Pleasing the Pirate by Sharon Cullen Publisher: Loveswept on February 25, 2014
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance
Pages: 256
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
Two hearts are wrenched between love and duty in Sharon Cullen’s tale of a ruthless pirate and the Scottish lass who fills him with desire for something greater than plunder.
With her clan’s crops burned and their property confiscated, Mairi McFadden is desperate to free her brother from imprisonment so that he can take his rightful place as chief. Her only hope is the fierce English pirate Phin Lockwood, but the buccaneer laughs at her meager funds. His roving eyes, however, tell Mairi there’s something else he’ll take in exchange for her brother’s rescue. Though she burns with hatred for the English, she’ll do anything to save her clan.
The crown has made it clear that Phin has two choices: bring in a certain Scottish traitor or hang. And he’s not about to let a tiny, whiskey-eyed woman get in his way, even if she is pointing a gun at him. When Phin learns that Mairi’s brother is the very man he seeks, he’s more than willing to use the lass as bait. But as the moment of capture draws near, Phin is surprised by his feelings for the courageous beauty who has him considering risking his life—for someone besides himself.
At A Glance
Good, but not very pirate-y.
The Good
This was a good historical romance. It had a fair amount of romance, intrigue, heart, and politics.
I loved Mairi’s tenacity. She confronted a pirate with a gun big enough to knock her ass down to save her brother, her land, and her people. Not the best idea, but it worked. She would do anything to help the few people left in her clan after the brutal war. Her brother Grant? Not so much. I felt horrible for Mairi. Her brother didn’t feel obligated to save his people, and Phin started out using her to capture Grant for treason. No one was on Mairi’s side. But she kept on truckin’ anyways! I so respected her for that.
Phin will hang for his pirate ways if he doesn’t capture Grant soon. Using Mairi to lure him out seemed like the perfect idea. However, Grant is smarter than he looks, and Phin’s feelings for Mairi were quite unexpected. I truly loved how Phin slowly fell in love with Mairi because of her determination and courage. I think he could have been more sympathetic with her side, but he did make sure to provide her with a better life no matter what happened to him. Now that is a gentlemen.
I loved the side story with Phin’s sister. Heartbreaking but interesting. The politics and chasing around were fun. I find this time in history quite interesting, though very sad. Poor Scots.
The Bad
I expected a pirate romance. This is not a pirate romance. Phin isn’t much of a pirate. He’s just a proper guy who goes on a ship occasionally. Disappointed in that area.
I hated the fact that Mairi had to choose between Phin and the English who slaughtered her countrymen and devastated her livelihood or her brother who wanted to fight against the English aggressors once again but was going about it the wrong way. I think Mairi made the wrong decision. I have to be honest, I would fight my oppressors until my death. Phin and his friends had no right to hate Scots who actually didn’t want to keep being screwed by them. Treason my ass! I mean, their soldiers are still murdering and raping Scots all over the country and nothing is being done. Scotland lost the war, how long should they suffer from something they didn’t start?
The Snuggly
The sex was okay, it could have been hotter. Honestly, I skipped over most of the sex. I know, I know, gasp-worthy. I just couldn’t get into it. Though I think it was more about my mood than anything.
Final Thoughts
I am 50-50 with this book. The pirate romance aspect could have been stronger, and the English can suck my ass! Seriously. They think too highly of themselves. It pissed me off. But I did like the story and the characters. So I would recommend it to historical lovers.
Quotes
He knocked on her door, his heart beating harshly. Strange, that. His reaction to her bothered him, but he could control himself.
At her soft, “Come in,” he opened the door and stopped cold.
She was bent over at the waist in front of the fire, her delectable derriere front and center. His mouth went dry.
She looked at him upside down, her hair hanging nearly to the ground.
She jerked upright with a softly exclaimed, “Oh.”
She’d wrapped a thin sheet around her and secured the end between two very plum, soft breasts. With her sudden movement the sheet had slipped and she slapped a hand to her chest to hold it in place.
Freckles.
She had freckles everywhere.
Braine
Part time pirate. How disappointing, arrrr! However, if you did find a sexy Englishman, he will do more than sucking your ass…
Jennifer Bielman
Bwahaha, you are crazy!
kindlemom1
Ah man, I would have been so disappointed with the lack of pirate goodness. There is nothing like a sexy pirate! Sorry this wasn’t quite what you were expecting.
Jennifer Bielman
I really, really wanted a pirate!
kimbacaffeinate
ARGH..I would have wanted a real pirate too, he sounds more like a privateer..but bits sound delightful!
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, pretty much, really disappointing.
Christy
So no pirate booty for you? <—– Was that totally corny or what? 😀
Jennifer Bielman
So corny! But I forgive you. 🙂
Lekeisha
No go for me. You lost me at no-pirates. Which is truly sad, since it could have given the story more depth. Great review though.
Jennifer Bielman
Seriously, who writes a pirate book with no pirates!!!!
Keionda@Keionda Hearts Books
Arggh! No pirates?? How misleading. And a huge disappointment. I’ve never desired to read a book about pirates but now…I strangely want to? Does that make any sense at all ??
Jennifer Bielman
Yes! Perfect sense. Some are awesome!
Melliane
Ah yes expecting pirates andnot having pirates is a little sad, mainly because pirates… right? At last it was a nice historical romance.
Jennifer Bielman
There is nothing better than a good but bad, sexy pirate.
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
Oh man. Yeah with a title like that I want some full out pirate-y goodness. I’d be a spot disappointed in that too.
Jennifer Bielman
It was a good historical but not a good pirate romance.
Renee (Lover of Romance)
I really enjoyed this one…but I agree the title doesn’t match the book in any way!! I was expecting a fun pirate romance…and didn’t get that…but it still had its fun moments.
Jennifer Bielman
I agree, it was a fun historical romance, but where the pirates at!!!