The Rogue Pirate's Bride
Shana Galen


ISBN-10:
1402265557
ISBN-13: 978-1402265556
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Line: Casablanca
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Pages: 352
Retail Price: 6.99




Genre: Historical
Heat Level: Hot
Rating:

REVENGE SHOULD BE SWEET, BUT IT MAY COST HIM EVERYTHING

Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is out for his blood...

FORGIVENESS IS UNTHINKABLE BUT IT MAY BE HER ONLY HOPE...

British Admiral's daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé's death. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she's not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways...

Review

Shana Galen’s Rogue’s Pirate Bride is the historical adventure ride women are seeking with a hero and heroine who are perfectly matched in every way but work to get what they want.
In Rogue’s Pirate Bride, Galen has created a swashbuckling escapade with a fearless female protagonist leading the charge across ships and lands!  This novel was so packed with action, a compelling female protagonist and male hero mixed with just the right amount of subterfuge, nautical ambience and history, I couldn’t put it down.

Feisty Raeven Russell, daughter of British Admiral aboard the HMS Regal crosses swords with the Marquis de Valere whose moniker, Captain Cutlass, marks him a privateer sailing his ship, The Shadow.   Believed to be orphaned by the French Revolution, the tortured Sebastien (known as Bastien) roams the seas in search of prey and retribution with long-time servant and ship’s doctor, Julien Leveque as his only family.

Searching for La Sirena and her murderous Barbary pirate captain Jourdain who murdered the only father Bastien has ever known, Vargas, he and Raeven clash purposes, passions and swords – in taverns, souks, ships and the bedroom. 

Raeven is on a mission to kill the man responsible for the death of her fiancé, Timothy. Aided by her faithful friend and father’s sailor, Percy, she gets herself into and out of situations, cabins, raids and fights and ships with a confidence and ease that immediately makes female readers want to be her! Her daring, confidence and capability with a dagger make her the perfect match to the handsome Bastien; the man she knows is responsible for the death of Timothy.

Williams reluctantly accompanies her on her escapades in an effort to ensure her safety though Raeven is no shrinking miss and displays more courageous than most men. Percy, Maine and Leveque become the kind of secondary characters that enrich this novel and keep it on its course. In Bastien, she has met her match and the complication of her late fiancée and his fate hangs between them as she becomes prisoner aboard The Shadow with her father’s ship in hot pursuit.

And speaking of hot… spicy love scenes that rang true because of the relationship arc and chemistry between Raeven and Bastien helped to round out a very full, exciting read and journey.  I loved how Galen really explored the players and provided in-depth characterization and background so that we really come to care about, cry, laugh and fight alongside each of them. Just the right amount of everything and not too much of anything!

Ratcheting up the tension even more, Raeven discovers that Bastien has a traitor in his midst. Plunging full force into finding out who it is, jeopardizes her, Percy and the crew with the British war ship bearing down on them following a horrific battle with Jourdain.

I loved the very strong, uber capable and fearless Raeven that Galen has given readers – it’s a refreshing twist from the usual damsel in some sort of distress enhanced by the backdrop of the post-French Revolution. A great balance between high seas action and stops along the Barbary Coast with visits in grand ballrooms gives this novel the atmosphere and balance readers crave.

Galen sprinkles in some nice plots twists that keep tension high, readers guessing and deliver the satisfaction for both Raeven and Bastien tying up their pasts and future beautifully.

Non-stop, riveting  action and sexual tension with an alpha female protagonist – no simpering female succumbing to vapors here! Diving straight into any adventures that bring her from hunting for her late fiancée’s murderer to being captivated by him.  Who doesn’t love (or want to be) the kind of woman who wields a dagger expertly, clashes with foreign assassins and pirates, and still looks as beautiful in a gown as she does fetching in men’s trousers picking locks and scrambling up ratlines with a handsome hero waiting for her?

Reviewed by Helena


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