Customer Reviews

The Price of Pleasure

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 ---

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

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

...And you can imagine the rest. SHE was shipwrecked as a pre-teen, and so has none of the inhibitions on proper British young ladies. HE personifies British dignity, manners, and control--and he's a hunk, too. When HE meets HER, you will keep reading and reading until you are dying for them to throw their upbringings out the window and to get in bed together! K. Cole writes sexual tension splendidly, but she also gives us a full book experience, with settings that seem real and secondary characters that are interesting in themselves, and not just cardboard props for the hero and heroine. Talented author, great book. Not the same old historical romance!

I enjoyed the author's first book CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES and looked forward to reading this story. For some reason her hero, Grant Sutherland kept bringing to mind Damien Knight (without the shell-shock) from Gaelen Foley's LORD OF ICE (one of my fave books) in that both were stiff, formal men ruled by a strict code of honor. Honor that is sorely tested by an unconventional, high spirited young woman - in this case castaway Victoria Dearbourne.

Second son Grant Sutherland has been a sea captain as well as acting as a stand-in for his elder brother Derek, the Earl of Stanhope, managing his estates for four years until his brother took up his responsibilities. That experience has made Grant yearn for lands of his own, so when the elderly and heir-less Earl of Belmont offers his estate in payment for Grant leading an expedition to locate his long lost granddaughter, Grant accepts his offer. Victoria, her parents and governess Camellia Scott were lost eight years ago in a shipwreck in the South Pacific. Grant is determined to find her and bring her home and claim his reward in due time. When he finally finds her, she is determined not to be caught (she doesn't know his true motives, now does she?) and, until she can figure it out, she leads him on a merry chase across the island eluding and frustrating him.

Tori and her companion Cammie have survived by their wits for years and they do not trust this invasion of men into their isolated world. Men have come to the island before after all, and not with the most honorable intentions. While trying to decide whether to trust these newcomers or not, Tori sends them on a wild goose chase all over the island until Sutherland finally finds her and convinces her to come home with him. On the journey home, Grant fights his attraction to her in the face of her determination to woo him! But he's not made of stone and so he eventually gives in to his attraction to her considerable charms. But Tori is having some difficulty adjusting to the restrictive life of a proper young Englishwoman and soon learns that she is not the biddable, proper kind of woman that Grant plans to take to wife. She feels utterly betrayed and decides to move on with her life without Grant. And eventhough all his friends and family think he is an idiot, he sticks to his conviction that Tori is not right for him. But when the truth finally sinks in, can he win her back?

A nice story of opposites attracting and of a hero who has to finally set aside some long-held beliefs for love. And Cammie has her own story line that will satisfy readers after all her suffering and adjustment to a proper life in England. Nicole and Derek from COAP return in supporting roles here and wayward cousin Ian Traywick is introduced and will surely star in the author's next story. An enjoyable read that I recommend to those looking for a good adventure story and for a couple that really has to work to be together. Can't wait for Ian's story!

I liked the first book Mrs. Cole wrote, and I liked this one even better. I liked every character. I liked the plot. I loved the interaction between the characters. Everything matched up. Everything but our main characters personalities. They were as diferent as night and day. Opposites attract, and let me tell you, it is very entertaining to watch Victoria try to loosen up Grant. Great book

I always enjoy Kresley's books and enjoyed this one as well. This Sutherland brother lacked his older brothers appeal and at times he was quite annoying but overall still enjoyed book. Thankfully the female lead was likeable. I wish Kresley had written one for cousin Ian as I found him far more interesting but many years have past and no book so I don't think it's forthcoming.

This is an easy book to read and then forget. I liked the author's writing really more than I did the plot of the book. It was bogged down in too much romance and I didn't feel the main characters had any real depth to them.
I need a more believable plot and I need more of it, that's why I read Historical romance instead of romance. This is definitely not a page turner but worth the read if you don't have anything better to do.

I always like to read the bio of the author if possible. The ease and flow of her writing amply reflects her master's degree in English. Overall, I found the two characters likeable. But this book is not in the category of books that stay with you and make you wish that it was an actual story of your life.
First, the book requires that the reader suspends reality by believing that a 13 year old girl and a genteel English woman can somehow survive for a decade, and not only survive, but create a habitat of the highest level of workmanship. The girl may be a genius, but I found it hard to believe. Maybe that's why I just couldn't take any of the developing romance seriously because all the early events were unrealistic. Additionally, the young lady just seems to engender love in all that meet her very easily; she is very blessed. That said, you shouldn't bypass the book either if you're looking for a pleasant read. As I've said, the writing is good and after the initial sense of disbelief, the characters are pleasant. The premise of the story is quite interesting...I loved "Swiss Family Robinson" and "Robinson Crusoe." I may try another book by this author. Just the fact that she can actually write in proper grammar is a big plus, which is sadly not the case for the slew of romance books flooding the market recently.

The reigning queen of sexual tension does it again. A highly satisfying read if you're in the mood for: scorching sexual tension, high emotions, all-consuming love, and brilliantly written love scenes. I highly recommend this book.