SOLVED. Romance trilogy - Heroine called "Kat" - features Jean Lafitte and Blackbeard the pirates [s]

[Andrea]

I read this in the early '90s. The heroine's name is Katherine, Kathleen or Katrina but the hero calls her "Kat" because she bites and claws like one. He even gives her a jeweled necklace at some point that says "Kat."
Hero is a pirate and friends with Jean Lafitte and Blackbeard. Set in the south, probably New Orleans.

[Juels]

Did you try Fire & Ice or Ashes & Ecstasy by Catherine Hart?

[Andrea]

That's it! I had no idea where to even begin looking without remembering any of the title or author's name. My timeframe was off by a decade too. Thank you!

[Juels]

You're welcome. I don't think your timeframe was off. Fire & Ice was originally published back in 1984 and the sequel, Ashes & Ecstasy, in 1985.

[Kris]

Andrea, is your book Fire & Ice or Ashes & Ecstasy?

[Andrea]

It should be shelved under Fire & Ice because that was the first (and better) book. Thanks!