Taming Charlotte

Kidnapped and confined in a harem -- that's not the scenario Charlotte Quade envisioned when she prayed for just one grand adventure before sailing home to Washington Territory from Europe. While exploring the ancient, exotic island kingdom of Riz, Charlotte foolishly lost her way. In a dizzying moment, she was snatched, bound up in a sack and unceremoniously dumped -- completely naked! -- in the ship's cabin of the very same man who had caught her fancy as a young girl in Seattle: Captain Patrick Trevarran.But Charlotte's dream lover turned out to be no gentleman! He had once gallantly fetched her, as a mischievous teenager,from the riggings of his ship, but now he appraised her with exasperation and quickly packed her off to the harem of a sultan friend. When they were reunited -- as much by mercy as by fate -- it was clear that Patrick wished merely to tease and trifle with this pretty, rebellious American. But, through their adventure, Charlotte had discovered a provocative man torn between recklessness and devotion, between storm and calm. Now, with all the strength and passion she possessed, Charlotte would chart a course that would sweep them at last to their destiny -- a glorious and resounding love.From Publishers WeeklyIn 1877 Charlotte Quade has finished her tour of Europe and is longing for one " glorious adventure" before returning home to Washington Territory. No sooner does she express that desire in a letter to her sister than she is kidnapped in a marketplace on the island of Riz while traveling with family friends. The prize in a poker game, she is then delivered as a gift to Patrick Trevarren, a ship's captain on whom she has had a crush since she was caught climbing his rigging at the age of 13. Patrick deposits her in his friend the sultan Khalif's harem so that he can complete some business before accompanying her to Seattle, but she fears that he has abandoned her and tries to escape. To avoid punishment for her escape, she is forced to marry Patrick when he returns. The two then travel together but are soon called back to assist Khalif when his evil half brother tries to take over the palace. Miller ( Yankee Wife ) fills this frenetically paced romance with spirited repartee meant to recall The Taming of the Shrew, but while Charlotte is appealing and clever, her love interest is not her intellectual match, and his insistences that she stay out of trouble become tiresome. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. About the AuthorLinda Lael Miller is the author of seventy historical and contemporary romance novels, many of which are set in the American West. She was awarded the Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.