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Searching Hearts #1

Quest of Honor

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He's chasing an elusive pirate, but when he catches Eleanor Adams, he gets far more than he bargained for…Thomas Harrington, second son of the Duke of Ware, joined the Royal Navy to escape from his life in society and find the freedom his soul had been searching for. Instead, he has spent three years attempting to bring the elusive pirate Captain Adams to justice.Eleanor has only known life on the high seas with her gentleman pirate captain of her father, evading the naval captain who refuses to give up his relentless pursuit – unless he can discover a way to capture him instead.The beautiful blonde woman Thomas meets in a tavern haunts his dreams, until he finds her in the unlikeliest of circumstances. The freedom his soul has been searching for and the honor he so upholds clash within him as Thomas and Eleanor fight their desire for one another. As they question everything they’ve ever believed, can they find a way forward together?This Regency pirate romance contains some steamy scenes.Revised and updated as of February 2023.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

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305 people want to read

About the author

Ellie St. Clair

208 books374 followers
Ellie St. Clair writes heartwarming Regency romances with spirited heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, and happily ever afters. Her passion for history shines through in richly drawn characters and romances brimming with irresistible tension.

A former journalist with an incurable love of history, she is the author of popular series such as Remingtons of the Regency and The Bluestocking Scandals. She lives in Saskatchewan, Canada, with her husband and three children.

When she isn’t crafting romantic tales or keeping up with her kids, she’s mainlining coffee, sweating it out on her Peloton, valiantly attempting to keep her plants alive, planning her next dog rescue, or dreaming of lake escapes.

Ellie loves corresponding with readers, so visit her website, email her, sign up for her newsletter or join her Facebook group for exclusive content, giveaways, and sneak peeks at upcoming books.

Contact her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/elliestclair, and sign up for her mailing list at http://www.elliestclair.com/subscribe.

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5 stars
221 (37%)
4 stars
182 (30%)
3 stars
133 (22%)
2 stars
42 (7%)
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19 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Regan Walker.
Author 32 books826 followers
February 28, 2019
Female Pirate Steals the Heart of a Captain in the Royal Navy!

Set in 1813, this is the story of Eleanor Adams, who was raised on a ship sailing the high seas with her father, a gentleman pirate who doles out money to the poor. Her desire is to one day assume command of the ship. But her desire might be is thwarted by Royal Navy Captain Thomas Harrington, second son of the Duke of Ware, who has been searching for the pirate Captain Adams for years.

Thomas joined the Navy to escape from his life in society and his father’s plans. Instead, he finds himself combing the seas for Adams. Thinking he might be in Port Royal, Thomas sails there. While in a tavern port, a beautiful blonde offers herself to him and then disappears. When he awakes, he has no idea he’s been sleeping with the daughter of the pirate he hunts.

It’s an interesting story with some clever twists and some good dialog. However, you don’t see much of the ship or many characters from the crews. And no battle scenes. (I understand the author is updating the book to correct the ship terminology.) We are told Captain Adams and his daughter are pirates but we never saw any piracy. As the romance goes, we have a woman of apparent easy virtue (for her times) and a nobleman in the Royal Navy, a duke’s son, who can’t get her out of his mind. A great set up for an intriguing story.
Profile Image for Ivana Azap Feješ.
217 reviews44 followers
September 3, 2017
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.*

Beautiful written novel. Thomas went to Navy with great expectations and ambitions.
On the other side we have Eleanor, that is living the life of pirate with her father, and she is trayng very hard to earne her position as the next captain of the ship.
Thomas is pursuing captain Adams, Eleanors father and their ship Gunsway, but they are always escaping him, so he is filled with bitterness and anger.
In Arwenack Castle captain Adams is proving that he is good man that is helping those who are less fortunate.
Thomas is very disapointed in his career in Navy, so he is thinking about buying his own ship and hiring his own crew. But he can't do that, because there will be scandal for his family. He would be seen as something of a vagabond. Eventually, Thomas identified that he would have to either find some kind of treasure – which he had no knowledge of how or where to find – or simply steal or fight for wealth, and become pirat himself. He was stuck, completely embedded in the Royal Navy with no way out. No, for the time being, he would have to simply continue his chase of Captain Adams and wish that, when he finally caught him, it would not only spell the man's demise, but also lead Thomas to freedom.
Thomas and Eleanor meet at the Port Royal and have passion encounter, but Thomas didn't know who Eleanor was. Eleanor lost herself entirely and was focused only on pleasure that they were experiencing.
Captain Adams then colapse, and has health problem, which alarmed everyone, including Eleanor. It appears that he will not be able to fight this one more battle.
Thomas had a confusing night - passion with beutiful woman and alarm on the precense of captain Adams. He mist forget the woman and concentrate on the mission.
Then captain Adams dies.
Thomas finds the location of Gunsway from captured pirats.
Eleanor sacrifies herself and Thomas puts her in prison, thinking that she is captain Adams - her father. But in anger he atacks her and finds who she is.
To liberate Thomas, so that he doesn't loose his honor again, Eleanor thinks of plan to "kill" capetan Adams.
Eleanor is then hidden in Thomases cabin, and gets to know him more - he is not proud and cruel man that she belived that he is.
Eleanor tells Thomas about captian Adams and his generosity. He decides that he wants to discover if, perhaps, these pirates were somehow different to what he’d expected.
Eleanor offers Thomas visit on one isolated island, and Thoma accepts, but is wary that she will escape.
In the end Eleanor confesses to Thomas that he is not such a bad sort for a Navy captain.
They have another passionate encounter and Eleanor realizes that she needs him.
Eleanor leaves Tomas after that, and confesses that she loves him and that she is waiting for him.
Thomas finds a letter that Eleanor has written and where she says that he leaves the Navy and find her in the Iron Caves.
They meet and realize that both of them has changed and that they are ready for one another.
In the end they dine with Thomases family and everything is alright.
Profile Image for Tammy.
646 reviews9 followers
August 23, 2017
Loved the story. I loved the world the author made for their characters. I thought is was very well done and had a nice steady pace. I thought or felt like I was part of the crew on the ship as the story played out. The story really pulled me in. Thomas trying to catch the Gunsway pirate ship and missing them each time. The characters are likeable. I cried on the ship, going no… as a character died. The story never has a boring or dull moment. Thomas and Eleanor have chemistry, that heated up the tavern sheets and then some. Hope to keep stalking the authors shelves for more books.
Got ARC for an honest review.
Thank you for sharing your book with me.
Profile Image for Elaine.
4,492 reviews93 followers
September 8, 2022
Shortish story. It was o.k., but can't say that I loved it. I usually love to read this author's books, but this was not a favourite of mine. 3☆
Profile Image for Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine).
1,193 reviews34 followers
March 29, 2019
“How could they allow you on board? Are you the woman of one of them?”
“Hardly. I am no one’s woman but my own and am certainly thought no less of because of it. I am welcome on board the Gunsway, and as much of a pirate as the rest of them,”
... “Our crew are more gentlemanly than you will ever be.” - Thomas Harrington & Eleanor Adams

Quest of Honor is a story out finding out where you fit in and coming to terms with who you are. The main characters are both stereotypical and at points a bit different. Thomas Harrington has some very not traditional British Navy traits, which are useful in context and are core to the storyline. There is a very black and white moral to it which is uncomfortable, the main pirates are Robin Hoods. There is a huge amount of predictability in play in the plot and not enough character development involved to keep things interesting. By about two-thirds of the way through I was waiting for the end. It might scratch someone's itch but I didn't enjoy this as much as I hoped to.

I have one comment on leading lady Eleanor she is the daughter of a pirate raised on a pirate ship and the heir to his ship. She is a mix of reckless, intelligent, bold and perhaps it goes without saying beautiful. Is it really bad that reading this all I could see when I reading Eleanor was this bizarre mash-up of the ladies of Black Sails (Eleanor Guthrie, Max and Anne Bonny)? She has Eleanor's looks (and name), Max's body confidence and ability to use her sex to her advantage and Anne's piracy skill (though not her ruthlessness). It tickled me.

My reading experience in a gif:
description

Profile Image for Tam.
2,179 reviews54 followers
September 27, 2017
Love And Adventure On The High Seas!

This was a unique, interesting and different type of piratical romance. The characters were engaging, I loved taking this adventure with them. The plot instantly riveting and moved at a good pace. I loved the warm and endearing relationship Eleanor had with her father and the crew of their ship. The chemistry between Eleanor and Thomas was undeniable and irresistible. Another St. Clair triumph!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this story in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so
Profile Image for Candy Briggs.
649 reviews23 followers
August 20, 2017
An unusual story but delightful. Eleanor is the daughter of a pirate and goes everywhere with her father. She is part of the crew. Captain Thomas Harrington, second son to the Duke of Ware, had decided to go into the Navy but it was no longer satisfying.
I absolutely loved this tale. The gentleness of her father to her, the love of the crew and her occupation. The author has made this story wonderful, action filled, and lots of love. The characters and descriptions, when they went to the island, a beautiful waterfall, the lush greenery, all worked to bring you into the story and helped to make you part of it. The plot with it's twists, keeps your attention and before you know it, the end comes and you really aren't ready. Thank you for allowing me to read this marvelous book.
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it
Profile Image for BP34.
6,297 reviews46 followers
August 29, 2017
A lady pirate Eleanor and her father sail the high seas robbing from the rich and giving to the poor in a Robin Hood kinda way. This was really a great story that was fun to read. It had it all mystery, passion and danger. Thomas is a member of the Royal Navy and has been chasing the elusive pirates for several years . His life changes the day he meets Eleanor to a world of adventure and love. Wow what a surprise ending. I voluntarily chose to review this book after receiving a promotional copy.
Profile Image for Gina.
2,393 reviews31 followers
August 18, 2017
A swashbuckling good tale. Upon the high seas you will find adventure, seedy ports, tropical surroundings and the endless pursuit of the British Navy in hunting pirates. Until Thomas a naval captain crosses paths with a hard to capture pirate captains daughter, Eleanor. It will turn out things are not as they seem and falling in love was not a part of the plan. I love a good pirate story. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
48 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2017
Great book that left you wanting more. 5 stars!
Profile Image for Richelle .
410 reviews33 followers
September 24, 2017
This is a collection of 2 short stories. The first is Quest of Honor and the second Hearts of Starlight.

Quest of Honor: Enjoyed the twist in this story with the pirate being female. I did enjoy the overall story, but the romance was not as developed or believable. Yes they lusted for each other, but to call it love was a stretch in my opinion. I'd give this one a 3.5. Content: Language, minimal. Violence, minimal amount with a pirate battle. Romance, definitely steamy - Mature

Hearts of Starlight: The McDougalls Book 1
I thoroughly loved this story. This was definitely 5 stars for me. This was a well developed set of characters, back story, circumstances; and a believable build up on their Love story. Loved the bit of mystery tied in with this one. It didn't feel like a novella at all. Nothing about this story seemed rushed. Definitely recommend.
Content: Language, minimal. Violence, minimal with the mystery. Romance, sweet but definitely steamy at the end - Mature.
Profile Image for Trish R..
1,772 reviews58 followers
September 15, 2017

This was a fun story about the pirate Captain Adams and the Royal Navy Captain that followed him relentlessly for three years trying to capture him. And the Captain’s last words were to give command of his ship over to his daughter, Eleanor. That started the little white lies and the deception on Eleanor’s part, since she slept with the Navy Captain, Thomas Harrington, when he was drunk, in order to get information from him.

One good thing was that having been raised on the ship the crew respected her and had no problem following the orders of a woman.

It was a wonderful adventure and love story: a battle with the Savage Soul, which they won, and Eleanor being captured by Thomas and his surprise at WHO he captured.
Profile Image for Cindy Cooke.
523 reviews5 followers
April 15, 2018
Interesting, if unbelievable, read...not sweet

This book has all the right things for a good read: a swashbuckling pirate who just happens to be a beautiful, strong, intelligent female; a frustrated second son who turns to the navy to find his own place in life only to be more frustrated by the orders he is given; a yearning to find the balance of life; all written into a good read. The book was even more e enjoyable be cause of the lack of errors in the writing. Only one typo in the entire thing...Ms St. Clair, thanks for a good night's diversion.
I received a copy of this book in a giveaway, and I an voluntarily leaving my opinion of it.
Profile Image for Christine Woinich.
2,795 reviews26 followers
December 31, 2025
I had a tough time putting this story down. I loved Eleanor as a woman and as a pirate. She was a bit reckless but very caring and loyal to her father and the crew. Thomas had left his wealthy life behind in order to see the world. As a captain in the Royal Navy, his assignment was to captured the pirate Captain Adams, and his frustration fed his dissatisfaction with his job. My heart felt for him as his hunt kept missing until a one-night stand with Eleanor gave him something else to think about. Their chemistry was instant and hot, and I thought they made a great couple. I really enjoyed this story.

This is my unsolicited review.
Profile Image for Janice Campbell.
15 reviews4 followers
August 27, 2017
This review is from: Quest of Honor (Searching Hearts Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
This book is not my usual genre but I really enjoyed it. Ellie is a fairly new author to me and the second book I have read, she has now become one of my favourite authors. There is plenty of action and adventure and romance on the high seas between a girl pirate and a naval sea Captain. I won't give any spoilers but it is well worth the read. I can't wait to read Ellie's next book. I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed It.
937 reviews7 followers
February 10, 2022
Elanor is the daughter of a pirate captain and Thomas is the second don of a Duke working in the Navy as a Captain. His goal is t0 the the pirate Captain Adams that has been alluding him to the last three years. Little does he know that the Captain has died and he is chasing the Pirate Captain's daughter Eleanor! Many a chase scene with the daughter being the target and posing as the pirate Captain. The good news is that the pirate captains daughter teaches all about love and to have honor! What a wonderful way to end a book but a happily ever after!
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.2k reviews8 followers
August 23, 2017
I enjoyed this book I never knew what would happen .Thomas Harrington the second son of the Duke of Ware, joined the Royal Navy searching to find meaning in his life, for three years he searches to find the elusive Captain Adams . One night he meets Eleanor Adams but he does not know that her father is the pirate he seeks. What happens when these two meet again just made the story. I was gifted a copy but because I liked the story I also bought. I will be looking for more books in this series.
Profile Image for Patricia Schuette.
633 reviews3 followers
August 29, 2017
A delivered ghtful story filled with adventure.

Eleanor Adams has been raised by her father a noted pirate. He trained her to take over the ship as Captain should anything happen to him. Thomas Harrington, 2nd son of the Duke of Ware becomes a Royal Navy Captain with orders to find the pirate "dead or alive".
251 reviews7 followers
February 23, 2018
Good book

5 stars as enjoyed very much. The H/h were very strong people. She especially could think and act as good as any man, better than of lot of them. She encouraged the hero to live the life he wanted. There some sensual love scenes in case that is not your cup of tea. It had a very happy ending. I recommend it if you like a good love story, with some action.
98 reviews
May 3, 2018
Wonderful Book!

Ellie St. Clair has written a wonderful book! Thomas, the second son of the Duke of Ware, is a captain in the British Navy. His orders are to capture the pirate Captain Adams. His journey is full of surprising twists that keeps the readers intrigued from start to finish. I cannot wait to read her next book!
152 reviews
March 6, 2019
A good swashbuckler

I liked Eleanor and Thomas' story especially the fact that he was outsmarted not only by Captain Adam's for so long but by Eleanor when she took over as Captain after the death of her father. There was alot of adventure in this story and I felt for Thomas as he struggled with duty versus freedom.
135 reviews
May 23, 2019
A Different Pirate

Captain Adams is a good pirate. Kind of like Robin Hood. He takes from the unkind wealthy and gives to the very needy. Captain Thomas is with the British Navy and is tasked with capturing Captain Adams. Three long years! Finally meeting Captain Adams daughter unbeknownst to him. How things change after that. Short great read.
1,324 reviews2 followers
February 17, 2020
Adventures on the high seas

Set sail with the gentleman
Pirate ship, where there being chased by navy captain Thomas Harrington, and they keep alluding him until he meets Eleanor a lady
Pirate . And she sees the man
Thomas truly is. Thomas has always seeked freedom, so it comes in the way of Eleanor, Love was the freedom he,d been searching for.
Thank you ❤
810 reviews5 followers
August 23, 2017
I love this story that will entertainment you until the last page.
Love, sea, friendships and surprise in a beautiful mixture for a story that you will reminder!
I recommend this book to everyone that love sea and romance
399 reviews3 followers
September 11, 2017
Lovely romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a young man who kept his integrity , and found his true love, both in his career and the woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life. (I voluntarily reviewed this free ARC).
Profile Image for Cindy Woods.
1,058 reviews20 followers
March 30, 2018
One star for effort

Boring...lifeless... Silly. This is not a historical book period, and the romance is bland. Characters are colorless. Dialogue ridiculous. I could barely finish it! No recommendations come to mind.
Profile Image for Tonya Bryant Gillon.
464 reviews7 followers
April 19, 2018
What a great read

I enjoyed this book immensely, Eleanor is the kind of woman most wish they were and to go on adventures all the time on a ship. That just made the story. I loved this book!
Profile Image for Cynthia Houser.
1,608 reviews9 followers
November 18, 2018
Honor

This is another good book by Ellie. I really enjoy her style of writing. This story is about a robin hood type pirate and his daughter. Thomas, second son of duke joins the Navy for adventure. He finds peace and true love.
Profile Image for Katie Jo.
401 reviews
March 12, 2019
Dive right in to this high sea adventure as seen from a Naval officer and a Pirate. Eleanor and Thomas are just about as different as you can get; on the surface. This story was filled with great dialogue, adventure, and a great theme about being true to yourself.
Profile Image for Marjorie.
2,099 reviews4 followers
February 15, 2020
Good love story

I know have said it before, but I love stories about sailors as I was married to one for 57 years and met him just out of boot camp and we spent 18 of his 21 years serving in the Navy. He traveled all over but at time his rate kept me home in the U.S. A.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews

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