Balmy sea breezes and the exotic flora of the South Pacific islands set the stage for romance in Proctor's (Midnight Confessions, etc.) sensuous Victorian-era adventure, but priggish India McKnight and foul-mouthed Jack Ryder are unlikely candidates for Cupid's arrows. India, the unconventional daughter of a dour Scottish clergyman, is an accomplished travel writer who has vowed never to marry. Jack, an Australian seaman who's on the run from the British navy for allegedly sinking one of their ships, also has very little interest in marriage and even less in hot-tempered travel writers. After all, he only agreed to cart the starchy scholar to the island of Takaku to earn some extra cash. But when the two wind up running for their lives from native cannibals and a very determined group of British officers, their mutual disdain gradually and convincingly evolves into love. However, they must first overcome two seemingly insurmountable obstacles: Jack's tragic past and India's fear of losing control. Rich in evocative details, challenging conflicts and vibrant, multi-dimensional characters, this atmospheric intrigue is as sultry and seductive as its tropical setting. Like a brisk ocean breeze, this book will revive readers who are weary of the usual romance formulas. (May)
