Saturday, October 16, 2010

Rules of an Engagement-Suzanne Enoch

Rules of an Engagement
Suzanne Enoch
Avon, Oct 26 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061662225

Following the elimination of pirates and the their French supporters from the Mediterranean Sea, the hero of the battles, English sea Captain Bradshaw Carroway is assigned to the East Indies to escort passengers amongst the Pacific Islands. Five months later he works his new assignment and considers turning to piracy to relieve himself of this feelings of ennui.

However, one of the passengers is botanist Sir Joseph Ponsey’s daughter Zephyr, who has served as her father’s assistant for years. Shaw likes the brilliant yet naive Zephyr. He especially enjoys teasing her as he always seems to get a rise out of her. She, in turn, is confused by his interest. As they sail the Pacific, they have friendly and hostile escapades with natives, nasty rivals, Mother Nature, and the flora fauna specimen collection. He soon realizes he loves her, but needs to convince his doubting Thomasine that they belong together.

Zephyr and the locale refresh this enjoyable historical romance as her mix of innocence and intelligence excites the captain more than sinking French vessels. The story line is fast-paced from the opening battle in the Mediterranean and never stops for a gasp even with Shaw telling his brother “Runt” that he is bored. Fans will enjoy the gender war on the high seas.

Harriet Klausner

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