This was a well written novel with an entertaining story that gets your attention and keeps it, and I would have given it another star, except for two things.

The first is, that Katherine, the virginal heroine, is raped by the 'hero", Captain Matthew Hampton, when he kidnaps her, while escaping by ship from prison. (It's the War Between the States and he's a political prisoner, on work duty at the shipyard that Katherine's father owns, and where she helps out in the office.) There's an attraction between them from the start, but due to the circumstances - and her being engaged - Katherine didn't plan to act on it. Matthew hoped to tame her rebellious spirit, and bend her to his will, and between that and his lust, he forced raped her more than once. This was written in 1978, when novels overloaded on rape, meaningless sex and infidelity, so this was no surprise, but still a disappointment.

The pair are well matched when it comes to stubborn determination, engaged in a power struggle that neither can win. To pay him back for forcing himself on her, when Matthew later tries to be gentle and make her respond, she stays cold and aloof. To get back at her for that, he finally gets Katherine to admit she's enjoying his lovemaking, and then pulls out of her and suggests she take a cold shower! (I should think he needed one, as well.) There's a lot more to their time aboard ship, but I don't want to give away too much.

The second thing that bothered me is, when Katherine manages to escape, she finds herself in the worst "frying pan into the fire" situation, when she's kidnapped yet again, and forced into a bordello, where she's raped by more than one man. Was that really necessary? Ms. Gregory could have written a couple of close calls, but left the deed undone.

Of course, Matthew discovers he loves Katherine after she's gone, but when she's rescued - and he sees that her rapists get what they deserve - misunderstanding keeps them apart. He feels guilty for the way he treated her and keeps his distance, while she thinks that because she was with other men (through no fault of her own), he no longer wants her. It takes a while for them to get back on track, but when that happens they go through quite an adventure, which I won't spoil by telling the details, just that it makes for exciting reading.

One thing I appreciated about this book is the character of Katherine. Instead of the usual 18 year old spitfire (a.k.a. spoiled brat), she's 24, intelligent, and witty, she has a sharp tongue and can argue when need be, but there are no tiresome tantrums, and she spends her time in the office rather than riding horses. She also has varied interests: she learns about sailing and navigation, as well as how to use a knife for self defense, and she's a good businesswoman, keeping her father's office running smoothly. Not your ordinary heroine. And not your ordinary bodice ripper. If not for those rapes, would have stood way out among the crowd. ( )