A Pirate for Christmas
I’m generally meh on Christmas romance because I’m kind of meh on Christmas itself. It’s a really busy, stressful time of year for me and at some point during our family Christmas celebration, I inevitably wind up in tears. Plus Christmas romance tends to be treacly sweet. When I saw A Pirate for Christmas I decided to take a risk on it because Scottish pirate! Plus–shit, it was 99 cents!
This Regency novella takes place in the town of Penton Wyck. Rory Beaton has just moved in and assumed the role of Earl after his brother’s death. He is Scottish, but a former naval captain — and not a pirate, despite the village gossip. Rory immediately locks horns with Bess Farrar, the vicar’s daughter. Bess is used to running Penton Wyck. Her father is well-meaning but absent minded. The previous Earl was in poor health. She immediately reminds Rory of his duty to the villagers.
This novella has a big case of insta-love going on, which was okay because it’s a novella: we don’t have a lot of time. In fact, the whole thing spans about a week. Bess shows up at Rory’s place to borrow his donkey for the Christmas nativity (like you do) and comments on the fact that his house is in disrepair and he has no staff. Rory puts Bess in charge of putting the house to rights and getting it ready for the annual village Christmas party–sort of, “Put your money where your mouth is, lady.”
Shennanigans ensue. There is a snowed in scene where Rory and Bess have to shelter in a cottage, alone, overnight. Daisy, the Christmas donkey, refuses to cooperate unless she’s being serenaded. The villagers act as matchmakers. My only complaint is that there’s really no conflict other than a couple of misunderstandings and Daisy eating the bishop’s hat.
This novella was short and sweet, but not too sweet, and it was a really fun read. It’s less about Christmas than set during the holiday, which I appreciated. No one suddenly realizes the true meaning of the holiday or anything like that. Overall it’s bright and warm, not overly sugary, like a cup of hot apple cider around the holidays.
– Elyse
There’s a pirate in the manor house!
What is vicar’s daughter Bess Farrar to do when the dashing new earl, the man gossip paints as a ruthless pirate, kisses her the day they meet? Why, kiss him right back, of course! Now Lord Channing vows to claim the lovely firebrand, despite interfering villagers, a snowstorm, scandal, and a rascally donkey. The gallant naval captain’s first landlocked Christmas promises mayhem – and a lifetime of breathtaking passion
Pursued by the pirate…
Bess Farrar might be an innocent village miss, but she knows enough about the world to doubt Lord Channing’s motives when he kisses her the very day they meet. After all, local gossip insists that before this dashing rake became an earl, he sailed the Seven Seas as a ruthless pirate.
Bewitched by the vicar’s daughter…
Until he unexpectedly inherits a title, staunchly honorable Scotsman Rory Beaton has devoted his adventurous life to the Royal Navy. But he sets his course for tempestuous new waters when he meets lovely, sparkling Bess Farrar. Now this daring mariner will do whatever it takes to convince the spirited lassie to launch herself into his arms and set sail into the sunset.
A Christmas marked by mayhem.
Wooing his vivacious lady, the new Earl of Channing finds himself embroiled with matchmaking villagers, an eccentric vicar, mistaken identities, a snowstorm, scandal, and a rascally donkey. Life at sea was never this exciting. The gallant naval captain’s first landlocked Christmas promises hijinks, danger, and passion – and a breathtaking chance to win the love of a lifetime.
Historical: European, Novella, Romance
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I loved the Christmas novella Anna Campbell did last year “Her Christmas Earl”, so I immediately one-clicked. It was a lovely, angst-free experience, which is great for the holiday season.