Customer Reviews

A Taste of Paradise (Leisure Historical Romance)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In 1824, Sophia Carlisle was the center of a duel between two best friends. The survivor Christian Radcliff blames her for the death of his pal and for the subsequent scandal that erupted.

Seven years later, Sophia flees for her life from Sir Oscar Rigby stowing on a ship about to head to Jamaica. When she is found Captain Radcliff is irate as she is the person he loathes most in the world. To pay her way across the ocean, he forces her into his bed where she turns into a willing partner, but to his dismay and shock he discovers she is a virgin. Christian is totally confused as he thought she gave her self seven years ago. When Sir Oscar arrives in Kingston, Christian knows he must act to keep the woman he loves safe. He persuades her to marry him though he still wonders what really occurred back in England over seven years ago even as slave unrest threatens to erupt into open warfare.

This is a superb regency romance starring two individuals with a second chance at love if they both can move beyond their haunted past. The story line is action-packed mostly by the point and counterpoint caused by Sir Oscar. Though the plot device has been used a lot, fans will feel A TALE OF PARADISE is a refreshing historical journey especially with Jamaica providing a different milieu than the usual.

Harriet Klausner

With over 50 books in print, Connie Mason does it again by providing her fans with sensual romance in an exotic setting. This time it is Jamaica. The lovely Sophia Carlisle is a pawn to her brother, as he sells her innocence away to a villian in order to pay his gambling debts. She must flee as soon as possible and stows away on the first ship leaving England. The captain of the ship, Christian Radcliff, is a nobleman who just happens to have loved Sophia years ago. He is on his way to a new life running his plantation in Jamaica. He hopes to leave his pain behind, as he continues to struggle with the guilt of murdering his best friend in a duel - the duel being fought over none other than the lovely Sophia. Shocked at being reunited, Sophia and Christian struggle with feelings past and present. In order to protect Sophia from her brother's evil plan and the danger of a slave uprising brewing on the Jamacian island, Christian marries Sophia. As their love and passion reignites, so does the danger and suspense. A Taste of Paradise is another Connie Mason book to add your historical romance collection.

Years ago, Christian Radcliffe and Sophia Carlisle were two sides of a love triangle that ended when he killed his best friend for the love of her. Unable to forgive Sophia or himself, Christian went to sea, never expecting to see her again, but fate brings them together when Sophia unwittingly stows away on his ship, heading for Jamaica to escape a fate worse than death. When she is caught, Chris is forced to protect her, even to the point of creating a sham relationship; however, forgotten passions begin to stir to life again. Though there are still many issues to resolve, neither can comfortably deny what they still feel. However, when Sophia's evil pursuers catch up with her, the two will have to go through with their "marriage". By this time, the thought is not too terrible. The ghost of unforgiveness lingers between them still, but something is coming that will force both Chris and Sophia to choose between love and hate.

** Exotic locales and shipboard romances hold great appeal for many readers. Though some points do not seem to be altogether logical, most readers will be able to overlook these minor issues to enjoy the tale. **

Amanda Killgore

Those of us who have read hundreds of romance novels are very familiar with Mason's style. I read Connie Mason stories after I have read something deep and haunting. (i.e. Marsha Canham's "Blood of Roses" series, Julia Garnett's "The Scotsman", Shannon Drake's "Come the Morning" series, etc.) After being emotionally blown away, I need to read something light and simple. Mason's books are softer soap opera type stories. A very good buffer between the soul- haunting stories.
I also like the fact that Mason strives to present places and historical events that most other authors never touch. When you want to experience a land and culture that has not been used time and time again, Mason has some good books to choose from. "A Taste of Paradise" is one of those books. It is a journey to the tropical island of Jamaica. The slave tragedy of 1831 is at it's root.

The story:

Christian Radcliff is an Englishman who is haunted by guilt. Seven years ago he killed his best friend in a duel over a woman. In his distress, Chris took to the sea. After years of running a shipping business, he has made himself rich. He is ready for a new adventure. He finds it in Jamaica. He wins a sugarcane plantation in a card game. This plantation will be his future. Despite how far he has come, he can not forget the woman he loved, nor forgive himself for killing his friend over her.

Sophia Carlisle is a high- born English lady. However, her father and step- brother have put the family in dept. At the age of seventeen she fell in love with Christian Radcliff. She desperately wants to marry Chris, but her father forces her to accept the proposal of Chris's wealthy best friend, Desmond. To her horror, the two friends duel for her hand. Desmond is killed. Chris leaves England in his sorrow. Now Sophia is left alone to bare the scandal. Her father whisks her away to the country where the family will hide in shame.

Seven years later, Sophia's father is dead. Her step- brother, Rayford, has gambled away what little the family had left. He owes money to several people. The worst dept being 500 pounds owed to a plantation owner, Rigby. When Rigby threatens to throw Rayford in debtors prison, Rayford agrees to sell Sophia's virginity to Rigby in exchange for the cancelling of his dept. Sophia escapes Rigby, hiding on a ship in the harbor. Little does she know, the ship is owned by her lost love, Christian Radcliff.

By the time Christian finds Sophia on his ship, it is too late to turn the ship around and return her to England. His only choice is to bring her along to Jamaica and then put her on a different ship back to England. However, when Sophia reaches Jamaica she falls instantly in love with the island. She makes her own plans to stay and build a new life for herself.

While searching for a governess position, Sophia is horrified when she is captured by Rigby. Chris manages to save her from his grasp, but now knows he has no choice but to give her a safe place to stay in his home. Chris wants Sophia badly, but is too guilt- ridden over his friend's death to accept his feelings for her. Sophia loves Chris dearly. She prays Chris will find the freedom to love her back.

Thousands of slaves are kept working at Jamaica's various plantations. Chris, being a man of English beliefs in freedom, frees his slaves and offers to have them work for pay. Surrounding plantation owners are furious. They believe his act will cause their already defiant slaves to rebel. In the face of a slave uprising, Chris feels he must send Sophia to the safety of his brother's home in England. To Sophia, this feels like the ultimate rejection. She decides to never return to Chris, even when Jamaica becomes safe. Now Chris is desperate to win her back.

I love Connie Mason! Loved the book and can't wait to catch up with her recent publications. It's romance - enjoy!

I really wanted to give this book 2.5 stars. The characters drove me crazy back and forth. The heroine of the book new Rigby was after her but yet she continued to put herself in these situations. The book was basically tiring. Like others reviewers stated your better off with Ms. Mason's older books like the Black Knight and excellent read.

Is it just me or are all of Connie's books sounding the same? This story had no real plot and the characters were not developed at all. What happened to the great books that she use to write? I keep buying her books thinking that they will be better the next time, but they never are. I would advise readers to read her earlier books. Don't even waste your money or time on this book!

Since the book has been summarized, I will explain why I didn't like it.
First, I never felt, even at the end, that the hero really loved her. It seemed like it was all based on his lust for her.

Then there was a lot of sub-conflicts going on as well such as: his lust and bitterness towards the heroine, her brother and Rigby's schemes, the slave revolt, the hurricane, the h/h past that tortures their relationship, is he cheating on her?, is she pregnant?, she's a wanted criminal in London etc., was all too much for me. They just went on and on.

Then after all of those conflicts, they are miraculously resolved in but a few pages.

It took me about four days to read this book which is unheard of. Save your money and pass on "A Taste Of Paradise".

Not sure what happened with this one. I read the reviews before I bought it, but Ivd read lots of Connie Mason books and couldnt believe it was really that bad.
Well, I was wrong. It really was that bad, I was very disapointed and pretty surprised. There may be some elements I have not liked, but this is the first book I really didnt like. It started off ok, kinda. Well, at least it had some action in the begining where it still made sence. We meet our two main characters and some of the supporting ones. We learn the problem that our hero and heroine have that is keeping them apart, etc. K, now. She stowes away on the ship,(mentioned on book no spoiler) obviously they see eachother. So, you would think some of their problem would be solved, but I couldnt believe it, it never was. The one problem they had was the same overused problem throught the whole book. And her brother and Sir Rigby for bad guys?? Are you kidding me? Not to mention how te heroine kept placing herself in situations that she should have known how they would end. She really was one of the dumbest heroines Ive read all year. The way she let Christian treat her, although she did start to stand up to her brother it didnt do her any good when her actions showed she did NOT use her brain.
Also, our hero was a pretty weak one. I could not believe how many different situations he found himself in that "he could do nothing about" Espically in relation to Amanda, that really drove me nuts.
So, I dont think I would recommend this to anyone, althought I know some of you are going to get it anyway to form your own opinion, like I did. I cant blame anyoen either, it is really hard to believe how much of a run around it is. So, good luck to you!!

OK, THIS IS HOW IT IS! SULTRY, SENSUAL, SEXY-- AND A TRUE LOVE STORY THAT CONNIE WRITES SO WELL. WITH JAMAICA AS THE SETTING FOR THIS HISTORICALLY CORRECT TALE, YOU WILL BE SWEPT AWAY WITH THE SEA OF ROMANCE, DESIRE, TREACHERY, GUILT, AND REMORSE. YOU HAVE TWO EQUALLY STRONG PERSONALITIES, HERO AND HEROINE. EACH FOR THIER OWN REASONS, DENYING THEY LOVE EACH OTHER. FOR HOURS OF PURE READING ENJOYMENT, AND SOME SPICEY SEX,I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PICKING UP THIS BOOK.