Jennifer Bray-Weber’s DEAD MAN’S KISS – A Hardened Pirate Falls in Love

 

This story is set in 1728 in Cuba, Venezuela and the Caribbean. It tells of Valeryn Barone, captain of the Rissa and a pirate for hire. Arrested as a result of a drunken brawl, Valeyn is forced to escort the mayor’s niece, Catalina Montoya, across the Caribbean so she can gather plant specimens. (Her life’s goal is to be a naturalist.) But there is a condition: he’s to leave her untouched, or lose his ship, his crew and his life.

 

Catalina was sent to live with her uncle after an illicit affair and now wants only to become a naturalist. She knows Valeryn’s life and that of his crew depends on him delivering her “untouched”, but she intends to seduce him all the same. And how anyone was to know she had been “touched” when she wasn’t a virgin was unclear. But somehow they’d just know. One has to wonder what her uncle was thinking in sending her off with a pirate not known for his morals.

 

The story is full of authentic pirate dialog and the ship scenes are exciting with a battle that will keep you turning pages. Of course, Valeryn does not resist the cute Catalina long (was anyone surprised?). Catalina seems a selfish, spoiled girl but she is certain she wants the pirate captain. Valeryn has his hands full with all his problems, yet he manages to find time for Catalina. They do seem made for each other.

 

There are some references to earlier stories and some characters come in at the end that were not a part of the main tale so I assume this is part of a series. But it can be read as a stand alone. Pirate fans will love the action.

Jennifer Bray-Weber’s A KISS IN THE WIND –Saga of a Dysfunctional Pirate Family and the Brethren in the Caribbean

Well written, action-packed and reflecting considerable research, this gritty tale of a dysfunctional pirate family held my interest.

Set in 1726, beginning in Puerto Plata, Hispaniola, this is the story of Marisol Castellan, independent and unafraid, who sneaks off her pirate father's ship to intercept a message meant for a rival pirate captain, hoping to locate her younger brother Monte. In the process, she kills a man and runs into pirate captain Blade Tyburn for whom the message was intended. Blade is not pleased to discover the beautiful thief has also stolen a precious cameo. The note, which he recovers, provides the location of a silver-laden ship he and two other pirate captains are supposed to be guarding. When he departs to catch that ship, Marisol wants to go along to find Monte who she has heard is on that ship. However, a big surprise is waiting for them when they find the silver ship.

I liked the sparring between Marisol and Blade; the dialog was excellent, even clever. The shipboard scenes were real with correct terminology (so refreshing). However, I’m not fond of sexually experienced heroines in historical romance (I assume this was done to facilitate a hotter love scene). Nor did the dripping hot candle wax onto sensitive body parts or love over a cold boulder appeal. While the lust between Marisol and Blade was convincing, I had more trouble believing either came to feel real love but there’s no denying that it was exciting along the way.

If you’re looking for an authentic pirate romance, one with all the grit, killing and savagery, this one has it. And the writing is superb.

Review: Jennifer Bray-Weber’s DEAD MAN’S KISS – A Hardened Pirate Falls in Love

Back to pirates today… This story is set in 1728 in Cuba, Venezuela and the Caribbean. It tells of Valeryn Barone, captain of the Rissa and a pirate for hire. Arrested as a result of a drunken brawl, Valeyn is forced to escort the mayor’s niece, Catalina Montoya, across the Caribbean so she can gather plant specimens. (Her life’s goal is to be a naturalist.) But there is a condition: he’s to leave her untouched, or lose his ship, his crew and his life.

Catalina was sent to live with her uncle after an illicit affair and now wants only to become a naturalist. She knows Valeryn’s life and that of his crew depends on him delivering her “untouched”, but she intends to seduce him all the same. And how anyone was to know she had been “touched” when she wasn’t a virgin was unclear. But somehow they’d just know. One has to wonder what her uncle was thinking in sending her off with a pirate not known for his morals.

The story is full of authentic pirate dialog and the ship scenes are exciting with a battle that will keep you turning pages. Of course, Valeryn does not resist the cute Catalina long (was anyone surprised?). Catalina seems a selfish, spoiled girl but she is certain she wants the pirate captain. Valeryn has his hands full with all his problems, yet he manages to find time for Catalina. They do seem made for each other.

There are some references to earlier stories and some characters come in at the end that were not a part of the main tale so I assume this is part of a series. But it can be read as a stand alone. Pirate fans will love the action.