Review: Very pleasing pirate!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 17, 2014
Pleasing the Pirate ........Sharon CullenPhin Lockwood, notorious pirate, is wasting away in Newgate prison for a crime he admits was not very smart on his part. He attacked a ship belonging to a Duke's family member. The future doesn't look too bright in this dingy horrible cell. Phin is suddenly yanked out of his cell and is brought to meet with Sebastian Addison, a friend known for his accomplishments as a spy. They then appear before the King, where Sebastian proposes a plan. Grant McFadden, known reprobate and traitor needs to be found. Sebastian explains to the King that Phin's  known underworld contacts are valuable in finding the Scotsman McFadden. The King reluctantly releases Phin to Sebastian, with the understanding that if McFadden is not found, Phin will sacrifice his life. Not a good alternative as far as Phin is concerned.  Phin plans to sail to Scotland to find McFadden's sister to help with their quest. He will just keep the fact they want to arrest him a secret.Mairi McFadden is stowed away in the captain's cabin to enlist his help, at gunpoint, to find her brother. Unfortunately, she didn't add being horribly sea sick to her plan. Her stomach rolls with every toss of the ship, and they are still anchored. Her brother Grant had left their clan four years ago after the murder of his fiancé by the British. Mairi has been trying to hold onto the land, feed the women and children, and keep hope alive. She had received the first message from Grant in four years saying he had been captured.  She knew of no other way to keep her land or her clan.....she had to find him and bring him home.Suddenly a very large muscled, shirtless, handsome man enters the cabin, she points the gun, shakily, demanding his help.  He quietly approaches her, warning the kick on the pistol could send her right out the porthole. She is momentarily distracted and he edges closer, where she proceeds to empty the contents of her stomach on his boots and floor, and then faints away. Phin realizes this tiny person, who he originally thought was a boy, is a very curvy beautiful woman.  Mairi McFadden, the woman he was searching for, has literally fallen at his feet.  A very interesting turn of events.This is the third historical romance novel I have read by Sharon Cullen.  It is a stand alone, but wonderful characters from previous books make an appearance.  Her female characters are always very strong and brave, and an exciting match to the heroes.  Her blend of history, humor, and romance insure a delightful read. I especially enjoyed the introduction of the Highlands of Scotland to her historical's. Hope there's more highlands and highlanders in future stories. I highly recommend this novel to lovers of historical fiction who enjoy a laugh or two while reading.I received this novel from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.Pat Fordyce