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shawniebooks's review against another edition
2.0
This one wasn't for me. Narratives were too lengthy, I didn't see real characterization, and I was distracted throughout most of it. The male narrator had a nice voice, but the tone was very somber. It sounded more like a dry mystery, which was not what I was looking for.
lillowo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
It was an interesting book. Light and engaging! I liked the plot more than the last.
Same as last time, don't read too much into the sociopolitical stuff or some of the gender stuff (overtly empowering, implicitly not).
Same as last time, don't read too much into the sociopolitical stuff or some of the gender stuff (overtly empowering, implicitly not).
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
Another great read from Stephanie Laurens in The Adventurers Quartet series. Even though the heroine and hero had a stand alone romance in this novel the overarching plot line did begin in book one so I'd recommend starting there. Aileen knows that hunting down her missing naval brother isn't the best idea but with no one else in her family available she's ready for the challenge. Captain Robert is on a mission for the crown and having Aileen interfere is not what he needs but her determination, smarts, and beauty is not something he expected. As they try to unravel the disappearance of not only Aileen's brother but other men, women, and children their feelings grow. But can they trust a romance built on something so quickly or did they find that one in a million chance at love when least expected? Great read and I'm excited to continue the series!
jencook29's review against another edition
3.0
I love Stephanie Laurens...but I am struggling with this series overall. It doesn't read as fast as her other series. However, I liked this one a lot more than the first, so am giving the third one a try!
amalies's review against another edition
3.0
Like the first book in this series, a brother to the first Frobisher in the series is sent to Freetown to continue the investigation into the disappearances of men, women and children in the settlement. He is to learn what he can and head to England to report. Of course they gain the information they are sent to gain, there is an unlikely romance with a girl who is in the settlement trying to locate her brother who is one of the missing and also quite a bit of intense drama. It is a light fun read.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
5.0
Exciting continuation of the series. This one picks up where The Lady's Command left off. Declan and Edwina have returned to England with the information they were sent to get. Robert has just arrived home from his latest voyage ferrying diplomats when he is met by the Duke of Wolverstone (Dalziel) who wants Robert to take the next leg of the investigation, finding the location of the slavers' camp, and bringing that information back to England. Robert is understandably disgruntled about not being able to see the investigation through to its conclusion, but accepts the reasoning. He also has a secondary motive for wanting to finish as quickly as possible: After years of sailing and missions for the Crown, he wants what Declan has found - a home and wife of his own. The sooner he returns home, the sooner he can start looking.
Aileen Hopkins grew up in a Navy family, with all the men in her family for generations having served. When word comes that her youngest brother, Will, has disappeared from his ship in Freetown, Aileen is determined to find and rescue him. She is smart, stubborn and a dead shot with a pistol. It doesn't take long for her to realize that there is more going on than meets the eye.
With both Robert and Aileen tackling the same mystery from different points, it isn't long before their paths collide. That first meeting is quite incendiary, as Robert steps in just as one of the slavers notices that Aileen appeared to be watching him. Using a kiss that rapidly gets out of hand, their cover is maintained, but both are left reeling. Robert is determined to convince Aileen that she should back off and let him handle things, and she is equally determined not to be shunted off to the side. It was quite enjoyable to see Aileen take each one of Robert's objections and counter it with excellent logic. Robert quickly came to realize that he would be certain of her safety only if he kept her at his side.
The development of their relationship is fast and furious. They are evenly matched in intelligence and determination, and discover that they work together quite well. There is also a simmering attraction that builds quickly. I really enjoyed seeing Robert's frustration with Aileen at the beginning, as she didn't behave in any way like he expected her to. However, that same behavior soon impressed him with her ability to adapt to any circumstances. It didn't take long for him to realize that fate had combined his mission and his search for a wife, if only he can keep her safe. I also enjoyed seeing the effect that Robert had on Aileen, shaking up her usual ability to focus on her goals. There were several fun parts where Aileen notices the similarities between Robert and her brothers, and handles him the same way she would them. There are also times when Robert needs all the diplomacy he's learned over the years to make Aileen see things his way. But through it all, there is no doubting the respect they have for each other. There are no games played, no big secrets to drive them apart, and no doubting that they are meant for each other.
The carrying out of Robert's mission was exciting from the beginning. The first part of the book shows both Aileen and Robert following their plans independently. Robert and his men have their work cut out as they follow their suspects and wait for their chance to track the slavers. Aileen's frustration with the lack of help she receives from the officials leads her to take matters into her own hands. She's unaware of the bigger picture and the danger until she joins forces with Robert. Her switch in focus to the missing children brings her to the attention of the wrong people, and her capture creates havoc with Robert's plans. There is a great deal of danger, fear, excitement and even some humor in her rescue, but that's not the end of it. Still missing some key information, their search leads into the jungle and yet another close call with the slavers. A heartbreaking scene involving some of the missing children gives further impetus to their need to escape with the information they now have. That confrontation was a real nail-biter as I wondered how close it was going to be.
I loved the final chapters, as Robert and Aileen take the time during the voyage home to truly get to know each other. Their arrival involved a bit of fun, as we meet the youngest brother, Caleb, and experience the ever present competitiveness between the brothers. It concludes with a most satisfying meeting with Wolverstone and other familiar faces, including Edwina and Minerva, Lady Wolverstone. There's an unexpected twist involving the next leg of the investigation that sets the stage for the next book.
Aileen Hopkins grew up in a Navy family, with all the men in her family for generations having served. When word comes that her youngest brother, Will, has disappeared from his ship in Freetown, Aileen is determined to find and rescue him. She is smart, stubborn and a dead shot with a pistol. It doesn't take long for her to realize that there is more going on than meets the eye.
With both Robert and Aileen tackling the same mystery from different points, it isn't long before their paths collide. That first meeting is quite incendiary, as Robert steps in just as one of the slavers notices that Aileen appeared to be watching him. Using a kiss that rapidly gets out of hand, their cover is maintained, but both are left reeling. Robert is determined to convince Aileen that she should back off and let him handle things, and she is equally determined not to be shunted off to the side. It was quite enjoyable to see Aileen take each one of Robert's objections and counter it with excellent logic. Robert quickly came to realize that he would be certain of her safety only if he kept her at his side.
The development of their relationship is fast and furious. They are evenly matched in intelligence and determination, and discover that they work together quite well. There is also a simmering attraction that builds quickly. I really enjoyed seeing Robert's frustration with Aileen at the beginning, as she didn't behave in any way like he expected her to. However, that same behavior soon impressed him with her ability to adapt to any circumstances. It didn't take long for him to realize that fate had combined his mission and his search for a wife, if only he can keep her safe. I also enjoyed seeing the effect that Robert had on Aileen, shaking up her usual ability to focus on her goals. There were several fun parts where Aileen notices the similarities between Robert and her brothers, and handles him the same way she would them. There are also times when Robert needs all the diplomacy he's learned over the years to make Aileen see things his way. But through it all, there is no doubting the respect they have for each other. There are no games played, no big secrets to drive them apart, and no doubting that they are meant for each other.
The carrying out of Robert's mission was exciting from the beginning. The first part of the book shows both Aileen and Robert following their plans independently. Robert and his men have their work cut out as they follow their suspects and wait for their chance to track the slavers. Aileen's frustration with the lack of help she receives from the officials leads her to take matters into her own hands. She's unaware of the bigger picture and the danger until she joins forces with Robert. Her switch in focus to the missing children brings her to the attention of the wrong people, and her capture creates havoc with Robert's plans. There is a great deal of danger, fear, excitement and even some humor in her rescue, but that's not the end of it. Still missing some key information, their search leads into the jungle and yet another close call with the slavers. A heartbreaking scene involving some of the missing children gives further impetus to their need to escape with the information they now have. That confrontation was a real nail-biter as I wondered how close it was going to be.
I loved the final chapters, as Robert and Aileen take the time during the voyage home to truly get to know each other. Their arrival involved a bit of fun, as we meet the youngest brother, Caleb, and experience the ever present competitiveness between the brothers. It concludes with a most satisfying meeting with Wolverstone and other familiar faces, including Edwina and Minerva, Lady Wolverstone. There's an unexpected twist involving the next leg of the investigation that sets the stage for the next book.
cheerfullrain's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book throughly enjoyable even though it was really heavy on subplot and less heavy on romance. The subplot was well done and intriguing. I am looking forward to it progressing in the next book. The romance, part was a little too over the top when it came to the description of their connection for my preference. Maybe it was just because the writing didn’t have me quite believing that their intense connection was backed up by previous actions and conversations between the characters. I think the fact that the Hero and Heroine didn’t even meet until about a third of the way into the book was part of what took away from how their relationship developed. They needed more scenes together and didn’t get them.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
2.0
A Buccaneer at Heart
2 Stars
The saga of the missing residents in the British Colony of Freetown, Sierra Leone, continues with the arrival of Miss Aileen Hopkins, who is determined to learn the truth behind her brother's disappearance. During her inquiries, she encounters Robert Frobisher, who has been sent by the British government to further the investigation begun by his brother.
Series note: The events in this installment continue from where the previous book left off. As such, it is crucial that this series be read in order.
Stephanie Laurens' writing has never been the most scintillating, but she is certainly skilled at creating interesting characters and conveying a compelling story. So far, this series has missed the mark.
Even though Aileen and Robert have more intense interactions and better chemistry than Declan and Edwina, they do not actually meet until 1/3 of the way into the book. Despite the relatively long exposition, their characters are woefully underdeveloped. Aside from being a member of the seafaring Frobisher family and having a mysterious history as a sometime diplomat for the British government, readers learn next to nothing of Robert's past and the type of man he is.
Likewise, Aileen's background is provided in very broad strokes - she is the only daughter in a family of 4 children and her brothers are all in the navy - and...? Moreover, her behavior is completely anachronistic. No reputable young, unmarried woman in the 18oos would be able to travel unaccompanied across London much less across an ocean to Africa without suffering serious social consequences.
Although there is some progression in the ongoing mystery of the abductees, it is very minimal and there is much less excitement and action than in most of Laurens' other works. The writing is also tedious, repetitious, and wordy even by Laurens' standards.
In sum, the original setting and intriguing mystery cannot compensate for the sluggish writing, poor characterization and average romance.
2 Stars
The saga of the missing residents in the British Colony of Freetown, Sierra Leone, continues with the arrival of Miss Aileen Hopkins, who is determined to learn the truth behind her brother's disappearance. During her inquiries, she encounters Robert Frobisher, who has been sent by the British government to further the investigation begun by his brother.
Series note: The events in this installment continue from where the previous book left off. As such, it is crucial that this series be read in order.
Stephanie Laurens' writing has never been the most scintillating, but she is certainly skilled at creating interesting characters and conveying a compelling story. So far, this series has missed the mark.
Even though Aileen and Robert have more intense interactions and better chemistry than Declan and Edwina, they do not actually meet until 1/3 of the way into the book. Despite the relatively long exposition, their characters are woefully underdeveloped. Aside from being a member of the seafaring Frobisher family and having a mysterious history as a sometime diplomat for the British government, readers learn next to nothing of Robert's past and the type of man he is.
Likewise, Aileen's background is provided in very broad strokes - she is the only daughter in a family of 4 children and her brothers are all in the navy - and...? Moreover, her behavior is completely anachronistic. No reputable young, unmarried woman in the 18oos would be able to travel unaccompanied across London much less across an ocean to Africa without suffering serious social consequences.
Although there is some progression in the ongoing mystery of the abductees, it is very minimal and there is much less excitement and action than in most of Laurens' other works. The writing is also tedious, repetitious, and wordy even by Laurens' standards.
In sum, the original setting and intriguing mystery cannot compensate for the sluggish writing, poor characterization and average romance.
ssejig's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Aileen Hopkins is looking for her brother Will. He disappeared into the jungle and no one seems to be worried about finding him. She is pushing the issue but is unaware of the danger she is putting herself in.
Captain Robert Frobisher sees that danger. He knows that people have been disappearing from the local town but is trying to be more circumspect in figuring out what is going on. Together, they get to the next step in trying to uncover a massive plot that won't be solved until two more of the Frobisher brothers get involved.
Like other books in this series, it could have been shorter but both Aileen and Robert are well developed.
Captain Robert Frobisher sees that danger. He knows that people have been disappearing from the local town but is trying to be more circumspect in figuring out what is going on. Together, they get to the next step in trying to uncover a massive plot that won't be solved until two more of the Frobisher brothers get involved.
Like other books in this series, it could have been shorter but both Aileen and Robert are well developed.