Rating: 
Summary: Great story!
Review: This story follows Captain Mary. She is already Captain of her ship, Fury, when the story began. I watched her have affairs, not all of them men, and witnessed her try to keep those she cared for safe from harm. She was hard when she needed to be and though tired of death, did not hesitate at killing when she had to. She killed not only when her life was in danger, but also to show her strength, such as keelhauling a crewmate when he stole booty from the others. I was very pleased with the ending as well, which I will keep mute about. All-in-all, I will highly recommend this book to everyone. This is not a mushy romance book. Neither male nor female audience was targeted. It is one that I believe both sexes will enjoy thoroughly!
Rating:
Summary: man's point of view
Review: What a great adventure, for both men and women! An exciting story, filled with high seas rowdiness,even a measure of bawdiness, and never a dull moment. Captain Mary is a carefully researched, skillfully written tale of adventure, lust, romance with changing partners (involving both sexes), bold fighting and and shrewed management of pirate riches. This romantic novel moves at a very fast pace and a reader will not want to close the covers , even for a short break . For me, this is a kind of story I need for total relaxation at intervals of at least once a year. Such fun! As a retired university official and a librarian, most of my reading is for critical reasons, and seldom for pure entertainment. But "Captain Mary" was a wonderfully carefree escape that I immensely enjoyed.
Rating:
Summary: man's point of view
Review: What a great adventure, for both men and women! An exciting story, filled with high seas rowdiness,even a measure of bawdiness, and never a dull moment. Captain Mary is a carefully researched, skillfully written tale of adventure, lust, romance with changing partners (involving both sexes), bold fighting and and shrewed management of pirate riches. This romantic novel moves at a very fast pace and a reader will not want to close the covers , even for a short break . For me, this is a kind of story I need for total relaxation at intervals of at least once a year. Such fun! As a retired university official and a librarian, most of my reading is for critical reasons, and seldom for pure entertainment. But "Captain Mary" was a wonderfully carefree escape that I immensely enjoyed.
Rating:
Summary: And they sailed the seas....
Review: year: 1721
setting: Caribbean Simonds leads readers on a realistic journey through the Caribbean with a female buccaneer commanding the brigantine "Fury." Inspired by the lives of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who were tried for piracy in the early 1700s, Mary's fictional tale presents an uncensored perspective of the lives of pirates. We are introduced to Mary's dilemma, which navigated her into this dangerous existence. The situation was one of choice. Rather than allow her intended, Darius Manchester, to rape her before their wedding, she'd see him dead. To escape the law, she fled her father's South Carolina rice plantation. Time marched on. Now, rather than the hunting knife she used to kill Darius, a sword is her preferred weapon. Her education is not from a governess and selected text, but from "Silver Tooth," a pirate Captain she married. The life she lives centers on commanding the pirates dedicated to serving her, for the right price. They sail the Guadeloupe passage in search of ships crossing their path. There is a tax to be paid and Mary will risk her and her men's lives to haul in the rewards. There are those who penetrate Mary's protected heart and for a time they will love her. A prisoner aboard his Majesty's ship Le Chat d' Soleil, Doctor Alphonse Coulances is accused of being a traitor. This man she is drawn to. There is also her first mate and partner, Petronius. He should be Captain, but because of the times an African would not be respected. Then there's Elaine, a female prisoner who introduces Mary to a different type of love. Athough Mary is not governed by her natural society's rules and regulations, there are laws among the pirates that must be followed by sailor and Captain. Failure to abide by them can lead to keel hauling and other painful deaths. Mary is also dependent on a Mr. Trimmer to manage her business affairs in a British Colony in St. John's Antigua. Her life is filled with the rage of battle, the act of taking by force and just beyond the horizon lies someone determined to gain revenge. And in the middle of it all, she deals with a certain responsibility she has neglected. CAPTAIN MARY, BUCCANEER is as real as they come in terms of historical perspective. Simonds presents detailed description of her characters from their hair to their belt buckles. You feel as if you are aboard her brigantine and watching your every step. You sway with the waves rocking the ship, see the blood and guts staining the time-worn planks. This isn't Hollywood's action hero keeping you entertained for 1 ½ hours. This is as close to a pirate's life that you will dare to explore. 4 sabers out of 4
--Denise Fleischer- GWN Book Reviewer
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