GS vs STA: Pirate Romance Redux

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by SB Sarah | November 04, 2011 | Friday at 10:12 pm | 46 Comments

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?

Filed: General Bitching, Good Shit vs. Shit to Avoid

Tagged: pirate, old skool, historical, contemporary,

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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.
Posted by ReneeK on 2011-11-11 20:05:02 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.
Posted by Anna Richland on 2011-11-08 08:42:10 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.
Posted by Susan on 2011-11-08 06:41:14 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.
Posted by Cerulean on 2011-11-08 02:20:23 I agree with some other readers that The Wind and the Sea by Marsha Canham is a must-read.
Posted by Kim on 2011-11-07 21:24:01 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...
Posted by Gwen on 2011-11-07 06:24:31 Okay I'm going to take a trip in the way back machine and recommend Desire in Disguise by Rebecca Brandewyne. One alpha pirate, one part lady pirate rival, one part Scarlet Pimpernel plots of hidden identity and saving of French aristocracy. It was horrible and awesome sauce all at the same time. Plus check out the super old school cover ;) http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2123421.Desire_in_Disguise
Posted by Reneesance on 2011-11-07 00:58:13 @JenniferP: frigging in the rigging? This is the reason I love SBTB. spamword horse56, not going there.
Posted by Karin on 2011-11-06 22:28:49 WINDFLOWER WINDFLOWER WINDFLOWER WINDFLOWER WINDFLOWER WINDFLOWER WINDFLOWER WINDFLOWER WINDFLOWER Really. Once you're read The Windflower there's no need to ever read another pirate romance. Became47: no, I became 47 a year ago. I'm about to become 48.
Posted by Kinsey on 2011-11-06 18:58:55 Second the rec for Marsha Canham; Across a Moonlit Sea is my favorite pirate book ever (knocked Gentle Rogue out of it's decade-long 1st place spot). Hot, ruthless, hero? Check. A heroine who can more than hold her own against him without entering TSTL territory? Check. High-seas adventure? Check, check, and check. This book also has the infamous "frigging in the rigging" scene. Pirate in My Arms by Danelle Harmon is also great and loosely based on a true story. Another one I love (almost against my will) is Magic Embrace by Jennifer Horsman. It's a bodice ripper complete with rapey-devirginizing (were there no other ways to get revenge against women in those days???), but the ending rescue is swoon-worthy. Reckless Seduction by Jane Feather is another good one though the hero is a "privateer" rather than a pirate.
Posted by JenniferP on 2011-11-06 17:24:52 Thank you all so much for your suggestions! My summer reading list just got way more sea worthy.
Posted by rudi_bee on 2011-11-06 14:48:28 2 of my favorites are [i]Guardian Angel[/i] and [i]The Gift[/i] by Julie Garwood -- all of her historicals are on my keeper shelves. Of course, if you are going to read those, you need to read [i]Lion's Lady[/i] and [i]Castles[/i] to round out the quartet.
Posted by Lynn Pauley on 2011-11-06 06:50:01 The Pirate Lord by Sabrina Jeffries was good too.
Posted by Nichole on 2011-11-06 02:15:16 How about Nancy Block's "Once upon a Pirate"? Time travel, but pirate themed...
Posted by MarieC on 2011-11-06 01:12:27 In the way of erotic romance, I loved both of the stories in [i][/i]Pirate's Mistress[i][/i] by Marianne LaCroix (Ellora's Cave). The first story is straight pirate/lady, the second involves time travel.
Posted by Maria Knops on 2011-11-06 01:08:02 I read them both and for me I enjoy GS or if you don't read STA, you should too. they are both cool in romance
Posted by The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 4 on 2011-11-06 01:06:42 @delphia2000 There is a little romance in the Bloody Jack series. It's very cute and innocent (at least through book 2). The first two books are very cute. I've not read the third.
Posted by Jennifer on 2011-11-05 20:48:37 Going way back, "Trade Wind", the hero is more of a smuggler than a pirate, but he does have a ship, and it's an awesome old-style saga, by M.M. Kaye.
Posted by Karin on 2011-11-05 20:34:02 Love all these suggestions. I'm currently flailing/failing with my NaNoWriMo saga of Space Pirates, but will check out Heather's in particular next month! I have a YA called 'Bloody Jack" checked out from my library, but haven't started reading it yet, however, not sure if there is any romance in it or not.
Posted by delphia2000 on 2011-11-05 19:54:53 This discussion was five years ago?! o_0 Sorry, I have no new pirate themed romances to add, although Carrie Vaughn's YA, Steel was awesome.
Posted by FD on 2011-11-05 19:03:18 What, no love for The Princess Bride with Wesley as the Dread Pirate Roberts? :-) (Granted, not much actual piracy in that one, but still.) As regards pirates in spaaaaace (though it's only semi-romantical and that mostly with the second-leads), there's The Price of the Stars and its sequels by Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald. Best space opera series I've ever read, not excluding Bujold. And in YA, do not miss Piratica, by Tanith Lee.
Posted by John C. Bunnell on 2011-11-05 18:38:29 Marsha Canham's pirate books still rock, also Kinley McGregor(aka Sherrilyn Kenyon) A Pirate of Her Own, & Master of Seduction - and my absolute fave's Jennifer Ashley's pirate trilogy The Care & Feeding of Pirates, Perils of the Heart & The Pirate Next Door - chock full of utterly OTT piratey derring do !
Posted by cate on 2011-11-05 18:16:26 My favorite pirate novel/ guilty pleasure is Lisa Kleypas's Only With Your Love. I also enjoyed Johanna Lindsey's Gentle Rogue.
Posted by Becky-Jo on 2011-11-05 17:39:29 I second Donna for old school piratey goodness with Fern Michaels' Captive series. I loved those books and learned about limed nutmegs and the Dutch spice trade too.
Posted by LisaCharlotte on 2011-11-05 17:38:38 In addition to Darlene Marshall's Sea Change, discussed here recently, her other novels also deal with either pirates or privateers: Pirate's Price, Captain Sinister's Lady, and The Bride and the Buccaneer.
Posted by JaniceG on 2011-11-05 14:08:58 I also wanted to recommend Broken WIngs, by Judith James. Even though the second part of the novel is ALL about pirates and sea adventures, lacking a bit in romance. :o)
Posted by Vivienne on 2011-11-05 11:34:55 I see Marsha Canham was mentioned in 2006, and she's since released most of her backlist as e-books. Try Across a Moonlit Sea, its sequel, The Iron Rose, or one of her older titles, The Wind and the Sea. All should be available on Smashwords and elsewhere. Jo Goodman's first book (later republished as The Captain's Lady) was set around the time of the War of 1812, and has a pirate heroine; the hero is an American Navy captain.
Posted by Rose on 2011-11-05 09:59:45 Two of Kresley Cole's early, non-paranormal books are piratey- The Captain of all Pleasures and The Price of Pleasure.
Posted by Emily on 2011-11-05 09:39:17 The Windflower x 1000. So well written that most of the secondary characters needed their own books-sadly, no more books from Laura London/Tom & Sharon Curtis.
Posted by Laura on 2011-11-05 06:00:46 @ Heather Massey - yay, space pirates! captcha: not35. Too true, too true.
Posted by CarrieS on 2011-11-05 05:48:58 There will always be a soft spot in my heart for the young adult Jean Ferris novels: Into the Wind, Song of the Sea, and Weather the Storm. Admittedly, the characters are privateers, not pirates, and the books might not be very good, but the descriptions of the outfits! Oh, the outfits are SO glorious! Plus, Octavia, who is not the main character by ANY means, is still one of my book character role models. Well, except for that one thing that still makes me scratch my head when I think about it. I read these books when I came down with a terrible flu at 13, and I've been hooked on romance ever since.
Posted by Amanda on 2011-11-05 05:39:54 I'll second [i]Broken Wing.[/i] The hero is made of one part Jack Sparrow, one part former sex slave, one part cutter. It's awesome! He's so cute and broken. You just want to reach through the book and fix him up. Or at least change the bloody bandages on the cover.
Posted by Melissandre on 2011-11-05 05:24:20 I adore "Thief of Hearts," it's a comfort re-read for me. Also, if you can find it, "Chance the Winds of Fortune" by Laurie McBain. It's the sequel to "Moonstruck Madness" that was recently re-released (about a daughter). There's a third book, "Dark Before the Rising Sun" with the same characters as book two, but that takes place on land, though, LOL.
Posted by Nadia on 2011-11-05 05:01:05 My favorite pirate romance will forever be 'Windflower' by Laura London (Tom and Sharon Curtis). As was discussed here recently, it's one of those books that stays with you long after you've finished it.
Posted by Dawn on 2011-11-05 04:57:25 If you really want to go back - way, waaaaay back- try the Angelique novels by Sergeanne Golon. They take place in the 17th century and they have everything: pirates, harems, royal mistresses, kidnappings.....
Posted by graniagrace on 2011-11-05 04:26:26 [b]Fire and Ice[/b] by Catherine Hart is full of WTF moments of "hero" douchebaggery, but the heroine teaches him a lesson when she takes up piracy. I haven't read it since I was 15, but much of it's still burned into my memory. Particularly the dance-off.
Posted by bookstorecat on 2011-11-05 03:05:06 I was thinking of Judith James' "Broken Wing" published in 2008 by Medallion Press It has a great cover with bloody body, bare chest and ripped shirt on a ship deck; his wounds and bandages held out to the storm. The Hero - Gabriel St Croix was a brothel slave (he is fluent in sex according to the blurb) is rescued and becomes a mercenary pirate and professional gambler. It is set on the Barbery Coast, London, Cornwall and in France.
Posted by Merrian on 2011-11-05 02:33:23 Katharine Ashe's Swept Away by a Kiss and Captured by a Rogue Lord are recent and are both good reads. I'm sure there are lots more but I can't think of them right now.
Posted by Beebs on 2011-11-05 02:32:42 How about THE IRON DUKE and HEART OF STEEL? Steampunk pirates!
Posted by JBHunt on 2011-11-05 02:30:58 I generally don't like pirate\sea captain books because I find that the hero always seems to love the sea more than the heroine. bu tI do like that travel aspect that we sometimes get, like in Charm School.
Posted by ashley on 2011-11-05 02:21:12 In the futuristic category, here are a few romances featuring space pirates (both male and female): Starjacked by Karin Shah (Samhain) Unmasked by C.J. Barry (recently re-released through Carina Press) Sureblood by Susan Grant (HQN) Slip Point by Karalynn Lee (new release; also Carina Press) A Pirate's Passion by KS Augustin (Total E-Bound) Thief by Anitra Lynn Mcleod (Samhain) Lady Rogue by Cinnamon Burke (old skool title, but the space pirate heroine is pretty cool) Once Upon a Time in Space by Heather Massey (Red Sage) (in the interest of full disclosure, that's me)
Posted by Heather Massey on 2011-11-05 02:13:44 Two words: Valerie Sherwood. Sheer unadultered bodice ripping craptastic pirate books. I believe it's the "Love" series. And there's a word that can be used loosely in this series. Oh, wait, two more words: Fern Michaels. Not the Fern Michaels you know now. The Fern Michaels who wrote the "Captive" books back in the 70's. All those things they tell you about historical romance back then? I got for you right here. And now that I've dated myself and proven that I remember books from 30 years ago better than the ones I've read in the last year...
Posted by Donna on 2011-11-05 01:00:27 "I Kissed an Earl" by Julie Long. Great shipboard stuff in that one. And I love the pirate storyline in "Shanna" by Kathleen Woodiwiss as well.
Posted by Pamelia on 2011-11-05 00:22:18 There's Darlene Marshall's [i]Sea Change[/i], which we discussed here recently on Book Chat. Technically speaking, the hero's a privateer rather than a pirate, but the heroine is cross-dressing, the wit is enjoyable and the handsome hero can't see what's right in front of him.
Posted by Karenmc on 2011-11-04 23:50:20 Also, Thief of Hearts by Teresa Medeiros
Posted by Kara on 2011-11-04 23:14:37 The Pirate and the Pagan by Virginia Henley is full of romance cliches and smuttastic sex. Lady Pirate by Lynsay Sands is one of my favorites- obvie she's a pirate. It's not the most well written book, but it's an easy, almost charming read. Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey is one of the strongest of the Mallory novels, IMHO (I would skip A Pirate's Love, unless you are really into rapey novels) Captured by Beverly Jenkins is a great novel, and different in that both main characters are black Jennifer Ashley did a pretty decent Pirate trilogy
Posted by Kara on 2011-11-04 23:08:27 Not sure how "pirate" it is, but I thought "The Charm School" by Susan Wiggs was both a fun read and good romance. Also, a little on the contemperary side of piracy is "Making Waves" by Tawna Fenske. This book is romance/fun all rolled into one.
Posted by Janet on 2011-11-04 22:41:07

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GS vs STA: Pirate Romance Redux