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Greed and vengeance are powerful tools, but not as strong as a forbidden kiss that neither of them can seem to forget.

With his crazy old grandmother on board The Falcon, Mardon sets sail with his crew. They are following a clue that will hopefully lead them to where Mardon's late father buried treasure. When they dock at Great Yarmouth, it isn't treasure they find. Instead, a mysterious nun in a tavern helps them decipher the code that points them to the Canterbury Cathedral. A nun in a tavern isn't an everyday occurrence. Odder still, is the fact that Mardon can't shake the feeling he knows her, or that he is attracted to her.

Lady Emmaline de la Croix's reputation has been ruined by her late French husband. She thought the naked painting he commissioned of her would remain private, but now every man in France has seen it. To make matters worse, the painting was stolen by pirates that boarded their ship and killed her husband. Emmaline was kissed by a handsome pirate that day, just before she tried to kill him. It was a kiss so passionate, that she's never been able to forget it.

As a widow, Emmaline goes back to England and is put in a nunnery by her family. She'd rather die than to live without knowing true love for a man. She escapes, with her goal being to hunt down the pirate ship and steal back the naked painting. Hopefully, she can clear her sullied name and marry another nobleman and start over. But once she's reunited with the pirate named Mardon, she can't stop thinking about the kiss they shared, even if she is in disguise as a nun.

One searches for treasure while the other seeks redemption. Sparks of passion are ignited between a lady and a pirate, but they both know they can't stay together. What started as a simple kiss now promises, or threatens, to change their lives forever.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2020

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About the author

Elizabeth Rose

329 books1,292 followers



Elizabeth Rose is the author of medieval, paranormal, fantasy and contemporary novels. While based on romance, her novels have complex plots, action and suspense. She loves writing bad boy tortured heroes and empowered feisty heroines.

Her books have won rave reviews, and been seen on The History Channel as well as Wild Chicago. Elizabeth's books have won and been finalists in many contests. Here is a partial list:

Highland Spirit - Highland Chronicles WINNER of the Raven Award.
Bedeviled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER Creme de la Cover Contest
Beguiled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER - Creme de la Cover Contest

RONE Award finalists include:
Doubting Thomas - Bad Boys of Sweetwater
Highland Steel - Highland Chronicles
Tristan - Pirate Lords
Igniting Andrew - Bad Boys of Sweetwater
Highland Secrets - Secrets of the Heart
Seductive Secrets - Secrets of the Heart
Forgotten Secrets - all Secrets of the Heart
Summer's Reign - Seasons of Fortitude

Kindle Book Review Awards finalist and semi-finalist:
Highland Secrets
Forgotten Secrets

International Digital Award finalist:
Highland Spring - Seasons of Fortitude

Golden Palm Finalist:
Mary, Mary - Once Upon a Rhyme

Raven Awards Best Cover finalist:
May Queen - Holiday Knights

Raven Awards Runner-Up:
Lady and the Wolf - Tangled Tales

Books and Benches Reviewer's Choice:
Restless Sea Lord - Legendary Bastards of the Crown

Sapphire Award Finalist:
Kyros' Secret - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice:
Thief of Olympus - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

Seen on the History Channel:
The Oracle of Delphi - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

And More!

Elizabeth is known for her many series which include:

Below the Salt Series
Highland Outcasts
Portals of Destiny
Legacy of the Blade
Daughters of the Dagger
Elemental Magick Series
Bad Boys of Sweetwater: Tarnished Saints Series Greek Myth Fantasy Series
MadMan MacKeefe Series
Legendary Bastards of the Crown
Seasons of Fortitude
Secrets of the Heart
Second in Command
Pirate Lords
Highland Chronicles
Barons of the Cinque Ports
Tangled Tales Once Upon a Rhyme
Holiday Knights
Dark Encounters
Cowboys of the Old West
Working Man Series, and more!

Someday Elizabeth hopes to visit the castles of Scotland and England personally. However, she has been to the jungles of Peru and Machu Picchu which inspired her novels, Curse of the Condor and Bistro Bachelor.

Visit her website to view her latest books and to read excerpts of her work. http://elizabethrosenovels.com.

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5 stars
64 (63%)
4 stars
26 (25%)
3 stars
9 (8%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
2,500 reviews29 followers
December 2, 2020
4.5 stars
This was a good paced story with likeable characters. Mardon was a handsome man who could charm any lady. Not one woman had touched his heart though. Mardon did remember a kiss from a beautiful lady on a French ship. Mardon and his brother Aaron are also looking for the treasure buried by their father. Lady Emmaline de la Croix was escaping from the convent she had been forced into by her stepmother. She meets up with their grandmother and sails with them. There is the banter between the brother and grandmother, some amusing moments with Ramble, the cabin boy and an unexpected connection that could change things onboard the ship. This was an entertaining read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
735 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2020
Another great story.
Pirates and runaway lady hiding as a nun who has a secret that gets them in all kinds of situations that will keep you reading until the last page.
The characters are interesting and original. Don't miss this one.
152 reviews
December 3, 2020
Marden
Elizabeth Rose
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review. I actually liked Marden and Emmaline's
story better that Tristan's and Gavina's because there was much more action in it. Emma's
husband, was a creep, forcing her to pose for that disgusting painting and then charging men to
look at it. He was an abusive slob. I loved Nairnie's antics even more in this one, particularly
when she stole the clue to the treasure right out front under Neureus' nose. I'm glad she got a
bigger ladle and a pan not only to cook her biscuits in but to keep the crew of the Falcon in line.
Tristan does make an appearance in this to support his brother. Marden is brother number two
that is felled by Lady love. I can't wait to see what she has in store for Aaron.
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,087 reviews132 followers
December 18, 2020
An exciting story full of adventure, treasure hunting, a nun and a handsome pirate. What more could you ask for? I know when I begin a story by this wonderful author, there will be hours of entertainment!

Mardon is now captain, since his brother Tristan has found his own happy ever after. So with his amusing grandmother and crew set out to find treasure their father had hidden. Mardon has not interest in love, until there is an unexpected kiss he will not soon forgot, nor will the nun, aka Lady Emmaline!

Prepare for a swoonworthy journey filled with humor, sparks flying, battles and visiting with Triston from book one!
Profile Image for Gina.
2,444 reviews33 followers
December 2, 2020
Such a fun and adventurous tale. With a treasure to be found and a woman on board does not fare well with the pirates. Especially a nun with a secret including a bawdy picture of her on the captains wall. A picture she wants back. Mardon finds out her secret and the seduction begins. I loved the characters and the storyline.
Profile Image for AnnMarie.
1,318 reviews35 followers
November 24, 2020
Mardon is the second book in the Pirate Lords series by Elizabeth Rose. It can be read as a standalone book if you haven't read the first book already.

Lady Emmaline de la Croix is a widow after her husband was killed by a pirate named Mardon, he also stole a painting of her where she had been forced by her husband to pose naked. He had let men pay him to view the painting and soon her reputation was ruined. The only way to clear her reputation was to get the painting back, take it to the King and have him destroy it so he knows that nobody would ever see it again and he could organise a wedding for her with a nobleman. The main problem she has though is that her father has forced her into a convent knowing she has been ruined. She hasn't taken her vows yet, but if she can't escape and find the pirate she is looking for she will have no choice but to do just that.

Mardon, now the pirate captain of his ship, The Falcon, since his oldest brother Tristan gave up the sea to get married, is on a treasure hunt. His father buried it and left a number of clues as to where the treasure is. The problem is that somebody else, Mardon's enemy, is also looking for the treasure so not only does he have to decipher clues that he finds but he has to do it before his enemy.

He finds himself during the search in a pub close to Canterbury Cathedral, it is also the place where Emmaline is after having escaped the convent. Circumstances find her offering to help him decipher the code that he has. He doesn't know why a nun would help him, but he needs all the help he can get so agrees to take her with them. Little does he realise that she is the woman whose husband he killed, and whose painting that he stole graces his cabin. A woman who is desperate to get that painting back.

Can she keep Mardon from realising who she is, and most importantly can she get her painting back and make her way to the king? Or will she change her mind about wanting to be married to a nobleman? The longer she spends with Mardon, the more she realises that she, if nothing else, is very lustful towards him. He had kissed her the day he killed her husband and she has never been able to forget that amazing kiss.

I loved this book and this series. Mardon and his brothers are wonderful characters, supposedly mean and nasty pirates, but ones under the thumb of their very feisty grandmother who they fished out of the sea and who knows her way around a ladle. She is a fabulous woman and I love how she gets her grandsons to toe the line. Her antics give the story a lighthearted feel even at times when things are going awry.

The budding romance between Mardon and Emmaline was a joy to read and of course, the excitement of the treasure hunt was great. There was never a dull moment in this book and I am very happy to recommend it.
255 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2020
Mardon is the 2nd book in the Pirate Lords Series.
Mardon becomes the captain of the Falcon once his brother Tristian gets married and gives up his life of piracy.

Lady Emmaline is on her husbands ship when it is attacked by pirates, After a naked portrait of her is stolen, Emmaline goes in search of the pirates. She hopes by getting the portrait back, she can restore her reputation.
1,412 reviews5 followers
November 6, 2020
Wonderful book with adventure, treasure and love. Mardon and Emmaline's story is a fast pace read. A book where when you have completed reading you want more.
557 reviews5 followers
December 11, 2020
The award winning Elizabeth Rose brings us a swashbuckling, action packed, pirate adventure that you don’t want to miss. This is the story of three brothers (pirates) and their grandmother searching for stolen treasure their father his hidden. The first brother, Tristan and book one found love and as a result Mardon has taken over his captain of the ship with his brother Aaron as Quartermaster.

The characters are wonderfully entertaining. Nairnie, the grandmother was delightful and fun with her remarks and banter. The dialogue was perfect for the story.

Mardon, our swoon worthy hero has sworn off love in favor of a pirates life. Lady Emmaline de la Croix is a young woman married off to a nasty man, killed by Mardon (thankfully) when the pirates of the Falcon raided her French husband’s ship. She boards the Falcon under the guise of a nun in order to recover the stolen nude painting of herself her husband commissioned and restore her reputation. During the raid on her husband’s ship Mardon scandalously stole a kiss from Lady Emmaline which neither has forgotten.

And so the adventure begins with plenty of intrigue, an evil stepmother, a despicable husband, a stolen treasure, and enough swashbuckling adventure and fun to entertain you. I enjoyed the story as I have all of Elizabeth’s stories before this one. She’s a talented writer with the ability to charm and delight you. Don’t miss this tale of high seas romance where love itself can be the treasure you sought all along!

Thank you so much Elizabeth for such a well written, exciting and entertaining story of romance and love!
1,690 reviews15 followers
December 3, 2020
4.25 STARS

I own over 40 books by this author so she is obviously a favorite of mine.

This is a pirate story and some of it is not a dainty walk in the park. The men are crude as is some of their actions, especially with a certain picture. The Lord's name was used in vain at least twice.

It took me awhile to warm to the h. Granted most of what happens to her isn't her fault. But, when she is first on the ship her actions were anything but lady like.

The H is a pirate through and through but I liked him. His grandmother is on the ship and she made the story more entertaining with her banter and actions. I enjoyed the interactions with her grandsons/pirates.

I didn't read book 1 in the series and wasn't lost, so a stand alone.

There is lovemaking, outside of marriage, heat level 4 out of 5.

There are some fight scenes, suspense and twists. We don't find out about the treasure (assuming will be in Aaron's story), nor what happened to the h's step-mother, if anything.

No cheating in the normal sense, HEA, some romance and steam. I can't improve on the blurb so not trying, just recommending this story and author. I received an advanced copy, all opinions are my own and freely given. (ljb)
124 reviews
December 3, 2020
Mardon

Tristan was the first book in the Pirate Lords series. Tristan’s brother Mardon is the second in the series. Tristan gave up Pirating as he fell in love. Mardon has had the same fete befall him. I loved this series. It tells the tale of three pirate brothers who discover that their father has hidden a stash of stolen booty
And they are attempting to find it. With pressure from their enemy on another ship who hears rumours about the hidden treasure. Nairnie is still on the ship cooking for the crew and being grandmother to the brothers. This book now has a new female who had been married to a very cruel man who was her step mother’s brother. They then had her put into a convent but she escaped before she took her vows. The story is exciting and
Dangerous and i loved every word of it. I received a copy of this book as an ARC and i have given this review without payment or coercion with my own free will. Looking forward to book 3 Miss Rose.
Profile Image for Cherie S.
1,157 reviews19 followers
December 11, 2020
Fool or Pirates Can Fall In Love:
This story is a continuation of Tristan and has Mardon and his younger brother Aaron in search of the hidden treasure. Along with him is his grandmother Nairnie who made this much more than a pirate story. She is a hoot that has you smiling the entire time.
Sister Emmaline ( not really a nun) who has her own reasons to join the pirates turns into an exciting sexy romp to not only find treasure but finding love.
Lots of steam and a sensuous first kiss that had my stomach all a flutter and there is more heat to come.
The ending was so exhilarating with battles, rescues, heated passions and a wonderful reunion of Tristan and the family that had me smiling. Tristan was another wonderful story that I loved this character so much that it felt good to have him reappear in this story.
This book can be a stand alone but so much better to read them all in order.
Mature reader:
Heat level 2 out of 5.
Profile Image for Angie.
108 reviews25 followers
December 4, 2020
This review is as a result of an ARC and is given without payment or coercion. The reason Elizabeth Rose has so many awards to her writing can be found within these pages. You will love Book 2 of her Pirate Lords series! It is ready to be the highlight of your month! Following the tale of three pirate brothers searching for their father has hidden a stash of stolen goods, who instead find love. But before they can get to that HEA, there are some hoops to jump through, some adventures to be had, and some humor to keep it all together. We begin with Mardon taking the helm as captain of the Falcon after Tristan’s retirement from piracy, and with the intro to the widow Lady Emmaline, we are properly introduced to his heroism- and the sparks that fly between them!
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,186 reviews13 followers
December 5, 2020
The first time the pirates of the Falcon raided her French husband’s ship, Mardon stole a scandalous portrait of Lady Emmaline and a kiss from the lady herself. When they meet again, she is in a tavern disguised as a nun (long story). Mardon is now the Captain of the Falcon. Emmaline joins the pirates to retrieve the portrait and restore her reputation. Now there are two women aboard the Falcon. This has to mean trouble. The second story in the Pirate Lords series is an action-packed pirate adventure and passionate romance. There is treasure hunting, fighting, secrets, lies, and murder. A page-turner with great characters. I recommend this one.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Laura.
339 reviews16 followers
December 17, 2020
With Tristan married off at the end of last book, two brothers remain on the pirate ship hunting for their father's treasure. Emmaline, trying to escape an unwanted future as a nun and clear her reputation from past scandals she was forced into, runs into and recognizes Mardon and ends up joining him on the ship to retrieve a stolen object he has possession of...and we all know what that will lead to. :)

Emmaline is lovable and easy to have sympathy for. Mardon will make you want to snack him a few times, but he's a pirate, so it's to be expected. On the whole, I thought this was an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy from the author. My review is voluntary.
Profile Image for Anita.
719 reviews28 followers
September 21, 2024
Mardon is now the captain of the pirate ship, the Falcon. His grandma is still on board, but the crew has gotten used to her. While on shore they meet Sister Emmaline and enlist her help in looking for his father's treasure as the next clue leads them to a cathedral. Lady Emmaline uses the opportunity to make a run for her fathers house with the evidence to have the king find her a new husband. She arrives to find her father dying and worse, to find out her dead husband is alive.
Great story of adventure, daring escapes and the search for treasure.
Profile Image for Sharon.
2,772 reviews7 followers
March 8, 2021
An exciting story

Mardon - now the captian of Falcon, still looking for the barried treasure.
Emmeline- a novice (nunn) in a tavern looking for the pirate that stole a certain painting that can clear her name.
I enjoyed reading this captivating story that is well written with unforgettable characters as they race to find buried treasure before there nemesis does, with a few speed bumps along the way. Their story has Hea for now see what happens in the next book.

Profile Image for AIDA  LORENZANA.
83 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2021
Mardon, Book #2 in the series Pirate Lords. This is a great love story of a Pirate who swore never to follow his oldest broth's step of getting married and leaving pirate hood. This story is full of love, hate
adventures, and raids. a Treasure hunt of two powerful enemy Pirates and a hilarious grandmother who makes you laugh out loud from start to finish. I love this series Elizabeth Rose has written. This is definitely a must read.
Profile Image for Mary King.
134 reviews3 followers
December 5, 2020
Being a pirate or having the one you love?

This book is number 2 of the series, one brother made the choice of love, both the other swore they never would, Little did Mardon knew , his words would be put to the test. This journey was interesting and had a lot of action.
921 reviews7 followers
January 23, 2025
Great story!

Madden was a pirate. After his older brother fell in love and left, he said that he would never fall in love. Well this is a very funny and loving story. You will love it!
513 reviews
December 6, 2020
Wonderful

This is a funny, exciting story. I really enjoy Grandmother...she is ano nonsense kind of woman that loves her grandsons
47 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2020
Mardon

I really enjoyed this book. Barbie is very amusing. I can't wait for the next one in the series to see what happens to Aaron.
Profile Image for Marjorie.
2,099 reviews4 followers
May 12, 2022
Great historical romance

I have enjoyed this book. Mardon and Emmaline had a hard time finding each other. I am sure pirates fell in love as other people but he had to give it up.
Profile Image for Anne Blyth.
2,039 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2020
I am a Pirate, I'll never fall for a woman and give up this life. This story of Mardon and Emmaline has a little of everything, horrid husbands, evil step mothers, pirates fighting over treasure, humour and of course, romance. Another very enjoyable story from Elizabeth Rose. Again there are links to characters from other series and that us something I really like. Recommended .
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews