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Scandalous Adventures at Sea #4
The Art of Persuasion
Isla Barnes hates love, marriage, and commitment. As a Millennial in her twenties, she's focused on starting her medical communications carrier, moving out of her parents' place and into a ridiculously expensive studio apartment in a semi-safe neighborhood. After a bachelorette party with her closest friends, she wakes up in nothing but her party dress to an unfamiliar bedroom next to a man claiming to be a pirate from the Eighteenth Century. While she attempts to figure out where she is and why she's here with him, her new companion, Captain Matt Scott of the Crimson Wave, is on a mission to rescue his sister from the hangman's noose. Isla decides to tag along because he offers her free passage and she finds she feels safe with him - which is odd, considering the only man she trusts is her father. This new adventure is completely unexpected, mind-blowing, and seemingly impossible, but Isla will learn that survival is easier with friends, magic is real, and love is beautiful.
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First published January 1, 2016
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109 people want to read
About the author
Heather C. Myers
125 books769 followersFull disclosure: I am an acquired taste. I'm a typical blonde Orange County suburbanite who says 'like' more than necessary, laughs loud and probably obnoxiously, and loves to dance in the rain. I'm a 23 year old college graduate with more than a few tricks up my sleeve, and I also happen to be a pretty big Ducks fan. Oh, and I'm a writer. Like, for real.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 7, 2016
The Art of Persuasion is the fourth book in the Swashbuckling Romance series, although you should know that you can read each book as a standalone. None of the books are linked. Each book tells an individual story. The only thing connecting the books is the theme: they are all pirate themed stories.
Heather C. Myers loves her pirate stories. If you’re a fan of pirate romances, then you should certainly pick one up. Mostly I have read her paranormal stories, enjoying the spin she usually puts on the paranormal world. Thus, it’s nice to read something different. It is nice to take a slight break from the paranormal work I usually read by her and pick up something else.
Not that this book is completely free of the paranormal. There is a slight aspect, as you can probably guess from the whole going back in time detail. Mostly, though, it’s free of the paranormal. This is just another one of her thrilling pirate stories.
For me, this book had a brilliant main character. I love it when characters in romance books are against love, when persuasion is necessary for them to accept their feelings. Whilst things moved a little bit too quickly for my liking, with the main character changing their view easier than I would have expected of someone with her viewpoints, it was a refreshing read when she was initially stating her views on the matter of love. In fact, there were quite moments in the story where I found myself enjoying her viewpoints.
The story, however, felt as though it was a bit lacking. I feel as though events were glossed over, to some degree. In the author’s other books the action aspect of the story has been played out, we got to experience the fun of the chase and the mission impossible aspects. With this one, the events are skipped over. We’re told events are to happen, or they have happened, but we are not given the details. This disappointed me, if I’m honest. I feel as though there was a lot of fun to be had if we watched the action play out, rather than simply being told such has happened.
Overall, though, it was a fun read. Personally, I believe this to be one of her best-written pieces of work. Whilst not my favourite of her books when it comes to the story, the voice of the main character really brought things to life.
As a final note, I would like to thank Heather C. Myers for allowing me to advance read this.
Heather C. Myers loves her pirate stories. If you’re a fan of pirate romances, then you should certainly pick one up. Mostly I have read her paranormal stories, enjoying the spin she usually puts on the paranormal world. Thus, it’s nice to read something different. It is nice to take a slight break from the paranormal work I usually read by her and pick up something else.
Not that this book is completely free of the paranormal. There is a slight aspect, as you can probably guess from the whole going back in time detail. Mostly, though, it’s free of the paranormal. This is just another one of her thrilling pirate stories.
For me, this book had a brilliant main character. I love it when characters in romance books are against love, when persuasion is necessary for them to accept their feelings. Whilst things moved a little bit too quickly for my liking, with the main character changing their view easier than I would have expected of someone with her viewpoints, it was a refreshing read when she was initially stating her views on the matter of love. In fact, there were quite moments in the story where I found myself enjoying her viewpoints.
The story, however, felt as though it was a bit lacking. I feel as though events were glossed over, to some degree. In the author’s other books the action aspect of the story has been played out, we got to experience the fun of the chase and the mission impossible aspects. With this one, the events are skipped over. We’re told events are to happen, or they have happened, but we are not given the details. This disappointed me, if I’m honest. I feel as though there was a lot of fun to be had if we watched the action play out, rather than simply being told such has happened.
Overall, though, it was a fun read. Personally, I believe this to be one of her best-written pieces of work. Whilst not my favourite of her books when it comes to the story, the voice of the main character really brought things to life.
As a final note, I would like to thank Heather C. Myers for allowing me to advance read this.
August 12, 2017
This is the fourth book in the Swashbuckling Romance series. While this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Though I suggest you read all the books because they all time in together. Their isn't a traditional cliffhanger but the storyline is open-ended for the next book in the series. There is violence and the sex is hot and steamy so 18+.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. The author managed to describe the main characters Isla and Matt and the settings well. Like the second book, this one also involves time travel.
I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author including more in this series.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. The author managed to describe the main characters Isla and Matt and the settings well. Like the second book, this one also involves time travel.
I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author including more in this series.
March 30, 2020
Although I have enjoyed other books by Heather C. Myers, this one was in dire need of some hardcore tough love (and not the yummy kind) and probably doesn't even deserve 2 stars. And that is saying something since I'm one of the biggest fans of time travel romance on the planet.
I shall be kind and start with the things that I enjoyed: the idea for the plot was quite interesting, and I liked the period of history chosen. Some of the characters were ok too.
And now for the critique:
1. The point of view changed back and forth between 1st person for Isla and 3rd person for Matt and everyone else, which was distracting and interrupted the story's flow.
2. Most of the story was one gigantic, illogical, unnecessary, contradictory, rambling, mental dialogue on Isla's part. Seriously, ugh.
3. Isla apparently can't decide if she has a history of getting wild and drunk and sleeping around, or if she has only had 3 long-term bedroom partners in all of her 24 years as well as only getting a little buzzed on occasion but only in safe spaces.
4. For a communications major she certainly fails at communicating.
5. How is a communications major who only just graduated an experienced crime journalist? At least she watched tv.
6. Who wakes up in a different century and never says what year she was born or came from and instead keeps repeating the "21st century"? That whole conversation was off.
7. I highly doubt that a pirate in the 1700's would be fluent in the modern culture of feelings.
8. She was immediately irrate with Becky without even finding out what was going on.
9. The timeline was messed up in several sections.
10. How can Isla "know" stuff about Matt and "know that he knows" stuff about her when they only just met? This was the most delusional instalove idea ever and there wasn't even any instalove.
11. He told her that he loved her and yet she still went off on a 500 page disjointed, manufactured angsty monologue about how she didn't know what his feelings for her were, even though she already professed to "knowing" him and trusting him.
12. She was awfully judgemental about the "w-h0res" throughout the story all the while professing not to judge them. Perhaps not using that word 10,000 times would have been a good start in the non-judgemental direction.
13. Why would Matt be cranky and accuse Isla of being blunt when she mentioned his sister being in danger of getting lynched when those were Matt's exact words to her?
14. Considering the definition of being lynched means to be hung by a mob without due process, she was actually in danger of being executed by the government, not lynched.
15. Correctly spelled wrong words popped up several times.
I could go on and on, but really the worst part of this book was being subjected to Isla's wishy-washy, hypocritical, unfocused, mental monologues.
I received a free copy of this book, but that obviously did not affect my review.
I shall be kind and start with the things that I enjoyed: the idea for the plot was quite interesting, and I liked the period of history chosen. Some of the characters were ok too.
And now for the critique:
1. The point of view changed back and forth between 1st person for Isla and 3rd person for Matt and everyone else, which was distracting and interrupted the story's flow.
2. Most of the story was one gigantic, illogical, unnecessary, contradictory, rambling, mental dialogue on Isla's part. Seriously, ugh.
3. Isla apparently can't decide if she has a history of getting wild and drunk and sleeping around, or if she has only had 3 long-term bedroom partners in all of her 24 years as well as only getting a little buzzed on occasion but only in safe spaces.
4. For a communications major she certainly fails at communicating.
5. How is a communications major who only just graduated an experienced crime journalist? At least she watched tv.
6. Who wakes up in a different century and never says what year she was born or came from and instead keeps repeating the "21st century"? That whole conversation was off.
7. I highly doubt that a pirate in the 1700's would be fluent in the modern culture of feelings.
8. She was immediately irrate with Becky without even finding out what was going on.
9. The timeline was messed up in several sections.
10. How can Isla "know" stuff about Matt and "know that he knows" stuff about her when they only just met? This was the most delusional instalove idea ever and there wasn't even any instalove.
11. He told her that he loved her and yet she still went off on a 500 page disjointed, manufactured angsty monologue about how she didn't know what his feelings for her were, even though she already professed to "knowing" him and trusting him.
12. She was awfully judgemental about the "w-h0res" throughout the story all the while professing not to judge them. Perhaps not using that word 10,000 times would have been a good start in the non-judgemental direction.
13. Why would Matt be cranky and accuse Isla of being blunt when she mentioned his sister being in danger of getting lynched when those were Matt's exact words to her?
14. Considering the definition of being lynched means to be hung by a mob without due process, she was actually in danger of being executed by the government, not lynched.
15. Correctly spelled wrong words popped up several times.
I could go on and on, but really the worst part of this book was being subjected to Isla's wishy-washy, hypocritical, unfocused, mental monologues.
I received a free copy of this book, but that obviously did not affect my review.
September 26, 2016
Romance, a little bit of intrigue. Isla is just planning on moving out, starting a career. To her surprise, she isn't where she thinks she should be. A bit of magic at work here. Great book, loved every bit until it ended and then ready for more
September 10, 2016
The Art of Persuasion's main character, Isla, has no shortage of personality(!) -- that's for sure! She's fully in control of herself and has a good grip on what she wants (freedom and never being tied down)..... or so she believes.
In a flash, she's transported a few centuries back in time and meets pirate Matt Scott who turns her world on its axis. Along the way, she is forced to dive into some serious self-reflection to decide if what she's always thought she was and wanted is truly, deep-down, what she desires and needs.
This book is a good, fun, fast read chock full of sass and stubbornness. There's even a cute shout-out to Brooke Cunningham and Charlie Colt (characters in a previous book in The Swashbuckling Romance Series)!
Thanks, Heather, for sending an ARC copy for an honest review. I enjoy reading your work!
In a flash, she's transported a few centuries back in time and meets pirate Matt Scott who turns her world on its axis. Along the way, she is forced to dive into some serious self-reflection to decide if what she's always thought she was and wanted is truly, deep-down, what she desires and needs.
This book is a good, fun, fast read chock full of sass and stubbornness. There's even a cute shout-out to Brooke Cunningham and Charlie Colt (characters in a previous book in The Swashbuckling Romance Series)!
Thanks, Heather, for sending an ARC copy for an honest review. I enjoy reading your work!
September 6, 2016
Elsa is born and raised in the 21st century. She hates anything to do with relationships and commitment. Her best friend Becky is getting married. Is this her life? is this where she belongs?
When Isla mysteriously finds herself alone in an unknown room, on a ship, with a pirate, she is a little confused to say the least. She traveled back in time to the seventeen century. She soon finds out that her best friend was never really just her best friend and the life she was living was not hers to live. She is given choices and struggles with those choices. Should she return to her old life or stay in her new one. Then there is Matt, a pirate, and he's everything she could ever want in a man. Will she be able to change and actually love him? I really enjoyed reading this book. it was an easy read and it was different. Had a great storyline.
When Isla mysteriously finds herself alone in an unknown room, on a ship, with a pirate, she is a little confused to say the least. She traveled back in time to the seventeen century. She soon finds out that her best friend was never really just her best friend and the life she was living was not hers to live. She is given choices and struggles with those choices. Should she return to her old life or stay in her new one. Then there is Matt, a pirate, and he's everything she could ever want in a man. Will she be able to change and actually love him? I really enjoyed reading this book. it was an easy read and it was different. Had a great storyline.
February 13, 2017
First off the numerous spelling mistakes in this book drove me crazy! That being said though the story itself was a good one.
Isla thinks she is just an ordinary girl living the life of a single gal in the city. Only to be told she was born in the wrong time and finds herself awakened into a whole new world.
Isla thinks she is just an ordinary girl living the life of a single gal in the city. Only to be told she was born in the wrong time and finds herself awakened into a whole new world.
September 1, 2017
Manners & Marauders was an enjoyable time-travel romance with a murder mystery built into the plot. Isla Barnes, was born into the wrong time, the twenty-first century and her guardian angel helps her by sending her back to the 1700's. She wakes in a pirate's bed and comes face-to-face with Matt Scott the captain of the ship she is on and quickly becomes involved with his life.
The character, Isla is a confused young woman faced with life changing choices and has trouble making decisions and it takes her a while to figure out what she wants, to stay with her pirate or go home to the life she knew before in California.
My biggest problem with the book was the many words that were wrong for the context. It needs a good edit to help the dialogue and sentences to make sense without trying to figure out what the author is trying to get across.
The character, Isla is a confused young woman faced with life changing choices and has trouble making decisions and it takes her a while to figure out what she wants, to stay with her pirate or go home to the life she knew before in California.
My biggest problem with the book was the many words that were wrong for the context. It needs a good edit to help the dialogue and sentences to make sense without trying to figure out what the author is trying to get across.
March 28, 2020
Imagine being born in the wrong time and at twenty three going back to where you belong. Isla is a twenty first century twenty three year old with a degree, job, and friends. Everything a normal modern woman has. She is struck by a truck and wakes up in 1713 on a pirate ship in the captain’s bed. The captain, Matt Scott thinks she’s a prostitute because of her skimpy outfit. Isla has to adapt to this era and living among pirates in the Carribbean. At first she wants to go back into the future, but as she settles into her new life and is falling in love with Matt , maybe the angel that brought her back from the twenty first century was right. This is where she belongs. Then women are being strangled and Isla is in danger because the suspect knows she knows who he is. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
September 22, 2016
Isla Barnes is not into a lot of things - love and commitment are two. However she is into having fun and sex with people, Sounds to me like a pretty empty life. She goes out on a bachelorette (or hen) party with friends and wakes up in a bed next to a pirate called Captain Matt Scott in the 18th century. Somehow she has to work through where she is and how to move on from where she has suddenly found herself.
I really liked the story but I got a little irritated with the sections where she was trying to sort out her feelings and deciding where she should be - it felt a little laboured which was a shame as generally it was a really nice book. I liked the descriptions of the locations and people in them.
I really liked the story but I got a little irritated with the sections where she was trying to sort out her feelings and deciding where she should be - it felt a little laboured which was a shame as generally it was a really nice book. I liked the descriptions of the locations and people in them.
March 28, 2020
Isla is out with her friends for a bachelorette party where they come across a psychic. The Psychic chooses Isla to go first and tells her she is born in the wrong time and nothing else. Isla thinks it is bunk until she wakes up in the past and in a pirates bedroom.
Pirate Mat Scott believes Isla story that she is from the future and takes care of her.
Isla in return helps him get his sister saved from being hunged for her association with him.
They stay at Sarah's place, which is a brothel them a girl is killed. Isla being a journalist and experience writing about crimes, tries to solve who killed the girl. Will she solved before becoming the 3 rd victim?
Loved this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Pirate Mat Scott believes Isla story that she is from the future and takes care of her.
Isla in return helps him get his sister saved from being hunged for her association with him.
They stay at Sarah's place, which is a brothel them a girl is killed. Isla being a journalist and experience writing about crimes, tries to solve who killed the girl. Will she solved before becoming the 3 rd victim?
Loved this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 18, 2016
I have so many words I can use to describe this, I'm not quite sure which ones I want to pick. It's a light-hearted, semi-historical romance with a dash of adventure and a splash of intrigue. It's sweet and sexy and with a murder mystery happening in the middle of their romance, it successfully has a little bit of everything. The chemistry between Isla and Matt is off-the charts. Matt's the best kind of alpha hero I like to find - strong and nurturing. I especially loved watching how far Isla grew as she settled into 18th century Jamaica, learning to love herself and value her own opinion.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2020
I have so many words I can use to describe this, I'm not quite sure which ones I want to pick. It's a light-hearted, semi-historical romance with a dash of adventure and a splash of intrigue. It's sweet and sexy and with a murder mystery happening in the middle of their romance, it successfully has a little bit of everything. The chemistry between Isla and Matt is off-the charts. Matt's the best kind of alpha hero I like to find - strong and nurturing. I especially loved watching how far Isla grew as she settled into 18th century Jamaica, learning to love herself and value her own opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
May 10, 2020
This is my first time reading something by Ms. Myers and also my first time travel book. I was a little skeptical at first, but I enjoyed the story. The author did a good job of transporting you from modern day back to the 1700's with her descriptions and attention to details. This is quite the page-turner and the mystery surrounding the murder of the women is quite exciting. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen. There's plenty of adventure and intrigue to keep you captivated. A very entertaining read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 18, 2016
This started off a bit slow for me but as the relationship between Matt and Isla grew so did my enjoyment. Isla has been sent back in time and finds herself in the bed of a pirate. Matt's acceptance of her story brings a new world to Isla who has doubted herself and her life. Isla adapts to her new surroundings and finds that she is better suited for this world. The dangers are different but still all around her, yet she helps to solve a murder mystery. As the pages were turned, I wanted to read more.
I received a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2016
Heather C Myers is a new author to me. I received an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a good, well written book with an identity crisis. Is it a romance? A mystery? A time travel? A little of all of these The Art of Persuasion is a bit too romancy for my reading tastes. I lean toward romantic suspense. Myers has a mystery opportunity lost when there's a murder, but fails to capitalize on the opportunity. But if the book is dominantly about romance she written a good book. I enjoyed it and will read more by her in the future.
March 28, 2020
I love time-travel tales
I have been reading a bunch of westerns lately so a time-travel book was a refreshing change and this book was a good one to read. I love time-travel when written well and this book is a prime example of that. Isla and the captain were splendid characters and I love the twists in this tale. I agree with one reviewer there are many words one could use to describe this charming tale so let get it simple it is just good and worth reading. It is a book I highly recommend! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I have been reading a bunch of westerns lately so a time-travel book was a refreshing change and this book was a good one to read. I love time-travel when written well and this book is a prime example of that. Isla and the captain were splendid characters and I love the twists in this tale. I agree with one reviewer there are many words one could use to describe this charming tale so let get it simple it is just good and worth reading. It is a book I highly recommend! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
April 2, 2020
The present is Isla, she is an independent woman with the dreams of a successful career as a criminal journalist. Living in LA in a great apartment with plenty of single men to have fun with.
The past is Matt, he is a pirate from the past, searching for his sister. Isla ends up in his bed after a bachelorette party.
The future, can these two find Matt's sister? As they get to know one another, can they find their own happiness? An entertaining read. Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The past is Matt, he is a pirate from the past, searching for his sister. Isla ends up in his bed after a bachelorette party.
The future, can these two find Matt's sister? As they get to know one another, can they find their own happiness? An entertaining read. Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 29, 2020
Part of the A Scandalous Adventure at Seas Series a well written time travel story. Isla Barnes goes back to the Eighteenth Century where she meets Captain Matt Scott of the Crimson Wave who is trying to save his sister Sarah. There is suspense, drama, danger, murder, a villain, and romance. I enjoyed reading and want to read more in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 1, 2020
This is an interesting tale of a woman born into the wrong time. When she wakes up in a different time and in a pirate's bed the adventure begins. This is a time travel/ pirate romance filled with danger, murder, mystery suspense, drama, humor and romance. I really enjoyed the storyline and I look forward to reading more time travel books by this author. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
September 22, 2016
I have read the first 3 books and loved them. this one I wanted to spank the female character.. lol she was a brat.
but over all it was a excellent story. some great suspense. toe curling action and some twists. If you have not read these stories I would highly recommend that you do. especially if you like pirate romance.
but over all it was a excellent story. some great suspense. toe curling action and some twists. If you have not read these stories I would highly recommend that you do. especially if you like pirate romance.
September 22, 2016
I am all for books that transport my mind to a different time and place altogether! Love, love the way this accomplished that for me. Can't wait to read more from this amazing author! :)
Received this ebook free in exchange for an honest review.
Received this ebook free in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2020
This was different than what I've read before and I enjoyed it so much. It has history, time-travel, psychics, mystery, murders, and hot passion that I couldn't put it down. It was intriguing and exciting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 30, 2020
This story was wonderful. The plot was interesting, the time travel bit was unique, and the characters were relatable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 13, 2017
This one was bad. The narrative spent too much time inside the main character's head. There was a real opportunity to make a great action-packed story and it got lost inside the internal dialogue. There's poor structure, lackluster plot, and rushed writing. Also, strengthen your editing team. I'll do it for cookies.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews