The Pirate Bride is the exciting second installment from the Brides of the Mayflower series. I am enjoying this series and The Pirate Bride did not disappoint. I was hooked right from the start and absolutely loved Maribel. She is a strong and admirable woman. Kathleen Y’Barbo does a fabulous job with the historical details, making a reader feel as though they are part of the story. 
I cannot wait to read the next one from the Brides of the Mayflower series. I give The Pirate Bride 5 plus stars and highly recommend it. 
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

This book was difficult for me to get into.   I stopped at about 25%.    I thought this would be a historical fiction with some romance but wasn't.

It is 1725. A young 11-year old girl travels with her father to his new posting in the Spanish colonies. She is completely fascinated by her book full of pirate stories. So when their ship is attacked by a French privateer she sees it as a big adventure. Privateers by the way were privately outfitted ships that where officially allowed to attack the country a country was at war with. That enabled a king to enlarge his power at sea without having to pay a dime. No he would get a share of the spoils.

Maribel wants to join the crew and turn privateer. Lucky for her the men are nice people who would not lift a finger towards a nice looking girl. No raping or hitting. She ends up with quite a crush for the dashing captain.

This part of the story is endearing and funny. You can imagine how a teenager would see a big adventure but the moments the canons blast death and destruction almost pees herself. 

That and also the fact that it is a clean story without sexscenes makes it a story also readable for the younger readers.

The first like 70 percent of the story I liked very much. However when Maribel grows up the writer adds elements to the story I did not like that much. The plot was too artificial and too fast paced there.

For instance when someone drowns near an ship in an empty see and the captain sees that person drown: blub...blub,... sinks under the waves, that guy would not end up getting a ride from a magic submarine on the bottom of the ocean. And even when he would swim to the other side of the ship by diving under it then he would not have a change to survive by swimming in an empty sea.

She also give the captain a kind of saintly heroism. 

The title also gives away the end of the story.

So the first half would be a real 5 star but the last part brings it down to 3.

Take to the high sea and jump into a perilous adventure that travels through the Caribbean and New Orleans.  This book was a wonderful page turner.  I loved everything about this book.  It was well written, engaging, exciting story line with twists and turns and wonderful lovable characters.  If you want to read a book that is filled with rich history, delights you with romance, and anchors you with currents of faith.  This is a must read.  My only complaint for this book is that the conflict that ran throughout the book was resolved in a few paragraphs and the love that developed between the main characters happened quickly and then the story ended.

First, let me point out that the description given for the book (posted above) is pretty much completely misleading. The true synopsis of the book is that Maribel- a twelve year old, pirate-loving, adventure-seeking bookish Spanish nobleman's daughter, is orphaned and becomes a stow-away crew member on Jean-Luc, a.k.a, Captain Jean Beaumont's privateering ship much to his disapproval. Along the way, Maribel charms not only the crew, but also Captain Beaumont and becomes the lookout for the ship. After an attack on the vessel, Maribel is lost at sea (to be rescued later) and most of the crew perish. Some, including Captain Beaumont, escape harm. Eleven years later, Maribel and Captain Beaumont reconnect in New Orleans under surprising circumstances, and as the title of the book suggests, a romance ensues. While I'm at it, the title of the book is a little misleading, too, because a marriage does not occur per se during the novel and Captain Beaumont is absolutely adamant throughout the book that he is not a pirate, but rather a privateer.

My rating for this book swayed between a 3 and a 4. The majority of the book follows Maribel and Captain Beaumont's younger years and is filled with adventure, action, and fun. It has at its foundation the relationships on board. Captain Beaumont and the crew adore Maribel and become very protective of her. Likewise, time is spent establishing the loyalty and friendships between the Captain and some of the crew members. This first part of the story was solid and enjoyable. My perplexity enters with the last few chapters when the story shifts to Maribel and Captain Beaumont- now being called by his real name, Jean-Luc- as adults. First, I felt the last few chapters and ending of the story were very rushed and incomplete especially with the attention given the first part of the story. Maribel and Jean-Luc seemed to rediscover each other and immediately (I'm talking days) fall in love. I don't think so, especially since Jean-Luc only really knew her as a child. Creepy. Yes, there certainly could have been a romance develop given the history the two shared....given time. And that was the crux of the problem for the ending to me. I was disappointed that the story was not fleshed out more in their adult years to allow time for them to reconnect and get to know each other as adults. Then, and only then, could a true romance possibly have occurred between the two. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. A review was not required but was voluntary and contains my own thoughts and opinions regarding this literary work.

My only disappointment in this book, I could not read it in one night and had to put it down. It was so enjoyable with lots of adventure, excitement, suspense and great characters. The love demonstrated in this novel was much more than a romantic love between the two main characters. Without giving the story away, there is a deep friendship between two orphans Maribel Cordoba 11 and William Spencer 12 years old. Captain Jean -Luc of the Pirateer ship Vanganza , his first Mate Mr. Bennett, Rao and Piper from the crew, who are more like brothers. Then add the precocious 11 year old Maribel. She wraps each and every one of them around her little finger. St. Mary of the Island Orphanage is where you will find the loving Mother Superior and other compassionate nuns. Besides this love and friendship, the story is full of faith and family. Kathleen Y'Barbo tells such a wonderful story, I can't wait to read the other books to this series. I love when an author gives you added details regarding what details are actual, in case you want to research the topic further. I highly recommend this book. One of the best I've read in awhile. I thank Net Galleys and Barbour Publishing for a copy of this book. I freely give my honest opinion in this review and thank them for this opportunity.

I really enjoyed "The Pirate's Bride"! It's an adventrous Christian fiction tale of a young girl who is captured by privateers. However! I did not feel like the book was sufficiently wrapped up, so for that I gave it a four. I would've liked a solid epilogue, but hopefully we'll get a sequel of some sort.

This is the second book of the Daughter of the Mayflower series. After reading The Mayflower Bride (the first in the series), I told myself I wasn’t gonna read another cause it was too religious for me. What can I say? Even though I wasn’t fond of the religious part of the book the writing & story line greatly intrigued me. I thought I will give the series & writer one more chance to keep my interest. I am so glad I did.

This book was another “can’t put down” book. The story, the emotions, the ups & downs, just to mention a few, was wonderful. The religious issues I had (though I am Christian, I do not always want to read “religious” books). The very odd life the characters had while reading it, it was wonderful. I would definitely recommend this book.

So much love for The Pirate Bride. Before reading this one I'd just finished another seafaring/pirate related story that was a major let down- but reading The Pirate Bride was so refreshing and delightful. 
However, I found the title was fairly misleading, as was the excerpt. The first half of the book takes place when Maribel is 12 and Jean-Luc 24 ish. She manages to end up on his ship and works as one of his crewmembers, then the second half of the book takes place when he's 35 and she's 23. 
There is no mention of anyone marrying anyone until the last twenty or so pages of the book, and the back cover synopsis honestly was nothing like the plot of the book. It was incredibly obtuse, even I don't know how whoever wrote that, read the story and got what was put on the back cover, out of the book. 

Even still, those two things aside- I loved The Pirate Bride. Jean-Luc- yes. Amazing privateer. His relationship with Maribel at both ages was just so sweet. Maribel- what a bright little thing who talked a whole lot, but truly so sweet and pure. 

The only thing keeping this book from being a five star one for me is simply that it didn't feel long enough! Because half of the book was essentially backstory, the second half felt woefully short, and alas!- all the interactions I was waiting for, once they both became adults (or rather, once Maribel became an adult), was just cut so short! They were such a fantastic couple and I felt they had a lot of promise, but it was totally cut short by half the book being dedicated to the backstory. 
Don't get me wrong- I LOVED the backstory. Most times I don't, but it added to their respective characters and made me love the plot and people in it, even more- but I wanted their adult lives delved into a little deeper. Sigh. I guess not, but here's to hoping. 

Apart from the aforementioned things- this book was just a delightful read. Truly. High seas. Privateers (not pirates, you know ;), bounties, sea battles, ships and rigging and sailors and revenge- it was just a truly captivating time. I finished it in less than a day and I quite simply, loved it. 
Now I'm going to go look into reading some of Kathleen's other books, as she is a new (to me) author, and I cannot wait to get my hands on some of her other books!

This is the second book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series.  It is made up of 6 books written by six different authors.  From what I saw, it will look like this:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)?
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)

Maribel is a 12-year-old girl who has been told her mother and grandfather are dead.  She’s now with her father on her way to Cuba to make a new life for herself.  On the way, their ship is overtaken by a privateer with a vendetta.  Maribel’s father was responsible for the death of Jean’s mother and brother.  After a fight, Maribel ends up on the privateer’s ship asking for a job.  The captain isn’t keen on the idea of having a child on his ship, but he finds out that Maribel can talk her way into anything.  Later, a battle at sea separates them, and they each have no idea if the other is alive or dead.

I had some serious issues with this book.  First, Maribel is 12 and Jean is 24 when they meet.  At that point, he compares her to his young sister.  He then describes how she’ll grow to be a great beauty.  I have a 13-year-old daughter, and if a 24-year-old man uttered “Oh, but those eyes,” I would want to do some serious damage to that man (to be clear, he doesn't say the words out loud, but he thinks them).  It reminded me of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie where they show Norrington with Elizabeth on her crossing as a child, and she’s supposed to consider him as a suitor later.  Just creepy.  The age difference wouldn’t be as big of a deal if Maribel hadn’t been a child for about half the book and then continue to act like a child when she’s 23.

The way the romance pops up close to the end also bothered me.  Maribel and Jean don’t even meet back up until there was about 20% left in the book.  After that, there was the matter of Maribel being in danger to cope with and all the little mysteries get wrapped up in a very rushed way.

If less time had been spent on Maribel’s childhood and more time on Jean and Maribel toward the end, it might have worked better.  As it is, I’ve enjoyed this author in the past, but sadly this one is a major pass for me.

*I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Pirate Bride is book two in the Daughters of the Mayflower series by Barbour Publishing. Each book in the series is written by a different author and is released every other month throughout 2018. I was excited to read this after reading and enjoying book one, The Mayflower Bride.

I enjoyed the main character, Maribel Cordoba. She is a feisty red-headed girl, full of fun and mischief. She seems mature beyond her years and has a tender heart for everyone. I also thought the book has well written settings and descriptions. 

I was slightly disappointed in The Pirate Bride. It was not as good as the first in the series. I thought the plot moved too slowly. I did not connect with the characters after they aged in the book. A young Maribel and Jean-Luc were much more developed and exciting than their older counterparts. I felt the book made a big deal about small things that didn't matter.

Overall, the book was okay. I will continue to read the series as it is released.

After enjoying the first in this series, I was disappointed with this installment. Many portions went slowly while others felt rushed. The ending in partiular felt very anti-climactic and unsatisfying; the build up of a full novel all resolved in a few pages. I also felt a little "yanked around" while the 11 years passed. The few glimpses we got into the time passage were abrupt but dramatic. I just couldn't appreciate the quick turns and fast-forwards in the book. All the same, the writing style is great and the characters are original. Didn't foresee the plot twisting the way it did, though the ending was predictable. So much wish I could've loved it more.

An enjoyable read full of adventure! A descendant from the Lytton family tree from book one of the series, Maribel Cordoba finds herself having quite an adventure as a twelve year old when out at sea with her estranged father. The story fast forwards to eleven years later on as she begins a new life in New Orleans, in 1724. 

I enjoyed the character of Maribel, with her insatiable curiosity, friendly nature and intelligent bantering with the shipmates, especially Captain Jean. It was a fun story to read, and had me guessing how she would adjust to life later on as an adult. The twists and turns with the many characters popping in and out of her life, made it move along quickly. The ending felt a bit rushed and condensed, with the romance part a bit awkward, but it was a satisfying read overall.

Recommend to fans of sea going tales, Christian historicals and clean romances. Reads fine as a standalone.

This book was such an enjoyable read.  It followed Maribel Cordoba (Red) the young daughter of a Spanish ship captain and Jean-Luc a French ship captain.  After taking over the ship of Maribel and her father, Jean-Luc forms a special place in his heart for Red, though he does not realize it for years later.  Maribel is a reader of pirate books, knowing all ships, the duties of all aboard, and cannot help but irritate the French captain. After years of searching for the rebellious Red who has grown up in a convent on a Caribbean island, Maribel finds her family, and Jean-Luc finally finds her by pure chance.  

I liked this book for its story on the ocean, the life of a privateer, and of course the love it brought to Maribel and Jean-Luc. I have to admit it did take me a good bit to get into, but once Maribel made her way to New Orleans, the story really picked up and I enjoyed where it was going.  I would recommend this book, especially if you enjoyed the Mayflower Bride.  This is a great series and I cannot wait to read the next.  

I received this from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This book is fast paced and engaging and entertaining.  A fun way to spend a few hours.

I have to say I expected a little more from this book and was a bit disappointed overall. (some spoilers below) I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, including the piracy era, and this book fell remarkably short of the others I've read.

The book begins with one of the main characters, Maribel, a young girl of 12/13 as she is taken aboard the ship of a privateer after her father is killed. The captain, a man about 12 years her senior, doesn't want her on board, but she later sneaks back on his ship. She endears herself to those around her, and later when the ship is attacked, she is rescued and sent to live on a quiet island. (44% of the book focuses on her time at this age).

Somehow she can't quite remember everything that happened when she was on the ship and recovers living with nuns. Meanwhile, the captain of the ship is also injured, believes her dead, and in his months of recovery is unclear on all that has happened. 

Fast forward about ten years and the two are reacquainted and all the memories are back. Maribel is now a woman of 23 and living in New Orleans and trying to fit back into society with family that has been searching for her for years. 

The remainder of the book focuses on her discovery of family secrets, along with her relationship with Jean-Luc, the captain she knew from years ago and his secrets. 

Personally, the relationship between the two seemed rather rushed and just creepy in a way. Considering her age when they first met and the age difference, the sudden falling in love was just rather unbelievable. For years she has dreamed of this man (I understand a young girl having a crush on an older man), but the other side of that is a little bit discomforting to me. Had the author allowed them to spend more time getting to know each other and develop a real relationship, it might not have seemed so rushed and off kilter. 


This book was given to me via NetGalley for review from the publisher. All thoughts/opinions are my own.

This book was a fun-filled mystery!  It was a bit longer than expected, but with all this snow and ice, there's plenty of time for reading!  Actually, it was perfect because I felt as though I was swept away on a privateer ship to the warm Caribbean. The characters were believable and easy to relate to, with a sweet girl, a fearsome captain, and a brave hero.  One thing I like about this book is that it's part of a multi-generational series.  We met the great-grandmother back in the Pilgrim Bride (is that the right title?  Maybe it's the Mayflower Bride...), and will follow the family through American history.  Looking forward to the next installment!

<I> The Pirate's Bride </I> is an easy afternoon escape. I quickly read this book in one setting and enjoyed the story of a girl who was captured by privateers. It took a couple turns I did not see, but wrapped up very quickly. 
This was a interesting look at early New Orleans and piracy/priveteering, but I wish we got a little more history and background about New Orleans.

The beginning of this book was wonderful. The storyline was fun and exciting. I was over halfway through the novel when it took a sour turn. It appeared there was too much information the author wanted to tell but didn't have the energy to finish it all. There were too many surprise turns that often seemed to conflict with each other. I think the author has all the potential in the world but will need to review the endings.

This book was a fun, sweet mystery filled  adventure. I felt as if I was swept away on a privateer ship in the Caribbean. With a little red headed girl who endeared herself to the crew as Red.The Captain, a handsome, feared, and brave man who had me swooning. I was captivated by this read.  

The talented author is new to me and I will most definitely be reading more from her. With that said, I would love to see these characters again with maybe William Spencer as the hero.😉

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. This is my honest opinion.