Customer Reviews

Pleasuring the Pirate (Leisure Historical Romance)

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

 

 

After "Distracting the Duchess", I was really looking forward to Emily Bryan's next book, and was in no way disappointed. This author has done something quite rare: she's written modern versions of the romance novels I grew up reading and loving. I don't mean to say she's rewritten the same stories or stolen characters, but she's taken the things I liked so much -- interesting characters who have depth and courage, fun stories in locales I'd love to visit, and endings I don't really want to come but which are satisfying. I'm thinking of authors like Mary Stewart and Daphne duMaurier (showing my age, aren't I?!). Some modern authors seem to miss the point of romance novels, which is the connection between the two main characters, not just physical, although that's fun too, but the connection of the spirit. Bryan's books, with her humor and sensuality, stories with twists to them, and always secondary characters that beg for their own books, are among the best of the current crop of romance writers.

Jacquelyn Wren is the daughter of a courtesan and the Chatelaine of Dragon's Caern, a woman without a real role in society but who feels responsibility towards the five young girls, daughter of the now dead Baron of Dragon's Caern. When she's informed that a new man is coming to take over Dragon's Caern and to turn out all the people who currently live there she agrees, rather improbably, to kill him. However, when Jacquelyn meets Captain Gabriel Drake on the road she discovers he is the son of the former Baron, a man that people thought dead, and that he has been living as a pirate for many years. Gabriel has been pardoned by the Keeper of the King's Privy Seal and wants to return home.

Gabriel understands that he needs to marry a rich woman because Dragon's Caern is almost penniless. However as he is trained in polite behaviour by Jacquelyn his thoughts turn to her. Is there any way that he can avoid having to marry a fish-faced gentry woman and to have Jacquelyn? Can he keep himself from being hanged as a former pirate? And what about the rumoured treasure at Dragon's Caern?

The first half of this book was pretty poor with the plot weak, the characterisation unlikely in places and the 'romance' feeling very unromantic. However, about halfway through the book hit its stride and there were subplots and machinations, as well as the introduction of interesting new characters such as Jacquelyn's mother. Most of the characters in this story are horribly stereotyped - the pirate's first mate who's always drunk, the evil land-grabbing baron, the hellion young girls, etc etc, but it definitely was a better read once the halfway point was reached. There was little originality in this story and far too many improbabilities in the plot but by the end it felt more like a romance and was a reasonable read.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

Former pirate captain, Gabriel Drake has been pardoned by the King of England. He has returned to his childhood home, Dragon Caern Castle. His father is now dead and his estate is in ruins. As long as Gabriel doesn't step foot in London, he will be fine. But when he finds a woman there who refuses to let him take over his property, he is shocked. She is dressed like a man and believes the worst in him. But Gabriel is able to take own this spunky miss a peg or two.

Jacquelyn Wren was just defending her home. She lives at the Dragon Caren Castle as a governess for the five little girls now left without a father, who happened to be Gabriel's younger brother, and the girls are his nieces. Jacquelyn's mother is a well off courtesan who made sure Jacquelyn had the best of everything from boarding schools to clothes, but never had the time for her daughter. Now as the chatelaine, Jacquelyn takes care of the household. But all this has changed with Gabriel residing. He must find a bride with a dowry since he has no money and only a run down property to his name. Jacquelyn will help him find a bride even though she wishes to marry him herself. But Jacquelyn is just a daughter of a woman with a bad reputation and not enough money to bring to the table.

Gabriel would like nothing better for Jacquelyn to share his bed and would marry her if he could. Perhaps she will welcome his tender touch in other way without the benefit of matrimony? As these two go through their dance of seduction, there are those who want to finish off Gabriel because of a supposed treasure hidden within the Dragon Caern. If only Gabriel can find that wealth, than all his problems will be solved. As Gabriel and his little nieces go on various treasure hunts, Jacquelyn can't help fall for this man, her pirate who wishes plunder both her heart and soul.

Emily Bryan has done it again with this engaging historical romance. Pleasuring the Pirate is a witty and sexy tale about hidden treasure, the pirate myth and of course a wonderful and lush romance with two people who bring alive the pages with their engaging conversations and luscious lovemaking.

Gabriel is such a wonderful hero and Jacquelyn brings his heart alive. You will be rooting for these two, hoping they will find away to be together. Emily Bryan is one of the bright stars of the romance world and Pleasuring the Pirate is one read that will not disappoint in anyway.

Katiebabs

In 1720, the pirate Captain Gabriel Drake is pardoned of all his crimes, but his Letter of Marque includes the stipulation that if he comes to London, his clemency is void and without further legal due course will pay the price. At about the same time, Jacquelyn Wren tries to get far away from her mother's courtesan lifestyle by rusticating as the chatelaine running the household of notorious seafaring Lord Gabriel Drake "the Dragon".

When Dragon comes home, Jacquelyn greets him by ambushing the pirate. However, Gabriel easily defeats the hooligan who attacked him and using his sword cuts open the covering of her bound breasts. Irate at his chatelaine's audacity and delighted with her boobs, Gabriel realizes he needs to keep Jacquelyn employed so that she can mentor him on joining high society and marry wealth. One kiss changes their bargain as neither expected the inferno that ignited. Fleeing for London, as she no longer can hide her desire, Gabriel risks incarceration and more to tell his chatelaine he wants to change her position to wife. However, when he is caught and jailed, Jacquelyn risks all to liberate her beloved.

This great Georgian romance is filled with bawdy humor mindful of Fielding's classic Tom Jones as the banter between the pirate and the courtesan's daughter is amusing and heated. The story line is fast-paced from the moment the Dragon becomes a landlubber lord in need of loot and never slows down until the final desperate daring deed. Except for the title, Emily Bryan provides a powerful historical as the adventures of the grounded pirate and the non-courtesan chatelaine will pleasure the fans.

Harriet Klausner

I have never read any of Emily Bryan's books before, but I loved this. I sat and read it straight through. At times I found myself wiggling in the seat in anticipation of what would come next. The reader is seduced by Lord Drake as Mistress Wren is seduced by him. A definent gem.

Gabriel Drake has abandoned his pirating ways and headed home to Dragon Caern Castle. Along the way he is ambushed and threatened by a young man named Jack. All too soon Gabriel sees though Jack¢s ruse. When Jacquelyn Wren¢s cover is blown she is forced to tell the new Lord of Dragon Caern Castle why she waylaid him. Gabriel¢s homecoming is marred by learning of the death of his father and brother and that someone is out to get him. He is now Lord and in need of a proper wife with a large dowry. Jacquelyn is stuck with the task of teaching Gabriel etiquette so he can find a wife while Gabriel¢s orphaned nieces run him and his faithful friend Meriwether crazy. There is nothing at all proper about the lustful feelings Gabriel stirs in Jacquelyn. Gabriel is intent on taking Jacquelyn to bed even as he prepares for marriage to someone else. Neither counted on falling in love or that Gabriel¢s enemies would find him and threaten to destroy all they hold dear.



Emily Bryan paints an accurate picture of an era where propriety and necessity rule over passion in Pleasuring The Pirate, while adding an extremely romantic and sensual storyline to go with it. I loved Gabriel from the moment he makes his appearance. He is witty and handsome, and all rogue. Jacquelyn is an endearing combination of sensuality, intelligence and insecurity. The children are absolutely precious and the way Gabriel interacts with them is even more so. There are many wonderful characters in Pleasuring The Pirate. It¢s a lovely story, one that every historical romance reader will love!

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

STORY BRIEF:
Gabriel's father was Lord of Dragon Caern. Gabriel was on a sinking ship when pirates offered him life if he became a pirate and joined them, so he did. Years later he left piracy and had a pardon from the King as long as he never entered the city of London. He returns to his family home and learns that his father and brother died. Jacquelyn is the illegitimate daughter of a courtesan who was brought up in a school for ladies. She worked for Gabriel's family. After the father and brother died, she began and continued to manage the estate. She convinces Gabriel that he needs to marry an heiress for money to support the property, crofters and tenants of Dragon Caern. She begins educating him in proper behavior and etiquette.

REVIEWER'S OPINION:
This felt like a run-of-the-mill romance novel. Nothing surprised or delighted me. The characters, conversations and plot were predictable. I did not like how the author separated the couple on two occasions. In the first instance, Jacquelyn left Gabriel without saying goodbye or telling him why she was leaving or where she was going. Later, Gabriel did something stupid which caused his arrest and put others at risk. I just didn't enjoy it. I felt like I was reading pieces of stories I've read before. I'm looking for something a little different.

DATA:
Story length: 302 pages. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 7. Length of sex scenes: 0.5 to 8.1 pages. Total number of sex scene pages: 28. Setting: 1720 England. Copyright: 2008. Genre: historical romance.

CAUTION SPOILERS:

IF YOU ARE THINKING OF READING THE BOOK, THEN DO NOT READ BELOW. IT GIVES AWAY SOME OF THE STORY.

A few scenes bothered me. Two of them follow. Gabriel knew he would be hanged if he went to London. He went to London to see Jacquelyn's mother Isabella. When the authorities arrived to search her place for him, she hid him between her two mattresses with her on top of the bed. Jacquelyn also helped. The authorities couldn't find Gabriel and were ready to leave, when Cecil threatened to arrest Jacquelyn on the charge of harboring and concealing a condemned felon. He had no proof at that time. He was just guessing. At that moment Gabriel jumped out of the bed saying "Leave her out of it and I'll go without a fight." That moment was proof that both women were guilty of harboring and concealing him. Cecil then had the evidence to arrest all three of them, but he didn't. He just arrested Gabriel. In another scene Jacquelyn used a lot of gold to help Gabriel escape, but then Gabriel gave himself up, again to save Jacquelyn from being arrested. I was frustrated at the waste of gold. These scenes were more frustrating than entertaining.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who reads romances as a quick getaway from the mundane. "Pleasuring the Pirate" served that purpose admirably. I wound up reading it in an afternoon and I found myself sympathizing with the characters, laughing at the jokes and generally enjoying this book thoroughly.

The only time I put the book down, was to run over to my computer and order Distracting the Duchess. I hadn't even gotten half way through Pleasuring the Pirate when I ordered the author's first book, I already knew I wanted to read more of Emily Bryan's writing.