The Pirate Hunter [Mass Market Paperback]

When James Ardmore washes up, barely alive, on a beach after the ship he was on goes down, he never expected HER to be staring at him, when he opened his eyes. HER - being Lady Diana. After all, he had kidnapped her and held her as a pawn in his plans for vengeance once before, so he does not expect a welcome, despite that passionate kiss they shared before.

James is on a mission to destroy the buccaneer Black Jack Mallory and will stop at nothing, use anyone to achieve that aim. He will risk his own life to see the deed done for Mallory killed James' family.

James abducted Diana, even though he knows it will ruin her socially, because her father has a connection to Black Jack. Only, a sexy Pirate Hunter does not cower Diana. She lives with a cold husband, a husband who abhors his only child, because she is deaf. So James does not rattle this gutsy lady. Despite making handling his captive more difficult, James admires Diana's strengths and her determination to escape, and Diana does everything to make James regret he kidnapped her. Only, Diana begins to see traits in the man, that he cares - which is a lot more than the cold fish she has for a husband does - so she begins to fall in love with the Pirate Hunter, even knowing the romance is doomed, especially since James cannot let go of the need for vengeance.

Now, James has washed up on the beach of her isolated home, giving Diana another chance at teaching the man she loves to open his heart once more.

Jennifer is a strong writer, with a deft voice. She is a wizard in creating interesting characters that make you care about them. In this one, the child with her hearing problem and how Diana helps her over come that, is so wonderfully done, with such heart.

Here's to hoping Jennifer Ashley/Ashley Gardner, keeps giving us such rich Regency tales. Her love for writing is in every word.

When James Ardmore washes up, barely alive, on a beach after the ship he was on goes down, he never expected HER to be staring at him, when he opened his eyes. HER - being Lady Diana. After all, he had kidnapped her and held her as a pawn in his plans for vengeance once before, so he does not expect a welcome, despite that passionate kiss they shared before.

James is on a mission to destroy the buccaneer Black Jack Mallory and will stop at nothing, use anyone to achieve that aim. He will risk his own life to see the deed done for Mallory killed James' family.

James abducted Diana, even though he knows it will ruin her socially, because her father has a connection to Black Jack. Only, a sexy Pirate Hunter does not cower Diana. She lives with a cold husband, a husband who abhors his only child, because she is deaf. So James does not rattle this gutsy lady. Despite making handling his captive more difficult, James admires Diana's strengths and her determination to escape, and Diana does everything to make James regret he kidnapped her. Only, Diana begins to see traits in the man, that he cares - which is a lot more than the cold fish she has for a husband does - so she begins to fall in love with the Pirate Hunter, even knowing the romance is doomed, especially since James cannot let go of the need for vengeance.

Now, James has washed up on the beach of her isolated home, giving Diana another chance at teaching the man she loves to open his heart once more.

Jennifer is a strong writer, with a deft voice. She is a wizard in creating interesting characters that make you care about them. In this one, the child with her hearing problem and how Diana helps her over come that, is so wonderfully done, with such heart.

Here's to hoping Jennifer Ashley/Ashley Gardner, keeps giving us such rich Regency tales. Her love for writing is in every word.

James Ardmore was born a southern gentleman. As a firstborn son, Ardmore knew southern Carolina wealth and class. However, destiny took him away from that privileged life style. James Ardmore spent a lifetime searching the high seas for his brother’s killer; James Ardmore was a pirate hunter. He was a meanspirited, cruel stalker. Men feared him. Women adored him. James Ardmore was a legend.

Diana Worthing was an affectionate daughter, a loving mother, and a happy widow, and she disliked James Ardmore intensely. As far as Diana Worthing was concerned, the man could die. For if James Ardmore were DEAD, the world would be free from his tyranny, his vengefulness, his smoldering embraces. Yet, James Ardmore would not die; he would not go away; instead, he stole Diana Worthing’s passionate heart.

This was an interesting change of pace for a book series. This was a very interesting change of pace for an author to take! Book 1 was successful; Book 1 was fun. Book 2 is not. Not only is it dark and somber, it has loose ends floating everywhere. As a reader, who read Book 1, I strangely felt "out of it!" Not only was I adrift in the story, but I never truly felt the passion (even though Ashley harped it was everywhere) and where was Ardmore’s pirate crew? In Book 1, Ashley described these delightful characters so well . . . and here . . . they were abandoned! THE PIRATE HUNTER’s storyline missed them; I missed them! Oh, what could have been! THE PIRATE HUNTER comes through as just an okay read.
Grade: C+

MaryGrace Meloche.