"A great debut by an author with loads of talent"

In support of the concept that the "Sun never sets on the English Empire", in 1854 Queen Victoria sponsors the Great Circle Race, a sailing contest open to all nationalities that will start in London and finish in Sydney. Two years later just before the start of the race, Team Lassiter is struck a terrible blow when its captain Jason Lassiter is incarcerated after a tavern brawl in London. However, his daughter Nicole, raised on the sea, takes over as captain.

Derek Sutherland and his crew are amongst the challengers, but he is more desperate to win than most because victory is the only way to save his tottering shipping line. Derek and Nicole are attracted to one another, but neither trusts the other. Nicole believes that he is sabotaging her family's shipping business. Fate intervenes when Nicole's vessel is damaged in a storm and Derek rescues her. As they become lovers in love, they soon have an epiphany that a third party is behind the troubles destroying both their shipping lines.

Victorian England on the high seas is as vivid as can be pictured in this action-packed historical romance. The lead couple is a delight as they brawl, argue, and fight until they realize that they are in love. Though the intrigue subplot and the "disputes" between her father and her beloved add tension, it seems unnecessary as Jason and Nicole have so much baggage to go through anyway. Still readers will enjoy sailing with Kresley Cole at the helm.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 15, 2003