Flashback. . .2005

During her return to Spain with her father, the lovely Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva is horrified when their ship is set upon by pirates. Far worse is her discovery that their captor isn’t just any pirate — he is the notorious Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, an Englishman with a scandalous reputation for plundering Spanish ships. But Dominica’s pride braces her determination to be no one’s hostage . .

Author: Georgette Heyer
ISBN: 0-373-83604-X (Harlequin)
Finished: 2005
Who: Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva and Sir Nicholas Beauvallet
When: 1586 — mentioned in book

For a book that starts off with a sea battle and has several escape and chase scene, I was not that impressed with the story. Dominica is not as proactive as other Heyer heroines. The fact that she fell in love with Sir Nicholas too quickly also bothered me. I’m used to Victoria Holt’s heroines, who are a little more strong in their resolve to hate the hero of the book before falling in love with them. With the exception of Dona Beatrice de Carvalho, all the other were stock characters. Dona Beatrice, determined to have Dominica marry her son, Don Diego, is a worthy adversary. She is polite and genteel, but she controls her husband and she keeps a tight rein on her niece. Dominica’s only hope are her uncle from her mother’s side of the family and Sir Nicholas. Dominica can only sit back and wait to be rescued again.

Favorite Quotes:
Dona Beatrice was confronted by Flaming Indignation in a charming form, and blinked at it.
— Dominica, in a right royal rage, comes to she her aunt

Just Ok