Review: The Bride and the Buccaneer by Darlene Marshall

'Lucky Jack' Burrell's quest for revenge against Sophia Deford will have to wait until he discharges a debt. He has to help her find the fabled pirate treasure Garvey's Gold, then he can wring her dainty neck. Sophia has no intention of sharing anything with anyone. She will have all of Garvey's Gold, no matter how much Jack's lean-muscled body makes her want to get to know him just a little bit better before she gets rid of him. As the two adversaries squabble their way across Territorial Florida following the clues on their treasure map, they know that before they're through they're either going to kiss each other, kill each other, or both... (Historical Romance)

Review:

While traveling, Sophia Deford is kidnapped by a highwayman in an attempt to get to her guardian's money that he feels is owed him. Sophia feigns the damsel in distress but outwits her captor leaving him naked and tied up in a cave. Most embarrassing, and an experience the highwayman will never forget it.

Fast forward to five years later when circumstances throw these two crazy kids together again. Fulfilling the last wishes of a good friend, Sophia must travel by ship to deliver a letter to an American captain named Jack Burrell. Her goal is to deliver the letter and convince the captain to take her along to find a hidden treasure mentioned in the letter.

During the journey, Sophia's ship is boarded by pirates led by none other than the former highwayman, now known as dun….dun….dun…Captain Jack Burrell! When Jack realizes who Sophia is he can't wait to get even with her to teach her a lesson. Unfortunately if either of them wants the hidden treasure they need to combine their skills and work together.

I'm not often a fan of historical romances and I can't remember ever reading a pirate historical romance but The Bride and the Buccaneer was a lot of fun. Sophia is completely self reliant and isn't left a quivering mass every time Jack throws a rude comment her way. After he kidnaps her for a second time and Sophia is held prisoner aboard his ship she does agree to mend the crews clothing. However, she carries out quiet acts of rebellion like sewing flowers on Jack's underwear. Jack is all alpha male but to his credit he likes and respects Sophia's feisty nature. Once he gets to know her, he sees that she hasn't always been treated well by the men in her life and gives her the space she needs to learn to trust again. Sure he's hot and all "piratey" (my very own made up word) but he's also an upstanding guy.

They have a sexy, fun relationship but it is also mature and about so much more than attraction. The setting is early 1800's FL so the issue of slavery is addressed and I particularly liked how Sophia and Jack set aside their greed to work together to help others.

There is also a great deal of witty banter between the two:

Sophia: “What if you were blinded and I had to take care of you for the rest of my days?”

Jack: “Sophia, I have no doubt if I were blinded you would direct me to the edge of the nearest cliff and then encourage me to take just a few steps forward, rather than care for me all your days.”

Rating: 3.5 out of 4 If you're looking for a fun story with adventure, strong characters and a slow brewing but sexy romance give The Bride and the Buccaneer a try.

Darlene Marshall: website | Twitter
Publisher: December 15th 2009 by Amber Quill Press
Source: Copy provided by the author for my honest review
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The Bride And The Buccaneer