4 and ½ Stars - Sequel as Exciting a Pirate Story as the FirstOnce again, I disagree with the low reviews.This is the sequel to Robards’ ISLAND FLAME and it involves the same hero and heroine two years after their “happily ever after” in book 1. I gave the first story 4 and ½ stars and pretty much dismissed the low reviews as I’m doing now. Like the first one, this is an 80’s bodice ripper, so accept that going in, but it is very well done and I recommend it. Robards knows how to write historical romance. Few authors could follow the same couple after the happily ever after and still produce great sexual tension, a suspenseful story and as many twists and turns, but Robards does and with great success in my mind.SEA FIRE is set in 1844, beginning in South Carolina where Jonathan Hale and his wife, Catherine (“Cathy”) are living with their young son, Cray. When word arrives her father is ill, Cathy hurries back to England with her young son to find her father recovering from what appears to be a stroke. Meanwhile Cathy learns her marriage to Jon was not valid and cannot wait to get back to America and wed him again. But before she can leave, her pirate husband shows up and is seized and thrown in prison. Harold, her cousin who has designs on her—and her money—tells Cathy he will save the pirate from hanging if she agrees to marry him. Like the first story, we are once again immersed in the troubled but sexually charged relationship of Cathy and Jon. His past will not allow him to trust any woman, much less the beautiful minx he married. He will treat her badly just to keep from falling at her knees like a lovesick fool. Cathy loves him, but is too proud to admit it, especially when he acts the cad. Still, she will save him from death if she can.A great tale with many twists and turns and lots of action. Yes, Jon is a brute at times and Cathy’s a brat, but I still kept reading it late into the night. I recommend it. If you liked ISLAND FLAME, I daresay you will like this one.
I felt I could identify with this book. I've not read #1 book before, but it didn't bother me too much. Unlike the vast majority of love stories, this is not about characters meeting for the first timeand falling in love. The couple are already married (and here's the twist) and they grapple hard as their love is challenged and Jon/Cathy clashed repeatedly esp as Jon is overcome by his insecurities.I cringed inwardly whenever Cathy retorted in spite to admit things she hadn't done as she's baited by Jon's anger. ( "No...No...don't say that!") but then I guess this is how I would have responded as a spiteful and immature 21 year old, so I cant blame her. I also liked the pregnancy complication, brings additional poignancy and makes me angrier with Jon and commiserate with Cathy as only women would understand. I like the pacing of the book. Many new incidents happen with barely a breather, so there's a lot to write about and for Jon & Cathy to experience. I can't stand stories where half the book is of the lead characters moaning and whining, doing mental mind battles as they reason out with themselves their feelings for each other or why they shouldn't be together. There's still some of that in Seafire, but reasonable limits.However like some of the other reviews here, I agree the rampant enforced sex is not something I can accept. How could Jon who prided dignity above all for himself yet have subjected his wife, someone he loves to such indignity and shamed acts against her will??Above all else, I have always liked the historical romances from Ms Robards, this one was a nice one of true married couples (and not forced marriages of convenience turned romance). It's a pity there are not as many of these around . Above all, I just wish Ms Robards would write more historicals!!
What do You think about Sea Fire (1998)?
Another ARGH!!! This book continues the story of the main characters in Island Flame, and once again, the "hero" is abusive. He gets it into his head he's been wronged (admittedly he has some evidence, but by now he also has more than enough reason to believe in the heroine, and instead he immediately goes to the worst possible conclusion). He rapes the heroine more than once, deliberately humiliating and hurting her, and while in this one he does have a moment of clarity when he realizes that h
—Elle
I bought the audio book from the store last week, 03/07/13 and I had no idea this was an "80's bodice ripping" anything. I have never heard of that term but it explains so much about the format. I will now make sure to look at publishing dates prior to making a purchase. Imagine my shock to hear cussing, raping, verbal and physical abuse from the "hero." I am on the 5th CD (with 6 more left) and I wish she had let her "hero" hang. I try to skip around but almost every track (so far) had his calling her a whore, slut, *itch. He rapes her. He hits her. He cheats on her. He allows his pirate crew to sexually assault her while he gleefully watches. He dumps her head first in a hot cauldron of greasy soup. And from the other reviews, I gather it is all justifiable because he is "insecure." She is no "heroine" herself. She is just as abusive to him, just on a smaller scale. It's like sitting in a room with a couple on the verge of divorce...."War of The Roses" style. I can honestly say that I have NEVER read anything like this story in the 25 years I have been reading romance and I hope I never do again. I do not read romance so I can spend my day angry! Like music CD's, stories like these should come with a warning label so those who do not enjoy these kind of stories, can avoid them and those who do enjoy them, can seek them out. To each, their own and all that. I can honestly say that I will never read another book by this author because I don't trust in the content being something I want to listen or read.
—Mayra
You got my vote on that. What female would take a pig of a man like that back into their life.I kept hoping for something more of him, but that never happened. Poor taste for a female.
—Laura
