Pirate's Prey by Colleen O'Connell - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi, lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Colleen O'Connell and her new book, “Pirate’s Prey”!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Colleen and to increase your chances of winning!

Thanks for stopping by!  Wishing you lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!

Pirate’s Prey

by Colleen O'Connell

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GENRE: Historical Romance

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BLURB:

Shane Christian scorns danger as the notorious pirate, Falcon.  Feared and respected for his realm over the sea, his exploits are only surpassed by his devilish charm.  No battle waged or venture dared is as great as the ploy he devises to protect Maura Brent - a spirited beauty whose willful nature captures his heart.  His strategy to thwart the law risks exposure and potential introduction to the hangman’s noose.   If he succeeds in safeguarding their love, will he live long enough to treasure the victory?

Maura Brent agrees to a contrived marriage with a manipulative English land baron in exchange for sparing her father imprisonment.  A chance encounter with Shane Christian sets the course for a voyage of discovery awakening her passion, broadening her knowledge and strengthening her resolve to guard Shane’s identity from his nemesis.  Determined to dissolve her marriage to remain with Shane, has her decision ensured his demise?

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EXCERPT TWO:

He crossed over to his desk, shoved the chair out to sit, and pulled out the ship's log, snapping the cover open to account the day's events.   He silently debated if his abrupt irritation was due to the disruption of his personal effects or the impact of her appearance sitting on his bed.

Maura stomped over to the armoire, where she pushed her gowns to one side, then began transferring his clothes back to the cabinet.  Finally finished, she snapped the armoire door closed. "Everything has been returned, Captain.”

He walked to the open sea chest, pulled out several coverlets and piled them in her arms.  "You will need these.  The wooden planks of the floor can get cold."

Maura stared at him, stunned.  "If you were a gentleman, you'd allow me the bunk while you found other accommodations for yourself."

"But I'm not a gentleman, I'm a pirate," Shane stated.  "This happens to be my cabin.  I'll not have my things disrupted, nor be kicked out by a girl who is asking for trouble.  Don't forget whose ship you're on."

Maura’s eyes narrowed.  "Yes, your ship, your cabin, your bed.  Where I come from, consideration for others is highly regarded."

"I have considered you, Maura," he said, pulling a pillow off the bed and adding it to her pile.  "My bunk will always be open to you but be assured I'll be in it."

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

This book was intriguing, engaging, perplexing, and gratifying!!

Wow!!  This book took me on such an emotional roller-coaster ride!!  As some moments I was laughing and cheering on the characters, then was on the edge of my seat biting my nails nervous while they were in battle, then was in tears over those consequences and outcomes of the fights, then excited with butterflies in my tummy during the flirting and romantic scenes, and then curious and mystified about what was going to happen next.  So many feelings over just 323 eBook pages!!!

I really liked that this book had so many plot points and that they were so well executed.  This kept the story interesting, fresh, and engaging.  I honestly wasn’t sure if this runaway bride story line could hold up for the long length of this book, but the author added in a vindictive husband willing to go to any lengths to get his “property,” aka “wife,” back, a vengeful private investigator willing to help that malevolent husband track down his wife while also tending to his own secretive agenda of getting payback for a past indiscretion, and a hostile former pirate crew member seeking vengeance and retribution for his loss.  There really is sooooo much to this book!!!

I really liked the main characters, Maura and Shane.  Maura was sweet, sensible, loyal, devoted, honest, simple, innocent, caring, and compassionate.  But she is a bit naïve and too trustworthy at times.  I also liked Shane, aka Falcon.  He was strong, adventurous, daring, bold, brave, reckless, nomadic, and a bit of a Casanova.  However, it is also later shown that he has a strong protective, supportive, benevolent, loving side as well.  I loved Maura and Shane’s interaction together – especially in the beginning!!  It was hilarious when Maura first finds out that Shane and the ship crew are all pirates and she keeps going on about it and asking questions like did her dad know that they were pirates when they made the deal to whisk her out of the country?  And how could she be stranded on the ship with pirates on a long journey to America?  And so many other silly realizations.  But over time, Maura and Shane’s relationship grew and I enjoyed watching their character arc develop and become something deeper and more mature and meaningful than either of them saw coming.

I also really liked the supporting cast in this book!  There were quite a few characters in this book, but each one felt important and unique to the story line.  I especially enjoyed Maggie, Alex, Clancy, Rivers, Celia, Lydia, Finola, and Maura’s dad, James – just to name a few.  I must also admit I enjoyed despising Harold Mansbry, Maura’s husband, and David Trent, the private investigator.  They were terrible, awful men, and worthy adversaries!!

I was in awe of Maura willing to marrying a man that she strongly hates in order to keep her father out of prison.  It is such a kind gesture and really made me like Maura even more.  She always puts her family first and seems to always be worrying and taking care of them.  So, when her father and Finola arrange her escape it seemed so thoughtful and loving that they would put everything on the line for her so she wouldn’t have to marry such a wretched man.  Now if only Falcon had arrived on time and rescued her before the wedding…  But then there wouldn’t have been such an intriguing story lol!!

I really liked the beginning of the book when Maura first moves onto the ship and starts kind of taking over Shane’s quarters.  There’s this one scene where Shane comes into the room looking for a change of clothes and heads over to his armoire and when he opens it all of his stuff has been removed and in place are Maura’s dresses everywhere.  He’s eyes get big and he tries to politely and calmly ask her where she’s moved his clothes and items LOL.  It was just one of those scenes that you can so easily picture when a girl moves into a guy’s place and takes over.  However, this time it was a strong, strapping, notorious pirate and on a ship and yea I couldn’t stop laughing LOL!!!

I really appreciate Maura’s values in this book about being married to Harold and knowing that she has to eventually go back, face him, and ask to have their marriage to be dissolved.  She strongly fears him, but also at the same time, holds the sanctity of marriage in high regard, and knows she must do the right thing, if she truly wants to be able to give herself fully to Shane.  It was so brave and courageous for her to stand up to Harold.  Unfortunately, he has to be his usual pesky self and toy with her telling her that he needs to think about it and during that time she must stay in the guest room at their house.  He then additionally puts her through weeks of hoops, but Maura is determined to do anything to get out of this marriage and be able to be with Shane.

This book has a creative story line with well executed plot points, fantastic writing style with detailed scenes, relatable characters, is evenly paced, and keeps you fully engaged and entertained.

There are some predictable scenes.  However, there are still many unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!

This book is technically not part of a book series and can be read as a standalone.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it!  I think all historical romance readers and pirate fans will like this book too!  So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**

Did you find this review helpful?

If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R1WKPHUJW43YC4

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AUTHOR BIO:

Colleen has written for as long as she can remember, although the thought of pursuing publication was not a conscious thought until her early twenties.  Her imagination easily triggered a storyline from any observation.  Her inspiration?  Everything.

Actually, putting pen to paper came unexpectedly.  An avid reader of romance novels, when the storyline or outcome didn’t take the path she would have preferred, the idea was planted. Ideas turned to consideration, consideration to scribbling down those thoughts and then actually crafting a story her way.

She currently lives in Northern Kentucky and has a background in Human Resources Management.

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CONNECT WITH COLLEEN:

Website:

https://www.colleenoconnell.org

Email:

information@colleenoconnell.org

Facebook Fan Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Colleen-OConnell-Author-204035940485136

Facebook Personal Page:

https://www.facebook.com/colleen.oconnell.313371

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/pirate-s-prey-by-colleen-o-connell

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14264522.Colleen_O_Connell

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47484227-pirate-s-prey

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/32VmgQ9

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/2r1Fs1r

Amazon Paperback:

https://amzn.to/32W1QX5

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pirates-prey-colleen-oconnell/1132647237?ean=2940161491379

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pirates-prey-colleen-oconnell/1132647237?ean=9781509226924

Kobo eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/pirate-s-prey-2

Google Play eBook:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Colleen_O_Connell_Pirate_s_Prey?id=9S2qDwAAQBAJ

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Pirates-Prey-Colleen-OConnell/9781509226924

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Pirates-Prey/Colleen-OConnell/9781509226924

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Colleen will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.