What do you think?
Rate this book
Regency Pirates #3
The Care & Feeding of Pirates
A Pirate’s Return from the Grave …
Honoria Ardmore has a secret. Four years ago, the notorious pirate Christopher Raine, arrested for stealing a ship full of gold bound for Napoleon, makes one last request of Honoria. She grants it, and Christopher is taken out to be hanged . . . Or was he?
Honoria couldn’t possibly have seen him come back to life in the rather thick air of Covent Garden, could she? Christopher is long dead and gone, Honoria’s secret with him, and now she’s betrothed to a respectable English gentleman.
Captain Raine wants it all back …
His sentence having been commuted at the last minute, Christopher spent the last four years working for his freedom as he crisscrossed the world. He’s lost everything, his ship, his crew, his very identity.
And now he’s determined to retrieve it all—ship, friends, the treasure he was forced to abandon.
Most of all Christopher wants Honoria Ardmore—his wife. And he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.
Join the crews of the Starcross, the Argonaut, and the Majesty for more pirate fun and adventure!
Honoria Ardmore has a secret. Four years ago, the notorious pirate Christopher Raine, arrested for stealing a ship full of gold bound for Napoleon, makes one last request of Honoria. She grants it, and Christopher is taken out to be hanged . . . Or was he?
Honoria couldn’t possibly have seen him come back to life in the rather thick air of Covent Garden, could she? Christopher is long dead and gone, Honoria’s secret with him, and now she’s betrothed to a respectable English gentleman.
Captain Raine wants it all back …
His sentence having been commuted at the last minute, Christopher spent the last four years working for his freedom as he crisscrossed the world. He’s lost everything, his ship, his crew, his very identity.
And now he’s determined to retrieve it all—ship, friends, the treasure he was forced to abandon.
Most of all Christopher wants Honoria Ardmore—his wife. And he’ll stop at nothing to get her back.
Join the crews of the Starcross, the Argonaut, and the Majesty for more pirate fun and adventure!
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2004
62 people are currently reading
1179 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ashley
215 books7,335 followersNY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, historical mysteries, and urban fantasy as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
April 14, 2019
Better than the second book. I still like the first book more.
December 2, 2015
Ok, I am starting this review off with a side note: I started taking notes and writing my thoughts down about 1/2 through the book, around chapter 14-15. The first part of the book I just couldn't get into and it was because of the two main characters. I didn't like the hero. He was too cold hearted, too emotionally distant, and somewhat insensitive to the heroine at times. The heroine wasn't emotionally strong enough for him. He definitely needed a woman with more of a backbone with a less genteel sort of manners. He at times brought to mind what real pirates might have been like, rather than the romantic figures we have created them to be. He just didn't seem to connect with her in the beginning.
The concept of a pirate doomed to be hanged, attracted to a woman and her to him in such a passionate way that they get married the day before his execution, and at the last minute his stay of execution is ordered and he is whisked quietly away to a merchantman ship to slave away his sentence sounds like it would make an entertaining and emotionally passionate story. The heroine, of course, is unaware, thinks he is dead and has mourned him for several years. He shows up after so many years and then (as a reader, I want one of several possible plot variations): 1. They have to relearn how to love each other and build a relationship while dealing with the scars of the past. 2. He has become a cold and scarred man and she needs to show him what love is, that she doesn't care about his scars-physical and/or emotional. 3. That they bicker and fight because they are such opposites and the marriage was such a rush/spur of the moment kind of thing that they have to fall in love and get to know each other all over again. Etc. Something like that. The route this one takes leaves the reader, or at least me because maybe I have this all wrong, thinking that they just don't match. He doesn't seem inclined to try and woo her, he just expects her to drop everything and come sail the seas with him. He doesn't seem to care about her emotional scars from having to mourn his death and to finally trying to move on (he comes back into her life after her engagement is announced). He also doesn't seem to care that much about her sexual desires, in the first (really second) time they come together after all of those years apart, he is sort of brutal and uncaring about her. She on the other hand, seems like she is completely fine with building a life based mainly on the good sex rather than trying to break his tough shell. She isn't really challenging him emotionally and seems to just go with things. This leads me to think that these characters are one dimensional and flat.
The second half of the book did get better, around chapter 16. The characters started to open up to each other and the story really picked up once her brother James catches up to them and they go off to the island where Christopher stashed his Mexican gold. (I am not going to give too much plot spoilers, you will have to read) There was one emotionally tense moment on the island and after that they both stopped being stubborn and distant and finally confessed their love and loyalty to each other. The ending was sweet; the siblings, James and Honoria, reconcile and Christopher's sister Manda and James' navigator, who we got to know since book one, Henderson, get together and have their own happy ending. The epilogue was perfect and a great way to tie the three books together.
The series as a whole was kind of average. I liked book 2, than 1, than 3. This series isn't as good as her Shifter Unbound series, but if you are looking for books with pirates, then I recommend you first read Sabrina Jeffries' book The Pirate Lord, then The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd by Paula Quinn, then The Captain of All Pleasures and The Price of Pleasure by Kresley Cole, then read this series. Book 1 and 2 are worth reading. Sorry this review got long.
The concept of a pirate doomed to be hanged, attracted to a woman and her to him in such a passionate way that they get married the day before his execution, and at the last minute his stay of execution is ordered and he is whisked quietly away to a merchantman ship to slave away his sentence sounds like it would make an entertaining and emotionally passionate story. The heroine, of course, is unaware, thinks he is dead and has mourned him for several years. He shows up after so many years and then (as a reader, I want one of several possible plot variations): 1. They have to relearn how to love each other and build a relationship while dealing with the scars of the past. 2. He has become a cold and scarred man and she needs to show him what love is, that she doesn't care about his scars-physical and/or emotional. 3. That they bicker and fight because they are such opposites and the marriage was such a rush/spur of the moment kind of thing that they have to fall in love and get to know each other all over again. Etc. Something like that. The route this one takes leaves the reader, or at least me because maybe I have this all wrong, thinking that they just don't match. He doesn't seem inclined to try and woo her, he just expects her to drop everything and come sail the seas with him. He doesn't seem to care about her emotional scars from having to mourn his death and to finally trying to move on (he comes back into her life after her engagement is announced). He also doesn't seem to care that much about her sexual desires, in the first (really second) time they come together after all of those years apart, he is sort of brutal and uncaring about her. She on the other hand, seems like she is completely fine with building a life based mainly on the good sex rather than trying to break his tough shell. She isn't really challenging him emotionally and seems to just go with things. This leads me to think that these characters are one dimensional and flat.
The second half of the book did get better, around chapter 16. The characters started to open up to each other and the story really picked up once her brother James catches up to them and they go off to the island where Christopher stashed his Mexican gold. (I am not going to give too much plot spoilers, you will have to read) There was one emotionally tense moment on the island and after that they both stopped being stubborn and distant and finally confessed their love and loyalty to each other. The ending was sweet; the siblings, James and Honoria, reconcile and Christopher's sister Manda and James' navigator, who we got to know since book one, Henderson, get together and have their own happy ending. The epilogue was perfect and a great way to tie the three books together.
The series as a whole was kind of average. I liked book 2, than 1, than 3. This series isn't as good as her Shifter Unbound series, but if you are looking for books with pirates, then I recommend you first read Sabrina Jeffries' book The Pirate Lord, then The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd by Paula Quinn, then The Captain of All Pleasures and The Price of Pleasure by Kresley Cole, then read this series. Book 1 and 2 are worth reading. Sorry this review got long.
December 6, 2011
This early historical romance by Jennifer Ashley definitely doesn't have the finesse of the later MacKenzies series, but it's diverting.
Unfortunately it's the third or fourth in a series and I only read one of the earlier ones. And that was a while ago. I did get the feeling I was missing something. Unfortunately these books are not available for Kindle -- they went on sale and I grabbed all that I could way back when and then they disappeared -- so I can't read The Pirate Hunter which I think might have helped me to enjoy this book more from the start. I'll be looking for it in the UBS because I am definitely curious about the back story of some of these characters.
3.5 stars.
Unfortunately it's the third or fourth in a series and I only read one of the earlier ones. And that was a while ago. I did get the feeling I was missing something. Unfortunately these books are not available for Kindle -- they went on sale and I grabbed all that I could way back when and then they disappeared -- so I can't read The Pirate Hunter which I think might have helped me to enjoy this book more from the start. I'll be looking for it in the UBS because I am definitely curious about the back story of some of these characters.
3.5 stars.
July 15, 2013
3.5 stars This was a very satisfying end to the Pirates books by Jennifer Ashley.
Christopher and Honoria's story was hot and emotional.
Torn apart for years, Honoria thinks her husband is dead. She is getting married to someone else.
But Christopher is not about to let his wife get away from him, she's his. End of.
But he wants her to love him.
We have pirates, buried treasure, missing crew, tragic backstories, lost love. All together made a very pleasurable read.
Old friends were back from the previous two books while this story wrapped up the whole series.
The Care and Feeding of Pirates was a great ending, to a very sweet and steamy pirate romance series.
Christopher and Honoria's story was hot and emotional.
Torn apart for years, Honoria thinks her husband is dead. She is getting married to someone else.
But Christopher is not about to let his wife get away from him, she's his. End of.
But he wants her to love him.
We have pirates, buried treasure, missing crew, tragic backstories, lost love. All together made a very pleasurable read.
Old friends were back from the previous two books while this story wrapped up the whole series.
The Care and Feeding of Pirates was a great ending, to a very sweet and steamy pirate romance series.
Read
August 16, 2009Re-edited, polished re-release of Care & Feeding of Pirates. A full-length novel, 3rd in the Regency Pirates series.
December 26, 2022
So Jennifer Ashley is a new author for me. I did read one of her books in 2019 but that was over 1300 books ago and don’t have a clue what the book was about and at the time I didn't do many reviews. I did write in my own notes it was a good read and I liked it but felt she was expensive considering how many books I read on average. Anyway, I was going over some research and saw her again and thought I’d giver her another try with this series.
I loved book 1 a lot and book 2 was really good. I did like this book. I liked Christopher and Honoria but the main thing I noticed by reading all theses stories back to back that I would not have noticed in a normal series read is that every "pirate" and every female main character were basically exactly the same. I felt that all the guys had the same personality and mentality and all the girls had the same personality and mentality. They were really good reads and great storylines and depth of character with suspense and drama and intrigue which was great but again, all the same.
I normally don't notice these things if other authors do the same in their writings because I usually read anywhere from 60-120 books or more in between each new read within the series and therefore don't notice that kind of stuff.
Anyway, still all good reads and I will definitely look into more of her books.
I loved book 1 a lot and book 2 was really good. I did like this book. I liked Christopher and Honoria but the main thing I noticed by reading all theses stories back to back that I would not have noticed in a normal series read is that every "pirate" and every female main character were basically exactly the same. I felt that all the guys had the same personality and mentality and all the girls had the same personality and mentality. They were really good reads and great storylines and depth of character with suspense and drama and intrigue which was great but again, all the same.
I normally don't notice these things if other authors do the same in their writings because I usually read anywhere from 60-120 books or more in between each new read within the series and therefore don't notice that kind of stuff.
Anyway, still all good reads and I will definitely look into more of her books.
July 16, 2017
I didn't think that I would like this book as much as the others but it is the best one of the series.
Honoria, Sister to James Ardmore, met, fell in love and gave herself to pirate Christopher Raine when she was younger. Her brother hunter him, had him arrested and he was hung for being a pirate. Four years after his death, Christopher returns to claim his wife.
Christopher's return from death is nothing short of miraculous. He lived in hell for four years with only one thought in his mind - Honoria. Now that he's back to claim her, he learns that she is engaged to marry someone else. So he does what he must to get her back.
This may or may not entail breaking and entering, a kidnapping, and fleeing on his pirate ship. Then there's also the hunt for treasure, being chased by pirate hunter and Honoria's brother James and death by having the side of a mountain fall on you.
There was a lot of stuff happening in this book and it was fantastic! New characters were introduced and paired up with old one and Christopher's got a sister, Manda, that is wonderfully different.
Yup, best book in the series. I will read this one again.
Honoria, Sister to James Ardmore, met, fell in love and gave herself to pirate Christopher Raine when she was younger. Her brother hunter him, had him arrested and he was hung for being a pirate. Four years after his death, Christopher returns to claim his wife.
Christopher's return from death is nothing short of miraculous. He lived in hell for four years with only one thought in his mind - Honoria. Now that he's back to claim her, he learns that she is engaged to marry someone else. So he does what he must to get her back.
This may or may not entail breaking and entering, a kidnapping, and fleeing on his pirate ship. Then there's also the hunt for treasure, being chased by pirate hunter and Honoria's brother James and death by having the side of a mountain fall on you.
There was a lot of stuff happening in this book and it was fantastic! New characters were introduced and paired up with old one and Christopher's got a sister, Manda, that is wonderfully different.
Yup, best book in the series. I will read this one again.
January 22, 2019
Dit is het laatste deel van de 3 delen over piraten en over hoe ze als een blok vallen voor de voor hun juiste vrouw . De 2 hoofdpersonen deden mij te veel denken aan een paar oversekste tieners , gelukkig zat er nog wel enige humor en vaart in het verhaal waardoor het toch leesbaar is .
Thirth and last book about pirates and how they fall in love with the right woman . The H & h in this story reminded me a bit to much of lustfull teenagers , luckily there was some humor in this story and the pacing was good which made it readable .
Thirth and last book about pirates and how they fall in love with the right woman . The H & h in this story reminded me a bit to much of lustfull teenagers , luckily there was some humor in this story and the pacing was good which made it readable .
October 24, 2017
A fun romp. A little adventure which was nice.
March 31, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, from the moment that I picked this up and looked at the cover I knew I was going to enjoy reading The Care And Feeding of Pirates I haven't had the chance to read many books from Jennifer Ashley but I have read the other books in the series in the past, and definitely looked forward to Honoria's story. It starts out with Honoria imagining or thinking that she is imagining seeing her dead husband, Christopher Raine, who was hanged for pirating. Four years previous, they spent one night together; ironically the night before he was to be hanged and was married before she thought he had died. Honoria desperately loved Christopher and a part of her died with him that day. To the present day, no one knows of her marriage to Christopher apart from herself and she intends to keep it that way. Until someone she leasts expects to show up in her life. She is currently engaged to a respectable man, and although she knows she will never love or care for him as she had Christopher she knows she needs to get married. However, Christopher shows up in her bedroom, upon which she demands answers from him. The main question was how could he be alive after all these years? Before she gets her answer though, her sister-n-law interrupts and is shocked to find that a woman she considers a sister is actually married to a man her husband and Honoria's brothers despises and is his enemy. Christopher is on a search hunt for his sister whom he hasn't been able to find for years; but thinks he is close to finding her. Christopher takes Honoria along with him on the search. Once they find her however, Honoria is duty bound to stay by her husband's side. Although she knows the pain is too great to love him, the passion builds up between them again that is far too great to resist.
I found this to be a story that I could laugh and cry and just let out a frustrating sigh with this pair: Christopher and Honoria. Despite their desire for one another, Christopher loves to order Honoria about and Honoria of course doesn't tolerate it well. Honoria does everything she can to purely irritate him at first so he will want to get rid of her. Honoria knew she could never truly live with a man she could never love. So Christopher goes about his own alpha male way to show her true love once more. There were a few minor things that I disliked about the book, such as the way the dialogue was. It just seemed to me to be so similar between Christopher and Honoria; very similiar scenes for the most part. However, this is such a truly adventurous read with witty come backs, passionate desire that will fog up the windows, and a adventure that will take you across great distances. I fell in love with both of the characters as well as secondary characters. Jennifer Ashley has truly written a magical story that will enter into your heart, and take you back in time with pirates, and hunting for treasure and a true love that conquers all! Its definitely one I wouldn't want to miss out on reading!
I found this to be a story that I could laugh and cry and just let out a frustrating sigh with this pair: Christopher and Honoria. Despite their desire for one another, Christopher loves to order Honoria about and Honoria of course doesn't tolerate it well. Honoria does everything she can to purely irritate him at first so he will want to get rid of her. Honoria knew she could never truly live with a man she could never love. So Christopher goes about his own alpha male way to show her true love once more. There were a few minor things that I disliked about the book, such as the way the dialogue was. It just seemed to me to be so similar between Christopher and Honoria; very similiar scenes for the most part. However, this is such a truly adventurous read with witty come backs, passionate desire that will fog up the windows, and a adventure that will take you across great distances. I fell in love with both of the characters as well as secondary characters. Jennifer Ashley has truly written a magical story that will enter into your heart, and take you back in time with pirates, and hunting for treasure and a true love that conquers all! Its definitely one I wouldn't want to miss out on reading!
July 3, 2013
I liked the fact that they had married long ago and he hadn’t been with anyone else since then, and she believed him to be dead and so had moved on and was engaged to someone else. But I didn’t understand why she was engaged to that wimp of a man because she doesn’t even like him; the author really didn’t make it clear either. He’s jealous of the other man, and instantly wants to break off their engagement, but Honoria doesn’t let him have his way so easily. She says he doesn’t love him, and I’m glad she said that, but this broad was getting on my last freakin nerve. She kept wanting to talk, always bringing it up and wanting to explain why she didn’t love him, and going on and on, and I just wanted to yell SHUT UP ALREADY!
She was very brazen and bold, telling him what she wanted him to do to her and wanting to have sex all the time. I was like this girl is a straight-up slut. I’m surprised she waited to be married to him and didn’t just jump the first man she met on the street. Chris says something to the effect that she’s a hussy, and she gets all huffy like what he said wasn’t true, and says there’s nothing wrong between a man and wife. You’re still a whore, basically.
He was borderline abusive to her--not physically, but he definitely treated her crappily. He was either not paying attention to her, or ordering her around. She was really annoying and got on my nerves.
She was very brazen and bold, telling him what she wanted him to do to her and wanting to have sex all the time. I was like this girl is a straight-up slut. I’m surprised she waited to be married to him and didn’t just jump the first man she met on the street. Chris says something to the effect that she’s a hussy, and she gets all huffy like what he said wasn’t true, and says there’s nothing wrong between a man and wife. You’re still a whore, basically.
He was borderline abusive to her--not physically, but he definitely treated her crappily. He was either not paying attention to her, or ordering her around. She was really annoying and got on my nerves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2010
I think I just read a string of truly excellent historical novels lately and this just didn't grab me. I usually fly through these things and I kind've picked through this one.
I think my main problem was that the h/h were hot and heavy from page one. I like my romances built up. Jennifer Ashley is a good author and I'm looking forward to Lady Isabella coming out this summer, so I have that to look forward to.
I think my main problem was that the h/h were hot and heavy from page one. I like my romances built up. Jennifer Ashley is a good author and I'm looking forward to Lady Isabella coming out this summer, so I have that to look forward to.
September 1, 2022
I did not like the hero or the heroine and there was absolutely no character growth.
December 20, 2023
4.5 stars
I have no clue how I found this book, but I'm glad I did. A fun, exciting pirate romance, just what I was looking for. Christopher reminds me of someone, which is probably why I liked him a lot haha.
I have no clue how I found this book, but I'm glad I did. A fun, exciting pirate romance, just what I was looking for. Christopher reminds me of someone, which is probably why I liked him a lot haha.
September 26, 2013
I love Jennifer Ashley's historicals. I think her Mackenzie series is so nuanced and fresh and lushly detailed. I knew this series was older, and I was okay with that. I actually like reading older books of my favorite authors because you can really see how they've grown as writers and storytellers. Reading through their backlist really highlights what makes an author special (Julia Quinn has always been brill, and Lisa Kleypas has always written interesting stories, even if her older stories aren't the gems her newer ones are). I've read a few of JA's older stories and they're not my favorites but they're still fun. This book falls firmly in that camp. More far fetched (a lot far fetched--married a pirate in secret and no one really freaks out when he comes back to claim her? Really?), this story seemed to germinate from a hook ("secret marriage to a pirate") than from an original character standpoint like I believe JA does with her Mackenzie series. I always always always enjoy stories more when the story is character driven rather than plot driven. I like multilayered characters and I felt like this book was lacking in the fresh, interesting characters I have come to expect from JA. I think that is where this book is the weakest. I get the Hero's attraction: he's a swarthy, dashing pirate. Who doesn't love those? But who is the heroine? I don't know why the Hero fixated on her and wants her so badly. I don't know what made her so special back then and I don't get what makes her so special now that he's returned. I don't feel a connection between them and the fact that they're always all over each other doesn't a romance make.
If this wasn't JA, I probably wouldn't finish it. It's a bit unbelievable and the characters don't help.
If this wasn't JA, I probably wouldn't finish it. It's a bit unbelievable and the characters don't help.
February 8, 2013
Ummed and Ahhd over whether to give this a 4 or 5 star rating (probably more a 4.5) but as this is easily my favourite book of the series, I decided to be generous.
I was equally smitten by the two main characters. With Christopher because he was rough around the edges, demanding, and determined to be a bad ass and with Honoria because she managed to remain 'mostly' calm and ladylike, yet loved nothing more than to stand firm and challenge said bad ass! Add in Christopher's half-sister, Honoria's Pirate hunter brother, a pile of treasure and a plethora of characters who view 'talking about their feelings' with the same horror as walking the plank and... you have a great story!
I especially liked the scene where Christopher announces that if Honoria buys anything he doesn't like, he'll simply chuck it overboard!(and then proceeds to do so). I actually think my own husband would approve of that approach!
There were also plenty of twists and turns to the plot - and situations that looked like they were all settled, only to rapidly slide back towards uncertainty.
All in all, a very good read! :)
I was equally smitten by the two main characters. With Christopher because he was rough around the edges, demanding, and determined to be a bad ass and with Honoria because she managed to remain 'mostly' calm and ladylike, yet loved nothing more than to stand firm and challenge said bad ass! Add in Christopher's half-sister, Honoria's Pirate hunter brother, a pile of treasure and a plethora of characters who view 'talking about their feelings' with the same horror as walking the plank and... you have a great story!
I especially liked the scene where Christopher announces that if Honoria buys anything he doesn't like, he'll simply chuck it overboard!(and then proceeds to do so). I actually think my own husband would approve of that approach!
There were also plenty of twists and turns to the plot - and situations that looked like they were all settled, only to rapidly slide back towards uncertainty.
All in all, a very good read! :)
February 7, 2021
this was a good book.it wasnt spectacular or anything, but im glad i bought it.
it was irritating that the girl always wanted to talk things out and the guy always disttracted her with kisses or something.i mean, it was annoying that she always wanted to talk,but it was kind of rude on his part that he never wanted to talk her.its like she was only good for her body, and beyond that he didnt wanna bother with her.
it was irritating that the girl always wanted to talk things out and the guy always disttracted her with kisses or something.i mean, it was annoying that she always wanted to talk,but it was kind of rude on his part that he never wanted to talk her.its like she was only good for her body, and beyond that he didnt wanna bother with her.
February 23, 2019
This is the first and probably last of this genre I'll read. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't like it. I found Christopher more demanding and disrespectful toward Honoria than anything else. And I felt like Honoria had a grand total of three brain cells. It's probably just me, so I guess this genre just isnt for me.
July 11, 2007
Well, I finished the book. The relationship between the h/h seemed to be based entirely on sex and there was little depth to either of them. It's too bad because they started out as interesting characters and in another book in the series were definetly interesting.
October 26, 2012
I didn't like this as much as the first two in the series. Not as much adventure or thrills (odd, considering that the hero is a pirate (semi-retired) and they're going treasure hunting).
I did like the characters, but felt the action was seriously lacking. 2.5 stars.
I did like the characters, but felt the action was seriously lacking. 2.5 stars.
May 28, 2015
If repetitive sex had been left out the book would have only been 30 pages long.
September 23, 2017
A SOLID 3.5 STARS!
One of the reason I enjoyed this story is how the hero isn't afraid to say ' I LOVE YOU' to the heroine, like FOR ONCE! A hero who is man enough to admit his softer side and take charge of what he wants.
OUR HERO was supposed to have died at the hangman's noose, except circumstances changed when the heroine's brother owed him an abrupt favour and saved his neck, transporting him on a Chinese Merchant ship where he toiled as an ordinary sailor. 4 years before, he wedded to the beautiful Honoria. You see, their relationship started way back when he was 22 and she was 17. It started with a fascination tinged with contempt, leading to a passionate kiss. 9 years later, it's when he was in prison and later they combusted into flames on the floor, finally sealing the deal and getting married. He didn't want to die a lonely man, supposing that this woman who loved him, would grant him some peace for his black soul. Now that his fate has changed, he's back to get his life back in order. He wants his wife, and he'll do anything to make this marriage work. Christopher hies her away on his ship, as they go searching for his missing half-sister and also the buried treasure he was looking for before his hanging. Christopher is more of the FEEL and LIVE in the moment kind, so getting his emotions across to his wife was a little hard because he's not exactly patient. But, you can tell that he does indeed love his little firebrand with his actions.
OUR HEROINE may have came off as a little annoying a few times, but nothing that cannot be overlooked. She was always infatuated with Christopher, a notorious pirate and the first time she met him, she asked for an autograph. Who knew it would spark her first kiss? And later he would be the first man she's ever welcomed into her body? When she assumes him dead, and her brother has recently married, feeling like an unwanted spectator in her home, she plans to marry for companionship and possibly a new home to call her own. Problem is, now her dead husband is back and he's also her dirty little secret from her brother. Her husband's reappearance complicates things and certainly confuses her own emotions. She keeps saying she doesn't love him, but I think it was a stupid thing to say....because it's clear she still does. No woman who doesn't love her man, will willingly bed him with an extremely lustful appetite, even if he's damned fucking hot.
OVERALL their previous meetings were always rushed and so were their coupling, so this time around they get the chance to truly interact, learn about the other and spend every night making sweet love in their cabin, at the same time getting to bury the hatchet of their past and familiarize with thier own families.
One of the reason I enjoyed this story is how the hero isn't afraid to say ' I LOVE YOU' to the heroine, like FOR ONCE! A hero who is man enough to admit his softer side and take charge of what he wants.
OUR HERO was supposed to have died at the hangman's noose, except circumstances changed when the heroine's brother owed him an abrupt favour and saved his neck, transporting him on a Chinese Merchant ship where he toiled as an ordinary sailor. 4 years before, he wedded to the beautiful Honoria. You see, their relationship started way back when he was 22 and she was 17. It started with a fascination tinged with contempt, leading to a passionate kiss. 9 years later, it's when he was in prison and later they combusted into flames on the floor, finally sealing the deal and getting married. He didn't want to die a lonely man, supposing that this woman who loved him, would grant him some peace for his black soul. Now that his fate has changed, he's back to get his life back in order. He wants his wife, and he'll do anything to make this marriage work. Christopher hies her away on his ship, as they go searching for his missing half-sister and also the buried treasure he was looking for before his hanging. Christopher is more of the FEEL and LIVE in the moment kind, so getting his emotions across to his wife was a little hard because he's not exactly patient. But, you can tell that he does indeed love his little firebrand with his actions.
OUR HEROINE may have came off as a little annoying a few times, but nothing that cannot be overlooked. She was always infatuated with Christopher, a notorious pirate and the first time she met him, she asked for an autograph. Who knew it would spark her first kiss? And later he would be the first man she's ever welcomed into her body? When she assumes him dead, and her brother has recently married, feeling like an unwanted spectator in her home, she plans to marry for companionship and possibly a new home to call her own. Problem is, now her dead husband is back and he's also her dirty little secret from her brother. Her husband's reappearance complicates things and certainly confuses her own emotions. She keeps saying she doesn't love him, but I think it was a stupid thing to say....because it's clear she still does. No woman who doesn't love her man, will willingly bed him with an extremely lustful appetite, even if he's damned fucking hot.
OVERALL their previous meetings were always rushed and so were their coupling, so this time around they get the chance to truly interact, learn about the other and spend every night making sweet love in their cabin, at the same time getting to bury the hatchet of their past and familiarize with thier own families.
June 7, 2020
3 Stars
Cute and enjoyable. I really loved the trope for this book and although it didn't come with a wealth of angst you'd expect it was still enjoyable.
I liked Christopher more than Honoria, I think. I really liked how they came together when they were younger despite how brief each retelling of it was. I liked how we jumped right into the now when he had returned. This book was good but not great and not the best. It could have been more interesting, perhaps. At times it slowed down a bit more than I'd like. Weirdly enough some of the love scenes got summarized and skipped over mid way through and I was a little puzzled by that. That wasn't the style in the previous books, especially the second one about James and Diana.
But overall it was a good read. Made better by the fact I read all the books in the series in order and got to enjoy seeing the other characters from previous books.
Cute and enjoyable. I really loved the trope for this book and although it didn't come with a wealth of angst you'd expect it was still enjoyable.
I liked Christopher more than Honoria, I think. I really liked how they came together when they were younger despite how brief each retelling of it was. I liked how we jumped right into the now when he had returned. This book was good but not great and not the best. It could have been more interesting, perhaps. At times it slowed down a bit more than I'd like. Weirdly enough some of the love scenes got summarized and skipped over mid way through and I was a little puzzled by that. That wasn't the style in the previous books, especially the second one about James and Diana.
But overall it was a good read. Made better by the fact I read all the books in the series in order and got to enjoy seeing the other characters from previous books.
March 13, 2018
Cozy little series
When I first realized that the Regency Pirates series only contained three books, I was a bit disappointed. Now that I've read the third book I can see why the author stopped at three. In just three books she managed to introduce and flesh out half a dozen complex characters and diverse storylines and get them resolved in a satisfying fashion. It's really quite amazing when you stop to consider it. Honoria and Christopher's story rounds out the trilogy involving the Ardmores and there is plenty of action and adventure and more than a few twists before they all reach their happily ever after. If you like historical romance with quite a bit of action than I would definitely recommend all three books of this series.
When I first realized that the Regency Pirates series only contained three books, I was a bit disappointed. Now that I've read the third book I can see why the author stopped at three. In just three books she managed to introduce and flesh out half a dozen complex characters and diverse storylines and get them resolved in a satisfying fashion. It's really quite amazing when you stop to consider it. Honoria and Christopher's story rounds out the trilogy involving the Ardmores and there is plenty of action and adventure and more than a few twists before they all reach their happily ever after. If you like historical romance with quite a bit of action than I would definitely recommend all three books of this series.
April 10, 2023
I read this ages ago when I was going through every Jennifer Ashley I could find. I remember being so startled and thrilled by how these two would go from zero to a hundred every time they met. Didn’t remember anything else but wanted to revisit that aspect.
Curious how tame it seems now, and frustratingly vague. What astonished me the most is how cursorily the plot is described. Like huge swathes of backstory just dropped in synopsis form. And other parts of the present story rushed through in a sentence or two. Very economical storytelling and not particularly rewarding. There’s only some depth to the characters even though Honoria is marvellous. Just feels like the narrative has neither the time or inclination or wordcount to really explore the characters as it could. Oh well.
Curious how tame it seems now, and frustratingly vague. What astonished me the most is how cursorily the plot is described. Like huge swathes of backstory just dropped in synopsis form. And other parts of the present story rushed through in a sentence or two. Very economical storytelling and not particularly rewarding. There’s only some depth to the characters even though Honoria is marvellous. Just feels like the narrative has neither the time or inclination or wordcount to really explore the characters as it could. Oh well.
January 27, 2020
It wasn't as good as the first two IMO.
The way James was made the big bad Wolf in this book, by Honoria - annoyed me to no end.
I honestly didn't connect much with either Honoria and Christopher -which is a problem when those are the leads.
I did however enjoy Henderson, but would have liked to seen him having his own full book. Perhaps with another heroine ?
All and all it was a nice enough read, but it just fell kinda flat to me after I read the two first books in the series, loving them!
Book number 1 was my over all favorite in this series.
The way James was made the big bad Wolf in this book, by Honoria - annoyed me to no end.
I honestly didn't connect much with either Honoria and Christopher -which is a problem when those are the leads.
I did however enjoy Henderson, but would have liked to seen him having his own full book. Perhaps with another heroine ?
All and all it was a nice enough read, but it just fell kinda flat to me after I read the two first books in the series, loving them!
Book number 1 was my over all favorite in this series.
February 16, 2024
Dear lord this was rough. There were so many plot holes both from the prior two books AND throughout this book. It just makes reading the book so much less fun! It’s just bananas!
I liked how they met and the marriage twist, but the rest of it was not great - either blah, or just nonsensical.
I’m tentative to read more from this author, especially another series. Maybe a stand alone would run less risk of plot holes and inconsistencies.
I liked how they met and the marriage twist, but the rest of it was not great - either blah, or just nonsensical.
I’m tentative to read more from this author, especially another series. Maybe a stand alone would run less risk of plot holes and inconsistencies.
March 18, 2025
This book was slightly better that the previous. Although the hero seemed to be as unwilling to communicate with the heroine like the one in the previous book, as the story unfolded the author gives us insights into the hero‘s inner life, which make him likable. Every chapter brings more details what the hero had to go through, to become the reserved man he is. By the end of the story I admired this generous and caring pirate.
January 30, 2019
This story isn't anything like the description. I thought this would be about Christopher winning Honoria back. Instead they're together immediately and they have some fake contrived conflict that's not really a conflict, and they spend most of the time having sex. Like okay, but I want at least a little romance in my romance novels.
September 20, 2019
Honoria Ardmore met her true love and could not and would not reveal that she had her first 'carnal' experience!
For the next four years, she was miserable!
Her brother is a pirate and she must keep the secret!
Will she be able to find a true love while her brother is off trying to find out who killed their brother while he was on the high seas?
Will her true love come back into her life?
For the next four years, she was miserable!
Her brother is a pirate and she must keep the secret!
Will she be able to find a true love while her brother is off trying to find out who killed their brother while he was on the high seas?
Will her true love come back into her life?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews