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High Seas #4
What the Parrot Saw
Hijacking an Englishman from a brothel is all in a day’s work for Captain Mattie St. Armand. She needs protective coloration, and a naïve (and expendable) white man will keep the eyes of the authorities off her as she smuggles slaves from the Florida Territory to freedom in the Bahamas. Oliver Woodruff wanted a spot of travel in the Caribbean before he settled down, but he never expected “Marauding Mattie.” He’ll help her, but he knows there’s no place in his world for the bastard daughter of a pirate and a freedwoman. As Mattie trains him for their ruse, she comes to realize he’s a man she can turn to for support and companionship, and Oliver grows to love the commanding and daring woman who refuses to fit society’s mold… but both are sure their relationship is doomed by society’s taboos. It will take danger and adventure (and Roscoe the parrot) to convince them that the passion between them is more than an island fantasy. **********"I adore Darlene Marshall’s books—I can always count on her to make me laugh, make me sigh, and leave me happy.” - Courtney Milan, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author"I encourage you all to try this author's voice. (She has a great backlist, too.)." ---USA Today Books"'Read it on the beach!' I seriously doubt that any summer experience can possibly be more delightful than sitting on the beach while reading The Pirate’s Secret Baby."- Smart Bitches, Trashy Books"Sea Change is original, fun, and a bit eccentric – I definitely recommend it!"—New York Times bestselling author and RITA award winner Eloisa James"I love a good girl-poses-as-boy story. Add in a pirate captain and a slow simmering attraction, and I’m hooked. (Resign yourself to the marine allusions.) Darlene Marshall does both in her wonderful Sea Change." New York Times bestselling author and RITA award winner Connie Brockway"I would totally stow away on any ship Darlene writes about."--Book Binge
358 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2018
17 people are currently reading
1175 people want to read
About the author
Darlene Marshall
8 books172 followersDarlene Marshall is the author of award-winning historical romance featuring pirates, privateers, smugglers, and the occasional possum.
Past jobs include working as a reporter, news anchor, news director, obit writer, news producer and radio station owner. She's never been a pirate, but the day's not yet over.
Awards for her books include: Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence and Readers' Choice Award for Historical Romance; The Aspen Gold Award; finalist for the Desert Rose RWA Golden Quill Award; FCRW National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award; and the Eppie (Electronic Publishing) award twice for Best Historical Romance.
Her books are also available in French, German and Estonian.
Marshall can be reached at darlenemarshall[at]darlenemarshall.com
She/her Represented by Barbara Collins Rosenberg of The Rosenberg Group.
Past jobs include working as a reporter, news anchor, news director, obit writer, news producer and radio station owner. She's never been a pirate, but the day's not yet over.
Awards for her books include: Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence and Readers' Choice Award for Historical Romance; The Aspen Gold Award; finalist for the Desert Rose RWA Golden Quill Award; FCRW National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award; and the Eppie (Electronic Publishing) award twice for Best Historical Romance.
Her books are also available in French, German and Estonian.
Marshall can be reached at darlenemarshall[at]darlenemarshall.com
She/her Represented by Barbara Collins Rosenberg of The Rosenberg Group.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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August 13, 2019Entertaining pirate romance with a female captain kidnapping a stuffy Englishman and un-stuffing him. Or not, since there's a lot of sexy gender-bending roleplay in this. The main plot is a fun, silly pirate romance which doesn't mesh entirely seamlessly with the extremely not fun backdrop of the slave trade (Mattie is mixed race and works to free slaves from delivery to or captivity in the US), but I'd rather have an escapist romance that bumps into historical reality than one that pretends it doesn't exist at all.
January 29, 2025
for the pirates fans who wanted to see more captain elizabeth swann.
July 1, 2021
Darlene Marshall est de retour avec un tome qui décoiffe, et qui tient toutes ses promesses, au vu de l'enfant espiègle et intrépide qu'était Mattie dans le tome 3 !
Autant vous le dire tout de suite, je trouve qu'avec ce livre, Darlene Marshall frappe très fort et propose à ses lecteurs quelque chose de complètement inédit, que je n'avais jamais lu jusqu'ici. En effet, Mattie est loin de coller au stéréotype de l'héroïne de romance historique. Déjà, c'est une pirate, et ensuite, c'est un capitaine (carrément, oui !) ! C'est un personnage qui est toujours mis en avant par ses compétences, son courage, le combat qu'elle mène, le respect que lui vouent les membres de son bateau et la crainte qu'elle inspire à ses adversaires, du fait de sa réputation légendaire. Elle est rarement désignée comme femme en tant que telle, c'est presque toujours sa fonction qui est mise en avant, et pas son sexe. En somme, le capitaine St Armand est une badass qui renverse complètement les codes et bon sang que c'est rafraichissant !
À l'inverse, c'est le personnage masculin qui passe pour le bellâtre de service, en tout cas au début. Oliver suit un sacré parcours tout au long du livre, et on le voit évoluer et s'affirmer. Au début, c'est quand même difficile de le prendre au sérieux, il est tout pétri de ses certitudes, mais Mattie va complètement chambouler sa vision du monde, et il va aussi se prendre en pleine face la réalité brute et violente de l'esclavage.
La romance est habilement menée, et l'autrice a fait ici des choix audacieux en matière de scènes sensuelles, elle ose des choses que peu d'autrices ont fait jusqu'ici ! Si improbable leur couple semble t-il au début du roman, au final, ils se révèlent être complémentaires et bien assortis.
La question de l'esclavage et les prémices de son abolition sont au centre du roman, ainsi que la question des inégalités raciales. Darlene Marshall s'est visiblement beaucoup documentée, et j'ai trouvé que c'était passionnant (rude et parfois abject, mais passionnant).
Un très bon roman donc, riche et foisonnant, avec un contexte historique extrêmement bien développé, une héroïne comme on n'en voit jamais, et un personnage secondaire nommé Roscoe, complètement givré ! ^^
Autant vous le dire tout de suite, je trouve qu'avec ce livre, Darlene Marshall frappe très fort et propose à ses lecteurs quelque chose de complètement inédit, que je n'avais jamais lu jusqu'ici. En effet, Mattie est loin de coller au stéréotype de l'héroïne de romance historique. Déjà, c'est une pirate, et ensuite, c'est un capitaine (carrément, oui !) ! C'est un personnage qui est toujours mis en avant par ses compétences, son courage, le combat qu'elle mène, le respect que lui vouent les membres de son bateau et la crainte qu'elle inspire à ses adversaires, du fait de sa réputation légendaire. Elle est rarement désignée comme femme en tant que telle, c'est presque toujours sa fonction qui est mise en avant, et pas son sexe. En somme, le capitaine St Armand est une badass qui renverse complètement les codes et bon sang que c'est rafraichissant !
À l'inverse, c'est le personnage masculin qui passe pour le bellâtre de service, en tout cas au début. Oliver suit un sacré parcours tout au long du livre, et on le voit évoluer et s'affirmer. Au début, c'est quand même difficile de le prendre au sérieux, il est tout pétri de ses certitudes, mais Mattie va complètement chambouler sa vision du monde, et il va aussi se prendre en pleine face la réalité brute et violente de l'esclavage.
La romance est habilement menée, et l'autrice a fait ici des choix audacieux en matière de scènes sensuelles, elle ose des choses que peu d'autrices ont fait jusqu'ici ! Si improbable leur couple semble t-il au début du roman, au final, ils se révèlent être complémentaires et bien assortis.
La question de l'esclavage et les prémices de son abolition sont au centre du roman, ainsi que la question des inégalités raciales. Darlene Marshall s'est visiblement beaucoup documentée, et j'ai trouvé que c'était passionnant (rude et parfois abject, mais passionnant).
Un très bon roman donc, riche et foisonnant, avec un contexte historique extrêmement bien développé, une héroïne comme on n'en voit jamais, et un personnage secondaire nommé Roscoe, complètement givré ! ^^
January 7, 2022
What a romp!
I loved the pirate adventure and Mattie is the lady pirate of my DREAMS. Her dynamic with Oliver is delicious and I loved the play of power dynamics between them. I loved the way Oliver's attraction to her included her gender nonconformity. He liked her in breeches and he liked her in power. Truly bi4bi excellence. Also, there is pegging. What more can I say...
As for drawbacks I have a couple. I wished the sex scenes were a little longer because they were so good but I was often left wanting more. Also, I can't say I was too fond of Oliver's insistence that they get married. I get y'know sign of the times and all that, but still, I felt like it kind of reverted the lessons he learned about how to be in a relationship with Mattie.
A big note before going into this is that while this does have its fun pirate moments, Mattie is a mixed black woman working to free slaves from the United States. While it doesn't get entirely gruesome, it certainly doesn't shy away from the racism and the horrors of the South during the time of slavery.
I loved the pirate adventure and Mattie is the lady pirate of my DREAMS. Her dynamic with Oliver is delicious and I loved the play of power dynamics between them. I loved the way Oliver's attraction to her included her gender nonconformity. He liked her in breeches and he liked her in power. Truly bi4bi excellence. Also, there is pegging. What more can I say...
As for drawbacks I have a couple. I wished the sex scenes were a little longer because they were so good but I was often left wanting more. Also, I can't say I was too fond of Oliver's insistence that they get married. I get y'know sign of the times and all that, but still, I felt like it kind of reverted the lessons he learned about how to be in a relationship with Mattie.
A big note before going into this is that while this does have its fun pirate moments, Mattie is a mixed black woman working to free slaves from the United States. While it doesn't get entirely gruesome, it certainly doesn't shy away from the racism and the horrors of the South during the time of slavery.
April 9, 2021
Historical pirate romance, with a female ship captain whose business is sailing around the Caribbean hijacking slave ships and rescuing those in captivity. I didn't know until I read the author's note that some of these characters were based on real historical figures, and that in the years before Florida was a state, that slaves often escaped southward into the islands of the "West Indies" and not just toward freedom in the north. Great chemistry between the two leads, Oliver and Mattie, and a parrot that thinks he's a cat; the historical setting maybe felt a leeeetle heavy considering the lightness of the romance, but still a good read.
Want to read
February 6, 2019What The Parrot Saw is a fun title. It's the story of a wild and free pirate woman and a guy who doesn't know what to make of her. The characters are likeable and entertaining together. The story moves at a good pace and is a fun read. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2022
In order to best appreciate this story, you really need to read the previous in the series. My rationale is primarily two fold. Both the Pirate St. Armand, Maddie is the daughter of Robert, and her origin is explained in The Pirate’s Secret Baby. Knowledge of her parentage permits a more in-depth understanding of the character that is Maddie. Additionally, while I enjoyed the prior novels, my enjoyment increased with each offering as a spectator of Marshall’s journey as a writer. For example, I very much enjoyed the historical research she conducted for each novel; however, the time period was utilized to minimal effect in the first novel. Contrastingly, the historical period is a matter of great poignancy in this last novel and is utilized throughout to cultivate tone and rationale. It also serves to make the characters stand out in stark contrast to their backdrop.
As stated, I enjoyed the previous novels. They were fun. This installment in the series crosses a threshold, not simply counting as just fun to read, but as having more robust elements of a higher caliber novel.
As stated, I enjoyed the previous novels. They were fun. This installment in the series crosses a threshold, not simply counting as just fun to read, but as having more robust elements of a higher caliber novel.
May 20, 2019
Darlene Marshall's books always entertain and this one is no exception. You don't get to see a lot of pirate romances anymore, so that's always fun, and the parrot referred to in the title is a great character on its own. While you can definitely read this book on its own, we've seen this pirate captain in another of Marshall's books, as well as members of her crew, which is also something I enjoy. For me, knowing a character's past helps bring them to life. Last but not least, What the Parrot Saw is very sexy, in ways you might not be expecting from an historical romance, so grab a copy and enjoy the read.
January 7, 2020
This is the first m/f romance (not erotica) I’ve ever come across, historical or otherwise, in which the heroine pegs her man. I loved that Mattie is so gender-fluid and sex positive. I love that Oliver is totally okay with letting her be in charge, okay with kitchen work and menial labor, okay with being shorter than his lover—and yet still a strong leader in his own right.
February 4, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. The heroine was strong and smart yet vulnerable and the hero didn't expect her to compromise who she was to be with him. The book was a little slow in places, but overall very enjoyable.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.
March 19, 2019
Blackmailed by a brothel madam, Captain Matt St. Armand acquires a package that needs safekeeping. One might expect this to be boxed cargo of some type, but this package turns out to be a scribbler named Oliver Woodruff, who has a penchant for annoying Americans with his antislavery views. Matt agrees to take him to Nassau, but only if he does as he’s told and isn’t too annoying. After all, the Prodigal Son carries only two things – crew and cargo, and Oliver hasn’t a clue about sailing a schooner. That makes him just about worthless to Matt . . . but his manner of speech and style of dress spark a kernel of an idea that may alter Matt’s thinking.
Captain St. Armand’s scrutiny makes Oliver decidedly uncomfortable, but what choice does he have. If he doesn’t escape the island, he’s likely to be shot – a reality that nearly comes to fruition when he accompanies the notorious sea rover back to his ship. He’s not exactly certain what duties his assignment as “cabin boy” entail, but from St. Armand’s languid perusals, Oliver has no intention of being placed in a compromising situation. While his tongue tends to speak before his thoughts warn against doing so, Oliver isn’t stupid and it doesn’t take long for him to discover one of St. Armand’s secrets.
When St. Armand orders a merchant ship to heave to on the pretense of making a trade, Oliver is surprised when he’s ordered to accompany the boarding party. That’s when he learns another of St. Armand’s secrets – one that could get them all killed. Oliver’s interactions with the pirates, with their newly acquired cargo, and his intervention when one of the captured crew members tries to attack St. Armand, demonstrate that Oliver has the gumption needed for a special, but dangerous, mission. That he is an English gentleman whose family owns a successful cotton mill further convinces St. Armand that Oliver is just the man to help them in Florida. Having come to the Caribbean for one last adventure before assuming his duties at home, Oliver throws caution to the wind and accepts Matt’s proposal. Their weeks of training and planning bear unexpected fruit, but no amount of preparation equips him for the torture and betrayal he experiences when the mission goes awry.
The adage “Never judge a book by its cover” could well be used to describe this story based on the above description. This is a romance set in 1839, but it’s not what a reader will expect in spite of it being typical of the genre. Time and again Marshall interweaves humor, drama, and suggestive, sometimes explicit, overtones in a way that can leave you feeling decidedly uncomfortable or chuckling at the repartee. Marshall also defies tradition in opting to present Oliver as a beta male, although this move makes it difficult to connect with his character at first. Halfway through he becomes more personable, the mark of good character growth.
Overall this is a good story, but two weaknesses stand out. First, several scenes feel less developed than they should be to really connect with the reader. Second, recovering from the betrayal occurs too quickly. The jail scenes bring home the brutality of slavery, as well as the danger both the runaway slaves and those who help them to freedom endure. Marshall’s character description of Matt St. Armand as a captain and a slave is stellar, but weaker when Matt returns home to England.
What does the parrot see? You must read the book to find out. Be forewarned: Roscoe the parrot, who is the ship’s cat, is a scene-stealer in this fourth book in Marshall’s High Seas series.
Captain St. Armand’s scrutiny makes Oliver decidedly uncomfortable, but what choice does he have. If he doesn’t escape the island, he’s likely to be shot – a reality that nearly comes to fruition when he accompanies the notorious sea rover back to his ship. He’s not exactly certain what duties his assignment as “cabin boy” entail, but from St. Armand’s languid perusals, Oliver has no intention of being placed in a compromising situation. While his tongue tends to speak before his thoughts warn against doing so, Oliver isn’t stupid and it doesn’t take long for him to discover one of St. Armand’s secrets.
When St. Armand orders a merchant ship to heave to on the pretense of making a trade, Oliver is surprised when he’s ordered to accompany the boarding party. That’s when he learns another of St. Armand’s secrets – one that could get them all killed. Oliver’s interactions with the pirates, with their newly acquired cargo, and his intervention when one of the captured crew members tries to attack St. Armand, demonstrate that Oliver has the gumption needed for a special, but dangerous, mission. That he is an English gentleman whose family owns a successful cotton mill further convinces St. Armand that Oliver is just the man to help them in Florida. Having come to the Caribbean for one last adventure before assuming his duties at home, Oliver throws caution to the wind and accepts Matt’s proposal. Their weeks of training and planning bear unexpected fruit, but no amount of preparation equips him for the torture and betrayal he experiences when the mission goes awry.
The adage “Never judge a book by its cover” could well be used to describe this story based on the above description. This is a romance set in 1839, but it’s not what a reader will expect in spite of it being typical of the genre. Time and again Marshall interweaves humor, drama, and suggestive, sometimes explicit, overtones in a way that can leave you feeling decidedly uncomfortable or chuckling at the repartee. Marshall also defies tradition in opting to present Oliver as a beta male, although this move makes it difficult to connect with his character at first. Halfway through he becomes more personable, the mark of good character growth.
Overall this is a good story, but two weaknesses stand out. First, several scenes feel less developed than they should be to really connect with the reader. Second, recovering from the betrayal occurs too quickly. The jail scenes bring home the brutality of slavery, as well as the danger both the runaway slaves and those who help them to freedom endure. Marshall’s character description of Matt St. Armand as a captain and a slave is stellar, but weaker when Matt returns home to England.
What does the parrot see? You must read the book to find out. Be forewarned: Roscoe the parrot, who is the ship’s cat, is a scene-stealer in this fourth book in Marshall’s High Seas series.
July 25, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed WHAT THE PARROT SAW. As always, Marshall delivers that winning combination of adventure, romance, and humour. The ship’s cat is one of several amusing side characters, adding to a sense of playfulness as the story unfolds.
But it is not all swashbuckling and getting-their-sexy-on. Marshall also candidly navigates sensitive issues, including gender non-conformity and the complicit roles played by people in both North America and Great Britain during slavery around the early nineteenth century. And nothing thrills me more than when I discover that a real-life event has provided fodder for a book, a fact that Marshall shares in her Author’s Afterword.
While this book is part of a series, it definitely has its own sea legs. So, if you want to dip your toe into Marshall waters and cast off with some pirates, pick this one up.
But it is not all swashbuckling and getting-their-sexy-on. Marshall also candidly navigates sensitive issues, including gender non-conformity and the complicit roles played by people in both North America and Great Britain during slavery around the early nineteenth century. And nothing thrills me more than when I discover that a real-life event has provided fodder for a book, a fact that Marshall shares in her Author’s Afterword.
While this book is part of a series, it definitely has its own sea legs. So, if you want to dip your toe into Marshall waters and cast off with some pirates, pick this one up.
February 26, 2019
First off I loved the cover and a lady pirate I could not wait to read it. What I found was a story full of adventures with drama, fear, and hope. Oliver went from a brothel to a pirate ship what adventures does he have in store? Is our captain really Robin Hood? I loved the ship’s cat. This was an excellent read check it out you will be glad you did. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
March 26, 2021
The rare historical romance that tackles the problematic source of the English gentry's wealth – slave labor – head on. Lots of queer themes, despite a hetero primary coupling, and much more plot-heavy than most genre romance. I liked it quite a bit, and will read more from Marshall.
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October 15, 2019Paused at 30%. This book has all the elements but for some reason it's not holding my attention.
April 26, 2021
3.5 stars
November 21, 2019
Fun romp
The captain is hot, and so well tailored! The cabin boy is a beautiful blond lubber and doesn't know sailing or knives, and the story is off! I love Mattie, the heroine, a woman of color, strong competent and taller than the hero. The hero Oliver is a fish out of water; a wealthy young mill owner seeing a bit of the world before settling down to run the family mill. The ship's crew is a found family for Mattie, respectful and protective. The ship rescues/ steals slaves from other ship's and from Florida and takes them to freedom in the Bahamas. I do have trouble seeing how Mattie will be happy in the conclusion, and there's not much before the end to suggest that that would be how she would prefer to live her life. Still, great story, read it!!
The captain is hot, and so well tailored! The cabin boy is a beautiful blond lubber and doesn't know sailing or knives, and the story is off! I love Mattie, the heroine, a woman of color, strong competent and taller than the hero. The hero Oliver is a fish out of water; a wealthy young mill owner seeing a bit of the world before settling down to run the family mill. The ship's crew is a found family for Mattie, respectful and protective. The ship rescues/ steals slaves from other ship's and from Florida and takes them to freedom in the Bahamas. I do have trouble seeing how Mattie will be happy in the conclusion, and there's not much before the end to suggest that that would be how she would prefer to live her life. Still, great story, read it!!
July 26, 2019
Everything you want in a romance
Likeable rogues, beautiful woman, pirates, and that's just the Captain. Add in handsome, fish out of water Englishman and a parrot that thinks he's a cat, social justice and slavery. Stir.
An engaging and enjoyable read with enough bite to make it a satisfying whole.
Thoroughly recommended.
Likeable rogues, beautiful woman, pirates, and that's just the Captain. Add in handsome, fish out of water Englishman and a parrot that thinks he's a cat, social justice and slavery. Stir.
An engaging and enjoyable read with enough bite to make it a satisfying whole.
Thoroughly recommended.
March 24, 2019
This is the first book I have read by this author. I have enjoyed her writing style and will read more of her work.
A well developed plot with likable characters. A bit of a different view as the lady is large and in charge being disguised as a man and captain of the ship. She needs the hero to be a front for her as he is a white gentleman and will be able to advance their cause better. A fun read as they adventure with the crew and begin to develope feelings for each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A well developed plot with likable characters. A bit of a different view as the lady is large and in charge being disguised as a man and captain of the ship. She needs the hero to be a front for her as he is a white gentleman and will be able to advance their cause better. A fun read as they adventure with the crew and begin to develope feelings for each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews