Review: Seduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 29, 2014
Time period: 1816, London and SomersetLove scenes are brief and descriptive.Once again, I’m reading the very prolific Eloisa James out of order, but this novella, book #4.5 in her Fairy Tales series, reads like a standalone. And, once again, James’ charming and elegant writing captured my attention from page one.Griffin and Phoebe are the adoptive parents of Colin Barry, the hero from With this Kiss.Intrigue is immediately afoot when Griffin and his cousin, James, a duke, return after fourteen years at sea, away from their wives and families. The main story takes place over a mere week and, while this is a novella where the story must be condensed, I still find it hard to believe that Griffin would manage to seduce Phoebe in so short a time and I was a little disappointed she gave in so quickly especially after her valid arguments. But it is a fairy tale and, also, at this time in history, the potential for scandal carried heavy consequences. Even though Phoebe has eschewed all so-called polite society, this was especially true for women.It is a shock when we learn how Griffin became a pirate, then later a privateer. It helps explain why he disappeared after his disastrous wedding night and also makes him a more sympathetic character; it also uncovers a dark side of British naval history. Griffin has returned now because he’s recovering from a leg injury and cannot be a privateer any longer. In other words, there isn’t anything else he can do after traveling the world and made his wealth. Both he and James come close to treason after their sea-faring activities and are under scrutiny by the Crown. But both are gentleman and the law is more lenient.It is a man’s world where a man can expect his wife to just fall into bed with him after such a long separation. They don’t even know each other, but they’re married and, of course, it helps they are attracted to each other. Griffin doesn’t even know Phoebe’s name; it is funny that he keeps calling her by the outlandish name of Poppy. While he’s been away, Phoebe has had some adventures of her own and become self-sufficient and independent, earning her money from the working farm of Arbor House.Descriptions are nicely detailed here, the lovely landscape of Arbor House in the Somerset countryside in summer, fashions and costume, a pretty sitting room. “It was rather lovely, hung with watered silk and a painting of the Thames that was as beautiful as any he’d ever seen.” (p20)Also: "He had dressed particularly magnificently, in a coat of Prussian blue with silver buttons. His breeches fit like a glove, and his boots were made by Hoby." (p17)Both hero and heroine are older here, and Phoebe three years older than Griffin at thirty-four. I enjoy reading stories featuring older, more mature women. “His wife was outrageously pretty, with hair like bright butter. But she had a backbone of steel.” (p31)The children in the story are a nice touch, a comic diversion, and they are just right; they don’t detract or steal scenes. They are important to the story as is Griffin’s father since they add a comforting sense of home and family to the romantic drama.For James’ story return, I’ll have to read The Ugly Duchess, but first I hope to read all of Eloisa James’ stories in order.Memorable moment:“What couldn’t be avoided must be endured.” (p61)Despite the rather fast way Phoebe capitulated to Griffin, I very much enjoyed the writing, the characters, the setting, and the little details. Eloisa James writes beautifully and clear, and her stories are like delicious treats to savor and that create a lovely sense of the time period in history.