There’s a pirate in the manor house!

What is vicar’s daughter Bess Farrar to do when the dashing new earl, the man gossip paints as a ruthless pirate, kisses her the day they meet? Why, kiss him right back, of course! Now Lord Channing vows to claim the lovely firebrand, despite interfering villagers, a snowstorm, scandal, and a rascally donkey. The gallant naval captain’s first landlocked Christmas promises mayhem – and a lifetime of breathtaking passion

Pursued by the pirate…

Bess Farrar might be an innocent village miss, but she knows enough about the world to doubt Lord Channing’s motives when he kisses her the very day they meet. After all, local gossip insists that before this dashing rake became an earl, he sailed the Seven Seas as a ruthless pirate.

Bewitched by the vicar’s daughter…

Until he unexpectedly inherits a title, staunchly honorable Scotsman Rory Beaton has devoted his adventurous life to the Royal Navy. But he sets his course for tempestuous new waters when he meets lovely, sparkling Bess Farrar. Now this daring mariner will do whatever it takes to convince the spirited lassie to launch herself into his arms and set sail into the sunset.

A Christmas marked by mayhem.

Wooing his vivacious lady, the new Earl of Channing finds himself embroiled with matchmaking villagers, an eccentric vicar, mistaken identities, a snowstorm, scandal, and a rascally donkey. Life at sea was never this exciting. The gallant naval captain’s first landlocked Christmas promises hijinks, danger, and passion – and a breathtaking chance to win the love of a lifetime.

Direct Link to Amazon: –> A Pirate for Christmas: A Regency Novella

My Review:

Rory Beaton has inherited the title of Earl of Channing, something he never expected.  He leaves behind his naval career in service to the crown, and travels to his earldom to begin his new life.  As he struggles to adapt, he is plagued by notes and visits from Miss Farrar, who appears to be the vicar’s daughter, and is determined to obtain his assistance.  Rory refuses to see her, or reply to her notes, until she finally brushes past his servant and barges into his home.  Her timing is perfect, as Rory (unaware she is there) begins a tirade about the aging spinster who continues to harass him.  When he finally realizes that the object of his tirade is standing before him, and is a beautiful young lady, he is dumbstruck.

Bess Farrar has finally decided to confront the new earl.  If he’s not polite enough to respond to her notes, she will track him down in his own home.  It’s time for the annual Christmas play, and she needs his permission to borrow his donkey, Daisy.  Once Rory has recovered his wits enough to converse, he agrees, but begins to make conditions of his own.  Unbeknown to Bess, Rory has decided then and there, that she is the one for him.  Now he just has to convince Bess.

This is the type of novella I love to read.  The lead characters, while not perfect, have good hearts, and I liked them both very much.  Their romance happens very quickly, and the townspeople are quite willing to help it along.  There is a lot of gentle humor, the kind that makes you smile, rather than beats you over the head.  For example, the misbehaving donkey who loves music, or the fact that the whole town believes the earl to be a pirate, and is quite proud of it.  The romance is sweet, but with just enough spice.  Anna Campbell has a knack for packing a lot of enjoyment into a small novella, and A PIRATE FOR CHRISTMAS is no exception.  I highly recommend this delightful Christmas read to brighten your holiday season.