NOBODY'S SAINT

Author: Paula Reed ISBN: 0821777254 3/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: ZEBRA
Time Period: 1674 - 1700's

Captain Diego Montoya is working toward one goal—owning his own ship. His patron saint, Mary Magdalene, has a different idea—appearing to him in visions as compelling as they are troubling, she promises that true love awaits him. With no idea where or when he will meet the demure bride he's sure the saint has foreseen, Diego is certain of only one thing—the spirited Irish lass who winds up on his ship cannot be the woman he is fated to fall for. Bold, stubborn, and hot-tempered, Mary Kate O'Reilly is the victim of her grandfather's cruel plan to marry her off to a shipbuilder in Port Royal. She's not only a woman engaged to another man—she's a temptress, determined to seduce him to escape her unwanted betrothal! Diego can't allow the independent beauty to steal his heart. But on second thought, he's nobody's saint…

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

What a fun and unique read NOBODY'S SAINT was! Paula Reed has taken the usual high seas romance and made it unlike any of the others out there. At least it is unlike any that I have read.

Usually in these novels, the Spanish are the enemies. It's almost a rule of thumb, but this time our hero is a Spanish captain, a very fine one at that. As you would expect for the time period, Captain Diego Montoya is a devout Catholic and his ship is the Magdalina, named after the saint Mary Magdaline. Ironically, this is also the name of his patron saint, whom has blessed him with visitations. Unfortunately, his crew is beginning to believe he has sold his soul to the devil with his amazing luck of dodging bad weather and pirates. Diego is also beginning to wonder if he has been mislead.

Mary Katherine is an Irish lass who is forced to go to England in order to gain an English husband. She is not happy about this and does everything possible to avoid it. When she ends up bound for the Carribean, Mary Kate is livid and determined to do all that she can to get back to her beloved Ireland. One mishap after another eventually finds her on Diego's ship.

This book had me from the first page and kept me to the very end. I couldn't help but love Mary Kate's sass and wit, her determination and loyalty. Diego is a captain that I would love to find at my helm. He's passionate and honorable, almost to a fault. When the two of them get together, they discover that the other's personality and the attraction is something they must reckon with. Once they do, I just wanted to know that this sensual and unlikely couple would come to a happy ending.

Even the appearances of both Mary Magdaline and Mother Mary were done in a humorous and novel way. Not being a Catholic, I almost had to wonder if the author would gain a few Hail Marys if she were to confess the slightly irreverent bickering she wrote of between the two. *G* Everything about this book flowed nicely and consistently, making it a pleasure to read. I would have to say, in my opinion, NOBODY'S SAINT is worth picking up.

Sue