Customer Reviews

The Pirate Hunter

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jennifer Ashley is an amazing writer. This is her third romance, but she is also doing rather well writing Regency Era Detective Mysteries under the penname of Ashley Gardner. Her tales are always charming, very strong historically, and this her third pirate tale, demonstrates her love for yo yo ho and a bottle of rum. She does it with panache! So check out all three pirate tales, but don't hesitate to buy her Regency Mysteries as well. She is a very talented writer no matter which genre.

When James Ardmore washes up, barely alive, on a beach after the ship he was on goes down, he never expected HER to be staring at him, when he opened his eyes. HER - being Lady Diana. After all, he had kidnapped her and held her as a pawn in his plans for vengeance once before, so he does not expect a welcome, despite that passionate kiss they shared before.

James is on a mission to destroy the buccaneer Black Jack Mallory and will stop at nothing, use anyone to achieve that aim. He will risk his own life to see the deed done for Mallory killed James' family.

James abducted Diana, even though he knows it will ruin her socially, because her father has a connection to Black Jack. Only, a sexy Pirate Hunter does not cower Diana. She lives with a cold husband, a husband who abhors his only child, because she is deaf. So James does not rattle this gutsy lady. Despite making handling his captive more difficult, James admires Diana's strengths and her determination to escape, and Diana does everything to make James regret he kidnapped her. Only, Diana begins to see traits in the man, that he cares - which is a lot more than the cold fish she has for a husband does - so she begins to fall in love with the Pirate Hunter, even knowing the romance is doomed, especially since James cannot let go of the need for vengeance.

Now, James has washed up on the beach of her isolated home, giving Diana another chance at teaching the man she loves to open his heart once more.

Jennifer is a strong writer, with a deft voice. She is a wizard in creating interesting characters that make you care about them. In this one, the child with her hearing problem and how Diana helps her over come that, is so wonderfully done, with such heart.

Here's to hoping Jennifer Ashley/Ashley Gardner, keeps giving us such rich Regency tales. Her love for writing is in every word.

My first book by this author was prior book THE PIRATE NEXT DOOR (which I very much enjoyed) where we first met brooding pirate hunter James Ardmore. James is a driven pirate hunter who has also angered the British Royal Navy by attacking their ships and setting free pressed American sailors. He is considered an outlaw in England and a hero in his native America (Charleston, SC to be specific) but he will not rest until he has killed pirate Black Jack Mallory, the man who killed James' brother and his family. While extricating an American spy from an English house party the previous year, he stumbled onto Lady Diana Worthing whose father knows Black Jack. James abducts her thinking she may know something of value about where Jack is but during their stormy two-day encounter he determines that 1.) She knows nothing about Black Jack, 2.) She's a spitfire who is not easily cowed and 3.) He's extremely attracted to her and senses the feeling is mutual (they share one steamy kiss!). After asking her to come away with him (she refuses) he lets her return to her husband and her life.

Unfortunately, Diana's life is miserable, trapped in a marriage to a man who detests her, thinks she cheats on him and who is ashamed of his own daughter who is deaf. She is also carrying guilt for her daughter Isabeau's hearing loss as a result of a childhood illness. If not for Isabeau, Diana may well have run away with James, but she could not leave her daughter behind to the mercy of an indifferent father. Now, a year later, she is a widow and living with her father on a private island off the English coast when she and Isabeau discover James Ardmore washed up on the beach!

James and Diana quickly discover that they are no less attracted to one another than they were last year, but neither is particularly happy about it. James is determined to have his revenge on Black Jack - even if it means Diana and her father are caught in the cross-fire - and Diana is just as determined to keep her father's secrets and her daughter safe. Their relationship is stormy and tumultuous with sparks both verbal and sexual igniting regularly. Diana is a woman who loved once when she was young and stupid who is now smarter and a little embittered at what life as thrown her way. James is emotionally dead inside since the death of his brother and his estrangement from his sister, Honoria. The only thing keeping him going is revenge. But when these two begin to fall for one another, it changes everything. Will James decide that love is sweeter than revenge? Will Diana find that the right man can restore her faith in love? I must say that this is one intense couple! No lighthearted romance for these two. But I enjoyed James' character very much - intense, introspective, self-contained but with a sardonic sense of humour - though he was a touch too proud and uncommunicative sometimes. Though I admired Diana's backbone and dedication to Isabeau, at times I found her a touch waspish, though given her experiences with her husband, I suppose allowances should be made.

If you read THE PIRATE NEXT DOOR, do not expect the same tone here. Whereas Grayson (from TPND) was easy-going and witty and the tone of that story relatively light, I found this story more serious and brooding (not exactly "yo ho ho" as another review states), reflecting both James and Diana's characters (though it's not without some humour). I enjoyed both stories and look forward to Honoria's coming in early 2005.

this is my first Jennifer Ashley. I'm usually disappointed with most pirate romances-most being heavy on sex scenes but not much story. I'm happy to say this book was HIGHLY sensual but had a great storyline as well.

Those who like their romances with adventuresome women, alpha males, and a hero/heroine who are older (no blushing school room miss here) then I highly recommend this book . It's on par with Amanda Quick, Johanna Lindsey or Lisa Kleypas style and scope.

Great book despite the "old school" clutch shot cover too-LOL!
5 stars:)

In 1813, James Ardmore lives for his quest to destroy buccaneer Black Jack Mallory for slaughtering his family. James knows he will not rest until he personally kills Black Jack, but once that deed is done the obsessed pirate hunter has no reason to live.

Because of her father's connection to Black Jack, James abducts Lady Diana though he knows that will ruin her if it comes out. However, instead of blithely cooperating, Diana does everything in her power to maim her kidnapper and to escape. James admires Diana's courage and feistiness. Diana begins to fall in love with James as she starts to understand his motive though she expects nothing to come of her feelings as his heart and soul were as dead as that of his family. Still when his plan goes awry and he lies near death at her feet, she tries to help her beloved knowing that if does not let go of his past they have no future together.

Jennifer Ashley furbishes readers with a fabulous Regency tale with the twist that the hero is THE PIRATE HUNTER so that much of the venue is atypical of the sub-genre. The story line is fun to follow as Diana and her deaf child try to "communicate" sometimes with objects with the obstinate James who finds heaven in her arms. The key to this tale is Ms. Ashley's ability to keep her readers wondering whether love can lift the cloud from James' darkened heart as the author slowly alters the hero's internal conflict from one of revenge and hate to guilt and love.

Harriet Klausner

THE PIRATE HUNTER is book two in Jennifer Ashley's "Pirate series" and it is much darker than THE PIRATE NEXT DOOR, its predecessor. Sadly, Ashley's change in pace disappointed me; for when I bought this book, I anticipated the bold fun found in the parent book.

James Ardmore was born a southern gentleman. As a firstborn son, Ardmore knew southern Carolina wealth and class. However, destiny took him away from that privileged life style. James Ardmore spent a lifetime searching the high seas for his brother's killer; James Ardmore was a pirate hunter. He was a meanspirited, cruel stalker. Men feared him. Women adored him. James Ardmore was a legend.

Diana Worthing was an affectionate daughter, a loving mother, and a happy widow, and she disliked James Ardmore intensely. As far as Diana Worthing was concerned, the man could die. For if James Ardmore were DEAD, the world would be free from his tyranny, his vengefulness, his smoldering embraces. Yet, James Ardmore would not die; he would not go away; instead, he stole Diana Worthing's passionate heart.

This was an interesting change of pace for a book series. This was a very interesting change of pace for an author to take! Book 1 was successful; Book 1 was fun. Book 2 is not. Not only is it dark and somber, it has loose ends floating everywhere. As a reader, who read Book 1, I strangely felt "out of it!" Not only was I adrift in the story, but I never truly felt the passion (even though Ashley harped it was everywhere) and where was Ardmore's pirate crew? In Book 1, Ashley described these delightful characters so well . . . and here . . . they were abandoned! THE PIRATE HUNTER's storyline missed them; I missed them! Oh, what could have been! THE PIRATE HUNTER comes through as just an okay read.
Grade: C+

MaryGrace Meloche.

Having read the Pirate Next Door and The Care and Feeding of Pirates I knew most these characters and really liked them.
I enjoyed learning more about James and his complex personality.
The thing that I really didnt care for was the relationship between James and Alexandria. I got the feeling from The Pirate Next Door that he admired her, but really gave her attention to "irk" Grayson. In this story it was made out to be much more.And also the way that Grayson flirted with Diane made me think less of his marriage with Alexandria.
I also agree with the other reviewer that the ending should have been about James and Diane, not Grayson and Alexandria. I wanted to know how James acted towards his new son and where they finally settled.
I still enjoyed the book, as I do all of her books.

This was another very good book in Ms. Ashley's Pirate series. This is James book (we met him in 'The Pirate Next Door') Our fearless pirate hunter is still on the trail of Black Jack Malloy's the man that killed his brother. His search takes him to the island of Haven and back into the arms of Diana Worthing. James had a rather colorful first time meeting with the strong willed Diana, one that he has not forgotten despite his best efforts. He's almost positive that she would rather shoot him then save him which is too bad since he has been shipwrecked and washed up on her island hidaway. And need of help on top of that!

Diana can't believe her eyes when she spots James Ardmore washed up on her beach. The urge to finish him off is great but instead she saves his retched life and opens her life to more turmoil that only James can provide. If only she didn't desire the rogue so much!!! James does all that he can to seduce the strong willed Diana. While doing this he looks for Jack. Little does he know he's finally near his enemy but what happens after a promise is broken, and a hunt comes to an end? A happy Ending...Not quite or rather not right away. Where would the fun in that be?

This was a little darker then the earlier read. James is not as light hearted as Grayson was and this is carried over into the story. Diana is a strong willed hoyden and at time was a bit over the top. In any event these two have great chemistry and the story is fun and fast paced. I look forward to the next installment of this series.

This book actually contains the line: "Did you have to rip my bodice?"

Unfortunately I don't know if the author meant it as a joke or is just a poor writer. There is no romance between the lead characters (Diana and James). Instead they read like 70's characitures of a romance hero and heroine. Diana spends most of her time hating James and he refers to her as a witch bedazzling him. They fight, have sex then immediately go off betraying one another. Diana is portrayed as the "scandalous" widow of a Navy Admiral who is general looked down upon by all the men in her life with the exception of her father. She's called a whore, a temptress and a slut.

As for James Ardmore (you come to have his name burned in your memory because the author keeps repeating it incessantly), he's a man driven by revenge. A true Alpha hero who is never quite believing as anything but a cold, hard man. While his reasons for revenge are understandable, the fact that he greets his reunions with Diana as occasions to insult and berate her make a modern romance reader shudder. This is the worst style of 1970's bodice rippers all over again.

The cover should have been a clue.

I hope Ms. Ashely has refined her craft since writing this one. Unfortunately I have no desire to find out.

After reading pirate next door - I didn't think I would read Ashley's next book but on a whim I picked it up. I read it in one day - just couldn't put it down!

Why not 5 stars? It has nothing to do with the writing - which was great! I just didn't like how she portrayed the hero and heroine from Pirate Next Door. It seemed to me that Grayson was a little to entranced with Diana's beauty and that given the opportunity he would have slept with her. It seemed like the only time Alexandra came to his mind was when he was reminded of her. If they were real people I think his behavior would have been quite telling. I would think that while he was off helping the government and leaving Alexandra home that he probably was sleeping with other women. Which even though I didn't like Pirate Next Door - I hate to think that the hero of that book was possibly still sleeping with other women. I mean we know his behavior with women before his marriage was horrible - we are even given examples of it in this book.

The last thing - I wish the epilogue was an actual epilogue showing James and Diana's life and not Grayson and Alexandra. I don't think we really needed to have James and Diana's relationship discussed by Grayson and Alexandra at the end.