Raised as a free spirit aboard her sea captain father’s majestic clipper ship, willful Nicole Lassiter has never encountered an obstacle she couldn’t overcome—until she meets Captain Derek Sutherland.
His sizzling kisses leave her longing, but after they share a night of passion, his subsequent disdain makes her blood boil. Nicole vows to take her revenge—by helping her father beat Sutherland in a high-stakes competition: the Great Circle Race from England to Australia.
Nicole’s plans are thrown overboard after Sutherland inadvertently prevents her father from sailing, yet she remains undaunted—taking to the high seas with her father’s ship. But after a harrowing storm, she finds herself a virtual prisoner aboard Sutherland’s vessel. And while her mind tells her she should escape, her body urges her to surrender....
"Fast-paced action, heady sexual tension, steamy passion and snappy dialogue.... Exhilarating energy emanates from the pages of this very smart and sassy debut." 4 Stars!—Romantic Times Magazine
"Kresley Cole captures the danger and passion of the high seas in this electrifying debut, weaving heart-stopping adventure with scenes of scorching sensuality for a thrilling fly-through-the-pages read."—Joan Johnston, New York Times Bestseller
"In her truly winning debut novel, the very talented Kresley Cole takes readers on the adventure of a lifetime. A brave, bold woman matches wits with a sexy, dangerous man in this irresistible and passionate romance."—Susan Wiggs, New York Times Bestseller
"Kresley Cole's first novel is a non-stop cruise through the dangerous seas of lust and love. This stellar debut hums with sexual tension, humor, passion and conflict. The CAPTAIN promises all pleasures and delivers each and every one."—Roxanne St. Claire, author Tropical Getaway
"Hot, hot, hot! Ms. Cole's first novel is a wild ride. Adventure, passion, a rollicking story, this book has it all. An impressive debut."—Old Book Barn Gazette
"A terrific debut for a new and very talented author. The dialog was fresh, the action was lively . . . I fairly flew through the pages. I’m looking forward to the sequel."—Marilyn Rondeau, Historical Romance Writers
"Have you ever read a book by a debut author, and then kept shaking your head thinking, "This can't be her first book. This can't be her first book."? I must admit that was my first thought when I finished the last chapter of this rousing, adventurous, highly-spirited and sensual story by Kresley Cole. It's a captivating tale that kept me turning page after page.... Debut, you say? Yes, it is, and it's a very impressive one at that. With great dialogue and solid character depictions, along with edge-of-your seat sexual tension throughout, it's the perfect book that will sweep you away to adventure, excitement, and blazing romance on the high seas for an afternoon. Enjoy it! (I certainly did!)"—Nancy Davis, Romance Reader at Heart, 4 out of 4 roses (+1/2!)
"... here’s a new talent coming over the horizon that you will want to read. Kresley Cole brings back the adventure of the high seas with the passion-filled romance found between the free-spirited Nicole Lassiter and the super sexy Captain Derek Sutherland. THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES is an exciting, sensuous story that will thrill you at every turn of the page."—Reader to Reader Reviews
"THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES is a lascivious read from the first page to the last. I found this page turner difficult to put down. It possesses every factor a historical romance should: history, passion, humor, romance, sexual heat and a stirring dialogue. I can hardly wait for the sequel, THE PRICE OF PLEASURE, about Derek's gorgeous younger brother, Grant Sutherland, to hit the bookshelves in July"—Deena Johnson, The Word on Romance
"Debut author Kresley Cole sails into readers hearts and memories with this fantastic tale of seduction, danger, and deception....
THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES is fast-paced action from beginning to end with smart and sassy dialogue and pulsating sexual tension between Nicole and Derek. Nicole is a feisty spitfire who longs for the open seas and for the love of a lifetime. No matter what she begins to feel for Derek, it becomes a matter of pride, determination and survival to beat him in the big race. The sexual tension is steamy and even the great seas can’t put out the fire that Derek and Nicole generate together.
With each page turned, readers come to care for the characters and greatly anticipate what Ms. Cole has in store for Derek and Nicole and the outcome of the race. The anticipation couldn’t have been sweeter and the ending couldn’t have been better."—Tracey West, Road to Romance
"A great debut by an author with loads of talent"
"Victorian England on the high seas is as vivid as can be pictured in this action-packed historical romance. The lead couple is a delight as they brawl, argue, and fight until they realize that they are in love.... Readers will enjoy sailing with Kresley Cole at the helm."—Harriet Klausner, The Best Reviews
"Die-hard historical romance fans can rejoice at an amazing new talent, Kresley Cole and her debut novel, THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES (Pocket/July 2003)... This exceptional historical has it all - a pair of winning lovers, poignancy and passionate adventure on the high seas! The clever Ms. Cole has already figured out how to hook her readers into anticipating a sequel about Derek's younger brother, Grant, who's ready to find his own luck and love at sea in THE PRICE OF PLEASURE (July 2004)."—Patricia Rouse, Rouse's Romance Readers Groups
"Someone hand me a fan! Ms. Cole writes exceedingly well and exceedingly HOT... Hopefully, THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES is merely the first of many wonderful offerings from Ms. Cole."—Karen Larsen, Scribesworld
"Watch this star rise!"
Make a good-sized space on your keeper shelf for this sensational new author because she’s only just begun! Kresley Cole’s first release “The Captain of all Pleasures” packs adventure, suspense, passion and sensuality into this high sea adventure.
Not only are the main characters strong, real and larger than life, but Kresley has the gift of character development that gives the reader an up close and personal view without stifling you with repetition of the mundane. Kresley keeps it fresh and suspenseful providing a great escape for the romantic adventurer inside of us all."—Ballston Book House Review
"THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES is a remarkably entertaining tale of love and adventure on the high seas. Debut author Kresley Cole infuses her story with energy and passion, giving the book a life of its own... [It] is both deeply emotional and highly sensual, making it one fantastic debut. Remember the name of Kresley Cole when you're craving heartfelt historical romance!"—Escape to Romance
"With a unique storyline, fresh dialogue and engaging characters, THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES more than hits the mark. I highly recommend this story and I can't wait to see what this talented new author has in store for us in the future!"—Carla Hosom, Romance and Friends
"Many discerning readers have been complaining about the scarcity of the big sagas of old. If you're yearning to read something with a panoramic feel, pick up debut author Kresley Cole's first novel... if this novel is any indication, Kresley Cole has a bright future ahead of her!"—Affaire de Coeur
"In THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES, Kresley Cole hits the romance world a-running. Wielding a sultry story on the high seas, Cole's debut is a definite winner.
I could not put this book down... Ms. Cole does such a wonderful job of getting the reader to care about the main characters, by the time they get on the ship, you want to set upon the seas with them. Nicole is a vibrantly strong heroine, with spunk and sass ... a perfect match for the aloof and cold Captain. Derek warms up nicely over the course of the book, and you can see his transformation is due to Nicole. I really enjoyed their sparring, which made for some excellent love scenes. The first love scene was daring, but I devoured it like a hot fudge cake sundae. Cole knows how to heat up a book!
With THE CAPTAIN OF ALL PLEASURES sure to bring Kresley Cole's name to the forefront of romance lovers everywhere, I can hardly wait for the sequel, THE PRICE OF PLEASURE, coming out in July about Derek's brother, Grant. This lady cannot write fast enough to suit me."—Jennifer Russell, Romance Readers Connection, 4 1/2 plugs