In the Arms of a Pirate by Michelle Beattie
In the Arms of a Pirate by Michelle Beattie
The story is set in Santo Domingo in the Caribbean in 1664 and is an excellent pirate [image error]story.
Aidan Bradley is our hero. There is plenty of back story and Beattie throws a lot at you in the first chapter. Aidan and his mother were taken by Roche Santiago when he was five. His mother was beaten, raped, and thrown overboard while still alive. He was sold into slavery. His back bear the scars. When he was 8 years old Samantha Steele saved him and others from the plantation. She began her life as pirate Sam Steele and several have followed in her path. She was mother to Aiden who is now captain of the Revenge and known as Captain Sam Steele. It’s been his dream. That and revenge against Roche.
In the previous story, Her Pirate to Love, Aiden is first mate to Cale Hunter who rescues Grace from Roche. For rescuing her, Roche attacks the home of Sam, her husband, Luke and others. This is all in the first chapter but sets the rest of the story up. Cale turns out to be Aiden’s father and he has to wrestle with that relationship and the one with his adoptive parents, Sam and Luke. But most of all, he wants revenge against Roche for attacking their home and the death of his mother. Grace tells them Roche has a daughter, Sarah, and Aiden kidnaps her for leverage. Sarah is 18 and has been kept a prisoner in her home all her life. All she wants is freedom is planning her escape when Aiden arrives. As hard as Aiden tries he cannot fight the curse that all Steeles fall in love with the captives.
The premise is simple of revenge and an ultimate battle to the death, but Beattie uses the emotional turmoil to keep the reader wondering how things will turn out. Will Aiden accept Cale as his father? Will his adopted parents resent his claiming Cale? Will Sarah realize what a monster her father is? How will that affect her? Will she try to prevent Aiden from killing him? Will Aiden be able to love Sarah knowing who her father is? Will Aiden be able to kill Roche?
Beattie expertly examines all the real and imagined feelings in a realistic and honest way with the reader sharing the ups and downs through the story. Beattie has done her research on ships, weapons, and piracy. The descriptions of the ships, Tortuga, and the battle are realistic and puts the reader in the scene. Aye, if you want to be a pirate, this is the book to read.
