Siren

by Cheryl Sawyer

From the beaches of the Caribbean to the colorful streets of New Orleans, the passion that erupts between legendary pirate Jean Laffite and LÉonore Roncival, a pirate's daughter and famed beauty, leads them to play a dramatic role in the Battle of New Orleans, a conflict that will change history. Original.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Pirates, Historical

528 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 4, 2005

About the author

In her first years, Cheryl Sawyer lived just a few steps from the sea and her favorite places, whether they be Caribbean islands or coastal towns on the Pacific rim, are still within sight and sound of an ocean. She has two master's degrees with honors in French and English literature, and her career has included teaching, publishing, and writing. After a year's travel researching and writing in Europe, the USA, and Costa Rica, she is now living and working in the harbor city of Sydney, Australia.

Reviews

[Rachel Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took me a long time to get around to reading Siren. I can't think of anything less appealing than a pirate romance. I purchased it primarily because Sawyer's literary agent is Kristen Nelson and I've learned to read everything Kristen reps. But still... A pirate romance?

It took me about two pages to get past that bias and fall in love. The blurb on the back cover is really, really mis-representative of what this book is about. I'd classify Siren as a historical adventure based around a romantic relationship.

It is fabulous. It is a huge, lavish, beautifully written novel full of historically accurate details and clever, fascinating (often real) characters. I can't say enough good things about it.

In essence it is the story of a intelligent, clever, independent woman forced to privateering in order to save her island home and its people. It is also the story of a long-time (and hugely successful) smuggler/pirate who protects his family, business, and the woman he loves as the tides of their world shift between France, Spain, England, and the U.S. The story covers the years leading to and including the Battle of New Orleans. The hero, Jean Laffite, was a real person. Leonore was not, although she fits beautifully into the story.

This is not a pirate-ravishing-the-virgin type novel (Thank goodness). It is a historical more along the lines of Dorothy Dunnett or Diana Gabaldon (not that it mimics either of those writers. It definitely has its own flavor).

Thank you Cheryl Sawyer for this wonderful gift of a book. It earns a spot on my very small 'keeper' shelf.

*sexual content

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that is shelved in the romance section, but to apply such a narrow and oft-maligned label to it is to do it a great disservice. This is actually a very finely written historical novel, and the love story aspect is actually rather subtle in compared to the momentous events in which the characters are involved (the war of 1812, for example) and to Sawyer's vivid descriptions of early 1800s New Orleans and the Caribbean. Highly recommended for anyone who likes a high-quality adventure story and well wrought historical fiction.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a historical fictional romance between the famous real New Orleans pirate, Jean Lafitte, and the fictional character Leonore Roncival. I enjoyed the romantic bits. They were not as raunchy as some recent "romances" I've read, but described the longings and feelings of love very well.
The historical part was interesting and I enjoyed reading about New Orleans society in the early 1800s. I also learned a few things about the war of 1812 that I did not know.
Overall an enjoyable book.

[dylan barter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

I have a love for historical fiction and this is a favourite so far , brilliantly written .I couldn't put it down . I can't wait to get stuck into another story by this author

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Look up, what do you see?" "The mizzen." "The only woman in the entire world..."

That's badly paraphrased, but Man Trying to Be Romantic With Painfully Literal and Single-Minded Woman is maybe my favorite thing.

This was a good read. Lots of history and two independent stories that happen to intersect at points until the characters can bring their lives together.

[Natalie Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a beautifully written book. It really makes you feel like you are back in the 1800's with it. It was one of the first "romance" books I ever read and I still remember it vividly all these years later. Getting ready to read it again.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love those Pirates! Another great summer read!