The Wildest Shore [Mass Market Paperback]

In 1811, lady's maid Anne Hazlett accompanies her employer on a journey to India, where Pamela Goodwyn hopes to find a husband. Mrs. Goodwyn had hired Anne to accompany her irresponsible daughter, assuming that Anne's quiet ways indicate a dull reliability. The flirtatious Horatio Merivale, a lieutenant in the East India Company, likewise underestimates the quiet lady's maid, flirting outrageously with Pamela to while away the long voyage. Too bad Anne disregarded mother's caution that she is too intelligent and sensitive to be happy in be a servant, in hopes finding her dream.

Social classes fall away, however, when a vicious storm breaks up the ship. Pamela and her brother leave Anne to find her way to safety, too concerned with obtaining a place on the longboat to save a mere servant. In the dark and rising water, it is Horatio's hand that reaches down to lend her aid. They eventually climb aboard the make shift raft three surviving crewmen lashed together with rope and found objects, trusting the Hand of Destiny to lead them to safety. They are rescued by a loathsome pirate, and eventually mutiny, finding their way to the island that has haunted Anne's dreams, driving to her quest to a South Seas paradise.

Lisa Cach's deft pen once again creates a marvelously imaginative tale of filled with exotic locations and fanciful characters in THE WILDEST SHORE. Her own wanderlust and love of the unusual lends passion to the tale, allowing her distant experiences to sparkle through. Further, the fast paced adventuresome plot will hold the reader's rapt attention as the characters struggle with a biting monkey, leeches, and headhunters. Rather than the perfect paradise, these details lend the novel a convincing sense of normality amid an extraordinary tale. In addition, the phenomenal growth of the hero and heroine gives the novel a likewise convincing feel as Anne learns independence and as Horatio moves from a shiftless ne'er-do-well to a man of depth and passion. Readers should be aware, if sharing with a young audience, that the sensual exploration between characters is extraordinarily erotic, not because the acts they share are especially unusually, but because they are described in great detail. Very highly recommended.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Anne Hazlett was a lady's maid from England. All her life she has dreamed of a distant tropical island, convinced that is where she truly belongs. She and her employer were on a ship bound for India. Her employer was on a trip to find a husband; Anne was searching for her mysterious island. She hides her dreams and intelligence behind a façade of one who is extremely shy and not overly bright, longing for the day she can truly be herself.

Horatio Merivale considers himself a failure. He failed his parents by refusing to settle down and marry a woman of his station in England. He failed at being a soldier by getting himself shot the very first time he goes off to battle, never even making it there. The only thing he is good at is flirting with all the pretty ladies, putting them at ease, and keeping his eternal optimism shining bright. When Horatio meets Anne on board the ship, he immediately senses she is not like the other ladies and that there is more to her than meets the eye.

One evening on their journey, a severe storm comes up, causing the ship to flounder and eventually sink. Anne's employer abandons her to find her own way, after Anne helps her to get out safely. She thinks all is lost until Horatio happens upon her and rescues her. They escape the ship and finally get to a makeshift raft, holding a few of the others from the ship. While floating adrift, the castaways become very close, telling all of their hopes and dreams. Anne confides in them all telling them of her dreams of a distant tropical island.

Conversation about her island is what keeps all of them going, even while floating aimlessly for many days, until they are rescued...by a pirate's ship! This one belongs to the infamous French privateer, Chartier, a scourge of the seas. He immediately imprisons Horatio, keeping Anne for his "queen," having been told about her island, with a few minor exaggerations, and pressing the others into service upon his ship. Eventually, with a lot of help from Anne, they overturn Chartier, setting him adrift and taking over the ship.

Now the real journey begins as they go on a quest to find this mysterious island of Anne's, convinced the "Hand of Destiny" will guide them. Horatio finds himself falling hopelessly in love with Anne, someone he never would have looked twice at were they still in England. But Anne resists his charm and allure, sure he will move on when he finds the next lady who catches his fancy. Now Horatio is on a quest of his own...to win Anne's love. How Ms. Cach resolves all of this is a real treat.

This is another winner for the rising star Lisa Cach. Her popularity is ever on the rise and this book is an example of why. It is better than her last one, as they all are. The tension between Anne and Horatio is perfect and keeps the pages turning. Horatio is the perennial optimist (and romantic) which often grates on Anne's nerves, though she secretly likes that about him. Anne is bound and determined not to fall in love or get married until her dreams have been realized.

The secondary characters are a delight, right down to Mango the monkey, who provides many comical moments to the story. Cartier is suitably awful and Anne's and Horatio's friends are a riot. Each one will endear themselves to the reader, who will be hoping for additional stories about some of them. Horatio, especially, is one to love, and this reviewer does.

Ms. Cach is on a roll with her writing, making her fans impatient for each additional book.

This is also the 'Wildest Story'! Very different from what I usually read. It is definitely what you would call a high-seas adventure. It had hurricane-force storms, pirates, headhunters, exotic islands, exotic love scenes, fun, a very odd entourage of characters; you name it had it! It was a romance novel, but that was not the main part of the story, & not what you would call a light read. I will have to say that it was very entertaining, & never let me get bored. Character development was excellent I thought. If you like high-seas adventure then I'm sure you'll like this one. If you want something different, this is it!