Night Shadow

by Laura Renken

Book Overview

"Don't miss this one." (Patricia Potter) While steering a ship through stormy seas, a fierce English pirate falls for a sheltered Spanish noblewoman with a devastating secret. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0515131555
• ISBN13: 9780515131550
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Romance And Revenge On The Spanish Main!

This is book #2 of an epic trilogy, a historical romance featuring three warring families: the Drakes, the Espinosas, and the Kendrick-Welles. Set in the Caribbean in the 15th century, it is a tale of extreme betrayal, brutal revenge and hidden treasure, the quest for lost honor, and the hope of new love."Night Shadow" is Marcus Drake's story. He is Talon Drake's ("My Lord Pirate"), younger brother. The two brothers were born of a noble English family on their large island plantation in the Caribbean. Marcus is less secure in himself than Talon. As the younger brother, perhaps finding it hard to measure up to the standards set by his father and older sibling, he got into a bout of rebellious "carousing" that led to his expulsion from Cambridge. Marcus is also much less at home on the high seas than the other males in his family. He loves the land and prefers farming and estate administration. However, his father did not trust him with much responsibility on the plantation. Then, through a youthful indiscretion on Marcus's part, he inadvertently betrayed a family secret. His entire family, except for Talon and himself, was tortured and brutally murdered as a result. The politics of the time - the sea rivalry between the English and the Spanish, and the treasures of the Spanish Main, helped to further destroy the fortunes of the Drake brothers. They both took to piracy in order to survive, and to revenge themselves on those who brought them down. Revenge and clearing their name of treason charges has kept them alive through terrible hardships, including years spent in a Spanish dungeon. But throughout, Marcus has lived with the terrible burden that it was his own weakness that destroyed his family. In book #1, Talon and Marcus, escaped the Spanish to adventure and to continue their mission. They were being furiously pursued, with a death penalty hanging over their heads, by Harrison Kendrick, their worst enemy and the man who caused the family's slaughter, and also by Gabriel de Espinosa y Ramirez, "El Condor." El Condor is the Almirante of the Spanish fleet and a ruthless pirate hunter. At the end of the first book, Marcus is captured and back in Spanish hands. His brother believes him to be dead.As this novel opens, we find Marcus, once again aboard a Spanish ship and occupying the dungeon. There is a hurricane-like storm, and when most of the Spanish crew is killed or swept overboard Marcus is asked, by none other than El Condor's beautiful sister Liandra, the vessel's most prominent passenger, to Captain the boat and save all of their souls. Also on board is El Condor's little daughter, Christina. Liandra and the remaining Spaniards are terrified that Marcus will discover the identities of Liandra and Christina, and take a terrible revenge. Marcus does indeed find out, but he does not want to harm an innocent young woman and child and have them suffer, as did his own mother and sister. Liandra and Marcus are drawn together in spite of their f

Great story full of action, passion and conflict

This trilogy started with "My Lord Pirate" which introduced the Drake brothers - former English aristocracy wrongly accused of treason. "Night Shadow" continues and expands on the story and focuses on Marcus Drake, the second son who blames himself for much of what has befallen his family. But also to blame are his former friend Harrison Kendrick (who actually betrayed him) and the man they were turned over to: El Condor, AKA Gabriel de Espinosa y Ramirez, Almirante of the Spanish fleet and ruthless pirate hunter. Marcus and his brother Talon spent years in a Spanish dungeon thanks to El Condor. Needless to say, they hate his guts!But Marcus has a more immediate problem just now. Having wound up in Spanish hands again, he is asked to captain the ship when most of it's crew are swept overboard in a savage storm. He reluctantly agrees, but only if he and his fellow prisoners are given their freedom. The young Spanish noblewoman agrees - anything to save the ship, especially her niece Christina who is also on board. But she cannot let Marcus find out that she is Maria Liandra Espinosa y Ramirez, sister of El Condor, nor that Christina is his daughter! What revenge might he visit upon them?Marcus finds out almost immediately, but keeps the knowledge to himself. As the days pass, Liandra is amazed to discover that Marcus Drake is a good guy - kind, smart, tough and self-deprecating, not to mention very handsome! And Marcus is equally fascinated by this unlikely dona. She seems to have no fashion sense, no awareness of her appeal and none of the haughtiness he would have expected. She's earthy and compassionate and brave. When they finally act on their mutual attraction, their timing could not be worse - for they have been pursued and caught by El Condor himself! And when Gabriel discovers their relationship, he forces them to wed - knowing that Liandra will soon be a widow anyway. As the action moves to Puerto Bello, events bring the two together again. As they try to figure out if they have a future, they must face their pasts and the harsh realities of their present. Can they forge a future when their families and countries are bitter enemies? The last (and best) story of the trilogy is "Heart of the Condor" and you can guess who it's about (I just love that book!). This is a great trilogy from a great author. Laura Renken writes keepers!

Wipe out your schedule for the day!

This was a fun book to read, not only because I love this author's writing style but because the book delves below the surface of the characters and made them real for me. The story had adventure, humor, hot romance, and a hero & heroine that drove the story from page one. These two belonged to one another even if Marcus didn't see it. I love a heroine who knows her mind and will fight the world to protect the man she loves. I liked how the author brought together two different worlds and cultures, bridged a political gap of the times and created a stunning visual portrait of the 17th century. In addition the secondary characters were also developed and, one in particular, I just know is going to have his own story. He was a Spaniard, ala Antonio Banderos type. He was just too tempting and interesting a character not to go on. If you love pirates with a sprinkling of the dashing highwayman thrown in for added spice and adventure, you'll love this book. I couldn't put it down.Also recommended: My Lord Pirate by Laura Renken

Myshelf.Com Book Reviewer

Laura Renken takes the high seas by storm with her latest captivating novel Night Shadow. Readers will be held prisoner by this fast paced action packed adventure.Pulled from a watery grave, Marcus Ryan Drake finds himself a prisoner on a doomed Spanish vessel. A fierce storm threatens to capsize the helpless ship. When the captain is swept overboard the owner Liandra seeks out his assistance to help bring the ship under control. Marcus is quickly drawn to the exquisite features of the mysterious owner. He is unaware of what deadly secrets she is keeping from him. At what price will he have to pay in order to learn Liandra's true identity?Maria Liandra Espinosa Y Ramirez, proud daughter to Spain, had never been reduced to begging. When she finds herself in a life threatening situation she reluctantly asks for help from a notorious pirate Marcus Drake. She promises his freedom if he is able to save her ship and family from the ravaging storm, which threatens their lives. Marcus and his swashbuckler crew is unaware she is the sister to the deadly pirate hunter El Condor. When the truth is revealed at what cost will it mean to Marcus?Laura Renken is one of romances finest gems. Readers who enjoy their romances with a sea breeze, sizzling passion, and rapier sharp dialogue will savor this masterpiece.