“Beautiful, soul-shattering, and utterly delicious.” ~ Ilsa Madden-Mills, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today bestselling author Bennett Sharp is on the run.Wanted for piracy, she fears neither God nor death nor man.Except Priest Farrell.The unfaithful, stormy-eyed libertine hunts her with terrifying possessiveness. Nothing will stop him from coming for her. Not his unforgivable … stop him from coming for her. Not his unforgivable betrayal. Not when she’s captured by the ice-cold pirate hunter, Lord Ashley Cutler.
She must escape Ashley’s prison and Priest’s deceit. But can she walk away from their twisted desires?
Two gorgeous captains stand on opposite sides of the law. When they collide in a battle to protect her, the lines blur between enemies and lovers.
Passion heats, secrets unravel, and hearts entangle until they break.
Can love prevail in the sea of ruin?
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What to say? How to accurately describes my feelings about this story? I cut my romance teeth as a teenager devouring stories by some of the greats – Johanna Lindsay, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Bertrice Small and more. All these stories were great historical romances that still today stand the test time. It has been many, many years since I’ve been drawn to anything remotely historical or about pirating in any fashion. This story will bring me back to circle. It is drama on the high seas for sure. But it is more than that. It is poetry and magic and sizzling heat. It is physical and emotional pain beyond compare. It is bravery and cowardice and horrific scenes. It is sensual in a way not many stories really are these days. Pam Godwin writes a wonderfully vivid take that draws you in and drowns you in a beauty you never expected. This is when 10 stars would come in handy.
So… This was different… In an engaging but odd and weird, never have read something like this ever before, type of way. I won’t put spoilers, but you can count on this being the most unique love triangle you will ever read.
What I really liked about it, which I always like about Pam Godwin’s books, is her writing. I can totally hate something but still want to read it simply because of how amazing Pam’s writing is. In this book specifically, she did a great job in engaging the pirate-y and historical feel, where it almost seems more realistic. Some authors can definitely go a little overboard on pirate books. The setting is probably my favorite part of this book though, she did such a great job in describing all the little details, and I think the cover depicts exactly that. Also, you can’t talk about a Pam Godwin book without talking about her sex scenes, which although this book was a bit more tame, they were still hawt.
The story itself is pretty good, and though I love historical and Pam’s books, and will still continue to read them, I didn’t necessarily love, or like, this book. It was enjoyable yes, but I don’t think this book was really for me. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and the romances, but the overall story was actually pretty interesting to read. Now with all that said, there are triggers in this book, and though I’m glad to have read it, if this book was by any other author, I probably wouldn’t have read this because of some of the tropes and one of the triggers. The ending was also a bit too much for me. It did feel a little convenient for how the romance turned out, and I didn’t really like the heroine’s reaction to it. It definitely felt like a cop out for the romances and the readers rooting for both heros.
Overall, this was an okay book, and though it wasn’t my favorite by this author, I’m still glad to have tried it out, and I can’t wait for more of her books. Will I ever recommend it? Mmmmaybe?… I think this book solely depends on your taste.
I have re-kindled my absolute obsession for historical romance!! And Pam Godwin, one of my very favorite authors wrote it!
I absolutely loved this book! The pirate adventure, the open seas, even Ashley the sadist!!! Priest may be my favorite, but only by a little. This is a story of a young woman, daughter of a fierce, wanted pirate; and a noblewoman who lost everything because she loved said pirate. In one day Bennett loses them both. She the takes to the sea to claim the Jade, the ship her father claimed as hers. And so, the adventures began.
During her years at sea, she has led raids, saved slaves, found love, and had her heart destroyed when she discovered her husband cheated on her. She has tried to get him to give her a name, because he has told her he loves them both…. she doesn’t believe it and won’t be with him anymore. When her ship is threatened with capture, she has her crew throw her overboard and move on without her, knowing that the ship chasing is after her, not them, and that they will pull her from the water. She has a plan. But she gets much more than she bargained for when she comes to on the deck of Ashley’s ship!!
You don’t want to miss what happens!! I promise it’s good! I give this book 5stars because it’s all I have to give…. but, oh, it’s worth more!
I am calling it now…..Sea of Ruin is one of my top reads of 2020! Wow. Wow. Wow!
Bennett Sharp is the most unique female character I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The story will consume you like no other. Pam Godwin is a master at weaving a story that simply immerses the reader into the story. I swear I could smell the sea.
Be prepared for an epic reading binge. I only got up for wine and a bathroom break while reading.
Oh, Pam Godwin, take my heart and my money because goodness me, woman, is there anything you can’t write?! Her latest novel is a dark historical romance set in the high seas, and whatever bar I may have set for this–and trust me, that bar was far into the heavens–was blown to smithereens. Sea of Ruin has, indeed, ruined me for all other books, and not just those that fall exclusively under this romance sub-genre. Godwin has already made a reputation for herself when it comes to writing the kinds of romances that she wants to, making no apologies for it, and thank goodness for that because I, as a reader, am reaping the rewards of her unbridled and impressively written storytelling. With this newest book of hers, she’s given her readers something new but still with that quintessential brand that makes your recognize it as a Pam Godwin original, and readers are certainly basking in it.
I’ve been waffling on whether I should even give a brief bit of information about what the story is, but dare I say that this is one of those tales that are best relished when you go into it blind? What I can tell you is that Bennett Sharp very much lives up to her name; she’s sharp as a tack, takes no prisoners, and has earned the respect of those under her command. She is, hands down, the most remarkable female pirate captain I’ve ever come across, whether it be on paper (virtual or not) or on screen. The fact that there are two men she’s up against–libertine Priest Farrell and pirate hunter Lord Ashley Cutler–highlights how much of a force Bennett is to be reckoned with.
If you’re looking for a “bodice ripper”, look elsewhere, but if you’ve been searching for the sort of romance that sweeps you away and makes you forget about whatever it is that’s happening right now–and let’s face it, we all need that escape at the moment, even if it is just for a few hours–then I implore you to read Sea of Ruin today. That doesn’t mean, however, that Bennett’s story is mindless entertainment. If anything, it gave me something to think about aside from giving me the “feels”. In that time and setting, women like Bennett were a rare breed. She knew what she wanted and she went after it. She knew who she was and held her head up high. She was a forerunner, yet she was someone who also had her baser needs. She embraced the woman that she was, and come hell or high water, she fought for the life she lived. Pam Godwin, I bow before your greatness. Five-plus stars.
This book has proved to become my all time favourite Historic Romance. I was spellbound from the very first word until the very last. The story structure, the mesmerising characters and the spectacular descriptive scenes, played out like a film in my mind; I could sense, see and smell every action.
The way the main character, Bennett got under my skin, was a surreal experience. She literally seeped off the pages and imprinted herself in my mind. Feisty, gritty; the absolute star of the show. She commanded the spotlight (as well as her men) and as a reader I was happy that she controlled my mind, even when real life interrupted my reading time. Her relationships with Priest and Ashley were turbulent and grabbed my emotions in a vice. The attraction to both men was explosive; both male characters, scorching hot and intriguing in their own right.
And then we get to the dark gut-wrenching, soul destroying events that shape the story. They completely grabbed hold of my heart and shredded it to bits. Each horrifying event, stripped layers from Bennett and really exposed her inner strength. What a woman! She is one kick-ass lady that I so admired. A woman in a man’s world, she tore each enemy a new asshole and I was there cheering her on every step of the way.
I don’t know why, but I tend to shy away from Historical Romance, but this book just proves that I’m doing myself no favors. There was something magical and fairytale like about Bennett’s story. She was not the typical heroine. Her destiny to sail the high seas and command respect from her men and her peers as well as leave her enemies shaking was gained through hard work and sheer determination.
The story is dark and some subject matters not for the faint hearted. The emotional feels will reduce you to a wreck, but the underlying story of survival and love, drums loudly throughout. I would go so far and say Sea of Ruin has made it to my top ten all time reads.
I want to be like Bennett because she was fierce and brave. Also she was strong and she survived a lot what happened to her. She knew what she wanted to be and she became what she wanted. Priest Farrell and Lord Ashley Cutler, what I can say about them without giving anything away. I liked Priest Farrell’s name and he was such a great character. But also Ashley Cutler were so interesting character and I really liked both of them. I loved this book and how it ended.
*ARC for honest review*
A story you never knew you needed. A historical romance that surpasses all others.
Before reading Sea of Ruin, I was not too big on historical romances, but my goodness this book has altered my opinion.
I never knew a historical romance could be so dark, passionate, and oh so steamy.
Bennett Sharp went through a tremendous loss at a young age. Immediately after she boarded Jade, a ship that now belonged to her. From that point on, she built herself into a fierce pirate.
She was in charge of hundreds of strong, burly men and none overstepped, except Priest Farrell.
Priest Farrell was a notorious ladies man and had Bennett completely consumed…until she found out about his infidelity. Two years later he’s back and determined to gain what he lost.
Bennett has no idea that allowing him back on her boat would cause a dark, passionate change of events.
I absolutely loved this historical romance and am utterly obsessed with the storyline. Pam Godwin writes with power behind every word. Readers will be completely consumed with this story.
I loooove this book so much!!! It’s a rebellious lady pirate, two vicious alphas, and lots of stomach-clenching darkness. It’s sexy and HOT… epic action-adventure on a pirate ship. Trusssst me… you need this book!!!!
Rebellious lady pirate, two vicious alphas, and lots of stomach-clenching darkness.
Consuming, sensual, epic action-adventure on a pirate ship.
I don’t read historical books. I don’t read pirate books. I don’t read books with violence toward a woman. I don’t read books with unfaithful character. I don’t read any of them because I don’t enjoy them.
Well, that used to be true. Pam Godwin used her twisted imagination and created a story that is so authentic, so real, I could feel the breeze on my skin and smell the saltwater in the air. The history felt accurate. The pirate life wasn’t glamorous. The violence toward the heroine had purpose and was absolutely authentic. The storyline kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning.
I loved Bennett. She is the most badass heroine I have ever read. She’s strong, but not unbreakable. She made her decisions in life and was happy where she was. Her mind was focused and consistent throughout the story. Ashley and Priest are two very different characters who both have plans for Bennett. I loved the push and pull between them. I loved the way each character stayed true to who they were.
This book is epic. It’s long and worth every minute you spend reading it. It has some intense violence, which is expected for a book about pirates. But go in with an open mind and you will not be disappointed. Even if this is outside of your comfort zone, give it a try! You will not regret it!
Long time Pam Godwin fan here and I have made no secret of it. I lost my mind a little when she announced a while back that she was writing a dark pirate romance. All I have to say is Holy Shit, I wasn’t disappointed at all.
Dark romance and badass heroines are what Godwin does best. Bennett Sharp was without a doubt a badass. Born to a noblewoman and a pirate she was destined for greatness. Like her father she fell for the sea and loved with all her heart.
I won’t say anything about the story because it is something you need to experience. If you don’t read historical this should not deter you. It was so fast paced that I couldn’t put it down. It is dark, sexy, and it will consume you. The characters are riveting and the devotion and love they felt leapt off of the pages. The imagery was so well done that I felt like I could smell the sea.
Sea of Ruin definitely pulled me out of the reading hiatus I have been on. If Pam Godwin wanted to write more Pirate romances I wouldn’t be mad about it. Don’t miss out on this adventure with Bennett, Ashley, and Priest. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Powerful sorcery penned with masterful execution, you will live every page of this epic story. This book is an incredible display of Godwin’s unbelievable talent. This novel is a deliciously dark masterpiece, and is now an all time favorite.
Grab this now! You won’t regret it.
Please can someone make a film of this book? Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please.
Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.
Pretty please. Pretty. Please.
I will give you my first born child. My second born child. My third born child. Every child. My cat. My husband. You can have my car, he’s called Jasper, take them, take them all. Just give me the film.
Bennett Sharp, the pirate princess, makes an outfit out of Commodore Ashley Cutler’s finest shirt and his finest bluest jacket that matches his perfect blue eyes with gold brocade and I love her. I would fight a hundred fierce bad pirates to save her. And don’t even mention Priest Farrell with his wild beaded hair and strange relationships with fruit. I’m madly in love with all three of them.
God’s teeth this book is amazing. It’s magnificent. Pure escapism. Pure perfection. Perfect pirates. It’s everything I needed in a book right now.
Film. Please. Film. Please. Film. Please. I’m not even kidding.
Rated 4.5 Stars
Sea of Ruin was action packed, smoking hot and amazing. It’s also brutal and emotional. I went through so many emotions with this book, most of them were bloodthirsty. I was wholly invested from beginning to end in these characters lives and their journey. I loved it and highly recommend it.
Copy provided by author
I’m not normally a huge fan of pirate romance, nor do I read a lot of historical romance (though I do have a few that I’ve absolutely loved), but I adore Pam Godwin’s writing and so I was very intrigued by her foray into this genre. I have to say that I am absolutely blown away by this book in every possible way. It took all my preconceived notions about what that type of story might be like, blew them to smithereens, spun them round and round and gave me something that made me feel every emotion, cry, laugh, swoon and cringe in horror. As someone who doesn’t get overly emotional about books, it was quite a surprise to me and my family when I was sobbing 10% into it. Sea of Ruin certainly lived up to its name. This book ruined me only to build me back up, it’s a true roller coaster ride of action, adventure, love and pain all wrapped up in a deliciously sinful package like only Ms. Godwin can write. Bennett is probably one of my absolutely favorite heroines ever! She is truly a force to be reckoned with, a female pirate, a master of her crew and her destiny. You won’t find any wilting flowers in this book. Our heroine is forged in steel and tragedy and can go toe to toe with any man. I adore Priest, who gave me decidedly Jack Sparrow vibes, but in a much sexier and swoonier version. His love, devotion and possessiveness over Bennett is something to see and I watched their story unfold with bated breath. Ashley, on the other hand, is the picture of buttoned up British aristocracy, loyal to his king and his duty to the bitter end. It’s difficult to say more, but Pam managed to write such amazing, inspired characters! These men are hot alpha dominance wrapped in possessive obsessive kind of love. Sea of Ruin is not a fun light pirate adventure. This book is full of triggers and Pam Godwin definitely doesn’t shy away from dark subject matter. My heart broke for Bennett over and over, she goes through some truly harrowing events. Kudos to Ms. Godwin for creating a heroine who can handle adversity, put her life on the line for her loved ones, yet allow herself to love and be vulnerable as well. I can’t express how much I loved this book and how sad I was when it came to an end! An absolute must read even for those who are not normally fans of the genre!
5 out of 5 stars
Bennett Sharp is on the run , she is a wanted woman and she is fearless . Death will not take her and no man will touch her . All is good until the one man who stole her heart and broke it comes back into her life . Priest Farrell the man who wants to possess her heart and soul . He will find her where ever she is , nothing will keep them apart . Not even the cold hearted pirate hunter Lord Ashley Cutler. But honestly in her heart does she want to walk away . They both want to protect her and keep her safe and the lines start to blur between enemies and friends . Will they survive the twisted desires of their hearts or will it become a sea of ruin .
Omg I absolutely love the characters in this book . Bennett our swash buckling heroine is feisty , and has been through so much . She has bucked the traditions of status from the beginning of her life . All she wants to be is on the sea and be like her father . I love the way she is strong and tries so hard to strong when she lets her vulnerability shows its heart warming to see her like that . I do love her sassy side that will take on anyone and show them that she can beat them at their own game . She is fabulous and you will love her .
Now lets talk the men of this book and holy hannah thes men are hot . Priest and Ashley they seem to be the different sides of the same coin. Priest is the oh so sexy pirate who will do what ever it takes to save the woman he loves . Ashley well he is the tall, dark handsome pirate hunter , who in my opinion is like walking sex on a stick . He has an air of authority to him that will make you swoon . As Priest has a wildness about him that will make you blush . These three main characters ar Ok I was excited when i found out this author was writing a pirate book . I was wondering how she was going to write a good dark story that she is famous for . Well I will say she out did herself . The characters are so well written and complex , you will love them and hate them . The story is full of twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat . There are also some very tough scenes to read and you will shed a tear or two for our main girl but like all great stories she will over come . Who knew that pirates could be so sexy , these aren’t your harlequin romance pirates . These men can fight and love with a fierceness that will make you blush . So if you want a dark story that will have you swooning one minute and then fighting for your life the next . This is the book for you check it out trust me on this you will not be disappointed . e so well written and complex and when they get together they combust .
You sucked me in from the beginning! The emotions felt by Bennett with her father, mother and her love of the sea were raw and real. It would be years before Bennett would know the truth between her father and mother. She never saw it coming. As the years past, Bennett was learned and was taught how to captain Jade. Her strength and perseverance to unlock the compass given to her by her father drove her. Bennett found herself in the arms of Priest and quietly married him. The strong bind drew the two of the together when life’s events separated them.
Bennett’s physical strength was strong even when she was “captured” by Ashley for her pirating activities after she planned her capture. Bennett was drawn to Ashley fighting the affection to Ashley with her affection for Priest. The twists Pam throws you are WOW!
You won’t be disappointed. You don’t have to be a lover of the historical genre. Do you enjoy reading about a strong-willed heroine? Do you like twists and surprises? Do you like your heroine to be fully satiated? Then what’s stopping you? Grab your copy of Sea of Ruin!!
The time is 1721 and Bennett Sharp is the only female pirate Captain. For the past two years she’s been running away from Priest Farrell, a libertine that she has a story with. Until the day that she falls into the hands of the Royal Navy and pirate hunter, Ashley Cutler.
“I’d never been a woman who depended on a man to save her. This wasn’t their fight. It was mine.”
Wow what did I just read? This was exquisite! If you plan to read this one , get ready because you’re up for a long ride, my friends! This book makes you go through so many emotions, it’s no joke! You’re going to feel joy, sorrow, you’re going to feel pain, grieve, happiness, suspense, terror and all over again. Whatever emotion you can think, you may feel it. I know I did! I cried for her, I felt pain with her, I was happy for her. I’m not saying you won’t feel these emotions for the rest of the characters, but since she’s our main character and we follow her journey and her story, you definitely get connected with her more than anyone else.
I really felt captured by the story from the first chapters of the book. When I thought I had figured everything out, the author would throw a curveball at me and apart from the intense hit that I would get , I’d be shocked and I couldn’t predict anything after a certain point. I love when a book throws you twists that you don’t expect and this was defintely one that rendered me speechless. Just when I thought that our characters had met their worst fate, nope, there was more to come. Just when I thought that our characters wouldn’t surprise me any longer, nope more surprises arrived.
“Love prevailed not in the windless calm of life, but in the ruin.”
If I’m being honest, I didn’t expect things would lead to the point where they led and I was surprised by that. I wanted in the end a happy ending for our heroine because she’d been through hell and back and I feel that the way things ended was the best outcome out of this perplexed situation. Definitely recommend this book if you like historical, dark romance & romantic suspense, because that’s a great combination of these genres!
“A rebel queen of the sea, fighting against the conformities of society and the oppressive laws of man.”
If I had imagined that one day I would read a pirate historical…Pam.Godwin did that and wow…I am so happy I did!
After reading King of Libertines in the Australia Anthology, I was under the spell of Bennett and Priest. I couldn’t wait for their whole story, but Sea of Ruin was more than that.
The piracy atmosphere gripped me to no end. The author immersed me into the stench of the filthy pirates, the sweetnest of the oranges, the touch if the silky fabrics. Bennett, strong, tough and also vulnerable and touching is an heroine I’m not going to forget anytime soon. I felt for her and with her. My heart broke, it got palpitations and maybe missed several beats.
“I was still me. Only bolder. Sturdier. Shatterproof. I was a woman who loved and forgave and found peace in her darkest hour. I was the pirate captain Bennett Sharp.”
The author mastered the brutality of some scenes all the while playing with the fervent sensuality of others. She explored the gruesome side of the eighteenth century. The enticing storyline, riddled with numerous twists and a scandalous passion created a frenzied tale I couldn’t put down.
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!