A classic tale of adventure
and love, first published in 1986, it is set in the late 17th
century and featuring (as a character) the pirate and privateer Henry Morgan
and his buccaneers who successfully attacked the Spanish settlements of Puerto
Principe in Cuba and Porto Bello (in what is today Panama).
She was John Carrington’s
daughter, and as such, Royale Carrington commanded the respect of the seamen
who served under her when she dressed as a man and wielded a sword with fierce
expertise. As captain of her own ship, she was prepared to fight King Charles
II’s wardship and refusal to grant her a letter of marque and took to the sea
as a pirate robbing the Spanish of their gold. But on the night before they
were to set sail, Royale was kidnapped by men who sailed under the pirate El
Diablo thinking she’d make a fine offering for their mysterious captain. El
Diablo asks for a kiss to release her but then takes her innocence instead
(seduction, not rape). He decides to keep her, but she has other plans.
One of the things I loved about
this story was that Royale got away from the pirate who captured her. I just
love it when the feisty heroine outsmarts the arrogant male who thinks he will
have his way. El Diablo (who is really Sir Bran Langston on a mission for King
Charles) soon realizes that the young virgin he has deflowered is the ward of
the King he has been sent to protect.
This is a well-written tale
with lots of action—a classic tale of pirates and love in the Caribbean as the
British fight the Spanish for control. Byer does a wonderful job of integrating
the real history of Henry Morgan’s escapades and his personality into the
story. I loved the heroine who was strong, smart yet very feminine. And the
hero, while certainly not perfect, was at least consistent in his pursuit of
the elusive female pirate who takes her revenge by seizing ships in El Diablo’s
name. If you like pirate romance and tales in the Caribbean I recommend this
one, though you’ll have to buy it in paperback, used as I did.
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