by Marsha Canham.
Signet paperback, 357 pages. 2003.
1614. Spanish Main waters/small isle.
An English ship is attacked by a huge Spanish ship and nearly all on board are destroyed before a privateer’s ship rescues them. The Spanish had been merciless. Captain of the ship is Juliet Dante, daughter of the legendary Pirate Wolf. Taken aboard is the English envoy to the king, Varian St. Clare, a Duke. Juliet's father is just the man Varian has come to find. Varian had fought well and saved Juliet’s life during the battle with the Spanish.
On the isle the Dante family calls home Varian recuperates and he and Juliet become intimate. Varian has a chance to speak with her father. The king wants peace with the Spanish and is asking all the privateers to stop raiding the Spanish ships in exchange for full amnesty. But the privateers have heard this before and aren’t fooled. Besides, they know something the king does not and they talk it over with Varian, respecting his skills and intent as being honest. The Spanish are ruthless, everyone knows, and hated, but they are also preparing to fool the English and planning a huge joining of all forces. They do not intend peace, but a vicious attack of all combined forces.
Thus, the planning begins and it is decided that as soon as all ships can be prepared how they can destroy the mighty fleet before it gets too far. They are greatly outnumbered, but know a way to help even those numbers. Varian is supposed to return to England to inform the king what is happening while the privateers all join together to destroy this ambitious force of power by the Spanish.
Canham is well known for her deep and powerful tales of adventure and passion. This is the kind of story she does well. It’s a great sea story, with some wonderful characters. It may get a little outrageous in places and the battle scenes are a bit long and tedious, but it’s filled with passion. Part of a series?