There are two books in this series and, although it does seem that the series was designed for continuation, I’m glad that she left this series to do her Immortals After Dark series.The second in the Sutherland series is Grant’s story and picks up shortly after the end of Derek and Nicole’s story. As the youngest son of a titled family, Grant doesn’t inherit any land upon their father’s death. And like the stereotype of youngest children everywhere, he’s a bit of a carefree prankster. Until his brother decides to shirk his responsibilities in an effort not to deal with them. So Grant’s kind of had to grow up and has had responsibility thrust on him. In other words, he’s become a bit of a stick-in-the-mud. So when he’s given the opportunity to gain titled lands, he jumps at the chance. Even though it means finding the remaining family that were lost at sea 8 years ago. Talk about a long shot.But find them he does. And the surviving members (the daughter, Victoria and her once governess Camilla) are quite different than what he’d expected. Though Victoria and Camilla were once “proper English” they’ve been surviving in the wild for the past 8 years. They’ve seen ships land. And they know what men aboard them want. It’s what probably happened in the non-Disney version of Pocahontas when John Smith spies the young beauty in the wild. So to say they’re suspicious would be to put it mildly. But there is something about Victoria that even though she repels Grant’s “gentlemanly sensibilities” draws him in. And eventually he convinces the two of them to return with him. But now the story gets slightly more complicated. Because even though Grant has returned Victoria and Camilla to the care of Victoria’s grandfather, Victoria in effect, gets abandoned again. Her grandfather dies, leaving the estate in massive debt (he used all his wealth to find them.) It’s then that Victoria finds out exactly why Grant agreed to come and find them. And what that means to her home. So she tries to make it work. She’s repeating the experience she learned on the island, but this time it’s in the middle of the English countryside. So the struggle for Grant and Victoria happens on many levels. He wants her to believe that he does care for her, but she’s convinced that he only wants to help because if she fails, then he gets the land. As with the other story in this series, this one takes place over several months, but it’s well written and moves fairly quickly. Of the two, Derek and Nicole’s story is my favorite, but Grant and Victoria give a good read, too.
Kresley Cole returns with a breathtaking romantic saga of love, honor, and passion unbound -- as a man of duty faces his greatest trial, and a young castaway discovers her greatest desire....A man noted for his courage and integrity, Captain Grant Sutherland journeys to Oceania to find Victoria Dearbourne, an English girl lost at sea a decade before. He's given her ailing grandfather his word -- as a gentleman -- to find and protect her. But one look at a grown Victoria and Grant has never felt less like one.Tori relishes freedom, untamed passion, and spontaneity above stifling order. Even more so when a proud, cold British captain arrives to rescue her, though she has no wish to be. As Grant tries to convince her to leave her island home, she begins to see in him a man hungering for more. A man who once laughed. A man who desires her but won't take what she offers.Grant struggles to control his own savage passions -- and fails, Tori must decide what she wants more -- her unfettered independence or the only man who could tame her wild heart....What did you think of the book? (Why this book?, New Author? Read more by author? Keeping? Thoughts on Hero? Heroine?)While I truly loved the first book of this series, I can't help but think that Cole improved on the brothers with Grant. His controlled manner makes for a fascinating read because Victoria's presence makes him lose control. All the nuances of Cole's characters suck you in and make you cheer for them.Victoria and Cammy are great characters. The fact that they've been ship wrecked for eight years is fascinating and just goes to show you that woman are capable. Victoria is hilarious in her pursuit of Grant and in her escape attempts on the island. But you start to see that not only did Victoria have to be strong but she is strong as she takes on her families estate after returning from the sea.Cole doesn't fail in making her characters strong but in doing so many author remove the side of such a strong character that is a weakness. Cole doesn't seem to make this mistake and gives all of her strong and capable characters the ability to have a weakness without destroying the very nature of the character.The supporting characters are great too!
What do You think about The Price Of Pleasure (2004)?
Not bad at all.I had less issues with this one than I did the previous one for whatever reason.I liked Grant from the first book.I liked all the characters from the previous book as well.The main character Victoria didn't annoy me too horribly.Cammy didn't annoy me either.I think the only thing that annoys me, is that Ian's story is a bit of a cliff hanger, and it doesn't appear that he gets his story told(or I'm not finding it among Ms Cole's list of works.). That is bothersome as I rather liked Ian and wanted to know exactly what happened.I still think the titles though are far too romancy for my tast, but the stories themselves were good.
—Erin
Really goodFinally a historical romance where the heroine is independent, intelligent and headstrong without being a shrew! The chemistry between the characters is there, the heroines personality doesn't change upon meeting the hero, and no silly misunderstandings create the plot. The dialogue is definitely modern, but in the setting, the alternative wouldn't be easy to understand, and I appreciate how it is done, rather than a half hearted attempt at contextual vernacular. I loved this book. Tori is my favorite heroine, easily. My only complaint is that the conflict with the broker seems an afterthought and doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the story.
—Lindsey
I felt the need to read more KC after the release of Dreams of a Dark Warrior and although I prefer her PNRs, KC writes damn good historical as well.Grant Sunderland is the logical brother. A leader by nature, he finds himself accepting a journey that leads him and his crew to the Oceanic in search for a missing girl named Victoria Dearbourne. After eight years of being stranded on an island, Tori and her friend Cammy Scott have established a routine and find that living on a deserted island isn’t so bad. Sure, Cammy’s got a continuing illness and deadly snakes wish to bite their heads off, but in the end, it’s all in a day’s work! I found that I really enjoyed Tori’s strength and resiliency. She’s a tough as nails kind of girl and I liked the fact that, even being casted away for such a long time, she doesn’t shy away from London Society. Grant is a hottie, but sometime he gets on my nerves. Could you take any longer in figuring out your own feelings? It’s obvious he has developed feelings for Tori, but his damn pride stands in the way of them being together.I’m hoping that Ian will get his book, even after all the time that has passed since this one was published. He’s such a thrill to read and I wonder if KC is planning on writing any more historical???
—Annie (Under the Covers Book Blog)
