Intriguing and a great escape read.
Many thanks to The Wild Rose Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Who wouldn't want to be with a pirate. That is what sold me and that was it for me. I had to read and hooked on it. Enjoyed this alot.

A sweeping tale between two continents, PIRATE’S PREY grabbed hold of me from the first chapter. Young Maura Brent has a strong, independent spirit, never backing down from a challenge (even a forced marriage). Pirate Shane Christian is decisive and unwavering in his beliefs about love, loyalty, and honor. The story takes the reader through an intricately woven plot, and emotion is always close to the surface. The romance between Maura and Shane is passionate, and I loved watching it evolve through hardship. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, The Wild Rose Press, and Colleen O’Connell. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I typically don’t read pirate books but I am so glad I gave this story and new to me author a chance! This story quickly draws you into a world of intrigue and the characters are multifaceted which is always nice. The romance between Hero & heroine is written in such a way you can’t help but hope for their HEA and the chemistry & sizzle factor is hot!

If you enjoy pirates or if you are looking for something different to read I encourage you to give this book a try!

4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥 — Come get lost in this voyage ⛵️

Shane is a wonderful character as the pirate Falcon. Maura took a bit longer to like as she was somewhat shrewish, with kind of loose morals, but she did grow on me as the story unfolded. The book was well-written and enjoyable. I will definitely be recommending.
Thank you Colleen O'Connell, The Wild Rose Press and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Shane Christian scorns danger as the notorious pirate, Falcon. Feared and respected for his realm over the sea, his exploits are only surpassed by his devilish charm.
When I started reading I couldn't put it down. Colleen O'Connell is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this books.Can't wait for the next book ...

A standard pirate romance that makes for a good guilty pleasure read on a weekend afternoon. Full of tasty tropes it is enjoyable, the plot is well paced and there is a little steam and spice.

The steam level left me wanting a little more but Shane and Maura’s love was a sweet story to dive into. It was also full of turmoil from the start, as is often the case with pirates. At first, it seemed a little too much like insta-love on Shane’s part, but that got sorted out later on in the book and it made me like him and the book more once I understood his motives.

Maura was always torn between damsel in distress needing a rescue and a strong willed woman who didn’t take any bull. She was a likable character but the poor author really put her through the wringer. The lady couldn’t catch a break.

Fortunately, as all good classic romances should, the lady and her pirate had an HEA, which just pages before the end didn’t seem possible. A romance worth a read if you’re into pirates.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

This was an interesting read. Maura is forced to marry a man she despises, until she is 'kidnapped' by a pirate Shane (while in actual fact, it was her father that had orchestrated this), and finds herself in the care of said pirate, on route to America. Like many other historical romances, the female lead is spunky and rebellious who manages to put the male lead in his place.

I liked the ending a little but wished that there was more justice served.

Overall the story was a good story and once it got going it was not a bad story.

This had everything one could hope from an historical romance about a pirate - adventure, drama, corruption, a mutiny, and love.

Shane Christian is a confident man with means, who happens to be in Ireland for Maura Brent's engagement ball. Maura is being blackmailed into marrying a truly despicable man. She is spared the wedding night, but awakens on a pirate ship headed to America.

The romance between Shane and Maura was a bit rushed, but I liked his cocky playfulness, and felt they were a great match. Extra points for expressive steamy scenes that complimented the tone of the story. As the story progresses, you really can't help but root for them.

I also adored all of the supporting characters, especially Alex Steele. Well, adored the GOOD supporting characters. They helped to really flesh out the world. The evilness of David Trent and Harold Mansbry was never in doubt, either, and every villain played his role perfectly (though not unpredictable).

There was a lot going on in this story, and I really enjoyed it! The ending wasn't quite what I expected, but I loved it!

4 Stars
3.5 Heat

I read about 2/3rds of this tale. I love pirate stories but couldn't enjoy this one. Shane is ok, but Maura is just a loose woman. She jumps into bed in a second! Young women in those days tended NOT to. Plus she's a nag. Sorry didn't love it.

I loved this book. I enjoyed the story line from beginning to end. It had its predictable moments but not in the way that you would expect. The book had equal amounts of drama, adventure, suspense and for me a moment where I was biting my nails hoping for a certain outcome. I 100% recommend this book to anyone. No matter what your reading preference is. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have

And here we have a classic example of a concept very much of interest - I mean, who doesn't like pirates?! - going to hell by a cast and plot that make no sense or hold said interest...

I started reading this book all giddy and stuff. I love pirate-themed stories, especially romantic ones, and if there's the proverbial ripping of corsets involved, then even better. At page 78 - read again, 78, I gave it a good effort to nearly reach 100, people - I just had to give up. It pains me to say, this was not the book for me.

Let's start with the general stuff. Because I have a bone to pick with the main heroine, but that's personal, so I'm leaving it for later. Priorities! So!

First of all, the pace. It was completely out of order. It was slow when there were no important events, and unreasonably fast in parts we needed more details on. Case in point, Maura and swordsmanship. How the heck did she learn to actually wield the blade? What, they just gave her a weapon, taught her none of the basics, and then spewed philosophical BS at her, expecting her to know what she was doing? Scenes like these add to character growth - which God knows Maura needed tons of - and there was none of it. On the other hand, we got a lot of unnecessary scenes, dragged out till it bored us to death.

And now, the personal problem. Maura. MAURA! What on Earth is it with that woman?! I remember writing down on my review notes (because yes, I have a notebook to write down stuff to remember for reviews when reading ARCs) that I didn't appreciate her constant need to change Shane's pirating ways - because the man obviously liked doing it, and he was damn good at it. And then, the next note, some pages later, is me writing in all caps a rant the likes of which I haven't seen in my notes in a while. Let me be more specific - in other words, rant is about to follow, beware.

You hare-brained sheep! The man has repeatedly told you - and showed you - he likes being a pirate. He's good at it. He enjoys it, identifies himself with it. And yet, I kept reading all the different ways and plans and schemes she came up with, trying to make him drop it. Ignoring his wishes. Totally not respecting him and his desires. Woman, you want him? Then take him as he is! Stop trying to teach him how to be your noble lapdog like he's Tarzan!

And then Maggie! What was the point of a 40-year-old maid going with Maura, who was supposedly being kidnapped by pirates to avoid her awful marriage? Who in their right mind would believe that a noble lady got kidnapped, yet the pirates were kind enough to offer to take her loyal servant with her?! Only to die, mind you, in the next chapters, in the very first battle, because sure, where else would a middle-aged woman be but in the middle of a fight between ships?! It made no sense for her to die like this, unless it was just for Maura to be a little sad and in mourning, refusing to sleep with Shane as a result (not that it lasted long, mind you, she jumped right in after a little while).

Oh, oh, and let's not forget that by page 78, they had already done the deed. Never mind the fact that a woman at that point of human history didn't just give in to sex because of her upbringing (and you people better not tell me otherwise, Maura wasn't even rebellious in nature to justify her sleeping with Shane right off the bat, she was even acting like the fucking virgin she was when he tried to make out with her the first time)! If the book was a novella, and an erotica one at that, it would have made sense, and it would be expected and wonderful. But when you have 158 more pages to go - what else IS there to read about?! Because it certainly wasn't Maura and her stubborn thoughts on how to get Shane out of the pirate ship - again, this seemed to be the only thing in her mind, EVER!

I don't know if Elizabeth Swan has set high standards for pirate romance heroines for me, but I do know that this wasn't enough of a reason for me to hate other heroines of this genre, who weren't like our dear Ms Swan. So I guess it was certainly Maura. Kudos, though, for the woman: just by being an obnoxious female lead, she managed to sour a story based on one of my top favorite themes, I mean, at least she has that going on for her as a record...

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Pirate's Prey follows Maura Brent, the daughter of a man down on his luck with fortune. Facing a marriage arranged to keep her father's home, Maura does what is needed to protect her family's interest. Her fate takes a turn for the more adventurous when the pirate captain Falcon (Shane Christian) kidnaps her on her father's orders to rescue her. Despite countless warnings and Maura's best intentions, she finds herself falling for the pirate despite all that stands in their way.

This was a fun concept to explore! It did feel a bit rushed at times in the writing, but it fit a lot into the story. I liked the characters of Maura and Shane, they felt well-developed and had great chemistry. Other characters could have been described a bit stronger to make them more memorable, but with a leading couple like this it wasn't super distracting that the other characters were a bit basic.

Pirate's Prey is a fun romance to get immersed in, I loved the storyline and the settings of the pirate ship, Ireland, and America in the 18th century.

3.5 ⭐️
A pirate tale of adventure, kidnapping, bribes, slave trade, death, and my favorite, romance. An easy read with a full story of events that I just mentioned. I enjoyed it, but didn’t care for the title or the cover.
In some places it felt one dimensional and I longed for more interaction with the h and H. I also had a hard time believing the insta love. Having said that, there was quite a tale being told.
This would be a fun, summer read in my opinion. As my husband always says, “a mental bag of potato chips.”

Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Loved it! Maura Brent is being forced to marry Harold Mansbry, a very manipulative and power-hungry man. He wants to send her father to prison if she will not marry him. Her father has been fighting against this man for a year or more. Her father is now broke and not sure what to do about it. Maura loathes him but agreed, she could not let anything happen to her father. on the night before her wedding, there is a ball to celebrate and she meets two men one is Alexander Steele. The other is Shane Christian, he dances with her, goes into her father's office and talks for a few minutes. Then he leaves.
Shane Christian AKA "The Falcon" is a pirate and made a deal with her father to get her out of there before the wedding. He came to get her the night of the marriage. He was very notorious and had been a pirate since he was fairly young. He loved the sea, it kept him calm, it made him rich as well. He was very successful.

Pirate's Prey was a little hard to follow. Not that it was confusing, but that it almost seemed like a rough draft. The writing was quick and jumpy.
The characters were hard to get to know. Maura had no introduction. It just jumped right in to the story. And when faces with a fiance her father hated all he said was "i need a drink" and let her go.
Overall the story was a good story and once it got going it was not a bad story.

3-1/2 stars rounded up to 4.

I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it, either. I found the pace to be somewhat uneven and didn't really connect with any of the characters. I think part of the reason for that was because I never got a clear picture of what they looked like. I know that sounds superficial, but I like to get a clear vision in my head of their features. I know that Falcon had dark hair, was tall, but other than that, I didn't "see" him. I didn't get a description of Maura at all...at least not one that I remember. It made it hard for me to care about them. In my opinion, you can get away with that in thrillers or mysteries, but not romances. That's just me. It may not bother others.

As for the story, it was pretty darn good. Shane Christian (Falcon) and Maura met in a pretty unique way and after that, he wanted her forever. I appreciated that part. But she had to marry another man who was a master manipulator and just an overall jerk. It worked for everything. I grasped that David Trent, who was some sort of police officer, and her husband were trying to apprehend Falcon and David Trent seemed to make it his life's work. I wasn't sure just how Maura's husband fit into the equation other than financially. But he is an important part of the story and not to be minimized.

There were some super feel-good scenes toward the end that had me choked up and the end had me jumping for joy. The last quarter of the book was the best part of the whole thing. I wasn't bored with the what led up to it necessarily, but if this book was an ice cream sundae, the end would be the cherry on top. I'll probably remember it for a long time.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Pirate’s Prey by Colleen O’Connell captured my attention from the first page. I haven’t read anything by her, but will be checking this author out. We start by meeting Maura Brent and her father meeting Harold Mansbry who now owns her father’s bank note and is forcing (blackmailing) her into a marriage that she doesn’t want. Harold is not a nice fellow, but Maura feels she has no choice so she signs the contract. Several days, at her “engagement” part she goes off by herself and Shane Christian finds her in the garden alone. He is intrigued by her, but finds that she is the person the party is for. That doesn’t stop him from dancing the waltz with her (which is scandalous!). Fast forward to the wedding and it happens even though someone is to kidnap Maura BEFORE the nuptials. Then the wedding night. Unfortunately for Harold, he drinks a glass of wine and then passes out. Hmm, something doesn’t seem right. Maura is then kidnapped by, you guessed it, Shane. But he isn’t who she thinks he is. He is actually the pirate Falcon. What happens after all of this is an adventure for both Shane and Maura. But remember, Maura is married. Will they get her out of the marriage? Who is David Trent? These and other adventures are answered by the end. Very good story and well written.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Enjoyed the story. It is well written, entertaining and full of action. In order to save his daughter from a disastrous marriage, James planned for her to be kidnapped and taken to America. Things do not go as planned and she is not taken until after the wedding has ended but she is finally on her way to America on board a pirate ship. As the trip proceeds, Mauren and Shane fall in love and he takes her to his home. Because Shane is a pirate life is full of danger, especially when he is captured and stands trial. There is a lot going on in this story and it makes for a great story. There is a HEA but a lot happens first.

Pirate's Prey is a great story if you love pirates, insta love, and an overall sweet romance. Shane and Maura meet at her engagement ball to another man. They share a kiss and then he kidnaps her soon after. From there, it's one adventure after another. Sadly though, for as deeply in love as they are, they can can never marry until an enemy has been dealt with.

My thanks to NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press, Inc for the opportunity to read and review Pirate's Prey by Colleen O'Connell.