issues involved trust, the Huntress, the Underground Railway, family, and a hard pressed suitor, all worked to keep them apart and at odds. Slavery and the actions to circumvent it was secretive and later, forced the major characters to be honest and revealed their stand within the pages. The readers' interest was piqued as the action intensified from these revelations. This book was slow paced with a good main storyline. The deceptive characters added an air of mystery to an easy reading book. The writing was simple.
What do You think about My Reckless Heart (1998)?
The plot thickens. One brother has found one of his brothers. This story is about Decker and his adventures in America. The story is good and has held my interest. However, somewhere in the story the heroine, who made it plain that she was going to remain an independent woman, does an about face. I got a different feel for her character from one page almost within two more pages. I don't think I missed anything in two pages. Let's just say she changed into a completely different person. On one page she was fiercely independent and in two pages she was a woman in love and couldn't do more to cater to our hero. Well, all is well. I am definitely committed to Book 3 when the third brother will be found. Remember there is always a happy ending. Series Note: setting is during the Pre-American Civil War period. Some of the scenes take place in England and some in America.
—Lynne Tull
