Review: The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Book Two in The Daughters of the Mayflower series

My rating:4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Can a former privateer and a determined heiress find lost treasure in 1725?

The last time New Orleans attorney Jean-Luc Valmont saw Maribel Cordoba, a Spanish nobleman's daughter, she was an eleven-year-old orphan perched in the rigging of his privateering vessel proving herself as the best lookout on his crew. Until the day his infamy caught up with them all and innocent lives were lost. 

Unsure why he survived but vowing to make something of the chance he was given, Jean-Luc has buried his past life so deep that no one will find it--until a very much alive and very grown up Maribel Cordoba arrives on his doorstep and threatens all he now holds dear. 

Twelve years after Maribel was pulled from the sea and deposited in an orphanage, hazy memories and vaguely recollected stories all collide in the presence of a man she never really forgot.

But falling in love with Maribel could cost Jean-Luc everything.

My Review

I loved the adventure in this book! I learned the important difference between a pirate and a privateer, and loved Maribel's enthusiasm for her adventure at sea. The story begins with a young Maribel being kidnapped by her absentee father who is being chased by the infamous privateer Captain Jean Beaumont. Her immediate allegiance to Jean was interesting, and he and his crew couldn't help but be won over by her bright and frank personality. There are politics, skirmishes, and intense battles that led to unexpected plot twists. The pace was swift but felt a bit disjointed as the author took large jumps forward in time and switched perspectives unevenly. I enjoyed Maribel's spunky character immensely and felt that she was very well-written. Jean's motivations for privateering were murky until the very end of the book, and I felt like it was a bit harder to get to know him, that the depths of his characters weren't fully explored, although he is likeable enough. I appreciated that this story veered from the usual clichés and took me on an adventure that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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More to come in the Daughters of the Mayflower series . . .

Book One

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean

Read my 3 star review here

Book Three

The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep - set 1760 during the French and Indian War 
(coming June 2018)

Book Four

The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia 
(coming August 2018)

Book Five

The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road 
(coming October 2018)

Book Six

The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore 
(coming December 2018)

Review & Giveaway: Perfectly Misunderstood by Robin Daniels

4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Jayden Valdez is an overachieving intellectual. Mike McGinnes is Franklin High School’s dumbest jock. Even though they barely know each other, she finds his personality repulsive and he thinks she’s got a giant stick up her you know what.

Mike and Jayden are surprised and annoyed when their teacher pairs them together for Spanish tutoring. Both feel it’s a complete waste of time, since nobody could learn from a person who bugs the crap out of them. Not to mention that their reputations might be ruined if people realize what they’re doing.

But it doesn’t take long for Jayden to discover that Mike has a secret—he isn’t the person he appears to be. Much to her dismay, Jayden finds 'Secret Mike' strangely attractive. And for some crazy reason, Mike is amused by Jayden’s clever insults and witty banter. Suddenly, they have a much bigger problem than their mutual disdain. What started as irritating tension is beginning to feel more like romantic tension and acting on it would be a very bad idea. 

This dual perspective book is the final installment in the Perfect Series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Review

I don't read as much YA as I used to, but this is an author whose work has been so fun to read and is highly entertaining! The way she writes from a teenage boy's perspective captures reality without being crass, and I appreciate that her characters don't fall into stereotypes but stand out as unique individuals. Jayden is a bit high maintenance while also being smart and a loyal friend, so it took me a while to feel out her personality. Mike is hilarious with his homeboy persona while hiding the truth about himself- he is driven, focused, highly intelligent, and makes sacrifices to help out at home. He was pretty likeable, and I was happy to see Jayden uncover his secret and encourage him to come clean with his friends and schoolmates. Their friendship doesn't come easy but once they behave naturally around each other, it opens the door for more romantic feelings to develop. They share great banter which is always fun, and there are layers of depth that emerge which make the plot more meaningful. I really enjoyed this series and look forward to more from the author!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)

RELEASE GIVEAWAY

All four books in the Perfect series and $50 to Amazon 

Giveaway Details: Runs the whole month of April. Winner will be selected on May 1st and receive signed paperback copies of all 4 books in the series, along with a $50 Amazon e-gift card. Physical copies are only available for a winner in the US. For a winner outside of the US, e-books will be substituted for paperbacks. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Review: The Heart's Appeal by Jennifer Delamere

Book Two in the London Beginnings series

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Strong-minded and independent Julia Bernay comes to London to study medicine and become a doctor--a profession that has only just opened up to women. She witnesses a serious accident, and through her quick actions saves the life of an ambitious young barrister named Michael Stephenson.

Coming from a family that long ago lost its money and its respectability, Michael Stephenson has achieved what many would have thought was impossible. Hard work and an aptitude for the law have enabled him to rise above his family's stigma and set him on the path to wealth and recognition. But his well-laid plans are upended when the accident brings Julia into his life.

Michael soon discovers he's met a woman every bit as stubborn and determined to make her mark on the world as he is. Sparks fly--but will they find common ground?

My Review

I loved how this book started out with a bang! I was instantly enthralled and invested in Julia and Michael. They are both strong and intense characters so it was interesting to get to know them as their deeper layers were revealed and they grew closer together. They had good chemistry, but the romance felt like it happened suddenly and I missed some of the development. The pace of the book slowed a few times and I could feel my interest begin to wane throughout the technical descriptions, but I was too curious how the story would come together in the end with so much conflict keeping them apart. I enjoyed many other characters in the book as well, even though some of them had sharp edges as they fight to make their way and follow their dreams. I appreciated learning more about the history of women in medicine and the struggle to be accepted as equals in a male-dominated field. The story wraps up nicely, but also leaves the reader with a bit of a cliffhanger, so I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, which I assume will be the youngest sister Cara's story.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the first book in the London Beginnings series . . .

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater which is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.

An injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he’s glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind.