Perils of the Heart [Mass Market Paperback]

Jennifer Ashley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2002

When an American sea captain and a British governess face piracy on the open ocean, their clash of wills quickly dissolves into a bond of true love.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

After catching her fiance tumbling her maid, Evangeline Clemens leaves England for a new life in Boston. While on board the Aurora, Evangeline is caught up in the schemes of fellow passenger Anna Adams, who is determined to stir up mutiny so that she can take over the ship and use it to rescue her pirate lover in Havana. Anna forces Evangeline to distract the ship's captain, Austin Blackwell, by seducing him in his cabin, but Austin is immediately suspicious of the formerly shy spinster who seems to have turned into a wanton seductress. Convinced that she is really an English spy sent to retrieve the secret documents he is carrying back to America, Austin vows to find out just who the infuriatingly intriguing Evangeline really is. An endearingly indomitable heroine discovers true love and adventure on the high seas in Ashley's deliciously fun, delightfully entertaining romance debut. Featuring impeccably crafted characters and a plot laced with both humor and danger, this historical romance is simply superb. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 354 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843951338
• ISBN-13: 978-0843951332
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #986,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical and paranormal romance as Jennifer Ashley; paranormal romance and urban fantasy as Allyson James; and mysteries as Ashley Gardner. Jennifer's novels have won RWA's RITA and RT Reviewer's Choice awards among others.

For information on all her novels visit www.jennifersromances.com. Also see http://www.gardnermysteries.com (Ashley Gardner) and http://www.allysonjames.com (Allyson James) for her other works.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Spinster turned seductress, May 16, 2003

By 

Tara A. Green (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Perils of the Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

Taking place in 1790 PERILS OF THE HEART takes the reader on whirlwind journey with debut author Jennifer Ashley on the Atlantic, to Havana, to Boston, and finally to China. Political intrigue, evil villains and innocents caught in the plot set the stage for this fun romp. Meet spinster Evangeline Clemens, told by the evil Anna Adams, her brother's lover, that she is anything but appealing but she will have to do in her role as seductress. Threatened with violence Evangeline finds herself cast as seductress. Evangeline is coerced into participating in a mutiny by Anna Adams, who plans to rescue her lover being held captive in a Spanish prison. Faced with the very appealing and dangerous Captain Blackwell, Evangeline kinds herself over her head and completely disarmed by the appealing man.
No dowdy spinster under the unbecoming clothes, Captain Austin Blackwell finds himself entranced by the luscious Evangeline, spectacles and all! Many sweet and amusing scenes fill the pages of Jennifer Ashley's first book. Often times I found myself smiling as Evangeline found her spectacles askew on her face after thoroughly being kissed by the captain of the merchantman Aurora.

Realizing he's been duped, Captain Blackwell confines Evangeline but finds his thoughts straying time and time again to her. Is she a British spy or is she being used by Anna Adams? On a mission for the American Colonies Austin believes her to be a saboteur. Carrying precious documents, Captain Blackwell can't be too careful.

This is a fun and enjoyable story. Jennifer Ashley introduces lively adventure, wonderful characters and a satisfying story. I look forward to reading more stories by this new author.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Action Packed Romantic Adventure!, July 6, 2003

By 

Carol Webb (Glendale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perils of the Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a roller coaster ride of a novel and a great first book by Ms. Ashley. The herione, Evangeline, gets into one scrape after another, but this heroine is not faint of heart. She is strong and well matched with the hero. A really loved the chemistry between Evangeline and Austin. The sexual tension fairly sizzled between them. If you love high seas adventures, I highly recommend Ms. Ashley's debut novel. I can't want until her next book comes out!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars action-packed Georgian romance, November 11, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Perils of the Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1789 on a cross-oceanic voyage of the merchant ship Aurora, Anne a fellow passenger, forces Evangeline Clemens to cause a distraction so she can commandeer the ship. The blackmailer uses Evangeline's brother as a hostage to insure cooperation. Evangeline tries everything including innocent seduction to occupy Captain Austin Blackwell's mind though she gets the body too.

Anne succeeds even as Austin thinks Evangeline must be a spy. In spite of mistrusting her and regaining control of his ship, Austin begins to fall in love with Evangeline who knows he has had her heart from the moment she first saw her captain. However, the adventures are just beginning for this duo sailing in perilous waters.

PERILS OF THE HEART is a fun diversion as the Georgian romance reads like the serials as the Pauline heroine lands in one predicament after another. The story line is so jammed with action mindful of Groucho's room on the ship in Night at the Opera that the audience never fully meets any of the cast including the lead couple and the villains, though her motives are explained. Still Jennifer Ashley shows such a flare for high adventure that those Georgian romance readers who prefer 200 proof activity need to use a seat belt as they feast on this ultra non-stopper.

Harriet Klausner