In Crossed Swords by Marianne LaCroix, Arabella moved to Port Monmouth with her father, the governor, expecting to be met by her fiancé. After learning of his death at the hand of pirates, her hatred for them grows even more. Until she is kidnapped by Captain Fredrick Thorne, and she realizes she wants him desperately. Fredrick had planned to kidnap the governor, but instead he finds Arabella and from that moment on he wants her. With Arabella’s father hunting for them, these two must make sacrifices for each other that neither of them is expecting.

Crossed Swords is a hot erotic pirate story that made me wish for my own Captain. Fredrick is a strong and charming hero who, even through his bad moments, made me want him to win in the end. He is the most dangerous pirate in the Caribbean but he shows right away that he can be caring. Arabella is young and innocent, until she meets Fredrick. She struggles with her feelings for a pirate, and eventually she learns to do what she thinks is right, no matter what anyone else thinks. While most pirate stories are usually similar, Crossed Swords still captured and held my interest. Marianne LaCroix has written a great pirate romance that sizzles and burns.

Reviewed by: Ashley