Pirates

I admit it. I had a thing for pirates long before Johnny Depp played a very swoon-worthy Jack Sparrow. It all began when I read Johanna Lindsey’s Malory series in high school. It so happens that I used to babysit my cousins frequently and my aunt would let me raid her box of romance novels hidden in her closet after they went to sleep. She had the entire Malory series up at that time and I devoured a new book each time the kids went to bed. My favorite was the Gentle Rogue (don't you love the 80s Fabio cover?), which took place on a ship and the heroine was disguised as a cabin boy. So now you know how my love of pirates started, but more importantly, what is their appeal?

To me, the attraction isn’t the hat, the billowing shirts (although tight breeches are a plus), the scars, the drinking or the dirtiness of living on a ship. Instead, it is the attitude that a pirate has; the typical devil may care attitude. The attitude in which he takes what he wants and leaves behind what he doesn’t. It is the cheeky gins, the wicked sense of humor, the rough and rugged exterior (such as that sun bronzed skin and the windblown hair). Not to mention, the agility that a pirate must possess in order to climb the rigging, balance on a rocking ship, brandish a sword against the enemy or, well you know, rescue the damsel in distress. Let’s face it. I am a klutz and would go overboard, so he should have good reflexes.

I haven't seen Pirates 4 yet, but I hope to soon. However, I am in the middle of another great pirate-ish novel, Surrender of a Siren by Tessa Dare, and the hero, Mr. Benedict Grayson, is a privateer attempting to go respectable. Love it!

So in honor of a new Pirates of the Caribbean move out this past weekend and fabulous pirate romance novels everywhere, what are some of your favorite pirates?