The Marooner (Pirates of the Coast Book 3)
USA Today and Amazon All-Star best-selling author Barbara Devlin
Publication date: August 29th, 2017
Genre: Historical Romance
ABOUT THE MAROONER:
A GENTLY BRED VIRGIN
Lady Sophia Grace Radcliff, the epitome of a genteel Englishwoman, has no idea what awaits her, when she is summoned to her father’s study to meet her prospective husband. Given the miserable state of the family finances, she understands she will be sold to the highest bidder, to save the earldom from a humiliating declaration of insolvency, and it is a sacrifice she is prepared to accept. But the impeccably tailored garb and clean-shaven face do nothing to conceal the menacing demeanor of her intended. How will she survive a match to a man she fears?
A COLD-HEARTED PIRATE
Leland Stryker, known throughout the pirate ranks as The Marooner, for his practice of abandoning his victims on deserted islands, is a ruthless buccaneer who reluctantly signs a pact with the English, in exchange for a full pardon for past crimes. But the Crown extends no protection to the fairer sex, and it is in the sensual realm that Leland feeds his basic instincts. After he successfully negotiates the purchase of a highborn bride, he proceeds to well and truly debauch her. But something happens on the journey to America, as his wife assumes her position without complaint, and soon Leland realizes he faces his most lethal opponent. Who will win the battle of the hearts?
THE MAROONER EXCERPT:
“How do you know of my fortitude?” His approbation did not quite appease her. “We had known each other not even a day, which strikes me as precious little time to make such a momentous, lifelong decision, when you offered for me. What did you know of my character that convinced you that I was your bride?”
“While I will not deny I find you uncommonly attractive—no, you are beautiful, there is more to you than a pair of brown eyes that puts to shame the emeralds I gifted you.” He kissed the sensitive flesh behind her ear, and she gasped. “Rather, it was your sharp rebuke of Miss Barty and Miss Oswald that garnered my admiration.”
“So you overhead the entire conversation, including their praise of you?” Was that why he spurned the two other ladies? When he trailed his lips along the curve of her neck, she closed her eyes. “Had I voiced similar interest, would you have shunned me?”
“No.” From behind, he cupped her breasts, long fingers questing and stroking, her cambric day dress no real barrier to his touch, as he licked and suckled the skin along the edge of her jaw. “But you would never be so vulgar or so obvious. Rather, it was your defense of your situation that won me. When a man seeks a wife, he wants a woman capable of standing with him, working alongside him. They do not possess your courage of spirit, and they cannot compete with your resilience.” Then he pinched her turgid nipples, through the fabric, and she whispered his name. “But that is not the real reason I want you. Because you are blessed with that which cannot be taught, and a man knows it when he sees it, thus I would have paid three times what I gave your father, to claim you.”
Before she could reply, he turned her to face him and favored her with another mind numbing, soul-stealing, full-frontal attack. Her ears pealed a carillon of warning, as he distracted her with a familiar tactic when she wanted to talk. Lifting her lids, she was startled to discover him watching her.
Calm and self-assured, he moved on her, and she stared into his blue gaze. For a brief instant, what she glimpsed frightened her. Somewhere behind the polite façade and somewhat genteel demeanor, hidden amid the gentleman’s attire lurked something dark and sinister. Defying her attempts to seize upon some measure of recognition, a very real malevolence colored his expression, and she wished she had delayed accepting his proposal, because she still knew naught about his past. Given her father had spent a vast deal more than modest sum of the money, she found herself trapped in another prison.
Only the gilded cage was of Sophia’s making.
THE MAROONER BUY LINKS:
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-marooner-barbara-devlin/1126495730?ean=2940154738252
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ABOUT BARBARA DEVLIN:
Devlin's prose and descriptions enchant right from the opening scene. ~RT Book Reviews
This heart-fluttering, nerve-wracking, swoon-worthy romance is one for the ages! ~InD'tale Magazine
Barbara Devlin offers history, romance, and mystery all wrapped up in an engrossing story that is filled with witty repartee and ribald scenes that border on debauchery. ~IndieReader
USA Today bestselling, Amazon All-Star author Barbara Devlin was born a storyteller, but it was a weeklong vacation to Bethany Beach, DE that forever changed her life. The little house her parents rented had a collection of books by Kathleen Woodiwiss, which exposed Barbara to the world of romance, and Shanna remains a personal favorite. Barbara writes heartfelt historical romances that feature not so perfect heroes who may know how to seduce a woman but know nothing of marriage. And she prefers feisty but smart heroines who sometimes save the hero, before they find their happily ever after. Barbara is a disabled-in-the-line-of-duty retired police officer, and she earned an MA in English and continued a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric. She happily considered herself an exceedingly eccentric English professor, until success in Indie publishing lured her into writing, full-time, featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast.
CONNECT WITH BARBARA:
Website: http://barbaradevlin.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/barbara_devlin
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