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Virginia Campbell
, September 17, 2011
(view all comments by Virginia Campbell)
Shirley Busbee's "Rapture Becomes Her" is an involving historical adventure featuring a lovely and passionate romance. Emily Townsend, a squire's daughter raised to be a lady, dresses as a man in order to lead a band of smugglers to provide much needed income for her family estate in Sussex. After her father's death, her cousin Jeffrey had assumed the role of squire and promptly squandered the family fortune. Having grown up with vivid tales of bold smugglers plying their trade in her local coastal village, Emily forms her own band of privateers, including some of her own servants. On one of the smuggling runs, Emily's boat captain, Jeb, rescues a nearly-drowned stranger from the sea. Barnaby, Viscount Joslyn, is newly arrived from America to view his inherited properties when an attempt is made on his life. Finding himself rescued by those on the wrong side of the law is just the beginning of Barnaby's adventures. When he realizes that Emily is the bold leader of the enterprising band of entrepreneurs, his attraction to her intelligence and spirit steadily increases. Emily has never met a man like Barnaby, a large, commanding figure who is also thoughtful and down-to-earth. Their mutual admiration takes them both unawares, and their developing relationship is a pleasure to follow. The action and mystery of the story line is first-rate. I particularly enjoyed the stellar cast of supporting characters who added the salt and pepper to the delightful dish of "Rapture Becomes Her".
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