Pirate Next Door

I love this author, so it was a no brainer when I saw the cut-rate price on kindle for this re-release of her 2003 romance. It's the story of a young widow who falls for the pirate viscount that moves in next door to her. Much of the story was far-fetched and over the top, with some distracting sidelines: the rekindled romance between the governess and his second in command and the mystery behind Grayson's nemesis (Book 2). Overall this was fairly entertaining, but I must admit, I'm not a big pirate fancier. Still, it was diverting and I will read on in the series. I love this author, and it's hard for me to pass up anything in her historicals backlist.

This was fun - not really anything serious by any stretch of the imagination. It did feel a bit as though we were coming in halfway through the story (even though this is the first book in the series) but it was still a good way to spend a couple of hours.

She's an aristocrat, widow, whose husband had treated her poorly. and is now looking for a second husband who will be better than her first. He's a pirate, recently given Lordship, with a daughter in tow. He has plans within plans to protect his daughter's future which don't include a new wife but he's undeniable attracted to his neighbor. Her prim and proper ways make him just want to muss her up, even while trying to protect her from his enemies. Okay read, fun moments.

I started this thinking it was a novella, but found a full fledged Regency romance. The plotting is definite over-the-top melodrama (I'm still trying to untangle these pirates' relationships), but I enjoyed the characters immensely.

I love Jennifer Ashley's books!

Having exhausted the Mackenzie brothers (and, now that I think about it, doesn't that sound like fun?), I've turned to her Regency Pirates trilogy, first published in 2003-2005, which she is in the process of reworking and issuing as ebooks. Right now, The Pirate Next Door is the only one available, but [b:The Pirate Hunter|8753684|The Pirate Hunter (Pirate, #2)|Jennifer Ashley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328348184s/8753684.jpg|348211] and [b:The Care & Feeding Of Pirates|8753685|The Care & Feeding Of Pirates (Regency Pirates, # 3)|Jennifer Ashley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328335540s/8753685.jpg|754589] are due out in May and June respectively.

So much happens that I won't even attempt a show more synopsis, but this book is funny, exciting, romantic, and touching. I eagerly await the next two installments. show less

Couldn't finish this book. The writing was too flowery for me.

number 1 in series