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39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Sensual Pleasure, April 22, 2005
At the age of 13, Victoria "Tori" Dearbourne, had learned to endure. Surviving a shipwreck, Tori, her mother, who sustained a broken back and later died; and her governess Camelia "Cammy" Scott, would be marooned on a deserted island in the middle of Oceania for the next eight years. Living alone Tori developed skills of survival including building, hunting, and catching fish. The one time they thought they might be rescued, the sailors attacked them and after Tori and Cammy barely escaped rape were left stranded once again.
Grant Sutherland, is captain of the ship that has finally reached Tori's island, having been sent on the latest expedition in search of the missing Dearbourne family. Spying the young woman racing across the beach, Grant was so surprised and overwhelmed at locating her he immediately raced after her. With Tori's past experience with sailors, being far from pleasant, she was taking no chances on being caught and Grant found her eluding him at every turn. For the very unemotional and stodgy Grant, his experience with the very unladylike antics of Tori were hard to digest and yet, he couldn't help but feel powerless to prevent his imagination from running wild with desire for her. The journey back to civilization would be a test of will as Tori battled Grant for his affections, and Grant battled his sense of propriety and honor over his passion for Tori!
*** Kresley Cole has once again crafted a marvelous tale featuring the brother of Derek, her first hero in THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES. Grant was first introduced in helping to bring Derek and Nicole together and I looked forward to the promised sequel which proved him to be as hot and sensual as his brother, even if it took another very original and delightful heroine (Tori) to straighten him out and loosen him up! The pace is quick, the adventure is both exciting and sensual, and the chemistry between the two was marvelous. Additionally, you get to revisit some old friends from the first book, and have your appetite whetted for what looks like another adventure featuring cousin Ian who has mysteriously disappeared. I loved the original plot, delightful characterizations and excitement this author creates in a book that is sure to bring the reader plenty of `pleasurable' reading. --- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---
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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Romance, adventure, and the high seas, September 8, 2005
The only child of explorers, thirteen-year old Victoria Dearbourne travels the world with her parents, accompanied by her governess, Miss Camellia Scott. But Tori's carefree life changes forever when the Serendipity goes down during a storm in the South Pacific, taking her father to his watery grave. Tori, her gravely injured mother, and Cammy are the only ones to survive, washing ashore on a deserted island. When it becomes clear her mother will not survive, she makes Tori promise never to give up hope that her grandfather will send someone to find her. But eight years pass in their paradise prison, and the few times sailors have come upon their island, rescue was not their goal. Now wary of men, Tori is determined to elude the latest batch who've arrived on their shores.
Like everyone else in England, Grant Sutherland and his crew are well acquainted with the tragic story of the Earl of Belmont's family. Although his son, daughter-in-law, and only grandchild were presumed lost at sea nearly a decade ago, the elderly earl refuses to believe they are dead and has beggared himself sending out countless search parties. Commissioned by the ailing nobleman to do one last search, in exchange for the earl's estate after he dies, Grant has almost given up when he sees a beautiful young woman running on the beach of an isolated island. Convinced he has found the missing Dearbournes, Grant quickly mobilizes a team to go ashore and retrieve the survivors.
Instead of being greeted by grateful castaways wanting to leave, Grant and his men find themselves outmaneuvered time and time again by their quarry. For Grant, frustration gives way to respect, along with a growing attraction for this impetuous island woman. The feeling is mutual for Tori, and gradually she comes to believe that rescue finally has come. It is on the voyage back to England that the awareness between captain and passenger finally explodes into passion. But while Tori unabashedly revels in their intimacy, Grant finds himself torn between logic and desire. Having seen how love had nearly destroyed one brother and killed another, Grant has sworn never to care too deeply for a woman. With Tori, however, it is all or nothing.
THE PRICE OF PLEASURE is only Kresley Cole's second book, but it cements her position as a rising star of historical romance. While the lush islands of the South Pacific come to life in her narrative, it is her complex characterization of the lead characters that capture the reader's attention. Practical, ingenious, and brimming with life, Tori is no demure Victorian lady. Grant, on the other hand, is more complex. At first glance, he is the epitome of a dark, brooding hero, but the reader sees him evolving as the story unfolds. Intriguing secondary characters abound, including Derek and Nicole from the previous book in the series (THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES), and the stage is set for the next installment.
TheSchemer
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better Than The First!!!, September 6, 2004
I really enjoyed Ms. Cole's first novel "The Captain of All Pleasure" and anxiously awaited her latest effort. Trust me it was well worth the wait, and in my opinion better than the first.
The characters, action, and chemistry all combined to make a this read not only a pleasure to read, but fun. Victoria and Grant were wonderful main characters. Their angst and conflict was not over the top and was actually true to form for both characters. Victoria was a true free spirit, and Grant could not have been more uptight. I know how could these two different people fall in love? You'll just have to read the book. Secondary characters such as Cammy, and Grant's family (yes, they are all back) only add to the story. They are not "behind the scene" characters used as filler. They actually play a very important and at time funny parts. I laughed and I cried. A true sign that a book is excellent if you can care about the characters enough to feel an emotion. Also a sign of a talented author that can draw that reaction from a reader!
Ms. Cole is truly a talented author, and one that I will now buy simply because her name is on the cover. I am hoping her next effort won't be long in coming and that it might just be Ian's story (hint, hint...). In any event this is a read that I highly recommend that you add to your "must read" list. Trust me you won't be sorry.
Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com
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