Guest Review: The Bastard – Brenda Novak

The Bastard by Brenda Novak
Series:
Release Date:  December 10, 2011
Publisher:  Brenda Novak
Source:  NetGalley
Buy the book at: Amazon

To some men honor is just a word…. Jeannette Boucher, a young French beauty from a family left penniless by the revolution, must marry against her will to save them all from ruin. But almost immediately after the vows are spoken, she learns that her old English husband is impotent—and in his desire for an heir, he plans to compromise her in the worst way. Determined to escape such a fate, she stows away on one of His Majesty’s frigates. But a woman alone is in constant danger. To Lieutenant Treynor, honor means everything…. Born a bastard to a wayward marquise, Lieutenant Crawford Treynor was given to a poor farmer to raise and was maltreated until he ran away to join the Royal Navy. Treynor is determined to prove he’s as good as any other man and rise to captain his own frigate. But once he finds Jeannette aboard The Tempest he must decide whether to return her to the man he knows would abuse her—or risk everything, even his life, to keep her safe.

Jeanette, the daughter of french nobility whom fled from France during the revolution. Jeanette  agrees to marry an older English  Baron.

Treynor, a lieutenant in the navy, who is always trying to help out the underdog. As he views himself as an underdog, without any one backing him up he worked his way towards the top.

Jeanette learns something about her husband that terrifies her right after the ceremony. Deciding to try to run to her English cousin for help, she flees into the night. Boarding a boat  disguised as a boy that was supposed to be head to London. Treynor discovers that Jeanette is a girl not long after she boards the ship, he decides to help her and keep her secret. Then they get the news that are needed to help in a battle and not to head to London. Treynor puts Jeanette to work, so there isn’t much attention brought on her. Jeanette learns that life is really difficult and not as ease as always thought it was. The relationship between Jeanette and Treynor is really rocky. They  both refuse to admit  that  they like each other. They put a wall to try protect their hearts. Jeanette Because she doesn’t want to become attached knowing that she would probably have to find another man to marry to support her family. Treynor because he never had someone in his life that actually loved him, is afraid that  he doesn’t know how to love. The way the character grow together and learn how to make life better for themselves.

I felt that Jeanette’s parents were way to trusting of Jeanette husband not even questioning his motives or any thing or even digging a little into his past to find out more about him. The was the only thing i did not like about this story the rest was just awesome.

I give the bastard five cocktails!

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