Author: Danielle Thorne
Genres: Historical Romance
Format: eBook
Pages: 221
Date: July 29, 2019
Publisher: Indie
There’s a bounty on his head…
Captain Julius Bertrand isn’t a pirate anymore, but someone wants him out of the way. Distracted by an avaricious girl he could never love and the beautiful Kate O’Connell who doesn’t need him, Bertrand tries to untangle the web of mysterious cargo someone in the New World wants to keep a secret.
Kate O’Connell arrives in San Madrid determined to put her past behind her. Assisting her physician father shouldn’t be too scandalous if she can mind her tongue and temper, but it seems all of the women on the island see her as less than suitable for their company. When tragedy strikes, she must forgive them all and put her best foot forward, even if that means rubbing shoulders with the one man who captivates her heart and imagination.
When Bertrand’s pirating past returns with the explosive force of a sweeping broadside, he finds he must sacrifice everything his respectable life has brought him in order to save what matters most.
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This story is more unexpected than many romance novels. I was never sure how it was going to play out. Just as I’d start to think I had it figured out there was another twist that I didn’t see coming. For a while I even thought there would not be a happy ending (but there is).
I had previously read and enjoyed A Pirate at Pembroke and went into the book with the same expectations but was chagrined to read that this one is far more violent and bloody. If you have issues with blood this might be a hard read. The pirates are ruthless.
One problem I had was not having enough nautical lingo to follow the scenes in my mind. When the author describes how the boat turned or whatever I couldn’t picture it due to my own lack. That made it harder for me to stay intrigued with battles etc. And I found I had to reread passages to try to figure some things out. I had a hard time trying to follow the intrigue but honestly part of that might be because I had too much going on that only allowed me to read in snatches instead of steadily on as I prefer.
I liked that Kate was unwilling to let wrongs go unchallenged and was strong and willing to fight for right. Bertrand was mysterious and brooding. I didn’t know what to think of him sometimes.
Sex: some innuendo
Language: no
Violence: yes, some very bloody scenes
Rating: 5 stars
I will not summarize this story because that information was already given in the description of this book and I do not want to give more of the plot away.
What I liked:
• The author caught my attention right from the beginning and drew me into the story’s inner workings.
• Kate was a very likeable character and thoroughly developed in this story. Kate was an enigma. She was unable to comport herself in society and she stood her ground when she saw injustices, no matter what the consequences were.
• Kate struggled with her relationships with other characters in the book.
• McCraken, Adair, and Betrand all loved Kate. Who will she choose?
• The supporting cast of characters added dimension to the story. They were very well fleshed out and they played active roles in this book.
• The pacing of this story was good. Not too fast nor too slow. There was a smooth, coherent flow to this book.
• There was a lot of action and twists and turns in the plot of this story. I was never sure where the story was headed. I liked that aspect.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I felt a part of the scenes.
• The story was well edited.
• This was a clean read and I appreciate that. I believe it is harder to write a good, clean story than it is to write one full of swearing and sex.
• Warning: there is violence in the fight scenes. But that is expected in battle.
If you like adventure with your romance, you will enjoy this book.
I was given a free copy of this book. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own.