Reviewed by Francine.
Set
in Devon (England) 1627, the reign of Charles I, the author presents the reader
with a slow burn romance and swashbuckling tale of derring-do. Thus three
brothers whose major skill is that as an acrobatic trio, their secondary skill base
is carpentry which lends favour to their labour in exchange for coin. Whilst a
young woman met within a tavern soon enlists Gabriel and his brothers’ to
assist with a schoolroom, a trusting bond grows between Gabriel and Perspicacity
and love inevitably blossoms. But as with all travelling troupes of
entertainers’ opportunities arise and move on they must, and those left behind
enact their lives as fate dictates.
By
the time the trio return to Devon, great interest is shown in Gabriel and his
brothers’ performances by a man of noble countenance which is somewhat baffling,
until Gabriel learns of a wicked gut-wrenching deed by others. Hence, Gabriel
and de Wolf have every reason to band together. Notorious Barbary pirates holding
prisoners on Lundy Island are a force to be reckoned with in more ways than one.
Not only do they trade in slaves they barter and trade over kidnap victims from
rich family folds. Situated in the Bristol Channel the island is a natural rock
fortress, the castle less so, but can Gabriel and de Wolf rescue the women they
love from the island and survive to tell the tale? Enjoy!