The Privateer

by Danielle Thorne

The reign of piracy is over in the Caribbean, or so it's believed until diamonds are discovered in Brazil. Despite the cover-up, Captain Julius Bertrand begins to hear whispers. The Spanish guardacostas are dumping log books, and a new French pirate is on the prowl. Distracted by an avaricious woman he could never love, and the beautiful Kate O'Connell who doesn't need him, he tries to untangle the web of mysterious cargo someone in the New World wants kept secret. 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.

Genres: Historical

ebook

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Danielle Thorne is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of inspirational small town romance. She also writes historical romance and YA non-fiction. A graduate of BYU-Idaho and Ricks College, she has over twenty-five years of experience in her wordcraft. Danielle lives south of Atlanta, Georgia, with family, friends and felines. Find out more about her and her books at daniellethorne.com.

Reviews

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.0
*Clean read*

First off, let me say, it takes a very talented gifted author to sink me into the emotions of a book so thoroughly that it produces a passionate enough response to rant. That being said...

* All out, screaming meemie, pulling hair out, red and steamy rant forthcoming*

This book almost seems to be two completely different stories beautifully running side by side to create a whole. There is the story of Julius Bertrand, the pirate/privateer whose job it is to keep the trade lanes off of San Madrid Island safe and who must discover and capture a very evil and old nemesis to do so. Then, there is the story of Katherine Spencer a pretty young lady who has come to the island to get away from scandal and help her Doctor/father assist the islanders.

Both stories are very interesting and wonderfully well- written. Neither story crosses paths, however, with any regularity. In fact the only conversation these two characters have with each other is relegated to passing pleasantries, one short, heated conversation about a child and one, again short, social conversation the day before Julius asks another woman to marry him. We then follow each of their separate lives through the rest of the book - that is until the last, when Julius suddenly and out of nowhere decides Kate is the love of his life (Kate has secretly been pining for him throughout the book with no apparent reason why). That's when things start happening fast and he sets out to save her at all cost (because he can't live without her.)

What?......WHAT????? Where did that come from? I have been aching through this entire book to see some interaction and feelings grow between these two, only to be plunged into "love of my life" desperation at the end for no stinking reason?!?!? AGH!! It makes me want to stomp right on over to Ms. Thorne's house, grab her by the shoulders and screech, "You didn't (shake, shake) even let me (shake, shake) see their relationship grow (shake, shake, shake,) and now you want me to believe (shake, shake, shake, shake) in their "love everlasting" with absolutely NOTHING to back it up?!?! I LOVED these characters! I was cheated!! This HUGE 2 star gaffe (yep, that big) ruined my 5 star read!

Ahem... (fixing hair again) I'm sorry Danielle, I think you are one of the most gifted and promising authors out there right now, I will forgive you.......... this once. ;D

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Julius Bertrand was once a pirate but gained a pardon from the governor of the Bahamas. Later with his Letters of Marque, he teams up with Lt. Shane Adair and begins his career as a privateer. The two are commissioned by the British Crown and are trying to find the French pirate, who sails under no certain flag. Bertrand suspects it is a man from his past with a personal vendetta against him. They also are investigating why the Spanish guardcostas are dumping the logbooks. Bertrand has sacrifice much to become a respected man in society and the bounty on his head threatens to destroy it all.

Kate O’Connell helps her father, who is a doctor retired from the Royal Navy. She’s traveled all over the world with her father and is very independent for the standards of the time and has no trouble voicing her political views. They’ve settled in San Madrid where her father is now the resident physician. She may claim she has no interest in marriage, but finds she’s drawn to Bertrand. Though the feeling is mutual neither pursue the relationship further due to the social standards and personal beliefs. Bertrand is forced to look elsewhere for a wife. Lt. Adair tries to court Kate and a man from Kate’s past arrives in San Madrid to complicate matters.

The Privateer starts out slow and I wasn’t sure where the tale was going, but it all becomes clear as the story unfolds. All questions are answered and there is an explosive final confrontation. Ms. Thorne has written a detailed historical piece that captures the era where marriage and secure social standards are honor bound. The romance is minimal and strictly polite conversations even when there is a disagreement. The dialog was perfect for this time period, sweeping you back in time. (I thought of Jane Austen novels in this respect.) The pirates are not the romantic heroes but the true-to-life dangerous men where violence is apart of their daily routine. The author betrays their viciousness with descriptions that will chill you.

I don’t want to give anything away, but there was a moment that I thought there couldn’t possibly be a happy ending. I was surprised by this certain event, but realized it would have been expected in this time period. I’m glad to say it all worked out in the end.

Recommended for those who love classic historical fiction.

[Danielle Thorne]

THE PRIVATEER should no longer be available from Awestruck Publishing. Watch for the re-release of the uncut, more detailed and adventurous edition in January 2011 with Desert Breeze Publishing.

[Miss Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an engrossing story. I don't want to give anything away, or reveal too much. I'd just like to say how much the characters surprised me, things happened with them that I didn't expect at all. In the latter part of the book after the hurricane practically destroys the small island where the setting takes place, you're then swept away because almost immediately pirates attack the survivors. You should be made aware that the author doesn't angelize these brutal men. She's graphic when describing their actions. The last few chapters are nail biting, and I felt tensed all the way through, like I sat atop a mile high roller coaster without knowing if I'd ever make it to the safety of the ground.

Descriptions are fantastic, historical facts related with accurate knowledge, dialogue perfect.

My only complaint is that this is an ebook. I want this story in print so I can proudly display it on my keeper shelf!

[Naomi Musch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stellar, stellar read! After languishing in my TBR pile for some time, I finally read Danielle Thorne's story of pirating, romance, and historical adventure, and I'm so glad I did. Not only was this a carry-me-away story, but it felt real in the historical sense, and treated me to places and periods I'm not nearly as familiar with as the colonial backwoods tales I usually read. Ms Thorne's heroine was snappy, yet true to her time. She made mistakes, but she had a huge heart. I often felt her frustration. The hero was flawed. I love that. To me, there's nothing worse than too perfect a hero or heroine. All the characters were richly drawn. None felt flat. Therefore, when the mysteries and heartaches were finally resolved, it made the ending that much more enchanting. I look forward to reading more of Danielle Thorne's work.

[Stephanie Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorne pens an intriguing tale of pirates, privateers, and Caribbean secrets with "The Privateer." Kate O'Connell is looking to start a new life for herself on the island of San Madrid, but her new life is full of challenges, including the handsome Captain Adair and Captain Bertrand. Who will win her heart?

Set in the early 1700's in the West Indies, Captain Adair is in charge of the British Navy sailing ship, The Indemnity. Captain Julius Bertrand is a privateer in charge of The Specter. It's their job to protect the island from pirates. Bertrand soon discovers there's a plot to acquire great wealth spearheaded by the pirate Moreaux.

Kate O'Connell, a young woman, arrives on San Madrid along with her father who has been commissioned as the island's doctor. At a welcoming party, Kate makes a poor impression by speaking her mind and being honest. The island's society women frown upon her. Adair and Bertrand find themselves intrigued with Kate.

Captain Adair makes an effort to court Kate, but it's Bertrand who has caught Kate's interest, despite the fact he gives his cabin boy a lashing that Kate doesn't approve of. Bertrand shows Kate he cares with little gestures, by sending her a parrot and saving her during a shark attack, but he never vocalizes his feelings.

Both men realize they have to marry, but who will be the one to capture Kate's heart?

The plot does revolve around Kate and Bertrand, but rarely do their paths cross until the end when the pirates attack.

What Thorne does well is bring a rich authenticity to the story which puts the reader right in the scene with the characters. The writing is crisp and the dialogue is as well. The descriptions paint a vivid picture of the setting. Thorne paints island life perfectly from the dangers of a shark attack to day-to-day occurrences.

The supporting cast is a delight - from the dashing Captain Adair, to the boy, McAllister, and to the Spencer ladies who embody the prestige and privilege of the nobility.

Kate is a spunky heroine. She knows her mind and is true to herself. The hurricane tests her courage and will to her limits. Bertrand is more an enigma. He's very methodical and thorough, however there are times he does things the reader doesn't expect.

The story is "sweet" in romance and full of adventure. Overall, "The Privateer" is a swashbuckling tale of the Caribbean full of hope, intrigue, and courage.

[Farrah · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like brave, intelligent, independent women who speak their mind, Kate O’Connell is that ideal girl. Even though The Privateer wasn’t for me, Danielle does a great job in creating her different characters on her island and ending the book with a great pirate ending. I did find the book a bit slow and left my mind wanting more from the various relationships with the characters in the novel but for someone else, it might be the perfect combination. I have to admit I wanted more between Kate and Bertrand. While I enjoy a good passionate scene, it’s not required. I’ve read many inspirational romance novels that don’t have the erotic scenes but were still wonderful love stories. But then again, I did come into this story thinking I was going to be reading more of a historical romance than anything. For a first novel though, the story was still rather good. Makes me wonder if there are any future plans for continuing the story perhaps of Captain Adair and Miriam (it would be nice to finally get them together).

This is my second fiction e-book I have ever read and unfortunately I found it a bit difficult electronically so I ended up printing out a double-sided copy to read from. If I had an electronic device such as Kindle or read the story in sections through a service like DailyLit it may have been easier to read electronically. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to save spots within the e-book in the PDF format I had on my Blackberry and my Blackberry e-reader would have required that I convert it into a special format requiring paying for some special software.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as her first book. There were quite a few lengthy passages that I just didn't fully understand and were hard to follow. There was a lot of maritime warfare strategy that I thought was too much. And it really ended too soon. Yes from the first book we know what ultimately happens, but we needed a more detailed version in this novel. Overall, I did like it but it left me a little disappointed.

[Beth Chamberlain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay Tammy, I'm done reading this and have come to the conclusion that I enjoyed only half of this book. The storyline involving Bertrand was not too exciting for me. The Kate storyline was much more engaging. I felt the whole thing a bit contrived (but aren't most of these books?) anyway, it ended much too quickly and without enough string to tie the ends off neatly. :)

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and clean love story!