Sarafina di Ramonicci sets sail for America as the promised bride in an arranged political marriage. Taken prisoner at sea, she clashes with her captor and demands freedom, only to discover he is planning her future husband’s demise, with her as a pawn in their deadly feud. The challenge of escape tests her loyalty to family, human decency, and love.

Captain Nye Tarquin is a dangerous man. Left to die on the streets of New Orleans, he swears retribution on the man responsible. When he makes Sarafina part of his plan, he isn’t prepared for the fiery vixen aboard his ship, nor his desire to claim her as his own. When passion overtakes honor, he’s torn between his heart and his need for justice.

Excerpt:

For a brief moment, his eyes softened. But it was short-lived. In the next breath, his gaze hardened, and his jaw twitched as he turned towards the house.

She pulled him back. “Tell me, Nye! Why can’t you tell me?”

He leaned down and came within a breath of her, their noses almost touching. “Look in my eyes, Sarafina. Do you see compassion for you—or anyone? No. Because I lack those feelings,” he supplied, his raspy voice straining to shout.

Sarafina brushed passed him and marched into the manor, Nye close behind. She stopped and turned so quickly he had to swiftly move aside to keep from toppling over her.

“You are not your demons, Nye.”

Cursing the increasing heat of the day, he removed his jacket and tossed it onto the closest piece of furniture, then untied his cravat. He caught his reflection in the massive mirror planted above the sideboard. His neck was exposed, and he looked disgustedly at the jagged scar. The wound had not only changed his appearance but also permanently damaged his voice. He braced his hands on the sideboard and avoided his own reflection. He couldn’t forgive all the pain he’d endured during his recovery. However, it was this ruination that had brought him Sarafina. He used to lie awake and dream of the different ways he’d make Cornell pay for what he’d done. Now, he lay awake thinking of a lady he wasn’t worthy of.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Avery Sterling’s love for the romance genre began in her teen years when she picked up her first novel. She was captivated by the sweeping scale of emotions brought about by the words. The experience catapulted her towards learning the art of wielding a breathtaking adventure, with a love that felt authentic. Wanting to inspire people with her own thoughts and words, she finished her first novel at sixteen. It was a step towards understanding the essence of what she wished to create. Most of her youth was spent traveling, searching out the romance and beauty in her everchanging world. From the waves that crashed against the rocky shores of Downeast, Maine, to the warm breezes of the Caribbean, she discovered that love was universal, apparent in its grandest and simplest of forms. Her goal is to write novels an audience can relate to, one that conveys the truth and nature of love… with all that steamy romance.

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GIVEAWAY: 

Avery Sterling will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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TRACY’S REVIEW:

Precious Burdens by Avery Sterling

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: August 28, 2023

When Captain Nye Tarquin is beaten and left for dead on the streets of New Orleans, he is saved by his friend and business partner Alderic. Barely clinging to life, he vows to live and make Ellis Cornell, the man responsible, pay. And so begins his vendetta to destroy Cornell, which has been easy up to now, and while Nye is clever and wiley, he was not prepared for Sarafina di Ramonicci, daughter of Conte di Ramonicci, a rich and powerful nobleman from Malta. Soon Nye finds himself falling for his beautiful prisoner, and he will have to choose between his desire for vengeance and his desire for the feisty beauty who holds his heart.

Sarafina “Fina” is sailing to America from Malta to marry a man chosen by her father, when her ship is captured by Captain Tarquin. At first, Sarafina is outraged and gives no quarter, but as time passes and she gets to know the man who is holding her captive, she begins to fall for the gritty Captain. She knows two things for sure, one she will never marry Ellis Cornell, and two she will always love Nye Tarquin, even if she hates him.

This was a quick read, with an old-school historical romance feel. The book is filled with action, adventure, an evil villain, steamyish love scenes, great secondary characters, heartache, angst, and wrapping up with a HEA that didn’t seem like it was going to happen. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it, mostly because of the ending and because there was no epilogue, and in my opinion, this book really, really, really needed an epilogue. Overall, I thought the writing was very good and I enjoyed the author’s writing style, so therefore would consider reading more of her work.

3 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*