I have just read "The Pirate and the Puritan", and I feel as though I was given a gift by the author, Mary Clayton. A sweeping, swashbuckling, enthralling romance! Thrilling battle scenes, rich historical detail, a reminder of the horrific Salem "witch hunts", and a sweetly sensual, deeply devoted romance. Second chances and a hard-fought-for hope of a happily ever after life! This is a "true" historical romance. Set sail with the Pirate Captain and his Puritan for one of the most romantic adventures of your life! ( )

Reviewed by Steph for TeensReadToo.com

THE PIRATE AND THE PURITAN follows 23-year-old Mistress Mercy Penhall, a Puritan whose ships gets ransacked by pirates. Captain Edmund Gramercy protects the young woman by hiding her away in his cabin, letting his shipmates think he is "taking her," while he in fact is not.

Mercy quickly sees the kindness in Edmund, and quickly falls in love with him. The two go through many trials -- each always trying to protect the other, even if that means bringing pain unto themselves.

Mary Clayton writes an enchanting tale of two people who have to give many things up in order to be with each other, but they don't mind doing so because they have what everyone seeks -- true love. The love story, mixed in with many adventures, truly captures the heart. The two lovers, Edmund and Mercy, give hope to readers that love can overcome anything.

This story is truly magnificent and is sure to be loved by anyone who reads it. ( )

Do the sins of our ancestors affect how we live? This is the question set forth in this period drama from author Mary Clayton.

I like reading about the romanticized pirate life that has been in the forefront of late so I thought it would be rather nice to see how a swashbuckling rogue of the high seas dealt with a Puritan instead of an English lass of the privileged class. Yes, I expected another of the historical romances that seem to populate bookshelves everywhere. What I found was a story of depth and intelligence.

The Puritan, Mercy Penhall, is not your typical romantic heroine. She is a mute who has been shuffled between the homes of various family members since the age of eleven when she witnessed her mother being hung for a crime she did not commit. This is a cross that Mercy feels she will bear her entire life. As she is being transported to the home of a step-brother in New England after having lived with an aunt who is being married, the ship she is on is captured by a pirate ship and she is taken prisoner. Again, as in most historical romances our heroine is bound with ropes and forced into the captain's cabin. In terror she waits for the arrival of the fierce looking man she met on the deck.

Enter our hero, Captain Edmund Grammercy. Not the flamboyant pirate of the Caribbean that one would expect but a tired, compassionate man who heads up the crew only because he knows how to navigate. Indeed, his only claim to staying alive is the fact that he has led the mangy lot of men who crew his ship to capturing lots of booty. When at last he spies Mercy cowering in a corner of his cabin (having forgotten entirely that she was there), he hastens to assure her that she will come to no harm if she does as she is bid. He tells her that he does not like to take women prisoners and will see that she is sent home, untouched by him or his crew, if she agrees to stay hidden in his cabin. True to his word, Edmund does eventually see to her release.

During their short time together, however, a bond is formed between Mercy and Edmund that each tries several times, albeit unsuccessfully, to break. Author Clayton draws two fully rounded characters in Mercy and Edmund showing us the depths of despair that each reaches while combating their personal demons. Indeed, at times I felt that these two would succumb to those demons and never reach the happy ending that they so richly deserved.

Worth mentioning are the supporting characters of Soulange and Richard. Their story of unrequited love forms a rich backdrop to the main story of Mercy and Edmund.

This is a well researched book providing many details in Puritan lives in the early New England Colony as well as life in the early settlements along the eastern coast of the United States. Although Ms. Clayton is native to Australia she does a wonderful job in giving the reader a feel for the New England area. It made this native New Englander feel right at home.

I give this book five stars for the quality of the characters, the originality of the plot, and the fact that I really cared about these characters. Great work Mary! ( )

At a young age, Mercy Penhall witnessed her mother’s hanging and has not spoken in thirteen years. While sailing from Virginia to Massachusetts, her ship is destroyed by pirates and she is taken captive. Edmund Gramercy, forced by the pirates to be a captain, remains alive only because he knows how to navigate the seas. A compassionate man, Edmund protects Mercy from the other pirates, and is intrigued by her courage. Although attracted to Mercy, he realizes he can never have any sort of life with her due to his criminal background. Mercy has never experienced the feelings she holds for Edmund and would like nothing more than to remain by his side but fears she is not worthy of his love. Edmund helps Mercy escape and, from that point, both endure numerous hardships while longing for one another. Yet fate steps in more than once to bring the two together, only to be torn apart again.

Mary Clayton’s historical romance wraps the reader in an enthralling love story that moves from the high seas to colonial America. Clayton provides vivid detail of the time period with keen insight into the differences between the religious communities, the ongoing political strife, the way women were perceived, and the brutality of a pirate’s life. Characterization is excellent, from Mercy, a brave, mute Puritan who questions her religion and fears she is tainted, to Edmund, a compassionate man forced to live a cruel existence, to John Hanson, the evil Puritan minister intent on exorcising the witch within Mercy. Packed with action and suspense, readers will fall in love with the characters and this excellent love story. Highly recommended. ( )