Pirate’s Price

Neither of them was looking forward to the marriage…

Justin Delerue, the Earl of Smithton needed to secure finances for his company, Delerue Shipping. Several of his ships had not returned, so an arranged wedding to a wealthy American shipping heiress was imperative. Christine Saunders knew that she was statuesque and solid, and was considered to be frumpy. After over hearing Justin, her betrothed, and his close friend disparagingly discussing her and the upcoming nuptials, Christine vows that she will try to run away after the forced ceremony. She intends to have the marriage annulled so that she when she reaches her majority she will have access to her own funds.

The planned escape on Christina’s wedding night goes slightly awry, but it is not long before she is living with her godfather pirate “uncle”, determined to steal her own wealth back from her ships or die trying. Justin never forgot the pain that he caused to the lonely girl that he had married. His guilty conscience gradually forces him back to Florida to see if he can discover the fate of Christine, his runaway Countess.

Christine is far from a typical besotted bride. Her decision to take matters into her own hands and take control of her future changes her character in body and mind. When she is eventually reunited with Justin it is on her terms and she calls all of the shots. Although Justin has been searching for his wife, the woman he finds far exceeds his expectations. Justin must also make some changes; he is unprepared for the challenge of winning over his own wife. The course of this romance is not smooth, but it is addictive for the reader. Most of the action takes place on the sea, and many of the pirate scenes with their almost campy double innuendos had this reader laughing out loud. I found the charade of Christine as a pirate slightly unbelievable, but her role of a willful heroine rings true. The love scenes are steamy and realistic, with a touch of bondage as Christine and Justin fight for the upper hand. Pirate’s Price is an enjoyable historical tale with quite a twist. I would definitely recommend it and look forward to Darlene Marshall’s forthcoming historical books – Smuggler’s Bride and Captain Sinister’s Lady.

Reviewed by: Naomi