Entries Tagged 'Pirate' ↓
March 5th, 2010 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, Book Review, Comedy of Manners, Contemporary, Entrepreneur, Erotica, J-L, Pirate, Rogues and Rakehells, Spectacles, United States of America
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. It's free and a great way to keep up to date. Thanks for visiting! ~Keira.
Old School romance daydreams + embarrassing contemporary situations * 2 potential heroes = exponential fun.
Inara Lavey writes loving parodies of old school romance for Cassandra to daydream. Of course our plucky heroine (who is the very definition of spitfire) gets caught out time and again. She lands in some very funny situations as she sleep walks during some of them.
Cassandra Devon works in customer relations at a paper product company back in San Francisco and when her skuzzy boyfriend ditches weekend holiday plans she is determined it’s for the last time and dumps his sorry butt. Cassandra calls up her best friend Val and remakes plans to enjoy a holiday with her in Palm Springs.
There she meets:
Connor is the charming Irish rogue who’s passionate personality makes him the ideal romance hero.
Raphael (Rafe) is “the physical incarnation of every romantic hero who'd ever strode, seduced, stalked or swashbuckled across the pages of countless romance novels.”
What did I tell you about Lavey? That's just a sample of her voice. Trust me, her writing is a hoot! Cassie’s internal dialogue is as sassy as any contemporary romance heroine and the daydreams are as equally riotous.
Now the only question that remains is who Cassie will choose: Rafe or Connor?
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
Buy: Ripping the Bodice
Originally posted 2009-04-23 05:42:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Stores
January 17th, 2010 — 4 Stars, Book Review, Contemporary, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, G-I, Great Britain, Historical Romance, Mistaken Identity, Pirate, Pirate, Sailing, Secret Agent, Survival, Virgin Heroine
Guardian Angel by Julie Garwood is the second book in the set of three novels, Guardian Angel follows on the heels of The Lion's Lady. I didn't know this when I started and was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed the book. Usually I dislike sets of romances because one couple or half of a couple ends up irking me due to their actions in a previous book. However, Lyon and Christina are already wedded by this point and I loved them in their story. I did wonder as to their purpose in this novel, but Lyon is clearly Caine's friend and trustworthy ally which Caine will need before the novel is up. Speaking on ends, I thought the ending to Guardian Angel was lacking in some fashion. I can't put my finger on it but the ending left me feeling vaguely like how the ending of The Wedding made me feel... unresolved I guess.
The Marquess of Cainewood is on a mission. Revenge coldly calculated, this ruthless man has set out to avenge his brother's death at the hands of the notorious pirate known only as Pagan. The pirate would meet his maker, and then perhaps Caine's father would get some peace. Sitting in the back of a pub that had become his haunting place since his brother's death, Caine's evening is interrupted by the unexpected appearance of an angel with fiery red hair. She's scared, trembling, but determined.
Her first question is about his identity... is he Pagan?
His charade as the pirate was working, but instead of drawing out the real Pagan, he got a maiden in distress. She asks him to kill her before the men after her catch up and do the job themselves. She wants to die quick and painlessly and hoped the honorable Pagan would help her. Honorable indeed! Caine refuses and shoulders the burdens of the young woman.
Jade he will find leads him on a merry goose chase after criminals who do and don't exist. And all the while she is flitting about trying to keep Caine occupied, a real mystery is brewing... but also passion. Can Jade keep her heart safe or has a man finally pierced her shields to the vulnerable girl inside?
Rating: 4 Stars
Edit: The sex in this novel doesn't follow the usual path in romance novels. When Jade loses her virginity it's not a quick flash of pain and then over with. I enjoyed how Garwood handled everything when it became an issue between Jade and Caine. Jade was also very tender for her second time. It was different than what I am used to in a romance novel and I found that I enjoyed it because of that.
Originally posted 2009-01-06 00:40:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Stores
October 29th, 2009 — 4 Stars, A-C, Book Review, Captain, Category, Contemporary, Cursed Lead, Ghost, Journalism, Paranormal, Pirate, Rogues and Rakehells, Sailing, Suspense/Thriller, Travel, United States of America, Writer
Hurray a ghost romance! Double hurray there’s pirates! Oh I was so excited to start this novel and it was a thrilling and sexy story.
The first sexual contact? Burns your fingers it’s so hot!
Tyree's ghosty capabilities include walking through doors, levitating off the bed, solidifying into a sexy sinful lord of the night, and invisibility from most of the populace.
Pirate Captain Tyree St. James cursed to a life of wandering the earth for two hundred years or until a woman loves him so much she is willing to die in his place after accidentally killing his best friend and his love Elizabeth. Terrified a woman would be foolish enough to do that Tyree is steers clear of women and romance. Now he’s been tempted… sorely tempted… by Clara Fergussen.
Clara is the great-great (and so on) grandniece of Tyree’s best friend and curser Captain Sullivan Fouquet. Ironic – but this novel is littered with the relatives of several of the parties apart of the two captains’ lives two hundred years ago. She’s there to research Fouquet and dreams a very erotic pirate dream her first night in Rose Cottage only to find out the next day Tyree is real… if delusional.
The heroine’s stubborn refusal to believe Tyree is both a credit and a discredit. It makes Tyree’s story more poignant, her sacrifice more believable, but it also is highly annoying after about halfway through. Luckily Tyree is sexy enough and there are plenty of pulse heightening moments to overlook the heroine’s obstinacy.
The fire crime mystery is anti-climatic. It’s not wrapped up enough for me – especially with the fire captain, Andre Sullivan. How exactly does he fit in other than looking like a dead ringer for the late pirate captain?
Who knew eye-patches were so sinfully delicious? The one week whirlwind romance is exactly right.
Rating: 4 Stars
Buy: Ghost of a Chance
 |
|
US $1.00 |
Sale |
 |
|
US $4.91 |
Sale |
 |
|
US $.99 |
Sale |
Online Stores
October 24th, 2009 — 3 Stars, Book Review, Bride Stealing, Captain, France, Historic America, Kidnapping, Lisa Kleypas, Pirate, Pirate, Rogues and Rakehells, Seas, Survival, United States of America, Virgin Hero, Widow or Widower
Pirates, good/evil twins, bride stealing, quasi-spinster/virgin widow, quest for justice, nursing wounded hero, and fights to the death. There's not much missing from this set of romantic plot elements. I was left unimpressed. There was too much to juggle and for me to believe without a large suspension of belief. (I know you're thinking it's romance there is always a suspension of belief, but this was a little much.) Only with Your Love is a sequel to When Strangers Marry. We get to see Max and Lysette again this time with kids of their own. As it usually happens with sequels that feature somebody or somebodies from other books, I tend to find more negative in the sequel. It's because I develop preconceived ideas about the original secondary characters [in this case the twins] and I just don't like giving them up or letting them get their own story. Still, the story was well-written, the sex scenes diverting, and the ending neatly wrapped up. If you don't have my hangups about sequels you're sure to find this a wonderful read.
Celia Vallerand is an ex-spinster but still virgin wife of Philippe Vallerand. They are currently headed towards New Orleans from France. Celia speaks little English and is fluent in French. She's also the daughter of a doctor, the perfect companion for the charming Dr. Vallerand. Her delicate beauty and shy nature attracted Philippe from the first. She is well bred and refined, sure to fit in amongst the old blood Creole crowd. Until now he's been happy to accommodate her desire to wait on lovemaking, but he is tired of waiting... unfortunately pirates besiege the ship. Philippe is killed and Celia captured.
On the pirate island, Captain Griffin [Justin Vallerand], watches in disgust as a finely portioned, well bred miss is brought by Dominic Legare to his spoiled sexually perverted brother. She would be dead by morning or broken beyond fixing. Nobody, well bred miss or whore, should have to suffer at that man's hands. When the little miss manages to escape Andres clutches and runs into him, she begs him for help. He would give it of course... but everything changes when she says she's Philippe Vallerand's widowed wife.
Rating: 3 Stars
Originally posted 2009-02-26 15:19:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Stores
April 19th, 2009 — Defining the Genre, Historical Romance, Pirate, Pirate
What is pirate, privateer, or buccaneer romance?
While pirate romance seems pretty self explanatory the truth of the matter is that modern romantic notions of pirates are far from fact. When we think of a pirate, I am sure many of you will conjure up an image of the deliciously sexy and adventurous Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. The code that they lived by was far from the images brought to mind by the movies or by modern day romances. Pirates in truth were vicious and the chances of two pirates following the same code of honor were pretty slim, but that doesn't stop them from being some of the best of the bad boys in romantic literature.
What makes the pirate so sexy?
We love reading about pirates, of that there is no question. Why, you might wonder. The answer is thus: who wouldn't want a handsome man to give us permission to buck the rules of society, live life voraciously with no limit on what we can or should do? Rogues and rakehells might make delicious rapscallions on land and in London society, but it is the pirate captain that is both scandalous and notorious.
Lead males in pirate romances are muscular, domineering, swashbuckling, passionate, buccaneers. The open sea is their mistress and no female can tame their hearts... or so they think. Pirate heroes soon realize just how lonely their life on the water really is and endeavor to capture the love of a woman. When they loot, pillage, and ravish pirate heroes find themselves desiring to do so to the pretty maid with the feisty tongue and not the nearest enemy ship.
This is the character cast in romance novels. The truth however is that pirates have never been truly noted for charms, manners, or fantastically gorgeous good looks. Despite their shortcomings, the romance of seven seas calls out like a siren's song. Thrills, romance and adventure, you can't go wrong with a pirate romance.
Originally posted 2008-07-02 05:10:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Stores
April 8th, 2009 — 2.5 Stars, A-C, Africa, Book Review, Children, Dukes and Earls, Great Britain, Historical Romance, Pirate, Politician, Rogues and Rakehells, Widow or Widower
The Perfect Wife by Victoria Alexander follows not one but three couples on their journey to love. Luckily two are more peripheral and have overall less air time in the novel. The main couple is Sabrina Winfield and Nicholas, Earl of Wyldewood. The other couples are Sabrina and Nicholas’ offspring from their first marriage, and Sabrina’s friend with Nicholas’ sister.
Sabrina has for the last ten years a life of total propriety. She has been prim, poised, controlled, tame, and dull. She misses the adventure from her past—the intrigue, the thrill, and the illicit nature of her work. She could command the loyalty of men, change fortunes, and guide her own affairs. With her young daughter about to wed, Sabrina yearns keenly to let loose and be free of society’s demands. When she hears about her late husband’s last gamble and subsequent winnings, Sabrina ransacks her London home.
Having found the French letter with instructions to legendary gold buried in Egypt, Sabrina packs and sets off to reclaim herself and to change her fortune. Unfortunately, her daughter’s finance’s father seems to think it’s his business to keep her out of trouble. The annoying Earl of Wyldewood, a politician with a streak of rakish charm a mile long, is determined to unearth Sabrina’s secrets. She is terrified of revealing them, for her past could land her in prison. Under the guise of helping his son, Nicholas is following Sabrina to Egypt with the intention to protect her. However, if he were honest with himself, he would have followed her anyway for underneath her prim exterior, Nicholas suspects that Sabrina may just be the perfect wife.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Buy: The Perfect Wife
Originally posted 2008-12-08 07:47:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Stores
February 8th, 2009 — 2 Stars, Book Review, Children, France, Handicap, Highlander, Kidnapping, P-R, Pirate, Pirate, Sailing, Scarred Hero, Seas, Stowaway, Virgin Heroine, Warrior
The Diamond King has got it all: Highlanders, pirates, lost souls, and love.
Alex Leslie used to be a noble in a world that seems to have existed long ago before the war between Scotland and England. Now he is wanted, without honor or hope for a life that had once been held so promisingly before him. Siding with the bonny Prince Charlie cost Alex far more than his pretty face, now scarred, and two strong legs, one now damaged and aching all the time causing him to limp.
Alex has seen horrors of war. The Battle of Culloden turned the tide of war against innocents as the redcoats and turncoats followed mercilessly on the trails of fleeing women, children and wounded – killing and raping indiscriminately. Stripped of his title but not his own sense of moral rightness, Alex came to lead a parcel of helpless Jacobite children out of Scotland to France. There he swore revenge… and two children swore not to be parted from him no matter the cost.
They followed him onto a ship that he was captaining under letters of Marque. Alex was planning to divest the British of their spoils on the sea and he could not do that for fear of the children. All attempts however to divest himself of the brats were pointless. They were far too crafty from their time on the run with him in Scotland to be forced to do anything they didn’t want to do. And truth be told, Alex did not want them to go. He would miss them.
His surrender to their wishes makes it all the harder on him when poor Meg gets wounded in the capture of Charlotte. To make matters worse, there’s a bloody Campbell on board. The Campbell family was the worst of all the turncoats and all the cruel deeds of the war could be laid at their uncaring, guilty feet.
Jeanette Campbell, never knew the horrors of the war. She was safe, sequestered at home where no tales of cruelty could reach her. This does not sway Alex to relent toward her. At least his hate of her is different than the hate she has felt at others hands. Jenna, as she prefers to be called, has been quite unloved by her aristocratic family and society at large. She has been spurned because of a birthmark she cannot help. Born with the Devil’s Mark on one arm from shoulder to wrist, Jenna has known only fear and instant loathing.
Given the choice of being disowned or marrying a man she’s never met, Jenna chooses to find a haven in Barbados. Certain the widow was not told of her birthmark, Jenna is fearful of her future. The thought of mothering his children is the only thing that kept her going. So when the Charlotte is captured, Jenna cannot help feeling helpless and angry that her one chance at happiness has been ripped from her. For what man will take such a bride; even a desperate one?
Rating: 2 Stars
Originally posted 2008-10-10 08:49:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Stores
December 1st, 2008 — Captain, Contests, Covers, Enemies, Pirate, Pirate, Seas
"So here it is -finally! I'm not even going to say how long this took." - Paul
Paul, this was well worth the wait! I'm so glad you managed to get everything sorted out with your computer and software!
There's no billowy shirt in this entry, but I think you'll agree that we got a lot of yummy goodness anyway! Johnny Depp eat your heart out! The creativity goes even farther than the cover too - just read the story behind this cover! I think choosing the winner will be tough.
Edit: I have a full version of this - and everything has been rendered to look like the photo realistic painting style found on most romance covers.
Design and Model: Paul
Synopsis Author: Dex Xu
Synopsis:
With each setting sun, Gareth Falconheart stands at the bow of his ship, the Black Talon, scanning the horizon with piercingly dark eyes. A pirate by title as well as in nature, he has taken many a life and even more innocent hearts throughout his journeys of the seas. Orphaned at the age of three, Gareth has finally found his place. With dangerously handsome features and the belief that he needs nothing and no one, Gareth's life is complete. Or is it?
A few miles behind, Wolfmoon sails swiftly, captained by the headstrong yet breathtakingly stunning Sabra de Ivonlea. With the ship's first mate Sculley by her side, Sabra operates on the promise she made at her father's deathbed.
The mission: destroy their sworn enemy, the Black Talon. When the two ships clash in battle and their captains meet face to face for the first time, the sparks that flew far surpassed those of the booming cannons.
As the war rages on, the desperate couple must also fight against their forbidden love. Can their rapidly evolving feelings overcome a vendetta of a hundred years? Or will their souls be destroyed in the aftermath of a prophecy fulfilled? Whatever the outcome, no one would ever forget the day that Gareth Falconheart and Sabra de Ivonlea locked gazes in The Secret Weapon.
Online Stores
November 26th, 2008 — Contests, Covers, France, Pirate, Pirate, Rogues and Rakehells, Seas
Yar! This be arr first entry to the Present Your Very Own Pirate Contest. What say ye? Is his shirt perfectly billowy? Is his beard scraggly enough for ye? Does he make ye want to cry out full rammin' speed ahead?
When Sasha first told me she was entering, I got really excited. Sasha's very clever with photoshop and editing programs. I think you'll find that she lives up to the hype. Just check out the goodies below!
Model: Kevin, who is really French.
Designer: Sasha
Romance Novel Title: Luring the Rouge
Pirate's Tale:
Rouge is my own special 17th Century French pirate. He got his name from a woman who couldn't read English too well. She meant to call him a "Rogue" because he's a playfully mischievous scoundrel.
But looking at her French to English dictionary, she ended up with "Rouge," which suited him just fine because he makes all the wenches and ladies alike, blush!
Are ye hot and bothered? Aye, I not know about ye, but I'd be wanting to read this piratey novel! Great job, Sasha!
Online Stores
October 30th, 2008 — Contests, Covers, Fabio Search, Historical Romance, Pirate, Pirate, Seas
Ahoy! Pay attention ye scurvy scum!
There be treasure in them there hills!
As I have been discussing potential cuties for gracing the cover of romance novels, romance novel covers have been on my mind. No surprise there. Grin.
The other night I was talking with my pirate friend here on skype and superstitiously snapped his photo while mid chat. Twenty minutes play time in photoshop and I created this - my very own pirate cover, billowy white shirt and all. The quality of my image is based on the quality of the other person's webcam. Your entry does not need to be super sharp, it can be blurry too. 72 dpi is more than enough.
Argh, and now it be yer turn. I want to see yer pirates!
Prize:
$10 gift card to Amazon to buy yourself some pirate loving of your choice. Buy used and get more than one pirate lover. (Ye kno' terms like prepare t' be boarded lass and full ramming speed get you all ho' and bothered under th' covers. We pirates are like that.)
Rules of Entry:
1. The guy in your photo must be someone you know. Ye can't be about submitting a celebrity, aye, I no' want to be seeing any of them Jack Sparrows!
2. You must do your own photo editing as that be the pirate code.
3. He must wear a white shirt. Got to have that white shirt, the more billowy the better.
4. The image should be: 468 pixels wide by 420 pixels tall.
5. Must include a name for your novel, like mine was entitled the Pensive Pirate. We're a superstitious lot, pirates, and a ship without a name be a bad omen.
6. Optional: Discuss your pirate plot and novel or reasoning behind photo. We pirates like to boast and nothing beats a grand tale.
7. Submit to the fine lass, Keira at reviewromancenovel@yahoo.com
All entries will be uploaded in a post the day following their submission. Winner will be selected by getting the most comments in favor of their image and contacted by email. A poll might be included based on how many submissions are received. In that case the winner will be decided solely on vote percentage and the comments will be all in good fun dissecting the photos. If a poll is used voting will take place in the 24 hours following the deadline date.
Submission deadline: November 30th, 2008.
Can you think of a better way to be grateful in November then to win some pirate booty and view a plethora of guys in white shirts?
Voting, if done, will take place December 1st, 2008 and end midnight California time. All comments must be submitted by this time too if a poll is not used. The sooner you send in your entry the more chances you'll have to get comments!
And now it is time to walk the plank ye landlubbers and get to hopping!
Online Stores
October 19th, 2008 — Covers, Fabio Search, Pirate
This week in the search for the next Fabio, 
