Love Only Once

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: Elizabeth Trent doesn't know what to do. She's about to walk down the aisle to marry the man of her dreams, Jonathan Hird, but she has a terrible secret. She was raped and she is now pregnant. She can't find the strength to tell him, so she ends up leaving Jonathan at the altar without a word or note.

Hurt and humiliated, Jonathan sails from England and memories of Elizabeth. He's been living as a pirate for the past two years and now he's back. Stronger, dangerous and firm in his belief that he cares nothing for Elizabeth, he's talked into finding Elizabeth a suitable husband.

Elizabeth and Jonathan meet again and they are still attracted to each other, but can Elizabeth make Jonathan see that the only suitable husband for her is him? Will she ever find the courage to tell Jonathan the truth of why she left him at the altar?

We first meet Elizabeth and Jonathan in THE DUKE'S LADY, a story about Elizabeth's twin brother, Adam. The first few chapters in LOVE ONLY ONCE have some flashback scene which helps get the reader up to speed, after that it pretty much runs it course uninterrupted. Ms. Jernigan set the story very nicely, creating a steady pace with a few surprises thrown in to shake things up a bit!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: Elizabeth Trent doesn't know what to do. She's about to walk down the aisle to marry the man of her dreams, Jonathan Hird, but she has a terrible secret. She was raped and she is now pregnant. She can't find the strength to tell him, so she ends up leaving Jonathan at the altar without a word or note.

Hurt and humiliated, Jonathan sails from England and memories of Elizabeth. He's been living as a pirate for the past two years and now he's back. Stronger, dangerous and firm in his belief that he cares nothing for Elizabeth, he's talked into finding Elizabeth a suitable husband.

Elizabeth and Jonathan meet again and they are still attracted to each other, but can Elizabeth make Jonathan see that the only suitable husband for her is him? Will she ever find the courage to tell Jonathan the truth of why she left him at the altar?

We first meet Elizabeth and Jonathan in THE DUKE'S LADY, a story about Elizabeth's twin brother, Adam. The first few chapters in LOVE ONLY ONCE have some flashback scene which helps get the reader up to speed, after that it pretty much runs it course uninterrupted. Ms. Jernigan set the story very nicely, creating a steady pace with a few surprises thrown in to shake things up a bit!

Rating:
Summary: Romantic and absorbing!
Review: I just finished Brenda Jernigan's LOVE ONLY ONCE -- what a great book! Absorbing, romantic, non-stop tension. This is definitely an author to watch. I can't wait for her next one.

Rating:
Summary: Plagued by problems with historical accuracy
Review: I was intrigued by the plot and drawn in right from the beginning, but as I continued reading I found more and more historical inaccuracies that detracted from my enjoyment of the book. For one thing, there must be a reason why most authors of historical romance don't make REAL people characters in their books (other than cameo appearances). Jean Lafitte and Beau Brummell portrayed as nice people helping out a pair of lovers just didn't ring true. Why in heaven's name would Jean Lafitte appear in England so soon after helping the Americans in the war? And that goes for the hero too. He really was guilty of treason against England, and yet he had no hesitation returning to England. How, then, can he be so indignant at being arrested for treason?

Another big problem with this book is the apparent ease with which the heroine manages to give birth to an illegitimite child without being questioned by anyone. She mentions a couple of times that she plans to say she was widowed in the war if anyone questions her, but apparently nobody does in over two years. Nor does she even use a married name. Even a duke's daughter would cause a scandal in such a situation, and yet apparently nobody even raises an eyebrow. Nor does she show a moment's concern that her son might be labeled a bastard all his life. Elizabeth's actions show her to be more a contemporary character than a historical one.

And then there are minor errors, such as calling Jonathan "Earl Longdale" instead of "Lord Longdale" and having a character called Tiffany 150 years too early that perhaps the average reader might miss. You know, I am not such a nitpicker that I would let little things like this keep me from enjoying a book; however, this book just didn't ring true for me, maybe because I've read so many books set in this time period that I have a pretty good idea what it was like back then. I'd like to see Ms. Jernigan do the same before writing her next historical romance.

Rating:
Summary: Fast paced and awesome!
Review: Jonathan Hird returned from war wounded, but alive. He was to marry the woman he loved, Elizabeth Trent. But Elizabeth left him at the alter with no explanation. Her brother, Adam, was Jonathan's best friend; however, he would not tell his sister's reason for disappearing. She had made Adam promise.

Jonathan took to the sea with Jean and Pierre Lafitte for two years, returning only when word of his father's illness reached him. He meant for his visit to Adam to be brief and uneventful. Adam's wife was nearing her time for birthing their child. Therefore, Adam talked Jonathan into, not only caring for his father, but to find Elizabeth a husband since she was in that same area.

At the same time, Captain Lee (a dangerous enemy of Adam, Jonathan, and Elizabeth's - to name only a few), was back from the dead for revenge on them all!

***** An awesome tale! Fast paced and so full suspense I could not put it down! Don't begin reading this one until you have plenty of time or you may find yourself forgetting all your plans so you can see what happens on the next page. Highly recommended reading from an outstanding author! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch

Rating:
Summary: CAPTIVATING, SENSUAL, SUPERBLY WRITTEN
Review: Ms. Jernigan has once again written a well researched, captivating, exciting story. She has brought Elizabeth and Jonathan to life in a story that will warm your heart and soul, as well as other parts of your body. One minute you'll be reaching for your winter coat, the next wishing you were wearing a bikini. Jonathan can warm up my chilblains any day. Once you read it you'll know what I mean. I highly recommend this book. What a great way to start the new year. I can't wait for Ms. Jernigan's next book Dance On The Wind.

Rating:
Summary: A delicious romantic tale of love and laughter
Review: The love between the hero and heroine is a "love for all time." It will keep you engrossed to the very end.

Rating:
Summary: A delicious romantic tale of love and laughter
Review: The love between the hero and heroine is a "love for all time." It will keep you engrossed to the very end.