Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Broken Wing

by Judith James (Goodreads Author)

3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 · rating details · 473 ratings · 89 reviews

Set during the chaotic beginnings of Napoleon's rule, this saga tells the story of Gabriel St. Croix, a street survivor searching for a place to belong. Abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, he has never known friendship or affection. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy facade, his only relationship is with a young boy he has spent the last five years...more

Paperback, 440 pages

Published November 1st 2008 by Medallion Press

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

Tortured Heroes of Historical Romance

23rd out of 223 books — 172 voters

Romance In France & French Hero(in)es

10th out of 132 books — 39 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 949)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Apr 24, 2009 MelissaB rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, exotic-locations, 2009-reads, pirates, tortured-hero, kindle

Broken Wing was a very good book that kept me turning the pages. The writing style is different than most romances, I felt a little more removed from the characters than normal but it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. There was a historical fiction feel to the story but there is also a very good romance being told.

Sarah Monroe and her brother travel to France to bring home her younger brother who disappeared five years ago but was recently found in a brothel. They find him relati...more Broken Wing was a very good book that kept me turning the pages. The writing style is different than most romances, I felt a little more removed from the characters than normal but it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. There was a historical fiction feel to the story but there is also a very good romance being told.

Sarah Monroe and her brother travel to France to bring home her younger brother who disappeared five years ago but was recently found in a brothel. They find him relatively unharmed thanks to the protection of Gabriel St. Croix, a very jaded male prostitute who was sold to the Madam as a young boy and has been unable to escape. Sarah insists on Gabriel being released and brought home to Cornwall with them since he saved her younger brother from great harm. Gabriel had all hope burnt out of him at a young age and doesn’t know what to do with his newfound freedom. He is afraid to believe that he is finally free to live and has no idea what to do with that freedom.

Gabriel settles into their house in Cornwall as a paid companion to the younger brother but has trouble assimilating into a normal life. He has been taught his only value is his body and what he can do with it but Sarah strives to bring out the sensitive man who was buried inside. Gabriel and Sarah have a great connection that grows as she slowly brings him out of his shell with the help of her brother and cousin. The couple fall in love over a long period of time which made it believable despite Gabriel’s horrible past. They had to deal with a lot of his emotional issues related to his treatment at the hands of others but slowly were able to overcome them.

After they fall in love there was a turning point to the story where Gabriel was separated from Sarah and had to endure even more trials. While it was hard to read about this poor guy enduring even more in his life, this part of the book was also interesting. I am not a fan of separations in my romance but the author was able to write this section well. The locations moved to Northern Africa, which is a very interesting place during the early 1800’s. The ending was good and heart-wrenching but I would have enjoyed a little more detail to the story after the couple was reunited.

Overall, this was a very good historical romance. The romance aspect was sweet and endearing, I really enjoyed Gabriel and Sarah as a couple. Sarah was a wonderful heroine, I love how she believed in Gabriel from the beginning and always fought for him. My heart broke for the pain Gabriel endured during his life but he was able to become a good man despite everything.

Read this book if you want to read a good story that tells of how love can conquer over hardship and pain. Also read this if you want a historical romance that is a bit different than most of the others – in a good way.
(less)

15 likes · like · see review

Jan 11, 2009 Eastofoz rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Readers who prefer historical fiction more than historical romance

Shelves: historical-regency

Why all the hoopla about this book I don’t know. It’s not really a romance novel even though it’s touted as one. It’s almost like an adventure story about a very damaged hero and it is ALL about the hero. The romance is a sub-story. What little steam there is is glanced over like you would find in regular fiction and after the first half of the book the h/h don’t get together until the end –that’s about 200 pages covering the hero and what happens to him –so it’s not a romance for me.

There quit...more

17 likes · like · see review

Jan 25, 2010 Verity rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: james-judith, damaged-h-h, fallen-angels

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 3.5 STARS

I dunno what to make of this book. The romance dept was so lacking that I was tempted to rate it lower. I do give JJ credit for originality, but “The chronicles of Gabriel’s miserable life” woulda been a more apt title. I don’t mind long separations as long as the pay-off in the end makes me go ooh & aah, but in this case, the HEA felt like the author was made aware that the deadline was just around the corner, so she wrapped it up @ a rapid ‘blink & U’ll miss’ speed. He makes a...more 3.5 STARS

I dunno what to make of this book. The romance dept was so lacking that I was tempted to rate it lower. I do give JJ credit for originality, but “The chronicles of Gabriel’s miserable life” woulda been a more apt title. I don’t mind long separations as long as the pay-off in the end makes me go ooh & aah, but in this case, the HEA felt like the author was made aware that the deadline was just around the corner, so she wrapped it up @ a rapid ‘blink & U’ll miss’ speed. He makes a big fuzz ‘bout not wanting to be an eternal shameless freeloader, he’s eager to earn his own dough, but then WTF, he chickens out in the end. He doesn’t have the b@ll$ to face her. He thinks his chance @ luv is shot to hell. Well, I couldn’t fathom why he felt tainted. After all the grisly trials & tribulations he’s gone thru’, U’d think he’ll do whatever it takes, @ least make a conscious effort to move heaven & earth to be w/ his wife again. Doesn’t it defeat the purpose of the 145 pages of separation ? Gabriel’s self-flogging was overabundant. I didn’t fall for his sob “I’m a victim” story, I thought he was a tad immature (@ times he acts like a surly, ungrateful teenager who drifts thru’ life w/ no sense of purpose) & too emotionally stunted to have a real long-lasting relationship. Batman’s own Rachel has a corny but memorable quote : “It’s not who U are underneath. It’s what U do that defines U.” Gabriel prolly thinks it’s a policy he should adhere to, ‘cuz obviously he feels the sum of his worth is defined by his bloody acts, thus his feeling of unworthiness. Gimme a break =^2 Sarah has given him a taste of heaven. She opens her heart, her house, her chunky family coffers & yez, most crucially, her pearly gates of heaven. She waits for him for over 2 freakin’ long years. She has proven that she has an unlimited capacity for sympathy & accepting him the way he is, slit wrists & all. Instead of rushing to her arms, he condemns himself to a lifetime of unhappiness. There’s lotsa telling & not enuff showing. The plot of ‘Highland rebel’ meanders @ times, hence the more lackadaisical pace. In comparison, BW is less hefty but suffers from a meandering hero. I enjoyed the 2ndary characters’ (Davey = Sarah’s cousin / Gabriel’s mentor, Ross = Sarah’s over-protective bro’, Valmont = Gabriel’s newfound BFF) & their droll sense of humor. I also liked it when Gabriel turned into a cold-blooded, take-no-prisoners killing machine in the name of revenge & delivered the kiss of death. 1 chapter of his life is closed as the villain gets his comeuppance. Relentless physical battery aside, the book has its highlights, but unfortunately Sarah is relegated to the corner of the storyboard as a mental prop. If Gabriel’s rambling luv letters were supposed to be the barometer of his esteem for Sarah, she coulda lived w/out ‘em. For once, actions should speak more eloquently than words. For all his boasting & jeering, his luvmaking is 1-dimensional. Why not let his much-touted talents do the talking ? If this book is a showcase for human’s resilience in the face of 1 horrific event after another, JJ has succeeded, but I prefer a tortured hero w/ more layers, who gives more than he takes. He woulda endeared himself more if he’d groveled, after putting Sarah thru’ years of worrying & loneliness. Even after the saccharine-sweet HEA, he still needed lifelong therapy. I betcha my glorious crown that anytime the family piggy bank runs dry, he’ll run off again to make ends meet, then feel unworthy of her & no amount of Sarah’s unconditional luv, caring & affection will ever be enuff to heal his wounded soul. “Gabriel” seems to be the go-to hero’s name for any books featuring fallen angels. So I guess I’m no bleeding heart ‘cuz he broke her heart, it was a slap in Sarah’s face when he didn’t bend over backwards or crawl on broken shields for being MIA while she ate her heart out for her cynical hubby, esp when she’s only a stone’s throw away. I almost wished she’d hook up w/ Killigrew, ‘cuz he injects a bit of fun in her otherwise-dreary life.(less)

7 likes · like · see review

Apr 14, 2012 Kristiej rated it 5 of 5 stars

Gabriel is a young man living in complete despair. Since he was given as a very young boy to a French brothel, he has been used – terribly so. Hauntingly so. Heartbreakingly so. The only thing that keeps him going, that keeps him there, is the protection he is giving to a young boy, Jamie. He is terrified that the same thing will be done to the Jamie that was done to him. When he finds out the family, a brother and sister, of Jamie have discovered his whereabouts after years of searching for him...more Gabriel is a young man living in complete despair. Since he was given as a very young boy to a French brothel, he has been used – terribly so. Hauntingly so. Heartbreakingly so. The only thing that keeps him going, that keeps him there, is the protection he is giving to a young boy, Jamie. He is terrified that the same thing will be done to the Jamie that was done to him. When he finds out the family, a brother and sister, of Jamie have discovered his whereabouts after years of searching for him, Gabriel knows it’s his time to escape – except he has no where to go. The brothel is all he has known. So when young Jamie refuses to go with this family he barely remembers unless his friend Gabriel accompanies him back to England, his older brother and sister agree, and Gabriel has a place to go. But he’s not happy. Gabriel doesn’t feel worthy. He sees himself a whore and is just waiting for either Ross or Sarah, Jamie’s brother or sister to make a move on him. But Sarah senses there is something worthwhile underneath his hard shell. And slowly, and angrily Gabriel begins telling her about some of his past, expecting her to be horrified and send him away. But instead Sarah is compassionate and understanding. They slowly, over time, fall in love. And it’s beautiful to read. I was close to tears many times.
Sarah is an unconventional heroine. Married against her will at a young age to an old rue, she does the unthinkable and leaves him. He later dies but she is ostracized from polite society. But rather than mourn, she is now liberated to live life the way she wants to. Her brother Ross, supports her, rather than trying to get her to conform. He is very leery of the growing closeness he sees between Sarah and Gabriel since he knows what Gabriel was but he is convinced by a family friend Davey to look beyond the surface of what Gabriel once was and try and see what Sarah sees.
Now in most romances this would signal the end of the book, but not so in this case. Instead in Broken Wing, Gabriel leaves with Davey, a privateer, to try and make his fortune so he can support Sarah. What follows is all Gabriel’s story and his descent back into his personal hell but always with Sarah in his heart. My heart ached, and I mean really and truly ACHED during this part for all that Gabriel suffers and all that he goes through.
As I said, I wish I could give this more than 5 stars as it is a book that deeply moved me with it's story of an all conquering love.(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Aug 23, 2011 Mollie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, romance, own, july, 2010, favorites

This book first appeared on my radar way back when Kristie(j) posted her review then her subsequent quest to get EVERYONE to read it, much like her North & South crusade! I don't know why I didn't read this sooner. Kristie hasn't steered me wrong yet between Ride the Fire, North & South, and the Joss Ware Envy series; I should know by now to read everything Kristie tells me!

I don't know that there's a lot for me to add with all of the amazing reviews of Broken Wing but if you're a girl w...more This book first appeared on my radar way back when Kristie(j) posted her review then her subsequent quest to get EVERYONE to read it, much like her North & South crusade! I don't know why I didn't read this sooner. Kristie hasn't steered me wrong yet between Ride the Fire, North & South, and the Joss Ware Envy series; I should know by now to read everything Kristie tells me!

I don't know that there's a lot for me to add with all of the amazing reviews of Broken Wing but if you're a girl who loves a tortured hero, they don't make 'em much more tortured than Gabriel St. Croix.

This is one seriously damaged soul, so drawn into himself, having experienced nothing at all of love, he can't imagine anyone expressing any kindness towards him. His perceptions of people's actions and intentions toward him are so skewed, your heart just breaks for him. Especially when Sarah says or acts out of complete kindness or generosity and he immediately assumes the worst and often lashes out unnecessarily.

You might think, as a reader, that this would grate on your nerves however, I think it's an accurate representation of the psychological and emotional damage that people who suffer the kind of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse that Gabe endured.

While Gabriel has serious issues and the book deals with some disturbing content, I think James does an excellent job of giving the reader just enough information regarding Gabe's past without crossing a line into gratuitous descriptions of his abuse.

Sarah is an excellent heroine, almost too perfect in my opinion though. She's so forgiving and understanding and always manages to react to Gabe's outbursts with the perfect amount of patience and sympathy. She's exactly the type of woman Gabriel needs, however she just seems so perfect it would have been nice if she had some flaws!

This is definitely a hero centric story, there is a large chunk of the story where Gabriel and Sarah are separated but if you're like me and enjoy a good tortured hero, no doubt you'll fall in love with Gabriel! You HAVE to pick up Broken Wing. I love it!

Kristie, consider me a Questor!(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Apr 21, 2012 .þµŋψà. [Punya Reviews...] rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to .þµŋψà. [Punya Reviews...] by: Dinjolina

Shelves: oh-those-gigolos, judith-james, sexiest-dirty-talker, whoa-pirates, i-wanna-have-your-babies, favorites, i-cried-like-a-baby

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

This debut book by Judith James is by no means formulaic. I’ve read many of those in my long years of Romance reading and while I loved some of them to bits, others bored me to death. I totally appreciated the storyline of Broken Wing, the historical research JJ obviously done so well and created someone like Gabriel; a man you can’t just NOT adore, love and respect, even though his past was every bit sordid. Va...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 01, 2009 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews, historical-romance

This is not what would normally catch my eye. But since it came highly recommened and that it was such a great love story. I had to read it. This book was truly amazing. It tells of one of the greatest love stories I have read in a very long time. From the first page it captured me. The author has done such a degree of research about the time that the writing is nothing but stellar.

I really loved this book and like all my fellow bloggers I highly recommend reading it. The love that Gabriel and S...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 23, 2013 Princess rated it 4 of 5 stars

The story didn't captivate me at first and the hero was...quite emotional instead of having the usual hardened and cold demeanor.

So I was a little bit disappointed because I thought he was probably in his thirties and he just didn't act really mature.

description

But then we find out he's quite young, probably the same age as the heroine (21) because Davey refered to them as children. All was well in my world because this meant we would read about how they fell in love (and it was so sweeeeet!) prior their s...more

like · see review

Mar 07, 2012 KatiD rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: rntv-reviews

Reviewed by Kati Dancy
Grade: 5+ stars
Publisher: Medallion Press

Every once in a while, if one is very lucky, they read a romance novel so lyrically written, so wonderfully conceived, so thoroughly researched, so full of interesting and different characters, it practically ruins reading for them for a few days, or weeks, or months. I very much fear that this will be the case for me after reading BROKEN WING by Judith James. I requested this book at the recommendation of KristieJ, a wonderful and s...more Reviewed by Kati Dancy
Grade: 5+ stars
Publisher: Medallion Press

Every once in a while, if one is very lucky, they read a romance novel so lyrically written, so wonderfully conceived, so thoroughly researched, so full of interesting and different characters, it practically ruins reading for them for a few days, or weeks, or months. I very much fear that this will be the case for me after reading BROKEN WING by Judith James. I requested this book at the recommendation of KristieJ, a wonderful and sensitive reviewer whose blog, Ramblings on Romance, is a delight for those who love romance. Kristie was so moved after reading the book that she emailed practically everyone in her email address book with the insistence that we all run out, buy, read and go forth and spread the word about BROKEN WING. I immediately wrote Marisa and requested the book, which I was lucky enough to receive on Friday. I’ve spent the weekend immersed in England, France, the Barbary Coast, Algiers and piracy.

Gabriel St. Croix is a prostitute – he has been most of his life. Recently he’s begun protecting Jamie, a young boy sold to the house of ill repute where Gabriel lives and makes his living, such as it is. Gabriel has found that his only reason for living or surviving is to protect Jamie, who has become his family. Thus, Gabriel is quite disconcerted to hear that Jamie’s well-to-do family has come from England, after conducting a three year long search, to take him home. Jamie has very little recollection of his family, and absolutely insists that Gabriel accompany him home. So it is that Gabriel and Lady Sarah Monroe meet and find themselves living together in uneasy company.

Sarah is fascinated by Gabriel. He’s well read, an incredibly accomplished musician, and a closed off and bitter man. Yet she can’t seem to resist her attraction to him. Despite his razor sharp temper, which he occasionally takes out on her, she continues to try to get to know him. Sarah herself is quite a hoyden. She suffered through a very brief marriage to a much older man who had to good sense to die very shortly after their marriage leaving her a wealthy widow who cares very little for what society thinks of her. She wears breeches; she rides horses, has sailed with her cousin, a privateer, and generally does as she pleases. And for now, she wants to get to know the mysterious prostitute who has agreed to come and live with her.

For his part, Gabriel is, at turns, confounded and drawn to Sarah. It seems that nothing he does offends her, despite some incredibly boorish behavior on his part. She is as smart as anyone he’s ever known, and has no qualms about asking intrusive and impertinent questions. He’s fascinated and soon finds himself becoming very close friends with Sarah. When she finds that he is an insomniac, she invites him to her chambers to join her in stargazing. And they talk of everything, and nothing. Soon their platonic friendship has become something more. He finds himself having both lustful and loving thoughts that she reciprocates fully. Gabriel begins leaving his previous life behind. He becomes comfortable with Sarah and her family. Sarah introduces him to Davey, her cousin, who is a privateer, and soon Gabriel discovers a deep love of the sea. Davey teaches him everything about ships, sword battle, and yes, piracy. As Gabriel and Sarah become closer, he realizes that he must make his fortune in order to be the kind of man that he needs to be to marry her. He agrees to leave with Davey to make his fortune. He departs practically without saying goodbye to Sarah, and almost immediately realizes his mistake. He convinces Davey to turn the ship around, and he steals back to the house in the middle of the night, and asks Sarah to come to the ship so that they can be married before he goes. She happily agrees and they have a wonderfully passionate night before he takes off.

You’d think that would be the end of the story, but no indeed, it’s only the start of it.

Gabriel is one of the most deliciously tortured heroes I’ve ever read, he’s at turns angry, nasty, sweet and loving. And almost every moment the reader spends with him is a revelation. There is absolutely no question as to why Sarah falls in love with him. Who wouldn’t adore such a complex and flawed man? Sarah herself is a terrific foil for Gabriel. She’s also brilliant, and has a very well developed spine and a sense of humor. She doesn’t put up with Gabriel being nasty to her, and persists even when he’s cold and closed off. The secondary characters are wonderful, from Sarah’s concerned and protective older brother, Ross (who could do with his own happily ever after), to Davey, their pirate cousin, to Valmont, who becomes Gabriel’s confidant, comrade in arms and family.

The settings are exquisite and thoroughly researched. A good portion of the book happens in post Revolutionary France, and the tidbits and details that James includes many times made me pause to absorb them.

Many regular readers know that The Windflower by Tom and Sharon Curtis is my all time favorite romance. As such, I don’t invoke their names lightly, but the lightness of the prose and the wonderful wit and depth of the characters strongly evoked the Curtises for me. It is the highest possible compliment I could give an author. I am beside myself waiting for Ms. James’s next book, which I hope will be just as luscious and wonderful.

*REVIEW ORIGINALLY POSTED ON ROMANCE NOVEL TV(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jul 31, 2011 Sandy M rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

Every now and again a story comes along that pulls at your heart, wrings emotion out of you until nothing is left, defies you to hope for that happily ever after that you take for granted in every romance book you pick up. This is definitely one of those books for me. The fact that this is Ms. James’ debut book makes it all the more special.

The beginning of the book gives us Gabriel realizing his life is about to get worse than it’s ever been. The one person who is his friend in the horrible wor...more Every now and again a story comes along that pulls at your heart, wrings emotion out of you until nothing is left, defies you to hope for that happily ever after that you take for granted in every romance book you pick up. This is definitely one of those books for me. The fact that this is Ms. James’ debut book makes it all the more special.

The beginning of the book gives us Gabriel realizing his life is about to get worse than it’s ever been. The one person who is his friend in the horrible world Gabriel has grown up in is about to return to his family. He has protected James for the last five years, something that has kept Gabriel living. Gabriel has been thoroughly tutored in the art of sex. He is more than capable of pleasuring a woman or a man. He is highly valuable to the brothel he’s been in nearly all his life. Too many times his hope over the years has been crushed, so now with the prospect of not even having James in his life, the world is a very dim place for Gabriel.

Until he meets Lady Sarah Munroe and Ross, the Earl of Huntington, James’ siblings. They offer him more hope than he’s ever had in his life. To repay him for befriending their brother, for bearing any punishments that were to be given to the child, for keeping his innocence intact, they offer Gabriel a place in their home as a companion to James. Grasping onto that lifeline, Gabriel leaves the hell of his existence behind. It takes some getting used to, not expecting people to take from him at every turn, but eventually Gabe finds peace. He also learns how to love, all with the help of Sarah. Her tenderness and her love saves him even from himself.

Once their love is declared, Gabriel is determined to take care of Sarah with money made with his own hands. What he has learned since leaving the brothel is privateering on the high seas, so he heads out one last time to make his fortune so he and his love can be together forever. Of course, we know that isn’t going to happen any time soon, Gabriel has to go through so much more before total happiness is his. I found myself thinking over and over again when is this man going to get a break. When he is lost at sea, he ends up in the hands of a man from his past, and this is what nearly breaks the hero my heart has gone out to since the first page of the book.

I love Sarah’s character because she never condemns Gabriel for what has been done to him, as a lot of people have. He is always afraid to tell her that next horror of his life, but when he does he never receives recriminations from her. He gets nothing but understanding, love, and tenderness, something he doesn’t know what do to with in the beginning. But he’s a man who craves such things and he latches on to both Sarah and her loving ways to find the happiness in life others take for granted.

This is a wonderfully written book. Your heart will break, then soar, break again, and then wonder if it will ever soar again during this story. I did want to scream at Gabriel during the second half of the book when he seemed to give up too quickly, but I simply couldn’t because not only of what he’d been through, but also because of how he sees himself, which without Sarah, is something he doesn’t see very clearly. Ms. James has given us a beautiful romance and love story with characters who will stay in your heart for a long time to come.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

like · see review

Sep 27, 2010 Jane Stewart rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance-prior-to-wwll

Long drawn-out saga with a lot of tragedy, not enough emotional fulfillment or entertainment for me.

STORY BRIEF:
I have excerpted some the following from Amazon’s Product Description. Gabriel was “abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, he has never known friendship or affection. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy façade, his only relationship is with a young boy James he has spent the last five years protecting from the brutal reality of their environment. But all that is ab...more Long drawn-out saga with a lot of tragedy, not enough emotional fulfillment or entertainment for me.

STORY BRIEF:
I have excerpted some the following from Amazon’s Product Description. Gabriel was “abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, he has never known friendship or affection. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy façade, his only relationship is with a young boy James he has spent the last five years protecting from the brutal reality of their environment. But all that is about to change. The boy's family has found him, and they are coming to take him home.” Sarah is James' sister. She asks Gabriel to live with them for a year to help James adjust. During that year, Gabriel slowly opens up to Sarah to form emotional bonds. They fall in love. Sarah is wealthy, but Gabriel doesn’t want to live off of her money. He wants to make his own fortune and then return to her. He leaves her to work as a privateer (pirate) on the seas. Bad things happen to Gabriel while he’s away.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
The characters were good. The plot was ok, but there was no spark. I couldn’t get excited about anything. It felt like a long story of tragic happenings which finally ended. I wanted it to be over. There is a happy ending. The author talks about historical accuracy and has a glossary of foreign terms in the back of the book, which was nice. However, this almost felt like reading a history book with dialogue. I wanted more of an emotional connection.

CAUTION SPOILERS:
One event bothered me. Gabriel was captured and sold as a slave to a man who wanted him sexually. Gabriel kissed the man as part of an escape plan and felt shame. He was successful in escaping, but then was forced to become a mercenary soldier and had to kill many men. Because of these two events, Gabriel felt unclean, ashamed, and that Sarah would be disappointed in him (page 413). Therefore, he did not return to her when he was free. She previously helped him heal from similar feelings after a life in the brothel. Why wouldn’t she do the same thing again? They had fallen in love. I didn’t buy his reason for staying away from her at this time.

DATA:
Story length: 434 pages. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 8. Length of sex scenes: 6 short scenes (1 page or less) and 2 long scenes (3.7 and 8.5 pages). Total number of sex scene pages: 16. Setting: 1799 to 1803 France, England and North Africa. Copyright: 2008. Genre: historical romance.(less)

like · see review

Sep 23, 2010 Ann Aguirre rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a lovely, lovely book, and I devoured it in a greedy gulp. It's a brave book as well, well-written and meticulously researched. The writing is splendid, articulate and elegant. Ms. James has a real gift for painting a picture.

It reminds me of some of the older historicals, sweeping and epic, with plenty of details. I would recommend this book who enjoyed Anita Mills, who has since retired. One of the most moving and unconventional historical romances I ever read was Autumn Rain by Ms. M...more

like · see review

Aug 18, 2010 Readitnweep rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: english-romance, favorites, historical, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Jan 11, 2010 Sabrina rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is an EPIC story! Not for the faint of heart, don't read this book if you are looking for a lighthearted romance. This story is gritty, dark and in your face and perfect for you if you want a romance full of emotion, angst and forgiveness.

Gabriel is most definitely a broken man coming from dire circumstances and readers will need to be open minded to warm up to this dark hero. It would have been very easy for Mrs. James to make Gabriel's path to love and redemption all roses and wine, but i...more

like · see review

Jun 18, 2009 Gaby rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs, bostick, historical-fiction, historical-romance, summer-reading, reviewed-books

Synopsis:

The book opens to Paris at the time of the French Revolution. Sarah, Lady Monroe, and her half-brother Ross, have come to find and rescue their younger brother Jamie who had disappeared five years past. Jamie had been in Maison de Joie, one of the better Parisian brothels. Gabriel, who had been surprised at his impulses, had protected little Jamie for years and was happy to hear of his friend's good fortune and desolate at losing his only friend. But Jamie refused to leave without his f...more Synopsis:

The book opens to Paris at the time of the French Revolution. Sarah, Lady Monroe, and her half-brother Ross, have come to find and rescue their younger brother Jamie who had disappeared five years past. Jamie had been in Maison de Joie, one of the better Parisian brothels. Gabriel, who had been surprised at his impulses, had protected little Jamie for years and was happy to hear of his friend's good fortune and desolate at losing his only friend. But Jamie refused to leave without his friend and protector Gabriel. So, Gabriel finds himself on an estate in England, companion and friend to Jamie and trying his best to keep from falling in love with the unconventional Sarah.

Sarah had been drawn to Gabriel from the moment that they'd met. Not only was he beautiful but he had tried to protect her brother at no small cost to himself. While he presents a cold and polished front, she sees his pain and draws out his love of life, music, and learning.

When Sarah and Gabriel finally come together, Gabriel leaves to prove himself and make his fortune to be able to provide for Sarah. He undertakes to join Davey as a privateer and finds himself in great danger. Though he escapes drowning, Gabriel must escape from slavers, mercenaries, and pirates along the Barbary Coast. Will he be able to find his way back to Sarah?

Review:

I suspected that I'd enjoy this book, just based on its blurb. But I hadn't expected it to be such a good read! I was unable to stop reading. I found both lead characters very sympathetic. It was unusual to have the male lead constantly objectified. While Lady Sarah is beautiful, she wasn't the focus of the descriptions of beauty. I enjoyed this twist - it was one of many unexpected aspects of the book.

The plot was chockfull of action from the first page. Pirates, Napoleon, privateers, slavers, possible duels - they all fit into the plot naturally and make for a fun and heartwrenching read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romances, pirate stories, and action filled love stories.

Format and cover: Eye catching while it reflects the tone and content of the book.
Rating 4.75 out of 5
Publisher: Medallion Press (November 1, 2008), 440 pages.
Courtesy of Bostick Communications. (less)

like · see review

Apr 06, 2011 Gaile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 18th-century, favorites, emery-s-2011-challenge

Gabriel ST. Croix raised in the muck and mire of a brothel protects a young boy for four years until his family finds him. The boy's sister, Sarah Munroe insists Gabriel accompany them to help her brother, Jamie adjust. Although, Jamie adjusts just fine, Gabriel, who has long divorced his mind from his body has many devils to fight. Sarah's unconditional love brings him out of himself. He begins to trust and learns to love again. Gabriel doesn't want to be seen to take Sarah's fortune. He wants...more

1 like · like · see review

May 28, 2011 ALPHAreader rated it 3 of 5 stars

Sarah and Ross Munroe have been searching for their missing younger brother for five long years. Following the sudden death of their parents, and an unfortunate marriage for Sarah, little Jamie Munroe was caught up in a family revenge plot and kidnapped . . . but now he has been found.

Ross and Sarah have had privateers and investigators searching every back street for a sign of their sibling for years, and now their search has paid off . . .
Jamie has been located in a French brothel, and the Mun...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 16, 2011 Laurie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nook

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is not a book I would have picked up on my own, but it was highly recommended in a number of places, so I decided to give it a shot. All I can say is wow - what an emotional rollercoaster! In some ways it felt more like a historical fiction novel than a historical romance, partly because the author provided so much historical detail and also partly because the second half of the book focused so closely on the hero and his journey back to the heroine after he leaves her to seek his fortune s...more This is not a book I would have picked up on my own, but it was highly recommended in a number of places, so I decided to give it a shot. All I can say is wow - what an emotional rollercoaster! In some ways it felt more like a historical fiction novel than a historical romance, partly because the author provided so much historical detail and also partly because the second half of the book focused so closely on the hero and his journey back to the heroine after he leaves her to seek his fortune so they can be married. The heroine is missing from the story for quite a while, but the author does go back and update the reader on what she's been doing while the hero has been gone. The hero is a deeply wounded and flawed individual, which is certainly understandable given the circumstances of his childhood and history of abuse, not to mention what he goes through after being washed overboard during a storm at sea. By the end of the book, Gabriel, the hero, has gone through so many changes and experienced so much growth that he almost seems like a different person. The main reason that I can't give this book 5 stars is that I thought the problems between the hero and heroine were worked out far too easily. Sarah, the heroine, is almost too perfect and too understanding of Gabriel's struggles. I believe in the power of love and forgiveness as much as the next person, but I still think her relatively easy/calm acceptance of Gabriel's abandonment is unrealistic, even given her knowledge of the struggles he had already experienced in his life. I would have liked to see him grovel a bit more before she forgave him and moved on with their life together.

One thing I especially liked about this book is that so much of it is told from the hero's point of view, which is unusual because most romances are told from the heroine's point of view. The book was unusual in other ways, such as the fact that the vast majority of it took place outside London, and even outside England. It was very refreshing to read something that doesn't focus on the typical round of parties and balls during the London Season!

Overall, I did enjoy this book and found it to be an engrossing read. I look forward to reading more books by Judith James in the near future!(less)

like · see review

Jun 21, 2009 Linda B rated it 5 of 5 stars

How wounded does a soul have to be before it is too late to turn it around? The character Gabriel, abused as a child and broken in spirit, takes the reader on a journey of the possibility of love and redemption. But is his psyche too badly bruised to heal? Sarah, strong willed and independent, can see beyond his gruff and emotionally detached manner. When his past comes back to haunt him, she may be the only one who can reach in and grab him back as he slips into an emotional nothingness. The au...more

like · see review

Feb 16, 2013 Meredith rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, english-historical, throwback, romance, owned

Was this really published in 2008? That seems so unlikely.

This reads like the epic romances of the late 70s and early 80s-the book is written in a POV that makes everything that happens seem like it's one big montage...lots of telling, not so much showing, time moves forward in leaps and bounds with just the narrator giving you a heads up ("Meanwhile, three months later...").

James was certainly trying to one-up Kinsale's Shadow and the Star and JR Ward's book about Zsadist, and she does. Was it...more

like · see review

Jul 05, 2010 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

I am going against the tide here when I say I merely liked this book. It was an adequate bit of historical romance.
There are many reviews already out there that can give you chapter and verse on how angsty this book is--It just never grabbed my emotions. I expected to need a whole box of tissues--I shed not a tear. I actually got impatient with Gabriel--enough already with how bad your life was! And how Sarah couldn't understand, shouldn't love him, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah.
Though the emoti...more

like · see review

Aug 08, 2009 cecilia rated it 3 of 5 stars

I don’t think that I have read a romance quite like Broken Wing where the gentleman has such emotional backstory. This was more of the old-fashioned romance where sex barely touched the page. And the main character was Gabriel – not Sarah – which is surprising since typically the female gets the internal struggle. I had been amazed at how patient Sarah had been as Gabriel tried to push her farther from his ugly history.

Overall I thought Broken Wing too serious for me, not enough lightness (or pi...more

like · see review

May 04, 2009 Mitzi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: writer-judith-james, genre-romance-historical, heat-3-boiling, heat-4-sizzling

Gabriel St. Croix was abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel where he is forced into prostitution. When a young boy (Jamie) comes to live there, he acts as his protector.

Sarah Munroe has been looking for her younger brother for a long time. When she travels to the brothel to see if the boy is Jamie, she meets St. Croix and Jamie insists that he come home with them. Sarah feels that Gabriel is owed a new start in life at the very least for keeping her brother from being abused.

He enters in...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 01, 2009 Mariana rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was asked to join the Broken Wing Challenge at Orannia's playground and decided to accept. The challenge was easy, read "Broken Wing" and then write a review. At least, it was supposed to be easy... I find I don't know how to review this book. I will begin with:

Gabriel St. Croix is a broken and tragic character. The degradations he'd faced were horrific and painful to read. The fact that he must cut himself to feel alive is very telling and very sad. He is also a noble character. His need to p...more

like · see review

Jun 17, 2010 Caroline The HEA Lover rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-i-own, historical, romance, 2010

(This was originally posted on Book Lovers Inc)

Warning this might be the longest review ever…I promise to wake you up when I’m done. Oh and it might be a little tiny bit spoilery, but I’ll keep it as vague as I can!

It took me a while to finish this book. Why? Because halfway through it I had the strange thought ‘Ah, if it ended there it would be a HEA…could be nice!’…after that I had a hard time picking it up again not knowing what drama was going to ruin it all! (but it always does, you know!)...more (This was originally posted on Book Lovers Inc)

Warning this might be the longest review ever…I promise to wake you up when I’m done. Oh and it might be a little tiny bit spoilery, but I’ll keep it as vague as I can!

It took me a while to finish this book. Why? Because halfway through it I had the strange thought ‘Ah, if it ended there it would be a HEA…could be nice!’…after that I had a hard time picking it up again not knowing what drama was going to ruin it all! (but it always does, you know!) Lol But let’s start at the beginning…

We meet Gabriel at a brothel in France, broken inside, desperate at the idea that the little lost boy he’s been protecting for years will soon go back with his family who is coming to take him back. This is the kind of hero I love,tortured and broken hero! He’s been through hell since he was abandoned as a babe in the street. Ever since he’s been living in a brothel and contrary to the little boy he protected, Gabriel has been a whore since childhood…no one was there to protect him. My heart was breaking when I saw how desperate he was , in the last 5 years, the little boy was the only reason he had to live. There are a few scenes where he cut himself to feel alive, heart-wrenching I tell ya! (Look at the bandage on his arms on the cover!)

Sarah has been looking for her little brother since he disappeared, when she hears he’s been in a brothel for 5 years she is afraid of the worst. She’s coming to Paris to take him back, she never thought she would have to take his protector with him, but the little boy won’t leave without him. They agreed that he could work as a companion to the boy for a year and come back with them to England. For the first half of the book, Gabriel will slowly come back to life, he’s learning to trust again and he’s fighting his own demons.

Sarah is known as the Gypsy Countess, she left her husband 5 days after her (arranged) wedding, started wearing pants and embarked with her pirate of a cousin on his ship to find her brother. She is happy this way, she doesn’t care what people think of her, she will still dress like a man and do whatever she wants. (that’s my girl!)

It felt like a standard Historical romance, a really good one! I loved how the heroes fell for each other gradually. Sarah didn’t throw herself at Gabriel, she tried for months to help him feel at home, she became his friend. Did I tell you that Gabriel is gorgeous? Well I am telling you now! Friendship slowly turned into love…but then it had to end! Bahhhh

The second part of the book, is an adventure! Sarah’s cousin has been training Gabriel to become a ‘privateer’ so he could have a living. This is where thing changes…Gabriel wants Sarah but he feels that he needs to make a fortune for himself to deserve her. So he leaves on a mission… It felt like 2 different books, I didn’t say I didn’t like the 2 parts though! It’s just that this was a complete different story, we embark on an adventure with pirates, slavers, murders…we follow Gabriel in many countries. I won’t tell you what happens but let’s say poor Gabriel is not very lucky. We only see Sarah again nearing the end, years later. This part was mostly about Gabriel. This is something different from usual Historical Romances, we don’t know what Sarah is doing, we’re following the hero.

Of course when you’ll see the rating I gave this book you’ll guess how this book ends *wink*. This was an amazing book, I just wish I had not felt like stopping halfway through it. The heroes and secondary characters are adorable, I laughed a lot with le Chevalier, he’s pretty funny and it helped lifting my spirits when the book started to become very depressing.

All in all (because it seems I can’t write a review without saying that, go figure!) it is a great book… it is a mix of historical romance and adventure with a great cast of characters! It’s nothing I’ve read before and It’s going on my keeper shelf!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 15, 2011 Eggletina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Historical romance featuring the tortured and sexually abused hero archetype ... which potentially sets it up for an interesting, psychological exploration of character, but I found it to be more emo and angsty than psychologically revealing, and the ultimate, love- conquers-all resolution too pat for someone as damaged as Gabriel is. His story is emotionally affecting, but I also found the story ventured far too much into sentimental proseland for my tastes (the treacly letters Gabriel and Sara...more

like · see review

Mar 09, 2012 Maureen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, historical, read-2012

This book was a great surprise, one of those rare treasures that stayed with me long after I finished reading it.
Gabriel St. Croix is not your typical hero. He struggles to survive after being abandoned as a young boy and forced into a life of prostitution. He sees no future for himself. Yet in his despair, he cares for another innocent child, Jamie, whom he protects from the horrors of life in a brothel.
This act of compassion opens the door to a completely different world for Gabriel, one wit...more

like · see review

Jan 29, 2012 Karen Scott rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dik

I think this was a book that was recommended to me by a cyber pal, Kristie was it you? Anyhow I totally loved it. Gabriel St Croix is a hero to die for, and unusually for me, he was the best thing about the book. A fractured person in so many ways, I really felt he deserved his happy ending. An emotional book that will leave your heart aching, whilst praying for Gabriel to find his soul again. Bloody splendid writing.

You can find my slightly more in-depth review here.

like · see review

Mar 10, 2009 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction, historical-romance

I was disappointed. This title was billed as a new kind of romance novel that offered deep psychological insights along with the purple passion. During the French Revolution, the 20-something romantic hero is rescued by an English family from a Parisian brothel where he was raised from early childhood to pleasure men and women. Under the circumstances, I was expecting a considerable amount of post-traumatic stress syndrome. But an episode of "cutting," a few sulks, and a decanter or two hurled i...more

like · see review

Aug 03, 2012 Valerie rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Historical fiction fans?

Recommended to Valerie by: Amazon daily blog

Shelves: reading-on-kindle

This seemed a bit unusual, and it certainly was engrossing...but believable? Our hero is badly, badly damaged; our heroine is selfless and therapeutic and--without any knowledge of psychology or trauma or child molestation--always manages to say and do exactly the right thing. Conventions of the time are only noted when it's convient to the plot, otherwise they're ignored (servants? dress codes? propriety?) I guess that's why they call it fiction, and I should climb off my high horse!
The book is...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 31 32 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Romance > Historical Romance

84 users

Romance

55 users

Historical Fiction

14 users

Adventure > Pirates

8 users

Regency

4 users

Adventure

4 users

Sex Work > Prostitution

3 users

Fairy Tales > Beauty And The Beast

2 users

European Literature > British Literature

2 users

Historical Romance > Regency Romance

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Judith James

Judith James, is an avid reader and history buff who grew up in Montreal Quebec. She is also a bit of an adventure junkie and has travelled, worked and lived many places, including the Arctic and several of the places she writes about. Variously employed as a trail guide, horse trainer, and clinical psychologist, she's had the opportunity to live out many of her dreams. She’s even found the perfec...more

More about Judith James...

Books by Judith James

Libertine's Kiss (English Restoration, #1)

Highland Rebel: A Tale of a Rebellious Lady and a Traitorous Lord

The King's Courtesan (English Restoration, #2)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Broken Wing

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Broken Wing

“I couldn't return to you, mignonne. I didn't know how. But you will admit, I hope, that for a man who didn't wish to be found I've made quite a spectacle of myself. I wanted you to hear of me. It's why I came from France. I couldn't stop myself. I've waited in dread, wondering if you'd come. I've been terrified you would, and terrified you wouldn't. When I saw you tonight I wanted to weep. I was so grateful you came, but I hated you for it, too, because you made me hope again, as you always have, as you always do. It would have killed me if. . . Ah, Christ, love! You were so angry, so disappointed but you'd waited. I had to know. I had to come because without you I have nothing to believe in, nothing to hope for, and... Oh, God, Sarah, when I got here you were wearing my shirt! I've thought of you, and ached for you, and missed you with every breath. All I know of loving, wanting or need, begins and ends with you. I'm so sorry I hurt you and disappointed you. I pray you can forgive me, Sarah. I need you to hold onto. Without you I find this business of living so very lonely and so very hard."

She threw herself into his arms and he clasped her to him, sobbing with relief and need. "God, how I've missed you, Sarah," he moaned, sliding his cheek up and down against hers, mingling their tears. I'm sorry ... so sorry .. . please forgive me, I.. . "There's nothing to forgive. It wasn't your fault. It doesn't matter, not any of it. All that matters is that you're safe, and well, and back in my arms. Don't be sorry, just hold me, love me.” — 1 person liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Broken Wing
avg rating	preview: Broken Wing Goodreads rating: 3.94 (473 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4026396-broken-wing?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348535567l/4026396.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4026396-broken-wing?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Broken Wing by Judith James[/url]

Broken Wing

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website