What I am reading this week
This week I read The Pirate Takes a Bride by Shana Galen. It is book #4 in the Misadventures in Matrimony series. It was chosen by Aletha Bakke with the roulette selection 38:3. Click the picture above to see all the books in the Misadventures series. :)
Rating
Heat Level: 🔥🔥
Loveability: 💗
Heartbreakability: 💔💔
About the book
When Ashley Brittany gave her virtue to Nicholas Martingale, she thought they would marry. The next day, she finds him in the arms of another woman. Now, eight months later, through a cruel twist of fate (and a drunk officiant), she finds herself married to the man she has vowed to hate.
Before they can sort out the marriage, they are confronted by pirates. It doesn’t take long for Ashley to realize her husband is a pirate like them. Not just one of them, but their captain.
When the island home of his crew’s families is attacked, Nick and his crew go in on a rescue mission. Seeing little choice, Nick takes his new bride with him. Weeks at sea have them growing closer, but when they arrive, Nick vows to go after their attacker, leaving Ashley behind.
What I thought about it
I enjoyed the banter between Ashley and Nicholas. She was so convinced that he was a villain based on his actions, and it’s hard to argue with it. But Nicholas had his own reasons for what he did. Between the secret he has hidden on the island, and being hunted by Barbary pirates, in his mind his actions were justified.
Also, the adventure of the story. It’s not everyday a Regency Heroine finds herself erroneously married, whisked off on an adventure, living on a hidden island, in a battle with pirates, then back to the drawing rooms of Mayfair!
I think Ashely’s insecurities could have been played up more. Burned from a childhood accident, she suffers lingering physical effects, but they are rarely an issue and she only focuses on the change in her appearance where her scars are concerned. Combined with her preoccupation with being pretty (due to her mother’s influence of course), it made her a little superficial.
Nicholas is also keeping a secret from Ashley, and not just his pirating–that’s a big one! The reason they are making haste to the secluded island isn’t just for Nick’s crew, he has an interest in what was left behind. For all the time Nick and Ashley spent together to get to the island, they didn’t discuss much. She was too busy holding a grudge against him and he was too busy captaining his ship.
Despite all that, I find it interesting how each copes with what is going on. Ashley hides her hurt at his actions and the situation she is in behind tantrums, a sharp tongue and language unbecoming of a Regency Miss (though she tries to curb it when she remembers). Nick hides his fear of what he will find, and his undeniable attraction to Ashley with his arrogant manner.
Their mutual attraction leads to quite a bit of sexual tension between them, as its several weeks between the time they get married and the time they finally consummate their vows. They have a history together, and their previous compatibility is never far from their mind, even though they do their best to stay away from each other.
Is this an author I’ve read before?
Yes. I’ve read several Shana Galen stories. And have several more in my TBR library. :)
What keeps me coming back for more?
I really like the adventure. Shana Galen stories are full of adventure and this one is no different. Whether it’s pirates, thieves or spies, there is always something to keep the pace moving.