Reviewer: Andrea
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Summary:
Pandora Wyatt is the most complicated woman alive. Raised by a pirate captain, Dory risks exposure of her magic to free the only father she’s ever known from the Tower of London. But when she’s tied to a smoldering witch’s pyre, her powers aren’t enough to save her.
Ewan Brody is on a mission to deliver a traitor’s corpse to King Henry VIII when he rescues a beautiful spitfire from a horrific fate. Saving the lass’s life leads him on an adventure he never intended. Thrust together in the roles of husband and wife, they dodge royal intrigue, dark twists, and secrets as they attempt to find the true traitor at the Tudor court.
Magic and adventure spark, igniting a fire between Ewan and Dory, consuming them and tangling their hearts together forever. But to reach forever, they first need to survive the day.
The Review:
Pirates, magic, and Highlanders—OH MY! I loved this novel! I haven’t been able to say that in a long while, but really did enjoy this one. Set against the real of Henry VIII, this novel spoke to my not-so-hidden Anglophile like no other. The Tudor rule, fraught with intrigue, ambushes, and beheadings, is one of my favorite time periods, and when you mix that with a handsome Highland warrior and a witchy female pirate, well, how can it miss the mark? I enjoyed nearly every part of the novel.
The action is fast-paced, and the scenes are vividly painted. McCollum’s characters are endearing and realistic, and her descriptions of court life are as laced with danger as the actual viper-infested period must have been. I found myself as anxious as Dory herself, and let’s not forget about Ewan, the strapping, scarred Scots who swoops in to rescue his lady love (who rescues him right back before it’s all done). While the story may have been a bit less than 100% historical, the plot remains viable, and the love is steamy though a little sedate by many romance novel standards, but overall, a fine read.
