Title: Caribbean Splendor
Author: Tracy L. Ranson
Genre: Historical Romance
Published in June 2009 by Siren-BookStrand, Inc.
IBSN: 978-1-60601-243-7
Blaze was a dreamer. She dreamed of a life filled with passion and the ability to make her own choices. Her father, Lord Combermere, had other ideas for her. He wanted her to marry a man with good breeding and money. The man he had picked out for her was Daniel Montgomery. His family had money and owned a large sugar plantation. Blaze knew in her heart that she did not want to marry him. He was a womanizer and gambler and made it plain from day one that he could not remain faithful to their marriage. While out riding her horse one day, Blaze was thrown, hitting her head and knocking herself unconscious. Upon awakening, she found herself in the company of the notorious pirate Raven. She soon came to realize that the passion she had been searching for had finally found her.
Raven comes upon Blaze after she has fallen off her horse, blindfolds her to protect his real identity, and takes her back to his hideout. In the secluded cave he seduces her and shows her the passion that she has yearned for. He is taken aback when she pledges her love for him and is willing to leave with him. He has never had a woman respond to him the way that Blaze has. Raven never thought that she would come to care for him in the three short days that they have been together. Even the prospect of leaving her family behind does not deter Blaze from wanting to go with him. Raven has always lived by the rule of one time only and that was it. He was set in his ways and had no room in his life for love. Blaze stirred feelings in him that he has never experienced before. After obtaining her promise to wait for him, Raven leaves Blaze in the cave to go and prepare his ship for her. When he returns to the cave to find her gone, he is angered. Raven realizes that he must find her to determine the truth. Did she leave of her own free will or not?
Justin Blackmore became the Second Earl of Sexton when his father committed suicide after disgracing the family name by gambling away the fortune. Justin spent the last five years searching for Blaze before finally finding her on the island of Martinique. He will finally be able to question her about why she did not keep her promise to remain in the cave until his return. The news that she has a five-year-old son stunned him. His friend and confidant Henri, is able to use their network of spies to find out what they needed to know about Daniel Montgomery and his mysterious death. Justin realizes that his feelings for Blaze have not diminished over the years and knows that he must have her no matter the cost. Her willingness to sacrifice anything for her son ignites his blood, drawing him like a moth to a flame.
Blaze finds herself destitute after Daniel’s death. Daniel had squandered all of their money and in one month, her house and everything she owns will be sold at auction. She seeks employment, but is not skilled at any craft and finds herself with only one distasteful choice left, but she will do anything to save her son Beau from the poorhouse. When a stranger offers her a marriage of convenience, she is reluctant, but knows that this is the only way to save the plantation without loosing her honor. Marriage to Justin is not what she thought it would be. Although he has an ailment that does not let him perform is marital duties, Blaze finds herself developing feelings for him. The interaction between Justin and Beau is just one example of the type of caring man that he is.
Caribbean Splendor is a splendid tale written by Tracy Ranson. It looks at how one woman must make the best of her circumstances to find the passion of a lifetime. After being ripped from Raven’s arms, Blaze finds herself married off to Daniel Montgomery because of his money and status. She finds herself living on his sugar plantation, Splendor, hating the existence, and struggling to make the best of it. Blaze endures 5 years of the loveless union while all the time thinking and dreaming of Raven and the love she feels for him. She does not mourn the death of Daniel when a fellow gambler mysteriously kills him either, but she finds herself in a position where she must find a way to save the only home her son has known. Justin offers her the opportunity of a lifetime. Marriage to him will save her home and provide stability for Beau. Blaze is shocked when Raven appears back in her life. She is torn between her passion and love for him and her affection for Justin. Although Justin is willing to turn a blind eye to her affair with Raven, Blaze feels flustered, confused by her feelings for both men.
Re-edited, and reissued by Siren Publishing, I still found Caribbean Splendor an invigorating and easy to read romance chocked full if delighfully unexpected twists, and still surprising me with the intricate plot. Tracy Ranson has written a tale that kept my interest until the last page. Blaze did not let things that she has no control over, rule her life. She made the best of what she is given. Finding a heroine that has a backbone is refreshing. What started out as one man’s revenge led to an everlasting love that could not be destroyed. The detail that Ms. Ranson uses to describe the Splendor Plantation and its surroundings is breathtaking. Caribbean Splendor is available now from Siren Publishing. Pick up a copy today for a truly exciting and enjoyable read.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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