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The Sons of the Revolution #3
The Rogue Pirate's Bride
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.
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.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2012
113 people are currently reading
1491 people want to read
About the author
Shana Galen
98 books1,548 followersShana Galen is three-time Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of fast-paced, witty, and adventurous Regency romances. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.
Want to know more? Visit Shana's website at http://www.shanagalen.com and sign up to be notified when Shana has a new release http://bit.ly/ShanaGalenNews
Want to know more? Visit Shana's website at http://www.shanagalen.com and sign up to be notified when Shana has a new release http://bit.ly/ShanaGalenNews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
January 2, 2012
***original review posted at Romancing Rakes***
Danger, intrigue, betrayal, revenge, swashbuckling action and an unconventional love story between a pirate (okayyy, privateer if you want to get technical) and the daughter of a British admiral set against a Bruckheimer-esque background. You can almost hear faint strains of The Pirates of the Caribbean theme interspersed with the clangs of swordplay as the action and adventure escalates on the high seas. Shana Galen's got this formula down to a science.
There's nothing sexier than a man in shiny black boots, tight breeches, an open shirt exposing the hard planes of his chest, wielding a cutlass and grinning sexily as he parries the thrust of your sword, all the while glaring at him with hatred and revenge in your eyes. Oh, yes. That's the way Captain Cutlass meets Raeven Russell, the one woman who Fate has placed in his path to bring him to his knees and then some.
Captain Cutlass has been on the high seas pirating since the tender age of eleven after his family's chateau was burned down during the peasant uprising in France. He thinks his family is dead and the one man who he considered a father figure was killed by another pirate. Bent on revenge, Cutlass is chasing Jourdain all over the map. He won't rest until Jourdain is dead and this might be chaffing his crew a little. Their days of privateering and gaining profit has dwindled since Cutlass's need for revenge.
Raeven Russell's former fiance was killed during a skirmish with Captain Cutlass's crew. She blames him for Timothy's death. With her trusted friend Percy, Tim's best friend, in tow, she goes looking for Cutlass. Finding him in a tavern, she challenges him to a sword fight. I was waiting for her to Princess Bride it: "Hello. My name is Raeven Rusell. You killed my fiance, prepare to die." *giggle* Sadly, it was not meant to be probably due to copyright law and such. Of course, Cutlass has to be gorgeous, darn him! And cue in the crescendo of the fighting music.
Cutlass is surprised to find the "boy" fighting him turns out to be a girl outfitted in curve hugging breeches and breast hiding shirt. He makes her his cabin girl, planning on teaching her a lesson. Well, Raeven, having grown up on a ship and working alongside men, knows a thing or two about picking locks. She gets away and while doing so, notices all the crates with ammunition getting loaded on the ship. Returning to her father, who has a few choice words for her and Percy, she begs him to go after Cutlass. He was selling weapons to the Spanish and French who could be stockpiling for war. Her father brushes it off since it's not part of his orders.
Six months later, Raeven can't forget the kiss she shared with the insufferable Captain Cutlass and the feelings it evokes in her. She sees Cutlass again, only this time, she's wearing a dress. Some of Jourdain's men try to kill him during a celebration held my the pasha. Raeven still wants revenge for Tim's death. The men chase Cutlass and Raeven through the streets in the dead of night. Being the kick ass heroine she is, she saves him.
Under cabin arrest, Raeven--the clever girl that she is, picks the lock and coerces Percy into boarding Cutlass's ship in the dead of night. This time, she will not be able to escape. Cutlass is bent on following Jourdain's ship and doesn't give a hoot if he's charged with kidnapping a British admiral's daughter. Time is precious when hunting the pirate and he has no time or the extra crew to send her back aboard her father's ship.
Sultry kisses and touches are exchanged, the sense of adventure is rampant, the truth of Timothy's death is revealed, and someone aboard the ship has betrayed them all. Now, Raeven and Bastien (The Dread Pirate Cutlass) must figure out not only their feelings for each other but who the traitor is that could get them all killed.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "He'd decided that if his cabin girl regained that blade, he was going to have to seriously consider marrying her." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)
OVERALL: A stunning, swashbuckling conclusion to the Sons of the Revolution series chock full of witty repartee between the main characters, smoldering attraction, Kindle gripping action (both on the high seas and in the berth *bow chicka wow wow*) and 'whoa! I did not see that coming' moments on the high seas. Shana Galen has once again made me lose an afternoon (in a totally awesome way) with a heart racing, adrenaline pumping, laughter inducing, 'did I just moan out loud?, super sexy read. Hello theme to Pirates of the Caribbean, you and I are forever friends. Out of all the Harcourt men, Bastien's my most favoritest (yes, it's not a word but, for the sake of this review, it is now). Danger! Betrayal! Intrigue! And hot smexing! In Galen fashion, the reader is thrown into the midst of the action from page one. I look forward to what she has next in store for readers.
***requested off Netgalley***
Danger, intrigue, betrayal, revenge, swashbuckling action and an unconventional love story between a pirate (okayyy, privateer if you want to get technical) and the daughter of a British admiral set against a Bruckheimer-esque background. You can almost hear faint strains of The Pirates of the Caribbean theme interspersed with the clangs of swordplay as the action and adventure escalates on the high seas. Shana Galen's got this formula down to a science.
There's nothing sexier than a man in shiny black boots, tight breeches, an open shirt exposing the hard planes of his chest, wielding a cutlass and grinning sexily as he parries the thrust of your sword, all the while glaring at him with hatred and revenge in your eyes. Oh, yes. That's the way Captain Cutlass meets Raeven Russell, the one woman who Fate has placed in his path to bring him to his knees and then some.
Captain Cutlass has been on the high seas pirating since the tender age of eleven after his family's chateau was burned down during the peasant uprising in France. He thinks his family is dead and the one man who he considered a father figure was killed by another pirate. Bent on revenge, Cutlass is chasing Jourdain all over the map. He won't rest until Jourdain is dead and this might be chaffing his crew a little. Their days of privateering and gaining profit has dwindled since Cutlass's need for revenge.
Raeven Russell's former fiance was killed during a skirmish with Captain Cutlass's crew. She blames him for Timothy's death. With her trusted friend Percy, Tim's best friend, in tow, she goes looking for Cutlass. Finding him in a tavern, she challenges him to a sword fight. I was waiting for her to Princess Bride it: "Hello. My name is Raeven Rusell. You killed my fiance, prepare to die." *giggle* Sadly, it was not meant to be probably due to copyright law and such. Of course, Cutlass has to be gorgeous, darn him! And cue in the crescendo of the fighting music.
Cutlass is surprised to find the "boy" fighting him turns out to be a girl outfitted in curve hugging breeches and breast hiding shirt. He makes her his cabin girl, planning on teaching her a lesson. Well, Raeven, having grown up on a ship and working alongside men, knows a thing or two about picking locks. She gets away and while doing so, notices all the crates with ammunition getting loaded on the ship. Returning to her father, who has a few choice words for her and Percy, she begs him to go after Cutlass. He was selling weapons to the Spanish and French who could be stockpiling for war. Her father brushes it off since it's not part of his orders.
Six months later, Raeven can't forget the kiss she shared with the insufferable Captain Cutlass and the feelings it evokes in her. She sees Cutlass again, only this time, she's wearing a dress. Some of Jourdain's men try to kill him during a celebration held my the pasha. Raeven still wants revenge for Tim's death. The men chase Cutlass and Raeven through the streets in the dead of night. Being the kick ass heroine she is, she saves him.
Under cabin arrest, Raeven--the clever girl that she is, picks the lock and coerces Percy into boarding Cutlass's ship in the dead of night. This time, she will not be able to escape. Cutlass is bent on following Jourdain's ship and doesn't give a hoot if he's charged with kidnapping a British admiral's daughter. Time is precious when hunting the pirate and he has no time or the extra crew to send her back aboard her father's ship.
Sultry kisses and touches are exchanged, the sense of adventure is rampant, the truth of Timothy's death is revealed, and someone aboard the ship has betrayed them all. Now, Raeven and Bastien (The Dread Pirate Cutlass) must figure out not only their feelings for each other but who the traitor is that could get them all killed.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "He'd decided that if his cabin girl regained that blade, he was going to have to seriously consider marrying her." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)
OVERALL: A stunning, swashbuckling conclusion to the Sons of the Revolution series chock full of witty repartee between the main characters, smoldering attraction, Kindle gripping action (both on the high seas and in the berth *bow chicka wow wow*) and 'whoa! I did not see that coming' moments on the high seas. Shana Galen has once again made me lose an afternoon (in a totally awesome way) with a heart racing, adrenaline pumping, laughter inducing, 'did I just moan out loud?, super sexy read. Hello theme to Pirates of the Caribbean, you and I are forever friends. Out of all the Harcourt men, Bastien's my most favoritest (yes, it's not a word but, for the sake of this review, it is now). Danger! Betrayal! Intrigue! And hot smexing! In Galen fashion, the reader is thrown into the midst of the action from page one. I look forward to what she has next in store for readers.
***requested off Netgalley***
April 13, 2013
I have a confession to make. I have a real weakness for pirate/naval romance. There's something about the wide open ocean, and those little itty bitty ships they used to sail to plunder and pillage (if you ever get the chance to tour a realistic modern copy, you realize just how minuscule they were, and how packing hundreds of people on board must have been interesting). And then pirates are always gorgeous and rough and scantily clad and full of derring-do, and naval officers are like pirates but more neatly turned out, and have more rules to ignore. I love them all!
Of course, in reality, being a sailor wasn't quite like that. Sickness and illness and injury were very common, the teeny tiny ships probably smelt worse than an outhouse and the food was atrocious. Pirates really weren't lovable rogues, but were incredibly cruel people, and usually ended up dead. Flogging wasn't some BDSM attempt at play, but was enough to kill a man. And I bet their breath smelt worse than fish whether they were the rogues or the good guys. David Cordingly has written some great stories about the reality of pirate life and naval life in general, including for women, and they don't read much like a romance.
But, even so, I LOVE the old trope of naughty, but lovable pirate rogue meets his match in spirited ocean-going woman, and this one, provided by netgalley, absolutely hit all the right notes for me.
Things I loved about it (oh, where to begin?)..
- The hero. Although he's a lovable-rogue type, with an eye for the ladies, a deft hand with a sword (I'm sorry, I really had to slip that in..) and the inevitable backstory, the author writes him beautifully. He's not really troubled by his past, and certainly not angst-ridden, but just has regrets and memories that he can't shake off. The author has written him correctly with long hair, black boots and tight breeches and an open-necked frilly white shirt - he wouldn't really be a romance pirate without that - but he's not a cartoon. Also, we don't dwell a huge amount on his backstory. There is plenty of action and plot that goes on apart from that.
- The heroine. Of course, it's totally unrealistic that an admiral (or any naval officer) would have a female relative on board a ship of the line. Sorry ladies, but the evidence is that it never happened to women other than non-officers' wives, who would have had to do work for their bread and rum, and sometimes probably sneaked on board if they had nowhere else to go, or no money. BUT, it's just such a great trope - and, boy, has this author ever created my absolutely favorite pirate's heroine! She prefers wearing men's clothes and knows how to wield a sword (absolute necessities in a pirate heroine IMO), but she also knows how to climb the rigging, and fire a cannon (bonus points), and (the real winner) is used to the rough talk that sailors dish out (including bartering to show her boobs to gain a favor from a sailor). She couldn't be a lady if she wanted to and tried really hard. She was just great.
- The action. So often, the combat part of pirate romances lets them down. I've found myself nearly shouting out "where's the blood and gore?" on a couple of occasions whilst reading particularly fluffy ones. Well, this one has great action. Not as much as a Marsha Canham maybe, but there is enough to make you feel that the setting matches the characters and the plot. You can almost smell the gunpowder and feel the ship recoiling from the cannon fire, and the pacing between the two points-of-view is absolutely excellent.
Honestly, there wasn't anything I didn't not like, but there were a couple of minor things which had me scratching my head. First one was why the awful title? It's so uninspiring - after all, all pirates were rogues really. What made this one different? Also, I have to admit the cover is gorgeous, but why the skirt on the heroine? She spends the whole book running around in men's clothes AND she's supposed to have big boobs... The last thing, and my biggest regret, was that we are told the heroine curses constantly, and, well, I really wish the author had actually come up with some really good, fruity curses and shared them with us.
So, in all, I did really enjoy this one. I actually have not read the others in the series (I enjoyed this one so much that I went out and bought them straight off), but it didn't prevent me from enjoying this one at all. Interaction with the characters from the other books was minimal, and it was a great standalone story. It's also my first book by this author, and not my last. I really like the way she writes. She manages to go the full range of emotions, had me laughing out loud a couple of times, and actually choking up at one point, but it's not overly-dramatic, or gothic or ridiculously angst-ridden. It's clearly written and is just a really nice, fun, pirate read.
5 stars. Loved it.
Of course, in reality, being a sailor wasn't quite like that. Sickness and illness and injury were very common, the teeny tiny ships probably smelt worse than an outhouse and the food was atrocious. Pirates really weren't lovable rogues, but were incredibly cruel people, and usually ended up dead. Flogging wasn't some BDSM attempt at play, but was enough to kill a man. And I bet their breath smelt worse than fish whether they were the rogues or the good guys. David Cordingly has written some great stories about the reality of pirate life and naval life in general, including for women, and they don't read much like a romance.
But, even so, I LOVE the old trope of naughty, but lovable pirate rogue meets his match in spirited ocean-going woman, and this one, provided by netgalley, absolutely hit all the right notes for me.
Things I loved about it (oh, where to begin?)..
- The hero. Although he's a lovable-rogue type, with an eye for the ladies, a deft hand with a sword (I'm sorry, I really had to slip that in..) and the inevitable backstory, the author writes him beautifully. He's not really troubled by his past, and certainly not angst-ridden, but just has regrets and memories that he can't shake off. The author has written him correctly with long hair, black boots and tight breeches and an open-necked frilly white shirt - he wouldn't really be a romance pirate without that - but he's not a cartoon. Also, we don't dwell a huge amount on his backstory. There is plenty of action and plot that goes on apart from that.
- The heroine. Of course, it's totally unrealistic that an admiral (or any naval officer) would have a female relative on board a ship of the line. Sorry ladies, but the evidence is that it never happened to women other than non-officers' wives, who would have had to do work for their bread and rum, and sometimes probably sneaked on board if they had nowhere else to go, or no money. BUT, it's just such a great trope - and, boy, has this author ever created my absolutely favorite pirate's heroine! She prefers wearing men's clothes and knows how to wield a sword (absolute necessities in a pirate heroine IMO), but she also knows how to climb the rigging, and fire a cannon (bonus points), and (the real winner) is used to the rough talk that sailors dish out (including bartering to show her boobs to gain a favor from a sailor). She couldn't be a lady if she wanted to and tried really hard. She was just great.
- The action. So often, the combat part of pirate romances lets them down. I've found myself nearly shouting out "where's the blood and gore?" on a couple of occasions whilst reading particularly fluffy ones. Well, this one has great action. Not as much as a Marsha Canham maybe, but there is enough to make you feel that the setting matches the characters and the plot. You can almost smell the gunpowder and feel the ship recoiling from the cannon fire, and the pacing between the two points-of-view is absolutely excellent.
Honestly, there wasn't anything I didn't not like, but there were a couple of minor things which had me scratching my head. First one was why the awful title? It's so uninspiring - after all, all pirates were rogues really. What made this one different? Also, I have to admit the cover is gorgeous, but why the skirt on the heroine? She spends the whole book running around in men's clothes AND she's supposed to have big boobs... The last thing, and my biggest regret, was that we are told the heroine curses constantly, and, well, I really wish the author had actually come up with some really good, fruity curses and shared them with us.
So, in all, I did really enjoy this one. I actually have not read the others in the series (I enjoyed this one so much that I went out and bought them straight off), but it didn't prevent me from enjoying this one at all. Interaction with the characters from the other books was minimal, and it was a great standalone story. It's also my first book by this author, and not my last. I really like the way she writes. She manages to go the full range of emotions, had me laughing out loud a couple of times, and actually choking up at one point, but it's not overly-dramatic, or gothic or ridiculously angst-ridden. It's clearly written and is just a really nice, fun, pirate read.
5 stars. Loved it.
December 28, 2021
Bumped down to 3.5 stars on reread. I cannot fathom that I was this smitten with this book the first time around.
Original review:
I can't stop grinning. This is one of those books that make you wish there were more stars - it is too good to be lumped with other five star books. It might be the best romance I've read this year!
One look at his too-handsome face, one word from his too-charming mouth, and she didn't know if she wanted to kiss him or kill him.
It's a stormy romance with the most amazing hero and heroine. It was such an engaging read! I don't want to spoil it because it was so good, and I couldn't see the twists and turns in advance which made it even more awesome. The scenery is very much alive and I actually wished that I was on a pirate ship (with a handsome French captain of course). It was so good that I can't put it into words, and there is no way I can make it justice in a review. I will just say this: pick it up right now.
Original review:
I can't stop grinning. This is one of those books that make you wish there were more stars - it is too good to be lumped with other five star books. It might be the best romance I've read this year!
One look at his too-handsome face, one word from his too-charming mouth, and she didn't know if she wanted to kiss him or kill him.
It's a stormy romance with the most amazing hero and heroine. It was such an engaging read! I don't want to spoil it because it was so good, and I couldn't see the twists and turns in advance which made it even more awesome. The scenery is very much alive and I actually wished that I was on a pirate ship (with a handsome French captain of course). It was so good that I can't put it into words, and there is no way I can make it justice in a review. I will just say this: pick it up right now.
May 12, 2012
After her fiance dies at (according to what she's been told) the hands of the barbarous Captain Cutlass, Raeven Russell wants revenge. But when she comes face to face with the infamous pirate, she not only finds it impossible to skewer the disarmingly handsome rogue, but also discovers that both adventure and passion await on board his ship. There's a bit of a snag though - she's the daughter of a British admiral, and her father's intent on seeing Cutlass hang.
Action abounds in this gripping adventure, so if you want a hero and heroine who find love (though they do have plenty of differences to incite their tempers) amidst battles and sword fights, then this is the book for you. The characters had depth and the descriptions were wonderfully vivid - would definitely recommend!
Action abounds in this gripping adventure, so if you want a hero and heroine who find love (though they do have plenty of differences to incite their tempers) amidst battles and sword fights, then this is the book for you. The characters had depth and the descriptions were wonderfully vivid - would definitely recommend!
March 27, 2018
3.5 stars
I liked the second book better but props to Shana Galen's well paced and great writing skills!
I liked the second book better but props to Shana Galen's well paced and great writing skills!
October 2, 2018
Great read from this new to me author! A Roguishly handsome Pirate and a woman who wants to kill him.... LOL Nuff said. Oh, and there's some swashbuckling mad sword skills.
February 27, 2019
Raeven Russel, daughter of a British navy admiral, seeks revenge for her fiancé’s death, and with a steely determination bordering on obsessiveness, she goes after the man she deems responsible, Bastien Harcourt, a.k.a. Captain Cutlass.
Both characters possess a fiery temper, fierce determination and a feisty personalitiy.
As Raeven is a far cry from an English lady (thank goodness!), roaming the seven seas at her father’s side, a sword strapped to her hip, she is the perfect match…and opponent for Captain Cutlass, a rogue pirate with noble roots and a personal code of honor.
Before long, these two enemies must overcome their “differences” and stand together in order to stay alive as enemies come at them from all sides. Right and wrong quickly become rather undefined concepts when love is thrown in the mix.
A swashbuckling adventure! Well worth your time!
Both characters possess a fiery temper, fierce determination and a feisty personalitiy.
As Raeven is a far cry from an English lady (thank goodness!), roaming the seven seas at her father’s side, a sword strapped to her hip, she is the perfect match…and opponent for Captain Cutlass, a rogue pirate with noble roots and a personal code of honor.
Before long, these two enemies must overcome their “differences” and stand together in order to stay alive as enemies come at them from all sides. Right and wrong quickly become rather undefined concepts when love is thrown in the mix.
A swashbuckling adventure! Well worth your time!
January 9, 2012
Revenge is the name of the game for Raeven Russell. The daughter of a British admiral, almost her whole life has been at sea and she loves it but when the pirate Captain Cutless kills her fiance, she is out avenge his death. Raeven has heard tales of this 'privateer,' as he refers to himself, and feels like it is her job to teach the scoundrel a lesson. So she stuffs her long black hair into a cap, drags her friend with her to a bar where Cutless will be and challenges him to a duel, which she is confident she will win as she is very hand with a sword. The tables are quickly turned though as Cutless brushes her off as a mere boy, which just infuriates Raeven even more but the final straw is when her removes her cap. Oh yes, then the sparks start to fly!
Sebastian Harcourt, marquis de Valere, aka Captain Cutless, is a bit surprised with the hatred rolling off of Raeven towards him. But he can understand seeking out revenge all to well as he is also on a quest to avenge his mentors death. The added addition of the feisty Raeven is just a surprising bonus...until he finds out who her father is. He watches Raeven disappear thinking he will never see her again. Naturally, fate has other ideas and watching all the zings between this couple was a delight!
Sigh, what an excellent pirate, high-seas adventure this book is! There are battles between ships that will have you flipping the pages and casualties that will make you cry. There is a sense that you are there on the ship as well, you can almost feel the ship rocking but not enough that it overpowers the romance end of the story. And what a hot romance it is! There is a mutual attraction right away but as Raeven believes Bastian is a murderer, her feelings are all jumbled up. Bastian's feelings are not as clear cut either. He believes his entire family is dead and he is alone, save for an old servant. But as his attraction for Raeven grows, so does love and respect...especially after she proves her abilities with a cannon :)
Overall, another winner from Shana Galen! This is book three in this series and can truly be read as a standalone. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Bastian's family at the end but it is a wonderful conclusion to a truly fabulous series. This book is sure to have something for everyone--romance, danger, revenge, betrayal, deceit, and an attraction so sexy and smart it will make you laugh and sigh over and over. I truly believe Ms Galen has a very bright future ahead of her and I can not wait to see what else she delivers! 5 stars
Favorite LOL quote
"There's nothing complicated about our relationship. I hate you and want you dead."
eARC provided by Sourcebooks via netgalley.com and quote subject to change in final book
Sebastian Harcourt, marquis de Valere, aka Captain Cutless, is a bit surprised with the hatred rolling off of Raeven towards him. But he can understand seeking out revenge all to well as he is also on a quest to avenge his mentors death. The added addition of the feisty Raeven is just a surprising bonus...until he finds out who her father is. He watches Raeven disappear thinking he will never see her again. Naturally, fate has other ideas and watching all the zings between this couple was a delight!
Sigh, what an excellent pirate, high-seas adventure this book is! There are battles between ships that will have you flipping the pages and casualties that will make you cry. There is a sense that you are there on the ship as well, you can almost feel the ship rocking but not enough that it overpowers the romance end of the story. And what a hot romance it is! There is a mutual attraction right away but as Raeven believes Bastian is a murderer, her feelings are all jumbled up. Bastian's feelings are not as clear cut either. He believes his entire family is dead and he is alone, save for an old servant. But as his attraction for Raeven grows, so does love and respect...especially after she proves her abilities with a cannon :)
Overall, another winner from Shana Galen! This is book three in this series and can truly be read as a standalone. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Bastian's family at the end but it is a wonderful conclusion to a truly fabulous series. This book is sure to have something for everyone--romance, danger, revenge, betrayal, deceit, and an attraction so sexy and smart it will make you laugh and sigh over and over. I truly believe Ms Galen has a very bright future ahead of her and I can not wait to see what else she delivers! 5 stars
Favorite LOL quote
"There's nothing complicated about our relationship. I hate you and want you dead."
eARC provided by Sourcebooks via netgalley.com and quote subject to change in final book
February 19, 2012
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
It's not often when a book can make me cry. To be honest, it usually never happens, but I admit to weeping like a baby on more than one occasion while reading The Rogue Pirate's Bride. Oh my, this book was so good. Full of action, suspense, mystery and some pretty steamy love scenes it had me turning the pages in an attempt to keep up with everything.
I'll admit, this book started off a bit slow for me. Not that the story was slow, it's just that I'm usually not the biggest fan of books with pirates so it took me a few chapters to get into the swing of things. But once I did, I was hooked. The chemistry between Raeven and Bastien is immediate and electric. It literally jumps off the page and smacks you in the face but all in a good way. They are both so right for each other and I loved watching them both match wits with one another.
Raeven is the type of heroine that I love to read about and she captured my attention from the first page. As soon as she came on the scene with her plan to kill Bastien in an attempt to avenge the death of her fiance' I was hooked. She was just so feisty. She takes care of herself and isn't the type of heroine to sit back and let others do everything for her. She wants something, she pretty much grabs it by the balls and goes for it. I loved her tenacity and her spunk. I love that deep down she just wants to love and be loved and she doesn't do anything half way.
Bastien is everything you want to love about an Alpha hero. He's cocky, sexy, witty and intelligent. He fights for what he wants and isn't ashamed of anything. At the same time, Bastien broke my heart. He believes his entire family has died and it's heartbreaking to watch him trying to overcome the guilt he feels about their deaths. He refuses to speak about the event with anyone and when he finally does break down and talks about it, it's heartbreaking. Even though as the reader I know that his family is alive, my heart still weeps for him. It was gut wrenching to read, but it made their reunion all the more sweeter.
I'm sad to say goodbye to the Valere' family. This book just went by so quickly for me and I want more. Why can't there be more? Seriously though, this book along with the others in the Sons of the Revolution trilogy have quickly become some of my favorite reads in a long time. These are books that are definite keepers and I will be re-reading them all in the future. Shana Galen is amazing, and I bow down to her for this amazing series. It's definitely not one to be missed.
**ARC copy provided by Author**
It's not often when a book can make me cry. To be honest, it usually never happens, but I admit to weeping like a baby on more than one occasion while reading The Rogue Pirate's Bride. Oh my, this book was so good. Full of action, suspense, mystery and some pretty steamy love scenes it had me turning the pages in an attempt to keep up with everything.
I'll admit, this book started off a bit slow for me. Not that the story was slow, it's just that I'm usually not the biggest fan of books with pirates so it took me a few chapters to get into the swing of things. But once I did, I was hooked. The chemistry between Raeven and Bastien is immediate and electric. It literally jumps off the page and smacks you in the face but all in a good way. They are both so right for each other and I loved watching them both match wits with one another.
Raeven is the type of heroine that I love to read about and she captured my attention from the first page. As soon as she came on the scene with her plan to kill Bastien in an attempt to avenge the death of her fiance' I was hooked. She was just so feisty. She takes care of herself and isn't the type of heroine to sit back and let others do everything for her. She wants something, she pretty much grabs it by the balls and goes for it. I loved her tenacity and her spunk. I love that deep down she just wants to love and be loved and she doesn't do anything half way.
Bastien is everything you want to love about an Alpha hero. He's cocky, sexy, witty and intelligent. He fights for what he wants and isn't ashamed of anything. At the same time, Bastien broke my heart. He believes his entire family has died and it's heartbreaking to watch him trying to overcome the guilt he feels about their deaths. He refuses to speak about the event with anyone and when he finally does break down and talks about it, it's heartbreaking. Even though as the reader I know that his family is alive, my heart still weeps for him. It was gut wrenching to read, but it made their reunion all the more sweeter.
I'm sad to say goodbye to the Valere' family. This book just went by so quickly for me and I want more. Why can't there be more? Seriously though, this book along with the others in the Sons of the Revolution trilogy have quickly become some of my favorite reads in a long time. These are books that are definite keepers and I will be re-reading them all in the future. Shana Galen is amazing, and I bow down to her for this amazing series. It's definitely not one to be missed.
**ARC copy provided by Author**
February 24, 2012
This is a really great pirate story, and most of the story really takes place at sea! If you're like me, you've noticed that a lot of historicals claim to be about pirates, and there's hardly a pirate or ship in sight. This is not like that at all, there's so much swashbuckling action, if you're into pirate tales, I highly recommend this book.
Bastien is a gentleman pirate, not your typical rough looking sea captain, and Raeven is no shrinking violet that he's abducted. She can hold her own just as well as him, as the daughter of a British Naval Admiral who has spent her whole life on a ship. I really liked that the characters were so well matched.
I wasn't sure I was going to like Bastien at first, but then he started to be really sweet, and who can resist sweet nothings whispered in French? Raeven showed a lot of growth, too. In the beginning, she was so selfish and naively headstrong. But she grew a lot and showed that she can really care about others besides herself.
Sometimes the romance took a backseat to all the high seas action, but in this case it was okay because I love good pirate adventure. If you are a fan of lots of adventure in your romances, this is a great book for you.
A fun ride on the high seas with lovely romance!
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
Bastien is a gentleman pirate, not your typical rough looking sea captain, and Raeven is no shrinking violet that he's abducted. She can hold her own just as well as him, as the daughter of a British Naval Admiral who has spent her whole life on a ship. I really liked that the characters were so well matched.
I wasn't sure I was going to like Bastien at first, but then he started to be really sweet, and who can resist sweet nothings whispered in French? Raeven showed a lot of growth, too. In the beginning, she was so selfish and naively headstrong. But she grew a lot and showed that she can really care about others besides herself.
Sometimes the romance took a backseat to all the high seas action, but in this case it was okay because I love good pirate adventure. If you are a fan of lots of adventure in your romances, this is a great book for you.
A fun ride on the high seas with lovely romance!
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
March 6, 2012
Story Rating 4.5 stars
Character Rating 5 stars
Romance rating 4.5 stars
Action Rating 5 stars
Heat Level 2.5 stars
Overall Rating 4.5 stars
This was a very good and exciting book to read. It grabbed me right from the start, kept me reading and now my house is still dirty, LMAO! Well at least I got all the laundry done while reading, hahahahaha.
If you like Pirate book's with high sea action this book is a must read. I really loved both the H&h in this book. The secondary characters were good also. I got caught up in the story and shed a tear or two. Not a lot of love scenes but the three or four in the book were well done and made me happy. The epilogue was FANTASTIC, loved it.
It has been a while since I read a Shana Galen book. This one caught my eye when it was released last month and I'm so glad I finally decided to give it a try. It's exactly what I was needing to read.
Character Rating 5 stars
Romance rating 4.5 stars
Action Rating 5 stars
Heat Level 2.5 stars
Overall Rating 4.5 stars
This was a very good and exciting book to read. It grabbed me right from the start, kept me reading and now my house is still dirty, LMAO! Well at least I got all the laundry done while reading, hahahahaha.
If you like Pirate book's with high sea action this book is a must read. I really loved both the H&h in this book. The secondary characters were good also. I got caught up in the story and shed a tear or two. Not a lot of love scenes but the three or four in the book were well done and made me happy. The epilogue was FANTASTIC, loved it.
It has been a while since I read a Shana Galen book. This one caught my eye when it was released last month and I'm so glad I finally decided to give it a try. It's exactly what I was needing to read.
March 7, 2018
Currently FREE for 2 days (03/07-03/08) http://amzn.to/2G4N1b9
4.5 Stars, read my full review on TBQ's Book Palace
4.5 Stars, read my full review on TBQ's Book Palace
March 26, 2020
I saw this in the bookshop I volunteer at, & couldn't wait til I pulled the shelves so I could get this for free. Pirate books are a little rare to find.
I found the name Raeven very unlikely in that time period, especially spelled with an extra E, which is a very modern thing to do. There were a couple moments early on when Raeven sounded modern too. "You're just full of delusions" and 'Down and dirty.'
Things happened only for plot conflict's sake, because it made no sense otherwise. It was very convenient that Captain Cutlass needed a cabin boy, & definitely made no sense that after discovering she was a woman, still took her. It also made no sense when she said she'd rather have Cutlass take her and escape later than to be rescued. Surely her pride wouldn't make her act so stupidly.
I liked his quartermaster, Maine. He was likable. Bastien said he was a man of few vices, if any. So I didn't like when the author ruined a good character by having him react to Raeven, even though he's married. Bastien had never known him to show interest in other women, but of course when he sees Raeven, he stares at her and says she's more than pretty.
We go 64 pages without knowing his real name is Sebastien. I think the real name should be used first, as well as put on the synopsis before we're given their nicknames.
She was so bent on revenge, which then turned to lust too quickly. Just because he's handsome & responded to his kisses doesn't mean she'd keep wanting to kiss him,& act on her lust, as if it was more important than her revenge.& she didn't even feel guilty or confused by it.
I loved the phrase "The British are here."
It didn't take long for the requisite sad past of the male MC to come out. He was the last of the Harcourts, the de Valere, the French aristocracy dying in the revolution. His twin brother, oldest brother and mother died in a fire while his dad was publicly executed. Why does the hero always have to have a sad story?
I thought Raeven used Percy and didn't appreciate him, constantly asking for his help,& putting him in jeopardy with her dad, like the stunt where she asked him to row her to Bastien's ship, knowing her dad would flog and court-martial Percy. I loved the line when Percy said "after your father blows the Shadow out of the water."
I loved all the information of ships, like the new terms I learned, bosun and purser.
'His hands were everywhere--on her body, in her hair, his fingers in her mouth.' I'm sorry, what? His fingers are in your mouth?!
It was a tad repetitive, her continuing to have plans to kill Sebastien. Although I did like the cat and mouse aspect of it, how you knew they'd keep seeing each other, when she'd plan to board his ship.
I was glad they were interrupted from almost having sex in his berth, but I didn't like that Raeven and Percy were trapped on his ship while he set sail after Jordain.
I liked the idea of her getting her sword and leaving another note, before Percy got captured and the plan ruined. So it didn't end up happening. Also when Bastien planned to let them both go by night's end. But that doesn't happen, because he goes after Jordain. I looked forward to them meeting up again.
I really didn't like how she'd loved Timothy, but didn't feel desire for him.& Bastien somehow knows this. She actually thought she was lacking and incapable of passion. So the men get to feel passion countless times with other women,& but the female MC doesn't get to even feel it once for another man besides the male lead? That is so unfair and unbalanced.
Bastien goes to the brig to look for Raeven, and sees her with Mr. Williams. He immediately can tell Percy is in love with her,& feels jealous, but immediately relaxes when he sees Raeven treated him like a puppy dog. So she gets to see a trunk full of women's clothes, because he's had so many women on his ship he keeps clothes for them, while the hero can't even feel jealousy of men around the heroine?
I kept waiting for a reason of why he had a trunk full of women's clothing on his ship, hopefully they were his mother's, or...something other than the obvious, that he's had such a parade of women that he has clothing kept on hand. But it never happened. For some reason, in pirate books, the guy always has clothes on board, very convenient just so the woman has outfits to change into. Do you really wanna wear woman's clothing from your guys past? That is not romantic, it's disgusting. And unnecessary, because she wore men's clothing all the time.
Percy was saying he helped Raeven board Bastien's ship, because she'd be better off with him. That didn't even make me think of the bosun, but it was just a convenient way for the author to let Bastien know a man asked to see her breasts before he'd help her. What woman would say in front of two men "I had to show him my tits." Btw, the term tits and balls seem too modern.
She knew how to French kiss and wanted Bastien to make love to her hard and fast. What woman back then would know of that?
She made a couple comments that made me think she'd had sex with Timothy, but I was hoping it wasn't true. Although the scales are more even, because the guys sure as heck aren't virgins in romance books. It isn't until pg 150 that is bluntly thrown out that she gave Timothy her maidenhead. I wish Raeven was classier and more gently bred.
It was sweet when Gaston meets Raeven, and said so she's the raven, he wondered why Bastien was speaking of birds in his sleep.
In the beginning his title was "pirate bastard" or "pirate" or "bastard." It was pretty repetitive. It also sounded stupid once, "You'll have topry the blunt out of my cold, dead hands, pirate bastard."
On 156 she asks Gaston about the name Bastien, as if she's never heard of it. Seeing as how he's referred to that from the beginning, I couldn't believe she'd never heard of it.
The French Revolution had killed or displaced much of the aristocracy. I liked the line: 'a deposed marquis.'
I liked the French titles like duc. And he said she pronounced marquis in the English fashion, marquess.
He calls her Miss Russell,& she asks when had she become Miss Russell,& he says she's earned his respect. It made me wonder what he called her before. Raeven? I didn't remember.
I didn't like when he said "I've known a lot of beautiful women" but I liked her response "if you're trying to seduce me, you're sailing in the wrong direction," because for some reason women are usually turned on by the man's past with other women.
However he did finish his statement by saying but he's known very few women who impressed him.
I didn't like how he asked wasn't she gonna make a show of protesting,& said '"oui--protesting. 'No, no, Monsieur, we shouldn't" he said in a high-pitched voice. "And finally you give in because you are overwhelmed by my caresses."' It made me wonder if he was recalling that from memory.
She made it sound like it was only the one time, then it turns out her and Timothy were together a few times. Bastien asks her what she likes& she says she doesn't know. He thinks she's a virgin, and sounds worried, but of course that ship has set sail. & he asks if she's ever experienced la petite mort, the little death. Of course she's never experienced it with Timothy, because Bastien is the ultimate lover, & the heroine isn't allowed to feel desire for anyone but the hero, although the heroes can feel it many times with other women. Real fair.
Of course, 'like most men, he preferred large breasts, and hers were abundant.' 'Almost too large for her small frame, for she had a tiny waist and slim hips.' Raeven was a little too perfectly built in here. And btw, there's no way if her breasts were that large, binding them would completely disguise them like that.
Her hair smelled of cherries and she tasted like cherries. How can your hair smell like cherries if you don't use cherry shampoo? & how can you taste of cherries if you haven't eaten cherries?! Romance books are so ridiculous because the heroines always smell like flowers, fruit or honey.
This was just weird to me: 'She'd flung her head back, reached up to cup her breasts,& arched hard against him.'
When she jokes that she's ready for a nap, he tells her he didn't think she had much of a sense of humor, which idl in characters. When she said he didn't know everything about her, I realized she actually doesn't have much of a sense of humor.
Of course when she sees him naked she says "I suppose I've seen naked men before, but I've never seen anything like you." He said women had complimented him before but it hadn't meant anything to him.
'Normally, he would think of some excuse to go on deck, smoke a cigar, or breathe fresh air. Instead, he gathered her close.' Of course she's the first one he's wanted to snuggle with after.
Raeven or Bastien never told us they suspected a traitor on board, because there was no way Jordain knew it was them when they attacked unless they were waiting for them. They throw it out suddenly and it was a shock.
Pirates made their fortune by running blockades and robbing merchant ships.
She says Leveque said the duchesse was dead, but I didn't remember him saying that. In fact, the only one they were sure of was the duc, his dad, being dead. Although one time they said it was only reported in the papers. His mom and brothers might be alive.
Bastien says Gaston would never talk about Bastien's past, that he can withstand tortures, but Gaston has told Raeven quite a lot about his past, very freely.
I didn't like how Bastien had to consult Raeven on where Jordain could have gone, only coming up with a plan with her, and not hours in the wardroom with his trusted crew.
Percy, being friends with Timothy, and adoring Raeven, made me think he was a grown man, so I was very surprised when Bastien referenced him as a boy.
It's very unlikely that Percy would respect Bastien and be ok with him bedding Raeven, when he likes her.
Percy tells Bastien to be gentle when he puts Raeven aside and he says 'of course he would set her aside. He had no intention of marrying the woman.' When early in the book, in the marketplace fight he said if she drew her dagger he'd consider marrying her. Why make a comment then when you didn't know her as well, but not now?
He says "I already think you're the most beautiful woman in the world" and he makes her see the truth in his eyes. He said before he's known many beautiful women, so this is very unlikely. I wish authors would just skip speech like that, because it isn't believable.
I didn't like when he said "you'd be the most valuable crew member I had--in here or on deck" completely devaluing his men. It's laughable that she'd have more experience than a veteran of the Spanish war, not to mention all his other seasoned men.
'If anyone but Raeven had reported seeing a light, Bastien would have been skeptical.' You mean you wouldn't believe your trusted, loyal crew?
Duties on a pirate ship varied from those on a naval vessel. I wish we were told how.
I really didn't like that Maine turned out to be the traitor, because I liked him.
Idl Bastien referencing her as his paramour.
I knew for sure the author wouldn't kill Percy, and couldn't believe it when she did. It was so unnecessary, so awful. It made me mad at Raeven because it was her fault for asking for his help. Percy didn't even need to be on the ship.
It was so sad when he said "Lo...you" meaning love you.
Percy said it wasn't her fault, that he made his own choices, & Bastien said the same, even though it was. She said she never knew he loved her, or did she. "Maybe I knew all along and used his love to get what I wanted from him." Bastien says he's known women like that and she's not like that. She was so right when she said Percy always told her she only thought of herself,& she's so selfish.
It was funny when Bastien said "let's go watch La Sirena sink" as if they were going to watch a movie. And the lines "help her along to hell."
But I did actually feel bad that he left Jordain and his crew on a sinking ship while they struggled to repair it.
The ship and crew sank, even though he planned to kill Jordain and sell his crew into slavery, which I didn't like, but it was like he forgot his plans. His men came back aboard so idk when they had time to take the booty from Jordain's ship.
He said he was a marquis and maybe a duc. I wondered how titles worked. If his dad was a duc, how was he a marquis? And his oldest brother should be the duc, not Bastien.
The British practiced impressment, where they forced captured sailors into the British navy.
'In couplings with other women, he had always sought release--not that he didn't make sure they enjoyed the experience, but he made love because he enjoyed the end result.' I really don't wanna hear that.
'Once he sailed away, he would find other adventures, other women. She hoped one of those adventures was locating his family. She supposed she could find other adventures and other men, as well, but she knew she wouldn't. She knew no man would ever measure up to Bastien, no adventure would ever compare to those they had shared, simply because no adventure would have the excitement of sharing the risks with him.'
If he was gonna do that, I wouldn't care if he found his family. & are you kidding me? He had scores of women, but you'll never get with another man because they won't compare to him? This is the problem with romance books.
She turned 20 without even mentioning it. She told Gaston she'd be 20 soon, but all of a sudden she was 20 without having a birthday celebration or even a mention of it.
At pg275 she makes a guess that Bastien is 25. We should be told of their ages at the beginning. We actually don't even know how old he is.
I loved when her dad said one of the conditions is that she wasn't to know the terms he made with Bastien. And when she asks why he wouldn't want her to know he says "why do assume it was my condition?" And we wonder why the crew is frowning at her,& that we thought Bastien wasn't going to say bye. It turns out he negotiated his trial and was aboard the Regal the whole time. That was a good surprise.
There was a reference to Debrett's,& I looked it up& it's about etiquette and behavior in the 1700s. I'd love to read that!
It was almost eye-roll worthy when it turns out Bastien's oldest brother Julien is alive, married and in England. There's no way Bastien wouldn't have heard of him, especially since he's in the shipping business.
I didn't like Bastien getting physical with the butler,& the way he found out that his twin Armand, and mother were also alive. I knew it would happen,& it's so unrealistic.
Because he was on the run and didn't have time to sit and talk with his family, it was very unsatisfying. He didn't even hug his brother.
Only a short scene told in a couple lines that happened earlier when Bastien and his mother reunited. We don't even get to read it in real time.
It's very unlikely that just because Julian is rich and would buy the navy three ships, they'd overlook Sebastien being a pirate.
I didn't like that he doubted Raeven loved him,& only saved him out of guilt, because she didn't want anyone else to die because of her. That's absurd. At least she told you she loved you.
I thought it was possible, but I was still surprised when her father admitted he gave them a chance to run away. He cut the number of guards Bastien had to Newgate.
I didn't like that Bastien enrolled in the British navy,& became purser on her dad's ship. It's horrible to go from being a captain to a purser.
A marquis was called a comte, and his wife was called a comtesse.
I was disappointed he wouldn't be a pirate anymore. For some reason every guy, if he doesn't start out as the nobility, he ends up as one. Because at the heart of it, authors don't wanna be with a man who isn't rich.
There was no mention of his ship or crew. Earlier he planned to meet up with Ridley & get his ship back. What's gonna happen to it now?
We didn't get to see him reunite with Armand, his twin.
The ending was a tad on the rushed side. I wanted an emotional reunion with his family. And I realized we didn't even have an explanation of how everyone had survived the fire. How can you not explain that? Or why was Armand imprisoned, for those of us that haven't read previous books in the series.
The plot itself is a bit of a stretch, that an admiral would let his daughter live on a ship. Surely she had family she could have lived with. It was also a stretch that she'd know how to use every single weapon, as well as firing a cannon. Again, why would the admiral let his daughter fight in battles? He wanted her to get married and start a family, but then why had she been on the ship for 14 years?
The ending could have been better. It was a tad rushed, & some things were unresolved, like Bastien's ship and crew. I was disappointed with the way things were handled at the end, specifically with Bastien's family. It was a huge oversight to rush through him reuniting with his family. It's been talked about most of the book, how he wondered if they were alive. They turn out to be, and the author just brushes over it quickly, with no very little emotion? What was she thinking? I was happy for him, but it was very unlikely and unrealistic, and a little too perfect for me.
The epilogue could have been longer, and I wish it had covered more. Even though it was happy, I was just wish it had been better. Boom, they had a baby, and everyone's coming into the room. This was a pretty good book, but it was better in the beginning until a little before the halfway mark.
I definitely want to read the first two. I like this authors style of writing. She's humorous too.
I liked that this book wasn’t predictable, besides knowing the author would have his family alive. When she hatched a plan to kill Bastien, would she succeed? Would she stay on the ship? Would they part ways and meet again? It was nice not knowing.
It was also interesting to read about a french guy, which is rare in romance books. I liked learning the french expressions.
I found the name Raeven very unlikely in that time period, especially spelled with an extra E, which is a very modern thing to do. There were a couple moments early on when Raeven sounded modern too. "You're just full of delusions" and 'Down and dirty.'
Things happened only for plot conflict's sake, because it made no sense otherwise. It was very convenient that Captain Cutlass needed a cabin boy, & definitely made no sense that after discovering she was a woman, still took her. It also made no sense when she said she'd rather have Cutlass take her and escape later than to be rescued. Surely her pride wouldn't make her act so stupidly.
I liked his quartermaster, Maine. He was likable. Bastien said he was a man of few vices, if any. So I didn't like when the author ruined a good character by having him react to Raeven, even though he's married. Bastien had never known him to show interest in other women, but of course when he sees Raeven, he stares at her and says she's more than pretty.
We go 64 pages without knowing his real name is Sebastien. I think the real name should be used first, as well as put on the synopsis before we're given their nicknames.
She was so bent on revenge, which then turned to lust too quickly. Just because he's handsome & responded to his kisses doesn't mean she'd keep wanting to kiss him,& act on her lust, as if it was more important than her revenge.& she didn't even feel guilty or confused by it.
I loved the phrase "The British are here."
It didn't take long for the requisite sad past of the male MC to come out. He was the last of the Harcourts, the de Valere, the French aristocracy dying in the revolution. His twin brother, oldest brother and mother died in a fire while his dad was publicly executed. Why does the hero always have to have a sad story?
I thought Raeven used Percy and didn't appreciate him, constantly asking for his help,& putting him in jeopardy with her dad, like the stunt where she asked him to row her to Bastien's ship, knowing her dad would flog and court-martial Percy. I loved the line when Percy said "after your father blows the Shadow out of the water."
I loved all the information of ships, like the new terms I learned, bosun and purser.
'His hands were everywhere--on her body, in her hair, his fingers in her mouth.' I'm sorry, what? His fingers are in your mouth?!
It was a tad repetitive, her continuing to have plans to kill Sebastien. Although I did like the cat and mouse aspect of it, how you knew they'd keep seeing each other, when she'd plan to board his ship.
I was glad they were interrupted from almost having sex in his berth, but I didn't like that Raeven and Percy were trapped on his ship while he set sail after Jordain.
I liked the idea of her getting her sword and leaving another note, before Percy got captured and the plan ruined. So it didn't end up happening. Also when Bastien planned to let them both go by night's end. But that doesn't happen, because he goes after Jordain. I looked forward to them meeting up again.
I really didn't like how she'd loved Timothy, but didn't feel desire for him.& Bastien somehow knows this. She actually thought she was lacking and incapable of passion. So the men get to feel passion countless times with other women,& but the female MC doesn't get to even feel it once for another man besides the male lead? That is so unfair and unbalanced.
Bastien goes to the brig to look for Raeven, and sees her with Mr. Williams. He immediately can tell Percy is in love with her,& feels jealous, but immediately relaxes when he sees Raeven treated him like a puppy dog. So she gets to see a trunk full of women's clothes, because he's had so many women on his ship he keeps clothes for them, while the hero can't even feel jealousy of men around the heroine?
I kept waiting for a reason of why he had a trunk full of women's clothing on his ship, hopefully they were his mother's, or...something other than the obvious, that he's had such a parade of women that he has clothing kept on hand. But it never happened. For some reason, in pirate books, the guy always has clothes on board, very convenient just so the woman has outfits to change into. Do you really wanna wear woman's clothing from your guys past? That is not romantic, it's disgusting. And unnecessary, because she wore men's clothing all the time.
Percy was saying he helped Raeven board Bastien's ship, because she'd be better off with him. That didn't even make me think of the bosun, but it was just a convenient way for the author to let Bastien know a man asked to see her breasts before he'd help her. What woman would say in front of two men "I had to show him my tits." Btw, the term tits and balls seem too modern.
She knew how to French kiss and wanted Bastien to make love to her hard and fast. What woman back then would know of that?
She made a couple comments that made me think she'd had sex with Timothy, but I was hoping it wasn't true. Although the scales are more even, because the guys sure as heck aren't virgins in romance books. It isn't until pg 150 that is bluntly thrown out that she gave Timothy her maidenhead. I wish Raeven was classier and more gently bred.
It was sweet when Gaston meets Raeven, and said so she's the raven, he wondered why Bastien was speaking of birds in his sleep.
In the beginning his title was "pirate bastard" or "pirate" or "bastard." It was pretty repetitive. It also sounded stupid once, "You'll have topry the blunt out of my cold, dead hands, pirate bastard."
On 156 she asks Gaston about the name Bastien, as if she's never heard of it. Seeing as how he's referred to that from the beginning, I couldn't believe she'd never heard of it.
The French Revolution had killed or displaced much of the aristocracy. I liked the line: 'a deposed marquis.'
I liked the French titles like duc. And he said she pronounced marquis in the English fashion, marquess.
He calls her Miss Russell,& she asks when had she become Miss Russell,& he says she's earned his respect. It made me wonder what he called her before. Raeven? I didn't remember.
I didn't like when he said "I've known a lot of beautiful women" but I liked her response "if you're trying to seduce me, you're sailing in the wrong direction," because for some reason women are usually turned on by the man's past with other women.
However he did finish his statement by saying but he's known very few women who impressed him.
I didn't like how he asked wasn't she gonna make a show of protesting,& said '"oui--protesting. 'No, no, Monsieur, we shouldn't" he said in a high-pitched voice. "And finally you give in because you are overwhelmed by my caresses."' It made me wonder if he was recalling that from memory.
She made it sound like it was only the one time, then it turns out her and Timothy were together a few times. Bastien asks her what she likes& she says she doesn't know. He thinks she's a virgin, and sounds worried, but of course that ship has set sail. & he asks if she's ever experienced la petite mort, the little death. Of course she's never experienced it with Timothy, because Bastien is the ultimate lover, & the heroine isn't allowed to feel desire for anyone but the hero, although the heroes can feel it many times with other women. Real fair.
Of course, 'like most men, he preferred large breasts, and hers were abundant.' 'Almost too large for her small frame, for she had a tiny waist and slim hips.' Raeven was a little too perfectly built in here. And btw, there's no way if her breasts were that large, binding them would completely disguise them like that.
Her hair smelled of cherries and she tasted like cherries. How can your hair smell like cherries if you don't use cherry shampoo? & how can you taste of cherries if you haven't eaten cherries?! Romance books are so ridiculous because the heroines always smell like flowers, fruit or honey.
This was just weird to me: 'She'd flung her head back, reached up to cup her breasts,& arched hard against him.'
When she jokes that she's ready for a nap, he tells her he didn't think she had much of a sense of humor, which idl in characters. When she said he didn't know everything about her, I realized she actually doesn't have much of a sense of humor.
Of course when she sees him naked she says "I suppose I've seen naked men before, but I've never seen anything like you." He said women had complimented him before but it hadn't meant anything to him.
'Normally, he would think of some excuse to go on deck, smoke a cigar, or breathe fresh air. Instead, he gathered her close.' Of course she's the first one he's wanted to snuggle with after.
Raeven or Bastien never told us they suspected a traitor on board, because there was no way Jordain knew it was them when they attacked unless they were waiting for them. They throw it out suddenly and it was a shock.
Pirates made their fortune by running blockades and robbing merchant ships.
She says Leveque said the duchesse was dead, but I didn't remember him saying that. In fact, the only one they were sure of was the duc, his dad, being dead. Although one time they said it was only reported in the papers. His mom and brothers might be alive.
Bastien says Gaston would never talk about Bastien's past, that he can withstand tortures, but Gaston has told Raeven quite a lot about his past, very freely.
I didn't like how Bastien had to consult Raeven on where Jordain could have gone, only coming up with a plan with her, and not hours in the wardroom with his trusted crew.
Percy, being friends with Timothy, and adoring Raeven, made me think he was a grown man, so I was very surprised when Bastien referenced him as a boy.
It's very unlikely that Percy would respect Bastien and be ok with him bedding Raeven, when he likes her.
Percy tells Bastien to be gentle when he puts Raeven aside and he says 'of course he would set her aside. He had no intention of marrying the woman.' When early in the book, in the marketplace fight he said if she drew her dagger he'd consider marrying her. Why make a comment then when you didn't know her as well, but not now?
He says "I already think you're the most beautiful woman in the world" and he makes her see the truth in his eyes. He said before he's known many beautiful women, so this is very unlikely. I wish authors would just skip speech like that, because it isn't believable.
I didn't like when he said "you'd be the most valuable crew member I had--in here or on deck" completely devaluing his men. It's laughable that she'd have more experience than a veteran of the Spanish war, not to mention all his other seasoned men.
'If anyone but Raeven had reported seeing a light, Bastien would have been skeptical.' You mean you wouldn't believe your trusted, loyal crew?
Duties on a pirate ship varied from those on a naval vessel. I wish we were told how.
I really didn't like that Maine turned out to be the traitor, because I liked him.
Idl Bastien referencing her as his paramour.
I knew for sure the author wouldn't kill Percy, and couldn't believe it when she did. It was so unnecessary, so awful. It made me mad at Raeven because it was her fault for asking for his help. Percy didn't even need to be on the ship.
It was so sad when he said "Lo...you" meaning love you.
Percy said it wasn't her fault, that he made his own choices, & Bastien said the same, even though it was. She said she never knew he loved her, or did she. "Maybe I knew all along and used his love to get what I wanted from him." Bastien says he's known women like that and she's not like that. She was so right when she said Percy always told her she only thought of herself,& she's so selfish.
It was funny when Bastien said "let's go watch La Sirena sink" as if they were going to watch a movie. And the lines "help her along to hell."
But I did actually feel bad that he left Jordain and his crew on a sinking ship while they struggled to repair it.
The ship and crew sank, even though he planned to kill Jordain and sell his crew into slavery, which I didn't like, but it was like he forgot his plans. His men came back aboard so idk when they had time to take the booty from Jordain's ship.
He said he was a marquis and maybe a duc. I wondered how titles worked. If his dad was a duc, how was he a marquis? And his oldest brother should be the duc, not Bastien.
The British practiced impressment, where they forced captured sailors into the British navy.
'In couplings with other women, he had always sought release--not that he didn't make sure they enjoyed the experience, but he made love because he enjoyed the end result.' I really don't wanna hear that.
'Once he sailed away, he would find other adventures, other women. She hoped one of those adventures was locating his family. She supposed she could find other adventures and other men, as well, but she knew she wouldn't. She knew no man would ever measure up to Bastien, no adventure would ever compare to those they had shared, simply because no adventure would have the excitement of sharing the risks with him.'
If he was gonna do that, I wouldn't care if he found his family. & are you kidding me? He had scores of women, but you'll never get with another man because they won't compare to him? This is the problem with romance books.
She turned 20 without even mentioning it. She told Gaston she'd be 20 soon, but all of a sudden she was 20 without having a birthday celebration or even a mention of it.
At pg275 she makes a guess that Bastien is 25. We should be told of their ages at the beginning. We actually don't even know how old he is.
I loved when her dad said one of the conditions is that she wasn't to know the terms he made with Bastien. And when she asks why he wouldn't want her to know he says "why do assume it was my condition?" And we wonder why the crew is frowning at her,& that we thought Bastien wasn't going to say bye. It turns out he negotiated his trial and was aboard the Regal the whole time. That was a good surprise.
There was a reference to Debrett's,& I looked it up& it's about etiquette and behavior in the 1700s. I'd love to read that!
It was almost eye-roll worthy when it turns out Bastien's oldest brother Julien is alive, married and in England. There's no way Bastien wouldn't have heard of him, especially since he's in the shipping business.
I didn't like Bastien getting physical with the butler,& the way he found out that his twin Armand, and mother were also alive. I knew it would happen,& it's so unrealistic.
Because he was on the run and didn't have time to sit and talk with his family, it was very unsatisfying. He didn't even hug his brother.
Only a short scene told in a couple lines that happened earlier when Bastien and his mother reunited. We don't even get to read it in real time.
It's very unlikely that just because Julian is rich and would buy the navy three ships, they'd overlook Sebastien being a pirate.
I didn't like that he doubted Raeven loved him,& only saved him out of guilt, because she didn't want anyone else to die because of her. That's absurd. At least she told you she loved you.
I thought it was possible, but I was still surprised when her father admitted he gave them a chance to run away. He cut the number of guards Bastien had to Newgate.
I didn't like that Bastien enrolled in the British navy,& became purser on her dad's ship. It's horrible to go from being a captain to a purser.
A marquis was called a comte, and his wife was called a comtesse.
I was disappointed he wouldn't be a pirate anymore. For some reason every guy, if he doesn't start out as the nobility, he ends up as one. Because at the heart of it, authors don't wanna be with a man who isn't rich.
There was no mention of his ship or crew. Earlier he planned to meet up with Ridley & get his ship back. What's gonna happen to it now?
We didn't get to see him reunite with Armand, his twin.
The ending was a tad on the rushed side. I wanted an emotional reunion with his family. And I realized we didn't even have an explanation of how everyone had survived the fire. How can you not explain that? Or why was Armand imprisoned, for those of us that haven't read previous books in the series.
The plot itself is a bit of a stretch, that an admiral would let his daughter live on a ship. Surely she had family she could have lived with. It was also a stretch that she'd know how to use every single weapon, as well as firing a cannon. Again, why would the admiral let his daughter fight in battles? He wanted her to get married and start a family, but then why had she been on the ship for 14 years?
The ending could have been better. It was a tad rushed, & some things were unresolved, like Bastien's ship and crew. I was disappointed with the way things were handled at the end, specifically with Bastien's family. It was a huge oversight to rush through him reuniting with his family. It's been talked about most of the book, how he wondered if they were alive. They turn out to be, and the author just brushes over it quickly, with no very little emotion? What was she thinking? I was happy for him, but it was very unlikely and unrealistic, and a little too perfect for me.
The epilogue could have been longer, and I wish it had covered more. Even though it was happy, I was just wish it had been better. Boom, they had a baby, and everyone's coming into the room. This was a pretty good book, but it was better in the beginning until a little before the halfway mark.
I definitely want to read the first two. I like this authors style of writing. She's humorous too.
I liked that this book wasn’t predictable, besides knowing the author would have his family alive. When she hatched a plan to kill Bastien, would she succeed? Would she stay on the ship? Would they part ways and meet again? It was nice not knowing.
It was also interesting to read about a french guy, which is rare in romance books. I liked learning the french expressions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2023
Swashbuckling abounds in this bonkers pirate tale. Roguish mysterious hero and a grumpy bloodthirsty heroine bent on vengeance. She's determined to kill Captain Cutlass (even his name is fun lol) for murdering her fiancee and he's simply delighted by the sword-wielding "cabin girl". Super fun, and a fast read but very insta-lovey and also a little clunky and messy by the end. I would have liked more time for the family reunion. Regardless it had the proper amount of steam and romance and the hero was the kind of sexy rogue you'd expect a pirate to be.
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes
Kidnap
Forces proximity
Enemies to Lovers
Hidden Identity
Class difference
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes
Kidnap
Forces proximity
Enemies to Lovers
Hidden Identity
Class difference
October 22, 2018
I find that the more Galen I read, the more I enjoy her writing! No foul (English) language.Fun.
December 28, 2016
FINALY! I’ve waited for this book it seems for EVAH! By now y’all know how much I love this author’s work and as much as I was looking forward to this story, once I found out they were changing the title (I will ALWAYS refer to this novel as THE MAKING OF A ROGUE) and then the cover (which is not consistent to the series), I was getting anxiety attacks in regards to the content. See, this is what happens to someone like me who takes her ROMANCE reading to a whole new level. And for that, I give Shana Galen full credit. If she didn’t write her characters so well, I doubt my feelings would be engaged at all.
Well, I should not have fretted at all, although there is one itty-bitty thing that I would have preferred, and that is the Prologue. The other two books in the series, ‘The Making of a Duchess’ and ‘The Making of a Gentleman’, both start with the Prologue of the faithful night as peasants break in and I hoped this one would be as well because I wanted to find out how Bastien got away. So this is one more thing that ‘they’ changed, and changing these three things in the middle of the series (or in this case at the end of it) aggravated me to no end. However, after reading the story, I’m now past it and let me tell you my thoughts on this wonderful end to this series.
If you’ve never read The Son’s of Revolution and this is your first book in it, S.T.O.P. Do not read it…YET. Please, please find the other two and read them in order. You will be glad you did. This third installment can stand alone, but it shouldn’t. This is a series that you’ll enjoy so much more once you read Julian and Armand’s stories.
Sebastien Harcourt, Marquis of de Valere has survived that night, but scars he carries are not on the outside but rather buried deep inside his heart. He is certain that he’s lost his whole family to the fire and to survive he needs to be far away from France and boarding a ship he heads out to sea.
Raeven Russell is an Admiral’s daughter with vengeance in her heart. She aims to avenge the death of her fiancé who, it was reported, has been killed by Captain Cutlass and she is more than ready to face the bastard pirate. Nothing and no one will stand in her way when she spots him in a local tavern and challenges him to a sword fight.
Bastien, now known only as Captain Cutlass, is taken aback by a challenge of this young ‘man’ who wants to cut him to pieces, and fighting ‘him’ isn’t what he’s looking for. He has much more urgent business to attend to, like finding Jourdain, the pirate who killed the man who taught him everything he knows about ships and sailing. He’s been on his trail for a while now and he knows that he won’t rest until he gets his revenge.
What a shock he’s in for to find out that the ‘boy’ is no boy but a young woman! And here’s where we’re off on an adventure along our impetuous heroine.
This ending was bittersweet for me as I said goodbye to Harcourt’s (until the next re-read only). Ms. Galen delivers high sea drama, humor and action, so well that you better bring your sea legs along for this adventure!
You’ll root for these two as they pursue the enemy while facing their individual vendettas and help each other heal. Together they’ll face her father, English Navy, nasty pirates, their past and the de Valere family.
This is a wonderfully entertaining, fast pacing conclusion to the Sons of the Revolution series that had me laughing out loud and shedding a tear or two. Harcourt men, Julian, Armand and Bastien stole my heart and I thank Ms. Galen for bringing them all to life! Highly recommend it; not to be missed and always to be re-read!
Melanie for b2b
Well, I should not have fretted at all, although there is one itty-bitty thing that I would have preferred, and that is the Prologue. The other two books in the series, ‘The Making of a Duchess’ and ‘The Making of a Gentleman’, both start with the Prologue of the faithful night as peasants break in and I hoped this one would be as well because I wanted to find out how Bastien got away. So this is one more thing that ‘they’ changed, and changing these three things in the middle of the series (or in this case at the end of it) aggravated me to no end. However, after reading the story, I’m now past it and let me tell you my thoughts on this wonderful end to this series.
If you’ve never read The Son’s of Revolution and this is your first book in it, S.T.O.P. Do not read it…YET. Please, please find the other two and read them in order. You will be glad you did. This third installment can stand alone, but it shouldn’t. This is a series that you’ll enjoy so much more once you read Julian and Armand’s stories.
Sebastien Harcourt, Marquis of de Valere has survived that night, but scars he carries are not on the outside but rather buried deep inside his heart. He is certain that he’s lost his whole family to the fire and to survive he needs to be far away from France and boarding a ship he heads out to sea.
Raeven Russell is an Admiral’s daughter with vengeance in her heart. She aims to avenge the death of her fiancé who, it was reported, has been killed by Captain Cutlass and she is more than ready to face the bastard pirate. Nothing and no one will stand in her way when she spots him in a local tavern and challenges him to a sword fight.
Bastien, now known only as Captain Cutlass, is taken aback by a challenge of this young ‘man’ who wants to cut him to pieces, and fighting ‘him’ isn’t what he’s looking for. He has much more urgent business to attend to, like finding Jourdain, the pirate who killed the man who taught him everything he knows about ships and sailing. He’s been on his trail for a while now and he knows that he won’t rest until he gets his revenge.
What a shock he’s in for to find out that the ‘boy’ is no boy but a young woman! And here’s where we’re off on an adventure along our impetuous heroine.
This ending was bittersweet for me as I said goodbye to Harcourt’s (until the next re-read only). Ms. Galen delivers high sea drama, humor and action, so well that you better bring your sea legs along for this adventure!
You’ll root for these two as they pursue the enemy while facing their individual vendettas and help each other heal. Together they’ll face her father, English Navy, nasty pirates, their past and the de Valere family.
This is a wonderfully entertaining, fast pacing conclusion to the Sons of the Revolution series that had me laughing out loud and shedding a tear or two. Harcourt men, Julian, Armand and Bastien stole my heart and I thank Ms. Galen for bringing them all to life! Highly recommend it; not to be missed and always to be re-read!
Melanie for b2b
March 24, 2012
I just love those "pirate kidnaps insolent/thieving young boy to teach him a lesson and have him work for him on his ship and when they have already set sail discovers the boy is indeed an alluring woman" stories! So I was looking very much forward to The Rogue Pirate's Bride. And I am happy to say it was wonderful!
The heroine Raeven was my favourite kind of heroine: feisty, stubborn, independent, the kind of girl who always lands herself in all kinds of trouble (which are of course very entertaining and exciting for the reader). We are introduced to her at the scene where she meets the hero, Bastien for the first time, in which scene she attempts to kill him to avenge the death of a loved one. She is ballsy, she is rash, and she is an utterly likeable character.
Bastien or also known as Captain Cutlass is not the ruthless pirate he is made out to be. He is an honourable and wounded man: he grew up believing his whole family was murdered and the guilt besides the grief has weighed on him heavily. His charm and self-confidence made not only Raeven but me as well melt whenever he was on the scene.
The chemistry between them was wonderfully exciting: Raeven is hell-bent on revenge and killing Bastien (and kudos to her because she is a challenge to him at several reprises), so attraction or any warm feeling is definitely not in the cards at the beginning for Raeven, and that is why I extremely enjoyed how gradually Shana Galen showed us the two sides of the story and how seeing the other side changed and morphed Raeven and Bastien's feelings and judgement.
I also have to applaud Shana Galen for being daring and courageous enough to go against the flow and explore an unusual setting: having a heroine who is mourning the death of his fiancé, a man she really did love. To start from there is quite bold for a romance story!
The story was thrilling full of sea battles, betrayals and excitement, the love story was just the perfect mix of heart-warming and sizzling, but what added that exra special touch which made The Rogue Pirate's Bride outstanding for me was the witty humour which made me chuckle out loud several times:
"I know we've not formally met," Cutlass said, "but might I ask why you keep referring to me as a 'bastard pirate' when I’m neither a pirate nor a bastard? It's rather impolite."
"How does revenge taste?" Raeven asked several hours later. [...]
"Sweet." He kissed her neck. "Mmm. A little like cherries." She laughed.
"Was it what you hoped? I'll have to live vicariously, as it doesn't appear I’ll ever have my revenge." He grinned.
"You don't have to kill me. What if you made me miserable every day for the rest of my life? That would be a kind of revenge, no?"
“Why?”
“I believe I made a promise to myself in the marketplace in Gibraltar,” he said, still on one knee, still holding her hand. “I realized I’d met my match, and I’d better marry you before you killed me."
Verdict: The Rogue Pirate's Bride is a truly wonderful story! It had pirates, sea battles, a feisty and brave heroine, a charming and honourable rogue hero, and of course a great heart-tingling romance. I loved it and can't wait to read Shana Galen's other books!
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Cover: 7/10
I give The Rogue Pirate's Bride 4.5 stars!
The heroine Raeven was my favourite kind of heroine: feisty, stubborn, independent, the kind of girl who always lands herself in all kinds of trouble (which are of course very entertaining and exciting for the reader). We are introduced to her at the scene where she meets the hero, Bastien for the first time, in which scene she attempts to kill him to avenge the death of a loved one. She is ballsy, she is rash, and she is an utterly likeable character.
Bastien or also known as Captain Cutlass is not the ruthless pirate he is made out to be. He is an honourable and wounded man: he grew up believing his whole family was murdered and the guilt besides the grief has weighed on him heavily. His charm and self-confidence made not only Raeven but me as well melt whenever he was on the scene.
The chemistry between them was wonderfully exciting: Raeven is hell-bent on revenge and killing Bastien (and kudos to her because she is a challenge to him at several reprises), so attraction or any warm feeling is definitely not in the cards at the beginning for Raeven, and that is why I extremely enjoyed how gradually Shana Galen showed us the two sides of the story and how seeing the other side changed and morphed Raeven and Bastien's feelings and judgement.
I also have to applaud Shana Galen for being daring and courageous enough to go against the flow and explore an unusual setting: having a heroine who is mourning the death of his fiancé, a man she really did love. To start from there is quite bold for a romance story!
The story was thrilling full of sea battles, betrayals and excitement, the love story was just the perfect mix of heart-warming and sizzling, but what added that exra special touch which made The Rogue Pirate's Bride outstanding for me was the witty humour which made me chuckle out loud several times:
"I know we've not formally met," Cutlass said, "but might I ask why you keep referring to me as a 'bastard pirate' when I’m neither a pirate nor a bastard? It's rather impolite."
"How does revenge taste?" Raeven asked several hours later. [...]
"Sweet." He kissed her neck. "Mmm. A little like cherries." She laughed.
"Was it what you hoped? I'll have to live vicariously, as it doesn't appear I’ll ever have my revenge." He grinned.
"You don't have to kill me. What if you made me miserable every day for the rest of my life? That would be a kind of revenge, no?"
“Why?”
“I believe I made a promise to myself in the marketplace in Gibraltar,” he said, still on one knee, still holding her hand. “I realized I’d met my match, and I’d better marry you before you killed me."
Verdict: The Rogue Pirate's Bride is a truly wonderful story! It had pirates, sea battles, a feisty and brave heroine, a charming and honourable rogue hero, and of course a great heart-tingling romance. I loved it and can't wait to read Shana Galen's other books!
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Cover: 7/10
I give The Rogue Pirate's Bride 4.5 stars!
April 5, 2013
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? 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.
January 26, 2013
Entertaining Lighter Pirate Fare with a Dashing French Privateer!
This is one of Galen’s Sons of Revolution romances, set in 1802, beginning in France but also with scenes in Gibraltar and onboard a sloop and British naval ship. It tells the story of Sebastien Harcourt, marquis de Valere (aka Captain Cutlass), a privateer sailing under letters of marque from Spain, and at the moment, seeking revenge on a Barbary pirate responsible for the death of his mentor. Long ago in the Revolution he lost his mother and brothers, or so he thinks.
Raeven Russell (named for her black hair) is the daughter of a British admiral, who she has sailed with since she was four. When her fiancé is killed in an encounter with Cutlass, Raeven vows to take the life of the man she believes to be a pirate. She finds Cutlass in a tavern in the seaport town of Brest in the far northwest of France where, dressed as a lad, she challenges him to a duel. Cutlass easily defeats her, it being apparent she has more bravado than skill with a sword (though she can throw a mean knife).
Raeven is ambivalent about killing Cutlass because what she really wants is to go to bed with him. (As one reviewer put it, “avenging her fiancé, but hot for her enemy”). Since she is not a virgin, her virtue is not an issue apparently, and she and Cutlass jump into bed with few preliminaries and little emotion--but lots of lust. At times she comes across as selfish and immature for 19, especially since she’s been raised around sailors who work hard for a living. (In those days, 19 was old for a woman.) One had to wonder how she could live on a British war ship as a child, especially when her country was at war. In any event, her father has little control over her and she seems to come and go as she pleases.
The story has lots of actions: fist fights, knife fights, sword fights, battles at sea and pirates and privateers in abundance as Raeven chases after Cutlass and Cutlass chases after another privateer. In the process, everyone gets wounded and some killed. And, of course, Sebastian realizes Raeven is the woman for him, and she solves the mystery of his lost family. It’s lighter pirate fare than the classics you might be thinking of but nevertheless entertaining.
The Sons of Revolution Series:
The Making of a Duchess (2010)
The Making of a Gentleman (2010)
The Rogue Prate’s Bride (2012)
This is one of Galen’s Sons of Revolution romances, set in 1802, beginning in France but also with scenes in Gibraltar and onboard a sloop and British naval ship. It tells the story of Sebastien Harcourt, marquis de Valere (aka Captain Cutlass), a privateer sailing under letters of marque from Spain, and at the moment, seeking revenge on a Barbary pirate responsible for the death of his mentor. Long ago in the Revolution he lost his mother and brothers, or so he thinks.
Raeven Russell (named for her black hair) is the daughter of a British admiral, who she has sailed with since she was four. When her fiancé is killed in an encounter with Cutlass, Raeven vows to take the life of the man she believes to be a pirate. She finds Cutlass in a tavern in the seaport town of Brest in the far northwest of France where, dressed as a lad, she challenges him to a duel. Cutlass easily defeats her, it being apparent she has more bravado than skill with a sword (though she can throw a mean knife).
Raeven is ambivalent about killing Cutlass because what she really wants is to go to bed with him. (As one reviewer put it, “avenging her fiancé, but hot for her enemy”). Since she is not a virgin, her virtue is not an issue apparently, and she and Cutlass jump into bed with few preliminaries and little emotion--but lots of lust. At times she comes across as selfish and immature for 19, especially since she’s been raised around sailors who work hard for a living. (In those days, 19 was old for a woman.) One had to wonder how she could live on a British war ship as a child, especially when her country was at war. In any event, her father has little control over her and she seems to come and go as she pleases.
The story has lots of actions: fist fights, knife fights, sword fights, battles at sea and pirates and privateers in abundance as Raeven chases after Cutlass and Cutlass chases after another privateer. In the process, everyone gets wounded and some killed. And, of course, Sebastian realizes Raeven is the woman for him, and she solves the mystery of his lost family. It’s lighter pirate fare than the classics you might be thinking of but nevertheless entertaining.
The Sons of Revolution Series:
The Making of a Duchess (2010)
The Making of a Gentleman (2010)
The Rogue Prate’s Bride (2012)
March 4, 2012
You can find this review also at Forever Book Lover.
This book captivated me right from the start. It hooked me from the first page and I didn’t couldn’t put it down until I read the last page. I am not sure my review will do this book justice. Let me give it a try, though.
I selected this book not knowing that it was part of a series, actually this is book three in The Sons of the Revolution. I would not have known until I came toward the end of the book, even then the author gave you enough of a background that I didn’t feel lost at all. I have to say this book gave my sexy Highlanders a run for their money, who knew that privateers could be this HOT!! This book had it all, and quite frankly it is on my top ten list for 2012 ~ and it is only February! I don’t think I ever used this many adjectives in describing one book, but this has revenge, betrayal, swashbuckling swordplay, kidnapping, murder and sizzling passionate romance.
The author wrote an excellent depiction of the adventures on the high seas. The fight scenes were nail biting and you felt that you were a stow away witnessing the fights first handed. Luckily I didn’t get sea sick.
How could you not fall in love with Bastien aka Captain Cutlass, he was a small boy when he was force to leave his beloved home. Everyone he ever loved, besides his trusted family friend Gaston, has died. His heart was hardened, it was better if he never loved again. And he tempted fate every chance he could. That all change when he ran smack dab into his cabin girl ~ Raeven.
Raeven is a feisty, strong willed heroine. She was raised on the sea, and she has a way of finding herself in a bind or two throughout the book. But she is resourceful, you can find her either firing a cannon, picking a lock or throwing knives.
I laughed, I cheered, I cringed and I cried reading this book. Shana Galen delivered a kick ass, steamy tale. I recommend this to everyone. You must buy this!!
I received this advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book captivated me right from the start. It hooked me from the first page and I didn’t couldn’t put it down until I read the last page. I am not sure my review will do this book justice. Let me give it a try, though.
I selected this book not knowing that it was part of a series, actually this is book three in The Sons of the Revolution. I would not have known until I came toward the end of the book, even then the author gave you enough of a background that I didn’t feel lost at all. I have to say this book gave my sexy Highlanders a run for their money, who knew that privateers could be this HOT!! This book had it all, and quite frankly it is on my top ten list for 2012 ~ and it is only February! I don’t think I ever used this many adjectives in describing one book, but this has revenge, betrayal, swashbuckling swordplay, kidnapping, murder and sizzling passionate romance.
The author wrote an excellent depiction of the adventures on the high seas. The fight scenes were nail biting and you felt that you were a stow away witnessing the fights first handed. Luckily I didn’t get sea sick.
How could you not fall in love with Bastien aka Captain Cutlass, he was a small boy when he was force to leave his beloved home. Everyone he ever loved, besides his trusted family friend Gaston, has died. His heart was hardened, it was better if he never loved again. And he tempted fate every chance he could. That all change when he ran smack dab into his cabin girl ~ Raeven.
"Perhaps, it is time that you stop looking for ways to die and start looking for how you can live" Gaston
Raeven is a feisty, strong willed heroine. She was raised on the sea, and she has a way of finding herself in a bind or two throughout the book. But she is resourceful, you can find her either firing a cannon, picking a lock or throwing knives.
I laughed, I cheered, I cringed and I cried reading this book. Shana Galen delivered a kick ass, steamy tale. I recommend this to everyone. You must buy this!!
I received this advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2012
Reviewed By~Marissa
Review Copy Provided By~NetGalley
First off – I absolutely love pirates. Maybe it goes back to watching old Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power movies on television, the tight pants and high boots, the shirt open down to there and, of course, gazing raptly as they swung around on the ship’s rigging with the ease of a trapeze artist. So when I heard Shana Galen had a new book featuring a *swoon* pirate, I screamed – and then let RtB know I wanted that book. I mean, I really wanted that book. I would have fought a duel for that book. Just hand me a pirate sword.
And my pirate fantasies have been fueled once again by another excellent adventure from Shana Galen. The “Rogue Pirate”, Bastien, is in reality a privateer seeking revenge on a fellow pirate, the one who killed Bastien’s mentor and father-figure. When we first meet Raeven, the “Bride”, she is pursuing her own revenge, for that of her fiancé, who was killed during one of Bastien’s privateering raids.
The swashbuckling fight scenes were particularly enthralling, keeping me turning page after page with each clash of the sword, shot of the pistol, and even the throwing of a punch. I love that Raeven is accomplished in such fighting skills as shooting and knife-throwing, as well as being able to pick a lock. One of my biggest praises for Galen’s writing is that she knows how to write a kick-ass heroine – a woman who does more than hold her own, a woman who owns her own life and abilities and doesn’t wait for a man to rescue her.
On the flip side, Galen also writes virile and strong men. Bastien is most definitely male yet he knows when someone has the brains to be of use to him, even if that someone is a woman. I doubt that too many pirates (sorry, privateers) would have followed any advice given by a woman, especially if that woman was beautiful.
When I began reading, I did not realize it was the third book in a series. Happily, this book works just as wonderfully as a stand-alone. As usual, Galen does a fantastic job of creating a historical world in vivid Technicolor and characters you come to care about. This book will be on my bookshelf and re-read many times.
Review Copy Provided By~NetGalley
First off – I absolutely love pirates. Maybe it goes back to watching old Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power movies on television, the tight pants and high boots, the shirt open down to there and, of course, gazing raptly as they swung around on the ship’s rigging with the ease of a trapeze artist. So when I heard Shana Galen had a new book featuring a *swoon* pirate, I screamed – and then let RtB know I wanted that book. I mean, I really wanted that book. I would have fought a duel for that book. Just hand me a pirate sword.
And my pirate fantasies have been fueled once again by another excellent adventure from Shana Galen. The “Rogue Pirate”, Bastien, is in reality a privateer seeking revenge on a fellow pirate, the one who killed Bastien’s mentor and father-figure. When we first meet Raeven, the “Bride”, she is pursuing her own revenge, for that of her fiancé, who was killed during one of Bastien’s privateering raids.
The swashbuckling fight scenes were particularly enthralling, keeping me turning page after page with each clash of the sword, shot of the pistol, and even the throwing of a punch. I love that Raeven is accomplished in such fighting skills as shooting and knife-throwing, as well as being able to pick a lock. One of my biggest praises for Galen’s writing is that she knows how to write a kick-ass heroine – a woman who does more than hold her own, a woman who owns her own life and abilities and doesn’t wait for a man to rescue her.
On the flip side, Galen also writes virile and strong men. Bastien is most definitely male yet he knows when someone has the brains to be of use to him, even if that someone is a woman. I doubt that too many pirates (sorry, privateers) would have followed any advice given by a woman, especially if that woman was beautiful.
When I began reading, I did not realize it was the third book in a series. Happily, this book works just as wonderfully as a stand-alone. As usual, Galen does a fantastic job of creating a historical world in vivid Technicolor and characters you come to care about. This book will be on my bookshelf and re-read many times.
January 18, 2012
"Merde"! Our wonderful Shana Galen has done it again with another ripping romance that's sure to tickle your fancy plus some. The last of the Harcourt brothers has been found by a beautiful wild woman of the sea which leads us to a soul searing romance that will leave scorch marks instead of love bites.
Raeven Russell has a vendetta to act on and now only to find the man that shall see that Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn or hurt for that matter. Raeven is a small delicate beauty to behold but none looking at her would expect this petite to breath Brimstone and Fire should you hurt someone she loves. This is a woman that is a perfect match for any rogue.
Sebastien Harcourt, Marquis of de Valere has been at sea for more years than he would care to count. Having lost his family at a young age during the Revolution, young Bastien left to find himself and try to bury all the horrors and memories that plague him. What better way than to find himself saying, "A pirate's life for me, ha ha, he he".
Our story starts out with a challenge issued for the death of one's love in a tavern of ill repute. More of less a Pirate's Cove that the average person would avoid at all cost but not for our lass petite.
Disguise and lies begin our adventure to an action packed romance that will rival the rolling seas. Every now and then a whitecap appears in the way of soul searing lust that will curl your toes and redden your nose. Ah....to be young and unpredictable looking for love, trouble, revenge and a little tit for tat. Sigh...........!
To say I loved this book is an understatement! I think this is the best of the trilogy and I would take a Bastien of my own any day of the week. My heart aches though as our storyline has ended with this book but I do so hope that our author will dream up something new for us very soon.
Raeven Russell has a vendetta to act on and now only to find the man that shall see that Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn or hurt for that matter. Raeven is a small delicate beauty to behold but none looking at her would expect this petite to breath Brimstone and Fire should you hurt someone she loves. This is a woman that is a perfect match for any rogue.
Sebastien Harcourt, Marquis of de Valere has been at sea for more years than he would care to count. Having lost his family at a young age during the Revolution, young Bastien left to find himself and try to bury all the horrors and memories that plague him. What better way than to find himself saying, "A pirate's life for me, ha ha, he he".
Our story starts out with a challenge issued for the death of one's love in a tavern of ill repute. More of less a Pirate's Cove that the average person would avoid at all cost but not for our lass petite.
Disguise and lies begin our adventure to an action packed romance that will rival the rolling seas. Every now and then a whitecap appears in the way of soul searing lust that will curl your toes and redden your nose. Ah....to be young and unpredictable looking for love, trouble, revenge and a little tit for tat. Sigh...........!
To say I loved this book is an understatement! I think this is the best of the trilogy and I would take a Bastien of my own any day of the week. My heart aches though as our storyline has ended with this book but I do so hope that our author will dream up something new for us very soon.
June 23, 2023
I actually really enjoyed this story. I've been reading a lot of pirate books this week, and I did enjoy this one a lot. I do feel like it slowed down a bit in pace after he got his revenge; however, the ending picked up and was cute. If you are looking for a historical romance pirate book, then this one would be perfect. I liked the characters as well as the storyline. And the book was well written. This is my first book by this author, and I'm already excited to read more by them.
April 16, 2015
I like grown-up Bastien, less rebellious teen Raeven. Pirate refuses to fight her, either "child" dressed as a boy, or hair loosed as girl. She's thoughtless, gets others in trouble, even killed. Of course romance is sweet-hot main plot, her emerald eyes fall for his "cobalt eyes" p 150, with sides of fighting, deaths.
Despite Admiral's warnings, his young purser Percy Williams never admits he loves Raevan, and helps her escapades till the very last. Percy and Bastien say a man makes his own choices. Raeven knows Percy "adored her" p 1. She and I blame her for getting Percy in trouble.
Bastien's bosun is dark-skin leviathan Ridley "tattoos on his face" p 152. Quartermaster is spit-spot smart freckled Maine. A traitor on Bastien's crew lights lantern to guide Jourdain ambush for Bastien's ship Shadow.
"She'd given her maidenhead to Timothy, hadn't seen any reason to wait until the wedding, especially when they were so often apart. she wanted some memory of him to keep her warm on the long nights while she waited for their wedding day. Now he was dead, and she didn't regret her actions" p 150.
Raeven is cowardly. She runs away from aristocracy back to familiar father with excuse of his possible poor health. I'm skeptical that Happy Ever After could be wedding and baby birth.
Despite Admiral's warnings, his young purser Percy Williams never admits he loves Raevan, and helps her escapades till the very last. Percy and Bastien say a man makes his own choices. Raeven knows Percy "adored her" p 1. She and I blame her for getting Percy in trouble.
Bastien's bosun is dark-skin leviathan Ridley "tattoos on his face" p 152. Quartermaster is spit-spot smart freckled Maine. A traitor on Bastien's crew lights lantern to guide Jourdain ambush for Bastien's ship Shadow.
"She'd given her maidenhead to Timothy, hadn't seen any reason to wait until the wedding, especially when they were so often apart. she wanted some memory of him to keep her warm on the long nights while she waited for their wedding day. Now he was dead, and she didn't regret her actions" p 150.
Raeven is cowardly. She runs away from aristocracy back to familiar father with excuse of his possible poor health. I'm skeptical that Happy Ever After could be wedding and baby birth.
April 15, 2024
Book Review: The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Stars to Captain Cutlass and The Fish Out of Water Raeven
I really enjoyed the plot of this book. I have been looking for a good pirate romance and just happened to pass this one on the shelf at my library, and I am so glad that I did. The title drew me in even more than the cover, but I mean look at this beauty.
So, this is the story of Raeven who has made it her mission to get revenge on Captain Cutlass because he is responsible for the death of her fiance and first love, Timothy. The story starts in the bar that Raeven has tracked Cutlass to and she, dressed as a boy, challenges him to a swordfight. During the fight, her hat falls off and Cutlass sees that she is a beautiful woman instead, who he then imprisons as her his cabin girl. They are complete opposites. He is neat, organized, and intelligent. She is messy and reckless.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is how subtly but forcefully this focuses on the major class divide in their society. First, Bastian is a pirate and Raeven is the daughter of an Admiral, so there is a definite criminal versus legal military-type situation. But then Galen also explores how the British Navy is supposed to be completely by the book, but they take part in the forced inscription tactics when they take over another ship. Additionally, the story about Timothy being murdered by Bastian is completely turned on it’s side, when Bastian gives her the full story that Tim attacked his ship because Tim was out there for glory, instead of only justice. It is such an interesting way to switch the point of view around.
Bastian and Raeven meet again at a ball. Bastien is trying to make his escape when Raeven shows up at the same ball in a beautiful gown. She chases him around until they are both under fire and need to work together to escape. Raeven impresses Cutlass with her skills with the gun and coming up with escape plans. He even nearly sacrifices himself when she is about to be caught. At this point, they are equals.
Bastian isn’t only a criminal with a heart of gold, though. He is also a part of the aristocracy. And as such, there is a point when Raeven and he need to enter another ball when they are both completely underdressed. Raeven describes herself multiple times as a street urchin, who is so much more comfortable in the sea. BUT she also is completely self conscious because she doesn’t belong. For once when she was above him in all of these other situations, Raeven realizes she is from a working class and is storming through a ball in ripped pants and a shirt when all of the women are in gorgeous gowns and exquisite jewels. This is the beginning of the end for these two. This was one of the strongest visceral emotional moments in the entire book. You felt exactly when Raeven felt inadequate for Bastian. For the woman who was larger than life for the entire book to feel so self conscious for being from a working class again. It was perfect timing for them being, maybe permanently, on land again. Raeven knows who she is at sea, But on land, she is completely unstable. She had to ask a 15 year old on the ship who is somewhere in the aristocracy, if he had ever heard of the Duc. And luckily he had. She is so disconnected from the other social classes and once Bastian was reunited with his family, she now did not think she was good enough for him.
And this brings me to my absolute favorite part of the book: THE GRAND GESTURE. This was one of the best I have read in a book. Like this might even be up there with MacLean’s offering the heroine the divorce she wants---grand gesture. Raeven sneaks out and leaves in the middle of the night. And Bastian. Bastien. This man. He realizes what he must do to win her back. Earlier in the book he asks Raeven to choose between him and her dad. And then he makes sure that she does not have to choose again. This pirate get hired as her father’s first man so that she never has to choose again. He enlists in the British Navy, which is against everything he stands for, in order to be with Raeven. I cried. She cried. It was so beautiful. Then he got down on his knees and proposed. The second time. And it was so much better than the first one, and this is the one that without hesitation, she said yes.
Then he immediately quit the Navy, carried her off the ship, and right to their wedding. It was a little weird that her father couldn’t get off for the wedding, but the babylogue where everyone was present. All of their families. And it was worth it. Now their baby of course will be raised to have her sea legs before her land legs.
What I did not love is that this feels like it does not have a very deep emotional depth. Raeven and Captain Cutlass’s meet cute was perfect. It created so much tension and conflict between these two characters. But then I’m not sure what happened. They hooked up the very next time they met, and then it was insta love. Yes, I definitely think they are perfect for one another, and that they are both cut from the same cloth, however it was a lot of telling and not showing to get there. It is so much more meaningful when the layers are peeled back, slowly, over time and without the characters allowing it to happen.
The second Raeven met the Captain’s doctor, and his friend from his previous life, he told Raeven everything about him. That his father was the Duc, and was guillotined in the French Revolution. And he has been heartbroken and thinking he was the only one of his family who escaped. This employee (correctly) suspected that all of the rest of them escaped and that Bastian should begin looking for them after he got his revenge on Jordain.
Some of my favorite lines:
“He’d hung her delicate yet deadly sharp sword on his cabin wall: a reminder that appearances could be deceptive. But he hadn’t thought to ever see her again.” (18%) How can you not read about this pirate hanging the girl’s sword on on his bedroom wall and always staring at her weapon and thinking of her.
“She didn’t want to kill him. But she wouldn’t mind kissing him once or twice first” (25%)
“If you're trying to seduce me, you’re sailing in the wrong direction” (50%) This rhetoric is so beautiful and so piratey
“He laughed. She loved how he was always laughing” (50%) I love when a part of the characterization is just that the characters are happy to be alive. And when they make their significant other also find the joy in life. And Bastian (for some reason even when he was on his way to Newgate) is always in a good mood.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Stars to Captain Cutlass and The Fish Out of Water Raeven
I really enjoyed the plot of this book. I have been looking for a good pirate romance and just happened to pass this one on the shelf at my library, and I am so glad that I did. The title drew me in even more than the cover, but I mean look at this beauty.
So, this is the story of Raeven who has made it her mission to get revenge on Captain Cutlass because he is responsible for the death of her fiance and first love, Timothy. The story starts in the bar that Raeven has tracked Cutlass to and she, dressed as a boy, challenges him to a swordfight. During the fight, her hat falls off and Cutlass sees that she is a beautiful woman instead, who he then imprisons as her his cabin girl. They are complete opposites. He is neat, organized, and intelligent. She is messy and reckless.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is how subtly but forcefully this focuses on the major class divide in their society. First, Bastian is a pirate and Raeven is the daughter of an Admiral, so there is a definite criminal versus legal military-type situation. But then Galen also explores how the British Navy is supposed to be completely by the book, but they take part in the forced inscription tactics when they take over another ship. Additionally, the story about Timothy being murdered by Bastian is completely turned on it’s side, when Bastian gives her the full story that Tim attacked his ship because Tim was out there for glory, instead of only justice. It is such an interesting way to switch the point of view around.
Bastian and Raeven meet again at a ball. Bastien is trying to make his escape when Raeven shows up at the same ball in a beautiful gown. She chases him around until they are both under fire and need to work together to escape. Raeven impresses Cutlass with her skills with the gun and coming up with escape plans. He even nearly sacrifices himself when she is about to be caught. At this point, they are equals.
Bastian isn’t only a criminal with a heart of gold, though. He is also a part of the aristocracy. And as such, there is a point when Raeven and he need to enter another ball when they are both completely underdressed. Raeven describes herself multiple times as a street urchin, who is so much more comfortable in the sea. BUT she also is completely self conscious because she doesn’t belong. For once when she was above him in all of these other situations, Raeven realizes she is from a working class and is storming through a ball in ripped pants and a shirt when all of the women are in gorgeous gowns and exquisite jewels. This is the beginning of the end for these two. This was one of the strongest visceral emotional moments in the entire book. You felt exactly when Raeven felt inadequate for Bastian. For the woman who was larger than life for the entire book to feel so self conscious for being from a working class again. It was perfect timing for them being, maybe permanently, on land again. Raeven knows who she is at sea, But on land, she is completely unstable. She had to ask a 15 year old on the ship who is somewhere in the aristocracy, if he had ever heard of the Duc. And luckily he had. She is so disconnected from the other social classes and once Bastian was reunited with his family, she now did not think she was good enough for him.
And this brings me to my absolute favorite part of the book: THE GRAND GESTURE. This was one of the best I have read in a book. Like this might even be up there with MacLean’s offering the heroine the divorce she wants---grand gesture. Raeven sneaks out and leaves in the middle of the night. And Bastian. Bastien. This man. He realizes what he must do to win her back. Earlier in the book he asks Raeven to choose between him and her dad. And then he makes sure that she does not have to choose again. This pirate get hired as her father’s first man so that she never has to choose again. He enlists in the British Navy, which is against everything he stands for, in order to be with Raeven. I cried. She cried. It was so beautiful. Then he got down on his knees and proposed. The second time. And it was so much better than the first one, and this is the one that without hesitation, she said yes.
Then he immediately quit the Navy, carried her off the ship, and right to their wedding. It was a little weird that her father couldn’t get off for the wedding, but the babylogue where everyone was present. All of their families. And it was worth it. Now their baby of course will be raised to have her sea legs before her land legs.
What I did not love is that this feels like it does not have a very deep emotional depth. Raeven and Captain Cutlass’s meet cute was perfect. It created so much tension and conflict between these two characters. But then I’m not sure what happened. They hooked up the very next time they met, and then it was insta love. Yes, I definitely think they are perfect for one another, and that they are both cut from the same cloth, however it was a lot of telling and not showing to get there. It is so much more meaningful when the layers are peeled back, slowly, over time and without the characters allowing it to happen.
The second Raeven met the Captain’s doctor, and his friend from his previous life, he told Raeven everything about him. That his father was the Duc, and was guillotined in the French Revolution. And he has been heartbroken and thinking he was the only one of his family who escaped. This employee (correctly) suspected that all of the rest of them escaped and that Bastian should begin looking for them after he got his revenge on Jordain.
Some of my favorite lines:
“He’d hung her delicate yet deadly sharp sword on his cabin wall: a reminder that appearances could be deceptive. But he hadn’t thought to ever see her again.” (18%) How can you not read about this pirate hanging the girl’s sword on on his bedroom wall and always staring at her weapon and thinking of her.
“She didn’t want to kill him. But she wouldn’t mind kissing him once or twice first” (25%)
“If you're trying to seduce me, you’re sailing in the wrong direction” (50%) This rhetoric is so beautiful and so piratey
“He laughed. She loved how he was always laughing” (50%) I love when a part of the characterization is just that the characters are happy to be alive. And when they make their significant other also find the joy in life. And Bastian (for some reason even when he was on his way to Newgate) is always in a good mood.
February 2, 2012
Every little girl has her father wrapped around her little finger. They just look up at them with those love filled eyes and the fathers are helpless to resist. They will do anything they can for their little girls, no matter how old she gets because inside she will always be his little girl.
Raeven and her father are like that, he wants what he thinks is best for her. He makes the calls and disciplines in the hopes she will grow up and have the kind of life he could never give her. Even when it comes down to it he breaks the rules for the love of his daughter.
Raeven and Bastien are perfectly written; there is humor and action. So much action, you will not be able to put this book down. You will be swept away from the seas to exotic locals all the while being taunted and drawn to Bastien. He may have done some frowned upon deeds, but after all he is a pirate so it sort of goes with the job description.
Galen has crafted an excellent historical romance full of everything you could wish for. As always after you are done you will track down her entire backlist and still be excited for her next book to come out.
Raeven and her father are like that, he wants what he thinks is best for her. He makes the calls and disciplines in the hopes she will grow up and have the kind of life he could never give her. Even when it comes down to it he breaks the rules for the love of his daughter.
Raeven and Bastien are perfectly written; there is humor and action. So much action, you will not be able to put this book down. You will be swept away from the seas to exotic locals all the while being taunted and drawn to Bastien. He may have done some frowned upon deeds, but after all he is a pirate so it sort of goes with the job description.
Galen has crafted an excellent historical romance full of everything you could wish for. As always after you are done you will track down her entire backlist and still be excited for her next book to come out.
August 25, 2013
(potential spoilers)
Okay, so it features going down. That's about all it has going for it. Sure, I like Bastien, but Raeven's name is all kinds of distracting and just...ugh. Such an annoying name.
Honestly, it's light, fluffy, and oh yes features a pirate who is a nobleman and of course gets to be reunited with his mother and brothers at the end of the story. And of course he lands Raeven (THAT NAME).
Eh.
I dunno. It was a thing. Galen strikes me as kind of hit or miss anyway.
And yes, I like Raeven being good with a sword, pistol, and tactics. I just don't really like her. She strikes me as a cat laguz: combative, but not necessarily as good as she thinks. She just grates on me.
Okay, so it features going down. That's about all it has going for it. Sure, I like Bastien, but Raeven's name is all kinds of distracting and just...ugh. Such an annoying name.
Honestly, it's light, fluffy, and oh yes features a pirate who is a nobleman and of course gets to be reunited with his mother and brothers at the end of the story. And of course he lands Raeven (THAT NAME).
Eh.
I dunno. It was a thing. Galen strikes me as kind of hit or miss anyway.
And yes, I like Raeven being good with a sword, pistol, and tactics. I just don't really like her. She strikes me as a cat laguz: combative, but not necessarily as good as she thinks. She just grates on me.
February 23, 2012
Surprisingly good. I'm a sucker for pirates, but it turns out I'm an even bigger sucker for seafaring ladies who can wield a sword, do the work of a sailor, and plot sea battles. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
September 9, 2014
I liked it. I especially liked that you could truly read it alone without having read the two before it. A lot of books claim that but only a few succeed. The story was interesting even though at the beginning she was redundant in her use of "pirate bastard".
June 27, 2013
not bad, but not the best romance novel you can read. The darling, adventurous heroine goes from hating him to loving him and it just doesn't quite make sense. Just suspend belief as you read about their love.
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