"Jennifer Ashley is the queen of the pirate romance"

In 1809 Charleston, James Ardmore hung pirate Christopher Raine, but not before his sister Honora married the rogue. Now in London four years later, Honoria swears she saw Christopher on the streets and not long afterward he arrives in her bedroom to claim his spouse. Apparently her brother saved his life as he owed a debt to the pirate. She hid her marital status from her sibling who failed to inform her that her husband lived.

Christopher has another mission besides regaining his wife's love though he admits the passion still flows; he must rescue his sister from a devious enemy, which means crossing the Atlantic with a volunteer as a wife or a prisoner as a spouse. Christopher vows to leave London with Honoria with him. If he could have seen into the near future and what his actions do to her safety, he would have reconsidered though fighting, kissing and just being with Honoria is bliss.

This is an amusing gender war starring two equally powerful combatants whose retorts make for a fine witty tale. Honoria and Christopher are so good together in a second chance theme (although there was not much time the first time around), the subplot involving his foe seems almost unnecessary though that provides plenty of action that augments this terrific historical. Jennifer Ashley is the queen of the pirate romance with this high seas thriller and works like THE PIRATE HUNTER and THE PIRATE NEXT DOOR.

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 5, 2005

What's a lady to do when the pirate husband she thought was dead tries to lure her back into his arms and away from the safe, quiet life she had all planned out?

Summary

Honoria Ardmore is as prim and proper as they come. Her sole moment of indiscretion was when she fell for a roguish pirate. But he died—at least, that's what she assumed—until the night he showed up eager to pick up where they had left off....

Christopher Raine cheated death, and he believes life owes him his just rewards. So he sets out to reclaim the woman of his dreams. And this insatiable pirate is not one to let trivial details get in his way.

Despite her undeniable desire, Honoria claims she cannot be with Christopher. And so they strike a deal: she will allow him to seduce her every night of their journey. If by the end he fails to navigate his way into her heart, she will be free to leave. Honoria is about to learn that a woman should never doubt the cunning ways of a pirate with a plan.