In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh dispatched an
expedition to the shores of the New World, where they were to establish a base.
In 1587, he dispatched a second expedition with 115 Colonists on board to
colonize the area. On arrival they
discovered local natives had killed the men of the first expedition. Due to
severe storms and the Anglo-Spanish War, the new Colonists were stranded
without supplies. When ships finally
reached them, none could be found, and they become one of our deepest mysteries
in the Americas. All evidence points to the colonists leaving peacefully, yet
rumors exists that they were slaughtered. Others believe they had to merge into
a local native village to sustain their lives. They are known today as The Lost
Colony.
Portsmouth,
England - April 26, 1587
Intelligent and well ahead of her times, Rose Payne's world is
shattered after a secret betrothal to the duke's son costs her job as a clerk
in his father's household. Without a letter of recommendation, she becomes an
easy target for recruiters to the Colonies. Desperate for work, she signs up
for a risky overseas venture and sails for the New World, vowing never again
fall for a wealthy gentleman.
Returning from a diplomatic tour in London, Chief Manteo is
bewitched by the elusive, fiery-haired ship clerk and determined to overcome
her distrust. He contrives a daring plan to win her heart - a plan he prays
will protect her from a chilling conspiracy involving murder, blood money, and
a betrayal of their fledgling colony so terrifying it can only be revealed in
BREAKING TIES.
Breaking
Ties (Historical Romantic Adventure & Survival)
By
Jo Grafford
Clean
Reads
ISBN
#978-1500379612
410
Pages
$3.99
Kindle
$11.51
Paperback
Rating
5-Stars
“A Wonderful Account of
The Lost Colony.”
When Rose Payne boards a
ship heading for the New World, she’s fleeing from a failed romance, and
seeking to put it far behind her. But she wasn’t prepared for the danger and
intrigue that awaited her as clerk on board a ship bound for danger, leaving
the colonists in a mysterious land where their survival is threatened by
starvation and savage natives.
The first half of the
book covers her journey on the sea with new friends she’s met, as well as a
handsome savage, bronzed and muscular, who sends her heart fluttering once
more. Here we are introduced to the players in the story, and the intrigue that
holds their lives in the balance.
Sailing for Raleigh, on
Chesapeake Bay, they are dropped instead on Roanoke. The second half of the
book deals with the hardships on land, as they try to survive amidst warring
savages and the fast depletion of rations. Two men pursue her heart, one a
British gentleman the other a bronzed savage, but she can only choose one, and
will they even survive to fulfill that love?
Written in 1st
person, we see the world through Rose’s eyes. Some of it is violent, but it was
an untamed period, and the violence in today’s real world is much worse.
Knowing the rough language of sailors, I was pleased that there was no
profanity or sex, showing that a good book can be written without such to sell
them. Based on a real event 500 years ago, the author gives us a well-written
romanticized version of what could
have happened. Her thorough research of the incident gives us a word-picture of
the period and people, and we want to believe that some of it could really be
true. Highly recommended for action readers, as well as romance fans. The
writing is smooth; the romance is light, and the action breathtaking.
Tom
Johnson
ECHOES
MAGAZINE
Thank you for the awesome review and feature on the Pulp Den. Hooah, Tom Johnson!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Jo
My pleasure, Jo. Anxious to read #2 now (g).
ReplyDelete