The Iron Rose

Rating:
Summary: Swashbuckling romance at its best!
Review: After hearing about the role reversal in this book (the heroine is a pirate and the hero is a aristocrat) and reading some comments about the hero isn't "tough enough", I put off reading this book for a while. The reason was, no matter how much I love its prequel; ACROSS A MOONLIT SEA, and how much I adore a strong heroine, the idea of the hero being overpowered by the heroine didn't appeal to me a bit. I'd thought the role reversal meant a beta hero with a heart of gold versus a tough and ruthless heroine who needs to be reformed. But after I eventually read this book, I knew how wrong I was.

The heroine, Juliet Dante, the daughter of the legendary Pirate Wolf (the irresistible Simon Dante- read ACROSS A MOONLIT SEA for his full story, you'll love him!!!) is as strong and ruthless as I'd expected and more! She has more brain cells than every other heroine's in the same genre put together. If only those heroines I just mentioned had borrowed her spine...

Although the original heroine made a delightful read, what made this book a GRAND KEEPER for me was the hero. Varian St. Clare, the Duke of Harrow, is neither helpless nor a beta nice guy as I was afraid to read about. He's strong, smart and, despite being out of place as he was, wasn't intimidated by The Dante clan and the rough life. He could have been a credible alpha hero should he have a role in another book with a different setting. His character might not as heroic and larger than life as those typical Canham's heroes like Alexander Cameron in THE PRIDE OF LIONS&THE BLOOD OF ROSES, Tyrone Hart in PALE MOON RIDER, and Simon Dante in ACROSS A MOONLIT SEA, he's just as compelling and charming enough to become a new member of my all time favourite heroes.

Needless to say that the relationship between the hero and heroine is very well develop and the sexual tension and love scenes between those two are so hot they made me sweat more than once.

This book is a page-turner, full of breathtaking actions and rip-roaring adventures. The historical background's very interesting and the writing style's so compelling I could see the scenes and feel true atmosphere as if I was THERE. In the world of swashbuckling tales, Marsha Canham isn't one of the best authors. She IS the best.

I can hardly wait to read the stories of Juliet's two elder brothers. Hopefully Marsha would write a sequel soon because if she didn't do so, this book would more likely be the last pirate tale in my keeper shelf. There're TOO many bad pirate romances out there, you know.

Rating:
Summary: Worthy Sequel to "Across a Moonlit Sea"
Review: For those of us who loved "Across a Moonlit Sea," "The Iron Rose" is indeed a worthy sequel. Simon and Beau's daughter Juliet has taken up the pirate's trade in the tradition of her parents. She is the equal of any man sailing the Spanish Main in 1614 -- she loves her life and is not bothered by the absence of a permanent man in it, until she meets Varian St Clare, an envoy of King James VI of England. Varian is on a mission to convince Juliet's father and his fellow pirates to honor a peace treaty with Spain when he is rescued from almost certain death by Juliet. As with Ms Canham's previous novels, this one contains accurate details of life aboard ship in the 17th century, and "gentle readers" may be off-put by some of the graphic battle scenes. Also, Ms Canham has created "bad guys" with few redeeming qualities, and several plot twists that kept this reader's interest from beginning to end. Juliet is not a typical romantic heroine -- she can go for days without a bath, has had several casual lovers, and has no interest in marriage. Varian is more in the typical romantic hero mold, although more witty than most, and he does have a trick or two up his sleeve that keeps Juliet off balance. For those who hoped for more about Simon and Beau, they play fairly minor roles in this book, although there is a surprise involving the still-lovely Beau. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Iron Rose," as I love pirate stories, and enjoy romance novels that are not typical of the genre. If you have similar tastes, I think you will give this highly entertaining book a place on your keeper shelf.

Rating:
Summary: Worthy Sequel to "Across a Moonlit Sea"
Review: For those of us who loved "Across a Moonlit Sea," "The Iron Rose" is indeed a worthy sequel. Simon and Beau's daughter Juliet has taken up the pirate's trade in the tradition of her parents. She is the equal of any man sailing the Spanish Main in 1614 -- she loves her life and is not bothered by the absence of a permanent man in it, until she meets Varian St Clare, an envoy of King James VI of England. Varian is on a mission to convince Juliet's father and his fellow pirates to honor a peace treaty with Spain when he is rescued from almost certain death by Juliet. As with Ms Canham's previous novels, this one contains accurate details of life aboard ship in the 17th century, and "gentle readers" may be off-put by some of the graphic battle scenes. Also, Ms Canham has created "bad guys" with few redeeming qualities, and several plot twists that kept this reader's interest from beginning to end. Juliet is not a typical romantic heroine -- she can go for days without a bath, has had several casual lovers, and has no interest in marriage. Varian is more in the typical romantic hero mold, although more witty than most, and he does have a trick or two up his sleeve that keeps Juliet off balance. For those who hoped for more about Simon and Beau, they play fairly minor roles in this book, although there is a surprise involving the still-lovely Beau. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Iron Rose," as I love pirate stories, and enjoy romance novels that are not typical of the genre. If you have similar tastes, I think you will give this highly entertaining book a place on your keeper shelf.

Rating:
Summary: vividly strong seventeenth century tale
Review: In 1614 in the Caribbean, the Spanish vessel Santo Domingo attacks the English merchant ship Argus. It becomes obvious to outside observer Privateer Captain Juliet Dante of the IRON ROSE that the Spaniards plan to sink the Argus, killing everyone on board. Her crew surprises the Santo Domingo and captures that boat while saving the lives of most of the English on board the destroyed Argus. Included in the rescue is King James' latest envoy to the Caribe privateers, Duke Varian St. Clare, who has orders from His Majesty to obtain a cease and desist to all piracy.

Though they argue about their respective ways of life, Varian and Juliet are attracted to one another. As they fall in love, both knows one of them must compromise if they are to share a life together. However, before either can make up his or her mind, troubles on the high seas may decide for them their future as danger threatens to kill both of them.

Though typical in many ways of the historical pirate romance, THE IRON ROSE uses a gender bender lead female to provide the audience with an invigorating exciting story line. The key to the brisk plot besides the action is Juliet, a strong independent leader whose lust for life grips Varian (ask him about her scissors hold) and the audience. Though the climax seems abrupt, fans of the sub-genre will take great pleasure with this vividly strong seventeenth century tale.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Best historical I've read in a LONGGG Time!
Review: Marsha Canham is one of my top 5 authors so naturally I buy her books as soon as they are available. Juliet Dante is captain of her ship and can best any man in a sword fight. She is very comfortable with the fact that she has taken a few lovers before she meets Varian St. Clare, 12th Duke of Harrwood. Varian has been sent by the English King to ask the privateers to stop attacking Spanish ships as the King is trying to come to terms with Phillip III.

The Iron Rose was not what one expects in a romance novel - being the heroine is almost more manly than the hero. In fact, now that I think about it, I believe the two switched roles - Juliet being more manly and Varian being more, dare I say it, weaker. I prefer strong minded heroines over whimpy females, but I definitely prefer stronger men than women. I would have liked to see Varian get the better of Juliet in a few confrontations. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book as I read it in a day and a half. It's just not like any romance you've read before.

Ms. Canham does her usual spectacular job with details, so much so you can picture it perfectly. I wasn't sure how this book was going to end being that Juliet and Varian came from two totally different backgrounds, and now that I know - I'm not sure it could be wrapped up so neatly.

Oh well, I did get some good laughs from a few of Varian's situations. All in all, a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting character roles
Review: Marsha Cranham has long been a favorite author of mine. Her attention to detail and ability to weave a story within history (as opposed to being an outsider looking in) is incredible. I really enjoyed The Iron Rose, though it is not my favorite Cranham book. Let me start with the characters and what I feel is the strongest part of the book. I really liked meeting Juliet and Varian. Juliet is a very strong character and makes the reader stop and think many times at our preconceived ideas of what a heroine in a romance "should" be. There are a lot of "feisty" heroines out there, but Juliet seems more realistic. She lives on a ship of privateers and is very comfortable with herself. She appreciates a good looking man and is not a simpering virgin. She makes no excuses about her previous lovers and has no problem enjoying Varian. Varian on the other hand is a fairly strong male lead, just against Juliet, he seems a bit...uhm...weak. He never really gets to "win" against Juliet, and after a while I started to feel sorry for him.

It was also hard to see Varian spread his wings against a male like Simon, Juliet's father. That was probably my biggest gripe with the book (which really isn't saying much), poor Varian got sandwiched between a lot of very strong characters and barely is able to keep up, though thankfully, to some extent, he does.

I do not know if the situation that Ms. Cranham sets up is historically accurate or a figment of her imagination, but it was very well done. I believed it, felt that it was plausible and was interesting. I felt like I was there, on board the ships during the fights and during the planning stages. A great book, that is a bit out of the ordinary.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Twist on the Pirate Romance
Review: The early seventeenth century finds Ms. Canham's characters adrift on a ship at sea in a novel that cleverly combines historical accuracy of the nautical world of the times with a new twist on the pirate romance. This time, the privateer is the heroine, Juliet Dante, only daughter of Simon Dante, the infamous Pirate Wolf, and the hero is the pampered English Duke of Harrow, Varian St. Clare.

Coming to the rescue of the English ship Argus on which Varian is sailing, Juliet's ship, The Iron Rose, captures the Spanish ship Santo Domingo as it attacks the Argus. Side by side in battle, Juliet and Varian complement one another, but conversation leads to arguments as they struggle to fight their attraction amidst a witty play on words and a test of both strength and will. When Juliet sails to her island home, introducing Varian to her privateer parents and brothers, their intellectual sparring leads to an affair, the impact of which neither expected. And when Varian realizes that his mission to promote the King's quest for peace between England and Spain is a foolish one, he must decide whether to turn tail or join the ranks of the privateers in outwitting the deceitful Spaniards.

Though this read takes some time to gain momentum, the depth of feeling between the protagonists coupled with the vividly created scenes of seventeenth century life at sea leaves the reader completely immersed in a world with mortal danger on the high seas and lusty romance in the bedroom.

Rating:
Summary: A Rollicking Good Time!
Review: This book proves my assertion that Marsha Canham is without equal when it comes to writing adventure filled romances.
This is the swashbuckling tale of Juliet Dante, the fiercely independent daughter of Simon and Beau Dante who starred in another marvelous Canham book called Across a Moonlit Sea (this book stands on its own, however). Juliet is captain of her own ship The Iron Rose and one day while taking her ship out for a test run she runs across a Spanish galleon kicking the tar out of an English ship. She gallantly runs to the English ships rescue and jumps right into the fray. By the time the cannons are silenced Juliet and her crew have captured a huge Spanish treasure ship and rescued most of the crew of the English ship. However, Juliet's joy is short lived when she discovers the English ship she just saved was carrying an emmissary from King James. Varian St Clare, the duke of Harrow, was sent on a mission of utmost importance to King James. He is to persuade the privateers, including the Dantes, to honor a peace treaty with Spain which means they must immediately cease the attacks on the Spanish ships sailing to Spain from the New World chock full of treasure. Juliet is outraged that this fop dressed in velvet and feathers would dare to even suggest such a thing especially when Spain violated the last treaty by murdering the surrendering privateers. Regardless of how she feels Juliet is stuck with the disturbingly handsome nobleman. She agrees to take him to meet her father as her hostage.On the other hand, Varian's manly pride takes a blow when he realizes he is being taken hostage by a female and things only get worse when he realizes he is disturbingly aroused by said female. Never in his wildest dreams could he have thought that he'd be attracted to a fierce, strong, foul-mouthed woman who disdains his title and everything he stands for but also dares to manhandle him. Soon, Varian realizes that he loves Juliet and not in spite of her unusual qualities but because of them.

I absolutely loved the way the author turned the romance formula
upside down with Juliet's character. I am sure that Juliet
is one of the most amazing heroines I've ever come across. She is a fierce warrior but make no mistake she is also a woman who is fully aware of herself and completely in touch with her sensuality. She is the one who seduces Varian which I found incredibly refreshing. Varian is no mincing fop either, his quiet strength is the perfect foil for Juliet's strong personality. I also found that the vivid descriptions of battle and the pirate's way of life make for a heart pounding read. While I was reading this book all I kept thinking was what a great movie this would make. All in all The Iron Rose makes for a very satisfying read. Highly recommended :0)