Shiver Her Timbers

The Plundered Chronicles #2

by Alex Westmore

It’s been six years since Quinn started dressing as a man in order to sneak aboard the most notorious pirate ship ever to set sail upon the seven seas—and those years have definitely begun to take their toll.

Now Quinn must choose between continuing her high seas adventure or revealing a truth that could very well destroy both of her double lives and both of the women she’d give anything to protect. Is Quinn the woman she always thought she was, or has she become the pirate rogue she pretends to be? Will she choose love, honor, truth… or none of the above?

The stakes are higher than ever as Quinn, Grace, and the crew of the Malendroke come to the Queen’s rescue once more. And, this time, not everyone will get out alive.

Genres: Pirates, Romance, LGBT, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fantasy, Lesbian

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2016

About the author

Alex Westmore lives in the oven called Palm Springs, where she rescues desert tortoises, lizards, and a snake or two. One tortoise, Fancy Pants, is nearing 80 pounds and is eating Alex out of house and home! Havig travelled around the world to get closer to the action, she has spent time with Voodun in New Orleans, medicine men in the Southwest, and a Shaman in the Amazon. She has travelled to Galway, Ireland where her pirate captain, Grace O'Malley lived, ridden on the back of an elephant on safari, and raced an ostrich. Her adventures both keep her OUT of trouble as well as put her INTO trouble.

Alex is also a five-time award winning author of several series, from zombies to demons to empaths, oh my! When she isn’t writing, she’s thinking about writing and imagining where her next great adventure will take her, often, it takes her out onto the backroads of Southern California on her awesome beast of a Harley.
Spice up your life! Join Alex on her next amazing adventure… you will be so glad you did.

aka Linda Kay Silva

Blog

Reviews

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The naming of the books in this series is unfortunate. Maybe it's just me but i was expecting cheesy wanna be erotica?
Instead, you get historically enlightening, women pirate ass kickin, action adventure and drama galore. sure, she beds many a wench, but it's not at all cheesy. i highly recommend this series to anyone interested in the story of the rough life of an Irish woman pirate battling with clans and monarchies all while trying to secure the love of a good woman.

[Lex Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars. Not quite as good as the first one but still really enjoyable. What made me like it less than the first was that I thought too much time was spent on Quinn struggling over her relationships. Too many times we had to hear others tell her "shes in love with Grace". Too much about her feelings for Becca, Fiona, Becca, Fiona. Quite frankly Quinn just couldn't stop beating herself up. However, I was happier at the end when she finally made some relationship decisions and stopped whining and belittling herself. With the bad stuff, about the book, out of the way... The adventure and excitement was all here making this one a page turner, maybe even more than the first. I'm really impressed by Westmore. I hope she keeps banging her books out, because I can't wait to read her next.
If you like the first book, don't pass this up!

[Bárbara Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG SO GOOD!! This series is so cool and amazing!! I legit can’t stop reading and I’m still so ... I don’t even know lol this just ended with a cliffhanger and I NEED KNOW MORE. At least book 3 is already available 🙌🏻

“She could only wonder at how many of them wouldn’t make it back.”

Let the binge-reading of book 3 begin hehe

[Laz the Sailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the first book was a strong 4-stars, this one is a weak 4-stars. Still a good book, but the author shifted to explore more of the politics of Mary vs Elizabeth, which pulled us away from the pirates and fighting and wenching. Also, there was a lot more introspection from the main characters - more telling and less doing.

Still, I enjoyed it and will continue to read the series.

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need Grace and Quinn

[Ilse :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m very happy I found this series. This book was just as good as the first one and I hope the rest will be the same.

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book by Westmore that I have read is closer to a 3.75 to 3.8 book than a 4 star book. Even with half stars, though, that would still mean I'd mark it down as a 4 star book.

I was excited to read this book. I'd finished the first book in the series shortly before the second was going to be released. But there was enough time in between finishing that book, and starting this one to allow me to develop quite a heavy dose of need/desire/want . . . to read this specific book here. So, the book got released, I got it, and promptly . . . read a different book. Well, I was in the middle of a series, so . . .. By the time I actually got back to this one, the book had a rather odd rating. Sure it was based on only a few readers/raters but still. Alarming. No matter, I wasn't going to allow that to influence me. (ETA: I'll note now, since the rating has skyrocketed since I saw it initially, that I had initially seen the rating at 2.50 stars. Which seems impossible, considering that no one has actually rated the book as low as 2 stars. Or 1. Or 3 for that matter).

So, I dove into the book and . . . was kind of bored. There is a kind of an inherent need in series books to have 'stuff' repeated. So that readers who had read the first book long ago, could be brought up to speed, and those who never read any other book in the series might have a chance of understanding what was going on. Which just means that I, who had just finished the first book, was bored.

There were some rather exciting moments in this book. Thrilling moments. But by no means is this book as good as the first in the series. Unfortunately. Oddly enough, or maybe fitting, things didn't really turn interesting until new characters appeared. Namely Evan and the people whose name I can't remember. Gagagaallagasheasgash or something like that. Unfortunately, Evan and the Galloglaighs didn't turn up that quickly in the book.

Unfortunately appears to be my favorite word for this review, I use it once again - unfortunately my brain is leaking from my skull, so I must flee without doing as much with this review as I might have wished to do.

Grace O'Malley and crew wander over to Scotland to try to help a pregnant Mary keep the throne of Scotland from the treacherous Queen Elizabeth of England. Meanwhile, Quinn continues her ways with the women, still stringing along both Becca and Fiona. Though Fiona is the one who supposedly has Quinn's heart. They can't be together, though, because that just isn't done. Also, Fiona is married to an English dude. At roughly the same time Mary is pregnant, Fiona is pregnant. With her second child. First one didn't make it. Fiona and all involved are concerned.

The pregnancies are relatively quickly handled one way or another and Grace and crew are back in Ireland. To pick up some Galloglaighs, 'foriegn warriors', and to take them back to Scotland to help defend the Queen. Grace splits her forces onto three ships. Her own, and two . . . um, galley? Galleons? I forget which. Quinn gets the captain seat for one, Innis gets the other. They load up their ships with the Galloglaighs, and in the process Quinn meets Evan. One thing leads to another, and Quinn is questioning whether or not she actually has developed feelings for a dude.

Clan battles in Ireland, with the help of English interference, a certain unstable in-fighting is occurring in Scotland between the Queen of Scotland and her English husband (shesh, all these people are marrying Englishmen). Death, destruction, plundering, sex, risk, danger, war sweep across this kind of short book.

Was interesting.

January 15 2016

[Mariah Lebron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series so much. Can't wait for more. My favorite is the history! Alex tries so hard to keep it the same to actual events. Love It.

[Kristin Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced action adventure. I continue to love the characters and the relationships between them. I can't wait for the 3rd book in this series to see what adventures are afloat in Quinn's life.

[Noblesqualor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun book. So fun, in fact, that it's a shame that it's called sHivEr HeR tImBeRs, which is a truly ridiculous title. I know, don't judge a book by its cover or title or anything but the contents, but the title is quite misleading. The first book in the series was more of a shivering timbers type of situation because the main character, Quinn, was new to, like, freedom and sex and being a person after growing up as a noblewoman. So, she explores a bunch, which, good for her. The second book, though, takes place six years later, when Quinn is a fully established and pretty kickass pirate. This book reads far less like a romance-y, erotica thing than the first book (helpfully entitled The Pirate's Booty). This book is more historical and political and fight-y and substantial. The pacing is great, it moves really fast and is exciting. The characters are well-developed and fully realized.

tl;dr: don't let the title put you off. It is not as fluffy and cheesy as the title suggests. It is a fun, historical fiction pirate adventure.

[DefinitelyNotARabbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continued adventures of Quinn have been fascinating. 6 years passed between the books and Quinn has grown as a person in a lot of ways. The lessons on what the heart wants and what the heart must let go to find happiness were enlightening. I liked the first book slightly more, but this one is nipping very close on its heels

[Kate Hershberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sequel

I rather enjoyed the 2nd book in this series. It had a little bit of everything. Action, adventure, romance. One thing I enjoyed was that Callaghan's love life is a bit complicated, but believable. She has a few love interests and it's hard to root for just one. Can't wait to see what happens in book 3.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dazed

The second book of this series is just as gripping as the first! I couldn’t put it down and have been left wondering what day is it after finishing it!

Great plot lines and characters build with enough research and history too transport you out of your hammock and onto The Malendroke!

[Jennifer Black]

I wanted to know what happened romance-wise (Fiona) after seeing some reviews, so I skimmed, using kindle’s word search function. I didn’t enjoy what I found, so I’ll be giving this a pass, and spare my heart in the process. Sorry.

[Tabitha Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down!

Another hit by Alex Westmoreland! Strong characters, a great storyline, and believable action. A must read! Now on to the next one!

[Jaymi Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate books that do not end. I refuse to buy another.

[Michael C. Gilchrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This is number 2. It is full of action and hard to put down. It grabs you and keeps you in the story. 😉😉😉

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A+ lesbian drama

[LuNoSti · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good, not as good as the first part but i would always recommend it.

[Beverly Fruhling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series captures you!

The Pirate's Booty and this book are riveting. I didn't want to put them down. As soon as I finished "Shiver", I downloaded Fire in the Hole!
Got to go so I can start the next adventure.

[Paige Ovanisian · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1 The Pirate's Booty ★★★★☆
#2 Shiver Her Timbers ★★★★☆
#3 Fire in the Hole - DNF

Solid second book with plenty of upward momentum! I love Quinn, she remains an interesting MC with loads of potential abound. It's been six years between the end of the last book and the beginning of this one, which was really a smart move as the time allowed Quinn to further establish her footing in the world she's now living in, and among her crewmates.

What Quinn had discovered in her travels was that all women wanted—what they truly desired—was passion, intimacy, and affection. Lots of affection. It appeared to Quinn that the man’s genitals, ugly as they were, were only a priority to men. Women needed them not at all and, if she were to be frank, climaxed best with the use of a tongue. She had been instrumental in teaching many of her mates this singular fact, and to a one they reported back with amazement how much they had pleased whatever wench they had bedded. Quite suddenly, Quinn had become the love guru of the crew, often fielding questions about sex, love, and marriage.

Quinn has been aboard the Malendroke going on seven years now, and has earned her place as one of Captain Grace O'Malley's top men. Quite possibly the very top, and her most trusted confidante. In this time she's grown even more skillful with a sword, and has been posing as a man for so long she may be more man than woman, which has become an ever-pressing problem in her romantic relationships.

Tavish chuckled. “Oh lad, dontcha see? That’s how it always is. We canna ever really have them. It is a fool’s play to believe we can.”
“Why not?”
“’Cause they’re smarter than us. They’ll always be smarter than us. Why do ya think our captain is a woman and the countries we live in are run by women?”
“’Cause they’re smarter?”
“Thatta boy.”"

Being pulled in too many directions for so long, and after a great deal of introspection, she makes a few big decisions regarding her relationships. In that I see a ton of character growth, even if it's a bit of a sad situation. Quinn is finally moving past the stage of exploration and has begun mentally transitioning into a more comfortable self. Consequently, more people are finding out about her 'true identity', and maybe more importantly, she's been meeting more people like herself who have been inspiring to her in the deepest of ways.

“Yer wrong aboot Scotsmen. It is because of the cold and damp that we are fiery and passionate. Ya’ve never really been loved until ya’ve been loved by a Scot.”

Insert romantic interest Evan. I love Evan to bits, and what their dynamic existence means for Quinn. I want to see Quinn finally feel comfortable enough to openly live as a woman, doing everything a man can do, as I feel that her masquerading as a man whilst not identifying as a man detracts quite a bit from the feminist message. I want to see her finally settle down into herself, and find her place in the world as she truly is, no facades.

“Yer a pirate, through and through. Doona matter to me what’s under the clothes. What matters is what’s under yer skin, and ya got the heart of a warrior. So, if it’s all the same to ya, I’d prefer we continue with the ruse. No one need ken unless ya wish ’em to. They’ll not be hearin’ it from the likes of me.”

I'm looking forward to continuing this series, and seeing what's in store for Quinn next as her story unfolds.

[moxieBK · Rating 2 out of 5]

​Shiver Her Timbers - The Plunder Chronicles #2 - Alex Westmore

Note: This book is way more darker than the first. If you are looking for a light f/f pirate romp, I'd advise you to look elsewhere.

Well, with nervousness, I read this next book in the series. I wasn't sure I would, since it is set six years in the future; but the first book was so good, I had cautious hopes for this one. Truly, not a lot has changed in those six years, but they are about to. This book starts fairly light, then gets darker, Darker, DARKER. As such, it ends up being an OK read, but no where near as good as the first book.
There are no chapters in this book, which is very off-putting for me. There are "divisions" (****), but I'd prefer actual chapters so I can stop and start easier.

Also: there are a lot more sexy bits in this book, which didn't add to the story as much as the first book. (In fact, the sexy bits felt like they were added to fluff up the book, or else to satisfy readers. Maybe even to lighten the darkness. But it did nothing for me.) And, did I mention: it's a lot more darker! I can't say I liked that much either. Where the first book was a good old rip-roaring swash-buckling adventure, this one felt like I fell into a bucket of black tar. It hinged a lot more on negative, bad vibes than fun, good vibes. I really don't like where the author took some of the characters, and those relationships. Especially Quinn and Fiona. This story made Quinn and Fiona's relationship feel like it was meaningless. Quinn's new relationship portrayed her more as a tramp that I think it was meant to. I had no love for her new girlfriend. This is where the author go too realistic for my tastes. The book took on more of a literary feel than an escapism read that I liked in the first book.

I felt like, as the story progressed, the plot got worse and worse. The continual attempts to save the Scottish queen's life got old and tired.

Overall, I was very disappointed in this story. I can say with certainty I won't be reading the next book. Twofold reasons here: I no longer own an Amazon Kindle ereader; which leads to the second: if an author is only going to limit her works to one vendor: she's not worth supporting.

There were a few noticeable typos and sentence structure issues as well.

Quick read; shorter than first book in series.

This book started as a four star, then went to three stars for ninety percent of the book. When Quinn burned her bridges to Fiona: two star. If you were a fan of Quinn and Fiona in the first book: DO NOT READ THIS ONE!

[The Shayne-Train · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not quite as good as its predecessor, The Pirate's Booty, this book still packs a well-written and entertaining wallop.

Action-packed pirate adventure! Land-based Scottish beserker warriors disemboweling Englishmen! Warring monarchs engaging in bloody intrigue! And some of the hottest F/F sex scenes this side of your browser history!

[Jane Barcklow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

Women, intelligent, cunning, fierce and in charge. Duplicity for freedom and revenge. Love, subtle, painful and surprising. Oh and some pirates, fighting and plundering. In other words, FUN story!!! If you like adventure, historical figures made real and women being their own heroes then I highly recommend you get this and the accompanying books.

[Amanda Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better. Loved this story, just as good as the first and binge read it in a day. Still swooning over Quinn.