by Kate

and welcome to International Talk Like a Pirate Day. In the spirit of the day, please accept some offerings from this land-lubber to you…

First, for your visual pleasure, let me remind you of this pirate:

And because we’re all about equality, there’s this pirate too:

We’d be remiss as a romance publisher to ignore this pirate:

Next, for your reading pleasure, a list of my note-worthy pirate romances:

The Flame and the Flower – Kathleen Woodiwiss. Probably the seminal pirate romance. Certainly one of my seminal romances. He’s a rugged, rough sea captain. She’s a waif on the run. He mistakes her for a prostitute. The rest is pure bodice-ripping history.

Tell Me Lies – Claudia Dain. Speaking of virgins masquerading as prostitutes, our heroine does so for her own survival. Can she make the pirate captain succumb to her seduction? (Hint: it’s a romance novel. So, yes)

Thief of Hearts – Teresa Medeiros. Guys, the hero in this book is called Captain Doom. What else could you possible need to know?

Pirate’s Price – Darlene Marshall. If it’s an American historical you want, Darlene Marshall’s got the Caribbean-style pirates all tied up in her series set off the coast of Florida.

Shadowheart – Laura Kinsale. Redeem an irredeemable man? If anyone can do it, you know it’s Kinsale. A medieval setting only adds to the charm.

I Married a Duke – Katharine Ashe. So you can probably tell by the title that this isn’t necessarily a pirate romance. But the heroine thinks he’s a pirate. Also, it’s a lot of fun. And this is my list. If you don’t like it, go make your own list.

Deception –  Amanda Quick. I’m not saying this is my favourite Amanda Quick novel, but it’s definitely a go-to. Jared is the reason I love beta-heroes.

For your trivia pleasure, were you aware that this is the most expensive adult film ever made? Drawing strongly on Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the ‘story’ follows an inept sea captain out hunting pirates who saves a young girl from drowning.

The New York Times reviewed it: “a relatively high-budget story of a group of ragtag sailors who go searching for a crew of evil pirates who have a plan for world domination. Also, many of the characters in the movie have sex with one another.”

Finally, for your romantic pleasure, here’s some help for creating a pirate romance of your own:

Avast, me proud beauty! Wanna know why my Roger is so Jolly?

Have ya ever met a man with a real yardarm?

Come on up and see me urchins.

Yes, that is a hornpipe in my pocket and I am happy to see you.

I’d love to drop anchor in your lagoon.

Pardon me, but would ya mind if I fired me cannon through your porthole?

How’d you like to scrape the barnacles off of me rudder?

Ya know, darlin’, I’m 97 percent chum free.

Well blow me down?

Prepare to be boarded.

Ya certainly put the shiver in me timber!

Is that an ‘X’ on the seat of your pants? ‘Cause it appears that there’s wond’rous booty buried underneath!

And, finally: Do ya mind if the parrot watches?