Broken Wing
Abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, Gabriel St. Croix has never known tenderness, friendship or affection. Although fluent in sex, he knows nothing of love. Lost and alone inside a nightmare world, all he’s ever wanted was companionship and a place to belong. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy façade, his only relationship is with a young boy he has spent the last five years protecting from the brutal reality of their environment. But all that is about to change. The boy’s family has found him, and they are coming to take him home.
Sarah Munroe blames herself for her brother’s disappearance. When he’s located, safe and unharmed despite where he as been living. Sarah vows to help the man who rescued and protected him in any way she can. With loving patience she helps Gabriel face his demons and teaches him to trust in friendship and love. But when the past catches up with him, Gabriel must face it on his own.
Becoming a mercenary, pirate and a professional gambler, Gabriel travels to London, France, and the Barbary Coast in a desperate attempt to find Sarah again and all he knows of love. On the way, however, he will discover the most dangerous journey, and the greatest gamble of all, is within the darkest reaches of his own heart.
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Reviews
"The Napoleonic era comes brilliantly alive in James's debut adventure romance. Sarah, Lady Munroe, has traveled to postrevolution Paris with her half-brother, Ross, to find their long-lost younger brother. Young Jamie suffered few ill effects while residing at a Parisian brothel thanks to the protection of Gabriel St. Croix, a "glittering catamite" who returns to England with them at Jamie's insistence. While Gabriel's attraction to Sarah begins as an innocent shared admiration for astronomy, their sensual love scenes intensify as Gabriel reconciles his tender feelings with his sordid past. The pace never falters when the lovebirds are separated and pursue adventures on their own. The extensive historical detail goes a long way, but Sarah and Gabriel's heart-wrenching struggle to keep their love alive is what will really keep readers entranced throughout this epic read."
-Publishers Weekly
"When I think of what constitutes a superior historical romance, I think of real characters connecting on many levels with a believable setting that pulls me into the story and sweeps me along into another place and time. Judith James’s novel Broken Wing is such a tale; I was hooked from the first pages and found myself sighing with satisfaction at the end. Broken Wing is both well-written and compelling, and I found the pages flying by as I wrapped myself in the tale of the numb Gabriel being brought to life by the vivacious Sarah. I found there was much to love about this story of two star-crossed lovers finding one another in many ways. Superior reading indeed."
-Tamela McCann Historical Novels Review
Editors' Choice Titles for November 2008
"5+ Stars - Every once in a while, if one is very lucky, they read a romance novel so lyrically written, so wonderfully conceived, so thoroughly researched, so full of interesting and different characters, it practically ruins reading for them for a few days, or weeks, or months. I very much fear that this will be the case for me after reading Broken Wing by Judith James. The settings are exquisite and thoroughly researched. A good portion of the book happens in post Revolutionary France, and the tidbits and details that James includes many times made me pause to absorb them. Many regular readers know that The Windflower by Tom and Sharon Curtis is my all time favorite romance. As such, I don’t invoke their names lightly, but the lightness of the prose and the wonderful wit and depth of the characters strongly evoked the Curtises for me. It is the highest possible compliment I could give an author. I am beside myself waiting for Ms. James’s next book, which I hope will be just as luscious and wonderful. "
-Kati Dancy
ROMANCE NOVEL TV
"Dear Judith James-- A very promising first novel, reminiscent of many books in the genre I love, from Laura Kinsale’s The Shadow and The Star to Laura London’s The Windflower, even to Christine Monson’s Rangoon, but also compelling in its own vision. I did enjoy it quite a bit, can certainly recommend it, and most definitely look forward to your next book."
-Janet
Dear Author
"Broken Wing is a grand story of love, acceptance and forgiveness. One of the best romance books of 2008 I have read, and quite possible one of the best love stories I've ever read."
-Romance Book Wyrm
"BROKEN WING has a magical ability to envelope the reader deep within its pages. The writing is beautiful and easily creates a dreamlike scene no matter which page one is on. The story brilliantly captures the reader moving fluidly from one chapter to the next. So much so in fact that if the reader manages to set this delightful novel down she won’t be able to leave it for very long."
-Kerensa Crave More Romance
"If you like a book that puts you in that place in history, a book that doesn't apologize or equivocate or back away from the unsavory truth, you'll like BROKEN WING."
-Rosie
Nobody Asked Me
"Rating: A - This was a beautiful story of love and trust. I'm looking forward to reading more by Judith James."
-Leslie’s Psyche
"Score: 5 Stars - This book… tells of one of the greatest love stories I have read in a very long time. From the first page it captured me. The author has done such a degree of research about the time that the writing is nothing but stellar…like all my fellow bloggers I highly recommend reading it… I have a long list of favorite books. But is rare that a book really moves me like this one did."
-Anna’s Book Blog
"Score: 5 of 5 Hearts - This story was a very strong and very emotional read. It's not your typical "romance" in any sense of the word. This story undoubtedly falls into the Love Story category for me. There was no romanticising anything in this tale, but rather it was a story of how love and caring can heal the deepest wounds."
-Barbara
Happily Forever After
"4 ½ Stars - This emotional, well-written novel has characters that are far from conventional; they're complex, heartbreaking and endearing. Readers will be enthralled by the developing relationship between the protagonists and their passion."
-Romantic Times
"4 ½ Stars" - From the seedy, underbelly of post-revolution Paris to the windswept Mediterranean Sea, BROKEN WING takes the reader along on a grand adventure. Heartbreakingly lovely and passionate, the story of Gabriel and Sarah will stay with you long after you close the cover...beautifully written… Judith James creates a poignant story of loss and love that you won’t be able to put down."
-Romance Junkies
"...More recently, I was asked to read a manuscript written by a very new author who will make her debut in 2008 with Medallion Press. I had no idea what the book was about. I just started reading. By page 10, I was thinking, “What? This can’t be right!” I reacted that way because the author had written a story that breaks many of the rules of the genre which we have all come to accept as gospel. You know the rules I’m talking about. The hero and heroine can’t be apart for more than X number of pages. No exotic locales please. And don’t write anything too dark or disturbing."
"Well, this author ignored all of that and wrote the book of her heart. She ignored contest feedback from judges who told her she couldn’t do those things, and thank goodness. I am so glad she stuck to her guns, because it was the best book I’ve read in ages. It was gloriously unpredictable because it veered away from the usual conventions. I had no idea what was coming next, and even had doubts about how this very intense romantic conflict was ever going to be resolved. It was exciting and compelling – even when the hero and heroine were… gasp… apart."
"So my hat goes off to Medallion Press for buying books that push the envelope. Maybe this will start a new trend. What could we call these new out-of-the-box romances? The Romance UnGenre? Any suggestions? Or care to comment on the subject of “freshness”? Because we all know – a fresh book walks a fine line between great success and the “tough sell” for agents and editors who are wary of taking a risk."
-Julianne MacLean
Reproduced with permission from Julianne MacLean and RRAH Blog Ponderings
"Judith James fearlessly bursts through the ceiling of the historical romance genre and soars to astounding heights. Her writing is intriguing, daring, exquisitely dark, and emotionally riveting. Never predictable, Broken Wing had me captivated from the first compelling page to the last passionate, heart stopping word. If you are looking for a book that is unique, bold and courageous - or a writer who is not afraid to break the rules - immerse yourself in Broken Wing. Judith James is a rare talent and a great discovery. She has made a stunning, magnificent debut."
-USA Today bestselling author, Julianne MacLean
"Judith James’ rich prose and witty, articulate dialogue enhance this story of a complex man, bitterly wounded by life, who finds self-worth through love. A fresh and passionate tale, Broken Wing enchants the reader with original characters and a compelling romance set against the colorful tapestry of England, France, and North Africa in the turbulent years of Napoleon's rise to power. "
-Laura Leone, author of Fallen From Grace
"Outstanding Read!"
-Simply Romance Reviews
"6 out of 5 Stars! . . .Wondrously written. ~ "
-Kristie Jenner
Ramblings on Romance