Rating:  Summary: Loved it! Review: This novel was somewhat of a departure from Garwood's normal plot line. Caine is on a search for the evil pirate Pagan, whom he believes has killed his brother. Pagan, though, knows who is searching for the pirate and the danger facing Caine. Through a twist of events the seeker becomes the sought. To avoid giving any of the story away, I'll stop the description there. But, I have to say that this was one of my favorites - and I've loved every Garwood so far.
Rating:  Summary: A True Page Turner - With Flaws Review: This is an exceptionally good book, a true page turner literally beginning on page one! It has romance,wit, humor, and the reader is carried through an outstanding plot. Jade is one of the best heroines ever created. There are so many wonderful facets to her personality, only the genius of JG could pull it off. NOW. The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because of the hero, Caine. (He comes across quite differently in Nathan's story, The Gift, however.) I've loved every one of JG's heros, arrogant though they were, but I didn't like it when Caine held Jade's shoulders during conversations, so roughly that he bruised her! I didn't like the way he'd grab her hand and squeeze hard enough to hurt her (and not let go for the duration of the scene), simply to prevent her from leaving the room, or to find her own chair. I didn't like the way he interrupted her breakfast and forced her (with his weight) to stay in bed with him while he slept for the next 2 hours. He had little if no regard for her feelings on this. She was left to sit there and watch him sleep while mentally intertaining herself. And I thought it a little crude when Jade's Uncle Harry said (more than once) that he should have 'cut' Jade's face when she was younger because she was so beautiful. A little over the top, I think. But all in all, the actual story is fantastic. I'm glad Lyon was in it as much as he was, and I liked Nathan and Colin. The servant Sterns was a great character.
Rating:  Summary: A True Page Turner - With Flaws Review: This is an exceptionally good book, with action and intrigue starting on page one! It has romance,wit, humor, and the reader is carried through an outstanding plot. Jade is one of the best heroines ever created. There are so many wonderful facets to her personality, only the genius of JG could pull it off. I didn't give this book 5 stars because of the hero, Caine. He was promising in the beginning, but his appeal tapered off drastically as the story progressed. I've loved every one of JG's heros, arrogant though they were, but I hated how Caine would grab Jade's hand and squeeze hard enough to hurt her (and not let go for the duration of the scene), simply to prevent her from leaving the room, or to find her own chair. And I thought it a little crude when Jade's Uncle Harry said that he should have 'cut' Jade's face when she was younger because she was so beautiful. A little over the top, I think. But all in all, the actual story was fantastic. I'm glad Lyon was in it as much as he was, and I liked Nathan and Colin. The servant Sterns was a great character.
Rating:  Summary: A great story! Except for Caine. Review: This is an exceptionally interesting story literally beginning on page 1. There's lots wrong with this book, but the plot is top notch. Jade's one of the best heroines ever. And one can't ever discount JG's talent, wit and humor - unmatched by any other author. However, I wasn't overly pleased with Caine. I hated the way he groveled over Jade when he decided he loved her. I never really got the convincing feeling he was that handsome, strong, masculine, or anything else, unlike, say, Gabriel from 'Saving Grace.' Now he was the perfect hero. NO FLAWS. I usually find JG's arrogant, macho heros endearing and loveable, but this Caine fellow was abusively possessive. It's one thing for the hero to give his lady a possessive stare, a jealous growl, even a word or two about how she 'belongs' to him, but Caine bruised Jade by grabbing her arms! What an idiot! Jade, as I mentioned, was truly a great character, very strong, very intelligent, until her relationship with Caine became serious. Then she turned into an imbecile, weak, submissive, and ignorant. Here was a woman who'd survived by her wits, and along comes Caine, who thinks she can't even walk without him telling her to put one foot in front of the other. In the fabulous book, THE GIFT, Caine is a totally different character. He's a mild gentleman. But Jade is nearly unrecognizable. She's so overly domesticated her spirit seems to have been crushed somewhere along the way.
Rating:  Summary: Good but not Garwood's best Review: I had a difficult time getting into this book. I suppose I have been spoiled like many other JG fans by THE SECRET, RANSOM, and THE WEDDING to name a few of her 5+ star books. I have read some of her other Regency books and have not enjoyed them as much as her Medieveal books. For some reason, these books don't "feel" like Regency books if that makes any sense. And I have to agree with some of the other reviewers in that if you read these particular Regency books close together it is difficult to tell the characters apart (freckles across the nose, etc.). However, as I got into the story I did enjoy it. I liked Caine and Jade very much, but call me a prude, but I do get turned off a story when the characters are sleeping together before they are married. Overall, I think this is a good read, just not Ms. Garwood's best.
Rating:  Summary: Very nice book Review: The 'Emerald' flew across the seas, its black hull teasing the waves, its sails whipping on the wind. Abroad was the pirate Pagan -despised by the ton, whose riches this scroundel plundered: beloved by the poor, whose plight was eased by the pirate's gifts. The Marquess of Cainewood vows to hunt down the pirate wretch in revenge for his brother's death. But when Jade, an enchanting vision of riplling red hair and yes of fire green,appears at his door to beg desperately for his protection, the Marquess agrees to keep her safe from the villians who want her dead.Jade is infuriating, exasperating and gorgeous; caine is nole, strong willed and powerful. No woman has ever befuddled him so, nor so deeply roused his desire. But as Jade responds to his knowing caresses with an innocent, wild abandon, they are drawn into a web of treachery that will test the very heart of their love! (text taken from book cover) Another charming book by Julie Garwood. A funny, sensual book. Its not really a pirate story and the mystery is one which alert reader will discover almsot immediately but still this does not detract at all from the charm of this book. As I think most of ms Garwood's heroines, Jade is an adorable clumsy creature ...at least she acts like one - she gives rise to some rather humorous situations. No real sense of danger in the book - its an easy and pleasant reader which most readers will certainly enjoy.
Rating:  Summary: Top shelf Review: Caine (our hero) is out to avenge the man he believes killed his brother, Colin, .... the allusive pirate, Pagan; in his quest to attract Pagan's attention, Caine stumbles across Jade (a women in need?) .... she looks just like an angel, and totally out of place in the run down, ill reputed place he's in! Jade is an independent, feisty, passionate heroine with a mysterious past .... and full proof plan to capture Caine - she wants him to kill her! A tale filled to the brim with action, humour, passion and romance. As usual Julie Garwood will manage to capture your attention with her excellent writing style and colourful characters .... I thoroughly enjoyed this story and have read it, and read it, and read it again! This is one of my favourite Garwood stories ... and if I could add an "A+" on the end of the 5 star, I certainly would. In two words: top shelf!
Rating:  Summary: 10 star book Review: First think I want to say is that I CANNOT believe people are giving this books something other than a 4 or 5! I don't think they were reading the same book as me, especially the one who thinks that she is named Sara!? How do you get Sara out of Jade??? Well anyhoo...I could not put this book down. The beginning is hilarious...I was laughing so hard I had to wipe the tears that were blurring the words on the page from my eyes!(I had that problem a lot during this book!) Right from the start Julie Garwood spins a magnificent tale around Jade and Cain. The dialoge is funny and witty, the plot is VERY well thought out, I, who usually guesses who the bad "guy" is well before the mystery gets unraveled, was amazed with who it was, I mean I would have not guessed in a thousand years it was.....well, i'll let you find out for yourself. Even though this book was great from the first page until the last, The best scene is where Cain is with Jade's uncle and her men and they all are telling Cain what their nicknames are for her, I just wish I were really in the book to see the look on his face. Oh well, All in all, you are crazy if you don't buy this book, and even crazier if you don't like it!!! In my opinion, and lots others, this is WELL beyond a 5 star book!
Rating:  Summary: disapointing... Review: I LOVE Julie Garwood's books but this one was just not up to her standards at all. The beginning was cute but the more into the plot I got, the more bored I became. Ususally I hate to put her books down but this was a stuggle to get through. Jade was a contradiction in character and Caine was bossy and controlling. The only book left by her I haven't read is The Gift and now, I'm not so sure I want to read it.
Rating:  Summary: This one has it all, humor,adventure and romance! Review: Cain the Marquess of Cainwood sets out to avenge the death of his much loved brother, Colin. He prepares a trap for the mysterious pirate, Pagan, of whom not much is known except that he killed Colin. Cain's plan is to set up shop at a bar on the seedier side of town and act as if HE is Pagan. Cain figures that once Pagan hears of the imposter, he'll make an appearance. Cain waits patiently each night, prepared for Pagan's wrath. One night after closing, he hears the door of the bar slam open. He turns, expecting to see Pagan and prepares for his revenge. He does not expect to see the beautiful but disheveled Lady Jade and he is really not prepared for her offer. Thinking Cain is Pagan, she offers him 30 pieces of silver to kill her.(And this is just the first chapter!) There are so many twists and turns in this story. Everyone seems to be lying or bending the truth about their circumstance, past, and even name. I thought the the true strength in the plot was the romance between Cain and Jade. Cain falls in love with Jade first. He tells her that he loves her first. He is perfectly content to to say "I love you" without hearing Jade say it back. He's confident that he will hear her say it when she is ready. A bit arrogant? He is that, and overprotective, demanding, bossy, and cranky! It is all part of his charm as a man in love. He is so supportive of Jade, especially when he realizes that all of her loved ones have left her at some point in her life. Cain calmly waits for Jade to realize that he's not going anywhere. I did think that when all the explanations were handed out, the story dragged on a bit. Everytime a character appeared that was out of the loop, the explanations were given again and again. It all could have been said the one time and alluded to after that. Cain's butler was hysterical as well as Uncle Harry (how many pairs of spectacles does one man need?). All things considered, there are a lot more strengths than weaknesses in the plot. I will keep this book and enjoy it repeatedly.
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