Customer Reviews

The Captain of All Pleasures

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

London 1856 - Nicole Lassiter, was indeed something of an original - more at home on the deck of a ship in the attire of sailor, than in a dress at the finishing schools her grandmother sent her to in an attempt to turn her into a proper lady. But a deal was a deal and she had, after all, mastered seven out of the nine subjects at the school before she and the school mutually parted company! Now she was searching for her father, Captain Lassiter along the dockside. She just had to convince him to let her take part in the Great Circle race from London to Sydney. This search led to the Mermaid - a place that sailors came to find `company'. Well she found him and soon she caught her first glimpse of her father's biggest competitor and enemy - Derek Sutherland - rake, drunk - and gloriously handsome and virile. As preparations for the race progressed so did the sabotaging of certain ships. Stumbling upon just such an event - Nicole ended up running for her life right into the arms of Sutherland - or from the frying pan into the fire. For both it would be the beginning of a passionate encounter that would change the course of both their lives. Soon after this fateful meeting, Derek learns that Nicole is his nemesis' daughter and when he inadvertently causes Nicole's father to miss out on the start of the race, Nicole decides to take over the helm in place of her father. Now both are determined to best one another on the high seas where anything could and does happen!

This was a very good debut novel that leaves you with a satisfying end and whets your appetite in setting up the stage for a sequel starring Derek's' brother Grant. While I found in the beginning that the author opened up areas that I thought might have been explored further, specifically motives for the sabotaging, and more history to some unspecified relationships, all was explained away in the end. A little bit unbelievable was the sexual ignorance of the heroine who spent so much time growing up around the crew of sailing vessal - but considering the very hot sexual encounters that resulted in her ignorance (which by the way will just make your toes curl) - who am I to complain! The dialog was fresh, the action was lively, and I certainly wasn't bored reading it - I fairly flew through the pages. I would say this is a terrific debut for a new and very talented author. I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Make a good-sized space on your keeper shelf for this sensational new author because she's only just begun! Kresley Cole's first release "The Captain of all Pleasures" packs adventure, suspense, passion and sensuality into this high sea adventure.
Not only are the main characters strong, real and larger than life, but Kresley has the gift of character development that gives the reader an up close and personal view without stifling you with repetition of the mundane. Kresley keeps it fresh and suspenseful providing a great escape for the romantic adventurer inside all of us.

Ballston Book House Review

Excellent read, I highly recommend picking up a copy, it's a definite keeper! This book was extremely well written and fast paced, I couldn't put it down. I wanted to read all of her other work as soon a I finished reading this one. I was amazed to find out this was the first book that had ever been published by this author. She is a really talented writer, and I am looking forward to the publishing of Mrs. Cole's second book, The Price of Pleasure, telling Sea Captain Grant Sutherland's story, that is said to be released soon from Pocket books.

Captain Derek Sutherland is every woman's fantasy. Once you start to read this book you won't be able to put it down. The scenes are hot, steamy and downright sinful. I love the plot from the beginning to the very last page. Derek's herione is headstrong and determined a perect match for his aloof and distant personality.

This is a must have for your book shelf. Don't miss out on a chance to own it. I can't wait for the sequel with Grant Sutherland THE PRICE OF PLEASURE.

Sassy sailor lady seeks gruff but sexy captain for high-seas hi-jinks and sex romp.

Kresley Cole is a really fun author and her McCarrick trillogy rank up there with my all time favorite books. However, this one is a rough start and having read her later works you can literally see her struggling with plot and pacing in this clumsy and borderline dull book. It's not that its HORRIBLE (it's a passable if forgettable romance novel) but if you're used to her more recent books, you're likely to find yourself disappointed in this one.

Major issues:
- The hero and heroine spend vast amounts of time apart. Most romance novels sparkle the brightest when they're thrust together, struggling uphill through seemingly insurmountable challenges, bantering, trying to figure out if they hate or love each other, etc. Much of that tension is missing during the long stretches where they're floating about in separate boats.

- There is a supporting cast of characters who are almost laughably one dimensional/borderline cliche. There is a relatively impotent "father" who is mostly incarcerated but pops up once in a while to be worried and/or indignant about what his daughter is doing. There is the "gruff but lovable Irisher" who serves as stand-in father and part-time babysitter. The battle ax grand dame who's actually a softie underneath. And don't forget the "hooker with the heart of gold".

- The pacing of the story is uneven. I guess the major plot arc is the two of them competing in a big boat race, however the race doesn't even start until halfway through the book. There are many lulls before, during, and after the boat race where very little is actually happening.

- When one character does something horrible to another (say breaks his/her heart) I think you need to do something other than simply show up and apologize for all to be forgiven.

Minor nit but always bugs me - the scene pictured on the book cover never actually occurs in the story. Also, while I'm not a row boat expert, I'm pretty sure that if his goal is to reach the boat in the distance, he's actually rowing the boat BACKWARDS (the pointy end should be FACING the boat).

Again, I've read worse. But this one will be going in the "library donation box" while the rest of Kresley Cole's books are keepers.

This is one of the very best books I've ever read!

The picture on the cover drew my attention. Here is a good-looking man yet with some mystery since we can't see the front of him.

The book held my attention throught the entire thing, every single page... This was one of the most sensual books I've ever read and it didn't border on discusting as some of the recent erotic romances have been...

This is one of the most talented authors and I REALLY look forward to the next book from her!!!!!

I read a lot of books. This was one of the best books that I have had the pleasure to read in a long time. And it was a pleasure. A page turner, there was always something happening. Either a good battle of wits, a contest of wills, or lots of action. All kinds of action. The caracters were very real and easily related to. With a good kick of humor to liven things up. I dont know about you, but it made me want to jump into the book and sail away. I would definetly recomend it to anyone who was looking for a good book. And I look foreward to her next book and the one after that too. Very impatently, I might add. So, when you pick it up, make sure you have lots of time. You wont want to put it down once you pick it up. I know, I read it in one day! Enjoy!!!!!!!

I picked this book up on a whim and was very pleased. It might seem like the typical clash of 2 strong minded people who eventually fall in love, but there are definitely twists throughout the book. Nicole Lassiter is used to sailing the seas with her father and is preparing to sail the Great Circle Race. Only her father refuses to let her go. Derek Sutherland is the typical brooding male who has lost all hope. Derek and Nicole's father are bitter rivals who go out of there way to spite the other. Thorugh many misunderstandings, Nicole ends up sailing the race alone b/c her father is in jail. Needless to say, Derek follows her and you need to read the book to find out the rest. This book was funny, heartwarming, had good lovescenes, and left room for a sequel with Derek's brother, Grant. Buy the book, you won't regret it.

I loved this author's book "A Hunger Like No Other," so I thought I'd try this book which I believe was her first book. I was disappointed and cannot recommend it. The two main characters did not hold my interest. Nicole and Derek were attracted to each other. Each time they were together and their relationship started to grow to the next level, she would run off and hide. He was miserable and failed to find her each time except at the end. This separation cycling annoyed me. Also, there were some conflicts caused by lack of direct communication between them. One would say something and the other thought it meant something different. I don't like novels using this form of conflict development. Sexual content: strong.

I ordered this book after noting all the 5-star reviews it received and I must say, I am in total agreement. This is a truly wonderful book, with enchanting characters, a good story and great sex, all rolled together to make for an exciting, passionate adventure on the high seas. I read this book in one day, as I also couldn't put it down. I look forward to Kresley Cole's next offering. This was definitely a keeper!!!