"Wonderful hot Caribbean romance!"

Blaze first met the pirate, Raven, when she fell off her horse. He brought her to his cave and proceeded to seduce her. When Raven asked her if she would go with him, Blaze agreed. Having to arrange things, Raven left her in his cave and promised to come back for her. Sitting alone in the dark cave, Blaze becomes aware of the sounds of approaching men. Recognizing her father's voice, Blaze knows she must leave Raven's hiding place so the men can't find it. Among the men is her fiancée, Daniel Montgomery. Against her better judgment, her father accepted the match, even though Blaze knows the only reason Daniel is marrying her is to conform to the conditions of his father's will.

Our story now jumps five years into the future and Blaze has just found out she's a widow. Exceedingly thankful her husband is finally dead, she finds herself shocked when she realizes just how bankrupt he left her. Blaze has no idea on how to support herself and her son. Hoping the sugar cane crop will be sufficient to pay the off the debts, Blaze is shocked to discover there are back taxes due on her beloved Splendor. Even if she has a bumper crop this year, it won't be enough to pay off the debts, back taxes and support everyone through the coming year. So she attempts to find employment and fails miserably. Having no other alternatives, Blaze finally decides to prostitute herself to keep a roof over her son's head and food in his belly.

As a pirate, Raven wears a disguise. Only becoming a pirate after his father's suicide, Raven is none other than Justin Blakemore, a peer of England. Discovering his father committed suicide because of Daniel Montgomery, Justin has sworn revenge. It's taken him five years to find the man and he's looking forward to his revenge. Arriving on Martinique, he finds his prey already dead. What of the lovely widow? Blaze is the only woman he ever loved and he's shocked to discover her son is his as well. The only thing to do is to marry Blaze and provide for her as well as his son. So he arranges to become her first "client" as the foppish Lord Justin Blackmore. He proposes marriage.

Will Blaze accept Justin's proposal? Will she ever realize Justin and Raven are one in the same? What of her husband? Is he really dead?

CARIBBEAN SPLENDOR is a realistic look at the life of Caribbean plantation owners back in the 1700's. Tracy Ransom has done a wonderful job of allowing us into the life of women on the plantations. The passion between Blaze and Raven is positively explosive! Daniel does the evil one perfectly, right down to giving his wife to another man. Both the hero and heroine have valid reasons not to trust the other. Raven, for Blaze's not remaining in the cave and waiting for him to return. Blaze, for Raven's never coming for her and being forced to marry another to protect her child. As the two of them begin a relationship five years later, it is truly a pleasure to watch them fall in love all other again. I highly recommend CARIBBEAN SPLENDOR to all who love a good spicy romance with the heartfelt sigh at the end!

Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted October 20, 2004

Summary

Love and danger collide when the mysterious pirate, Raven, arrives in Martinique five years out of Blaze Montgomery's past. It was the last thing she had expected, especially since the brutal murder of her husband. She soon finds herself drawn to Raven and entangled in his web of desire.