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Saturday, August 11, 2012

Historical Romance Review: Bound by Decency by Claire Ashgrove

I love a good swashbuckling romance, and Ms. Ashgrove has definitely penned a vibrant, adventurous romantic tale, not to be missed!

ABOUT THE BOOK...

Once, Cain sailed with the cutthroats of The Flying Gang, fearless Captain of The Kraken, bound to no one save the sea. After inheriting a portion of Spain’s Royal Inheritance, he resigned the life of brigands for a chance at honest wealth. With the secrets of his piracy tucked away, he achieved his lofty aspirations. But when his partner and best friend betrays him to the Royal Navy, Cain’s dreams are ripped to shreds. He’s left with his ship, the tattered remnants of a stolen future, and a piece of Spanish mystery. Wanted by three nations and destined for the gallows, he returns to the legendary band of buccaneers for one purpose---vengeance.

Kidnapped by the formidable Cain, India Prescott discovers he intends to kill the man she’s to marry, Richard Grey. Cain’s story reveals betrayal. Treachery that extends to her as well. Although she holds the key to retribution, India refuses to become another man’s pawn. Freedom lies before her, the liberty to shrug off propriety, make her own decisions, and claim her destiny. But when she uncovers goodness in Cain’s soul and he awakens passion in her heart, she must combat the chains of convention once more.

Only this time India's not fighting society. She’s battling a pirate bent on keeping her decency intact.


MY REVIEW...

From the moment I began to read, it was evident that Bound by Decency was a well-researched novel. The author has a great handle on the language of ships, the time period, every little nuance, which brought the story vividly alive in my mind.

Cain is bent on revenge, and torn between a life of decency and a life he's made for himself as a pirate. He wars with his ultimate desires and his reputation. The only way he sees to living the life he wants is by gaining his freedom, freedom that was taken by him from someone he trusted, his partner. His revenge leads him to India Prescott--the fiance of his enemy. But she is nothing like what he imagined, and Cain finds that he fights himself more often than anything else.

India too hides behind a facade instead of being the person she wants to be. Society dictates how a lady should act, and she doesn't want to disappoint her father. But...on a ship...there is no Society. And while she refuses to help Cain in his mission for revenge, she can't refuse his kiss.

Together, Cain and India not only burn up the pages with tension, passion, adventure, they learn to accept who they really are, for they bring out the "best" of themselves when together. Bound by Decency is a romantic, adventurous tale, that shows when two people come together, sometimes they learn who they really are.

Recommended read! Well done!

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