I started reading this one without realising there was book one, so I did not know anything about the characters or what awaited me. Surprisingly it didn't matter I enjoyed the adventure, leading ladies and the side characters. I need get the first book because I need to find out how these two polar opposite meet and become soulmates.

Sapphic pirates? Heck yeah! This was a short and fun continuation to its previous installment and I'm having such a great time with those books which are giving me all the Pirates of the Caribbean I could ever want. The characters are evolving and I was so happy to follow them once more. 4.5 stars

The Heart of the Banshee sails smoothly from where The Raven and the Banshee left off, plunging readers back into the turbulent waters of Captain Branna Kelly and Julia Farrow's lives. Carolyn Elizabeth crafts an enthralling sequel that is full of adventure and seasoned with the complexities of love and leadership.

In The Heart of the Banshee, Julia's deep dive into the pirate world is gripping and genuine, marking her evolution from a life of comfort to the gritty reality of piracy. Branna, the unwavering captain, faces the dual challenge of steering her ship through dangerous waters and adapting her leadership style in response to her deepening relationship with Julia. This sequel doesn't shy away from testing Julia, portraying her struggles vividly while highlighting Branna's unwavering support as a cornerstone of their relationship. Amidst the intimate journey of their partnership, the tale is also charged with thrilling action and danger, making the relationship between Julia and Branna not just a subplot but the driving force of this novel.

I flew through this book in a day, which is a feat for me, because it was so compelling in the storyline. I loved being back with Julia and Branna, and I hope this series continues in the future.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was unable to download and read The Heart of the Banshee before it was archived. I look forward to reading it now that it has been published!

Heart of the Banshee is a follow up to a series, with the previous book being Raven and the Banchees. Getting this as an ARC I couldn’t read this book until I read the first one, so that’s what I did. This is not a series that you can just pick up mid book, it needs to be read as written, which most series do. This book was just as enjoyable as the first one. This story gives the reader more of Branna and Julia and their development. This book was pretty well paced and kept me reading and needing to know what happens next. The author is also great with new character introduction, especially mid way through a series and book and really makes characters that you enjoy hating. For this being an adventure series, the author is great at intertwining romance into the story and it’s not forced.
Overall, who doesn’t love a pirate romance. This was a great read and I am so glad I took the time to read the first one and then enjoy this follow up. I will be continuing my journey across the seas with this series.

This was a really good swashbuckling pirate romance. I liked that this was a second book in this series, and that we got to see what was happening in with Brianna and Julia's relationship. I really liked the addition of some of the secondary characters, because this made it more than just a pirate romance. This book was a combination of romance, adventure, danger, the paranormal. I would recommend this book to my friends and family, and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for next book in this series.

I missed the boat on the first book so I did not know anything about the characters or what I was in store for... needless to say, it didn't matter to me one bit. Enjoyed this adventure and these leading ladies. The side characters? Magnificent. This book has forced me to go back and get the first book though because I need to witness the meeting of these polar opposite soulmates.

Carolyn Elizabeth certainly knows how to create adventure filled, swashbuckling pirate tales! These stories are chock full of action, danger, and suspense, introducing us to characters that we will either fall in love with, or hate with equal passion.

The first novel in this series, The Raven and the Banshee, introduces the reader to Captain Branna Kelly and Julia Farrow. That book tells about their past, how they were separated for years, and the exciting adventures that bring them back together as a couple.
The newest book, The Heart of the Banshee continues their daring adventures with even more danger, romance, and excitement, as well as a bunch of new bad guys.

The narrative of this story will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning the pages as quickly as you can. The descriptions of the settings will take you to the islands, or on the deck of the ship, riding the ocean swells and feeling the salt spray on your face. Most of the folks you meet in these pages will work their way into your heart. A few will make you want to skewer them with a sword. That’s how realistic the author wrote these characters.

This is a review specifically of The Heart of the Banshee, but these two books really belong together. Both of these novels need to be read in order. Together they create a gripping pirate tale you do not want to miss.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bella Books for allowing me the chance to read and honestly review this book.

This was a real swash buckler, exciting, scary and crazy story. Plan to read it in one sitting because you won't want to put it down. Once the action starts it doesn't stop. There is plenty "oh no's" that will make you read faster to find out what happens.
I don't know where Ms. elizabeth came up with this story but it's bloody entertaining.
The ending is the most obvious "ready for a sequel" that I have ever read. Not a cliffhanger just "what's next". I for one, am looking forward to it.
Fun read...I. liked it...much better than book 1, "The Raven and the Banshee".
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Captain Branna Kelly understands that her lover, Julia Farrow, would rather win arguments with words than swords. Yet if Julia chooses to stay and be with her then she will need to be able to defend herself. Branna, on the other hand, has to face her past which refuses to let go.

Elizabeth gives us an exciting continuation to The Raven and the Banshee with everything you expect in a swashbuckler plus more. Julia shines bright as the star of this show and as she experiences pirate life. She discovers the pirate life is not for the faint of heart.

If the high seas call to you, then The Heart of the Banshee should be your next port of call.

I received an advance review copy  from Bella Books through NetGalley.  I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a fun swashbuckler sequel. I enjoyed the action scenes and the romance. There are some grey scenes but they seemed to fit in with the physical trauma that both mc’s endured. The fight scenes were well done with the MCs getting beat up but not backing down.

I liked the dialogue and growth of both MCs throughout the series. Easily recommend to all action living readers.

ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.

So I knew this was a sequel to a book I hadn't read before, but who can say no to pirates especially ones of the female persuasion. I read Captain Kelly's latest expolits over one weekend. The amount of adventure and romance wasn't what I was expecting but I was still engaged enough to jump back and forth into this world. Give it a try.

Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

The Heart of the Banshee by Carolyn Elizabeth is an exciting and passionate romance following the story of Captain Branna Kelly.

This romance was very well written, the bond between Captain Branna Kelly and Julia Farrow felt so real and emotional. I loved seeing how the dealt with the difficulties the had to face throughout the story.

The book was gripping and kept me interested until the end.

I would love to read more of Carolyn Elizabeth's work in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bella Books for providing me with this arc.

Heart of the Banshee is the follow up to the Raven and the Banshee. It picks up right after the previous book ends with Julia getting ready to join the crew of the Banshee. If you liked the first you will very likely enjoy this one as well. We see more of Julia and Branna as they get to spend more time together and as they butt heads a bit as well. This new adventure is fast paced and keeps you wanting to know what happens next and delivers a great new character that you'll immediately love to hate. I finished the bulk of this book in one sitting and it really kept my attention. I've enjoyed all of Carolyn Elizabeth's books though I think the Curtis and Reynolds series may edge this one out as my favorite. I love the sense of adventure in these though and they are guaranteed to keep you entertained. I will say the last bit of this book feels a bit different than the start but is still lots of fun. I will be picking up any future additions to this series as these two are too much fun to miss.

This is the second book to The Raven and The Banshee. It was an exciting read that can stand on its own. The main characters were strong and loveable. I recommend.

Thank you, Bella Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this fun pirate adventure! Carolyn Elizabeth is one of my favorite authors. When I had read her free short story "At Words Point", I was ecstatic that it was being made into a full fledged novel. The first book, "The Raven and the Banshee" was a good fun pirate story and this is just as good. The story picks up shrtly after the first book with Branna and Julia, recovering from their fight and getting the Banshee up and running. We quickly learn that some acquaintances in a near by port have been quiet for a while, so the Banshee sets out to figure out what has happened.

I enjoyed the adventurer feel of these books. They are quick, shorter reads with great characters. But what I love about all of Elizabeth's books, is that she gives her characters room to deal with the trauma and emotional side of things. Injuries don't just heal in a week. Traumatic experiences aren't brushed off without long term complications. It gives her characters greater depths and it adds weight to what they deal with. Like the first book, there was time after the big moment for the characters to heal and find where they are in their lives, and how it has affected their relationships.

I hope we get more of Branna and Julia but this does end in a way that would be very satisfying if it is the last book. I would recommend this story for fans of pirate stories, but would highly recommend reading the first book, The Raven and The Banshee, first.

Thank you Netgalley and Bella Books for providing me with an ARC.

To start off with The Heart of the Banshee is the second book, and while able to easily be read as a stand alone; it references actions that occurred in the previous book. Its an action adventure, a romance, and a redemption arc. This book continues with Captain Kelly and Julia. With a crew members family on the line they jump in to help a neighboring port.
I am of two minds about this book. The first two thirds is amazing but I felt like it should have ended there. The last third felt disjointed and too rushed. It slowed way down and the final conflict was anti climatic and out of place. It went from a normal action adventure to feeling like a ghost story. I think it could have been planned out better and perhaps broken a third book after being fleshed out. I really enjoyed the characters and they showed thought out growth. That being said I am still curious for what comes next.
I received an arc and am reviewing this of my own volition.

If you want to know how Branna Kelly and Julia Farrow get together you must read The Raven and the Banshee (Jan 2022). This book begins where that one ends. Branna (The Raven) is the Captain of the Banshee. It is a mercenary ship, and the crew can defend itself and salvage from other ships that cross their way. Julia is beginning her life with Branna and is now an officer on ship as the new purser. Julia came from a shipping family and Branna makes sure she gets combat training. Who knew she’d need it so soon?

This is more Julia’s story as she begins her life on the ship. The swashbuckling action is swift and the first two-thirds fly by quickly. The last section slows the pace as Julia and Branna face a challenge on their own. I really loved the first book and this is a good sequel. Branna is steady and sure as the Captain and I love that Julia shows her own strength. (I really liked Julia from the first book.) I’m hopeful there will be more adventures on the high seas for these two.

The Raven and the Banshee, book one in this series, was way out of my comfort zone, but I liked it very much, that’s why I read this one as well. You can’t read this one without reading book one first, and I highly recommend it.

I liked this book a little less than the previous one. I feel like the story is being pulled in multiple directions and it doesn’t do the overall feel of the book any good, at least not for me. I still like Branna and Julia and what they have together, I appreciate Julia carving out more of a place for herself and Branna being less of a hard ass.

The story is fun enough, just too many to fully develop in my opinion. I hope we get to read more about these cool pirates.

A sequel to the Raven and the Banshee. A continuation of the story of Branna and Julia. Branna has had her revenge against Captain Jagger and Julia has signed on with the Banshee’s crew. The story is sort of split into two different but related stories. The first one relates Julia’s first outing as a crew member. In the second Branna and Julia are more or less on their own. Again an exciting and romantic swashbuckler.