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ab18's review against another edition
3.0
This just went on for waaay too long. I didn’t mind the Napoleanic story, that was fascinating. It was Blake’s dragging the whole Algier saga into it that made me wish the story would wrap itself up already.
Julia could have been more cautious with her allies in the beginning and maybe a little less forgiving of Rud towards the end, in my opinion.
I did like their dynamic as a couple, and did appreciate him doing what he could to save her throughout the story but she shouldn’t have been as involved in the first place.
The more I read about Middle Eastern harems the more grateful I am for some aspects of Westernization’s modernizing influence.
Julia could have been more cautious with her allies in the beginning and maybe a little less forgiving of Rud towards the end, in my opinion.
I did like their dynamic as a couple, and did appreciate him doing what he could to save her throughout the story but she shouldn’t have been as involved in the first place.
The more I read about Middle Eastern harems the more grateful I am for some aspects of Westernization’s modernizing influence.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
The Storm and the Splendor by Jennifer Blake is a 2012 Steel Magnolia Press publication.
Jennifer Blake is one of the authors who initiated me into the world of historical romance back in the day, and will always be one of my all-time favorite romance authors.
This story was written Wwwaaayyy back in 1979, but is now available in e book format. ( Also in Kindle Unlimited, if you subscribe to that service)
Three years after Waterloo, Julia and her father join in the effort to rescue Napoleon by invading the island where he is being held prisoner. Her father commissions the sea captain Rudyard Thorpe to lead the mission with his ship, the Sea Jade, although Thorpe has no political leanings one way or another, and is only in it for the money.
However, Julia and Thorpe immediately butt heads as Thorpe challenges her ability to keep quiet about the mission and cope with conditions aboard the ship. Insulted by his questioning of her involvement, she sets out to prove her mettle. However, once on board the ship, Julia finds herself in a sticky situation that only Rudyard can rescue her from.
Initially, Julia is horrified by his interferences and utterly despises him, but when they finally proceed with their mission, the adventure takes a turn Julia never could have anticipated, as she winds up in the harem of the dey of Algiers, and she and Rudyard become separated.
Believing Rudyard betrayed her, Julia learns to use her wits to survive the dangerous intrigues surrounding her, while Rudyard becomes the next in line for the crown.
Wow! What a tale! This book was written back when the long adventurous sagas were very popular. These stories tended to last for a while with lots of plot twists, drama and intrigue. The romance is torrid and steamy, filled with venom and passion, but the relationship lost ground while the couple were separated and had no contact with each other. However, if the reader will be patient, things do heat back up again, and the romance you are dying for will not only reignite hotter than ever, but will also cement the relationship emotionally.
But, in the meantime, there is a lot of intrigue to keep you entertained and the historical details are simply exquisite! I used to read these types of romances all the time, and really do lament the loss of the great adventure sagas that took the characters on eventful journeys, filled with intense, passionate, sweeping and epic love stories that span lengthy periods of time. Good stuff!
I thoroughly enjoyed this classic retro-romance and with so many of Blake’s novels available in the Kindle store, I plan to indulge in as many of these wonderful romances as possible.
4 stars
Jennifer Blake is one of the authors who initiated me into the world of historical romance back in the day, and will always be one of my all-time favorite romance authors.
This story was written Wwwaaayyy back in 1979, but is now available in e book format. ( Also in Kindle Unlimited, if you subscribe to that service)
Three years after Waterloo, Julia and her father join in the effort to rescue Napoleon by invading the island where he is being held prisoner. Her father commissions the sea captain Rudyard Thorpe to lead the mission with his ship, the Sea Jade, although Thorpe has no political leanings one way or another, and is only in it for the money.
However, Julia and Thorpe immediately butt heads as Thorpe challenges her ability to keep quiet about the mission and cope with conditions aboard the ship. Insulted by his questioning of her involvement, she sets out to prove her mettle. However, once on board the ship, Julia finds herself in a sticky situation that only Rudyard can rescue her from.
Initially, Julia is horrified by his interferences and utterly despises him, but when they finally proceed with their mission, the adventure takes a turn Julia never could have anticipated, as she winds up in the harem of the dey of Algiers, and she and Rudyard become separated.
Believing Rudyard betrayed her, Julia learns to use her wits to survive the dangerous intrigues surrounding her, while Rudyard becomes the next in line for the crown.
Wow! What a tale! This book was written back when the long adventurous sagas were very popular. These stories tended to last for a while with lots of plot twists, drama and intrigue. The romance is torrid and steamy, filled with venom and passion, but the relationship lost ground while the couple were separated and had no contact with each other. However, if the reader will be patient, things do heat back up again, and the romance you are dying for will not only reignite hotter than ever, but will also cement the relationship emotionally.
But, in the meantime, there is a lot of intrigue to keep you entertained and the historical details are simply exquisite! I used to read these types of romances all the time, and really do lament the loss of the great adventure sagas that took the characters on eventful journeys, filled with intense, passionate, sweeping and epic love stories that span lengthy periods of time. Good stuff!
I thoroughly enjoyed this classic retro-romance and with so many of Blake’s novels available in the Kindle store, I plan to indulge in as many of these wonderful romances as possible.
4 stars
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