Celia Vallerand is aboard a ship sailing from France to New Orleans with her new husband when they are attached by pirates. After killing her husband, the leader, Dominic Legare, takes Celia as a prize for his beloved brother. The exchange will never take place if Captain Griffin, another pirate, has anything to say about it. After Celia confesses to him that she is a Vallerand and he will be compensated well for her safe return, Griffin takes matters into his own hands to save this innocent bride. What ensues is a tale that tells of pirates, life on a plantation, and how a puritanical virgin can set her pride aside to find true love.

Okay, first of all, I have to agree that the idea of her being a virgin even though she's married is foolish and just a bit too easy. I would have expected more from Kleypas, but then they can't all be winners. I liked that Griffin's character stayed roughly the same throughout the entire novel. Yes he's demanding, overbearing, loudmouthed and obnoxious, but at least he's consistent. It's not like he's forcing her into bed one minute and then apologizing the next. I can respect that the characters at least didn't change halfway through the novel to make them more likeable. And believe me I didn't like them. Oh well, Kleypas has given me some lovely gems before in the form of Suddenly You and Lady Sophia's Lover. I can forgive her for this one.

I normally like her books, but this one was not only hard to read, but mildly offensive. I have always enjoyed her books because they show women as strong, capably people- this one does not. And while rape may be appropriate in pirate literature and historically correct, I choose not to read stuff that glorifies it.
In short, even if you normally enjoy her works, leave this one on the shelf.