Rudi wrote me and said,
“I’m almost ashamed to say this, I’ve never actually read a pirate romance before so I don’t really know where to start.
I was hoping the Bitchery might be able to help me find some awesome pirate romance novels. Dangerously puffy shirts on the cover are a plus.”
Now, we discussed this back in 2006 but it seemed to me that enough has changed in 5 years that we might be able to add to that list. Got any piratical romances you recommend, from then and now?
I liked the 1970’s Day Taylors’ “The Black Swan” a meaty novel and kept my interest. Also more a Privateer, depending on which side of the war you were on…not sure if it was civil or revolutionary…
I agree with some other readers that The Wind and the Sea by Marsha Canham is a must-read.
I have to second Brandewyne’s Desire in Disguise. Anything by her is old skool, but in the best way possible.
And then there’s the Julie Garwood’s Guardian Angel, which I loved, too. The hero searches for the pirate “Pagan” who may just happen to be a woman.
A quick glance thru the titles made me realize how many pirate romances I’d actually read!
These may have already been mentioned, but I’ll throw these out for consideration, too:
The Pirate Prince—Gaelen Foley
My Wicked Pirate—Rona Sharon
Passion’s Ransom—Betina Krahn
Deception—Amanda Quick (OK, this isn’t really a pirate story despite Jared’s impersonation, but it’s cute!)
It seems as if there should be lots of books from the Fabio-cover era—maybe those are noted on that list from 2006.
Nobody mentioned Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier! I love love love that novel, even more than Rebecca. Okay, strictly speaking, it’s not exactly a HEA, but the Frenchman is quite a pirate and quite a hero. The heroine’s dilemma cut straight to my heart, and the bad guy was soooo perfectly nasty, the pirate’s valet so wonderful, and the shipboard scenes so windy and evocative and tense. Next time I’m in a funk, I’m going to reread it. Has anyone else seen the 1944 movie with Joan Fontaine (Olivia de Havilland’s little sister – I always confuse them)?
old54: not as old as the movie version, from 44.
I just finished Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt…and I have to say that I totally dug river pirate “Charming” Mickey.
Pirate-y goodness…I kept picturing Johnny Depp, but with a little more bathing.