The Iron Rose

While on a mission to persuade English privateers to uphold a peace treaty with Spain, Varian St. Clare, the king's aristocratic envoy, finds himself the prisoner of Juliet Dante, the daughter of the notorious Pirate Wolf, who, amidst danger and intrigue, captures his heart. Original.

Canham (Midnight Honor, etc.) breathes new life into the tired pirate romance genre with this post-Elizabethan romp through the Caribbean. The pirate in this case is Juliet Dante, youngest child of a swashbuckling family of privateers. Xena the Warrior Princess has nothing on Juliet, who's as proficient with her biting wit as she is with a blade. But even Juliet finds herself at a loss when she's saddled with Varian St. Clare, 12th Duke of Harrow, after a battle with a fierce Spanish ship. At first glance, Varian seems to be a foppish peer, incapable of dressing himself without the help of his fussy manservant. But the handsome duke is really a master swordsman, former soldier and skilled seducer. Juliet carts Varian off to her father as a prisoner, but he soon proves himself to be a formidable ally and lover. Canham spins a terrific yarn, complete with vivid historical detail, humor and characters that will touch the mind and heart. Unlike many romance heroines, Juliet doesn't feel the need to prove herself to every man who crosses her path. She's a captain in her own right. Varian, in turn, is truly a thinking woman's hero rather than an alpha-male cliche. Readers who are tired of the traditional romance formulas, characters and conflicts will find this little treasure a welcome escape.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

On his way to the Caribbean on a mission for the king,Varian St.Clare's ship is attacked by a Spanish galleon. The pirate ship Iron Rose comes to their rescue. Caught up in the fighting, Varian saves the life of a young boy, who in turn saves his life shortly after. The Spanish galleon is won over, but Varian's ship is lost. Varian soon realizes his status as a "guest" on the Iron Rose is fortuitous, for his mission is to locate the privateers, especially the feared Simon Dante. But Varian is in for more than he can imagine because the captain of the Iron Rose is not only the young "boy" who saved his life, but Juliet, Simon Dante's daughter. No other woman in his staid existence has ever come close to Juliet: she's incredibly athletic, skilled in swordplay, and has a fearless spirit. And so begins this swashbuckling tale in which the hero finds himself drawn deeply into another world and utterly intrigued by a lady pirate. Maria Hatton
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