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Buccaneers #3
Jamaican Sunset
In book 3 of The Buccaneers series, true love and adventure follow Emerald and Baret from the breathtaking beauty of Jamaica to the prestigious riches of England's Royal Court.
236 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
5 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lee Chaikin
47 books231 followersLinda Chaikin is a Christian fiction author with a focus on historical fiction. She sometimes publishes using the name L.L. Chaikin.
Linda was the youngest of 10 children and her father died shortly after she was born. She wrote her first full-length novel with pen and paper at the age of 14 - this novel was later rewritten as Wednesday's Child, part of the Day to Remember series.
She met her husband, Steve, in a Bible study, and they were married 6 months later. They both went to Multnomah School for the Bible, now known as Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Linda was the youngest of 10 children and her father died shortly after she was born. She wrote her first full-length novel with pen and paper at the age of 14 - this novel was later rewritten as Wednesday's Child, part of the Day to Remember series.
She met her husband, Steve, in a Bible study, and they were married 6 months later. They both went to Multnomah School for the Bible, now known as Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 29, 2018
This is my least favorite of the series. It seems like Chaikin wrote an entire book just to tie up loose ends that she created in the first two. Don't get me wrong - I appreciate having everything tied up, but it all happened so easily. Sure, they encounter trouble, but good ole Baret maneuvers some miraculous way to fix everything every single time. And after waiting so long, this book is sorely lacking in romance. It was there, but it played second fiddle to defeating the many enemies they made along the way and finding the treasure. And don't even get me started on that cover . . . the mullet . . . Lol. But I love the series as a whole and enjoyed reading it.
June 23, 2017
Who approved this awful cover? I hate it so much that I actually stuck post it notes over the top of their faces. Aside from that, this book felt super rushed - it's so much shorter than the first two books and I get the impression that Ms Chaikin just wanted to wrap up all the loose ends and be done with it.
Baret and Emerald are together now so there are lots of lovey dovey bits, an abduction (for old times sake), and the settling of old scores. A lot more could have been done with the story and I would have loved to see Baret and Emerald return to England to clear his fathers name before the king, but it was not to be.
Even so, I will always and forever give this series 5 stars, if only because of the nostalgia <3
Baret and Emerald are together now so there are lots of lovey dovey bits, an abduction (for old times sake), and the settling of old scores. A lot more could have been done with the story and I would have loved to see Baret and Emerald return to England to clear his fathers name before the king, but it was not to be.
Even so, I will always and forever give this series 5 stars, if only because of the nostalgia <3
August 16, 2025
It honestly hurts my heart to give a pirate book a low rating, but the final book in this series just falls flat — especially knowing the author can do better.
The female lead somehow melts into the background, becoming a side character in her own story. There’s definitely a place for a shy, sweet heroine who doesn’t feel the need to girl-boss her way across every bridge. But in the first book, she was making the big plays. In this final installment, she becomes so passive that she barely affects the story at all. It’s not that being submissive is inherently bad — it’s that she takes it too far, to the point where she could almost have been replaced with a potted plant.
It was really awesome to see a woman who stood by her moral code when it was difficult. She was strong without ever pushing others down or out of the way to do it. But with the final book being about the male lead, her presence and agency are barely felt, which is disappointing for anyone who loved her character earlier.
The female lead somehow melts into the background, becoming a side character in her own story. There’s definitely a place for a shy, sweet heroine who doesn’t feel the need to girl-boss her way across every bridge. But in the first book, she was making the big plays. In this final installment, she becomes so passive that she barely affects the story at all. It’s not that being submissive is inherently bad — it’s that she takes it too far, to the point where she could almost have been replaced with a potted plant.
It was really awesome to see a woman who stood by her moral code when it was difficult. She was strong without ever pushing others down or out of the way to do it. But with the final book being about the male lead, her presence and agency are barely felt, which is disappointing for anyone who loved her character earlier.
May 10, 2022
3.5 stars
I first read this series as a teenager and loved it enough to keep paperback copies in my bookcase. They've survived years of purging old books in order to make space in the house and the advent of electronic books. I've been feeling a push to go back to old books lately, so I picked these up - immediately after re-reading Chaikin's Heart of India series.
The good news is, I enjoy the stories and the characters enough for the books to survive another bookcase purge should one happen in the near future. The bad news is that I don't love them as much as I remember.
The good:
*Chaikin is a master with setting - both historical and environmental. Her descriptions are evocative and immersive, and it's obvious she's done her research.
*Swoony male leads. I'm not going to lie - Jace Buckley and Baret Buckington are a large part of the reason I kept these books for so long.
*Strong female leads (to a point). There may be a touch more swooning than necessary, and some really stupid decisions made, but both Coral and Emerald are principled, strong female leads.
*The stories have substance. These books aren't just romance with a dab of historical polish. The storylines are intricate and compelling enough to keep me turning the pages.
*Christian worldview. Not much to say here except that this is both a plus and a minus for me (more about this in the bad section).
The bad:
*Grammar issues. Too much passive voice and some incorrect word choices make this a frustrating read for me.
*Continuity issues. This was less of an issue in the Heart of India series, but I found several apparent errors in this series that I simply couldn't reconcile. Maybe Chaikin wrote too fast, maybe she didn't edit enough. I don't know, all I know is that they were frustrating.
*Lack of resolution for a number of plot points.
*Squicky stuff.
*Why does everyone want to marry Emerald?
*Why does everyone want to marry their cousin? (This is a rhetorical question. I know why.)
*Icky, gushy romance. In my opinion, most romances go this way eventually. This one definitely did.
*I like the fact that the characters in these books are strong Christians, but sometimes it gets a little overwhelming.
Bottom line: Despite some quibbles, they're still worthy of the bookshelf.
I first read this series as a teenager and loved it enough to keep paperback copies in my bookcase. They've survived years of purging old books in order to make space in the house and the advent of electronic books. I've been feeling a push to go back to old books lately, so I picked these up - immediately after re-reading Chaikin's Heart of India series.
The good news is, I enjoy the stories and the characters enough for the books to survive another bookcase purge should one happen in the near future. The bad news is that I don't love them as much as I remember.
The good:
*Chaikin is a master with setting - both historical and environmental. Her descriptions are evocative and immersive, and it's obvious she's done her research.
*Swoony male leads. I'm not going to lie - Jace Buckley and Baret Buckington are a large part of the reason I kept these books for so long.
*Strong female leads (to a point). There may be a touch more swooning than necessary, and some really stupid decisions made, but both Coral and Emerald are principled, strong female leads.
*The stories have substance. These books aren't just romance with a dab of historical polish. The storylines are intricate and compelling enough to keep me turning the pages.
*Christian worldview. Not much to say here except that this is both a plus and a minus for me (more about this in the bad section).
The bad:
*Grammar issues. Too much passive voice and some incorrect word choices make this a frustrating read for me.
*Continuity issues. This was less of an issue in the Heart of India series, but I found several apparent errors in this series that I simply couldn't reconcile. Maybe Chaikin wrote too fast, maybe she didn't edit enough. I don't know, all I know is that they were frustrating.
*Lack of resolution for a number of plot points.
*Squicky stuff.
*Why does everyone want to marry Emerald?
*Why does everyone want to marry their cousin? (This is a rhetorical question. I know why.)
*Icky, gushy romance. In my opinion, most romances go this way eventually. This one definitely did.
*I like the fact that the characters in these books are strong Christians, but sometimes it gets a little overwhelming.
Bottom line: Despite some quibbles, they're still worthy of the bookshelf.
June 9, 2009
the book was very good just like the rest of the series but i feel that it was cut too short and left many questions unanswered. Considering the fact it's smaller than the other 2 in the series, it feels like it was rushed to meet a deadline
March 23, 2017
(4.5) This one did seem a bit rushed, but it was still fun.
December 15, 2021
I had somewhat of a low expectation of the book (comparatively), partly because of negative reviews and partly because of the short length. However, the book was excellent--about as good as the previous ones--and contained a great balance of new action and wrap-up of the plot points of the whole series. Perfect.
Setting: Picks up right where the previous book ends, a couple weeks or so later. The climax of the book features an historical event which occurred in 1668. The setting begins on Foxmoore Plantation in Jamaica, and proceeds to various ships in various places in the Caribbean. The Spanish Main and several more specific locations are mentioned. As always, the setting is very well described, and vivid, whether it be regarding the lush panorama, the characters' clothing, technical terms, international relationships, or cultural issues such as slavery. I pretty much always knew where the characters were, thanks to the map in the beginning of the book. Needless to say, a lot of attention is given to the setting, and I appreciate it.
Characters: How much do I need to repeat my love for the characters which I already loved in #1 and #2? Baret, still my favorite hero. A different side of him is revealed in this book, but instead of acting out of character, it merely completes it (seeing as how he had been more of a mysterious character to begin with). He's more amorous, a little less cocky. His trust in God is developed more, and his manly righteous anger comes out in such a way that shows the balance between anger and vengeance. The battle against sin in his actions and mind is excellently written.
Emerald is solidly a female character whom I enjoy reading. Her faith, strong and weak, is something that I both admire and empathize with. She's naturally timid, but she doesn't let it stop her from doing the right thing, and at the same time she doesn't annoy me. Therefore, I am impressed.
Due to hesitancy of naming names, I won't be specific in my admiration of the other major characters. Suffice it to say I greatly appreciated the inclusion of vices, or at least temptations, they suffered, even as they had good intentions and were firmly on the "right" side. Sins are in no ways condoned, but they are present, and mentioned in a negative light without preaching-paragraphs lengthening into pages. The vices are not there to show the righteousness of the good characters, but rather to develop their personalities and inner struggles.
Now regarding the antagonists: oh, are they despicable. Cookie-cutter, 2D antagonists they are not, but an ounce of sympathy for them I never had. Quite proper.
Plot: As good as the whole series is, how would I expect anything different from the climax of the series? The plot is amazing, and though it includes the conclusion to all the ongoing plot points, it also has its own plot. A plot that intertwines directly with the main plot of the whole series, but a plot that nonetheless stands on its own. The romance isn't really part of the plot--that was mainly resolved in the second book--but this book sees its conclusion. As for all the adventure plot directions, all I can say is that it's amazing how many different aspects of the plot can come together as separate parts of one main plot. It takes a truly talented author. And with all this hyperbole already, I think I'll add that the joy at the beginning of the book is extremely contagious, and the all-hope-is-lost moment is one of the most hopeless moments I've ever read. The book has everything.
Faith Content: I'm not sure that anything could have topped The Pirate and His Lady, but this one came close. Emerald's faith is beautifully presented and developed, her reactions completely realistic. Baret's faith--his knowledge of good and God's commandments, combined with his personal relationship with God--is revealed in multiple instances, and a certain (relevant) scripture is mentioned, which was quite surprising to me. I loved it. The moral issue of slavery is addressed in a brief but weighty sentence, and I again refer to the mastery of the portrayal of the characters' vices.
The cruelty of the Spanish "Catholics" is central to the plot. Let's just say that the Spaniards'' "Christianity" is not treated favorably, by the godly characters and the reprobates alike. The story had me fuming, as well. Evil is portrayed brutally but candidly, but God's faithfulness shines throughout.
Anyway, enough gushing. Can you not tell I recommend this series to all?
Setting: Picks up right where the previous book ends, a couple weeks or so later. The climax of the book features an historical event which occurred in 1668. The setting begins on Foxmoore Plantation in Jamaica, and proceeds to various ships in various places in the Caribbean. The Spanish Main and several more specific locations are mentioned. As always, the setting is very well described, and vivid, whether it be regarding the lush panorama, the characters' clothing, technical terms, international relationships, or cultural issues such as slavery. I pretty much always knew where the characters were, thanks to the map in the beginning of the book. Needless to say, a lot of attention is given to the setting, and I appreciate it.
Characters: How much do I need to repeat my love for the characters which I already loved in #1 and #2? Baret, still my favorite hero. A different side of him is revealed in this book, but instead of acting out of character, it merely completes it (seeing as how he had been more of a mysterious character to begin with). He's more amorous, a little less cocky. His trust in God is developed more, and his manly righteous anger comes out in such a way that shows the balance between anger and vengeance. The battle against sin in his actions and mind is excellently written.
Emerald is solidly a female character whom I enjoy reading. Her faith, strong and weak, is something that I both admire and empathize with. She's naturally timid, but she doesn't let it stop her from doing the right thing, and at the same time she doesn't annoy me. Therefore, I am impressed.
Due to hesitancy of naming names, I won't be specific in my admiration of the other major characters. Suffice it to say I greatly appreciated the inclusion of vices, or at least temptations, they suffered, even as they had good intentions and were firmly on the "right" side. Sins are in no ways condoned, but they are present, and mentioned in a negative light without preaching-paragraphs lengthening into pages. The vices are not there to show the righteousness of the good characters, but rather to develop their personalities and inner struggles.
Now regarding the antagonists: oh, are they despicable. Cookie-cutter, 2D antagonists they are not, but an ounce of sympathy for them I never had. Quite proper.
Plot: As good as the whole series is, how would I expect anything different from the climax of the series? The plot is amazing, and though it includes the conclusion to all the ongoing plot points, it also has its own plot. A plot that intertwines directly with the main plot of the whole series, but a plot that nonetheless stands on its own. The romance isn't really part of the plot--that was mainly resolved in the second book--but this book sees its conclusion. As for all the adventure plot directions, all I can say is that it's amazing how many different aspects of the plot can come together as separate parts of one main plot. It takes a truly talented author. And with all this hyperbole already, I think I'll add that the joy at the beginning of the book is extremely contagious, and the all-hope-is-lost moment is one of the most hopeless moments I've ever read. The book has everything.
Faith Content: I'm not sure that anything could have topped The Pirate and His Lady, but this one came close. Emerald's faith is beautifully presented and developed, her reactions completely realistic. Baret's faith--his knowledge of good and God's commandments, combined with his personal relationship with God--is revealed in multiple instances, and a certain (relevant) scripture is mentioned, which was quite surprising to me. I loved it. The moral issue of slavery is addressed in a brief but weighty sentence, and I again refer to the mastery of the portrayal of the characters' vices.
The cruelty of the Spanish "Catholics" is central to the plot. Let's just say that the Spaniards'' "Christianity" is not treated favorably, by the godly characters and the reprobates alike. The story had me fuming, as well. Evil is portrayed brutally but candidly, but God's faithfulness shines throughout.
Anyway, enough gushing. Can you not tell I recommend this series to all?
March 5, 2022
Such a great series! Solid 4.5 for the last book! Not a five simply because I never got to see what came of Erik and Minette and I never got to see Emerald properly embrace her role as Lady Harwick on Foxmore Plantation. I may have gotten her and Baret, but with such a beautiful cast of side characters, I’m sad I never got the conclusion of their stories!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2025
Kind of a disappointing last book. Also what a terrible cover! 😂
May 30, 2014
This is by far the best book of the series. Not only was there less retracking and less Christianese but more natural like for lack of a better saying. The characters weren't overly demonstrative but their lives flowed really well. Even though I've read this series many times there are still things I forget and reading these again has refreshed my memory and blank spots, especially where I think a character has done something that turned out they didn't and so forth. I loved the adventure and intrigue and even though it is a little predictable I still love it. Who says you can't love "a life may suck but it always turns out good in the end" book, at least one anyone (or in this case 3). 5 and 1/2 stars and 2 thumbs up!
October 27, 2012
stupid ending why do they have to be sooo short!!!
October 10, 2013
Though I enjoyed it, it felt like Chaikin wanted to get this one over with. Way too rushed in my opinion.
September 30, 2015
finished in one day! constant action. glad they wrapped up all the loose ends. and they lived happily ever after...
April 29, 2016
Read the other two books and i loved them also. i have this more than three times.
Read
January 8, 2017good read. not a bad book.
March 1, 2016
Romantic life surrounding buccaneers. Excellent reading.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews