Pirate Romance Novels

[Hester]

Rosarita Montoya wrote:

"Silkie, put a cork in it! Jou read too many romance novellas."

Silkie, you're outed, hon!

But fess up, all you lasses (and some of you lads) ... I know you can't resist those trashy novels with the bare-chested, patch-eyed hero on the cover, the wind blowing through his raven locks and his silken sails.

Yes, who wouldn't be tempted by that genre of 'literature' that I like to affectionately call -- 'Pirate Porn'!

Now, I've got a stack of these waiting for me at my summer retreat, but I'm always eager to hear of more such literary masterpieces.

So, what are your favourite Pirate Porn novels?

I'll start:

Um... 17th century ... England ... blue? .... fun read ... quite hot.

18th century? ... New Orleans ... turquoise (just one) ... OTT ... quite hot.

Regency ... England ... silver (just one) ... silly but charming ... only tepid.

Do jump in with your own faves [or even duds to warn us off]....

Cheers, Hester

[Rumba Rue]

Well I don't read them. But if I ever get back to working on the story I have tucked away for a while, I suppose it will come under the title of Romance Porn.

[Hester]

Well I don't read them. But if I ever get back to working on the story I have tucked away for a while, I suppose it will come under the title of Romance Porn.

Hey, Rue:

I hope you get that finished and published before I run out of reading material!

Cheers, Hester

[LongTom]

I don't imagine Patrick O'Brian counts. The continuing (indeed, at seventeen volumes, near infinite) saga of Captain Jack Aubrey, Stephen Maturin, and privateering in the Royal Navy. The only things heaving are the decks, the only things thumping are the cannons, and the only things hanging out are somebody's eyeballs, after a particularly vicious broadside (ewww...just read that near the end of volume 4).

[Red Bess]

I don't imagine Patrick O'Brian counts.  The continuing (indeed, at seventeen volumes, near infinite) saga of Captain Jack Aubrey, Stephen Maturin, and privateering in the Royal Navy.  The only things heaving are the decks, the only things thumping are the cannons, and the only things hanging out are somebody's eyeballs, after a particularly vicious broadside (ewww...just read that near the end of volume 4). 

I guess I know some guys who get pretty "turned on" by reading O'Brien!

I've never been much of romance reader, but a few years ago my husband gave me a book he bought on e-bay called "Sea Star" by Pamela Jekel. It's romance novel about Anne Bonny. I rather enjoyed it, because the author had done her history homework. But the sex scenes are pretty much run-of-the-mill.

I'd much rather read an adventure story that has some love scenes in it, than a love story that has some adventure scenes in it. :)

[Patrick Hand]

Some where I saw a list of Pyrate Romance Novels...... I was talking to the lady that runs a used book store, and told her about it.... she wanted a copy of the list..... then...... drat.... I couldn't find it again......

So does anyone know where the list is..... or have a list of Pyrate Romances....

I have never read a "Romance" novel..... I started reading one once, and coundn't get past the third page...... but stupid courisety wants to try reading one ...... so what would be a good one .... that wont hurt too much.....?

[PirateQueen]

Oh, all right, I wasn't going to post to this thread because I was embarrassed to admit, but what the hell: I've been collecting pirate romance novels for many years. I had a database of my collection at one point, but I'm not sure where that ended up. The books are packed away right now, not readily available so I can't offer more than a few favorite authors. In the meantime, check out this site:

Romantic Reads of Pirates

Not an exhaustive list, but a good start.

[captjacksparrowsavvvy]

I have just started to read pirate porn and romance books. Bertrice Small is a very good read. I have found paperbacks at swap shops and by asking around. I looked at the pirate list and there are several that I have not heard of so thanks very much for the information.

Reading is so relaxing and if it involves sex and pirates, that is good enough for me, historically correct or not! LOL

[Hester]

Well, while I was away, I read:

Set in 18th century Madeira & environs.

The hero's eyes were "shockingly bright blue".

The story was weak and poorly written; however, it was randomly salted with surprisingly accurate historical details (which were probably added as an afterthought on the advice of an editor).

The "love" scenes were only medium-hot and infrequent.

[Hester]

This one was so bad, I abandoned it halfway:

Charleston, 1780.

The hero's eyes were, improbably and amusingly enough, "pewter" in colour. [And the book is so brutally boring that even the cover illustrator apparently didn't get very far in skimming it, since the hero's hair is eventually described as golden-blonde in the text, despite the more traditional raven locks in the pic.]

Absolutely no piratey atmosphere at all! While captive aboard the "pirate" ship, the heroine takes up the lady-like passtime of painting, and sits in a sewing circle with the crew's wives.

The "love" scenes were utterly absent. I got to page 200 and the most erotic thing the central couple had done was have a fully-clothed pillow fight.

Yikes, this one was bad!!!

[Hester]

I have never read a "Romance" novel..... I started reading one once, and coundn't get past the third page...... but stupid courisety wants to try reading one ...... so what would be a good one .... that wont hurt too much.....?

Hey, Patrick:

I think I might suggest you start with:

It's set in the Elizabethan era, populated by sea hawks, including Drake. It involves lots of exciting sea battles.

The heroine is a non-virginal tomboy, cartographer, and ship's pilot, aboard her father's merchant-cum-pirate-ship.

The hero's eyes are "silver", except when he's angry or aroused, and then they turn blue.

The love scenes are pretty hot and fairly inventive (well, at least unrealistically gymnastic -- think "frigging in the rigging".)

[My copy didn't come with a free tote bag, though.]

Cheers, Hester

[Hester]

[Re: Master of Seduction, by Kinley MacGregor]

Absolutely no piratey atmosphere at all! While captive aboard the "pirate" ship, the heroine takes up the lady-like passtime of painting, and sits in a sewing circle with the crew's wives.

Yikes, this one was bad!!!

Oh, geez, I forgot to mention that the heroine was even supposed to be the granddaughter of Anne Bonny and Calico Jack.

Not likely ... they'd've drowned this simpering twit at birth!

Cheers, Hester.

[PirateQueen]

This series of 3 books by Laura Renken isn't bad:

My Lord Pirate

Night Shadow

Heart of the Condor

I liked the first two better than the last one, but the last one ties up the loose ends.

http://scribesworld.com/renkenmorgan/laurarenken.html

Any pirate romance novel by Marsha Canham is fun, but I also particularly recommend Across a Moonlit Sea.

[Mimi Foxmorton]

So...um...exactly where ARE these pirates?

I mean, if men KNOW we like (adore...fantasize...would pay good doubloons for...) this sort of thing then why aren't there more of their ilk?

I'm only askin' as it seems there's an absolute shortage of the sort of man who looks like those on the novel covers and is willing to step up and be the pirate we would willingly heave our bosom for thereby making said pirate a happy free booter and allowing us to sink back into those embroidered pillows and enjoy.

I'd happily rip a dozen bodices or so for the pleasure.

But, so far I've ne'er seen a single hot, long haired, masterful, rough yet gentle male with piercing blue eyes and, in addition to piratical dealings, an underlying integrity as well as undying love for me and only me.

We're all thinkin' it....I'm just askin' it.........

Fair Winds and good luck....

~Foxmorton

ps. I'm willing to be flexible on the eye color.

[Patrick Hand]

I mean, if men KNOW we like (adore...fantasize...would pay good doubloons for...) this sort of thing then why aren't there more of their ilk?

Because the "rape Fantacy" has absoultly nothing to do with "real Life"

without getting into the whole thing..... basicaly... a fantasy is fun.... rape is not....

OK... outta fairness, I still haven't read a Romantic Novel......

But I'm willing to bet, that the heroin (did I spell that as the Female in the story or the drug?) is abducted by a absolutly gourgeous male and he "has his way with her"....

And outta fairness.... male "action" movies have as much to do with real life also.....

Dang... drat and Poo Poo..... wouldn't it be soo much easier if some parts (the good ones ) in stories worked that way ?

OH... by the way Mimi..... I'm not sure if me eyes be piercing or not.... but fer "heaving bosomes".... argh..... maybe they could be.....

OK... back on topic.... I have to write a list of all the titles posted..... Like I typed in my post, the lady that runs a book store in Angles Camp would like the list to pass on to her coustomers......and hey... maybe I might try to read one also.........

[Mimi Foxmorton]

Because the "rape Fantacy" has absoultly nothing to do with "real Life"

without getting into the whole thing..... basicaly... a fantasy is fun.... rape is not....

OK... outta fairness, I still haven't read a Romantic Novel......

Oi..Mister Hand...ye apparently have a misconceived notion of 'fantasy'...

there be no rape takin' place in me daydreams nor ana other place in me world.....not wit'out a goodly cutlass t' th' gut.

The whole idea behind these 'bodice burners' is the notion of hot guy takes control makes pretty young thing feel delicate and special while at the same time allowing her the freedom to become the strong woman she's always known she can be. All with a big chest, puffy shirt, long silky hair and an impressive cutlass swingin' about. The hero always has integrity...he just has Pirate Integrity.....and, that makes him hot.

Any rape attempts are always done by the evil guy who is

promptly done in. (see: "Frenchman's Creek" character Rockingham...hot, cute....sorry...he had to go...as an example of Not the Hero.) (oops: spolier)

(Although I do recall wanting the Sheriff's cousin in "Robin Hood Prince of Thieve's"....but, I'm not sure how that would have worked out.

I've yet to run across a Literary Masterpiece in this genre....(ok, "Frenchman's Creek"...that would actually be a good sarter book for ye) but, we still keep readin' them off and on because...well, because like I said...there ain't any other places t' get it.

Though when we get's it...we always want's it.....

It'll nay be happenin' ana other way.

As for th' whole thing havin' 'nothin' t' do wit' real life'....that's because whenever we suggests it 'real guys' get all pissed off about it...an' that I canna figure out...

Let me know how you make out on your first foray int' th' world o' Pirate Romance.....I think's it be verra admirable an' manly that you're willin' t' give it a go. An' who knows...in time ye may be able t' smolder a bodice wit' yer piercin' blue eyes across a crowded banquet room whilst ye pocket's an' old rich lady's broach wit' one hand an' duels a Duke wit' th' other....wit'out e'en spillin' your wine!

Now...gets out there an' Swash yer Buckle...an' report back!

Faire Winds an' a goodly read!

~Foxmorton

[Patrick Hand]

OK... I went to the used bookstore, and found a copy of "Across a Moonlit Sea". The owner of the store showed me a copy of "Tell Ne Lies" by Claudia Dain, and said that it is even better.... so I bought both of them....

So I'll give 'em a try............

[captjacksparrowsavvvy]

Gee whiz, my pirate romance book looks different than yours!

[Hester]

Hey, Capt. Jack:

I like your photo-refit.

Disney should take note of the marketing potential there!

Cheers, Hester

[Hester]

Mimi Foxmorton wrote:

(Although I do recall wanting the Sheriff's cousin in "Robin Hood Prince of Thieve's"....but, I'm not sure how that would have worked out.

Hi, Mimi:

I'm a Robin Hood fan, too. And how's this for a "long haired, masterful, rough yet gentle male with piercing ... eyes":

(That's a young Michael Praed from the British TV series Robin of Sherwood in the 1980s.)

I've recently picked up the following Robin Hood-themed romance novel:

I'm saving that for my fall "guilty pleasure" reading.

Marsha Canham has also done a Robin-esque romance trilogy, but I've only read the first in the series and didn't like it as well as her pirate romance.

Anyhow, Mimi, if you're a Robin Hood enthusiast, you might enjoy the discussion group that I moderate on Yahoo, called "The Greenwood":

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thegreenwood/

Cheers, Hester

[Patrick Hand]

male with piercing ... eyes

How about "gimlet" eyes...... sounds much better than long greesy brown hair with squinty eyes......

Drat... the only way there will be a character like me (well other than the villain) in a Romantic novel is if I write one myself.....

I've read six chapters of "Tell No Lies" so far....

maybe it's spicyer than an average romance Novel.... but they've had sex three time so far...... This is closer to Annis Nin erotica......

I'm not saying that it is bad, or badly written, I'm just suprised at how graphic it is.....

OH yah..... Capt. Dan has amber eyes.... just in case anyone is keeping track of that sorta thing........

[Hester]

I've read six chapters of "Tell No Lies" so far....

maybe it's spicyer than an average romance Novel.... but they've had sex three time so far...... This is closer to Annis Nin erotica......

I'm not saying that it is bad, or badly written, I'm just suprised at how graphic it is.....

OH yah..... Capt. Dan has amber eyes.... just in case anyone is keeping track of that sorta thing........

Terrific! Thanks, Patrick ... I'll have to add that one to my "to-read" list!

Cheers, Hester

[Salty]

all right lads and lasses.... tis much more fun to write yer own romance partucular one for real life... but a rather new authoress by the name o sasha lord has done a seris that could be considered pyraty..... there be 4 novels to her "wild" series and the females are the key heroes one book features a female pirate captain......\

under a wild sky

in a wild wood

across the wild sea unique in that lead female is blind

beyond the wild wind female pirate captain

there are many other as well

[Patrick Hand]

I'm now reading "Across a Mooning Sea" ( up to Chapter 7).... so far I Hate Beau (wot I think of her Rhymes with witch)... Her Father and Dante are cool tho.......

But after reading "Tell Me no lies"

Oi..Mister Hand...ye apparently have a misconceived notion of 'fantasy'...

In reference to "rape" Fantacy......

Dang.... first Romantic novel I read.... and they 'quibble" over this part.... She wasn't raped.... because she chose to give herself to the Captain... and not the crew......

So I am not miss-understood.....I will discribe what I mean by the "Rape Fantacy"......

First off ... it is not a sexual assault..... it is baised off the concept that "good girls" don't do that sort of thing...... but if "forced" ..... well it wasn't her fault... Nacny Friday wrote an entire book about the concept..... I'm not doing a good job of explaining this.... but it is not some creap that attack a woman... it is Fabio climbing through you bedroom window......(drat... still not doing well at this...)

OK... maybe my saving grace..... If I ever saw some creap attempting to rape a woman.... well after I was done... I'd just have to ask her not to tell the cops what I just did to the creap.....

Second.... Why is it always a Fabio kinda guy wot does the suduction?.......it is never that Toad sitting at the end of the bar that gets the girl....

(well it is a fantacy....)

And I love a good happy ending.... but why do they always live happly ever after......?

Last of all..... What is it about a male's eye color that is so dang important in the story? .

.

[Hester]

Oi..Mister Hand...ye apparently have a misconceived notion of 'fantasy'...

In reference to "rape" Fantacy......

Dang.... first Romantic novel I read.... and they 'quibble" over this part.... She wasn't raped.... because she chose to give herself to the Captain... and not the crew......

So I am not miss-understood.....I will discribe what I mean by the "Rape Fantacy"......

First off ... it is not a sexual assault..... it is baised off the concept that "good girls" don't do that sort of thing...... but if "forced" ..... well it wasn't her fault... Nacny Friday wrote an entire book about the concept

Hi, Patrick:

Congrats on continuing with your romance reading, and breaking down some gender stereotypes.

As for the issue of "rape fantasies", I guess I should point out that Ms. Friday's book My Secret Garden was published 33 years ago when the stereotype that "good girls don't" was far more prevalent in society.

And, as you note, the fantasies Friday collected from women had nothing to do with being brutally assaulted. So her choice of the word "rape" is problematic (and was highly debated at the time of publication). After all, the women involved were controlling the fantasy, and so there was no issue of really being forced to do something against their will. [cf. S&M vs. domestic violence]. Perhaps Friday would have been better advised to call these scenarios "coercive SEDUCTION fantasies".

In any case, today, good girls generally DO, so the element of coercion is far less common in contemporary romance fiction.

Perhaps in the case of Tell Me Lies, which you describe as being unusually erotic for the genre, the notion of coercion was introduced by the author (either consciously or unconsiously) because the sexual situations were so explicit/intense/frequent, etc. [in other words, maybe good girls DO now, but perhaps not THAT much.]

Last of all..... What is it about a male's eye color that is so dang important  in the story?  .

Well, as you point out, the hero is generally the Fabio clone -- tall, muscular, strong, with long flowing hair (usually dark for pirates). Given that the male protagonist is physically such a cookie-cutter production, the EYES -- the windows of the soul -- take on great significance, giving him one means through which his unique personality can be physically expressed.

Cheers, Hester