Customer Reviews

The Pirate Prince (Leisure Historical Romance)

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

 

 

Our tale begins in Istanbul, Turkey, 1562. Prince Dariq flees the palace when his half-brother, Ibrahim, goes on a rampage and murders all his recently deceased father's male heirs. Warned in advance by his English mother, Dariq escapes the massacre and vows revenge on Ibrahim.

The year of 1564 finds Prince Dariq on the Mediterranean Sea. Dariq and his loyal men raid the sea as pirates, with Turkish ships being their main target. Upon one such ship Dariq comes across Lady Willow Foxburn. She has been sold to Ibrahim for his harem and had been en route to Istanbul against her will. Willow wants only to be returned to her father in England. However, Ibrahim has long wanted such a golden beauty as Willow and had already paid much gold for her. Dariq decides to offer Ibrahim a trade; his mother for the sultan's new concubine.

In the decadent setting of Dariq's harem, Willow finds both love and betrayal. When times comes for the trade with Ibrahim, will Dariq be able to part with the Englishwoman who has captured his pirate heart?

***** W-O-W-! Once again Connie Mason has created an exotic setting for two lovers to find each other. And what setting could be more suited to erotic seductions than a Prince's harem? Answer is a tropical paradise and hide-away, for a handsome pirate captain! Author Connie Mason has outdone herself by combining BOTH of these in one lush novel that is guaranteed to please. The action begins on the very first page and will sweep readers' imaginations away to bold lands and heroic people. I am delighted to be able to say that "The Pirate Prince" gets my highest recommendation! THIS IS NOT ONE TO MISS! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Connie Mason did another great job at another great book. She filled it with passion, love, and strong-willed characters. Dariq had to fight his emotions for Willow in order to ransom her to get her mother back from his evil brother who is a sultan. You could see that they both loved each other and would be willing to risk anything to be with the other. I would recommend this to others, however if you like the theme of pirates/sultans than this is a great one. If you don't, then you may not like it as much. I'm anxiously waiting for Mason's next book to arrive!

I have read many of Connie Mason's books, and the trend that I found was that every other book was a good one. Thankfully, The Pirate Prince was one of the better stories Ms. Mason has written. It was a quick and fun read. There is no need to give a synopsis of the story, as you can find that in the book's description online. However, the characters were likable, and the plotline was interesting and easily kept the reader's attention. I would recommend this title to anyone that is a fan of Ms. Mason's work or to those who are looking for something light and entertaining.

I got about halfway through this book last night and am already finding the plot to be weak, almost as if it was an afterthought to writing this title. I feel as though Ms. Mason submitted a rough outline to her publishers, who took it and ran to print without letting her finish writing!

The character development is poor, and the Pirate Prince might as well have bedded Lady Willow the moment he laid eyes on her (chapter one or two?), Ms. Mason was so quick to get them between the sheets.

There are some minor discrepencies here and there that are a bit irksome. Early in the book, there is mention of Willow's maid who traveled with her, named Kitty. Several chapters later, there is another reference to her maid, only this time the girl's name is Polly. I did a double-take and flipped back to make sure I wasn't the one with my wires crossed. As I said before, I guess Ms. Mason was plowing forward to get the Dariq and Willow in the sack too fast to take notice of such a mistake. Again, proof that the plot outline and character development was an afterthought.

It's a fun and fast read as far as good sex with cookie-cutter characters in an exotic setting. If you're looking for a more deep and detailed historical romance, however, don't look here.

If you're looking for superior prose, believable premise or subtle sensuality you might want to consider purchasing a different book. Now if you want simple characters acting against the concept of the plot then this book is for you! I chose to purchase and read "The Pirate Prince" for two reasons, one I was on vacation and I craved light-hearted literary fun, and two I couldn't believe that one book included slave traders, pirates, sultans and the English countryside. It is the definition of cheesy romance spiced up with a few exotic locations.
My main problem with the book was it betrayed itself. For instance (please note this is not a spoiler) if you were an outlaw pirate planning to send a woman to your enemies bed would you actually tell her where your secret stronghold was located? I wouldn't but then again I'm not an outlaw or a pirate. Also the author reuses phrases very often leaving the reader wishing for more from the text.
However I will admit to getting what I wanted from the book and that was a silly plot filled with steamy scenes. Sure some of the same words were used over and over again in these passages but nonetheless it was still enough to keep me reading. One entire chapter is just an elongated erotic scenario.
I say buy this book if you're looking for a romp through the heart of romance cheddar land. If not then maybe you need to take the short walk to the fiction section and browse for something with romance added in.

This was the first Connie Mason book I've read. I found it predictable, cheesy and silly. I think I might have dozed off a couple of times on the ol' couch while reading it too. I wouldn't recommend buying it new, but maybe you can find it for a cent in the used section. Cause that's about all it's worth to me. Now if you want to read something good...then check out Lisa Kleypas or Kresley Cole. For Lisa, I recommend the Wallflower series. As for Cole, The Immortals After Dark Series. Now those are good books, with great plots, and hot sex!

I really loved this book. The hero is so intense and the heroine so spirited. The chemistry is awesome and the love scenes are super hot. I totally disagree that this book is predictable and boring. If you want a fast, fun and steamy read - buy this book!!!!!

In 1562 Istanbul, Turkey, with the death of their royal father, one son Ibrahim begins slaughtering his male siblings and rivals. Only because his English mother warned him is Prince Dariq able to escape the fratricide; Ibrahim killed ever other contender in the onslaught.

Two years later, Dariq and his pirates use the island of Lisp as a base as they sail the Mediterranean on the Revenge raiding Turkish ships. This time they stop the Ottoman, which is carrying a special treasure for Ibrahim. Lady Willow Foxburn has been sold to Ibrahim for a princely sum of gold. While all she wants is to go home to her father in England, Dariq sees her as a pawn to barter with his enemy, Willow for his mother. However, as the trade is set and the time to exchange draws close, Dariq and Willow are in love, leaving him to choose between the two women he cherishes above his own life.

This pirate romance uses Turkey, the Dardanelles, and the Eastern Mediterranean as a backdrop to provide a fresh tale that has an exotic and erotic taste to it. The story line hooks readers the moment Willow throws a missile at the head of her captor and never lets up until the exhilarating conclusion. Willow is a terrific heroine, but the heroic Dariq makes the tale as he struggles between two loves, not wanting to let either come to harm.

Harriet Klausner

This is my first experience into the world of Connie Mason and shortly into the story I knew Ms. Mason worshiped at the Bertrice Small altar. Sex is the main focus, sex is the secondary focus, and sex is . . . well you get the picture.

Traveling from Marseilles to the shores of England, Barbary pirates abducted and sold the exquisite Lady Willow Foxburn to an Algerian slave master. Her final destination: the harem of Ibrahim, a ruler in the Ottoman Empire. Willow Foxburn will be the source of the sultan's endless pleasure. However, Ibrahim's younger brother, Prince Dariq, has other plans for this rare beauty. He steals her and plans to barter Willow in exchange for his mother's freedom. But, first he must show this little virginal vixen what secret delights her body can give. And that, my friends, is THE PIRATE PRINCE.

It is an easy book to read and I did turn the pages, but it is not a solid book. Regrettably I found the storyline preoccupied and flimsy, the dialogue weak and contemporaneous, and the credibility a pivotal issue.

Credibility? Well, if I have my calculations correct, it seemed Willow learned the Turkish language in less than three weeks; remarkably, she was articulate enough to ask and answer probing questions.

And then this little blunder found on page 321 . . . "but once his past became known, he would not be accepted by the 'TON' ". . . and again on page 349 . . . "Robbed of speech, Willow merely stared at Dariq. Stylishly dressed, his hair trimmed, he could easily pass as a member of the 'TON'" . . .

The term 'TON' meaning "upper class" or "the fashionable set" first appeared in England around 1770, Mason's book takes place in 1564. Ouch!

THE PIRATE PRINCE may be easy to get through, but it is weak. Would I recommend it? Not unless you are a Connie Mason fan. If you are curious, first check out the library or the used book stores. Grade: C-

This review is based on an Advanced Reading Copy

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

I am a lover of Connie Mason books and buy them without looking at the back. I see her name, I buy. In my opinion, this book was ok. I did like it, it was a page turner and had me speed reading through it waiting for what was happening next. Then, when I was done, it was kinda like, thats it? I was not really surprised by anything that happened. I was able to predict most of the book. That bothered me. Normally I am in for a wild ride with Masons books and am looking one way, when it sould be another. Not this time. So, I am disapointed, I expected more. But I am not discouraged. I will get more of Connies books, I just hope they are bette then this one.