This HaBO comes from Ellie, who is searching for an older historical romance:
I don’t know if I want to reread this, necessarily, but I would like confirmation that this book exists. Who am I kidding? If someone can ID this I’ll read it.
I got this book from the library, probably some time in the 1990s. The heroine is American, but she ends up in England for Reasons having to do with her family. Also one of her sisters is missing but I don’t think that’s the main reason she’s there.
The heroine and some of her sisters are named after American states. I think the setting is after the American Revolution, but of course the British people keep calling them colonies. I think the heroine is Ginny (Virginia) and her sister is Carolina. There might be a Georgia too. There are also some younger half sisters (maybe twins) but they aren’t named after states.
I don’t remember if the hero is a sea captain/British lord (possibly both?). At some point the hero and the heroine are both on a ship.
The ship gets boarded by pirates (of course). But one of the pirates is a woman! And the hero knows her (he might have a secret past as a pirate?). The heroine knows her too! The lady pirate is her missing sister, Penny. Short for Pennsylvania.
I think that’s the closing scene of the book–she found her sister, and her sister is a pirate. Is there another book about the sister?
Someone knows this one. The state names are a big hint. My guess is that it’ll take no more than fifteen minutes. Don’t let us down, Bitchery!
I have no idea what this is but it sounds amazing!
Is it For Love or Country by Kerrelyn Sparks? The heroine’s sister is named Caroline though…
It looks like For Love or Country takes place in America–I’m pretty sure the one I’m remembering takes place in England (until they get on the ship).
I guess we can be thankful none of the sisters were named Massachusetts or Delaware!
Someone, please ID this.
It’s not For Love or Country, which is now called the Forbidden Lady. I recently read it. (It’s a fun one if you haven’t.) I wonder if this is Joanna Lindsey? Stormy Persuasion? I tried the audiobook, but the narrator sounded like Alice from the Brady Bunch and I couldn’t listen to it.
@Gloriamarie, there’s always Della!
Aww… I was pretty optimistic about For Love or Country. It has a heroine named Virginia (Ginny) with a sister named Caroline. The hero is the son of an earl, the setting is after the Revolution, and the hero is in the shipping business and is a spy(?) so I figured there were pirates in there somewhere. Lol. I hope someone ID’s this, because I am now curious about all the similarities.
Darn I read this one back in the day, it might even be part of a series. It is a Joanna Lindsay type book, but I don’t think she wrote it. Gotta ponder it.
@Gloriamarie, what’s wrong with Delaware? lol Everyone’s always picking on Delaware.
I grew up there.
@denise, please don’t misunderstand me. I have great respect for the state of Delaware as it was the 1st to ratify the Constitution. But as a first name for a woman, I think it leaves something to be desired. As would Massachusetts. What nickname would she have? Chusie?
Maybe it’s the afternoon Corona Passionfruit seltzer, but I’m kinda liking Chusie for a nickname now that you’ve said it!
“Delaware” would be “Della”, obvs.
“Massachusetts” would either be “Choosy” (distracting) or “Massa” (all the Unfortunate Implications)