If the Tide Turns

If the Tide Turns by Rachel Rueckert 384 pages  

When Kensington Books asked me to write a blurb for Rachel Rueckert’s debut novel, I jumped at the opportunity. Although I don’t read many romance novels, I do enjoy stories that take place in or near the water. The feel of the salty breeze and the mist stinging your face---that sort of thing. Set during the waning days of the Golden Age of Pirates (1689-1718; who knew there was such a thing?), If the Tide Turns is the “captivating true story of real-life pirate Samuel Bellamy, combining high seas adventure, star-crossed longing, surprisingly timely questions about social justice and freedom, and the emotionally satisfying tale of one strong-willed young woman determined to choose her own path.”

This is the blurb I wrote: “Two lovers, separated by their stations in life, fight their way back to each other’s arms. On land and on the sea, Sam and Maria overcome the hardships of the mid-1700s. Rueckert’s new novel is a tale of daring, courage, aching loneliness and two people willing to face any obstacles to be together.”

 

It’s 1715 in Eastham, Massachusetts. Maria Brown is the beautiful, hard-headed daughter of a wealthy family who has arranged a marriage for her. She doesn’t want any part of the much older (shall we just say old?), also wealthy and abusive John Hallett.

 

Maria has her heart set on a young, orphaned sailor, Sam Bellamy. They met as Sam had been laid-off (yes, laid-off from his previous ship when it docked and no longer needed his services) and searched for another ship. The two are drawn together. Sam to Maria for her beauty and her self-determination. Maria to Sam for his idealistic opinions. The two are smitten with each other. Sam wants to marry her, but her father forbids it, in fact banishing him from their home. Maria, characteristically, vows to wait for him, to wait until he can make his fortune and offer everything her father deems, she should have.

 

Eager for success, Sam becomes involved with a pirate ship. But Sam isn’t your ordinary run-of-the-mill pirate. He is only interested in taking other ships’ bounties, not lives nor ships. His reputation as a “nice” pirate precedes him.

 

Maria leaves home, bent on following him from port to port. It’s a dangerous path she has chosen--- a woman traveling alone.

 

If the Tide Turns has all the aspects of a swashbuckling delightful read as Sam and Maria fight for their love. If the Tide Turns gets 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

The Traitor’s Kiss

TheTraitor’s Kiss by Erin Beaty, 344 pages

“To escape the threat of being married off by her uncle, orphaned Sage Fowler accepts an apprenticeship with a matchmaker. Intelligent and unruly, she's perfect for gathering information on prospective clients. Protected by a small army contingent, Sage and her mentor escort a group of ladies to be matched with noblemen. Sage spies on soldiers and brides alike as they travel. Amongst rumors of a political uprising, a handsome solider recruits Sage to infiltrate the enemy ranks. The more she discovers, the more uncertain she is of whom to trust. Sage becomes caught in a dangerous balancing act that will determine the fate of her kingdom. With secret identities and a tempestuous romance, The Traitor's Kiss is Jane Austen with an espionage twist.”  This was an intriguing story.  I had trouble putting this book down.  A must read for teens who like fantasy type books, although this one has no magic.

Cruel Beauty

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

346 Pages

In this retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story, Nyx is fated to be wed to the Gentle Lord, a demon who rules over Arcadia.  Her father made a deal with him so his wife could have children.  She had two daughters, but the deal was that one would be given in marriage to the Gentle Lord when she was 17.  Like all deals with the demon, this one didn’t turn out as hoped.  Nyx’s mother died in childbirth, leaving Nyx and her twin sister Astraia to be raised with the knowledge that Nyx would be sacrificed at 17.  However, Nyx’s father has held out a small bit of hope, at least for Arcadia.  He believes that there is a way for Nyx to defeat the Gentle Lord and trap him in his castle and has taught Nyx everything she should need to make it happen.  Of course, Nyx will be trapped with him, but she will have saved Arcadia.  The biggest problem is, when Nyx arrives, she doesn’t count on actually falling on love with the demon.  Teens who like retellings of fairy tales should like this story.