Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
yo ho ho and stiff upper lip!!, October 1, 2003
This review is from: The Pirate Next Door (Mass Market Paperback)
Jennifer Ashley really impressed me with her debut novel Perils of the Heart last November, and continues to do so with her second novel The Pirate Next Door. I am sure the eye-catching novel cover will cause many to pick it up, but the story inside is what is the prize. It is a slightly whimsical romance that finds windowed Lady Alexandra Alastair pondering the list of candidates for hubby number two. She is rather bored with the stodgy ton's offerings, when in pops Grayson Finley and his twelve year old daughter, the new Viscount oh so conveniently next door! 12 years ago, he caused quite a stir by vanishing, and ever since spent that time with the scurvy crew of cutthroats and buccaneers. Now he has returned, with an adorable daughter in tow, to claim his inheritance. But the pirate life has not quite ended, as it follows him to the fancy Mayfair section of Britain threating his very life. Alexandra is not a wimp, a proper lady yes, but not lacking in spine. She falls for Grayson and his daughter, and is determined to fight for her Viscount. It's stylish, fun and with just enough dash and mystery to keep the readers more than intrigued.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertainingly Fun., January 15, 2006
This review is from: The Pirate Next Door (Mass Market Paperback)
This is not a book for serious historical romance lovers, but if you do like your romances on the lighter side, then you will likely enjoy THE PIRATE NEXT DOOR. Author Jennifer Ashley is right on top of things, for a good romance novel needs action and conflict; forbidden love and longing; and Ms. Ashley brings it on.
Every romance needs a wonderful, feisty heroine and Jennifer Ashley gives her reader Alexandra Alastair. Alexandra Alastair is a very demure English lady; yet, under all "that proper" is an adventuresome spirit. Mrs. Alastair is a widow who vows this time she will not repeat the same indignity suffered during her first marriage. No, this time she will pick a husband with excellent qualities - namely faithfulness. She will pick out a man who will be a faithful husband and an excellent father - for Alexandra Alastair wants a child. Once upon a time, she carried a baby and the aching, painful memories still linger. So this time, Alexandra will follow an outlined "husband" list carefully. . . follow it . . . carefully . . . until . . . the very interesting Grayson Finley moves in next door.
As a lad, Grayson Finley, the Viscount Stoke, disappeared from England. Now, he is back, unmarried with a twelve-year-old daughter! He is gloriously handsome sporting a devil-may-care attitude. Scandalously, he does not dress like the other gentlemen on Alexandra's "husband" list! Luridly, he runs around town in a loose greatcoat, worn casually over a simple shirt and tight breeches. Why even his leather boots are disgraceful - they ride high - high on his robust thighs. His sun-bronzed skin speaks of lands far removed from England, and this only enhances the rampant rumors - the Viscount Stoke is an unsafe pirate! Nevertheless, he is interesting and Alexandra Alastair is shockingly interested!
To be sure, THE PIRATE NEXT DOOR is not a book taken too seriously. It is an amusing story about a very proper English lady, re-examining and experiencing her sexual fantasies. Ashley's sprinkling of purple prose highlights the fun and creates a delightful campy read. Although THE PIRATE NEXT DOOR is not one of the "best books ever," it is however a "really good book." The story's flaw . . . the so-called "monkey wrench" thrown in at the end. This "surprise" plot twist was not necessary. Ashley's playful story has enough conflict with Grayson's nemesis, James Ardmore and his motley crew of pirates. Nothing more was required . . .
Grade: B+
MaryGrace Meloche.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not A Keeper - But Still A Good Read, December 12, 2005
This review is from: The Pirate Next Door (Mass Market Paperback)
"The Pirate Next Door" was a fairly enjoyable read. I do not see myself adding it to my list of "keepers" but I would recommend it to others looking for a fun story.
One gripe that I had was the many characters that ran back and forth in this story - I found myself flipping through the pages trying to keep up with who was who. Once I got a fairly good idea of who was after who and who sided with who and why this person had a gripe with that person...the story proved to be rather amusing.
I would very much like to read the story involving Captain James Ardmore. In fact, he was my favorite character in the whole book and seemed to be (in my opinion) more pirate than pirate hunter.
All in all, an enjoyable read with MANY interesting characters. *grin
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
