THE PIRATE AND THE PURITAN

Author: Mary Clayton ISBN: 1601541198 10/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: WILD ROSE PRESS
Time Period: 1704

1704 – Dangerous times, when the colonies of the Americas are threatened by Queen Anne’s War. It is not the French but a pirate who captures Mercy Penhall, mute Puritan spinster. In fear for her life and virtue yet drawn to the captain in spite of herself, Mercy has unknowingly begun on a course of adventure, heartbreak that will test her courage to the utmost. And in the end the secret she carries in her soul threatens to prevent even the small chance of happiness inherent in an impossible love. Edmund Gramercy is an unwilling pirate, forced to join a hostile crew to save his life. He defies them to spare the lives of the vanquished and the virtue of the women. But the mute Puritan girl tempts him like no other. It is best to set her free and never see her again. A pirate's life is a short one - for her own sake he cannot claim her. Yet their paths cross again, then again. He is drawn to her but his passion is hopeless. He is a wanted man. To love a decent woman is impossible. And there is a strange shadow behind her brave blue eyes... Can the impossible become possible for the pirate and the Puritan?"

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

A passionate and emotionally stirring adventure filled with exciting action, THE PIRATE AND THE PURITAN by Mary Clayton is a captivating tale of two people who fall in love despite the circumstances that stand to separate them. Strong and compelling characters bring the story to life as they share the traumas from their past, and as they now face many difficult and dangerous trails before them. It is a fast-paced, rich story line making it so that I could not put the book down until I learned of the fate of the two main characters, Edmund and Mercy.

Edmund Gramercy is a handsome rogue that had to become a pirate to survive. He is trapped in a life that is not of his own choosing, but does the best he can to spare those he cares about. He carries a heavy burden of shame and feels he is unworthy of love. Because of these facts, I found him very desirable and could only hope that he would find a love that looked beyond his surface of his character.

Mercy is a young mute woman, who has been brought up as a puritan. She is educated but is forced to live a life of strict religious principles and morals. She is closely watched by the leaders of her community, and any transgression leads to quick punishment. So how does she find herself desiring and falling in love with a pirate? The chemistry between them is there from the beginning, and it is something that pulls them closely together. They each fight against what they feel for one another, doing what they believe is for the best. Before anything can come from their feelings, secrets from the past must be faced and the two must share and find a way to open their hearts to the truth.

THE PIRATE AND THE PURITAN will touch your heart as it weaves its emotional tale of love and sacrifice. It is the story of two people destined to be together, but held apart by circumstances and beliefs. I was drawn into the story from the beginning with its exciting high sea action, but it is the emotions and the romance that follows that make this a truly an unforgettable story.

Anita Hartsell