The Bride And The Buccaneer [Paperback]

Darlene Marshall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2009

(Romance / Historical Romance) 'Lucky Jack' Burrell's quest for revenge against Sophia Deford will have to wait until he discharges a debt. He has to help her find the fabled pirate treasure Garvey's Gold, then he can wring her dainty neck. Sophia has no intention of sharing anything with anyone. She will have all of Garvey's Gold, no matter how much Jack's lean-muscled body makes her want to get to know him just a little bit better before she gets rid of him. As the two adversaries squabble their way across Territorial Florida following the clues on their treasure map, they know that before they're through they're either going to kiss each other, kill each other, or both...

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: Amber Quill Press (December 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602728232
• ISBN-13: 978-1602728233
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #736,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Darlene Marshall writes stories of romance and adventure, featuring pirates, privateers, smugglers and the occasional possum.

On sale now--Sea Change, a novel of passion, privateering and cross-dressing.

Marshall won the FCRW Beacon for The Bride and the Buccaneer, the Eppie for Historical Romance for Captain Sinister's Lady and Pirate's Price, and placed in the Lories awards for Smuggler's Bride.

Her books are available in print, ebook format, Kindle editions, and also in German and Estonian editions.

Marshall lives in North Florida, is a graduate of the University of Florida (Go Gators!), and loves being a writer because her work wardrobe is shorts, sandals and tropical shirts with flamingos. The best days are when she puts the convertible top down and cruises over to the beach to do research.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bride and The Bucaneer by Darlene Marshall, February 1, 2010

By 

A. Schreiner "smexybooks" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bride And The Buccaneer (Paperback)

When the story starts, Sophia has been kidnapped by a highwayman who is after her guardian's money. This highwayman doesn't intend to harm Sophia, and tells her she is free to go in the morning. Sophia, acting meek and innocent outwits him and the highway man finds himself naked, and tied up in a cave, with Sophia and all of his money gone.

Five years later, Sophia put that money to good use to get away from her sleazy guardian and opened a bookshop with a companion of hers. But Sophia longs for something more in life, and gets that opportunity when a friend of hers asks her to sail to America to deliver a letter to someone named John Burrell. Seizing the opportunity, Sophia sails off, only to be almost to Florida when her ship is overcome with pirates. And guess who the pirate is that seizes her ship? Not only the highwayman from five years earlier, but John Burrell, aka Captain Jack, himself. When Jack realizes who Sophia is, he kidnaps her again and takes her on his ship. After he reads the letter Sophia was to deliver to him, he realizes there is a great treasure to be found. Problem is, he only has half of the map - and guess who has the other half? Sophia wants in on the treasure and together - unwillingly, these two head into the wilderness of Florida to follow clues.

Every aspect of The Bride and The Buccaneer impressed me. The adventure is just fun to read and it makes me wonder why I don't seek out more of these types of books. These two dislike each other so much, but the promise of 50,000 pounds is just too irresistible to walk away from. They fight, they try to outwit the other, and in the end, they find they just have to suck it up and work together. Sophia is very curious and independent with a free flying soul. Captain's Jack crew takes an immediate liking to her, and they find themselves wanting to please Sophia, but knowing they still must take orders from Jack. Sophia is very subtle with revenge though - for instance, after being kidnapped, Jack gives her his clothes for mending, and she mends them, but she also sews daisies on the fly of all of his underwear - just to spite him.

It takes awhile for the romance to happen, but when it does, there are really sexy scenes in this book. What I found somewhat refreshing is that there is no scheming or plotting by one of the protagonists to romanticize the other. They truly don't care for each other. They appreciate the other's physical appearance, but that is where it ends. It really takes days of them forced together to slowly come together and even then Sophia is very hesitant. It is a very believable, and heartfelt romance.

The tension builds so much, at one point when they first come together, Jack realizes he is not going to last long and starts reciting the names of the states to try to calm his body down. When Sophia does something a little naughty to his nether regions, he shouts out, "Ohio!" It is the small moments and quotes like this which will have you smiling throughout the book. Like the first time Sophia sees Jack naked in the sunlight:

"I never realized how small my hands are."

He snorted a laugh. "No sweetheart, you're supposed to say, "'La, sir!' What a monstrous engine of delight!,

HA! I am so stealing that phrase!!

Jack is all man, and very much at home being a pirate, or a privateer as he calls himself. He definitely has protective instincts over Sophia after he kidnaps her, knowing a single lady amongst the other wilder men could go wrong. Yet for the beginning of the book, he has many times he wants to throw her over the side of the ship, rather than bed her.

"What if you were blinded and I had to take care of you for the rest of my days?"

"Sophia, I have no doubt if I were blinded you would direct me to the edge of the nearest cliff and then encourage me to take just a few steps forward, rather than care for me all your days."

Sophia didn't argue.

There is also also get a lot of history of Florida in the early 1800's. This issue of slavery is brought up and there is a very poignant moment between Jack, Sophia and a slave that touches you deeply. I can't say enough how wonderful this book is. The ending is just perfect - and will have you laughing and sighing, and not wanting this adventure to come to an end.

The Bride and The Buccaneer is a wonderful tale full of humor, adventure, and a lovely romance that will sweep you away.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pirate romance!!, February 4, 2010

By 

Sunshine "Sunshine" (PHL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bride And The Buccaneer (Paperback)

I wish Darlene Marshall would write more books..faster!! Great story and had me laughing out loud a few times. There is no need to read the other books prior to this in order to enjoy this story but all of Darlene Marshall's books are highly entertaining.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great mix of fun, adventure & history..., February 2, 2012

By 

Karen "For What It's Worth" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Bride And The Buccaneer (Paperback)

While traveling, Sophia Deford is kidnapped by a highwayman in an attempt to get to her guardian's money that he feels is owed him. Sophia feigns the damsel in distress but outwits her captor leaving him naked and tied up in a cave. Most embarrassing, and an experience the highwayman will never forget it.

Fast forward to five years later when circumstances throw these two crazy kids together again. Fulfilling the last wishes of a good friend, Sophia must travel by ship to deliver a letter to an American captain named Jack Burrell. Her goal is to deliver the letter and convince the captain to take her along to find a hidden treasure mentioned in the letter.

During the journey, Sophia's ship is boarded by pirates led by none other than the former highwayman, now known as dun....dun....dun...Captain Jack Burrell! When Jack realizes who Sophia is he can't wait to get even with her to teach her a lesson. Unfortunately if either of them wants the hidden treasure they need to combine their skills and work together.

I'm not often a fan of historical romances and I can't remember ever reading a pirate historical romance but The Bride and the Buccaneer was a lot of fun. Sophia is completely self reliant and isn't left a quivering mass every time Jack throws a rude comment her way. After he kidnaps her for a second time and Sophia is held prisoner aboard his ship she does agree to mend the crews clothing. However, she carries out quiet acts of rebellion like sewing flowers on Jack's underwear. Jack is all alpha male but to his credit he likes and respects Sophia's feisty nature. Once he gets to know her, he sees that she hasn't always been treated well by the men in her life and gives her the space she needs to learn to trust again. Sure he's hot and all "piratey" (my very own made up word) but he's also an upstanding guy.

They have a sexy, fun relationship but it is also mature and about so much more than attraction. The setting is early 1800's FL so the issue of slavery is addressed and I particularly liked how Sophia and Jack set aside their greed to work together to help others.

There is also a great deal of witty banter between the two:

Sophia: "What if you were blinded and I had to take care of you for the rest of my days?"

Jack: "Sophia, I have no doubt if I were blinded you would direct me to the edge of the nearest cliff and then encourage me to take just a few steps forward, rather than care for me all your days."

If you're looking for a fun story with adventure, strong characters and a slow brewing but sexy romance give The Bride and the Buccaneer a try.