Customer Reviews

Broken Wing

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Broken Wing is not a mere romance, but a grand story of love, acceptance and forgiveness, which spans over five years.

This wonderfully poignant story both warmed and ripped at my heart. I was left breathless and bleary-eyed several times throughout the budding friendship/romance between Gabriel and Sarah. My heart ached for Gabriel due to the horrid, unspeakable acts dealt him during his years as a whore in France, before being rescued by Sarah and her brother for keeping their young brother, James, safe.

The innocent air between them was so remarkably written, I could do nothing but fall helplessly into their world and believe with my whole heart of their true and honest love for one another.

The strong characterization of Gabriel packed a powerful punch to the gut. Watching him grow over the year, his emotions and feelings toward both himself and his Sarah, was beautiful and raw. The respect and kindness, regardless of his past, given to him by Sarah and her older brother, Ross, allowed for that inner-growth and his self-worth.

Broken Wing is a beautiful love story, centered around Gabriel and the peace he finds within the relationship formed with Sarah. He flourishes due to her compassionate and understanding nature. Yet, he finds himself, a year later, setting out for a grand adventure at sea, to build a fortune so that he may support his Lady Sarah properly. It's also very critical for him as a man who has never been allowed to make decisions or explore opportunities of his own choosing. Little does he know of the dire circumstances that await him. During the four years of his ill-fated adventure, Judith James built tension, creating a deep longing to see Gabriel find his way back to his Sarah. And what sweet bliss it was. (have tissue handy)

I hope Ms. James gets all the recognition due her for writing one of the best romance books of 2008 I have read, and quite possible one of the best love stories I've ever read.

I loved this book and it will sit proudly amongst my shelves.

Unplug the phone, ignore the doorbell and shut off the computer. Within momemts of starting this glorious novel, you will find yourself transported back in time and place, unable to return until you've completed the very last page. Upon finishing, you are satiated briefly, and yet saddened that you no longer exist in the world of Gabriel and Sarah. This is an epic novel that dances on the dark side and revels in the powerful love and passion between its two main characters. Find yourself a nice bottle of wine, a comfy couch and several hours with no interruptions. Be prepared to be swept away! I already want more.

Every so often, if your lucky, you will read a book that you can't stop thinking about; that you obsess over, that you wish would never end but you rush through it get to it. And then you want to read it all over again. Such is the case with Broken Wing.
What makes this book so good? The hero is phenomenal. When we talk tortured, he is the ideal example!! I ached - just ached for him. And if I were ever a heroine in a romance novel, I'd want to be just like Sarah. She is a perfect heroine - and I don't mean perfect in that she never makes a mistake or anything - I mean perfect as in written perfect. the writing is so good that you feel like you are really there. And the historical details are VERY WELL DONE. You can tell the book is a labor of love by the author.

I've always been a fan of the tortured hero. Not only from the perspective of a reader witnessing the redemption of the hero as he battles to triumph over his personal demons, but also as a writer interested in the study of craft. For generations, writers have used their skill at portraying the soul in torment to create heart-wrenching stories with unforgettable characters.

"Broken Wing," the debut novel by author Judith James, contains one such memorable tortured hero in the form of Gabriel St. Croix, a young man who was grown up in the tawdry environment of a Parisian brothel. Gabriel has learned to insulate himself completely from the world around him in order to protect his soul from the endless parade of strangers who want only his body. Beneath Gabriel's harsh, cynical, often uncivil exterior beats the heart of a good man who cannot bear to see a child abused in the manner Gabriel has been abused. Gabriel takes it upon himself to protect the young boy Jaime from predators who would debase and ruin the child. In doing so, Gabriel sets in motion a chain of events that will eventually lead to his own salvation when Jaime's widowed sister Sarah comes to liberate her brother.

"Broken Wing" is an engrossing love story with themes of redemption and the power of love at its core. While some readers might find the subject matter unsettling, the author has navigated Gabriel's dark world with sensitivity and compassion. From the moment Gabriel and Sarah first set eyes on each other, the spark of attraction between them is palpable. Even when Gabriel is consistently rude and deliberately shocking, Sarah remains undaunted and increasingly curious about this unfriendly stranger who suffered untold hardships and new humiliations in order to spare her brother the same fate Gabriel has experienced.

There are no false notes in this story; the relationship between Gabriel and Sarah unfolds at a believable pace, with scenes of revelation and tenderness that are heart-breaking yet thoroughly engaging as Sarah slowly reveals the sensitive, tender man beneath Gabriel's gruff, wounded exterior. Sarah's initial feelings of gratitude over Gabriel's rescue of her brother yield to deeper emotions as Sarah realizes that Gabriel's exterior is an artifice built out of self-loathing. It is Sarah who is able to make Gabriel see himself as she sees him; convincing Gabriel that he is greater than the sum of degrading experiences forced upon him during his short life. In the end, Gabriel is redeemed through Sarah's love, earning "Broken Wing" a permanent place on my keeper shelf.

Going by the rave reviews I've read here and from other places, I really, really wanted to like this book more than I ended up doing. Admittedly it was different from the usual romantic adventure fare that I've read. Gabriel was an original hero and my favorite character was Sarah. She was not only intelligent and beautiful, but she also had a good dollop of common sense. Alas, most heroines in romance novels are sadly lacking in common sense.

But something happened about two-thirds into the book, or about when Gabriel goes off on his adventure at sea. I found myself losing interest and skimming through the pages. Hmm, it just occured to me that perhaps this is because Sarah isn't very much in this section of the book that I lost interest. I also wasn't pleased at the very end that several years had passed yet it took only one conversation and everything was solved. I guess I was expecting more.

Synopsis:

The book opens to Paris at the time of the French Revolution. Sarah, Lady Monroe, and her half-brother Ross, have come to find and rescue their younger brother Jamie who had disappeared five years past. Jamie had been in Maison de Joie, one of the better Parisian brothels. Gabriel, who had been surprised at his impulses, had protected little Jamie for years and was happy to hear of his friend's good fortune and desolate at losing his only friend. But Jamie refused to leave without his friend and protector Gabriel. So, Gabriel finds himself on an estate in England, companion and friend to Jamie and trying his best to keep from falling in love with the unconventional Sarah.

Sarah had been drawn to Gabriel from the moment that they'd met. Not only was he beautiful but he had tried to protect her brother at no small cost to himself. While he presents a cold and polished front, she sees his pain and draws out his love of life, music, and learning.

When Sarah and Gabriel finally come together, Gabriel leaves to prove himself and make his fortune to be able to provide for Sarah. He undertakes to join Davey as a privateer and finds himself in great danger. Though he escapes drowning, Gabriel must escape from slavers, mercenaries, and pirates along the Barbary Coast. Will he be able to find his way back to Sarah?


Review:

I suspected that I'd enjoy this book, just based on its blurb. But I hadn't expected it to be such a good read! I was unable to stop reading. I found both lead characters very sympathetic. It was unusual to have the male lead constantly objectified. While Lady Sarah is beautiful, she wasn't the focus of the descriptions of beauty. I enjoyed this twist - it was one of many unexpected aspects of the book.

The plot was chockfull of action from the first page. Pirates, Napoleon, privateers, slavers, possible duels - they all fit into the plot naturally and make for a fun and heartwrenching read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romances, pirate stories, and action filled love stories.

Format and cover: Eye catching while it reflects the tone and content of the book.
Rating 4.75 out of 5
Publisher: Medallion Press (November 1, 2008), 440 pages.
Courtesy of Bostick Communications.

Broken Wing was a very good book that kept me turning the pages. The writing style is different than most romances, I felt a little more removed from the characters than normal but it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. There was a historical fiction feel to the story but there is also a very good romance being told.

Sarah Monroe and her brother travel to France to bring home her younger brother who disappeared five years ago but was recently found in a brothel. They find him relatively unharmed thanks to the protection of Gabriel St. Croix, a very jaded male prostitute who was sold to the Madam as a young boy and has been unable to escape. Sarah insists on Gabriel being released and brought home to Cornwall with them since he saved her younger brother from great harm. Gabriel had all hope burnt out of him at a young age and doesn't know what to do with his newfound freedom. He is afraid to believe that he is finally free to live and has no idea what to do with that freedom.

Gabriel settles into their house in Cornwall as a paid companion to the younger brother but has trouble assimilating into a normal life. He has been taught his only value is his body and what he can do with it but Sarah strives to bring out the sensitive man who was buried inside. Gabriel and Sarah have a great connection that grows as she slowly brings him out of his shell with the help of her brother and cousin. The couple fall in love over a long period of time which made it believable despite Gabriel's horrible past. They had to deal with a lot of his emotional issues related to his treatment at the hands of others but slowly were able to overcome them.

After they fall in love there was a turning point to the story where Gabriel was separated from Sarah and had to endure even more trials. While it was hard to read about this poor guy enduring even more in his life, this part of the book was also interesting. I am not a fan of separations in my romance but the author was able to write this section well. The locations moved to Northern Africa, which is a very interesting place during the early 1800's. The ending was good and heart-wrenching but I would have enjoyed a little more detail to the story after the couple was reunited.

Overall, this was a very good historical romance. The romance aspect was sweet and endearing, I really enjoyed Gabriel and Sarah as a couple. Sarah was a wonderful heroine, I love how she believed in Gabriel from the beginning and always fought for him. My heart broke for the pain Gabriel endured during his life but he was able to become a good man despite everything.

Read this book if you want to read a good story that tells of how love can conquer over hardship and pain. Also read this if you want a historical romance that is a bit different than most of the others - in a good way.

This is not what would normally catch my eye. But since it came highly recommened and that it was such a great love story. I had to read it. This book was truly amazing. It tells of one of the greatest love stories I have read in a very long time. From the first page it captured me. The author has done such a degree of research about the time that the writing is nothing but stellar.

I really loved this book and like all my fellow bloggers I highly recommend reading it. The love that Gabriel and Sarah have is something I believe every person wants for themselves, or at least I would hope so. When the couple were parted and Sarah got that first letter... that's when I really could relate to them and their situation. At one time I was in a long distance relationship for five years. So, I know what its like to have that longing and the heartache. It's very hard to deal with.

I have a long list of favorite books. But it's rare that a book really moves me like this one did. When the couple were finally reunited I cried like a baby. It really is a great love story.

This book reminded me of an old classic called 'The Windflower' by Laura London which is intended to be a compliment of the highest order.

Although the book deals with dark subject matter such as slavery and child prostitution, the romance itself has a kind of innocence and purity to it that shines throughout the story.

Although the storylines are actually not that close, 'Broken Wing' reminds me of the Windflower because it deals with pirates, adventures on the high seas and an unlikely sweet friendship that springs up between the main female character and a boy who was raised in the abusive environment of child prostitution. In the case of 'The Windflower' the boy, Cat, was actually a secondary character and I always hoped that Laura London would write a sequel starring him. Alas, she never did, but this story just about makes up for that lack.

Gabriel is a wonderful hero, strong (and dangerous) who sees nothing but his own flaws and unworthiness. He is completely unable to understand what Sarah sees in him but wants to live up to her good opinion. Sarah in turn sees the strength and goodness that led Gabriel to survive a horror of a childhood and still retain enough of a soul to protect a young boy from a similar fate.

Sarah is strong and sweet and has survived bitterness and pain in her own young life. She is unconventional and a good match for Gabriel; the two together finding a sweet friendship that both need.

The secondary characters are all very well done and I hope that they all turn up again in sequels (including a certain nobleman who finds himself much drawn to Sarah at a certain point in the book).

This is a wonderful debut and I hope to read many more from Ms. James in the future!

I think I've read my favorite book of the year, and it's only January. Other books, need not apply. With all the buzz from my bloggy friends on Broken Wing, I knew it would be good. And good is just no good enough to describe this book.

It's not only an epic love story of Gabriel and Sarah, it's about friendship and healing with things life has thrown your way, that you had no control over. Gabriel's tarnished goods, and he believes he's not salvageable. In the event that sets this book up, he meets Sarah's family and the two are drawn together. Months go by and they haven't acted on the attraction. One night, he's invited to Sarah's room, he believes she wants his services from his profession as a former courtesan. She doesn't, she wanted to share the stars with him, and with that Gabriel feels there may be a chance he's able to heal, but only from Sarah. That night starts a friendship, one that Gabriel never had, and one that Sarah needed. It is these encounters that you feel their walls coming down and a wall of love being built around them. It is months even after that, that their love is professed. As soon as that love's professed, Gabriel goes pirating to bring back a fortune and win Sarah as a wife. It is that moment I knew something bad would happen and it did. He's taken away from her for years. YEARS. Can a love based on friendship last after a tarnished life has been thrown right back into hell?

I won't say anything more for the readers that have not yet had the pleasure in reading this book. This book is dark, emotional, but has the star power of Passion by Lisa Valdez and The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt. I know that I can't pick up a book right away, I was so immersed in every word on every page. I have purchased 3 more copies of this book. One to let people borrow, one to give to a friend and one to give away on my blog!