Beyond Sunrise

Candice Proctor has meticulously crafted an exciting action and adventure romance on the high seas and islands of the South Pacific. I especially liked the principal characters who are bigger than life. Even the secondary characters are interesting and realistic. One-fourth through the book, the heroine had been shot at, captured by island cannibals, chased by the British navy over "a thundering gorge and through a cave full of moldy skeletons of generations of man-eaters," and had almost drowned in the flooding Cave of Songs. And that's only the beginning. What I enjoyed most about the book is that about two-thirds through the book, the plot reveals new facts that breathe new life into an already exciting adventure. Candice Proctor is skillful and knowledgeable enough to vividly describe two ships being tossed about on the high seas as one chased the other as it escaped through God's Pathway, a belt of reefs with atolls stretching some twenty five miles or more. Only a skillful helmsman, a trait the hero definitely has, can maneuver through God's Pathway and failure meant that everyone on board would become shark food. This scene was so realistically and vividly told that I wonder if Candice Proctor is actually a skillful helmswoman herself. Every page is filled with suspense and intrigue while the sexual tension between the hero and the heroine slowly escalates until they can no longer resist their long suppressed urges and desires. Beyond Sunrise held me captive from the first page to the last page. This is the first book I've read by Candice Proctor and it was so exciting that I have bought her other books and plan to read them all. Beyond Sunrise is a great book and I recommend it highly.

I absolutely adored this book. It transports you completely to a magical place where inhibitions and fears melt away. All character were fully developed, specially the main ones, India and Jack. Their change and development through the novel was real and explained. I devoured every single page of this book. It contained suspense, adventure, tasteful but exciting romance and awesome writing. I fully recommend this book, please read it!

There are so few romances that I truly adore. I decided to try Candice when I discovered she was Penelope Williamson's sister, a magically gifted writer who unfortunately moved to the mystery genre. While Candice's style is her own, the one thing she does have in common with PW is the maturity of her stories, both in character development and rich scene description. Also, like her sister, she has lovely variety in her story placement. Let's see, we have Australia & Tasmania & Colorado & New Orleans & even a medieval story. So many writers stay stuck in one genre, eg medieval or regency which eventually bores me, no matter how great the writer. This is my 3rd CP book and I have not been disappointed other than the knowledge that I am going to run out of her books too quickly. Whoever compared this story to the African Queen was dead on. The interactions between Jack and India often make me laugh out loud. I just love his ascerbic wit and India does a pretty good job of holding her own...and then, of course, there is the love. I would not only recommend this story but would strongly recommend everything Candice has written.

Jack Ryder might be a foul-mouthed, sloppy, hard-headed, drunk but I liked him. And talk about chemistry... when India McKnight shows up needing Jack to take her to an "exotic, inhabited by cannibals" island! India McKnight is an accomplished travel writer- who lives for her travels and vows never to marry. It just isn't in her plans. Jack Ryder has a dark past and has been running from it all these years. While living a military life he met and married an exotic beauty from one of the islands. She and their daughter were killed during an island raid- Jack witnessed it. To cover up the mess, Jack was accused of the all of killing and is a wanted man by the military. But there's more to the story... Years and expense have been put into trying to capture him and bring him in for trial which has been unsuccessful up to now. Could Jack know something that they don't want to get out?After much persuasion, Jack agrees to take India to this dangerous island only to discover the navy not far behind him when he is trying to protect India from the island tribe of cannibals. It gets worse. The navy catches up with them and the only way Jack can see to get out of their clutches is to take India hostage and track through the jungle to the other side of the island. That is after he has all of the navy officers and crew put down their weapons, take off all their clothes and throw them over the cliff- leaving them with nothing but their hands hanging infront of them as cover up. Jack is stubborn but he has met his match when he pairs up with this hot-headed Scotswoman. The story is full of adventure, danger, humor, and sensual feelings that are discovered after thinking they have been hidden away. It's a great read and I highly recommend it!

Renowned for her global travel books, India McKnight needs a guide to visit the South Seas island of Takaku, but no one will take her because of the native cannibal populace. British Naval Captain Simon Granger suggests India ask Jack Ryder, who lived with cannibals, to take her. Jack and his adolescent partner Patu agree to take India to the island so that she can determine whether the rock formation is natural or man-made.Jack drops India on the island, giving her a few hours to return. However, Simon and his ship arrive. They want to catch Jack, accused of killing half a crew by sinking the Lady Juliana. Jack takes India hostage and they trek across the island as he tries to reach the French side. On the journey, Jack and India fall in love, but he knows she has no future with him.Fans of the African Queen will want to read this nineteenth century south Pacific version of the classic. The story line hooks the reader from the moment India dumps a bucket of water on a drunken sleeping it off Jack. Readers will compare the lead couple to Bogart and Hepburn and realize the duo is a charming pair. Though some readers may detest the use of profanity, it fits in an action-packed plot that goes full throttle until the finish.Harriet Klausner