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Enchantress
She had the beauty and grace of her mother, the legendary English Rose. In her stepfather’s Thrkish court, Brittany Sinclair had grown to womanhood, torn between the forbidden sensuality of the harem and her mother’s traditional English propriety. But when the sultan himself heard the tales of her extraordinary beauty, neither her mother’s fame nor her stepfather’s power could save her. Only one man had the courage and skill to keep her from harm.
The veiled temptress may have boarded his ship without permission, but she was still Thorn Stoddard’s responsibility. And the dashing captain would never surrender her to the sultan’s men without a fight. He would protect her with his very life, but how could he guard his heart against a woman with the sensual knowledge of a concubine and the wide-eyed curiosity of an innocent, a woman who was every inch an…ENCHANTRESS.
The veiled temptress may have boarded his ship without permission, but she was still Thorn Stoddard’s responsibility. And the dashing captain would never surrender her to the sultan’s men without a fight. He would protect her with his very life, but how could he guard his heart against a woman with the sensual knowledge of a concubine and the wide-eyed curiosity of an innocent, a woman who was every inch an…ENCHANTRESS.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1991
88 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
About the author
Constance O'Banyon
54 books198 followersEvelyn Gee was born on 1939 in Texas, USA. She makes her home in San Antonio with her husband, Jim and their son, Jason.
She signed her novels as Constance O'Banyon. She also wrote as Micah Leigh with Texan writer Emma Merritt. Her books range from historical to contemporary and include several novellas. Many of her books have been published in trade paperback.Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the 1996 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. There are eight million copies of her books in print.
She says: "I have always loved history, and I loved storytelling — it was only natural that I would one day put them both together. I must have lived in another life and time, because when I write, I can almost feel I was there. My favorite part of writing is the research. Whenever possible, I will go to the place I am writing about to walk the land and smell the air."
https://www.facebook.com/Constanceobanyon/
She signed her novels as Constance O'Banyon. She also wrote as Micah Leigh with Texan writer Emma Merritt. Her books range from historical to contemporary and include several novellas. Many of her books have been published in trade paperback.Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the 1996 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. There are eight million copies of her books in print.
She says: "I have always loved history, and I loved storytelling — it was only natural that I would one day put them both together. I must have lived in another life and time, because when I write, I can almost feel I was there. My favorite part of writing is the research. Whenever possible, I will go to the place I am writing about to walk the land and smell the air."
https://www.facebook.com/Constanceobanyon/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 30, 2015
Well, I gave this author a second chance after I DNF a cowboy romance of hers. I guess the good news is I managed to finish this one. The bad news is that I did not like it at all.
The beginning of the novel seemed promising although it read suspiciously like a watered down version of Bertrice Small's harem romances. Brittany is the daughter of an Englishwoman wed to the Grand Vizier of Turkey. When the mad and evil sultan wants to force her into his harem, she escapes as a stow away in the merchant ship of American captain Thorn Studdard (good grief, this character's name is straight out of a Will Ferrell SNL skit).
Most of the action takes place on the ship in what seems like a ten year trek to reach the United States, but really only lasted several weeks. Yes, I was bored. I was also disturbed by the fact that the heroine is in "black-face" for most of the novel, having rubbed some sort of skin dye over herself to try to pass herself as what? An exotic enchantress apparently. Yes, HRs are infamously politically incorrect, what with all the rapey heroes and noble savages and what not, but this was written in the nineties, I believe. But the author expects us to buy into this stupid disguise? I had a nauseating flashback of that truly disturbing episode of Diff'rent Strokes where Dana Plato showed up in "black-face" to make a point about racism. Ugh. Not cool.
It doesn't help that Brittany looks at her darkened skin and wonders if her lover would like her better if he realized she was really white. Or that the bodyguard who came along with her from Turkey, the eunuch Achmed, is basically butchered throughout the story, including by American slavers. Or that the Turkish characters are all snarling, dark skinned, dark browed, dark eyed, rapey villains, the whole lot of them. Yes, this ain't my first rodeo. I have read harem romances before but I never got the feeling in them that the people were looked down upon by the writers as barbaric. In fact, one of the fun thing about those books, especially the ones written by the Harem Queen Bertrice Small, is showing the arrogance of know it all Europeans who, as they learn about the foreign ways, realize that their culture is not what they thought. It is just different and even oftentimes superior to their own so-called civilized world. This book just did not sit right with me.
There were some really silly scenes, like the one where Brittany whips out a belly dancer costume complete with bells to seduce Thorn. This after we were told earlier that she had to run away from the Palace of the Grand Vizier in mere minutes with just the clothes on her back and being stuffed in a crate to escape detection as Achmed rolls her in the ship. Good thing she had the forethought of stuffing the dance costume in her satchel then? I know that's what I would grab if I had to leave my house in an emergency. LMAO redonkelous!
And then of course the Big Reveal where Thorn finally sees through her ahem disguise because she has been standing in the rain and the rain washed her skin dye off her face. But just to make sure, he strips her down and dunks her in the bath tub conveniently still full of the water he has just recently bathed in. Wait a minute? She had to be washed off in some smelly man's grimy, used bathwater? In the immortal words of Jimmy Fallon, that is just so eeeewwww.
The story finally takes us to South Carolina where we meet with a cartoonish psycho ex that both the TSTL hero and heroine are too dumb to figure out. Puh-leeze. I skimmed to the last 10%, which is usually the best part where we finally see the resolution of all the conflicts and the HEA epilogue. I wish it was because I was so outraged and disgusted with the overtones of the book but it was plain boredom that did me in.
The beginning of the novel seemed promising although it read suspiciously like a watered down version of Bertrice Small's harem romances. Brittany is the daughter of an Englishwoman wed to the Grand Vizier of Turkey. When the mad and evil sultan wants to force her into his harem, she escapes as a stow away in the merchant ship of American captain Thorn Studdard (good grief, this character's name is straight out of a Will Ferrell SNL skit).
Most of the action takes place on the ship in what seems like a ten year trek to reach the United States, but really only lasted several weeks. Yes, I was bored. I was also disturbed by the fact that the heroine is in "black-face" for most of the novel, having rubbed some sort of skin dye over herself to try to pass herself as what? An exotic enchantress apparently. Yes, HRs are infamously politically incorrect, what with all the rapey heroes and noble savages and what not, but this was written in the nineties, I believe. But the author expects us to buy into this stupid disguise? I had a nauseating flashback of that truly disturbing episode of Diff'rent Strokes where Dana Plato showed up in "black-face" to make a point about racism. Ugh. Not cool.
It doesn't help that Brittany looks at her darkened skin and wonders if her lover would like her better if he realized she was really white. Or that the bodyguard who came along with her from Turkey, the eunuch Achmed, is basically butchered throughout the story, including by American slavers. Or that the Turkish characters are all snarling, dark skinned, dark browed, dark eyed, rapey villains, the whole lot of them. Yes, this ain't my first rodeo. I have read harem romances before but I never got the feeling in them that the people were looked down upon by the writers as barbaric. In fact, one of the fun thing about those books, especially the ones written by the Harem Queen Bertrice Small, is showing the arrogance of know it all Europeans who, as they learn about the foreign ways, realize that their culture is not what they thought. It is just different and even oftentimes superior to their own so-called civilized world. This book just did not sit right with me.
There were some really silly scenes, like the one where Brittany whips out a belly dancer costume complete with bells to seduce Thorn. This after we were told earlier that she had to run away from the Palace of the Grand Vizier in mere minutes with just the clothes on her back and being stuffed in a crate to escape detection as Achmed rolls her in the ship. Good thing she had the forethought of stuffing the dance costume in her satchel then? I know that's what I would grab if I had to leave my house in an emergency. LMAO redonkelous!
And then of course the Big Reveal where Thorn finally sees through her ahem disguise because she has been standing in the rain and the rain washed her skin dye off her face. But just to make sure, he strips her down and dunks her in the bath tub conveniently still full of the water he has just recently bathed in. Wait a minute? She had to be washed off in some smelly man's grimy, used bathwater? In the immortal words of Jimmy Fallon, that is just so eeeewwww.
The story finally takes us to South Carolina where we meet with a cartoonish psycho ex that both the TSTL hero and heroine are too dumb to figure out. Puh-leeze. I skimmed to the last 10%, which is usually the best part where we finally see the resolution of all the conflicts and the HEA epilogue. I wish it was because I was so outraged and disgusted with the overtones of the book but it was plain boredom that did me in.
February 17, 2026
Read: 2/17/26
Setting: Regency Turkey, South Carolina
Trope: class difference
3.5 stars
Another entertaining book by this author!
RTC
Setting: Regency Turkey, South Carolina
Trope: class difference
3.5 stars
Another entertaining book by this author!
RTC
February 20, 2012
A good, quick read for fans of Innocent Heroines, Possessive Hero's and Evil Stepmothers!
The storyline was good, but the heroine was to innocent for me--I mean, you have lived in a Harem for most of your life--yes, a sheltered life but she is so very gulible. I wish she had more quick witted dialoge because it would have made me like her more. She did have very entertaining moments and I did liked her alot.
I loved the hero Thorn, He is just hot and the cover has him JUST the way I want him!
Thorn is a tourtured soul, he had fallen in love before with a supposedly Innocent woman, named Wilhelmina. He found she was a HUGE slut, who slept with everyone and was turned off of her. She is peeved with him and descides to get revenge by marrying his Father, who dosent know what type of woman she is. She comes to Thorn one night, naked, and trys to seduce him (he wants her out and away from him) when his father comes in a banishs him. Thorn is angry about this and leaves home for years. When he gets back devious plans are in motion and Thorn must stop them.
Thorn learns what love really us from his 'little Dancer' Brittany.
Brittany has loved Thorn from the start, and is put in torminal over her love for him and wondering does he love her.
Great book! Wish it was longer.
The storyline was good, but the heroine was to innocent for me--I mean, you have lived in a Harem for most of your life--yes, a sheltered life but she is so very gulible. I wish she had more quick witted dialoge because it would have made me like her more. She did have very entertaining moments and I did liked her alot.
I loved the hero Thorn, He is just hot and the cover has him JUST the way I want him!
Thorn is a tourtured soul, he had fallen in love before with a supposedly Innocent woman, named Wilhelmina. He found she was a HUGE slut, who slept with everyone and was turned off of her. She is peeved with him and descides to get revenge by marrying his Father, who dosent know what type of woman she is. She comes to Thorn one night, naked, and trys to seduce him (he wants her out and away from him) when his father comes in a banishs him. Thorn is angry about this and leaves home for years. When he gets back devious plans are in motion and Thorn must stop them.
Thorn learns what love really us from his 'little Dancer' Brittany.
Brittany has loved Thorn from the start, and is put in torminal over her love for him and wondering does he love her.
Great book! Wish it was longer.
May 7, 2015
3.5 ชอบกว่าที่คิด ถึงแม้เราจะแอบงงๆกับการทาตัวของนางเอกให้ดำเพื่อปลอมตัวก็ตาม คือพระเอกนี่จับไม่ได้เลยขนาดว่านอนด้วยกันแล้วนะ ฮ่าๆ แต่เรื่องโดยรวมสนุกดี
August 16, 2021
Give this a miss
In 1790, Jillianna Sinclair was abducted by Barbary Pirates and sold to the Sultan’s Grand Vizier. Widowed and pregnant, she in chance the busier with her forthrightness and beauty, Ultimately winning his heart. After giving birth, they get married and the vizier adopts her daughter as his own. Now, 17 years later Brittany Is started by a new Sultan. A sultan who wants to make her part of his hair. And so to save her from the Sultan, her parents dye her skin and place her on a ship captained by on Thorn Stoddard An American from South Carolina.
—
Note this book contains the following: xenophobia, racism Islam a phobia, slavery, sexual slavery, inaccurate depictions of Turkish and Islamic life, inaccurate depiction of southern life, dubious consent, virginity fetish, and yeah…
This book is an old-school romance with all that this entails. But it is not a good old school romance. If you’re looking for the wacky hijinks of Bertrice Small, keep looking. Honestly, just go read Bertrice Small, you’ll appreciate it more.
So the first 50 pages of the book is dedicated to Brittany’s mother and her stepfather’s romance. And honestly if Brittany’s mother hadn’t been such a xenophobic and racist person I would’ve enjoyed their story a lot more than Brittany’s. As it was I felt sorry for Brittany’s stepfather, like a lot. He deserved better. You would think that living with and loving a man for 17 years could allow you to appreciate the culture that he came from. But no. Honestly it wasn’t a good start.
The heroine herself was very much TSTL. While I liked that she was not as racist or xenophobic as her mother, I didn’t like that she was really quick to throw over her friends and seemed completely OK with being sent from home and family. Never mind the really uncomfortable black face that the heroine was a part of.
I really really really did not like the hero. He’s a typical old school bad boy with a troubled past. And he’s also got a virgin fetish. The key is obsessed with the heroine’s virginity and it gets very very very uncomfortable.
I honestly noped out of here this book because of all of the problems with it. It was not good. I really felt like the author was trying to imitate The Kadin or the Skye O’Malley series and didn’t really understand what made those books so much fun.
DNF
One Star
In 1790, Jillianna Sinclair was abducted by Barbary Pirates and sold to the Sultan’s Grand Vizier. Widowed and pregnant, she in chance the busier with her forthrightness and beauty, Ultimately winning his heart. After giving birth, they get married and the vizier adopts her daughter as his own. Now, 17 years later Brittany Is started by a new Sultan. A sultan who wants to make her part of his hair. And so to save her from the Sultan, her parents dye her skin and place her on a ship captained by on Thorn Stoddard An American from South Carolina.
—
Note this book contains the following: xenophobia, racism Islam a phobia, slavery, sexual slavery, inaccurate depictions of Turkish and Islamic life, inaccurate depiction of southern life, dubious consent, virginity fetish, and yeah…
This book is an old-school romance with all that this entails. But it is not a good old school romance. If you’re looking for the wacky hijinks of Bertrice Small, keep looking. Honestly, just go read Bertrice Small, you’ll appreciate it more.
So the first 50 pages of the book is dedicated to Brittany’s mother and her stepfather’s romance. And honestly if Brittany’s mother hadn’t been such a xenophobic and racist person I would’ve enjoyed their story a lot more than Brittany’s. As it was I felt sorry for Brittany’s stepfather, like a lot. He deserved better. You would think that living with and loving a man for 17 years could allow you to appreciate the culture that he came from. But no. Honestly it wasn’t a good start.
The heroine herself was very much TSTL. While I liked that she was not as racist or xenophobic as her mother, I didn’t like that she was really quick to throw over her friends and seemed completely OK with being sent from home and family. Never mind the really uncomfortable black face that the heroine was a part of.
I really really really did not like the hero. He’s a typical old school bad boy with a troubled past. And he’s also got a virgin fetish. The key is obsessed with the heroine’s virginity and it gets very very very uncomfortable.
I honestly noped out of here this book because of all of the problems with it. It was not good. I really felt like the author was trying to imitate The Kadin or the Skye O’Malley series and didn’t really understand what made those books so much fun.
DNF
One Star
July 29, 2024
Okay, this was pretty terrible. I forced myself to finish this, but it was a real chore. The writing was so basic and the dialogue was very clunky. It almost sounded how bad actors would speak with stilted conversation. At first, I thought that this was going to be the story of Jiliana and how she is kidnapped by pirates and sold at auction to a man with a harem. However, it actually is about the daughter that she had conceived prior to her kidnapping with her dead husband. It was all needlessly complicated, but just set the stage for the daughter, Brittany, to be very sheltered.
Brittany never sees any men except her stepfather and the eunuch slave that protects her. One day the evil sultan bursts into her stepfather's home and sees her. He must have her and will do anything to possess her and add her to his harem. Her parents send her out to stowaway on an American ship captained by Thorn Stoddard. But first they dye her hair black and she rubs some walnut stain into her skin so that he will think that she is a native girl from the harem. This is needless confusion, but Brittany follows everything to the letter. Which is weird because it is mentioned very often how much of a troublemaker she is and a free spirit.
The sultan still has his men follow Thorn's ship to kidnap Brittany. Really? Four ships were destroyed so that he can add this girl to his gaggle of women? Also, they made it seem like the sultan was evil, but we never really understand what is so bad about him. I guess except that he wants to kidnap her, but then again her beloved stepfather bought her mother.
I found Brittany to be insufferable. She was supposed to be keeping a low profile, but she insists on barging into the captain's quarters to demand a bath and other nonsense. Also, after they kiss, she says that he should come to her room for a surprise. Guess why? She plans on performing a seductive belly dance and then sending him on his way. She is so naive and dumb. Also, she was supposed to flee quickly in the night when she left her family, but yet she has bells and veils for a seductive dance. Yeah okay.
When they get to America, more foolishness abounds. Both Thorn and Brittany are as dense as can be when dealing with the villain at home. I almost wished they had knocked her off.
Brittany never sees any men except her stepfather and the eunuch slave that protects her. One day the evil sultan bursts into her stepfather's home and sees her. He must have her and will do anything to possess her and add her to his harem. Her parents send her out to stowaway on an American ship captained by Thorn Stoddard. But first they dye her hair black and she rubs some walnut stain into her skin so that he will think that she is a native girl from the harem. This is needless confusion, but Brittany follows everything to the letter. Which is weird because it is mentioned very often how much of a troublemaker she is and a free spirit.
The sultan still has his men follow Thorn's ship to kidnap Brittany. Really? Four ships were destroyed so that he can add this girl to his gaggle of women? Also, they made it seem like the sultan was evil, but we never really understand what is so bad about him. I guess except that he wants to kidnap her, but then again her beloved stepfather bought her mother.
I found Brittany to be insufferable. She was supposed to be keeping a low profile, but she insists on barging into the captain's quarters to demand a bath and other nonsense. Also, after they kiss, she says that he should come to her room for a surprise. Guess why? She plans on performing a seductive belly dance and then sending him on his way. She is so naive and dumb. Also, she was supposed to flee quickly in the night when she left her family, but yet she has bells and veils for a seductive dance. Yeah okay.
When they get to America, more foolishness abounds. Both Thorn and Brittany are as dense as can be when dealing with the villain at home. I almost wished they had knocked her off.
want-to-own-for-the-cover
February 10, 2026Not interested - harem
June 5, 2019
A story with substance
Here is a story with some meat on its bone. It's as much an adventure story as it is a romance.
Jilliana is sailing from America to England when her ship is attacked by pirates. She is abducted and taken to Turkey where, despite being heavy with child, she is sold as a slave. Fortuitously, the Grand Vizier has come to the auction to buy a cook. He is enchanted by Jilliana and buys her for his harem.
The remainder of the book concerns her daughter, Brittany. As wife of the Grand Vizier, Jilliana raises Brittany within the walls of the palace. When the cruel Sultan tries to take her for his harem. Brittany is smuggled onto a ship along with her eunuch protector. They are pursued by the Sultan's men and their ship is attacked.
There's much more, many adventures before the end of the story.
16
Here is a story with some meat on its bone. It's as much an adventure story as it is a romance.
Jilliana is sailing from America to England when her ship is attacked by pirates. She is abducted and taken to Turkey where, despite being heavy with child, she is sold as a slave. Fortuitously, the Grand Vizier has come to the auction to buy a cook. He is enchanted by Jilliana and buys her for his harem.
The remainder of the book concerns her daughter, Brittany. As wife of the Grand Vizier, Jilliana raises Brittany within the walls of the palace. When the cruel Sultan tries to take her for his harem. Brittany is smuggled onto a ship along with her eunuch protector. They are pursued by the Sultan's men and their ship is attacked.
There's much more, many adventures before the end of the story.
16
January 21, 2026
I wasn't sure where this book was going in the beginning but then I realzied there would be all sorts of shenanigans and troubles and I became invested. It is the typical romance style but for some reason it pulled at me with the melting of hardened hearts from him and the loss of her parent's for her. The ending was surprising as it was typical.
August 13, 2020
Great storyline.
Loved this intriguing, sensual and thought provoking book. This Author had her characters lined up perfectly to enhance this read. What an adventure she took us on.
Loved this intriguing, sensual and thought provoking book. This Author had her characters lined up perfectly to enhance this read. What an adventure she took us on.
June 7, 2023
Lord Simijin sent his heart Britney Sinclair to the States via ship undercover with a eunuch is priceless. Capt. Thorn vehemently said No, yet she was smuggled aboard. Her creamy skin was covered in oils to darken her skin. I can't give it away, you have to read it to find out what happens...
November 17, 2024
Capture by love
A good book adventure trouble on the high seas. About the English Rose and her daughter.I enjoyed this book.A good Author I have read many of her books.I recommend this book
A good book adventure trouble on the high seas. About the English Rose and her daughter.I enjoyed this book.A good Author I have read many of her books.I recommend this book
August 28, 2025
Perfection
This author writes a story that holds your attention. She builds characters that you can see as you read this book. She has pirate ships, sea battles, kidnapping, plantations, Turkish Sultans, Harems and an English Rose! I loved this book!
This author writes a story that holds your attention. She builds characters that you can see as you read this book. She has pirate ships, sea battles, kidnapping, plantations, Turkish Sultans, Harems and an English Rose! I loved this book!
January 28, 2018
It's alright but not for me personally
August 29, 2018
Good historical read
Only 4 stars because somehow towards the end the book felt like a drag, and then the ending was sudden.
Only 4 stars because somehow towards the end the book felt like a drag, and then the ending was sudden.
May 9, 2019
Enchantress
I loved this story, I recommend every one to read her books, I look forward to reading more of her books KATTIE.
I loved this story, I recommend every one to read her books, I look forward to reading more of her books KATTIE.
June 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this. it was a bit slow at first but it became really enticing. it's really sexy and cheesy and unrealistic and I had a great time reading it
August 18, 2020
It’s contrived and racist and colorist and bombastic and repetitive.
It’s very much a product of its time.
It’s very much a product of its time.
May 18, 2021
3.5 stars
January 9, 2026
Unacceptable characters
She so pretty! He's so handsome. So repetitive. Dialogue is choppy and stiff. Filler is boring. Not much here of value.
She so pretty! He's so handsome. So repetitive. Dialogue is choppy and stiff. Filler is boring. Not much here of value.
December 1, 2010
description
In the Turkish court of her stepfather, Brittany Sinclair was known as the daughter of the English Rose, that legendary beauty who had stolen Lord Simijin's heart. Raised between two worlds -- the proper English ways of her mother and the exotic sensuality of the harem -- Brittany had always been pampered and cherished. But now that she'd caught the eye of the sultan himself, only desperate measures could keep her safe. Captain Thorn Stoddard was her last hope. As the handsome American's ship was about to set sail, Brittany hid belowdecks, certain his anger would be easier to bear than the sultan's lechery. How was she to know she had put herself at the mercy of a man whose searing blue eyes would brand her innocent flesh with passion's first fires even as his kiss tempted her to sample all that was forbidden?
In the Turkish court of her stepfather, Brittany Sinclair was known as the daughter of the English Rose, that legendary beauty who had stolen Lord Simijin's heart. Raised between two worlds -- the proper English ways of her mother and the exotic sensuality of the harem -- Brittany had always been pampered and cherished. But now that she'd caught the eye of the sultan himself, only desperate measures could keep her safe. Captain Thorn Stoddard was her last hope. As the handsome American's ship was about to set sail, Brittany hid belowdecks, certain his anger would be easier to bear than the sultan's lechery. How was she to know she had put herself at the mercy of a man whose searing blue eyes would brand her innocent flesh with passion's first fires even as his kiss tempted her to sample all that was forbidden?
August 26, 2014
Enchantress is not for immature people, but it is rather for mature people. There is a lot of weird things in it.
Overall, I'm going to say that I'm disappointed in Enchantress. The main character, Brittany, seems to be an idiot (but she is very innocent, but she is still an idiot). I'm not going to go on about her, because I think I might snap at the mention of her name. (Oh, yes. That is how annoying she is. She might as well be a blond. Oh, snap! She is one).
The writing comes off very dry. It doesn't go very well. The third POV digs in too much and doesn't let the readers interpret from the author's (or character's) thoughts. Everything is so neat and explained that I was so bored. No sense of suspense at all. Just regret, romance, and a few other simple feelings most people would be bored with.
And the romance? Don't get me started on that either.
Rating: One out of Five
Overall, I'm going to say that I'm disappointed in Enchantress. The main character, Brittany, seems to be an idiot (but she is very innocent, but she is still an idiot). I'm not going to go on about her, because I think I might snap at the mention of her name. (Oh, yes. That is how annoying she is. She might as well be a blond. Oh, snap! She is one).
The writing comes off very dry. It doesn't go very well. The third POV digs in too much and doesn't let the readers interpret from the author's (or character's) thoughts. Everything is so neat and explained that I was so bored. No sense of suspense at all. Just regret, romance, and a few other simple feelings most people would be bored with.
And the romance? Don't get me started on that either.
Rating: One out of Five
June 6, 2014
awful one! this was not even a bodice ripper for me to dislike it! thorn did not rape brittany. actually he was reluctant but she wud not let go. she wanted to experience making love. really, was she so retarded/so naive dat she did not realise society did not respect women who lost their virginity outside of marriage!? then, she wud not be his mistress bcoz no respectable people wud mix wid her!? yet, she was already person non-grata. i mean she cud not hide her non-virginity, her husband wud knoe when bedding her! neway, the book was boring wid lots of secondary characters! i was awfully bored wid thorn's father and stepmother fiasco! the book also had a slow pace and lacked intrigue.
December 29, 2012
Didn't know it was a sultry sort of romance when I started reading it. Great storyline. I loved the rough and rugged hero and the adventures. The heroine had an interesting family history and she faced some hardships. You root for the two of them throughout the story.
April 3, 2015
I really enjoyed this book! It took me a few days to read it, but that wasn't because the book wasn't good, I was merely busy. I, personally, really enjoyed the second half of the book. There were many interesting twists in it.
July 10, 2014
I loved this book. I really enjoyed how the book addressed stereotypes and showed a strong heroine.
April 29, 2015
DNF at 30%.
Main characters are way too annoying.
Main characters are way too annoying.
February 3, 2016
This book was way better than I thought it was going to be
April 1, 2017
The novel has two sections to it. The first (brief) part deals with Englishwoman Jilliana, a pregnant widow, and how she ends up being owned by the Grand Vizier in Constantinople. The second part follows Jilliana's daughter, Brittany, and how she must flee the only home she's known in an effort to escape the clutches of the greedy sultan.
American captain Thorn Stoddard is your "One woman really hurt me therefore all women are evil" standard romantic hero. He's average and I had no real problem with him. What brought the story down for me was the weak heroine. Brittany just cruises along the river of life, letting things happen to her rather than making anything happen. People are constantly having to come to her rescue because Brittany can't seem to save herself. She gets it from her mother as Jilliana struck me as also allowing the winds of fate to buffet her along to wherever she ends up.
American captain Thorn Stoddard is your "One woman really hurt me therefore all women are evil" standard romantic hero. He's average and I had no real problem with him. What brought the story down for me was the weak heroine. Brittany just cruises along the river of life, letting things happen to her rather than making anything happen. People are constantly having to come to her rescue because Brittany can't seem to save herself. She gets it from her mother as Jilliana struck me as also allowing the winds of fate to buffet her along to wherever she ends up.
April 4, 2017
I read this book in one afternoon. Action, adventure, and great characters. Would recommend this to anyone who likes a good story.
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