Review: Interesting Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 3, 2013
A swashbuckling pirate has been forced into retirement. He could set up house in town or relax on an estate overlooking the ocean or he could go visit the wife he barely knows. That last option isn’t Sir Griffin Barry’s first choice but with his salty right hand man in tow he decides it’s the most practical. What could be better than a ready made household to simply walk into (or limp into in Griffin’s case, thanks to a well aimed bullet) and become a man of leisure? Self-sufficient Phoebe has more than one surprise in store for her wayward spouse. What ensues is fast paced and gave this reader reason to smile on more than one occasion.Author Eloisa James earned herself a loyal reader many years ago with her easy writing style, well developed characters, clever dialogue and epic stories. I gobbled up every book I could get my hands on after my first taste. She has a lovely way of introducing future hero and/or heroines within a series so that readers wait with baited breath on each new book. We briefly met Sir Griffin in The Ugly Duchess. His story intrigued me immediately and then when I read the blurb for Seduced by a Pirate I knew I was in for a treat.Part of the draw to read Griffin and Phoebe’s story, for me, was I wasn’t sure if I would like these characters. I have always fallen in love with Ms. James’ characters but these two felt different. That may sound strange but at first blush Griffin seemed very self-centered if not down right egotistical. He saw no problem with simply walking back into Phoebe’s life after abandoning her in a very abrupt and rude manner on their wedding night fourteen years ago. I had hopes that she would sic the dogs on him at the very least. It doesn’t quite happen that way.Don’t get me wrong, tempers flare, words are said and the tension is palpable. Once the backstory starts coming out–and let me tell you there were more holes than a Swiss cheese factory–we learn what happened to Griffin on the fateful night of their wedding along with how he ended up on the high seas, much less a pirate captain, his side of the fantastical events began to make sense. Misunderstandings abound in this novella but it’s not all just one sided. One of the funnier ones revolves around how he came to name his ship. Also, I was fascinated to know just when and where Phoebe managed to acquire three children who very plainly refer to her as their mother with no hesitation.I can’t say much more without giving away the story but as I mentioned this is fast paced little number. The transition from angry words to passion filled nights is quickly accomplished and the story is brought to a satisfying conclusion. For myself, it was a little abrupt but I think I’m simply not used to short stories by Mrs. James. There isn’t a lot of time to become vested in Griffin and Phoebe’s relationship but it was enjoyable none the less. If a quick spicy read is what you’re looking for on a cold night, pick up a copy of Seduced by a Pirate. It’s funny and hot with plenty of heart for any Eloisa James fan.Originally posted at Long and Short Reviews