Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m hosting and reviewing author Avery Sterling’s latest release Precious Burdens, a historical romance. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

****

Title: Precious Burdens
Series: N/A
Author: Avery Sterling
Genre: Historical Romance
Publication Date: August 28, 2023
Length: 324 pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Blurb: Sarafina di Ramonicci sets sail for America as the promised bride in an arranged political marriage. Taken prisoner at sea, she clashes with her captor and demands freedom, only to discover he is planning her future husband’s demise, with her as a pawn in their deadly feud. The challenge of escape tests her loyalty to family, human decency, and love.

Captain Nye Tarquin is a dangerous man. Left to die on the streets of New Orleans, he swears retribution on the man responsible. When he makes Sarafina part of his plan, he isn’t prepared for the fiery vixen aboard his ship, nor his desire to claim her as his own. When passion overtakes honor, he’s torn between his heart and his need for justice.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase at:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Sarafina paced the captain’s room. Panic rose by the second, as did her fury. When the captain finally stepped in, she grabbed a water pitcher and threw it at his head. He ducked. She cursed and snatched up a silver candle holder and flung that at him.

He attempted to close the space between them, all the while dodging a variety of flying objects.

When she ran out of things to throw, she opened his desk and found a letter opener. She pulled it out, and he was suddenly behind her, his arms flanking her.

“I don’t think so,” he said, encircling her and reaching for the makeshift weapon.

She’d die before surrendering to the likes of her captor.

He tightened his hold around her and lifted her off the ground. She took advantage of the moment by bracing her feet on his desk and pushing off, and they flew backward, barely missing the windows. He grunted when his body slammed into the planks. “Drop the letter opener,” he ordered in her ear.

With one arm still restricting her, he reached for the opener. He enclosed most of

her fist in his hand and squeezed until she shrieked in pain. He released just enough pressure for her to drop the opener. “Are you finished?” he asked.

She eyed the opener on the floor as he kicked it across the room. She’d been defeated.

There was a long silence, only broken by their heavy breaths.

****

I love historical romance, and if you add pirates on the high sea, and revenge as a motive, I’m in.  As stated in the blurb, Sarafina di Ramonicci is on her way to America to marry a man she’s only met briefly.  Spirited, but also duty-bound, she complies with her father’s wishes, having faith her intended husband is a good man.

He isn’t a good man.  Just ask Captain Nye Tarquin who almost died at the villain’s hands all because he dared to rescue a lovely young lady who’d been abused horribly by Sarafina’s fiancé.

I must say I adored Sarafina.  She is spunky, strong-willed, but caring and kind, and also dutiful to her family.  All that’s on her mind is to escape to save her reputation, but Captain Nye has other plans.

I also enjoyed Nye’s character arc…to a point, but we’ll get to that later.  Through Sarafina, he learns to care since Nye had a horrible upbringing that turned him into the man he is today.  There is also an appearance by his horrendous father who moulded Nye into the man he is.

This book has action, history, a wonderful look into New Orleans, an exploration of the ship, and great banter between Nye and Sarafina.  I enjoyed the great twist on an old tried and true plot device that I won’t speak about, lest I spoil it for others.

The author created great chemistry between Nye and Sarafina.  I enjoyed how their romance went from loathing to love.  Very believable.  And this is owed to Sarafina who isn’t afraid to claim what she wants.  She is not the type to pick up her ball and huff off to another sandbox when she doesn’t get her way.  Nope.  She fights for her rightful place.  And that is where I feel the hero could have taken a lesson or two, and why I hoped for a better ending.

Still, with that one quibble, I enjoyed this well-researched romance that put me on board the ship and took me everywhere that Nye and Sarafina traveled. The author is a talented writer, creating a believable world true to its time period.  Yes, it’s long, but you don’t ‘even notice the length of the book because the author does a great job of making each scene count. Do yourself a favour and get a copy.

****

Avery Sterling’s love for the romance genre began in her teen years when she picked up her first novel. She was captivated by the sweeping scale of emotions brought about by the words. The experience catapulted her towards learning the art of wielding a breathtaking adventure, with a love that felt authentic. Wanting to inspire people with her own thoughts and words, she finished her first novel at sixteen. It was a step towards understanding the essence of what she wished to create. Most of her youth was spent traveling, searching out the romance and beauty in her everchanging world. From the waves that crashed against the rocky shores of Downeast, Maine, to the warm breezes of the Caribbean, she discovered that love was universal, apparent in its grandest and simplest of forms. Her goal is to write novels an audience can relate to, one that conveys the truth and nature of love… with all that steamy romance.

Follow Avery: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon

****

Enter for a chance to win a $15.00 Amazon or B&N Gift Card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway