Customer Reviews

Across a Moonlit Sea

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I absolutely loved this book. I think Marsha Canham did a great job of writing this book. There seemed to be a few facts in the story that I believe were incorrect, but no big deal to me. Her discription of all the characters was wonderful; especially the cook. It actually made me laugh out loud. Her description of the ship and it's manoeuvres seemed right on. This book was adventurous, humorous and sexy enough for me to truly not want it to end. I have never kept a book with the intent of ever reading it again, but I do not want to part with this book just in case. I love pirate stories and this one did not disappoint me at all. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I did.

Marsha Canham is one of the best storytellers in the romance genre. She spins wonderfully unpredictable, charming stories filled with unique characters involved in strong and driving plots. ACROSS A MOONLIT SEA is no exception to this rule. The story of Simon Dante and Isabeau Spence comes to vibrant life and is filled with romance and suspense. All it lacked was historical authenticity.

Mary Stuart was not Elizabeth I's half-sister; she was her second cousin. Ms. Canham seems to have confused the Scottish queen with Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. It is also strange that given the research Ms. Canham must have put into rights of succession for her book IN THE SHADOW OF MIDNIGHT, she does not seem to have researched Mary Stuart's claim to the throne of England. She simply takes it for granted that Elizabeth was the rightful queen of England. In point of fact, by the rights of blood succession, Elizabeth had no claim at all to England's throne because she was illegitimate. Mary Stuart was indeed the rightful heir to throne after Mary Tudor's death.

This concern pales in comparison to the sheer and unrelenting anti-Catholic and anti-Spanish bigotry that overwhelms this story. Given the feelings of English Protestants toward Spanish Catholics, I can understand that some portrayal of this was necessary. But when historical bigotry has to be portrayed in a novel, it is *always* put in the mouths of unsympathetic characters and acknowledged as such. In ACROSS A MOONLIT SEA Simon tells Beau that he hopes his father is in hell, a father who was never shown to be cruel or evil toward him or anyone else. The only reason given for this prayer of Simon's is because his father (who was French, not Spanish) was a devout Catholic who made yearly pilgrimages to Rome.

This novel's anti-Catholic slant also affects Ms. Canham's interpretation of history (not just her facts). Incredibly, she denies the persecution of Catholics by Elizabeth. Through the mouth of Geoffrey Pitt, she claims that Elizabeth only "discouraged" Catholics from practicing their faith publicly. Tell that to St. Edmund Campion, a priest who was hanged and then drawn and quartered in 1581. Tell that to St. Margaret Clitherow, a wife and mother who was pressed beneath the weight of heavy boulders for refusing to attend Anglican services, for hiding the hunted priests, and for providing her home as a place for Mass to be celebrated.

I have not given up on Ms. Canham because her books are usually very good. In fact, IN THE SHADOW OF MIDNIGHT contains the most beautiful portrayal of a vocation to the religious life that I've seen in a secular novel. That makes ACROSS A MOONLIT SEA all the more puzzling, but encourages me to give Ms. Canham another chance.

Marsha writes with such intelligence and wit that is prevalent in all her books, and Across a Moonlit Sea is no exception. Her words come to life and her characters stay with you long after you have read the last page. Her attention to detail is unparalleled by any other romance author I have read. And let's not forget the importance of a sexy hero and steamy love scenes!

What makes this book my favorite is the heroine, Isabeau Spence. Marsha has created a character who is independant, intelligent, strong willed and way ahead of her time.

I say this because in both Moonlit Sea and Skye O'Malley, a female with sailing knowledge in the Elizabethan era is prominent. Readers tend to praise Skye, but I think Beau is a much better and more likeable character and deserves a place among the finest heroines of the genre.

A few people have dissed this book for being historically inaccurate. So be it. Maybe Canham missed the authenticity mark by a bit, but she more than makes up for it by presenting a storyline and characters the reader can really feel.

I bought this book because of the glowing reviews, but was sooo letdown...I mean...I'm not saying that this book was horrible, I just found myself struggling to get through it..I didn't connect with the characters at all....this was my first book by Marsha Canham..I honestly don't think Ill buy another.

When I started reading this novel I got hooked in about five (5) minutes. This is a must read novel. Marsha Canham puts everything you need to make an exiting combination of romance, adventure, a love-hate relantionship, laughter and of course what is a romance novel without sex (let me tell you this woman has a very fertile imagination, if not an adventurous love life!). I loved this novel so much that is one of the many that I re-read every few months and I don't tire of reading it. I found myself wishing to be the adventutous Isabeau and hoping to find the dashing Dante. Everyone that loves adventure and a great romance, and a damselle that is not in very much distress, must read this novel. It will capture your heart for ever.

Usually I don't care for pirate stories...but..Ms. Canham has the ability to take any setting and turn it into a grand adventure. Simon and Beau were great characters. I had a good time with this book.

Marsha has done it again! She has created an intriguing romance/adventure with a strong, self-assured heroine and a hero that one will remember long after the reader has finished the last page! A welcome addition to my "keeper" shelves.

Well written adventures that take place on the high seas are hard to find these days and this is definately one of the best. I LOVED Simon Dante. The scene in the cabin when he is massaging oil into his bruises! I could imagine seeing each stroke. The action sequences were stunning and so visual it was like watching a movie. Hey, Hollywood, why ISN'T it a movie?

I love all of Ms. Canham's books and AAMS is one of my favorites. It's a sea-lovers romance come true! I don't think anyone can beat Ms. Canham for weaving history, romance and intrigue. There is always a surprise! Thank you, Ms. Canham for writing books I love to read.