Published by Choc Lit, 14th Feb 2015, £2.99 (Ebook).

Tag words: Pirates, historical, action-packed.

Perfect for: Travel reading- escape back in time on that dull commute!

Steam?: Sizzling

Plot: To Amelia Dauphin, freedom is her most prized possession and she will stop at nothing to keep it. Daughter of a Pirate King and the youngest captain in her father’s fleet, she lives on the island of Ile Saint Anne, where pirates roam free and liberty reigns.

Zachary Hazard, captain of the Gypsy Hawk, hasn’t been seen on Ile Saint Anne for six years but his reputation precedes him. To Zach, liberty is the open water and he has little time for the land-bound pirate island.

But when he hears that Amelia’s people could be in danger, he has no choice but to return. And what begins then is a desperate fight for freedom and a legend in the making …

This book delivers its promise of having a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean‘ feel but with less fantasy and more historical facts for the readers to chew on. It has plenty of action, danger, suspense and a romance as heated as its tropical setting. The author writes detailed and beautiful descriptions of Ile Sainte Anne, its people, the seas, the ships and cold scenes in 18th century London.

What I loved most about the book was its strong female protagonist. Amelia, or Captain Dauphin, as she frequently has to remind some of the men, is smart, tough and not shy of a fight. She is also beautiful and passionate about her family, community and beliefs. She also has a sensual vulnerability that blooms when she is near Zach Hazard.

Zach is a typically gorgeous pirate, a match for Amelia’s strength and skill, but makes it firmly clear that he is tied down by no one. Their mutual attraction turns to intense love with devastating consequences. The sexual tension crackles like crazy, almost to the point where it frustrates the reader. There are a few repetitive conversations where the couple continually clash in their fundamental ideals.

This is a book about the issues of duty, freedom and the consequences of going against your heart. It is the first book in what I am sure is an exciting series. It is definitely value for money.

Connect with the author: @Sally_Malcolm

Many thanks to Choc Lit for providing me with a review copy!