ARC Book Review-Enslaved By The Ocean by Bella Jewel

Enslaved By The Ocean
Criminals Of the Ocean (1)
Bella Jewel
Montlake Romance
Ebook
Published  October 14 2014
223 Pages
Contemporary Romance
ISBN: B00JXSXPWA
Authors Website 

Synopsis
Indigo is running, she has no other choice. She's done something bad, and the only way to escape it, is to flee her home, and her country. She sets out on a luxury Yacht, to take her to another country with her best friend Eric. But she runs into a problem.

The Yacht catches fire.

She ends up stranded in the ocean, terrified, and scared of the uncertain. Until they show up. The pirates. Terrified, Indigo and Eric have to face the reality that this might be the end for them. These are pirates, they are the criminals of the ocean. What chance have they got of surviving this nightmare?

Then she lays eyes on Hendrix. He's the Captain, he's gorgeous, rugged, and mean. He's planning on keeping her to repay his debt to another man, by selling her. Now Indigo has a crazy ex after her, as well as a pirate she can't seem to get out of her head.

Come on this heart wrenching, dark, angsty and dangerous adventure as two people so opposite, find something so beautiful

My Review

ARC Book Review-Destiny's Captive by Beverly Jenkins

Destiny's Captive
Destiny (3)
Beverly Jenkins
Avon Books
Published October 28 2014
384 Pages
Acquired: Edelweiss 
Historical Romance 
ISBN: 9780062231130
Authors Website  

Synopsis
 In national bestselling author Beverly Jenkins' Destiny series, the Yates men play hard and live hard. And when they find that special woman, they fall hard . . .

Noah Yates fully believes in the joys of a happy family and a good wife. But that's not the life for him. No, he would much rather sail the wild seas in search of adventure, not tied down. But then the unthinkable happens . . . he finds himself literally tied down. To a bed. By a woman.

And Pilar isn't just an ordinary woman. She's descended from pirates. And after giving him one of the worst nights of his life, she steals his ship! Now Noah is on the hunt, and he'll stop at nothing to find this extraordinary woman . . . and make her his.

My Review

ARC Book Review-Pleasing The Pirate

Pleasing The Pirate
Sharon Cullen
Loveswept Romance
E Book
Published February 2014
285 Pages
Historical Romance
ISBN:  9780345549723
Authors Website 

Synopsis
Two hearts are wrenched between love and duty in Sharon Cullen’s tale of a ruthless pirate and the Scottish lass who fills him with desire for something greater than plunder.

With her clan’s crops burned and their property confiscated, Mairi McFadden is desperate to free her brother from imprisonment so that he can take his rightful place as chief. Her only hope is the fierce English pirate Phin Lockwood, but the buccaneer laughs at her meager funds. His roving eyes, however, tell Mairi there’s something else he’ll take in exchange for her brother’s rescue. Though she burns with hatred for the English, she’ll do anything to save her clan.

The crown has made it clear that Phin has two choices: bring in a certain Scottish traitor or hang. And he’s not about to let a tiny, whiskey-eyed woman get in his way, even if she is pointing a gun at him. When Phin learns that Mairi’s brother is the very man he seeks, he’s more than willing to use the lass as bait. But as the moment of capture draws near, Phin is surprised by his feelings for the courageous beauty who has him considering risking his life—for someone besides himself

My Review

Book Review-Eden's Promise

Eden's Promise
Cassie Edwards
Mass Market Paperback
Published July 1989
470 Pages
Piracy Historical Romance
ISBN 0-8439-2780-1
Author Website

Beautiful, wild-eyed and golden-haired, Eden Whitney was the most delectable woman Zach Tyson had ever found trussed up in the hold of his pirate ship. As dangerous and turbulent as the dark seas he sailed, Zach knew a priceless treasure when he saw one --and he had no intention of sharing the plunder with his men. One taste of Eden and he knew he had found his own private paradise of love.

My Review
I am a huge fan of Cassie Edwards, her stories are always so classic and I love every moment. Edwards has a certain writing style that is captivating and draws your attention to the story without letting go. I was able to obtain a copy of Eden's Promise through Open Library. So I put it under Paperback in the form I read it, because its kinda both a paperback and e book. Let me explain, with open library, these aren't e book editions of the book. They are scanned directly from the book. So you see the real pages, the color of the pages, and its almost like reading a paperback. For those of you, who haven't tried Open Library, you are missing out. There is so much selection especially if you like Zebra historical's as I do. There is quite a few of Edward's book on this site, way more than you will find in the Nook or Kindle store. So I always take advantage of it, since Cassie is one of my favorites to read from. I usually have read her for her Native American Historical's, but I have found her other stories that aren't Indian based, are brilliantly done.

Now I will do a short summary of this book, since the synopsis doesn't exactly tell much about it. It actually begins with Zach and Eden meeting on a dirt road, where Eden's wheel on her buggy gets damaged, Zach helps her take her into town to get the wheel fixed. Instantly a spark ignites, and they are instantly drawn to each other. We see a strong bond that quickly forms (and very fast I would say). Zach is a ex pirate, who is trying to make a new life for himself, and when he sees Eden, he knows he is far gone. He falls mad for her quickly, and starts to court her, even though he knows there is a danger to himself in being caught as a pirate. Eden has no men interests until Zach comes into her life, and even though she doesn't know if she can trust him, she wants to. Then Zach gets into a spot of trouble, and in order to free himself from Jail, he must agree to kill his old mentor, friend and Pirate; Captain Jack. He reluctantly agrees knowing he can never have a normal life until he does. Then he finds Eden bound and gagged in the hold of his ship, and must reveal the whole truth to her. With a dangerous mission he is torn between keeping her at his side, or returning her to safety.

Zach is actually a good hearted man, and I found myself drawn to him instantly. He is kind and generous and doesn't resemble the "Pirate males" you usually get familiar with, in historical romances. He was sold into becoming a pirate, and then decided he wanted more out of his life. He wants a family, and to have some land and to live out his life in the area he grew up in. I enjoyed seeing how gentle and understanding he is with Eden, but when the situation calls for it, he can be tough as nails. He is protective and possessive at times, but in a way that isn't smothering. A found it to be a good balance for Zach. Eden I liked for the most part, she could have had a bit more spine and been a bit more self aware. I did like how she responds to Zach. Their connection starts fast, a little too fast. The one thing I didn't like is how they were "in love" at the beginning of the story. I like a steady progressive plot towards a romance, and I don't mind the "love at first sight" but this story had it a bit too hurried for my taste. I didn't really feel their connection until late in the book, when conflict escalates quite a bit and puts a challenge to the characters.

Overall I found myself enjoying this story quite a bit. And even though there is the main love story between Zach and Eden, there are two sub plot love stories as well, which I felt fit nicely into the story. It didn't seem to be overly much, and with this being a stand alone novel, it worked better than I thought it would when I started it. There is a solid development in the plot, about 1/3 way through, and it starts to really grab your attention. Its a easy and quick read, but in my opinion there could have been a bit more of substance in the first part of the book.  A fun dramatic love story that equaled to a enjoyable read that is one you can enjoy in this beautiful summer season.

First Line 
Lurid streaks of lighting flashed brightly against the dark scudding clouds; whitecaps in the ocean rose and fell with the wind. 

Favorite Quote 
"Make love to me, darling," he whispered, tracing the outline of her lips with his tongue "Love me with all your heart."

My Grade 
4 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy


 

Book Review-The Rogue Pirate's Bride

The Rogue Pirate's Bride
Sons of the Revolution (3)
Shana Galen
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Mass Market Paperback
Published February 2012
339 Pages
Pirate Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-1-4022-6555-6
Author's Website

Synopsis (Goodreads)
This passionate, action-packed Regency romance by RT Reviewer’s Choice award-winning author Shana Galen features the swashbuckling Sebastien Harcourt, Marquis de Valère, and the nautical genius heroine destined to best him.

After escaping France on a privateer’s ship, Sebastien becomes the notorious privateer, Captain Cutlass. His reputation as a rogue precedes him, and he’s undefeated in battle . . . until he crosses swords with the beautiful daughter of a British admiral.

Raeven Russell is out for revenge, but now she’s not so sure she wants the dashing captain to change his wicked ways.

My Thoughts

Summary 
Raeven is burning with the desire to get her revenge for her fiancee's death by Captain Cutlass a pirate she has been searching for. She finally finds him, and vows to kill him here and now. Only she never expects to be faced with such a opponet that makes her burn with desire, a passion she has never known. Raeven doesn't expect to feel the desire to kill him to weaken and her desire for him to strengthen. She see's a side to him, a part of him, that she knows she could never harm or maim or kill. Bastien has practically lived on the seas for many years, ever since he lost his family as a young boy. Now he is well known as Captain Cutlass, also known as a pirate. Bastien is out to find the man who murdered the man who raised him and taught him everything he knew. Who was more like a father to him, and now he is hunting him. He doesn't expect to find a woman thirsting for his blood, and it only makes him want her even more. He finds her irresistible and before he knows it he finds himself falling  in love with her, and more than anything wants her in his life, but knows she would have to choose between her father and a pirate. Will their love be enough?

The Hero (Bastien Harcourt)
Bastien, was once raised to be a aristocrat. But then his family was murdered in France by peasants, and barely escaped with his life. He found himself on a ship, learning the ins and outs of being a sailor. Now he is a privateer, and has recently lost a man he considered a father to him. So he has made a vow to revenge the death of murdered, a fellow pirate who betrayed a friend. Bastien has a unexpected surprise in Raeven. At first he didn't even know she was a woman, but once she was revealed to him, he wants to to show her passion and the delights of his bed. He didn't realize that he would end up falling in the love with her and wanting to marry her but knowing it would never be possible.

The Heroine (Raeven Russell)
Raeven, grew up on the seas. Her mother died giving birth to her, so her father, an admiral in the British Navy, raised her on his ship. Raeven knows everything about a ship, and could do everything a sailor does. Its like breath to her living on the sea. She falls in love with a fellow captain in the navy, but when he dies and she hears that a certain pirate kills him, she wants his blood. When she goes out searching for him though, she doesn't expect to fall in love with the man. But from the first moment she crosses swords with him, she knows that everything is going to change, because he is unlike anything she has ever met.

My Thoughts 
Finally, I have gotten my hands on the final in the series, that I have just fallen in love with. There was so much that I liked about this story. After reading the first two, I was looking forward to reading Bastien's story. I just love a good pirate romance though, and this definitely won my heart over. Bastien, has made a life for himself as a pirate, but has slowly started trade. Currently he is on a road for revenge, but as his enemy eludes him, he starts to seduce Raeven, a woman who, we see, he starts to really care for. Raeven, is a fighter and has fiery spirit. Their first meeting, totally had my attention. She tries to kill him at first, which was very entertaining. I do love a good sword fight LOL. But it was even more fun seeing these two go at it, and see their story progress. There was a sense of fun and playfulness throughout the story. It definitely fit the bill for a swashbuckling adventure. There was sizzling romance, spirited adventure and enough danger to blow you out of the water. Such vivid portrayal of a intense love story that had me laughing one moment, and crying the next. There was such a display of emotion that was able to be felt by the reader, it could be very intense at times. But I do revel in a emotional provocative story that only warmed by heart. A story to be read by anyone who loves a good adventure with a perfect balance of sensuality and intrigue.

First Line 
"That's him," Percy whispered. "I'm almost certain of it."

Favorite Quote 
Merde, but you are exasperating."
" I resent--"
He closed his mouth over hers, effectively silencing her. She tasted surprisingly sweet. If her hair had smelled like cherries, her mouth was more the same. Ripe. Dark. And a little tart. No surprise, as she had spirit, what the English called pluck. It maddened and drew him. even now, as she fought his kiss, he alternately wanted to tame and free her.

My Grade 
4 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books  In Series 
The Making of a Duchess
The Making of a Gentleman 

Book Reivew-Of Noble Birth

Of Noble Birth
Brenda Novak
Harper Collins
Paperback
Published Nov 1999
402 Pages
Georgian Historical Romance
ISBN 0-06-109859-0

Synopsis

He Was a Man Who Took What He Wanted.
And He Wanted Her.
To escape her cruel stepfather, seamstress Alexandra Cogsworth envisioned sailing far from England . . . though not as a captive aboard a pirate's ship.
Pirate Captain Nathaniel Kent's strategy for exacting revenge on his cold-hearted father involved taking a valuable hostage . . . not a seamstress he mistakenly thinks is his half sister.
Yet fate has designs of its own, landing them both on board the Royal Vengeance. At sea, Nathaniel intercepts and plunders his father's ships, all the while tormented by his illicit hunger for the tempting prisoner he thinks is his blood relation. And although Alexandra wants no part in this terrifying voyage, to reveal her true identity to the handsome, blue-eyed Nathaniel would invite danger. Not only would she become worthless cargo, but the revelation would surely unleash what she and Nathaniel have been fiercely battling—a rising undercurrent of impossible desire that could sweep them away for good.

MY REVIEW
Summary:
 Alexandra, is desperate to escape her cruel stepfather who beats her, she finds a way to escape with a disguise never expecting to be kidnapped and taken aboard a pirate's ship. Only they think she is a daughter of a lord so they can ransom her, but no matter how much she protests they don't believe her to be a seamstress. Nathaniel, is very bitter toward his father, but when one of his closest friends gets captured he goes out to capture his father daughter, and his step sister....only he never expected that he would be so attracted to a relation, but something nags at him, that she is not at all who she appears to be and that she is hiding something, and that this increasing desire that he has for her might just inflame them both...

The Hero (Nathaniel Kent)
When Nathaniel was born, one of his arms were deformed at birth and his father tried to have him killed, but his nurse saved his life that night and ever since then his father has rejected him and Nathaniel has seeked for revenge and justice. When his friend gets captured he decided to take his step sister and trade her only he never expected the tender feelings she brings out in him...

The Heroine (Alexandra Cogsworth)
Alexandra, has been wanting to leave her step father for quite some time now, but never thought in her plan of leaving that she would be kidnapped and assumed for someone else. But as time goes on aboard the pirate's ship she stops trying to convince them of her true identity knowing they will eventually find out...but the one thing she can't ignore though is the desire she feels for Nathaniel despite the fact that he kidnapped her from her only chance at freedom, but wonders if her growing love for Nathaniel is her true freedom....

My Thoughts 
This is the first book that I have read by Brenda Novak and I just fell in love with this book, and I want to read more by this author....the synopsis and the cover are what drew me to open the pages, but once I really got into the story I could barely put it down and found entranced by the amazingly written love story of two people that come from different situations in life however they share one thing... a common love and desire for each other. Of Noble Birth is of the Georgian Time period and is packed with excitement, adventure, passion, and a intense love story that will leave you with delight.

My Grade On This Book 
4.5 Blossoms

Book Review-The Infamous Rogue

The Infamous Rogue 
The Hawkins Brothers Series
Alexandra Benedict
Avon, 370 Pages
Published August 2009
Pirate/Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978006168931-4

Synopsis
They paid no mind to society's prying eyes . . .

The daughter of a wealthy bandit, Sophia Dawson once lost herself in the arms of Black Hawk, the most infamous pirate ever to command the high seas. But now, determined to put her sinful past behind her, she prepares to enter society as the bride of a well-born nobleman who knows nothing of her scandalous youth. All goes according to plan until her ex-lover--now a respectable sea captain but just as handsome and dangerous as ever--appears and once again tempts her with desire.

From the moment he sees Sophia again, James Hawkins wants only one thing: Revenge. He'll see to it that the reckless beauty pays for abandoning their heated affair. And so begins a battle of wills that can end only in utter ruin . . . or wicked surrender . . .

My Review:

Summary:
Sophia Dawson, daughter of a pirate, seven years ago fell in love with Pirate Black Hawke, one of the most infamous pirates but when she fell in love, she found she couldn't stay without marriage, and she wanted more than to be his mistress and being shunned by everyone surrounding her, she deserves more than that. Now she is in England, and respectable, and is very close to winning the hand of a Duke, but then James enters into her life once more, and she knows that he can destroy everything that she has worked for to get to this point. James, once the Black Hawke Pirate, has retired from pirating for his sisters sake, and hates being in Society, but then he sees the one woman that he has vowed for revenge, thinking she is cold and unfeeling. However both Sophia and James, are headstrong and stubborn, and when they enter into a battle of wills which could lead to scandal or the most exquisite pleasure to be found in one another's arms once more. 

The Hero 
James, who once was the Black Hawke infamous pirate, has retired from piracy due to his sister marrying and now he must be respectable for her sake, but resents every moment in society's sight. James has always been the one to take care of his siblings and now he has come face to face with the one woman who had once held his heart. But now he has a shield around himself, as protection, not wanting her to hurt him once more. Yet now he vows for revenge for leaving him in the first place.

The Heroine:
Sophia Dawson, is a daughter of a pirate, now her father has passed away, but despite that she has recently been scorned by her lineage. She once fell in love with James, but wanted more than just to be in his bed, but to spend the rest of her life with him. But when he refused marriage to her, she knew she couldn't live this way, so she left him taking her broken heart with her. Now seven years later, she is in Society, and managed to look respectable and is hoping to win the hand of a nobleman. But then James enters her life, and she knows that any pursuit of the hidden passion she once buried, could destroy everything she has built her life for.

My Thoughts:
Although The Infamous Rogue was a wonderful romance to read, it was one of those that I had to push myself into reading. It didn't draw me in as other books of this author has. I think the problem was the characters in this book. It just seemed off to me the way they interacted with each other, especially at the beginning of the book. Maybe its just me, or.. I don't know, but this is probably one of my least favorites of this author that she has written. Although I do like reading from this author, The Infamous Rogue just doesn't do it for me.  It did have some good points though, I did enjoy the plot of the story and although I liked the book it was a bit more than an average read, although I will be reading the rest of her books that are related to this one though. I hope I will enjoy them much more. But if you like historical romances with a handsome rogue pirate, than you will enjoy this one.

My Grade On This Book
3.5 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series:
Too Great A Temptation (Mirabelle's Story)
The Notorious Scoundrel (Edmund's Story)

Book Review- The Care and Feeding of Pirates

The Care And Feeding of Pirates
Pirate Series
Jennifer Ashley
Leisure Books, 355 Pages,
Published Feb 2005
Pirate/Nautical/Regency
ISBN: 142850835X

Synopsis
Honoria Ardmore is as prim and proper as they come. Her sole moment of indiscretion was when she fell for a roguish pirate. But he died—at least, that’s what she assumed—until the night he showed up eager to pick up where they had left off…. Christopher Raine cheated death, and he believes life owes him his just rewards. So he sets out to reclaim the woman of his dreams. And this insatiable pirate is not one to let trivial details get in his way. Despite her undeniable desire, Honoria claims she cannot be with Christopher. And so they strike a deal: she will allow him to seduce her every night of their journey. If by the end he fails to navigate his way into her heart, she will be free to leave. Honoria is about to learn that a woman should never doubt the cunning ways of a pirate with a plan.

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, from the moment that I picked this up and looked at the cover I knew I was going to enjoy reading The Care And Feeding of Pirates I haven't had the chance to read many books from Jennifer Ashley but I have read the other books in the series in the past, and definitely looked forward to Honoria's story. It starts out with Honoria imagining or thinking that she is imagining seeing her dead husband, Christopher Raine, who was hanged for pirating. Four years previous, they spent one night together; ironically the night before he was to be hanged and was married before she thought he had died. Honoria desperately loved Christopher and a part of her died with him that day. To the present day, no one knows of her marriage to Christopher apart from herself and she intends to keep it that way. Until someone she leasts expects to show up in her life. She is currently engaged to a respectable man, and although she knows she will never love or care for him as she had Christopher she knows she needs to get married. However, Christopher shows up in her bedroom, upon which she demands answers from him. The main question was how could he be alive after all these years? Before she gets her answer though, her sister-n-law interrupts and is shocked to find that a woman she considers a sister is actually married to a man her husband and Honoria's brothers despises and is his enemy. Christopher is on a search hunt for his sister whom he hasn't been able to find for years; but thinks he is close to finding her. Christopher takes Honoria along with him on the search. Once they find her however, Honoria is duty bound to stay by her husband's side. Although she knows the pain is too great to love him, the passion builds up between them again that is far too great to resist.

I found this to be a story that I could laugh and cry and just let out a frustrating sigh with this pair: Christopher and Honoria. Despite their desire for one another, Christopher loves to order Honoria about and Honoria of course doesn't tolerate it well. Honoria does everything she can to purely irritate him at first so he will want to get rid of her. Honoria knew she could never truly live with a man she could never love. So Christopher goes about his own alpha male way to show her true love once more. There were a few minor things that I disliked about the book, such as the way the dialogue was. It just seemed to me to be so similar between Christopher and Honoria; very similiar scenes for the most part. However, this is such a truly adventurous read with witty come backs, passionate desire that will fog up the windows, and a adventure that will take you across great distances. I fell in love with both of the characters as well as secondary characters. Jennifer Ashley has truly written a magical story that will enter into your heart, and take you back in time with pirates, and hunting for treasure and a true love that conquers all! Its definitely one I wouldn't want to miss out on reading!

My Grade For This Book
4 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series
The Pirate Next Door
The Pirate Hunter