Book Review - Pirate Master by Jules Radcliffe
Genre: MM Romance Adventure
Well, I can honestly say my timbers were well and truly shivered by the end of this raunchy, tender, exciting instalment of the Pirates of Port Royal series. The series has recently been re-worked, and this third story in the series is now a standalone novel. I hadn't heard of this series, but I was lured in by the genres of Pirates and BDSM. I mean, what's not to like?
I had read pirate novels before and to be honest, they were a bit... naff. Lots of "thar he blows" and blokes shouting "aaarrrr." I was bracing myself for the same thing here, but what a pleasant surprise it was to find a well-written historical adventure, balanced with a sweet love story and some deliciously hot sex, all wrapped up in a very well-researched package . The language feels authentic, with enough modern touches to appeal to the 21st century reader, and it in no way distracts from the tale being told. Quinn and Perry are a compelling couple, complete opposites, the genteel Perry being a tougher character than he first seems. Quinn is the quintessential pirate, albeit he has both legs, both eyes and no parrot. In fact, anyone expecting the usual pirate cliches will be relieved (or disappointed, depending on how you like your seafarers.)
I was relieved. When I was young, I wanted to be a pirate. This book reminded me of that. There was a good amount of swashbuckling, sword play, a rescue from the grottiest prison in the world and a female pirate captain, with bigger balls than some of her male counterparts.
All in all, it was a great adventure, with Perry and Quinn coming to terms with their predilections and finally embracing them. There was a lovely BDSM element, countered by the revelations about Perry's past, which was in turn sweet, moving and erotic.
The pedant in me kind of wanted to know how the main characters kept their teeth looking so great, when everyone knows that pirates aren't big on dental hygiene, but that small detail aside, I loved the effort that had been put in to setting great scenes, with incredibly visual detail. I could see the creaking galleons, hear the snap of sails, smell the filth of the prison and feel the sense of desolation when Quinn realises he has been tricked, resulting in an impromptu visit to the Spanish prison.
Set against the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition, in the dangerous waters of the Caribbean, Perry and Quinn's relationship is accepted by the other pirates. It would help the reader to check out the Author's Notes situated at the end of the book, which are really interesting and explain the origins and history of "matelotage," or taking of a same sex partner. It really helps place the story in history and gives a sense of perspective.
So a great story, with lots of adventure, some tender scenes and a spicy BDSM element which seems really well done. I would definitely read another in the series.
BLURB
A strait-laced lieutenant. A free-living pirate. A hopeless love.
Quinn has never met a man quite like Perry. Stern and cold on the outside, burning up inside with secret passion. Yearning for a mastery only Quinn can satisfy. But Perry is no outcast—he's a respectable officer in His Majesty's navy. Reluctant to test his love for a pirate, Quinn baulks at asking him to give up everything he holds dear.
Perry has no regrets about their night of glorious sin, but he sees no future with Quinn. Unlike the pirates of Port Royal, he isn't free to love where he pleases. If word of his illicit affair came to the ears of Commodore Pobjoy, his career would be at an end. And the disgrace might mean he could never return home to England.
With war on the horizon, the Caribbean is a hotbed of intrigue. Quinn is betrayed and thrown into Monte Gris, an impregnable dungeon even the fearsome Brethren of the Coast aren't strong enough to breach. Perry is stunned. Everything he valued is hollow and meaningless without his master.
Willing to risk all to get Quinn back, he refuses to abandon hope and plots a daring and dangerous rescue. But he can't do it alone. He'll need every scrap of ingenuity at his disposal to persuade the Black Wolf and the crew of the Audacious that his plan will work.
This time, it's not just Perry's career and reputation at stake. If he fails, men will die. And both he and Quinn will suffer a gruesome fate at the hands of a terrifying acolyte of the Spanish Inquisition.