Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the author
OK
Crimson Rapture Paperback – January 1, 1986
- Print length495 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherKensington Pub Corp
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 1986
- ISBN-100821718053
- ISBN-13978-0821718056
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Product details
- Publisher : Kensington Pub Corp (January 1, 1986)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 495 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0821718053
- ISBN-13 : 978-0821718056
- Item Weight : 8.8 ounces
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,512,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #81,633 in Historical Romances
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
I was born and raised in San Francisco, California. I moved south to finish my college degree at the University of California at Irvine. Here I fell instantly and madly in love with one of my professors, who I finally convinced to marry me. While most of my life force was sucked up by a steady stream of kids, dogs and cats, I managed to write a few books.
Then came the year I lost first my husband of thirty three years, Dr. John Flowers and eleven months later our son Jonpaul, the two brightest lights in my life. This changed everything. The loss coincided with the migration of thousands of children fleeing violence in their countries, seeing a safe harbor in the US and as everyone knows, the thing about grief is it busts your heart open and Juan Pablo and the Butterflies landed on my keyboard. It is presented here by Simon and Schuster. I also legally changed my name to JJ Flowers, finally taking John and Jonpaul's last name as my own in honor of our love.
I currently live in Laguna Beach, California. Things I love: life, the ocean, good books, Ashtanga yoga, redwood forests, most people, all animals, long walks and stormy nights. In addition to historical romance novels, I write children's novels and non-fiction, plays and screenplays.
I love hearing from readers--contact me at jaejflowers@gmail.com!
Customer reviews
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star5 star65%27%0%8%0%65%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star4 star65%27%0%8%0%27%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star3 star65%27%0%8%0%0%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star2 star65%27%0%8%0%8%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star1 star65%27%0%8%0%0%
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonTop reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2013If I could give this novel more than 5 stars, I would. Horsman is one of my favorite authors. Her historical romances I've read thus far (MAGIC EMBRACE, FOREVER AND A LIFETIME, AWAKEN MY FIRE, and A KISS IN THE NIGHT) were wonderful, well-written tales of passion and love that are on my keeper shelf. CRIMSON RAPTURE has just joined them, and it's going on my Best Pirate/Privateer Romances list.
Though no date is given, since England is at war with France and President Jefferson's Embargo Act is referenced, I believe the story is set in 1807-08. It begins on a British naval vessel (a 3-masted sailing ship) on its way to Australia, transporting a famous prisoner--American privateer, Justin Phillips--as well as civilian passengers, including shy, 17-year old Christina Marks, in mourning for her father's death and going to live with her uncle.
From the first time they meet, Justin and Christina share a love for books and ideas but are terribly different personalities. Were it not for the unusual circumstances in which the shy, unselfish girl speaks through a small window to a prisoner she can't see, they never would have formed the bond they did. Though Justin, a successful privateer and man of the world, thought the timid young woman who brought him books, food and conversation was probably a plain girl, she was nevertheless "a most sympathetic and sweet young lady." And when, in the course of his crew's rescuing him, he first sees her, her beauty leaves him spellbound.
Horsman has brilliantly crafted a heroine who will win your heart from the first page. She is winsome, loving and incredibly unselfish. Christina has led a very sheltered life as the daughter of a vicar and is totally unprepared for a hardened man like Justin. To him, her kindness is a soothing balm. But his rough ways and harsh judgments are often too much for Christina. Despite that, the two fall quickly and desperately in love.
This is a love story of misunderstandings and second, even third chances as Justin struggles to accept the purity of Christina's love, a love he has sought since childhood.
There is love on the high seas, a monsoon, a shipwreck, a tropical island and life in colonial America--and a wonderful crew of men and even a sweet, loyal St. Bernard dog, "Beau," whose thoughts we occasionally hear.
A story to read and re-read, I highly recommend it!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2016Well, based on the book descriptions and reviews, I wasn't sure whether I was going to like this book.... but then, to my astonishment, I discovered how good it is and how much I like it.
Some reviews mention a lack of character development for the heroine, some complain about the hero's unrealistic character change. I expected both and found that I absolutely do not agree. The heroine undergoes quite a change, grows up quite a bit. This book spans two years... who would really expect her to turn from a timid, shy teenager into a outspoken, assertive hellion? Come on now, wouldn't that indeed be unrealistic? So, she becomes a woman with self-confidence and a little more self-awareness, able to see a vulnerable, flawed human being in the hero in the end.
As for the hero, he also shows some character development, although less than the heroine. In the end, he has a moment of clarity of his own actions and motives.
I loved the ending. Yes, it was a bit short but I disagree with other reviews that it should have been longer with more atonement or whatever. No, it was brilliant this way.
What I did not like and the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars was the heroine and hero's relationship, I.e. how it changed and never really touched on previous connections again. Also, I am not sure how I feel about the rape scene and his abhorrent behavior towards her in the later part of the story. A bit extreme.
Finally a synopsis with SPOILERS, so don't read on, if you don't want to know:
It all starts aboard a ship where the heroine, an innocent, naive, timid teenager develops an intellectual relationship with a prisoner who happens to be the hero. They share an interest in literature and have intelligent conversations and such before they ever see each other.
Unfortunately, this is the only time this ever occurs in the whole book. As the story progresses to our bodice ripping, pirate/deserted island adventure and after, to the tamer storyline set in Boston, this initial intellectual connection, even as a mere sharing of similar interests or character traits, is never mentioned again.
So, moving on, the hero's rescued by his men, the heroine taken onto his ship against her wishes. There is a storm, ships sink, many die, and the hero/heroine duo with a handful of women and 4 times as many men end up stranded on a deserted tropical island.
The gals quickly realize they have got to find a protector or fall prey to the men's needs. So, they choose mates, the heroine reluctantly but passionately gives up her virginity to the hero, and all is well . Some dangers and conflicts occur, including murder and gang rape.
The heroine, although in love with the hero, realizes she can't abide by his violent nature and life, and resolves that despite their love, she can't share a life with him.
There is a weird story line about the hero's best friend whom he ends up killing, and to me, it felt like this was included merely to add conflict and misunderstanding to the hero's and heroine's relationship. I didn't like this part because it was neither necessary nor elegant.
So, anyway, a British navy ship appears in search of survivors. The hero can't show himself, of course, so the heroine uses the opportunity to escape.
On board the ship, she discovers she is pregnant and marries the gay ship doctor. He gets to avoid scandal, she secures her future, all is well.
Months later, she has a son, and the hero comes to London to take them both to Boston. Her husband agrees to an annulment.
Following this, during the voyage and their time in Boston, the hero behaves disgracefully:
He makes it clear that he finds her act of leaving him unforgivable (because, hey, what man would not want his beloved to stay on a tropical island with a bunch of violent pirates?!). He says he hates and despises her and only marries and tolerates her for their son. She doesn't even get to wash herself, her clothes, or change her clothes. In Boston, he ignores her, refuses to introduce her, kisses and leaves with another woman, and has her taken to his house by herself, all unwashed and basically in rags. A bit extreme to the verge of being ridiculous? I think so.
At the house or rather estate, she still doesn't get new clothes or shoes and runs around in rags for what, a week or so, or however long it takes for him to finally show up.
She gets new clothes, he continues to be mean to her. Her old island friends shun her, and she makes the best of it.
They wed, have a passionate wedding night, and in the following weeks try to work out their problems, rekindle their love.
He continues his privateering, although refraining from being on a ship himself. Some people try to catch him in flagranti, try to bribe his staff and his wife, an incriminating letter (why in the world would he write one?) is lost, and the hero thinks that the heroine sold him out to be hanged for treason. Despite her denials, he is convinced of her betrayal, hits her (for saying he beats her unconscious doesn't quite sound right, does it?), and sends her off to Jamaica.
She goes willingly because she is finally over his ridiculous behavior and lack in trust. Shortly after her ship departs, he realizes his mistake and is positively disgusted with himself. He follows her, she forgives him, and you've got your HEA.
Despite the inconsistencies and odd behavior of all involved, a thoroughly enjoyable love story!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2016Christina thought the pirate Justin Phillips was the best looking man she had ever seen. He was attracted to her just as much. They are in a ship,wreck and spent time on an island. He took her virginity and had sex with her over and over. She loved Justin but was afraid of him after she had seen several violent acts. She finally leaves him even though she loves him. She realizes that she is pregnant and marries in name only. Justin finds her after she has his son and has the marriage annulled.he treats her horribly kisses a woman right in front of her. He does something to her right at the end that is unforgivable. She does still love him but will she forgive him. He may not be able to forgive himself. I liked this book one to read again.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2014I really enjoy Horsman's books, the story line is good, the characters are very extreme and the situations are adventurous. Sometimes she has scenes that would be considered 'incorrect' if written today but they are situations that still happen today even if people like to 'bury their head in the sand'.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2024Absolutely love this book!! Read it many years ago, and I'd like to read it again. But I lost it in between my travels. I see it here, but why is it sooo expensive?? Too expensive. I bought the one I had for $7.99 ..