"Fresh pirate romance"

In 1562 Istanbul, Turkey, with the death of their royal father, one son Ibrahim begins slaughtering his male siblings and rivals. Only because his English mother warned him is Prince Dariq able to escape the fratricide; Ibrahim killed ever other contender in the onslaught.

Two years later, Dariq and his pirates use the island of Lisp as a base as they sail the Mediterranean on the Revenge raiding Turkish ships. This time they stop the Ottoman, which is carrying a special treasure for Ibrahim. Lady Willow Foxburn has been sold to Ibrahim for a princely sum of gold. While all she wants is to go home to her father in England, Dariq sees her as a pawn to barter with his enemy, Willow for his mother. However, as the trade is set and the time to exchange draws close, Dariq and Willow are in love, leaving him to choose between the two women he cherishes above his own life.

This pirate romance uses Turkey, the Dardanelles, and the Eastern Mediterranean as a backdrop to provide a fresh tale that has an exotic and erotic taste to it. The story line hooks readers the moment Willow throws a missile at the head of her captor and never lets up until the exhilarating conclusion. Willow is a terrific heroine, but the heroic Dariq makes the tale as he struggles between two loves, not wanting to let either come to harm.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 15, 2004