An archaeologist caught in the middle.
When adventure entered Anna’s life in the form of a tattooed pirate and a cursed map, she had been more than willing to answer its call.
A pirate with a secret.
Secrets had always hidden on Trevor’s skin or behind a grin. He’d never had reason to share their weight with anyone, but soon realizes revealing the secrets he’d collected could mean the difference between life or death for the wee lass he had grown so fond of.
A captain longing for home.
Markus had joined the Briland Navy hoping to find home, but it hadn’t come in the form of a quaint flat or a sprawling city—it had come with a storm and the reflection of golden-green eyes. Trapped aboard with his sister’s ex-suitor, Markus finds himself longing for a woman who wishes she had let him drown all those years ago.
With their course set, Markus, Anna, and Trevor all have choices to make—ones that will affect more than just their lives. Caught between her growing feelings and her dedication to her family, Anna must choose: the pirate or her brother.
An archaeologist caught in the middle.
When adventure entered Anna’s life in the form of a tattooed pirate and a cursed map, she had been more than willing to answer its call.
A pirate with a secret.
Secrets had always hidden on Trevor’s skin or behind a grin. He’d never had reason to share their weight with anyone, but soon realizes revealing the secrets he’d collected could mean the difference between life or death for the wee lass he had grown so fond of.
A captain longing for home.
Markus had joined the Briland Navy hoping to find home, but it hadn’t come in the form of a quaint flat or a sprawling city—it had come with a storm and the reflection of golden-green eyes. Trapped aboard with his sister’s ex-suitor, Markus finds himself longing for a woman who wishes she had let him drown all those years ago.
With their course set, Markus, Anna, and Trevor all have choices to make—ones that will affect more than just their lives. Caught between her growing feelings and her dedication to her family, Anna must choose: the pirate or her brother.
He stood over the Old Crow, glad to be bloody well rid of the bastard.
William Stedd had been responsible for all the bloodiest acts to befall the sea the last twenty years. Fucker was likely the reason they were considered pirates now instead of what they’d been before—lost and wandering people of the sea, all their glory and gold stripped from them for a single gods-damned mistake.
The wet wheezing of Stedd’s quartermaster drew his gaze. The male sat propped against the cliff face, blood dribbling down his weak chin. A spider’s web tattoo stood out starkly against the pale flesh of his chest, a bloody compliment to the spider on his captain’s fucking throat.
“Something funny?” Trevor asked, fists clenching as a phantom breeze ripped past them.
“Aye, aye.” He nodded his head, hand pressed against the torn flesh at his side. “Captain said if ye killed him, to ask ye a question.”
“Oh, and what be that?” Tate asked, steps quietly trailing behind Trevor’s as they stepped forward in unison.
The male grinned, his teeth stained red. “How is that wee sister of yours, Lovelace?”
“I wouldn’t know. She’s no’ here, last I heard she was on Aidanburgh, visiting our auntie.”
“That’s no’ what the captain said.” Something sunk into Trevor’s gut at the prick’s words, a knowing that was cold and cruel. “Said he had a real nice talk with her while ye were out spelunking for a fucking cup,” the quartermaster spat, chest lowering slowly. “Said she looked real right and pretty in black…mourning colors, them, but they’ve always looked nice on a fem.”
Trevor turned to Tate, remembering what Taylee’d been wearing that morning when they’d each dropped a kiss to her brow. His brother’s throat bobbed, and a wild look slowly crept into his gaze.
Fuck.
Trevor wouldn’t remember the sprint through the forest back to the God’s Beau, but he’d hear the bloody slam of his door against the wall for years.
He’d remember the sound of Carsyn screaming, his face pressed against Taylee’s neck as he held her.
He’d even remember the strange quiet that overtook the ship as that stone cup rolled against the cherry red planks of the Beau.
Trevor did no’ want to remember any of it.
But he would.
In book 2 of Tides of Fate, we catch up with Anna, Trevor, and Markus as they brave the high seas to stop a determined foe from waking a fabled sea beast. Charming pirates, deadly islands, and a romance to rattle the stars await in this swoon-worthy fantasy adventure.
This Savage Sea walked so that These Hollow Shores could run. Book 2 delivers on many of the promises made in book 1 and with great success, building on the characters and world in interesting, layered ways. I thoroughly enjoyed the worldbuilding in this book and how it all interconnects; Anna's background as an archeologist becomes more relevant as we get deeper into the pirate lore and it never feels too convenient. It was very easy to immerse one's self in the world of this story and each setting had a flavor all its own.
But what we really need to talk about is our main couple. Their chemistry throughout this book is fantastic; if you're a fantasy romance fan, you will be both delighted and devastated. Anna is a nuanced, believable heroine and even when you question her decisions, you still root for her in the end.
And then, of course, there's Trevor. I already said in my review of book 1 that Trevor has made my list of favorite fictional men and book 2 has served to reinforce that claim. He is also nuanced and, while completely swoon-worthy, is an alpha male in the best possible way: simultaneously the baddest mother and biggest cinnamon roll you will ever have the pleasure of reading about. I want only good things for him and Anna. Author, please, I beg of you!
As for criticisms, there were some weird scene jumps in this book, particularly in the latter half, and a lot of descriptions that I, personally, found repetitive. I still feel vague on some of the characters' backstories, but overall, the writing, the pacing, and the plot in this book have improved dramatically. As they should!
This book is everything a fantasy romance should be: swoon-worthy, exciting, immersive, and sexy... but not at the expense of the plot. If you are a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean, then this is the series for you. Book 3 needs to happen post-haste because that cliffhanger had me internally screaming. And that's all I can say about that!