Can a former privateer and a determined heiress find lost treasure in 1725? A brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees. Pasts Collide in New Orleans when a Treasure Goes Missing The last time New Orleans attorney Jean-Luc Valmont saw Maribel Cordoba, a Spanish nobleman’s daughter, she was an eleven-year-old orphan perched in the … eleven-year-old orphan perched in the riggings of his privateering vessel proving herself as the best lookout on his crew. Until the day his infamy caught up with them all and innocent lives were lost. Unsure why he survived but vowing to make something of the chance he was given, Jean-Luc has buried his past life so deep that no living person will ever find it–until a very much alive and very grown up Maribel Cordoba arrives on his doorstep and threatens all he now holds dear.
Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo.
More to come in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (coming February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (coming April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (coming June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (coming August 2018)
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (coming October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (coming December 2018)
more
Setting: 1724
Time Period: Caribbean, Spain, New Orleans
One of my favorite time periods of Historical Christian Fiction is the pirate / privateering era. In my opinion, these novels have the best romances, epic battles between good and evil, and sub characters you’ll never forget. Though MaryLu Tyndall is my go-to author for such stories, this second book in the Daughter Of The Mayflower Series by Kathleen Y’Barbo will be among my favorite pirate tales for a long time. The author did a fantastic job with this stand alone!
The novel features a Part 1 and Part 2, covering a good span of time during the story. For as short as this novel is, I was impressed by how much ground it covered – I really felt like I read a whole series instead of just one book! In Part 1, the heroine, Maribel, is 11 years old and the hero, Jean-Lue Valmont, is ten years older than her and the swoon worthy hero. In Part 2, the story transports us twelve years into the future where Maribel is a grown woman. What I loved the most about the story were all the twists and turns. Just when I thought I figured it out, something else happened that changed everything. Until the end, I truly didn’t know who was good and who was bad. Also, the secondary characters – Mr. Bennett and Mr. Rao – were so great. I’ll never forget these guys when I think of this book. They were, in a sense, good pirates with soft hearts. I know that sounds weird, but when you read the book, you’ll understand!
Conclusion: I would highly recommend “The Pirate Bride!” This was my first time to read a Kathleen Y’Barbo book, and I was impressed with the author’s creativity with the plot and deep characters. From the first page, you felt like you “knew” everyone. Written very well! Though part of a series, this novel can be read as a stand alone. The characters’ relation to the family in the first book of the series was a few generations removed, so you won’t miss anything the author doesn’t recap in the story. I really enjoyed this book and think it would be worth your time if you like Historical Romance, high sea adventures and of course, family drama!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the characters were strong and tempered in their faith, and the storyline was ingenious. Who doesn’t like reading about adventure on the seas, and blossoming love along with danger?
I’d highly recommend this novel, it is a fun, invigorating read! I’ll be seeking out more novels by this gifted author.
This story stole me away! And I loved every minute of it. The book is quick moving, kept me guessing, and had twists and turns I hadn’t expected. I loved that the romance elements were kept to the end, but I do wish it had been a little more involved and in-depth. That being said, I enjoyed the sweetness of it and the eye-opening experience of a young girl turned woman!
The story is very well written and the title fits the story perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the next book in the Mayflower Bride series!
The Pirate Bride #2 Daughters of the Mayflower by Kathleen Y’Barbo
Set in 1724-1735 in the Caribbean and New Orleans brings adventure on the high seas to the charismatic characters aboard and on land. I so enjoyed spunky Maribel and her spirit, her love of reading and adventurous nature. Of course, she believes she knows everything there is to know about pirates from reading her favorite pirate book, however, she soon learns there are no comparison when actually living it. Jean-Luc repeatedly reminds her that there is a difference between pirates and privateers. Dangers on the high seas, long held secrets revealed, mystery, romance and love with spiritual elements and forgiveness woven within the story-line. I enjoyed the historical notes at the end of the book. A captivating story.
~I received a copy of this book from the author/Barbour publishing (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
I loved the adventure in this book! I learned the important difference between a pirate and a privateer, and loved Maribel’s enthusiasm for her adventure at sea. The story begins with a young Maribel being kidnapped by her absentee father who is being chased by the infamous privateer Captain Jean Beaumont. Her immediate allegiance to Jean was interesting, and he and his crew couldn’t help but be won over by her bright and frank personality. There are politics, skirmishes, and intense battles that led to unexpected plot twists. The pace was swift but felt a bit disjointed as the author took large jumps forward in time and switched perspectives unevenly. I enjoyed Maribel’s spunky character immensely and felt that she was very well-written. Jean’s motivations for privateering were murky until the very end of the book, and I felt like it was a bit harder to get to know him, that the depths of his characters weren’t fully explored, although he is likeable enough. I appreciated that this story veered from the usual clichés and took me on an adventure that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Amazing! I love books with wonderful characters and stories! Especially those where I can actually learn of the past! Though the character are fictional, there truly are historical facts that are woven throughout!
I truly loved this story, though at times it was difficult reading through my tears. If you love fictional historical romances that you can actually learn of history from, especially emotional ones, then this book is perfect for you!
This was a cute book and a fast read. I would read more books by this author.
2.5 Stars. I read the version from NetGallery before it was published. That said, I hope that with a few changes the published version was better. It sounds like just from the description it did have some changes, for the better.
In the beginning, you are introduced to Maribel. She a spunky girl who has lost her mother and grandfather. Her father (who has been rare in her life) is the captain of a ship and takes her on his next trip. She loves being on the boat and loves reading adventure novels, especially ones about pirates.
Disaster strikes and she finds herself on a French privateer ship with a diverse and kind group of men.
Disaster strikes again, and her life doesn’t end up at all like she planned.
I enjoyed the beginning but felt like the second half of the book was very rushed and could have played out much better. This also was a romance novel with very little romance. I really wish the ending was better and more thought out.
Thank you Barbour books for the opportunity to read it.
The Daughters of the Mayflower series:
Book 1: The Mayflower Bride
Book 2: The Pirate Bride
The Pirate Bride worked as a stand-a-lone since each of the other books will feature different time periods. Future books in this series will be published throughout the rest of this year and will feature different authors. These books of faith present stories of love, historical settings, high adventure, and family trees.
Jean-Luc Valmont first met Maribell Cordoba during the conflicts between Spain and France. Or was that France and Spain? They were always flipping back and forth between being at peace and at war. Maribell, 12-years-old, watched the notorious pirate/privateer, Captain Jean Beaumont and his ‘Ghost Ship,’ take their Spanish ship Venganza and its treasure. Her father, whom she barely knew, was lost in the struggle. She then spent time on the Ghost Ship along with its Captain and crew. I loved these guys. As supporting characters, they made the story. It would have been dry toast without them. Those that were killed during the conflicts… I grieved their loss.
But then Maribell’s adventure came to an end. France had a warrant for the capture of Captain Jean Beaumont and after a battle to take him, she was lost and presumed dead. Later, the unconscious child was rescued and taken to a convent to be raised by the nuns. Our story then jumps eleven years into the future where she was now a teacher at the convent, with vague memories of her adventures on the high seas. Little did she know that her past was about to come for her along with the secrets held these many years.
This story was like a canoe riding on the surface of the water. It never went deeper with its emotions and feelings and was rather bland in the romance department. It was like ordering ice cream… I was expecting Rocky Road and got Vanilla instead. I just didn’t get this couple. I didn’t feel the romance between our two main characters. I realize this was a faith-based story… but even the Bible can curl your hair if you read the right chapters. It is possible to be romantic without being sleazy.
A lot of the drama happened off the page and we were just told about it. All the elements were there, but just couldn’t seem to pull it together. It jumped about; I had trouble knowing who the bad guys were and who were the good. The ending was rushed and I’m still not clear what happened. Like I said… it happened off the page and someone came running to tell our main characters… hey, it’s OK now. Really???
I volunteered to read an unedited galley from the publisher and NetGalley. The views expressed are my own.
Ahoy there, mateys! This book was a lot of fun. I loved Maribel—she reminded me of a swashbuckling Anne of Green Gables. I was intrigued from the very first page.
While this book left me with a few unanswered questions and I felt that the pacing was a bit erratic, I still thought this book was quirky and enjoyable. Again, I can’t help but compare it to Anne.
The story felt fairly juvenile to me but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Not to be redundant but the quirk and humor are what sold this book for me. I loved how spirited and free Maribel was. She was just crazy. Not bad crazy but crazy in an adorable Jack Sparrow kind of way.
As I already stated, I did have a few issues with this book. For one, I couldn’t figure out Jean-Luc’s fascination with Maribel. I didn’t get weirded out that Maribel was 11 and he was 25ish or so when they met. He didn’t fall for her until she was an adult. I never once felt that inappropriate lines were crossed or anything like that.
But, after so many years apart, their instant attraction upon meeting as adults felt like an insta-love story trope for me. Which I often have a hard time buying. Yes, they had a history together. However, you cannot take that into account without getting creepy.
I just don’t know what the deal is here. I couldn’t buy such a strong love developing so fast. It felt rushed and I just needed more time to accept Jean Luc and Maribel together as a couple.
I also felt that the ending was rushed. I needed more action. I just didn’t feel like my timbers adequately shivered. Savvy?
Note: Kristin reads and reviews both Christian and secular fiction on A Simply Enchanted Life. Out of respect for my readers, I am including a content review. This content review will help you decide whether this book is suitable for you.
This book was provided to me by Barbour Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.