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REVIEW: Penitent Pirate – Jules Radcliffe

The Penitent Pirate - Jules Radcliffe

Genre: Historical, Pirates

LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay

Reviewer: Maryann

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About The Book

Will Perry follow his heart? Or his duty?

After peaceful months ashore, Perry and Quinn are ready to return to the life they love—roving with the Brethren of the Coast aboard the pirate ship Audacious. But Quinn is still haunted by his torture in a Spanish dungeon. Perry hopes being back at sea will restore his matelot to his old self. 

But to Perry’s dismay, Raphe Ashburn of Night Hawk has returned to Port Royal.

Charming, aristocratic, witty—Captain Ashburn is everything Perry wishes he could be. Once, he and Quinn burned up Port Royal with their passion, and he’s not above any nasty trick to try and win Quinn back. But with England on the brink of war, Perry is reluctant to challenge, and perhaps lose, a valuable ally in the coming conflict.

And then a rival from Perry’s old ship reappears when he’s least expected. Perry is forced to return to the navy and renounce his pirate brethren. And he can’t tell anyone the truth lest he puts them in grave peril.

Perry fears he’ll never see his matelot again, for Quinn is not the man to brook such a betrayal. And the dashing Captain Ashburn is waiting in the wings…

The Review

Jules Radcliffe transports the readers back to Port Royal during the 1600’s with this adventurous tale on the high-seas. It continues the story of Thomas “Perry” Peregrine, Gabriel Quinn and Captain Black Wolf.

Gabriel Quinn has lingering guilt and nightmares about the torture and abuse suffered at the hands of Spanish spy Carlos o Chacal in Monte Gris. He’s feeling less of the dominant man that he is. His matelot Thomas Peregrine has been patient, and has tried to help Quinn as much as possible, but their physical relationship is waning.

Black Wolf hasn’t been the same since the death of Charlotte Roussel, La Calotte Rouge.  He’s been drinking excessively, has the shakes, trouble remembering things, and has gotten rude and is making questionable decisions.  It’s noticeable to Perry right away.  Black Wolf has even taken to bedding the Beau, Captain of Night Hawk Raphe Ashburn, an ex-lover of Quinn’s.  Black Wolf has gone so far as to agree with Asburn to have Quinn as sailing master on the Night Hawk, with Perry remaining on the Audacious. 

Perry learns of the a devious plan between the English and the Dutch set in motion by his evil nemesis, Captain Thistlebottom. Taking the information to Black Wolf brings about an immediate change, one which splits up Perry and Quinn too soon.  Once at sea, Perry starts to feel he’s very much part of the crew, but plans soon take a turn for the worse.  Perry puts his life on the line, and just as quickly the crew members turn on him.  Will Quinn turn on Perry too?

I don’t know how Radcliffe does it. She has created another fantastic page-turner for the “Pirates of Port Royal” series.  Just when I think I know Perry, Quinn and Black Wolf, there are more secrets and eye-openers in this wide-ranging tale.  There’s also lots of danger, epic battles, jealousy, betrayal, and strong pirates with a soft side. There’s even a sweet bundle of joy that will have Perry revealing a very important secret to Quinn.

I think it’s important to once again mention the “Author’s Note” that adds historical information that’s very relevant to the “Pirates of Port Royal” series.

I highly recommend “Penitent Pirate,” and will wait patiently for Jules Radcliffe to deliver more excitement in December 2020 with book five – “Pirate’s Revenge”.

The Reviewer

Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California.  Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018.  My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen.  New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.

I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.

My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012.  She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series.  Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book! 

As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.

My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing.  I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.

I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews.  One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group.  Joining her site was such an eye opener.  I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.

But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.

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