There are also many threats and lots of incidents of him using his 'bruising grip' and calling her 'bitch' and other sweet nothings. He does give her a bruising bare-bottom spanking in the beginning. **** Spoiler********* He never slaps or punches her, but there's a lot of noncon/dubcon going on and at least one case of a rather brutal rape after she deliberately makes him jealous. If you want to know the level of violence toward the h, here's a spoiler. He is a complete d-bag for the most part and can be quite frightening. Her Charleston accent wasn't correct, but it wasn't jarring or annoying to me. Re: the audio - Justine Eyre did an excellent job with the narration. It also wasn't entirely predictable like some romances. This book is action packed and I never became bored. I'm able to tolerate things in a historical that I can't in a contemporary, because I try and put on the filter of the times/culture. If this were a contemporary, I wouldn't have made it through. There were times when I was feeling quite upset myself. It's disturbing at times and I would advise treading very carefully if you are triggered by domestic abuse and consent issues. If you enjoy the old bodice rippers, this one is a great example of the genre without the multi-partner element that many of the more 'hardcore' BRs have. I look forward to sharing many more adventures together in the future. I don’t have to tell you that their tumultuous escapade sizzles with passion (lots of passion!), but what I hope you will take away most from Cathy and Jonathan is that dreams do come true - in love and in life. Island Flame is a classic tale of romance on the high seas, featuring two extraordinary characters: the headstrong Lady Catherine Aldley and the legendary pirate Jonathan Hale. I was thrilled when it was published, and now, more than thirty years later, I am just as excited to share it again with you. But some stories are memorable because they mark an important milestone in an author’s life, and for me, perhaps none is more special than Island Flame - my very first book.

It is difficult for an author to choose a favorite from among her own books, especially when she has been lucky enough - as I have - to make a career out of doing what she loves.

Island Flame by Karen Robards