How to Be a Proper Lady

After being kidnapped by her father at the age of 9, Viola Carlyle became a notorious privateeer working the waters off the North American coastline. Seeking to return a lifelong debt to his friend, the Earl of Savege for rescuing him from slavery, Captain Jinan Seton hunts down Viola, the Earl's long lost sister-in-law. Through the weeks it takes for Jin to convince Viola to return to England with him, Jin and Viola discover an undeniable attraction to each other. But will Viola decide to return to her English family and become the lady she could have been, or will she decide to remain with the sea-faring family aboard ship she has gathered around her among the years? What about the feelings she and Jin have for each other? Can two hardened sea captains soften their hearts enough to allow love to grow between them? The character development in this book is phenomenal. Both Viola and Jinan are complex, well-rounded and compelling figures. Their stories drew me in and kept me rapt from start to finish. The pain and struggle Jinan and Viola both go through in their early childhood makes them uniquely well suited to each other, and Ashe does an excellent job of bringing both to life. This novel has plenty of action and witty banter as well to keep the plot moving along at a quick clip. Anyone who likes historical fiction will love this book.