Product Description

Raised as a pirate's daughter, Amanda Carre has not been tutored in the finer social graces. Alone in the world, she has never depended on anyone, until fate intervenes when Cliff de Warenne rescues her from a mob at her father's hanging. Now she must set sail for England to find the mother she never knew, and her chaperone is an infamous ladies' man . . .

The greatest gentleman privateer of his era, Cliff knows honor demands that he see this beautiful wild child to London and into her socialite mother's arms. He's aware that Amanda is utterly unprepared for a debut in London's ton, so his only recourse is to becomes her guardian and champion her transformation into a lady -- and find her a suitable match. But with every passing moment it becomes harder to deny his jealousy and ire -- until Amanda makes her stunning debut, a lady at last. And when his passion in finally released, their love can no longer be denied.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54701 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-01
• Released on: 2006-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 384 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The latest from Joyce offers readers a passionate, swashbuckling voyage in her newest addition to the De Warenne dynasty series. This installment showcases Cliff De Warenne, third son to the earl of Adare, gentleman, privateer, notorious lady's man and, most recently, rescuer of damsels in distress. One such damsel, free spirit Amanda Carre, is left alone in Jamaica to face an angry mob after her father is hanged for piracy. The strong-willed beauty turns to De Warenne to sail her to London for a reunion with a mother she cannot remember and a rigid society she feels certain will scorn her. On the course of their stormy voyage, Cliff instructs Amanda in the art of becoming a lady, determined that she make a successful debut and land a good husband. Along the way, Amanda recognizes that her feelings toward her captain go beyond mere gratitude, and Cliff wonders if his fierce loyalty to the young woman runs deeper than he dares to acknowledge. Romance veteran Joyce brings her keen sense of humor and storytelling prowess to bear on her witty, fully formed characters. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Joyce's Regency romance features Cliff de Warenne, a rich, virile privateer and a gentleman. Home again in Jamaica, he can't help but step in to save young Amanda Carre from herself. A pirate's daughter in her late teens, Amanda is an excellent sailor and swordswoman, but has no social graces whatsoever. Now that her father is due to be hanged, she is willing to barter her body to save him. Cliff cannot allow that and, instead, agrees to take Amanda to London, and her mother whom she's never seen. Along the way, Cliff battles his urge to bed her while she alternately shocks him with her actions and woos him with her naivete. She is part child, part woman, and Cliff does his best to relegate her to childhood. At first, Joyce's tale recalls the bodice-ripper romances of 20 years ago, but further reading unveils a more classic Pygmalion tale with an extra soupcon of eroticism. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"Joyce's tale of the dangers and delights of passion fulfilled will enchant!" -- Publishers Weekly on The Masquerade

Customer Reviews

Think "My Fair Lady."
Cliff de Warenne is a gentleman pirate who prides himself on his conquests both on and off the water. So he's totally shocked when he finds himself playing protector to a young woman who is everything he normally tries to avoid. But Amanda Carre speaks to his heart and he will do what he must to see her safely settled after the death of her papa. This means taking her to England and the ocean crossing is going to test his strength in more then one way. Will he be able to turn the wild child Amanda into a diamond of the first water that society will embrace? Better yet will he be willing to walk away from her once his duty to her is at an end?

Amanda's world has been turned upside down in a matter of moments and she is not prepared for handsome Cliff de Warenne and the feelings he brings out in her. She loves him and yet he seems to want nothing to do with her. Will she be able to finally capture the heart of the man who has vowed never to marry or will she be doomed to heart break?

I must say that this read was slow in places but...Ms. Joyce did create some very touching moments that will engage the reader's emotions thus sparing this title from being simply ordinary. Fans of the de Warenne series will be pleased with this latest addition. On the other hand if your new to the series...this is a strong stand-alone. Cliff and Amanda are so opposite and yet at the same time they have more in common then either think. Make sure you have Kleenex handy.

ACK! PUKE ! GAG! Too much I tell you ! TOO MUCH!
She is a moon haired pagan godess, he is a well worn captain who must of had "hundreds of girlfriends" (to quote Stephen Colbert). It is just too much for me to go through another cliche novel.

I don't want a book to move at a snails pace but it felt like she shuffled the deck of romance cards and was dealing at me in rapid fire succession.

Card one: He is hot.

Card two: She is young and in trouble with a smokin' hot bod.

Card Three: He has a little baggage. She has a fresh perspective.

Card Four: They are thrown into a situation together.

Card Five: Sexual tension. This is all by page 10.

And finally the Ace: They do it some ridiculously tormented pages later.

And the rest of the book was just stupid filler: she cries, he consoles, they get to the bottom of things yadda yadda yadda.

What happened to taking your time? I really liked the way other pirate books were put together like Gentle Rogue by J. Lindsey, or maybe The Gift by Garwood, that was nice. Lisa Kleypas has a great pirate romance called Only With Your Love that was spectacular. Lets not forget my favorite the Pagan and the Pirate by V. Henely. Another example, although not pirate related was, Whitney My Love, slower, well drawn character development, was also a good book that had me biting my nails hoping they would work it out.

I thought a thicker book meant I was going to get my moneys worth. I have never read a book from her before but everyone here seems to think this author is great. I think I will thumb a bit more through the book before I every buy a book from her again.

Only With Your LoveThe GiftGuardian Angel / The GiftGentle Rogue (Malory Novels)Whitney, My LoveThe Pirate and the Pagan

Part of the de Warenne Dynasty series - but stands alone !
A Lady At Last (de Warenne Dynasty) by Brenda Joyce is a great historical romance with some great twist. Cliff De Warenne is the 3rd son and gentleman privateer. Amanda Carre is the daughter of a pirate (about to hung) and a English lady. Her father will be hung in the morning and she only has her body to trade for her father life. Cliff De Warenne saves her and becomes her Hero! Wow what a great romance - pirates, great romance and the fun De Warenne family. Check out the next of the series The Perfect Bride coming August 2007.