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The Noble Pirates
A vacation in the Bahamas goes awry, and a woman from 2009 unexpectedly finds herself in 1718 - amidst pirates. Sabrina is so consumed with her present-day problems that the last thing she expects is to suddenly end up face to face with real pirates. The notorious bad boys of the Golden Age of Piracy, Edward England, Howel Davis, and "Black Bart" Roberts, become Sabrina's means of survival in the past, and ultimately, her key to returning to the future.The catch? Sabrina happens to be carrying a book about pirates when she is swept into the past, and that book contains biographies of the very men she meets. She forms relationships with them and learns that, contrary to what she previously thought, they are sailors, servants, and slaves who were pressed into service, victims of social and historical circumstances of the era. When Sabrina finds herself falling in love with Howel Davis, a sailor who becomes a pirate out of desperation, she begins to wonder: Can she use her knowledge to change the past?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
7 people are currently reading
1103 people want to read
About the author
Rima Jean
6 books144 followersI write magical, researched, and sometimes dark historical fantasies. I love mixing magic with history and a bit of romance.
I will read pretty much anything. Generally, though, I'd rather be writing. ;)
I also make digital art, including book covers. You can see my work here:
http://fiction-chick.com/blog/portfolio/
I will read pretty much anything. Generally, though, I'd rather be writing. ;)
I also make digital art, including book covers. You can see my work here:
http://fiction-chick.com/blog/portfolio/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 17, 2011
I won this through a first reads giveaway, so thank you goodreads and Rima Jean for the opportunity.
This story is about Sabrina, a woman from the year 2011, who finds herself floating in the ocean at the beginning of the book, only to be rescued by pirates in the year 1718. After her rescue she sails around with various pirates with the hope of ultimately returning to her own time. The premise certainly had potential, but the story itself never became intriguing, and our protagonist Sabrina is downright unlikeable throughout.
The book gives a first-person account of Sabrina's experiences as she sails around doing stuff... pirate stuff. But her inner dialog of the events going on around her is dull, trite, and often comes across as whiny. The first one hundred pages or so amount to little more than a spoiled, obnoxious girl prattling on about her first-world problems, while those around her suffer from issues that seem a bit more unfortunate than her culture shock. Sure that guy over there might have malaria, but poor Sabrina doesn't have the tweezers necessary to pluck her eyebrows.
Sabrina has a daughter that she neglects by going on a booze cruise (the cause of her getting thrown to the 18th century), so she's a bad mother. She has a loving husband with a, and I quote, "kick-ass smile", but she still bangs a pirate that she likes, so she's a bad wife too. And despite some efforts here and there to make herself useful, she's entirely selfish, so I feel like she's just a bad person in general. There are some slight efforts of redemption on the last couple pages, but for the most part she's as contemptible on the last page as she is on the first, highlighting her utter lack of development as a character.
On a whole, the story feels very jilted. It regularly switches to something completely different with nary a transition. Sabrina conveniently has a book that tells her how her pirate friends will ultimately end up (though why she has the book is a bizarre mystery), so she's always talking about trying to change their fates, but never really does anything useful about it (you know, aside from complaining). In fact, nothing much of interest ever happens. And it's not so much that the characters aren't constantly on the move, but the writing is, and I hate to say this, boring and uninspired. As a result, the story feels stagnant and unfortunately never reaches its potential.
This story is about Sabrina, a woman from the year 2011, who finds herself floating in the ocean at the beginning of the book, only to be rescued by pirates in the year 1718. After her rescue she sails around with various pirates with the hope of ultimately returning to her own time. The premise certainly had potential, but the story itself never became intriguing, and our protagonist Sabrina is downright unlikeable throughout.
The book gives a first-person account of Sabrina's experiences as she sails around doing stuff... pirate stuff. But her inner dialog of the events going on around her is dull, trite, and often comes across as whiny. The first one hundred pages or so amount to little more than a spoiled, obnoxious girl prattling on about her first-world problems, while those around her suffer from issues that seem a bit more unfortunate than her culture shock. Sure that guy over there might have malaria, but poor Sabrina doesn't have the tweezers necessary to pluck her eyebrows.
Sabrina has a daughter that she neglects by going on a booze cruise (the cause of her getting thrown to the 18th century), so she's a bad mother. She has a loving husband with a, and I quote, "kick-ass smile", but she still bangs a pirate that she likes, so she's a bad wife too. And despite some efforts here and there to make herself useful, she's entirely selfish, so I feel like she's just a bad person in general. There are some slight efforts of redemption on the last couple pages, but for the most part she's as contemptible on the last page as she is on the first, highlighting her utter lack of development as a character.
On a whole, the story feels very jilted. It regularly switches to something completely different with nary a transition. Sabrina conveniently has a book that tells her how her pirate friends will ultimately end up (though why she has the book is a bizarre mystery), so she's always talking about trying to change their fates, but never really does anything useful about it (you know, aside from complaining). In fact, nothing much of interest ever happens. And it's not so much that the characters aren't constantly on the move, but the writing is, and I hate to say this, boring and uninspired. As a result, the story feels stagnant and unfortunately never reaches its potential.
August 22, 2011
This was good. A very quick read even at over 350 pages. It could have been better and what I thought was the author's strength at the beginning, turned into a weakness near the middle. The author put so much "pirate" historical information in the book that eventually I was tired of it and wanted more story.
The actual characters were slightly underdeveloped and the author relied on the historical information about that particular pirate for the reader to "learn" about the character.
However, overall, it was a fun and interesting time travel novel and my first pirate book. 3 stars out of 5.
The actual characters were slightly underdeveloped and the author relied on the historical information about that particular pirate for the reader to "learn" about the character.
However, overall, it was a fun and interesting time travel novel and my first pirate book. 3 stars out of 5.
May 1, 2014
This review can also be found on my blog: A Match Made in Heaven
I loved this book! So much more than I expected. It was primarily a pirate adventure. Sabrina's love for Howel is strong. It crosses time and space and all that, but you really can't survive in the 18th century Caribbean unless you take the threats to your life seriously. Malnutrition, scurvy, malaria, other pirates, the Navy, pretty much everyone you meet. Most of the book focused on that. Survival and pirate activities. And I really, really enjoyed it. It made me think of Pirates of the Caribbean so much! It didn't help that Sabrina kept making Johnny Depp references. :P
"We are free princes now, and we have the authority to make war on the whole world, and this, my conscience tells me, is what we should do."
One of the things I loved most about this book is that it at least tried to be realistic. In the beginning, before Sabrina time travels to 1718, she is on a cruise with a friend who is reading a pirate Harlequin and Sabrina makes fun of her, telling her how real pirates were disgusting, disease ridden, and likely smelled foul. And once Sabrina has her first hand experience, she finds that it is all true. Even Sabrina's noble pirates, Edward and Howel. Sure, the book goes to the trouble to tell us that Edward has all his teeth, and Howel is good looking underneath all the dirt, but they are still pirates.
I really enjoyed Edward, he was so much more subdued than Howel, and it was cute how easy it was for Sabrina to make him blush. I really hope we get to see him again. If Sabrina is going to Madagascar, I imagine we will. And Howel was so awesome and larger than life. A nearly unstoppable pirate Captain, if not for his weakness for Sabrina. And a tad mysterious too. A pirate Captain doesn't have a lot of time to just sit around and talk to his sweetheart. A lot of her time consisted of watching him from afar. The romance was very slow to develop and there was no explicit content. They were having sex eventually, but it was always off-"screen". And, as I said, the romance was not the main focus of the story. But I was invested in it nonetheless.
"It's more for me peace of mind, lass. Because you are me heart."
I am confused about how or if Sabrina will be reunited with Howel, but I am thrilled to discover that the author is planning a sequel to this book. It must have much more adventure and an HEA!
I loved this book! So much more than I expected. It was primarily a pirate adventure. Sabrina's love for Howel is strong. It crosses time and space and all that, but you really can't survive in the 18th century Caribbean unless you take the threats to your life seriously. Malnutrition, scurvy, malaria, other pirates, the Navy, pretty much everyone you meet. Most of the book focused on that. Survival and pirate activities. And I really, really enjoyed it. It made me think of Pirates of the Caribbean so much! It didn't help that Sabrina kept making Johnny Depp references. :P
"We are free princes now, and we have the authority to make war on the whole world, and this, my conscience tells me, is what we should do."
One of the things I loved most about this book is that it at least tried to be realistic. In the beginning, before Sabrina time travels to 1718, she is on a cruise with a friend who is reading a pirate Harlequin and Sabrina makes fun of her, telling her how real pirates were disgusting, disease ridden, and likely smelled foul. And once Sabrina has her first hand experience, she finds that it is all true. Even Sabrina's noble pirates, Edward and Howel. Sure, the book goes to the trouble to tell us that Edward has all his teeth, and Howel is good looking underneath all the dirt, but they are still pirates.
I really enjoyed Edward, he was so much more subdued than Howel, and it was cute how easy it was for Sabrina to make him blush. I really hope we get to see him again. If Sabrina is going to Madagascar, I imagine we will. And Howel was so awesome and larger than life. A nearly unstoppable pirate Captain, if not for his weakness for Sabrina. And a tad mysterious too. A pirate Captain doesn't have a lot of time to just sit around and talk to his sweetheart. A lot of her time consisted of watching him from afar. The romance was very slow to develop and there was no explicit content. They were having sex eventually, but it was always off-"screen". And, as I said, the romance was not the main focus of the story. But I was invested in it nonetheless.
"It's more for me peace of mind, lass. Because you are me heart."
I am confused about how or if Sabrina will be reunited with Howel, but I am thrilled to discover that the author is planning a sequel to this book. It must have much more adventure and an HEA!
February 27, 2012
Received from author for review for free and all opinions are my own expressed through my reading of this book.
This book had me hooked from the first page. Sabrina was enjoying her holiday in Bahamas in 2009 until she found herself suddenly transported into the 18th century. She ends up face to face with pirates She meets the bad boys of piracy, Edward England, Howel Davis, and “Black Bart” Roberts. These men become her only hope of survival and the key to her returning back to the present day.
This is a well written time travel romance/historical fiction novel. It really catapults the reader into the 18th century to be in the Golden age of Piracy. The characters are extremely well developed and I found it really easy to slip into this world and follow Sabrina's journey.
I love Historical fiction and did a little bit of research and the main pirate characters do exist and R. L. Jean has done a great job bringing these historical figures to life. I couldn't find anything to fault with this novel and I hope there is going to be a sequel and the author has left us with a cliff hanger.
I would recommend to readers looking for a good historical/romance novel.
This review was first published on http://everybookhasasoul.wordpress.com
This book had me hooked from the first page. Sabrina was enjoying her holiday in Bahamas in 2009 until she found herself suddenly transported into the 18th century. She ends up face to face with pirates She meets the bad boys of piracy, Edward England, Howel Davis, and “Black Bart” Roberts. These men become her only hope of survival and the key to her returning back to the present day.
This is a well written time travel romance/historical fiction novel. It really catapults the reader into the 18th century to be in the Golden age of Piracy. The characters are extremely well developed and I found it really easy to slip into this world and follow Sabrina's journey.
I love Historical fiction and did a little bit of research and the main pirate characters do exist and R. L. Jean has done a great job bringing these historical figures to life. I couldn't find anything to fault with this novel and I hope there is going to be a sequel and the author has left us with a cliff hanger.
I would recommend to readers looking for a good historical/romance novel.
This review was first published on http://everybookhasasoul.wordpress.com
October 24, 2010
LOVED THIS ONE. Click the link to read my full review:
http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2010/...
http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2010/...
February 22, 2011
Just as Sabrina Grainger falls off a party boat into the Caribbean in 2009, so the reader is dropped right into the action of The Noble Pirates, and R. L. Jean (a.k.a. Fiction Chick) makes the reader and her protagonist fend for themselves. Much easier for the reader who is aided by the accomplished storytelling than for poor Sabrina Grainger--a mother, wife, and attorney--whose plunge sinks her nearly three centuries into the world of pirates. None other than the infamous Edward England and his crew of sea rovers fish her out of the sea. At first she believes it all to be a hoax, that her awful smelling rescuers are actors in some kind of role-play. But she finds them as bewildered by her as she is by them.
But she's the one who must adapt and she does, in highly entertaining fashion, for a good 200 pages or so. Only the time travel resolution at the end offers any disappointment in its incongruity to all that comes before. On its own, the ending is fine, it just lacks the energy of the rest.
And the rest is very good.
England humors her claims to be from the future and takes her to Nassau. However, the Nassau of 1718 does not view women the same way as that of 2009, and Sabrina struggles in her efforts to reverse her situation. Nothing presents itself and so, seeing no alternative, Sabrina lobbies England to let her join him on a pirating venture to Africa. She develops some affection for England but he finds her a nuisance. He hands her over to the honest Captain of a slaver ship, Howel Davis, with whom Sabrina spends most of the rest of the story and for whom she develops a stronger attraction.
Two subordinates, Blain and Taylor, betray Davis and have him jailed for mutiny, leaving Sabrina on her own. When Davis is freed due to a lack of evidence, he is a bitter man and determines he'd be better off, "on the account," and heads to Nassau to begin his notorious pirating career. Sabrina signs on with a sister ship, follows him to Nassau, and from there doggedly clings to Davis because by now she's in love with the man. Not only that, she hopes to save his life, which she knows will end in a matter of months.
For when she fell in, Sabrina had a backpack that contained two books, a pirate romance and a history of pirates entitled, Rovers of the Sea. The latter includes biographies of England, Davis, and others she meets. It also tells the time and place of Davis's death. Even at the risk of affecting the future, she wants to save him from that. Her persistence pays off when he incorporates her into his pillaging and plundering. She apprises him of what she knows--and he believes her story--but that still can't stop him from captaining his ship toward his place of recorded death. They encounter Blain and Taylor again--another event foretold in the history book--but now Sabrina knows more about how she can get back to 2009. At this point she faces some difficult choices.
The first-person narrative of a modern woman in 1718 justifies the use of idioms from today's culture, allowing for less self-conscious writing. It also minimizes the danger of anachronisms. This is a clever thing to do, from an author's standpoint, as it subtly avoids another danger, that of the material becoming dated. More importantly, the blend pays off in both humor and clarity, as in the following:
***
The first-person narrative of a modern woman in 1718 justifies the use of idioms from today's culture, allowing for less self-conscious writing. It also minimizes the danger of anachronisms. This is a clever thing to do, from an author's standpoint, as it subtly avoids another danger, that of the material becoming dated. More importantly, the blend pays off in both humor and clarity, as in the following:England set his pipe down carefully, knitting his brow. "Because we found this floating with ye." From beneath the table, the captain withdrew my backpack. As I gasped, he continued, "I didn't let anyone look inside, save myself and my quartermaster, Jameson... It made him mighty wary of ye, lass, and angry with me when I protected ye."
I took the backpack eagerly from him, bubbling with excitement. Something from my life, something from the sane world... I unzipped it - it had definitely seen better days - and immediately began fishing for my Blackberry. I pulled it out joyfully, and on a whim tried to turn it on. Nice try, Sabrina. Then I went through the other items quickly: my iPod, also shot to hell; a blister pack of Dramamine for motion sickness (it sure would have been nice to have this a little while ago); my friend Tanya's makeup bag, most of the items inside in good condition, including three multi-colored, ribbed condoms (Christ, what had Captain England thought of that? At least they were still in their packaging); Sky's romance, most of it water-logged and illegible (thank God); another of Sky's books, Rovers of the Sea, still fairly legible since it was still wrapped in a Barnes & Noble bag; a couple bikinis and cover-ups; and finally, our wallets. I tore mine open, pulling out a picture of Sophie and clutching it tightly, the tears starting to well up.
***
Sabrina carries the narrative well, eschewing sentimentality for a gritty, realistic portrayal of the pirate era she's landed in. I particularly liked how, soon after this passage, Sabrina casts off her friend's pirate romance as useless, as if giving a cue to the reader saying, no, this story isn't going to be like one of those. However, Sabrina Grainger is not just a keen observer with a captivating voice. "I did not know what those choices were, and I could not let that stop me from doing something," she states at one point. The mantra of the quintessential protagonist.
The supporting characters are great too, capable of cheerful surprises and nasty whims. Whenever one is tempted to view Howel Davis as a Jack Sparrow, he does something cruel and un-Disney-ish. Eventually, I associated him more with Odysseus for his cunning and elaborate schemes.
What should not go unappreciated in the enjoyment of the story is the depth of research. The casual lightness of the prose could make that happen in that the products of the research are neatly woven into the story. It's clear great effort and care has gone into making The Noble Pirates as accurate and realistic as possible. Therefore one easily forgives the plot devices and grants suspension of disbelief in exchange for sharing Sabrina Grainger's plunge.
Well done.
But she's the one who must adapt and she does, in highly entertaining fashion, for a good 200 pages or so. Only the time travel resolution at the end offers any disappointment in its incongruity to all that comes before. On its own, the ending is fine, it just lacks the energy of the rest.
And the rest is very good.
England humors her claims to be from the future and takes her to Nassau. However, the Nassau of 1718 does not view women the same way as that of 2009, and Sabrina struggles in her efforts to reverse her situation. Nothing presents itself and so, seeing no alternative, Sabrina lobbies England to let her join him on a pirating venture to Africa. She develops some affection for England but he finds her a nuisance. He hands her over to the honest Captain of a slaver ship, Howel Davis, with whom Sabrina spends most of the rest of the story and for whom she develops a stronger attraction.
Two subordinates, Blain and Taylor, betray Davis and have him jailed for mutiny, leaving Sabrina on her own. When Davis is freed due to a lack of evidence, he is a bitter man and determines he'd be better off, "on the account," and heads to Nassau to begin his notorious pirating career. Sabrina signs on with a sister ship, follows him to Nassau, and from there doggedly clings to Davis because by now she's in love with the man. Not only that, she hopes to save his life, which she knows will end in a matter of months.
For when she fell in, Sabrina had a backpack that contained two books, a pirate romance and a history of pirates entitled, Rovers of the Sea. The latter includes biographies of England, Davis, and others she meets. It also tells the time and place of Davis's death. Even at the risk of affecting the future, she wants to save him from that. Her persistence pays off when he incorporates her into his pillaging and plundering. She apprises him of what she knows--and he believes her story--but that still can't stop him from captaining his ship toward his place of recorded death. They encounter Blain and Taylor again--another event foretold in the history book--but now Sabrina knows more about how she can get back to 2009. At this point she faces some difficult choices.
The first-person narrative of a modern woman in 1718 justifies the use of idioms from today's culture, allowing for less self-conscious writing. It also minimizes the danger of anachronisms. This is a clever thing to do, from an author's standpoint, as it subtly avoids another danger, that of the material becoming dated. More importantly, the blend pays off in both humor and clarity, as in the following:
***
The first-person narrative of a modern woman in 1718 justifies the use of idioms from today's culture, allowing for less self-conscious writing. It also minimizes the danger of anachronisms. This is a clever thing to do, from an author's standpoint, as it subtly avoids another danger, that of the material becoming dated. More importantly, the blend pays off in both humor and clarity, as in the following:England set his pipe down carefully, knitting his brow. "Because we found this floating with ye." From beneath the table, the captain withdrew my backpack. As I gasped, he continued, "I didn't let anyone look inside, save myself and my quartermaster, Jameson... It made him mighty wary of ye, lass, and angry with me when I protected ye."
I took the backpack eagerly from him, bubbling with excitement. Something from my life, something from the sane world... I unzipped it - it had definitely seen better days - and immediately began fishing for my Blackberry. I pulled it out joyfully, and on a whim tried to turn it on. Nice try, Sabrina. Then I went through the other items quickly: my iPod, also shot to hell; a blister pack of Dramamine for motion sickness (it sure would have been nice to have this a little while ago); my friend Tanya's makeup bag, most of the items inside in good condition, including three multi-colored, ribbed condoms (Christ, what had Captain England thought of that? At least they were still in their packaging); Sky's romance, most of it water-logged and illegible (thank God); another of Sky's books, Rovers of the Sea, still fairly legible since it was still wrapped in a Barnes & Noble bag; a couple bikinis and cover-ups; and finally, our wallets. I tore mine open, pulling out a picture of Sophie and clutching it tightly, the tears starting to well up.
***
Sabrina carries the narrative well, eschewing sentimentality for a gritty, realistic portrayal of the pirate era she's landed in. I particularly liked how, soon after this passage, Sabrina casts off her friend's pirate romance as useless, as if giving a cue to the reader saying, no, this story isn't going to be like one of those. However, Sabrina Grainger is not just a keen observer with a captivating voice. "I did not know what those choices were, and I could not let that stop me from doing something," she states at one point. The mantra of the quintessential protagonist.
The supporting characters are great too, capable of cheerful surprises and nasty whims. Whenever one is tempted to view Howel Davis as a Jack Sparrow, he does something cruel and un-Disney-ish. Eventually, I associated him more with Odysseus for his cunning and elaborate schemes.
What should not go unappreciated in the enjoyment of the story is the depth of research. The casual lightness of the prose could make that happen in that the products of the research are neatly woven into the story. It's clear great effort and care has gone into making The Noble Pirates as accurate and realistic as possible. Therefore one easily forgives the plot devices and grants suspension of disbelief in exchange for sharing Sabrina Grainger's plunge.
Well done.
April 1, 2018
A trip to the Bahamas with friends takes an unexpected turn for Sabrina when she finds herself suddenly transported back in time to 1718, in the Golden Age of Pirates - and it's pirates, many of them featured in the history book on the subject she happens to be carrying in her backpack, whom she'll have to rely on for survival in this strange and bloody world.
Intriguing idea, but I didn't care much for the romance and the ending, including the solution behind the mystery of the time travel incident, felt a little too rushed. Nevertheless, a fairly entertaining read.
Intriguing idea, but I didn't care much for the romance and the ending, including the solution behind the mystery of the time travel incident, felt a little too rushed. Nevertheless, a fairly entertaining read.
June 12, 2014
The Noble Pirates
by Rima Jean
This book is not only riveting, but it is full of swanky ass pirates and sexual tension. I wasn't very keen in the beginning, as it was too atypical of the time travel, but I soon found myself glued to Sabrina's hot mess like a bee to honey. I stopped as the sexual tension between two main characters was high and just couldn't bring myself to continue to read, I was feeling the frustration myself. If I had stuck it out for a few pages more, I would have kept reading instead of messing around on the internet. As such, by the last 1/3rd of the book rolled around, I was in the book knee-deep.
The fact that the author did enough research to be able to not only incorporate at least five different languages, but also the cultures of the times as well. It's interesting to see that a previous sailor turned pirate is able to be cunning enough to assume the roles of high class Englishmen. It's a brilliant strategy that I applauded through the entire book.
As such, I gave this a five star, simply because it was that well done and thought out. Not many people will actually sit down and look at it from a writer's point of view, which is why I am doing so, but they will look only at the surface of what it. Instead, an analysis of the plot structure, the flow and the characterization is crucial. In which case, Ms. Jean did a fantastic job. I was really impressed with the uses of the languages and cultures, so very little authors take that into account, really only doing the top of the iceberg.
The Noble Pirates: An In-Depth Look [Spoilers]
I think that the only beef I had with the book, was that the situation at the end of the book with the bermuda triangle as the portal, was a bit cliched, but actually the twist of the cliche itself was refreshing. Considering that someone else has used it, as well as Sabrina returning to the year 2022 instead of 2011.
Besides that little bump, which was more of a pretty hill, the book was excellent in the execution. The plot was not rushed, nor were the relationships. I do admire that the characters changed slowly over the time as well, not rapidly in order to fit the plot. Instead Ms. Jean worked the plot around the characters developing. Kudos!
Sabrina went from a woman that was unable to do anything, afraid of heights, and sea-sickness -- to a woman that could fend for herself in battle, hold her own to pirates and witness death over and over again. the change was gradual, but it was no less amazing. I love the fact that it took over half the book for her and Howel to FINALLY admit that they cared and take a tumble in the haysack. Seriously, that was my frustration was the damned sexual tension.
As for setting, I loved that it went from the Bermuda all the way over to Africa and up and down the coasts of both. It was wonderful to experience the different cultures, languages and everything else. Not only was Ms. Jean thorough with the cultures, but how they spoke, what they wore. Even how the slaves and commoners acted. It is easily seen how well thought out and planned it was. If not, then I am thoroughly amazed by the skill that Ms. Jean was able to make it seem that a lot of effort was put into it.
Ms. Jean, my one thing.. One thing that I have to say is that the ending. HOW COULD YOU? Oh my lord on high, you HAD to leave it off there? WHY? What happened? Is she going to search for where he was, how he lived? If it wasn't for the fact that my roommate was sleeping, I would have screamed in frustration at that ending.
by Rima Jean
This book is not only riveting, but it is full of swanky ass pirates and sexual tension. I wasn't very keen in the beginning, as it was too atypical of the time travel, but I soon found myself glued to Sabrina's hot mess like a bee to honey. I stopped as the sexual tension between two main characters was high and just couldn't bring myself to continue to read, I was feeling the frustration myself. If I had stuck it out for a few pages more, I would have kept reading instead of messing around on the internet. As such, by the last 1/3rd of the book rolled around, I was in the book knee-deep.
The fact that the author did enough research to be able to not only incorporate at least five different languages, but also the cultures of the times as well. It's interesting to see that a previous sailor turned pirate is able to be cunning enough to assume the roles of high class Englishmen. It's a brilliant strategy that I applauded through the entire book.
As such, I gave this a five star, simply because it was that well done and thought out. Not many people will actually sit down and look at it from a writer's point of view, which is why I am doing so, but they will look only at the surface of what it. Instead, an analysis of the plot structure, the flow and the characterization is crucial. In which case, Ms. Jean did a fantastic job. I was really impressed with the uses of the languages and cultures, so very little authors take that into account, really only doing the top of the iceberg.
The Noble Pirates: An In-Depth Look [Spoilers]
I think that the only beef I had with the book, was that the situation at the end of the book with the bermuda triangle as the portal, was a bit cliched, but actually the twist of the cliche itself was refreshing. Considering that someone else has used it, as well as Sabrina returning to the year 2022 instead of 2011.
Besides that little bump, which was more of a pretty hill, the book was excellent in the execution. The plot was not rushed, nor were the relationships. I do admire that the characters changed slowly over the time as well, not rapidly in order to fit the plot. Instead Ms. Jean worked the plot around the characters developing. Kudos!
Sabrina went from a woman that was unable to do anything, afraid of heights, and sea-sickness -- to a woman that could fend for herself in battle, hold her own to pirates and witness death over and over again. the change was gradual, but it was no less amazing. I love the fact that it took over half the book for her and Howel to FINALLY admit that they cared and take a tumble in the haysack. Seriously, that was my frustration was the damned sexual tension.
As for setting, I loved that it went from the Bermuda all the way over to Africa and up and down the coasts of both. It was wonderful to experience the different cultures, languages and everything else. Not only was Ms. Jean thorough with the cultures, but how they spoke, what they wore. Even how the slaves and commoners acted. It is easily seen how well thought out and planned it was. If not, then I am thoroughly amazed by the skill that Ms. Jean was able to make it seem that a lot of effort was put into it.
Ms. Jean, my one thing.. One thing that I have to say is that the ending. HOW COULD YOU? Oh my lord on high, you HAD to leave it off there? WHY? What happened? Is she going to search for where he was, how he lived? If it wasn't for the fact that my roommate was sleeping, I would have screamed in frustration at that ending.
January 17, 2011
Sabrina Granger is fished from the ocean and hauled onto a pirate ship, bewildered to find herself in 1718, her iPod waterlogged and her Blackberry useless. She needs to find a way home to 2009, but in the meantime must survive the harsh realities of life in the 18th century.
Except for perhaps the name, I found Sabrina to a be an appealing heroine. Despite her initial disorientation and incredulity, she quickly accepts her situation and actively works to fit in with the society she has landed herself in. Her decisions may not always be wise but they are plausible. She has a sense of humor as well as a brave determination to survive and even thrive in her unusual circumstances.
It is obvious that the author has carefully researched the period to present a believable historical background for her imaginative tale. She captures the unwashed stench and casual violence of life in the 'Golden Age of Pirates' yet is able to humanise the legendary characters of Edward England and Howel Davies. The details ground the story allowing the reader to accept the more fantastical elements, and commit to the adventure. The storyline is fun with twists that keep it interesting and exciting.
There were some elements that I found a little confusing. It threw me to have Captain England dissappear from the story as I'd invested in the relationship that seemed to be forming between he and Sabrina. I expected that he would come back into the story, instead he was replaced by Howel. I didn't feel as their story was finished somehow. Nevertheless, Howel makes a convincing, if unconventional, romantic hero.
The Noble Pirates successfully blends fact with fiction to create a romantic adventure on the high seas. It is an entertaining novel that is fun to read with its orginal approach and likeable characters. The book has the potential to appeal to wide range of readers and I look forward to the sequel.
Except for perhaps the name, I found Sabrina to a be an appealing heroine. Despite her initial disorientation and incredulity, she quickly accepts her situation and actively works to fit in with the society she has landed herself in. Her decisions may not always be wise but they are plausible. She has a sense of humor as well as a brave determination to survive and even thrive in her unusual circumstances.
It is obvious that the author has carefully researched the period to present a believable historical background for her imaginative tale. She captures the unwashed stench and casual violence of life in the 'Golden Age of Pirates' yet is able to humanise the legendary characters of Edward England and Howel Davies. The details ground the story allowing the reader to accept the more fantastical elements, and commit to the adventure. The storyline is fun with twists that keep it interesting and exciting.
There were some elements that I found a little confusing. It threw me to have Captain England dissappear from the story as I'd invested in the relationship that seemed to be forming between he and Sabrina. I expected that he would come back into the story, instead he was replaced by Howel. I didn't feel as their story was finished somehow. Nevertheless, Howel makes a convincing, if unconventional, romantic hero.
The Noble Pirates successfully blends fact with fiction to create a romantic adventure on the high seas. It is an entertaining novel that is fun to read with its orginal approach and likeable characters. The book has the potential to appeal to wide range of readers and I look forward to the sequel.
January 3, 2015
3.5 / 5 stars
Full review at: http://susimetsa.blogspot.fi/2015/01/...
Every now and then I scroll through my Kindle and take a look at all the titles that I've downloaded when they have been available for free. When I opened this one, I admit that I chuckled at the premise of time travel, but continued reading because I was interested in how the author would depict the time period.
I was pleasantly surprised to find a relatively realistic modern heroine battling with her conflicting emotions. Estranged from her husband and having put her career ahead of her child, she accidentally steps in time from 2011 to 1719 and is saved from the ocean by a crew of pirates. Once there, she has no idea if she'll ever get to go back home and she realises how she's neglected her family. I admit that I quite liked this characterisation and how it developed throughout the story.
The author does NOT repeat the problems of many pirate romances by having the heroine merely swoon over a "roguish pirate" and then think of nothing else but him, and by ignoring the cruelties of life that existed in the early 18th century. In fact, the dirt, smells and violence are rather well depicted and the romance, while there's some, is not the point of the novel. The story also culminates very well towards the end and the reader is engaged to find out whether the heroine can change history, or if all fates are sealed.
Overall, I liked what I read and would definitely check out the sequel if one was forthcoming.
Full review at: http://susimetsa.blogspot.fi/2015/01/...
Every now and then I scroll through my Kindle and take a look at all the titles that I've downloaded when they have been available for free. When I opened this one, I admit that I chuckled at the premise of time travel, but continued reading because I was interested in how the author would depict the time period.
I was pleasantly surprised to find a relatively realistic modern heroine battling with her conflicting emotions. Estranged from her husband and having put her career ahead of her child, she accidentally steps in time from 2011 to 1719 and is saved from the ocean by a crew of pirates. Once there, she has no idea if she'll ever get to go back home and she realises how she's neglected her family. I admit that I quite liked this characterisation and how it developed throughout the story.
The author does NOT repeat the problems of many pirate romances by having the heroine merely swoon over a "roguish pirate" and then think of nothing else but him, and by ignoring the cruelties of life that existed in the early 18th century. In fact, the dirt, smells and violence are rather well depicted and the romance, while there's some, is not the point of the novel. The story also culminates very well towards the end and the reader is engaged to find out whether the heroine can change history, or if all fates are sealed.
Overall, I liked what I read and would definitely check out the sequel if one was forthcoming.
November 5, 2010
I won a copy of this e-book and while I was a little worried that I would not be able to get into it- fear not my friends- this book will eat you alive. I was so sucked into the story that R. L. is telling that I read the book straight through without stopping. Over the course of the story the main character, Sabrina, grows and changes and falls in love. She has been taken back in time by the Bermuda Triangle when she falls overboard while on a cruise. Sabrina is then plucked out of the water by pirates in the year 1718. She remains a pirate over the course of a year and falls in love with Howel Davis. Later, she meets a Navy Seal (who happens to be a douchebag) and finds out that he went back in time from 2020 on purpose with no idea how to get back. John Roberts also tells Sabrina that he has no intention of returning to his time. Instead he will remain the greatest pirate who ever lived. So he facilitates sending her back in his place so she returns to 2020 and not to the year 2009 that she disappeared in. Then after she has been returned and the government has hushed her up, she finds that she may have left something worth going back for in the past- and of course this revelation comes in the last paragraph of the book. I loved this book when I was sure that I would not. I would encourage ANYONE and EVERYONE to give this book a try.
March 30, 2014
SPOILERS
This book goes from an interesting idea to bad to terrible very quickly. Sabrina, the main character and narrator, is supposed to be in love with her husband, though separated, and desperately missing her daughter who are in 2011 to her 1718. In two seconds flat she's falling for one pirate who a minute later passes her off onto another man who swears he won't become a pirate only to turn around and become one she falls in love with. Every so often you hear her missing her daughter and husband but she really doesn't try to find a way home. The ending was the worst with some secret military operation actually causing her to return to the year 2022 with a cliff hanger.
This book goes from an interesting idea to bad to terrible very quickly. Sabrina, the main character and narrator, is supposed to be in love with her husband, though separated, and desperately missing her daughter who are in 2011 to her 1718. In two seconds flat she's falling for one pirate who a minute later passes her off onto another man who swears he won't become a pirate only to turn around and become one she falls in love with. Every so often you hear her missing her daughter and husband but she really doesn't try to find a way home. The ending was the worst with some secret military operation actually causing her to return to the year 2022 with a cliff hanger.
November 3, 2010
I wasn't able to finish this book, I'm sorry to say. There was so much profanity that I just couldn't swallow it. Sad for me, because I love a good pirate story.
September 3, 2025
3.5 stars. I think it had a solid start, and an interesting premise. I was looking for a quick romance with fluff and nothing much and was pleasantly surprised by the story because it didn't romanticize pirates and the times they lived in; as well as our 21st century MC real reactions towards the unhygienic conditions (which was normal) and not describing pirates as super models, which other books do to favor the romance. However, almost half way through the book, the 31 year old, mother of a child and married woman, started acting like a love struck 16 year old woman who adapted quite easily to her new life (even when she had no previous survival skills) and totally forgot she had a family (especially a child, which most of the time felt like an afterthought) to go back to. And the book fell for about 100 pages in the cliches of other books and it felt like a totally different book. After that deviation, our MC remembered her main objective (mainly because she was "rejected") and wished to go back home. I will say that the saving grace for this book was the twist at the last 30 pages (when I realized this definitely wasn't going to end in this book), which left me with a cliffhanger and a bittersweet feeling. It made me want to read the next book to see how everything ends (Which I realized doesn't exist yet :/) and it also made me feel bad for her loved ones. She didn't seem to appreciate coming back home more than her whirlwind love affair (Kudos to X for telling her upfront). Aside from that, there were also apparent time skips between chapters, where things happened, but the reader was oblivious about it. and it felt parts of the story were lost in-between.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2022
It’s been a while since I read a romance and such a fluffy easy read one. The story was entertaining enough to finish but nothing wow worthy. Solid time traveling historical fiction romance. It was what I needed to read at the moment
March 31, 2022
I am reading this is book in 2022: who knows, knows.
Absolutely loved. Completely and utterly loved. Deserved every star.
Absolutely loved. Completely and utterly loved. Deserved every star.
November 9, 2010
If you know the future, would you be able to change it?
Should you be able to change it?
Sabrina finds herself treading cool water after a storm hits her party boat near the Bahamas. When she is rescued by brusque, smelly men with funny accents, she's relieved but irritated. She's ready for them to stop playacting so she can get back to where she needs to be. Slowly, she realizes that it's not an act put on by drunken pirate re-enactors, it's the real deal. She's a woman in the wrong time, in the wrong place, and she must figure out how to survive amongst pirates until she can find her way back to 2009.
I must admit, I've never had much of an interest in pirates before. Bloodthirsty, smelly, scurvy-infested thieves who spent ages at sea, looking for unsuspecting prey... it's just never been my thing. Even Captain Sparrow, undeniably an attractive pirate who probably really does bathe in real life, doesn't do much for me. Howel Davis, on the other hand... there's just something about him...
In this well-edited, time-travel, historical, adventure/romance, R. L. Jean has brought to life some of the most famous pirates of the Golden Age. Sure, they were bloodthirsty and cruel, but the author brings out a very human side to some of these pirates, and manages to spin a tale that was quite difficult to put down. The characters are well-developed, and it was easy to lose yourself in the adventure as you followed Sabrina on her unbelievable journey in history.
Although the idea behind this book was unique enough to appeal to me, I have to admit that, not only are pirates not my thing, historical fiction isn't usually high on my list of favorite genres. But this book did what few other historical novels have done for me; made me interested enough in the main characters to do a little googling. These pirates did exist, and R.L. Jean has given them new life. This book had just the right amount of facts seamlessly woven together with just the right amount of fiction to make the story thoroughly engaging throughout. Although most of the characters spoke in the manner of the 18th century pirates that they were, Sabrina's comments and thoughts were so perfectly modern, it offered a nice balance in the tone and added just the right amount of humor with perfect timing.
It's difficult to find anything I didn't like about this book. I think the only part of the book that dragged a bit for me was towards the end, when Sabrina is listening to Robert, and then she's thinking about the choices that he's made. Those pages seemed to drag a bit for me, but it wasn't long before we were quickly back in the story. I think I normally wouldn't have thought of that section as dragging, except that the rest of the book moved along at such a great pace.
Overall, this was a fantastic story that came together quite nicely with a very satisfying ending. I think the events of the last 5 chapters really clinched the 5 star rating, as it offered a few surprises and left me wanting more, in a good way.
(originally published @ gracekrispy.com
January 3, 2011
What will you do when you are from 2009 and suddenly wakes up to realize that you are suddenly in 1718? Sabrina was on a holiday cruise when she fell down from the cruise and wakes up to be saved by pirates in 1718. Sabrina later realizes that she doesn't have to be weak during her stay but has to become one of "them" to survive life of piracy.
When I heard about the book, I was quite fascinated as to how the story will evolve, The plot is intriguing enough to start with but after reading the book, you'll realize that that's just one part that you'll love about the novel. The characters are well written, enjoyable and quite different from the pirate movies I have seen (I have to compare the novel to a movie since this is my first time reading a pirate story). Faced with the burden of uncivilized life, Sabrina tries to learn the life in 1718 in order to survive. With no medical advancement during the time and the lack of civility that pirates have, Sabrina has to suck it up in order to survive.
When I first read about England, I thought that they would be an item. I admire England's character and how he treated Sabrina fairly in spite the fact that Sabrina told him the truth. And then there's Howel. Howel is the man of your dreams minus the unhygienic and smelly part. :) Sam was also lovable and memorable character not because of the small part he has in the book but of the knowledge and guide that he gave Sabrina later in the story. Roberts is weirdly a fun character. I would love to see how Jean developed his character in the sequel (I hope he's still there, and I bet he is!)
Jena is a great story teller and for my first pirate novel, reading The Noble Pirates was a blast! I would love to read the sequel to the story to learn how will Sabrina cope after suddenly travelling to a different era. This is a must recommend book in my list and would definitely convince you all to read it. Not only will you enjoy reading the novel, but most definitely crave for the sequel as well. Heads up to readers of younger age since the story has sexual content and violence. Asides that, The Noble Pirates is definitely for everyone!The Noble PiratesRima Jean
When I heard about the book, I was quite fascinated as to how the story will evolve, The plot is intriguing enough to start with but after reading the book, you'll realize that that's just one part that you'll love about the novel. The characters are well written, enjoyable and quite different from the pirate movies I have seen (I have to compare the novel to a movie since this is my first time reading a pirate story). Faced with the burden of uncivilized life, Sabrina tries to learn the life in 1718 in order to survive. With no medical advancement during the time and the lack of civility that pirates have, Sabrina has to suck it up in order to survive.
When I first read about England, I thought that they would be an item. I admire England's character and how he treated Sabrina fairly in spite the fact that Sabrina told him the truth. And then there's Howel. Howel is the man of your dreams minus the unhygienic and smelly part. :) Sam was also lovable and memorable character not because of the small part he has in the book but of the knowledge and guide that he gave Sabrina later in the story. Roberts is weirdly a fun character. I would love to see how Jean developed his character in the sequel (I hope he's still there, and I bet he is!)
Jena is a great story teller and for my first pirate novel, reading The Noble Pirates was a blast! I would love to read the sequel to the story to learn how will Sabrina cope after suddenly travelling to a different era. This is a must recommend book in my list and would definitely convince you all to read it. Not only will you enjoy reading the novel, but most definitely crave for the sequel as well. Heads up to readers of younger age since the story has sexual content and violence. Asides that, The Noble Pirates is definitely for everyone!The Noble PiratesRima Jean
August 2, 2014
Read my review here
Firstly, I must say that I didn't know anything about this book when I dived into it. Well, except for the fact that it's about pirates. I didn't even look through the blurb because I knew I would love this book! Needless to say that I wasn't disappointed. I love historical stories, and if you add pirates, time travel and a bit of romance in the equation? Simply perfect.
Our protagonist is Sabrina, a 31 years old lawyer from the 21st century. Due to a storm she's transported back to 1718 where she's rescued by a troop of pirates. While she tries to survive and find a way back to her family, Sabrina dresses like a man and meets several pirates: most of them are really cruel and barbaric, but there are some who are good and honorable, hence the title "The Noble Pirates".
It's fun to read how Sabrina reacts to the weird events in her life. She has to cope with the old ways of the 18th century where women have no freedom and can't survive without being under the protection of men.
I like how the romance builds up gradually and unhurriedly. At first I thought there was something going on between Sabrina and Captain Edward, but as I learn more about Howel and his hazardous journey to becoming a pirate, I realized that Howel and Sabrina make a good match. Howel makes a great love interest and I think the author did an amazing job on portraying the righteous and caring aspects in his personality.
There's a bit of mystery going on, and I was really curious to see if Sabrina would be able to change the inevitable. I truly hope there is a sequel because I got emotionally invested in the characters.
Overall this book is full of adventure and piracy. It's a quick read and if you love pirates and need your pirate fix then this book is for you.
Firstly, I must say that I didn't know anything about this book when I dived into it. Well, except for the fact that it's about pirates. I didn't even look through the blurb because I knew I would love this book! Needless to say that I wasn't disappointed. I love historical stories, and if you add pirates, time travel and a bit of romance in the equation? Simply perfect.
Our protagonist is Sabrina, a 31 years old lawyer from the 21st century. Due to a storm she's transported back to 1718 where she's rescued by a troop of pirates. While she tries to survive and find a way back to her family, Sabrina dresses like a man and meets several pirates: most of them are really cruel and barbaric, but there are some who are good and honorable, hence the title "The Noble Pirates".
It's fun to read how Sabrina reacts to the weird events in her life. She has to cope with the old ways of the 18th century where women have no freedom and can't survive without being under the protection of men.
I like how the romance builds up gradually and unhurriedly. At first I thought there was something going on between Sabrina and Captain Edward, but as I learn more about Howel and his hazardous journey to becoming a pirate, I realized that Howel and Sabrina make a good match. Howel makes a great love interest and I think the author did an amazing job on portraying the righteous and caring aspects in his personality.
There's a bit of mystery going on, and I was really curious to see if Sabrina would be able to change the inevitable. I truly hope there is a sequel because I got emotionally invested in the characters.
Overall this book is full of adventure and piracy. It's a quick read and if you love pirates and need your pirate fix then this book is for you.
December 31, 2010
I won this book in a contest and I'm so glad I did because The Noble Pirates is a fantastic book.
When Sabrina Granger falls off a booze cruise in 2009, she has no idea that her life will be irrevocably changed. Finding herself rescued by Captain Edward England, Sabrina thinks she is on some kind of movie set or Disney ride only to find to her horror that she has somehow been transported back to the year 1718. The book is told from Sabrina's viewpoint and from the moment I started reading it, I was drawn in by the author's easy style.
This book is not your usual romantic historical story. Ms. Jean draws the reader in to experience every nauseating detail of everyday life in 1718 from personal hygiene to medical practices. This makes the story even more appealing. Sabrina is a plucky woman who clearly misses life in 2009, but soon realizes that if she want to survive she'd better learn how to survive in 1718. The author weaves Sabrina's experiences with pirates Edward England, Howel Davies and Bart Roberts with historical facts. Clearly, a lot of research went into writing this book. There are so many unexpected events, that is was useless to try and predict what the ending would be.
Without giving away any spoilers, Sabrina Granger learns it's not so easy to change fate. Whatever path we're set upon will happen no matter what we try to do to change it. She must learn to live with some heart wrenching decisions as she tries to survive aboard a 1718 pirate ship. I can't wait for the sequel to be published! Highly Recommended.
When Sabrina Granger falls off a booze cruise in 2009, she has no idea that her life will be irrevocably changed. Finding herself rescued by Captain Edward England, Sabrina thinks she is on some kind of movie set or Disney ride only to find to her horror that she has somehow been transported back to the year 1718. The book is told from Sabrina's viewpoint and from the moment I started reading it, I was drawn in by the author's easy style.
This book is not your usual romantic historical story. Ms. Jean draws the reader in to experience every nauseating detail of everyday life in 1718 from personal hygiene to medical practices. This makes the story even more appealing. Sabrina is a plucky woman who clearly misses life in 2009, but soon realizes that if she want to survive she'd better learn how to survive in 1718. The author weaves Sabrina's experiences with pirates Edward England, Howel Davies and Bart Roberts with historical facts. Clearly, a lot of research went into writing this book. There are so many unexpected events, that is was useless to try and predict what the ending would be.
Without giving away any spoilers, Sabrina Granger learns it's not so easy to change fate. Whatever path we're set upon will happen no matter what we try to do to change it. She must learn to live with some heart wrenching decisions as she tries to survive aboard a 1718 pirate ship. I can't wait for the sequel to be published! Highly Recommended.
October 2, 2011
The story line was reminiscent of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series: Married woman inadvertently goes back in time, then meets and falls in love with another man. The heroine then has some tough decisions to make. Fellow Jamie and Claire Fraser fans will likely enjoy this quick read while awaiting the release of the Outlander series' book eight.
I found this novel very entertaining once I moved past the exposition. The reason that I am not giving it 5 stars is because most minor characters popped into the scenes with little introduction and were not quite developed enough. As a result, I had to occasionally stop and think about who was who. Plus, if I remember correctly, all of the female characters had one syllable names. This may seem petty, but this minor detail can cause names to "run together" for some readers. If you think this might apply to you, then you may want to have a Post-it or note pad handy to jot down a list of who's who.
I'm a stickler for a satisfying ending, and this one did not disappoint. Eh...(possible spoiler alert): I feel that the ending was left wide open for a sequel.
I found this novel very entertaining once I moved past the exposition. The reason that I am not giving it 5 stars is because most minor characters popped into the scenes with little introduction and were not quite developed enough. As a result, I had to occasionally stop and think about who was who. Plus, if I remember correctly, all of the female characters had one syllable names. This may seem petty, but this minor detail can cause names to "run together" for some readers. If you think this might apply to you, then you may want to have a Post-it or note pad handy to jot down a list of who's who.
I'm a stickler for a satisfying ending, and this one did not disappoint. Eh...(possible spoiler alert): I feel that the ending was left wide open for a sequel.
Want to read
February 15, 2016352p A vacation in the Bahamas goes awry, and a woman from 2009 unexpectedly finds herself in the 18th century -- amidst pirates. Sabrina is so consumed with her present-day problems that the last thing she expects is to suddenly end up face to face with real pirates. The notorious bad boys of the Golden Age of Piracy, Edward England, Howel Davis, and "Black Bart" Roberts, become Sabrina's means of survival in the past, and ultimately, her key to returning to the future.
The catch? Sabrina happens to be carrying a book about pirates when she is swept into the past, and that book contains biographies of the very men she meets. She forms relationships with them and learns that, contrary to what she previously thought, they are sailors, servants, and slaves who were pressed into service, victims of social and historical circumstances of the era. She begins to wonder: Can she use her knowledge to change the past? Is her knowledge a blessing or a curse?
The catch? Sabrina happens to be carrying a book about pirates when she is swept into the past, and that book contains biographies of the very men she meets. She forms relationships with them and learns that, contrary to what she previously thought, they are sailors, servants, and slaves who were pressed into service, victims of social and historical circumstances of the era. She begins to wonder: Can she use her knowledge to change the past? Is her knowledge a blessing or a curse?
February 11, 2015
Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE pirates, and will pretty much read anything that's pirate related. I've been searching for this book for ages, and was finally able to purchase it as an ebook. (Seriously, it was really hard to find)
Overall I enjoyed it, at first I was almost persuaded to put it down as the main character annoyed me at first (a bit too much cynicism and bitchy attitude) but I quickly got over that once the story started to really develop. Definitely slow to start, but a very enjoyable read, with lots of pirates and some historical aspects.
Definitely curious about Rima Jean's next book!
Overall I enjoyed it, at first I was almost persuaded to put it down as the main character annoyed me at first (a bit too much cynicism and bitchy attitude) but I quickly got over that once the story started to really develop. Definitely slow to start, but a very enjoyable read, with lots of pirates and some historical aspects.
Definitely curious about Rima Jean's next book!
April 11, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. The settings were believable and well detailed, the characters were awesome and the story itself a great page turner.
The ending... oh yes... LOVED the ending and didn't see it coming.
The only thing I DIDN'T like about the book was that the MC was mentioned as having a young daughter. This wasn't gone into much, and though here and there she mentions the girl and her family I thought the story and character would have been much better had she been childless. Tossed back in time and a mother hardly things of her baby? Um no. Falls in love in said time and considers staying there, leaving said child forever?...um no. I'm a mother and this really didn't sit well with me.
Overall I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting a romping pirate tale, romance and an entertaining read.
The ending... oh yes... LOVED the ending and didn't see it coming.
The only thing I DIDN'T like about the book was that the MC was mentioned as having a young daughter. This wasn't gone into much, and though here and there she mentions the girl and her family I thought the story and character would have been much better had she been childless. Tossed back in time and a mother hardly things of her baby? Um no. Falls in love in said time and considers staying there, leaving said child forever?...um no. I'm a mother and this really didn't sit well with me.
Overall I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting a romping pirate tale, romance and an entertaining read.
December 11, 2010
4.5 stars! This book is incredibly entertaining. Sabrina is a winning protagonist, and her travails are both funny and moving. What I particularly love is the realism in the midst of the fantastic, grounding us. I love that the author plays with the time travel trope and doesn't pull any punches - of course the pirates (and everyone else) stinks! Of course women are treated as property! This is a fast-paced tale and while I'm not normally a fan of romance, this book has enough swashbuckling (yes, I said it!) adventure, historical facts, and fun that any historical fiction fan will be won over - as I was.
November 8, 2010
This book was too cute. I haven't read a pirate book before and this did not disappoint. I'm not going to ramble on about the storyline, as I hope you decide to read yourself.
I will say that I liked how Sabrina was stubborn, and realistic in how she reacted to the messed up situation she found herself in. She was not overjoyed to be surrounded by gruff, smelly pirates, but just got in with it.
I only drop a star, because I didn't understand the whole 'I'm married with a kid but going to fall in love and sleep with a pirate' thing.
Otherwise, it was fantastic.
I will say that I liked how Sabrina was stubborn, and realistic in how she reacted to the messed up situation she found herself in. She was not overjoyed to be surrounded by gruff, smelly pirates, but just got in with it.
I only drop a star, because I didn't understand the whole 'I'm married with a kid but going to fall in love and sleep with a pirate' thing.
Otherwise, it was fantastic.
June 22, 2016
I found myself disliking Sabrina for most of the book. I liked the concept of the story, but trying to wrap my head around Sabrina **LOVING** her child and husband... just couldn't buy into it. Sabrina came across too self centered to believable. There's plenty of action, adventure, intrigue and struggles that would have been awesome on their own. I simply could not root for Sabrina. Had she been a single 20 something young woman without a child - sure.
November 6, 2011
Let me say this right of the bat! I loved this! Never having read a Piratical story before it was full of adventure, sure sometimes hokey but its a time travel book! A few things bugged me to be sure, her toughness in the beginning gave way to a woe is me attitude annoyed to be sure( I love saying that)! The romance scenes are rated G and im ok with that! A solid 4.5 stars :)
September 27, 2014
I read this book on a recommendation from a friend and found it a good read. The plot was good and the characters interesting enough. I get that the author wanted to take the romanticism out of piracy and portray them more realistically, but at times I felt beaten over the head by it. The ending turned out better than I expected (thought it would be more tragic) leaving it open for a sequel.
March 24, 2015
It was a quite interesting book. The element of love was not overly expressed in this book. Which is a good thing because you were able to concentrate more on the adventurous aspect of the novel. Many of the characters had strong personalities and most of the themes in the story were appropriately portrayed. In general, this was a quite relaxing and calming book to read.
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