The Pirate and the Pagan

Rating:
Summary: extremly emotional. . . beware
Review: ... when I read this book for the first time I absolutely wanted to scream in outrage. I really hated Summer for almost the entire length of the story. However, in the back of my mind, it delighted me that she was so unbelievably strong willed. I can not begin to describe all the emotions that ran through me when I was reading this book for the first time four years ago. . . I just wanted to breakdown and cry over Summer and Ruark's stupidity. But when I got to the end all was forgiven. I strongly believe it is a book you should read twice, you miss a lot of the clues the first time around and it's definatly less upseting once you know Ruark's little secret.

Rating:
Summary: Two Times the Pleasure
Review: A stimulating novel that explored the depths of the heroine's mind. Summer is a headstrong female who goes after what she wants. Roark and Rory are two virile men who will stop at nothing to get the girl. If I could have given this book more than five stars I would have. I couldn't put it down there were so many twists and turns this book kept me guessing until the end. I've suggested this book to all of my friends and I plan on giving it as a gift to my grandmother. Virginia Henley is under-rated.

Rating:
Summary: I've found a new author...
Review: After reading the reviews posted here, I took a chance and tried this book -- not expecting much. Well, was I in for a pleasant surprise! This is one of the most enjoyable historical romance novels I've read in years. From their first meeting, the sparks flew and it was obvious Summer and Ruark were a perfect match for each other. The problem is, both were too stubborn to admit it to each other. I was totally shocked by some of the actions both characters took, but it made for a pleasant change from the typical historical novel. The book was filled with adventure, fun, daring, and love, and the characters were likeable. After having read this book, I'm happy to say I've found another good author and I'm looking for another Henley novel.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good but not dynamite
Review: First of all, let me say that i love virginia henley, and love to get my hands on any of her books. I picked up the pirate and the pagan expecting it to be the greatest historical novel i'd ever read, judging from the online reviews, but perhaps i was expecting too much. i felt like something was missing throughout the whole book; i didn't feel the connection between the hero and heroine like i normally do when reading vh's books. the book is FANTASTIC compared to Dream lover and other romance novels, but falls short of a woman of passion and the falcon and the flower in my opinion...i was disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Best book I have ever read!!
Review: I am a big Henley fan, but this is by far her best. From the descriptions of the plague to the fascinating love story between Summer and Ruark, the book explodes with a surprise ending that even shocked and amazed me. Usually, you can pretty much predict what will happen in novels, but not this one! a true gem, a pleasure to read, by far the best novel i have ever read!!!

Rating:
Summary: Incredibly disappointing
Review: I am an avid reader and I was looking to find another good author to read, becuase I have read all of my favorite authors' books already. After reading the other reviews for this book I had very high hopes, but I was majorly disappointed. To the author's credit I will state that this is the only book of hers that I have read. The only thing that I can say I enjoyed about this book is the historical references, which I thought were very interesting. Other than that, I have rarely encountered a female character who was as annoying, stupid, and completely brainless as Summer. She did things that made no logical sense, and was sleeping with what she thought two different people throughout the book. I don't appreciate characters who don't have a drop of loyalty in them, although I will say that Henley made Ruark (the main male character) so dispicable, mean, abusive, and horrible that no woman in her right mind would have stayed with him. I don't care if in the end she knew that Ruark and Rory were the same person, Ruark had done things so vile and hateful that there was no way she should have forgiven him. Another problem with this book is that the story had elements in it that disrupted the flow. For example, what was the point in having Summer dress up as the Black Cat? Or Ruark/Rory as a thief as well? They were already smuggling pirates, and being highwaymen just seemed to be thrown in there to take up space and serve as a reason for Summer to be thrown in jail. The story jumped from place to place and problem to problem with no transitions so that it felt like they were appearing out of the blue. I really feel that the story elements could have been better thought out and a little more believable.
Another area that I have a problem with is that these characters have sex EVERY 10 pages and I am not exagerating! These scenes are not romantically portrayed, instead I felt that I was reading a very descriptive and vulgar script to a porn movie. I realize this is a romance novel and I don't have problems with the characters having sex, but not every 10 pages in a 350 page book. It really got old, to the point where I was skimming entire sections. My final problem with this book is that there is a scene between the king and his mistress in which he slaps her and the mistress actually replies something to the effect of "that a man needs to give his woman a good slap every now and then and a man who doesn't is not much of a man" (I don't have my book copy with me to quote word for word). I am sorry, but there is no place for an attitude like this in literature. I don't care if the author was trying to portray what people at this point in time might have been thinking. It is just wrong. She reaches thousands with her books and the attitude she portrays to these women is very negative.
In conclusion, if you like books by authors such as Judith McNaught, Johanna Lindsey, Julie Garwood, Jude Deveraux, or Nora Roberts you WILL NOT, and I repeat will not, like this book. These women write about intelligent, independent women with spirit and guts and you will not find any of these traits in Summer or this story.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: I bought the Pirate and the Pagan by Virginia Henley because I was looking for a good Pirate themed romance book but instead I found that it was very disappointing! The hero and the heroine were both unlikeable and had no endearing qualities whatsoever!

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I have just recently "found" Virginia Henley, and so far with the exception of just one book (The Raven and the Rose) I have loved them all. Set during the reign of Charles II Raurk and Cat's love story is a page turner. A wonderful love story with a surprise twist at the end. From the Court of Charles II to the wild wind swept Cornish coast to the wild and sexy pirate Rory this is a great love story. The characters are human and make mistakes but in the end what brings the characters together in the first place, ties them together in the end. Rich with historic accounts of the Great London Fire, the Plauge, and the Dutch war and actual historic figures you will not be let down.

Rating:
Summary: This is a great book!!
Review: I just love this book. The author creates interesting characters and plots that I had trouble setting it down till the end of the page. It shows a side of romance that few people ever see these days. I recommend reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Pirate and the Pagan
Review: I love this book. Obviously from all of the other reviews everyone has an opinion. This was my first Virgina Henley book, and I must say, I will definatly be buying more of her books. Her style is bold and very refreshing but apparently not for the 'faint of heart' people who do not appreciate a self-reliant woman to be the heroine of the story.

I highly recommend this book! Very loving and very dramatic read. It took me less than 2 days to finish!