Splendor

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, no need to give a synopsis of the book, just know that is was different, engaging and a very fun read!!!

The most feared pirate to prowl the waters, handsome Devlin "Devil" Kane is magically transformed by a bolt of St. Elmo's Fire--and impelled by a strange irresistible force toward the Carolina colonies...and the woman who is his destiny.Only the soft, sensuous touch of prim and lovely Eden Winters can banish the spell that is Devlin's curse...and his salvation. But unknown dangers await Eden in the arms of her mysterious "ghost captain"--sweeping the reluctant beauty into a wondrous, unexplored realm of rapturous passion, perilous adventure and love's sweet Splendor.

One dark and stormy night, Devlin Kane, is hit by a bolt of St. Elmo's fire and so is his trained falcon, Zeus. Miraculously they survive and shortly after Devlin wakes up he finds out that he's invisible! He knows that he's not a ghost because he can lift objects and function like any other human being. He's sure that this is his punishment for being a pirate, but still it doesn't make sense. He wasn't the worst pirate out there. He feels like his life is over, but the Fates have other ideas. Eden Winters is the only one who can see him and with her touch so can everyone else, but as soon as they stop touching, he fades out of view. So, Devlin strikes a bargain with her, if she stays close to him until he regains his body, he'll pay off her debts, keeping her out of Dudley Finster's arms. Eden reluctantly accepts and so begins their adventure towards love. Eden has no idea that Devlin is determined to seduce her before he leaves Charles Town. (For some odd reason Eden can't see Devlin's falcon.) Eden blossoms under Devlin's praise and you see her grow. (She has never had any faith in her looks or in her abilities.) And if you look closely, so does Devlin. There are so many obstacles in their way and Devlin is firmly set against love and marriage. I was beginning to believe that the stubborn pirate would never let Eden into his heart and would leave a broken hearted Eden behind. Making my heart ache right along with Eden's, because she was convince it would happen too. In the midst of all this they have to keep Devlin's invisibility a secret from her housekeeper, Dora and her invalid mother, Jane. Jane eventually finds out and to Eden's surprise she's delighted. But poor Dora never finds out, and she's sure she was going daft when she started seeing floating objects. Poor girl! I felt so sorry for her. Eventually Jane meets Nate, Devlin's friend, and they fall madly in love. (She learns how to walk again, of course.) Devlin's falcon also falls in love with Eden's parrot! What a riot! This book kept me laughing all the way through, the high adventure made me hold my breath, and the sweet romance made me sigh. This is an excellent book, with lively, amusing characters that will stay in your mind and heart long after you finish reading this book. This book makes you believe that destiny never gives up on you, even if you're sure it has and it also shows you that love doesn't discriminate.

Pirate Devlin Kane is rendered invisible by a mysterious light. Eden Winter is the only one who can see him. Whenever she touches him, others can see him, too. Devlin decides he has to keep her close to him no matter what and helps her solve her business problems to gain her cooperation. Add an invisible falcon and an invalid mother to the mix, and you have, of course, a recipe for romance (and mixups) I really enjoyed this book, and I'll be on the lookout for other books by Catherine Hart.