Star-Crossed

Patricia Kelly is one determined young lady. Left an orphan in England she smuggles herself aboard a ship bound for the West Indies, determined to secure the inheritance she is confident that she has been promised and that will ensure her future life is happy and comfortable. But of course we all know that the course of such tales rarely runs smoothly, and in the process Patricia finds herself in all manner of unlikely adventures. This is a stirring story for anyone of any age, though I can imagine it would particularly resonate in the hearts of adventurous teens. Patricia sails the high seas, assists the ship's surgeon in the aftermath of battle, is shipwrecked, finds love, loses love and finds it again. In case this seems a little far fetched, there are many historical instances of women undertaking similar adventures on board ships at the time - usually without recognition, but they were there all the same. And I imagine they were every bit as feisty as our heroine Patricia. This book is told in clear, first person prose (which I am usually not fond of as I am nosy and like to know what the other characters are thinking), but it suits this rollocking tale. It is historically accurate (and inaccuracy is my pet peeve) and is not burdened with excessive romance which mars many a similar tale. It really is a very good read! And unusually for tales of this ilk (and this is NOT a spoiler) the ending is very satisfying. And, as a plus, even though one should never judge a book by its cover, it has the most sensational cover art work; which reflects the great tale within, and certainly captures the spirit of our heroine. Highly recommended for any young lady in your life.

What a refreshing alternative to the ever so popular and run of the mill novels that overflow the bookstore shelves today! And who says this is for young adults only? If you are not a YA but you are looking for something different than the unbearably predictable stories of the romantically challenged, thirty-something professional woman whose life is in a crisis of some sort or another, then Star-Crossed is the book for you! This book has real content and is filled with historical curiosities, high-seas adventures and, yes, even a little romance. Don't let the 18th century language throw you. As you begin to read it you will find it is an easy read and, in fact, the sea bearing jargon is exactly what makes each character colorful and distinct... and wholly believable. It has a rich and vibrant plot that will leave you wanting to read more adventures of Patricia Kelly. Is there a sequel yet??

I could not put this book down (and neither could my husband, for that matter). We both really enjoyed reading this high seas adventure and are looking forward to seeing what is in store for the characters in the future. This book has much to offer for young adults as well as their parents. It would make a great summer read for the whole family.

Linda Collison's STAR-CROSSED tells of a British girl whose father has died: to claim her estate she has to travel to Barbados as a stowaway. When she's discovered she lives a dual life: in training as a surgeon's mate, and at night donning pants to climb the rigging with sailors. Her very different lives will bring her a new understanding of both romance and male/female roles in a fast-paced adventure recommended for teens in grades 6-12.

Patricia Kelley, a former pupil at Wiltshire Boarding School for Gentlemen's Daughters, has recently been orphaned at the impressionable age of sixteen. Left with nothing but her wits and the promise of her deceased father's estate in the Barbados, she sneakily stows away on the Canopus, a seemingly distinguished merchant ship. She does not stay hidden for long, and soon must earn her passage on the Canopus by training to become the surgeon's mate. It is during her stay on the ship that she meets the free-spirited Brian Dalton, bosun's mate and unattainable love interest. Unexpected complications arise when Patricia tries to reclaim her birthright, and she marries out of desperation in order to survive. She wonders if she can survive a loveless marriage as well as her continuing life as a surgeon's mate. As if she does not already have enough things to worry about, thoughts of Brian Dalton keep reappearing in her mind after she and her husband leave the Canopus to fulfill their duties aboard a warship. Can Patricia handle the enormous changes headed her way? Filled with vivid descriptions of sea-life and the historical restrictions that were placed on women during the time period, STAR-CROSSED is an exceptional novel that will entrance readers of any age. When I first picked up the book, I was skeptical of whether or not I would enjoy it. However, by the fifth page I was completely hooked. The action in the novel greatly adds to the piece, and the romantic theme does not dominate the plot. I recommend this book to readers of any age or gender. Reviewed by: Emylee