The Heart of the Banshee

Series #2

by Carolyn Elizabeth

In an effort to put her vengeful past behind her, Captain Branna Kelly charts a new course with the help of the Banshee's newest officer, Julia Farrow. Her first mission on the path to redemption is to restore order at a neighboring port.

Julia's new fighting skills are put to the test when they go up against the deadly Ferryman and her cutthroat captain, Isaac Shaw. She more than holds her own, both with and without a blade, and Branna is torn between supporting and protecting her.

Even during occasions of relative safety, Branna and Julia discover the greatest peril may not be to their lives, but to their love. When faces from Branna's past come back to haunt them and Julia seeks moments of peace in another's company, suspicion and mistrust become a blade to the heart.

The Heart of the Banshee continues the story of the love and adventures of Captain Branna Kelly and Julia Farrow.

Contains mature themes.

Genres: Audiobook, Pirates, Lesbian, Historical Romance, LGBT, Romance

224 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2023

About the author

Carolyn Elizabeth is an author of Sapphic stories where serious camp meets upbeat macabre. Her sarcasm and love of pop culture are sprinkled throughout her stories and she would love to publish at least one novel in every sub-genre.
Carolyn once bungee jumped in the parking lot of a bar in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. She’s been a bridesmaid five times and a bride once. She’s sailed a tall ship, spent a night in jail, gotten many tattoos, been scuba diving twice, and fired a handgun.
For fun, she used to play winter rugby 7’s in an indoor horse arena in New Hampshire. She’s been to Savannah, Georgia for Saint Patrick’s Day, and been on a medical mission to northern Argentina.
Carolyn is a mom of two rambunctious boys, living in London, Ontario and working in cancer research. She enjoys weaving elements of her colorful and diverse life experiences, including her education in pathology, into her romantic blend fiction.

Reviews

[Della B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Branna Kelly understands that her lover, Julia Farrow, would rather win arguments with words than swords. Yet if Julia chooses to stay and be with her then she will need to be able to defend herself. Branna, on the other hand, has to face her past which refuses to let go.

Elizabeth gives us an exciting continuation to The Raven and the Banshee with everything you expect in a swashbuckler plus more. Julia shines bright as the star of this show and as she experiences pirate life. She discovers the pirate life is not for the faint of heart.

If the high seas call to you, then The Heart of the Banshee should be your next port of call.

I received an advance review copy  from Bella Books through NetGalley.  I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Raven and the Banshee, book one in this series, was way out of my comfort zone, but I liked it very much, that’s why I read this one as well. You can’t read this one without reading book one first, and I highly recommend it.

I liked this book a little less than the previous one. I feel like the story is being pulled in multiple directions and it doesn’t do the overall feel of the book any good, at least not for me. I still like Branna and Julia and what they have together, I appreciate Julia carving out more of a place for herself and Branna being less of a hard ass.

The story is fun enough, just too many to fully develop in my opinion. I hope we get to read more about these cool pirates.

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Carolyn Elizabeth‘s stories, whether she writes romantic—and sexy—thrillers or pirates sailing the Seven Seas. The Heart of the Banshee picks up where The Raven and the Banshee ended, Julia now part of Brianna’s crew, with the expected balancing act of being both lovers and boss and employee, in circumstances where undermining the boss’s authority, even unwittingly, can put everyone in danger. The biggest danger, however, comes from outside, including from the most surprising places.

As with the first book, there are a lot of twists and perilous actions. After the romantic angst comes growing as a couple, communication and trust paramount. Especially when faced with merciless enemies.

Since Bella Books decided to go with a different narrator for this sequel (thank you!), I’m really happy I listened to the audiobook. Chelsea Stephens is a new narrator for me, and I liked her voices, the pace, the drama.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun swashbuckler sequel. I enjoyed the action scenes and the romance. There are some grey scenes but they seemed to fit in with the physical trauma that both mc’s endured. The fight scenes were well done with the MCs getting beat up but not backing down.

I liked the dialogue and growth of both MCs throughout the series. Easily recommend to all action living readers.

ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Elizabeth certainly knows how to create adventure filled, swashbuckling pirate tales! These stories are chock full of action, danger, and suspense, introducing us to characters that we will either fall in love with, or hate with equal passion.

The first novel in this series, The Raven and the Banshee, introduces the reader to Captain Branna Kelly and Julia Farrow. That book tells about their past, how they were separated for years, and the exciting adventures that bring them back together as a couple.
The newest book, The Heart of the Banshee continues their daring adventures with even more danger, romance, and excitement, as well as a bunch of new bad guys.

The narrative of this story will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning the pages as quickly as you can. The descriptions of the settings will take you to the islands, or on the deck of the ship, riding the ocean swells and feeling the salt spray on your face. Most of the folks you meet in these pages will work their way into your heart. A few will make you want to skewer them with a sword. That’s how realistic the author wrote these characters.

This is a review specifically of The Heart of the Banshee, but these two books really belong together. Both of these novels need to be read in order. Together they create a gripping pirate tale you do not want to miss.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bella Books for allowing me the chance to read and honestly review this book.

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Heart of the Banshee sails smoothly from where The Raven and the Banshee left off, plunging readers back into the turbulent waters of Captain Branna Kelly and Julia Farrow's lives. Carolyn Elizabeth crafts an enthralling sequel that is full of adventure and seasoned with the complexities of love and leadership.

In The Heart of the Banshee, Julia's deep dive into the pirate world is gripping and genuine, marking her evolution from a life of comfort to the gritty reality of piracy. Branna, the unwavering captain, faces the dual challenge of steering her ship through dangerous waters and adapting her leadership style in response to her deepening relationship with Julia. This sequel doesn't shy away from testing Julia, portraying her struggles vividly while highlighting Branna's unwavering support as a cornerstone of their relationship. Amidst the intimate journey of their partnership, the tale is also charged with thrilling action and danger, making the relationship between Julia and Branna not just a subplot but the driving force of this novel.

I flew through this book in a day, which is a feat for me, because it was so compelling in the storyline. I loved being back with Julia and Branna, and I hope this series continues in the future.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real swash buckler, exciting, scary and crazy story. Plan to read it in one sitting because you won't want to put it down. Once the action starts it doesn't stop. There is plenty "oh no's" that will make you read faster to find out what happens.
I don't know where Ms. elizabeth came up with this story but it's bloody entertaining.
The ending is the most obvious "ready for a sequel" that I have ever read. Not a cliffhanger just "what's next". I for one, am looking forward to it.
Fun read...I. liked it...much better than book 1, "The Raven and the Banshee".
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[lauraღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julia was her heart. She was the heart.

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the first book in this series when I read it a couple years back, but I didn't actually know that it would be a series. That first book seemed full and complete on its own. And even after reading and liking this one, I'm still not sure it needed to be a series? I enjoy these characters so much, but there were a lot of things about the progression of this book and the development of the relationship that wasn't 100% to my taste. I still really liked it! I just have my nit-picks.

It picks up not too long after the first book ends, and our characters are dealing with two major plotlines: a sinister new captain who's taken over neighbouring port, and a ship that went missing a while back, when Branna was still on her quest for revenge. It also deals with their developing dynamic, and Julia trying to adjust to life at sea with Bran as her captain, without losing herself. I think a lot of my mild dislikes in this book were just about the mood I'm in right now. I wanted to read about badass pirate ladies, and as soon as the plot started moving in a direction where women were going to be in sexual peril, I started getting cranky. I have to stress: it wasn't a lot, and it wasn't gratuitous or anything, and those bits didn't last very long. They're very mild, especially compared to other stuff I've read. But I just wasn't in the mood to read about it, you know? I also wasn't in the mood to read about the particular type of relationship drama where Julia is trying to find an identity apart from Branna's. Not that that's a bad plot? But it would have hit harder and been more poignant if they'd been together for longer. They were JUST reunited, so to have that as a source of mild conflict felt very forced. I remember saying for the first book that it was one of the few books about the historical Caribbean that I didn't get annoyed at, but I can't say that for this one, alas. There was a bit about one character's family (a friend/employee of our main characters) owning a plantation, and I had to do a double take. No discussion or kickback on that? Or is this some utopian plantation in the Caribbean in the 1700s that DOESN'T use slave labour? There was also some stuff about native tribes that might play a bigger role in upcoming books, and I'm already kinda cringing. 

The whole bit with whatshisface, I already forget this name, the sailor who wanted Branna to go looking for his brother's ship... I don't know. It needed to have been seeded earlier, or written about differently? I don't know, maybe I'm just cold hearted, but it just annoyed me to have this obnoxious guy constantly getting in Branna's face, berating her and disrespecting her for not looking for his brother a year ago. She wasn't obligated to do it, and none of the other ship captains did it either, so why didn't he go yell at them, instead of heaping all this guilt on her alone? We later find out that he literally begged Branna for help and she turned him away, which makes it make a little more sense, but earlier in the book, every time he showed up I just got irritated. This is a really silly thing to get annoyed about, and it's kinda unfair of me tbh. But I don't know, I'm just listing all the things that contributed to me not enjoying this as much as I would have wanted.

But there was still a lot to like. I didn't feel the romance as strongly as I did in the first book, but I still loved these two women together so much. Even though I found the plot to be a bit disjointed, it was still action-packed and gripping, and there were a couple moments that had me on the edge of my seat. Julia is the MVP for real; she definitely had one of the best moments in the book, and I love her for it.

Listened to the audiobook as read by Chelsea Stephens, and I really liked it! This is a different narrator from the first book, but since it's been so long since I listened to that one, the change didn't really throw me off. Again, I'm not so sure I really needed this to be a series, and I can't say I'm super invested in where things are going, but I'll probably read the third book when it comes out, anyway.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think I needed a sequel to The Raven and the Banshee, but if it’s pirates and Carolyn Elizabeth, then I’m in. I had planned to read this in January, while I was on a cruise ship, but I didn’t seem to be in the mood for it, despite the fact that I was headed to places referenced in this novel. I picked it up again a few days ago and was finally able to get into the story.

I didn’t enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Raven if I’m honest. The Heart of the Banshee is entertaining, so I definitely wasn’t bored, but it felt like two different stories. And the book is divided a bit that way. Halfway through the major plot is resolved and I wondered where else Elizabeth was going to take the story since this had been wrapped up. And what Elizabeth did certainly works in the context of the narrative, but as a reading experience it didn’t work as well as it maybe should have?

My other quibble is that you can’t really read this as a standalone. Context from the Raven is required. This is a no-no for me in any type of series. Each story should stand on its own merit. If context is required, then that should be summed up at some point in the text. And that just doesn’t happen here.

I do admire anyone who willingly writes a story with an established couple because that is hard work. And my second book in a row with that scenario, so Elizabeth gets all the kudos for that.

I’m somewhat conflicted on this one, but there’s more that I enjoyed than I didn’t. Definitely worth a read for people who like sapphic pirate stories. And I don’t think anyone does it as well as Elizabeth does.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I knew this was a sequel to a book I hadn't read before, but who can say no to pirates especially ones of the female persuasion. I read Captain Kelly's latest expolits over one weekend. The amount of adventure and romance wasn't what I was expecting but I was still engaged enough to jump back and forth into this world. Give it a try.

Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know how Branna Kelly and Julia Farrow get together you must read The Raven and the Banshee (Jan 2022). This book begins where that one ends. Branna (The Raven) is the Captain of the Banshee. It is a mercenary ship, and the crew can defend itself and salvage from other ships that cross their way. Julia is beginning her life with Branna and is now an officer on ship as the new purser. Julia came from a shipping family and Branna makes sure she gets combat training. Who knew she’d need it so soon?

This is more Julia’s story as she begins her life on the ship. The swashbuckling action is swift and the first two-thirds fly by quickly. The last section slows the pace as Julia and Branna face a challenge on their own. I really loved the first book and this is a good sequel. Branna is steady and sure as the Captain and I love that Julia shows her own strength. (I really liked Julia from the first book.) I’m hopeful there will be more adventures on the high seas for these two.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fun pirate adventure! Carolyn Elizabeth is one of my favorite authors. When I had read her free short story "At Words Point", I was ecstatic that it was being made into a full fledged novel. The first book, "The Raven and the Banshee" was a good fun pirate story and this is just as good. The story picks up shrtly after the first book with Branna and Julia, recovering from their fight and getting the Banshee up and running. We quickly learn that some acquaintances in a near by port have been quiet for a while, so the Banshee sets out to figure out what has happened.

I enjoyed the adventurer feel of these books. They are quick, shorter reads with great characters. But what I love about all of Elizabeth's books, is that she gives her characters room to deal with the trauma and emotional side of things. Injuries don't just heal in a week. Traumatic experiences aren't brushed off without long term complications. It gives her characters greater depths and it adds weight to what they deal with. Like the first book, there was time after the big moment for the characters to heal and find where they are in their lives, and how it has affected their relationships.

I hope we get more of Branna and Julia but this does end in a way that would be very satisfying if it is the last book. I would recommend this story for fans of pirate stories, but would highly recommend reading the first book, The Raven and The Banshee, first.

Thank you Netgalley and Bella Books for providing me with an ARC.

[Sara Wittahl · Rating 1 out of 5]

AI garbage, the cover is laughable, the longer you look the worse it gets. And it looks like a repeat offence for this publisher. Happy to steal from artists and profit with stolen work, time and time again. If your cover is a tacky AI garbage cover, how can you have any pride in your writing? IF it’s indeed written by a human, if the publisher is happy to use AI for the covers, how can anyone trust the entire book isn’t written with AI?

Shameful theft, and blatantly knowing .

[Carissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I may have enjoyed this more if I read the first book. I thought this could've been a standalone, but I seemed a bit lost in this story.

[Devon · Rating 2 out of 5]

To start off with The Heart of the Banshee is the second book, and while able to easily be read as a stand alone; it references actions that occurred in the previous book. Its an action adventure, a romance, and a redemption arc. This book continues with Captain Kelly and Julia. With a crew members family on the line they jump in to help a neighboring port.
I am of two minds about this book. The first two thirds is amazing but I felt like it should have ended there. The last third felt disjointed and too rushed. It slowed way down and the final conflict was anti climatic and out of place. It went from a normal action adventure to feeling like a ghost story. I think it could have been planned out better and perhaps broken a third book after being fleshed out. I really enjoyed the characters and they showed thought out growth. That being said I am still curious for what comes next.
I received an arc and am reviewing this of my own volition.

[Women Using Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a sapphic reader with a love for action and adventure, then you’ll find something incredibly captivating about Carolyn Elizabeth’s The Heart of the Banshee. From the swashbuckling action on the high seas to the spirited camaraderie of the close-knit sailing crew, Elizabeth’s latest tale has a way of drawing readers in and keeping them hooked until the very last page.

The Heart of the Banshee is the sequel to The Raven and the Banshee, but book one does not need to be read to enjoy book two. Elizabeth provides enough backstory and clues for readers to understand the relationships and dynamics involved in this latest story arc; I did not read book one and was able to follow book two along just fine. That being said, after reading The Heart of the Banshee, I fully intend to go back and pick up The Raven and the Banshee. These characters are too wonderful, and I now long to appreciate their beginnings.

This is a fast-paced story. Moreover, it provides a fascinating exploration of power dynamics, both within relationships and in the broader context of the pirate and sailing society. This narrative challenges traditional gender roles and subverts power imbalances, allowing readers to witness strong, independent women taking control of their destinies.

Elizabeth’s storytelling is completely engrossing. She has a way of exploring the freedom and agency that these female sailors possess, and it’s very alluring. In a time period where women’s roles were often restricted, Captain Branna Kelly and new officer Julia Farrow defy expectations and achieve the unthinkable. For women-loving-women readers who seek stories that celebrate female empowerment and independence, this pirate-themed story provides the perfect backdrop.

This story isn’t all action and adventure though; Elizabeth skillfully weaves a lovely romance into this narrative. She explores deeper themes and issues that arise in relationships, creating a romance that isn’t just passionate but dynamic as well. Branna and Julia are compelling characters that share a spirited romance, one that’s filled with a nice balance of desire and tension. This tension and desire give the story teeth, providing not only an extra layer of excitement but emotional depth as well. These tension-filled moments push the storytelling, making the reader turn pages.

This is my first book by Elizabeth, and it won’t be my last. She is a clever and skilled writer. She uses vivid character development, authentic dialogue, and nuanced descriptions to evoke real emotions. It works to create a connection between readers and characters. Readers feel the chemistry and tension genuinely and authentically. Most importantly, Elizabeth’s storytelling resonates and comes alive on the page. What more could a reader ask for?

Final remarks…

The Heart of the Banshee challenges the status quo of sea life in the 1700s, all while exploring themes of adventure and romance. It resonates deeply with readers yet provides a wonderful sense of escapism. These are courageous and resilient women, and their story would make an excellent movie. Right from the first scene, readers are hit with heart-pumping action, and it never seems to let up. Carolyn Elizabeth knows how to keep readers engaged page after page, making this book a whole lot of fun!

Strengths…

Well-written action scenes
Nicely scripted dialogue
Wonderfully drawn characters
Compelling storyline
Fast paced
Page turning
4.5 star book

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart of the Banshee is the follow up to the Raven and the Banshee. It picks up right after the previous book ends with Julia getting ready to join the crew of the Banshee. If you liked the first you will very likely enjoy this one as well. We see more of Julia and Branna as they get to spend more time together and as they butt heads a bit as well. This new adventure is fast paced and keeps you wanting to know what happens next and delivers a great new character that you'll immediately love to hate. I finished the bulk of this book in one sitting and it really kept my attention. I've enjoyed all of Carolyn Elizabeth's books though I think the Curtis and Reynolds series may edge this one out as my favorite. I love the sense of adventure in these though and they are guaranteed to keep you entertained. I will say the last bit of this book feels a bit different than the start but is still lots of fun. I will be picking up any future additions to this series as these two are too much fun to miss.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart of the Banshee is a follow up to a series, with the previous book being Raven and the Banchees. Getting this as an ARC I couldn’t read this book until I read the first one, so that’s what I did. This is not a series that you can just pick up mid book, it needs to be read as written, which most series do. This book was just as enjoyable as the first one. This story gives the reader more of Branna and Julia and their development. This book was pretty well paced and kept me reading and needing to know what happens next. The author is also great with new character introduction, especially mid way through a series and book and really makes characters that you enjoy hating. For this being an adventure series, the author is great at intertwining romance into the story and it’s not forced.
Overall, who doesn’t love a pirate romance. This was a great read and I am so glad I took the time to read the first one and then enjoy this follow up. I will be continuing my journey across the seas with this series.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. A pretty good followup but I didn’t enjoy it as much as book one. I loved the relationship development between Branna and Julia because their romance is so good. They both as individuals are intriguing characters so it was fun being back with them and the crew for more adventures.

I thought the first half of this was really good. Action packed and the pacing was really good. The story flowed really well. The last half felt incredibly rushed and underdeveloped. There was so much going on but it all came and went really quickly which was strange. I wish the thing that happened towards the end had happened a bit sooner in the book so that it would’ve been able to be fleshed out instead of something that was clearly important and a huge event but felt like an afterthought. The ending itself was fine though and it leaves it open for more books which I will read if that happens.

[Leigh McGrory · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Heart of the Banshee by Carolyn Elizabeth is an exciting and passionate romance following the story of Captain Branna Kelly.

This romance was very well written, the bond between Captain Branna Kelly and Julia Farrow felt so real and emotional. I loved seeing how the dealt with the difficulties the had to face throughout the story.

The book was gripping and kept me interested until the end.

I would love to read more of Carolyn Elizabeth's work in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bella Books for providing me with this arc.

[Patty Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good swashbuckling pirate romance. I liked that this was a second book in this series, and that we got to see what was happening in with Brianna and Julia's relationship. I really liked the addition of some of the secondary characters, because this made it more than just a pirate romance. This book was a combination of romance, adventure, danger, the paranormal. I would recommend this book to my friends and family, and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for next book in this series.

[Alice M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sequel to the Raven and the Banshee. A continuation of the story of Branna and Julia. Branna has had her revenge against Captain Jagger and Julia has signed on with the Banshee’s crew. The story is sort of split into two different but related stories. The first one relates Julia’s first outing as a crew member. In the second Branna and Julia are more or less on their own. Again an exciting and romantic swashbuckler.

[Vibeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great 🏴‍☠️story about Julia and Captain Branna - you can’t read/listen to this book without having read/listened to the first book of the series.
It takes of where book one stopped - and it’s another great, adventurous story where especially Julia grows into their new life!
The narrator at audiobook two Chelsea Stephens does a great job

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book to The Raven and The Banshee. It was an exciting read that can stand on its own. The main characters were strong and loveable. I recommend.

Thank you, Bella Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Gina Colton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I jumped at the opportunity to spend some more time with Julia and Branna. I mean, pirate lesbians, what's there not to like? It's a fast-paced story and I read it in one sitting. If you like action and adventure sprinkled with some adorable romance, this one's for you.

[hubsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite the ride! Very enjoyable story.

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful tale of shipmates and lovers as they find their way in the world of ships, pirates and possessive men that make it hard for two gals to navigate their feelings.

[Roxy Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed seeing our characters on a new adventure, fav is still the first but this was a fun read.

[Deone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Seb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sapphic pirates romance and I enjoyed both of the books.Usually I don't really like pirates and fantasy but I really enjoy this authors writing and I was pleasantly surprised