Used to be that nothing shut down a conversation among "modern" romance fans faster than earnestly announcing one adored high-seas romance. Inevitably one heard the dreaded "bodice ripper" pejorative slung about, and rarely did any person present greet one's innocent "you say that like it's a bad thing" remark with a semblance of good humor.
Well, don't spread it around, but I rather don't hate the prospect of having my bodice rent asunder by a lusty, yet remarkably cleanly privateer. And for those of you who've never stopped digging the same, -- or at least would love to add to your keeper shelf of shipboard love stories from days gone by --I'm happy to report the pickins no longer are slim, and the horizon looks fine for a new, sorry, wave of high-seas romance.
Michelle Beattie's "Romancing the Pirate " picks up where her "What a Pirate Desires " left off, as Alicia Davidson sets out to find the sister she didn't know existed until her father died and left word in a missive describing the shipwreck from which Alicia and her sister were saved and afterward separated. Alicia's bold for a mid- 17th century woman - her adoptive father taught her blacksmithing and how to use the swords they produced - so stowing away on the ship of the man her father's missive instructs her to seek help from isn't terribly daunting. Yet Blake Merritt's got reasons aplenty not to want Alicia in his life or on his tub, and helping her chase the elusive pirate, Sam Steele, may not be worth exploring his attraction to Alicia, or the demons raised by the mere sound of her name.
Tessa Dare's "Surrender of a Siren " welcomes to former privateer Benedict "Gray" Grayson's ship a young heiress of good breeding who's jilted her betrothed and hopped aboard looking for solace in the Caribbean. Masquerading as a governess, Sophia Hathaway's deeply attracted to Gray, a rake and a rogue who, perhaps, is trying hard not to seduce her. Yet perilous happenings, close quarters and gloriously tense sensual chemistry ensure the inevitability of our heiress and rake finding love and delightful desire as they head toward high-seas high jinks and happily ever after.
Beverly Jenkins bases her marvelous "Captured " on an historical figure, Samuel "Black Sam" Bellamy, a white pirate who sailed a slaver he'd captured, and a man who offered captive Africans onboard that ship the opportunity to join his crew. Like Bellamy, the hero of Jenkins' "Captured," Dominic LeVeq, has a crew which includes fugitive slaves, free Blacks, Native Americans and men of other nationalities.
LeVeq is a notorious privateer who captures a British frigate, then finds his life changed when cowardly passengers gladly sacrifice to him beautiful Clare Sullivan, the slave of an American woman. In the tradition of the best shipboard romances of yore, Claire quickly earns the respect and admiration of LeVeq's crew - and LeVeq is befuddled at how easily she has him turned from rogue to lap dog. Yet Claire also finds with LeVeq the opportunity to actualize freedom on her terms: emotional, sexual and spiritual. While "Captive" can be read as a lovely, sensual, traditional romance, it is a gem to be savored, mulled over and shared.
What do you love about high-seas romance? Why do you think it's again becoming popular? What are some of your faves?
Hi Everyone! I'm not a big fan of pirate romances, but I love the idea of the "trapped" scenario. So, I guess that's why I did like the ones that I read. It's been so long since I read one, but I do remember some of the authors. Johanna Lindsey, Kathleen Woodiwiss and Patricia Hagan to name a few. I think Rosemary Rogers had one entitled "Wicked Loving Lies." The hero's name was Dominic Challenger. I seem to recall that Shirley Busbee had one as well. Anyway, there were a lot of them way back when.
I've always hated that term "Bodice Rippers." To me romance novels were never that. Whoever coined that phrase made it sound like big old hero always had his way with the heroine whether she wanted him to or not! It may have seemed like that, but I believe on some level for both hero and heroine there was mutual acceptance pf each other on both sides to a certain degree. Yes, I agree that these heroines were very strong. They had never say die attitudes and that I liked a lot.
Ah, yes, Marsha Canham! I knew she had at least one. I'll have to check both of them out. I know they're very good!
Debbie, love your descriptive analogy of a pirate! Right on the money! 
"Pleasuring the Pirate." I love that title! Have to check it out too!
The new pirate books sound very good! I'm sure a new spin on an old storyline probably will have a new influence on how they are perceived.
Hi Michelle! It's definitely the term that bothers me. I always thought it was just so degrading to the romance genre, to the writers and to the romance readers. Kinda of like saying the genre itself was not to be taken seriously and the ones who read romance books and write them weren't either. I've just always thought the black eye wasn't necessary, but hey it was always just another opinion, right? Anyway, I think we who love romances have weathered the storm regarding that. Thanks to good writers and editors the genre has perservered. I don't see this genre slowing down anytime soon. Yayyyyy!
Yes, I do agree the imagery was used a lot more often in the day. I have no problem at all with the imagery of the h/hn tearing each other's clothes off in a moment of lust! Usually when I'm reading a book the visuals are in my head along with the words. Sort of like a movie. I like the idea that some writers have deigned to make the heroine more aggressive. I'd like to see that more in historical romance, though I think it is seen more often these days in contemporary, paranormal and eroms. The men have had that part to themselves long enough! It's now like, turnabout's fair play! At least that's how I see it
Hey, I'm reading book three of Kresley Cole's IAD and let me tell you I have no problem at all with the imagery of Bowen McRieve. He's a hottie to nth degree! I have a very, very vivid image of him indeed. Hmmm!
