The Rogue Pirate's Bride By: Shana Galen

Passionate, action-packed Regency romance by RT Reviewer’s Choice award-winning author Shana Galen features the swashbuckling Sebastien Harcourt, marquis de Valere, and the nautical genius heroine destined to best him. After escaping France on a privateer’s ship, Sebastian becomes the notorious privateer Captain Cutlass. His reputation as a rogue precedes him and he’s undefeated in battle, until he crosses swords with the beautiful daughter of a British admiral. Raeven Russell is out for revenge, but now she’s not so sure she wants the dashing captain to change his wicked ways.




I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  The story is told from the point of view of Sebastien (Captain Cutlass) and Raeven Russell.  Raeven has lived most of her life on a ship with her father, an admiral for the British Navy.  The story starts with Raeven dressed up as a boy and challenging Captain Cutlass to a duel.  (for her to gain revenge for Captain Cutlass killing her fiance in a ship to ship battle)  At first Sebastian sees his young man and knows that there is no competition but doesn't want to hurt him so he tries to play is off, but he doesn't know that Raeven is serious.  As the fight gets more heated he finds out the the boy is actually a girl dressed up, he wins and takes her to his ship as his new Chamber Maid.  Of course she escapes and their fight is on hold until the soon to be future.

I loved the back and forth with Raeven and Sebastian.  Both of them have such strong personalities and instead of one personality becoming more dominate the writer made both of them play off each other and both became stronger through the story.   I really liked how Raeven wasn't useless like most women of that day would be in the situations she found herself in.  She was a hard worker and like to prove her worth to others around her instead of just taking from others to make her life easier.  Sebastien was a great hero.  He was a kind man and always thought of his men and also of Raeven.  He was also proud of her and she was strong and could take care of herself no matter the situation.

There are also some great secondary characters that stole my heart as I read about them.  Mainly Sebastien's old servant/now medic on the ship and Raeven's best friend and cohort, Percy.  I found that when I was at work I would think of where the story left off and I couldn't wait to get home and finish it.  There were many twists and emotions that this story took me through and I loved every minute of reading it.  Great Story!!

Note:  This is an adult romance novel and does have the steamier chapters not suitable for younger audiences.