Sapphire Dream
Authors: Pamela Montgomerie
Table of Contents
Praise for
Sapphire Dream
Sapphire Dream
“[
Sapphire Dream
] takes off like a rocket and never slows down as Brenna and Rourke face danger—and the seventeenth century proves to be far more complicated, sexy, and rewarding than Brenna could have dreamed. One of the best time-travel romances I’ve ever read.”
Sapphire Dream
] takes off like a rocket and never slows down as Brenna and Rourke face danger—and the seventeenth century proves to be far more complicated, sexy, and rewarding than Brenna could have dreamed. One of the best time-travel romances I’ve ever read.”
—
New York Times
bestselling author Mary Jo Putney
New York Times
bestselling author Mary Jo Putney
“A terrific time-travel romance. Twists and turns abound as feisty Brenna Cameron fights her destiny, danger, and the sexy pirate who claims her as his from their first dramatic meeting. Edge of the seat suspense, heart-stopping passion, and poignant emotion make
Sapphire Dream
a fantastic, roller-coaster read. I dare you to put it down before you finish it!”
Sapphire Dream
a fantastic, roller-coaster read. I dare you to put it down before you finish it!”
—Award-winning author Anna Campbell
“Take one feisty heroine, a to-die-for Scottish hero, a dash of magic, and an author that knows how to mix them to perfection and you have
Sapphire Dream
—an action-packed, passion-filled tale by a master storyteller. Pamela Montgomerie delivers a story that will keep you turning the pages, rooting for Brenna and Rourke, and closing the book both reluctant to leave this pair behind and anxious to see what Ms. Montgomerie will deliver next. An excellent read!”—Award-winning author Laurin Wittig
Sapphire Dream
—an action-packed, passion-filled tale by a master storyteller. Pamela Montgomerie delivers a story that will keep you turning the pages, rooting for Brenna and Rourke, and closing the book both reluctant to leave this pair behind and anxious to see what Ms. Montgomerie will deliver next. An excellent read!”—Award-winning author Laurin Wittig
Praise for the novels of
Pamela Montgomerie writing as Pamela Palmer
Pamela Montgomerie writing as Pamela Palmer
“[A] romantic, magical, and terrifying story. A compelling debut.”—
Library Journal
Library Journal
“[A] tale of supernatural danger and spine-tingling suspense . . . Pamela Palmer twists the supernatural tension, then twists it again in this story of ancient magic and newly minted love.”
—
USA Today
bestselling author Rebecca York
USA Today
bestselling author Rebecca York
“I loved this story! Pamela Palmer certainly delivers a riveting out-of-the-ordinary tale of paranormal suspense and romance. I couldn’t put it down.”
—
USA Today
bestselling author Robin T. Popp
USA Today
bestselling author Robin T. Popp
“Scary, sexy, and with a truly disturbing villain . . . A real page-turner.”—Laura Anne Gilman
“Exciting . . . Combines sexy characters with an intense, riveting plot.”—
Romantic Times
Romantic Times
“The enchanting magic, passion, and danger hold the reader spellbound during every totally captivating scene . . . Takes paranormal romance to unbelievable heights.”
—
CataRomance
CataRomance
“The characterization, motivation, and development of Autumn and Kade are marvelous . . . Edgy, yet charming—that last due to the exceedingly likable heroine.”
—
Romance Reviews Today
Romance Reviews Today
“Solidifies Pamela Palmer’s place as one of the top up-and-coming authors of the paranormal romance and dark fantasy genres! Without a doubt,
Dark Deceiver
ranks among the top books I’ve read.”—
CK
2
S Kwips and Kritiques
Dark Deceiver
ranks among the top books I’ve read.”—
CK
2
S Kwips and Kritiques
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Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada
(a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)
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Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)
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(a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)
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(a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)
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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
SAPPHIRE DREAM
A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY
Berkley Sensation mass-market edition / July 2009
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
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375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
eISBN : 978-1-101-10409-5
BERKLEY
®
SENSATION
Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
BERKLEY
®
SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
®
SENSATION
Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
BERKLEY
®
SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
For Laurin. Cheroo!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To Allison Brandau for finding this manuscript among the slush and falling in love with it. All along, it was waiting for you.
To Helen Breitwieser, for everything.
To the many people who helped me birth this book: Laurin Wittig, Anne Shaw Moran, Denise McInerney, Kathryn Caskie, Elizabeth Fedorko, Alicia Rasley, my 99er sisters, and the wonderful men and women of the Washington Romance Writers.
And to my family for always being there.
ONE
THE NORTH SEA,
OFF THE COAST OF SCOTLAND,
1687
OFF THE COAST OF SCOTLAND,
1687
Rourke Douglas held fast to the capstan, the rain soaking his shirt as his frigate,
Lady Marie
, pitched in the gale. Lightning slashed through the storm-darkened sky, threatening to tear the masts apart. Over the roll of thunder, the eerie sound of Hegarty’s chanting rose from the hold of the ship, making Rourke’s flesh ripple with unease. Magic rode heavy on the air.
Lady Marie
, pitched in the gale. Lightning slashed through the storm-darkened sky, threatening to tear the masts apart. Over the roll of thunder, the eerie sound of Hegarty’s chanting rose from the hold of the ship, making Rourke’s flesh ripple with unease. Magic rode heavy on the air.
A high wave broke over the deck’s wooden planks in a shower of seawater.
“Close the hatches!” he barked to his crew. “Secure the guns!”
“We’re too close to the shore, Captain!” His bosun, Joshua Cutter, lurched into place beside him, his pitted face sharp with disbelief and a challenge Rourke was tiring of. “If the wind turns, we’ll be dashed upon the rocks.”
Rourke scowled. “Then we shall hope the wind doesna turn, shall we not, Mr. Cutter? Return to your post and hold our position!”
The bosun blanched, took a step back, then whirled and hurried away.
God’s blood
, if they survived the storm, he’d have a mutiny on his hands. As much as he hated to admit it, Cutter was right. But he’d made a vow to Hegarty to hug the shoreline until the night was through. Even if it meant damning his ship and everyone on board.
, if they survived the storm, he’d have a mutiny on his hands. As much as he hated to admit it, Cutter was right. But he’d made a vow to Hegarty to hug the shoreline until the night was through. Even if it meant damning his ship and everyone on board.
A gust of wind caused the ship to lurch hard to starboard. Rourke braced himself, holding tight.
“Order the sails furled, Mr. Baker!” he shouted to his hapless first mate. If they did not soon roll the sails up tight against the growing gale, they’d capsize. If they survived this storm, he’d happily hang Hegarty from the highest mast for manipulating him into this dire predicament.
Through the rain Rourke could just make out the rugged shoreline of his native Scotland—a sight he’d not seen since he was ten and never intended to see again. He must have been deep in his cups the night Hegarty secured his promise to go back. Naught but a sail-by, Hegarty had assured him. No need even to make port. A simple trip.
As if anything concerning Hegarty could ever be simple. Not until they arrived had the dwarf told him the ship must remain perilously close to shore for a day and a night. He’d not explained why. They both knew all too well.
The prophecy.
His gut twisted and rolled as if mimicking the churning sea. He should never have let Hegarty force him back here.
“Captain!” the pilot cried. “We’re being pulled toward the rocks!”
God’s blood
. “Unfurl the mizzen!”
. “Unfurl the mizzen!”
The ship leaned heavily as the wind caught the single sail. His promise be damned. But even as he braced to issue the orders to set full sail, he knew it was too late. A second sail would cause them to lean too far into the frenzied waves, capsizing the ship.
The rain slashed across his back in a pelting, stinging torrent. This was Hegarty’s fault. He rued the day he’d ever laid eyes upon the little man, yet without him he’d be long dead. Hegarty was a rock in his shoe, gifted with abilities no man should possess, but Rourke owed him. Too much.
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