Of Noble Birth [Mass Market Paperback]

Brenda Novak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 1999

He Was a Man Who Took What He Wanted.
And He Wanted Her.

To escape her cruel stepfather, seamstress Alexandra Cogsworth envisioned sailing far from England . . . though not as a captive aboard a pirate's ship.

Pirate Captain Nathaniel Kent's strategy for exacting revenge on his cold-hearted father involved taking a valuable hostage . . . not a seamstress he mistakenly thinks is his half sister.

Yet fate has designs of its own, landing them both on board the Royal Vengeance. At sea, Nathaniel intercepts and plunders his father's ships, all the while tormented by his illicit hunger for the tempting prisoner he thinks is his blood relation. And although Alexandra wants no part in this terrifying voyage, to reveal her true identity to the handsome, blue-eyed Nathaniel would invite danger. Not only would she become worthless cargo, but the revelation would surely unleash what she and Nathaniel have been fiercely battling--a rising undercurrent of impossible desire that could sweep them away for good.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Novak's first novel, a finalist for the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award, is a fast-moving Regency tale of intrigue and deception. Born with a deformed arm, Nathaniel Kent is immediately rejected by his noble father, the Duke of Greystone. Once grown, he takes his revenge for the denial of his fortune and title by turning pirate and raiding his father's trading ships. When the duke abducts one of Nathaniel's crew, the pirate retaliates by kidnapping a young woman he believes to be the duke's daughter. But she is not his half-sisterAshe is Alexandra Cogsworth, a seamstress fleeing her own family woes. Aboard the pirate ship, Nathaniel stifles yearnings he believes to be incestuous, while Alexandra struggles to save her skin as well as her heart. Once her true identity is revealed, the two fight for their safety. Some readers may be troubled by Nathaniel's deformity, and the book's later chaptersAtoo strained and hectic to permit much romantic interplayAdon't live up to the promise of its well-paced start. For most historical romance lovers, however, Novak's energetic prose and appealing characters will more than compensate. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"An absorbing, fast-paced romance where the game of love is played for the highest stakes. Don't miss this wonderful debut." -- -- Jo Beverley

"Interesting and entertaining characters who embark on a great adventure. Brenda Novak is a fresh new writer to watch." -- -- Kat Martin

"Riveting and compelling. Of Noble Birth is a real keeper! Don't miss this great book." -- -- Rhapsody Review

"Strong, powerful, unique!" -- -- Romantic Times

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch (November 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061098590
• ISBN-13: 978-0061098598
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #702,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brenda Novak Bio

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak's career as a bestselling author--she caught her day-care provider drugging her children with cough syrup to get them to sleep all day. That was when Brenda decided she needed to quit her job as a loan officer and help make a living from home.

"When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book," Brenda says. But she sold that book, and the rest is history. Her novels have made the New York Times, USA Today and Borders/Waldenbooks bestseller lists and won many awards, including two Rita nominations, the Book Buyer's Best, the Book Seller's Best and the National Reader's Choice Award.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are proud parents of five children--three girls and two boys. When she's not spending time with her family or writing, Brenda is usually working on her annual fund-raiser for diabetes research--an online auction held on her Web site (www.brendanovak.com) every May. Brenda has raised over $1 million to date.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Debut by one of Romance's Rising Stars!, November 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Of Noble Birth (Mass Market Paperback)

Brava, debut author Brenda Novak for delivering an unforgettably emotional, action-packed, grand-scale historical romance! OF NOBLE BIRTH is a moving story about loss and forgiveness, and a testimony to the healing power of love. Rich, rewarding, and romantic. Don't miss it!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rake's Revenge, December 2, 1999

By 

Gina Hubbell (Moscow, Russia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Of Noble Birth (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was excellent - the characters fairly leapt out off the page and the plot was fascinating yet believable. Perhaps more believable than my life which appears dreary in comparison to the exciting adventures of the heroine. I never have been more engrossed in Victorian England - the mores and customs and beautiful clothing and balls. The pomp and circumstance and rigid caste system I found especially interesting. I would have sincerely loved to been part of that time - of course born on the right side of a title or landed estate! This book will remain one of my treasured pleasures and I will no doubt keep it on the night stand beside my bed for that late night insomnia when dreams can be created whether awake or not.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BRILLIANT DEBUT --- THIS ONE IS A KEEPER!, December 22, 1999

By 

Sue-Ellen Welfonder (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Of Noble Birth (Mass Market Paperback)

Brenda Novak's stunning debut novel, OF NOBLE BIRTH, is a fast-paced historical romance, a High Seas adventure with walk-off-the-page characters so vital they'll steal your heart from the first page! This is one I could not put down. Ms. Novak pulls out all the stoppers, proving herself to be a most skilled wordsmith with her vivid portrayal of characters, time and place. Darkly handsome but marred Nathaniel Kent comes boldly alive, making our hearts race as we follow him along the path to attaining his life-mission: exacting revenge on his noble but utterly cold father. Seamstress Alexandra Cogsworth is his ideal match, and as with Nathaniel, Ms. Novak has created an endearing character, one you'll root for from the moment she walks onto the page. This is one novel without any flaws, everything works just right, casting a magical spell as you read. Ms. Novak sweeps you so thoroughly into her character's lives and world, you'll imagine yourself right there with them. I could almost breathe in the tangy salt air, picture myself aboard Nathaniel's ship, even half-expected to see his shipmates standing in the shadows as I read -- so real are these story-people. Yes, this one has it all: superb characterization, excellent motivation, worthy goals for her hero and heroine, and a fast-paced and gripping plot. OF NOBLE BIRTH offers a vivid story-world to escape to, a romance that will make you believe in love again, and an ending in which everything comes together so beautifully you'll close the book with a great sigh of satisfaction. Don't miss this one --- it'll be sure to win a place of honor in your heart and on your keeper shelf.