A Buccaneer at Heart

by Stephanie Laurens

Overview

Unexpected love—plus passion, intrigue, and danger—challenge our hero to embrace his true nature.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens continues THE ADVENTURERS QUARTET, a riveting blend of Regency-era high seas adventure, a mystery shrouded in the heat of tropical jungles, and the passionate romances of four couples and their unexpected journeys into love.

After a decade of captaining diplomatic voyages for Frobisher Shipping, alongside covert missions for the Crown, Captain Robert Frobisher decides that establishing a home—with hearth and wife—should be his next challenge. But an unexpected mission intervenes. Although Robert sees himself as a conservative businessman-cum-diplomat and this mission is far from his usual sphere, it nevertheless falls within the scope of his abilities. As matters are urgent, he agrees to depart for West Africa forthwith.

To Robert, his way forward is clear: Get to Freetown, determine the location of a slavers' camp, return to London with the information, and then proceed to find himself a wife.

Already in Freetown, Miss Aileen Hopkins is set on finding her younger brother Will, a naval lieutenant who has mysteriously disappeared. Find Will and rescue him; determined and resolute, Aileen is not about to allow anyone to turn her from her path.

But all too quickly, that path grows dark and dangerous. And then Robert Frobisher appears and attempts to divert her in more ways than one.

Accustomed to managing diplomats and bureaucrats, Robert discovers that manipulating a twenty-seven-year-old spinster lies outside his area of expertise. Prodded by an insistent need to protect Aileen, he realizes that joining forces with her is the surest path to meeting all the challenges before him—completing his mission, keeping her safe, and securing the woman he wants as his wife.

But the villains strike and disrupt their careful plans—leaving Robert and Aileen no choice but to attempt a last throw of the dice to complete his mission and further her brother's rescue.

Compelled to protect those weaker than themselves and bring retribution to a heartless enemy, they plunge into the jungle with only their talents and inner strengths to aid them—and with the courage of their hearts as their guide.

The first voyage is one of exploration, the second one of discovery. The third journey brings maturity, while the fourth is a voyage of second chances. Continue the journey and follow the adventure, the mystery, and the romances to the cataclysmic end.

Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens

"Stephanie Laurens' heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong." Cathy Kelly

"Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters." Historical Romance Reviews

"Stephanie Laurens plays into readers' fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again." Romantic Times Magazine

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780778319405
Publisher:	MIRA
Publication date:	04/26/2016
Series:	Adventurers Quartet Series , #2
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens originally began writing as an escape from the dry world of professional science. Her hobby quickly became a career; she has been writing historical romance novels for more than 20 years. Currently living outside Melbourne, Australia with her husband and two cats, she spends most of her days writing new stories in her signature 'Errol Flynn meets Jane Austen" style. Visit her online at www.stephanielaurens.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 02/15/2016
Laurens’s delicious second Adventurers Quartet Regency romance introduces protagonists whose compatibility develops from their matched wits and bravery, making them charming collaborators. Capt. Robert Frobisher is envious of his brother Declan’s happy life as a newlywed and decides that after he has completed the mission Declan began (in The Lady’s Command), he will find himself a wife. Robert is certain that he doesn’t want a woman like Declan’s beloved Edwina, preferring someone less “forceful.” However, on his mission to discover who is behind the disappearance of numerous adults and children, he runs across Aileen Hopkins. Robert’s “inner diplomat” relents to “the buccaneer in him,” and he finds himself drawn to Aileen’s strong will and determination. Their romantic interest in each other, slow-brewed with the increasing tension of the mystery, is natural and credible, and their lovemaking scenes are simmering and sensual. The narrative’s changing perspectives keep the story moving quickly. Laurens deftly balances action with dialogue and description, creating an intriguing and suspenseful novel that is equally effective whether read as a sequel or on its own. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"The second in Laurens' Adventurers Quartet delivers all the fast-paced action, dangerous intrigue, vividly etched characters, and sexy romance her fans have come to expect."-Booklist on A Buccaneer at Heart

"Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue and unforgettable characters."
-Historical Romance Reviews

"One of the most talented authors on the scene today... Laurens has a real talent for writing sensuous and compelling love scenes."
-Romance Reviews

"Stephanie Laurens plays into readers' fantasies like a master
and claims their hearts time and again."
-RT Book Reviews

"Laurens's writing shines."
-Publishers Weekly

"Laurens's delicious second Adventurers Quartet Regency romance introduces protagonists whose compatibility develops from their matched wits and bravery, making them charming collaborators. Capt. Robert Frobisher is envious of his brother Declan's happy life as a newlywed and decides that after he has completed the mission Declan began (in The Lady's Command), he will find himself a wife. Robert is certain that he doesn't want a woman like Declan's beloved Edwina, preferring someone less "forceful." However, on his mission to discover who is behind the disappearance of numerous adults and children, he runs across Aileen Hopkins. Robert's "inner diplomat" relents to "the buccaneer in him," and he finds himself drawn to Aileen's strong will and determination. Their romantic interest in each other, slow-brewed with the increasing tension of the mystery, is natural and credible, and their lovemaking scenes are simmering and sensual. The narrative's changing perspectives keep the story moving quickly. Laurens deftly balances action with dialogue and description, creating an intriguing and suspenseful novel that is equally effective whether read as a sequel or on it's own." -Publisher's Weekly, starred review

From the Publisher