"A great debut by an author with loads of talent"
In support of the concept that the "Sun never sets on the
English Empire", in 1854 Queen Victoria sponsors the Great
Circle Race, a sailing contest open to all nationalities
that will start in London and finish in Sydney. Two years
later just before the start of the race, Team Lassiter is
struck a terrible blow when its captain Jason Lassiter is
incarcerated after a tavern brawl in London. However, his
daughter Nicole, raised on the sea, takes over as captain. Derek Sutherland and his crew are amongst the challengers,
but he is more desperate to win than most because victory
is the only way to save his tottering shipping line. Derek
and Nicole are attracted to one another, but neither trusts
the other. Nicole believes that he is sabotaging her
family's shipping business. Fate intervenes when Nicole's
vessel is damaged in a storm and Derek rescues her. As
they become lovers in love, they soon have an epiphany that
a third party is behind the troubles destroying both their
shipping lines. Victorian England on the high seas is as vivid as can be
pictured in this action-packed historical romance. The
lead couple is a delight as they brawl, argue, and fight
until they realize that they are in love. Though the
intrigue subplot and the "disputes" between her father and
her beloved add tension, it seems unnecessary as Jason and
Nicole have so much baggage to go through anyway. Still
readers will enjoy sailing with Kresley Cole at the helm. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted June 15, 2003
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