For the Love of a Pirate

The good part about this book was the hero was not your typical HR rake. It was nice to see a different type of lead character. It was such a good idea but the author didn't give him enough depth, so I found myself thinking sometimes that he really was a bit of a dolt, and rather boring. His metamorphosis was not detailed enough that I could appreciate it as it happened or necessarily believe it. It was just unsophisticated and and bit elementary for me. Definitely not much romance here either. Consequently, I often found myself bored. It could have been much better with more thought out details and character development.

Lord Wylde, Constantine is what most would consider a `proper' English gentleman. Always correct, circumspect, ever conscious of his place in society and would never, ever, be the source of any improprieties - basically a bit of a bore! As with all things having a proper time and knowing that it was time to wed, he chose for himself a young woman who would be well-bred, properly decorous and a good match. After placing the notice in the papers of his impending nuptials, receiving the congratulations on his good fortune he was thoroughly horrified to receive a visit from a disgruntled aging pirate who informed him of some shocking news. Lord Wylde was already betrothed - to none other than the pirate's granddaughter Lisabeth!

Lisabeth a rather independent free-spirit unassuming young woman has never had an inkling to be married. Growing up her fantasies were towards portraits of the dashing pirates and stories of their long ago adventures. Meeting Con, she was ready to change her mind by his likeness to the portraits of his long ago ancestors - at least until she realized what a stick-in-the-mud he was. But somehow, destiny and the wise counsel of friends and family had a way of showing both Con and Lisabeth that when love enters the equation all things are possible.

In equal measure, you'll find yourself laughing out loud at the delightful antics and sighing immeasurably at the very sweet and tender moments of this highly entertaining romance. Lisabeth is a heroine you'll take right into your heart, right along with her crusty, but lovable Grandfather, and her delightful and highly unorthodox governess/companion Miss Lovelace. Con's growth as he is finally set straight about his illustrious lineage and famous ancestors was cleverly worked into the story and helped to also win him a place in your heart as well. The story was delightful, well-paced, plausible, and in my opinion very original. Readers certainly won't be disappointed by this darling story and should relish this cleverly entertaining tale.

Marilyn Rondeau, for [...]

Constantine Wylde, Lord Wylde likes to live his life above reproach. He chooses carefully the company that he keeps and has taken a great deal of time and effort choosing the proper lady to be his wife. But, when the announcement of his pending nuptials is printed it brings a great deal of discourse to his life...including the fact he is already promised to another. Not just anyone, but a pirate's granddaughter, he can only imagine how inappropriate she's going to be and the fallout that will rain down on him. But Lisabeth is not what he thought she would be and dealing with his past proves life is not always what it seems.

This is a strong character driven romance. Con and Lisabeth as well as grandfather make up a wonderful cast of characters. This read is by turns laugh out loud funny as well as sweet and romantic. Con grows greatly from page one to the end and the romance between these to mismatched people is believable while still entertaining. This is a perfect opposites attract story. Lisabeth is a perfect match for Con and her independent nature is a fresh change. This is the first time I've ever read anything by Ms. Layton and I'm wondering what rock I've been living under. For romance, laughter, and entertainment you can't go wrong with Ms. Layton. Courtesty of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

I had picked up another novel and put it down after a few chapters because the characters were just cardboard, no life in them at all. Out of the stack of books beside the bed, I picked up this Edith Layton novel because I can always count on her to deliver, and this novel didn't disappoint. In all her books, the characters are real people, who struggle and grow during the book. I didn't give this five stars only because Layton has written better, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and she remains an "auto-buy" for me.

What is a young lady to do when she is in love with a straight-laced, perfect gentleman's "wild" pirate and highwayman ancestors in which she has grown up in the shadows of? That is the story of "For the Love of a Pirate, which will keep you smiling and even laughing out loud. Constantine, Lord Wylde, is the perfect gentleman and he has found the perfect calm society Lady Winchester to accept his proposal of marriage and all is going to be well in his perfect "ton" world that he has grown up in. Until a raging old man pirate comes barging in and announces he has been betrothed to his granddaughter since birth by his father and son who were "thieves" together; his father dying while holding up a carriage, hers in a duel over another man's wife. How in the world is Con going to hold his head up in society? So he rides off to the town where his father lived and these "thieves" held out to gently tell this young lady they will not suit and to pay off anyone in the town that may be able to tell about his past. What he doesn't expect is the beautiful and bold Lisbeth and that the whole town thinks he is a hero like his father and grandfather. As he tries to come to grips with his father's past and his present, one week leads to two and so on and eventually he stays a month and finds that not only is he more like his ancestors than he realized, but he is beginning to like the idea of it, and the idea of Lisbeth. One afternoon he takes her innocence and as a gentleman feels he must do the right thing. But when Lisbeth goes to London she finds that he is reverting back to the straight-laced gentleman and realizes she may be more in love with the dream of him than with him. The story is delightful and the ending sweet. It is a cinderella story that makes you smile and believe in true love. It is a perfect holiday season release!