Pirate Hunter (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

Why not 5 stars? It has nothing to do with the writing - which was great! I just didn't like how she portrayed the hero and heroine from Pirate Next Door. It seemed to me that Grayson was a little to entranced with Diana's beauty and that given the opportunity he would have slept with her. It seemed like the only time Alexandra came to his mind was when he was reminded of her. If they were real people I think his behavior would have been quite telling. I would think that while he was off helping the government and leaving Alexandra home that he probably was sleeping with other women. Which even though I didn't like Pirate Next Door - I hate to think that the hero of that book was possibly still sleeping with other women. I mean we know his behavior with women before his marriage was horrible - we are even given examples of it in this book.

The last thing - I wish the epilogue was an actual epilogue showing James and Diana's life and not Grayson and Alexandra. I don't think we really needed to have James and Diana's relationship discussed by Grayson and Alexandra at the end.

Diana can't believe her eyes when she spots James Ardmore washed up on her beach. The urge to finish him off is great but instead she saves his retched life and opens her life to more turmoil that only James can provide. If only she didn't desire the rogue so much!!! James does all that he can to seduce the strong willed Diana. While doing this he looks for Jack. Little does he know he's finally near his enemy but what happens after a promise is broken, and a hunt comes to an end? A happy Ending...Not quite or rather not right away. Where would the fun in that be?

This was a little darker then the earlier read. James is not as light hearted as Grayson was and this is carried over into the story. Diana is a strong willed hoyden and at time was a bit over the top. In any event these two have great chemistry and the story is fun and fast paced. I look forward to the next installment of this series.