Tome Tender: P.S. Bartlett's THE BLUE DIAMOND Highlight & Giveaway

Romance & Adventure on the High Seas

The Blue Diamond

by P.S. Bartlett

Series: The Razor's Edge - Book 1

Publication Date: October 11, 2014

Publisher: Libertine Press/Ravenswood Publishing

Genre: Historical Romantic Fiction

Print Length: 482 pages

Available from: Amazon

Synopsis:

Ivory Shepard didn't want to be a pirate when she grew up but she didn't plan on being orphaned and alone at thirteen with her three cousins either.

After a Spanish raid in Charles Towne left them with nothing, Ivory held her cousins together, trained them to fight for their lives and led them to a life of quiet refuge on the banks of the Ashley River. Out of reach of the hands of unscrupulous men, they found life on the farm a tolerable substitute for the traditional alternatives life would force onto them—until the night the pirates showed up.

Setting foot on that first pirate ship was nothing compared to the life of freedom and adventure awaiting them, once Ivory and the girls were through playing nice. Only one man believes he can stop her and he won't need a ship full of guns to do it.

If it were only that easy…

My Review
The Blue Diamond by P. S. Bartlett
My rating: 5 stars
Long before the days of required floatation devices and multi-million dollar pleasure yachts, only the bravest of the brave would venture the seas, brave the storms and dare to cross paths with legendary pirates. Of these pirates one stands out, more cunning, slippery as an eel and already the object of seafaring history? I dare say, if Moby Dick had come upon this captain, that tale would have had a far different ending. Who is this brute of a pirate known as the Razor? Allow author P. S. Bartlett to introduce you to Miss Ivory Shepard, the oldest of four female cousins, each with their own special gift to bring to the table, and to the seas. Able to outwit, out manuever and overpower men twice her diminutive size, Ivory and her crew have become a force to be reckoned with, legends in a world that rarely gives way. Ivory has also become the object of a manhunt, with a bounty on her head for the theft of value diamonds and one man, a “gentleman” pirate known as Blacksnake is determined to win the prize. But was he prepared for the real Ivory? The brilliant woman behind the pirate façade is damaged, and grasping at a way to survive without being under the thumb or whip of any man. She also is beautiful, feisty and deadly poison for Maddox’s heart. He may be holding her captive, but she has made him a prisoner of his heart and his lust and he doesn’t’ even realize it until she manages to escape and return to the sea. The chase is on, who will win? Will the loser walk the plank?

Love it, love it, love it! The Blue Diamond by P. S. Bartlett, the flagship book in her new series, The Razor’s Edge is an historical romance lover’s dream! Ms. Bartlett has dared to create a tale of adventure and intrigue on the sea, shining the spotlight on a remarkable group of women that prove being a pirate isn’t a boy’s only club! Each character, no matter how brief their appearance is fully developed, uniquely displayed and often comically charming. No heaving bosoms here, unless it’s to trap a man! Fun, with some high action, history comes to life with a swashbuckling flare! Grab your gold earring and come aboard for some great reading where men are men and women are smarter!

The Characters

Drawn by P. S. Bartlett

Ivory Maddox

Keara Miranda

Another Probing Tome Tender Interview!

At one of their port stops, I caught up with Ivory and Maddox and sat down to chat.

Both were very forthcoming, and, had we more time before they set sail, I was hoping to go aboard a real pirate ship. Alas, they had to follow the tide and wind and were gone.

I did manage to get a few questions in.

Ivory

Do you think ships will ever be powered by anything but sails, oars and a good wind?

I'm not sure what you mean but even if I were, why improve on a perfectly good system of transport?

Maddox

You seem to be more of a fashion-plate than Ivory, your appearance seems to be very important to you. Do you find that the ocean mists and winds wreak havoc on your clothes and hair?

Indeed they do. One cannot underestimate a good hair tonic and tailor.

Both or either

Is it true that pirates make people walk the plank?

Maddox: Walk the what? That is something I'm unfamiliar with. Ivory?

Ivory: That's a myth. Although I admit it does add a bit of suspense rather than just tossing some scurvy bastard over the side.

Both

Who is the better Pirate Captain?

(A simultaneous and rather loud "Me" can be heard here.)

Maddox: Well of course I am and there really is no reason to argue the point.

Ivory: <Eyes rolling>

Maddox: What? You're actually rolling your eyes at me, Ivory? You cannot possibly believe that your skills as a mariner in any way surpass mine.

Ivory: <Holding in a laugh>

Maddox: Lovely, now you're laughing? You find this laughable?

Ivory: Oh Maddox please. At the very least we are equals. We've been at this almost the same amount of time and who really cares anyway since we're on the same side now, right?

Maddox: Yes, I suppose that's a valid argument. Carry on Dii...

Both

Two things about you that people do not know.

Ivory: I don't like fish of any kind and I cannot cook...thank goodness for Richard.

Maddox: Yes, you're so thankful since you stole him away from me.

Ivory: I did not steal him Maddox, he followed me remember?

Maddox: I suppose that's how you'd see it...

Ivory: Will you just answer the question?

Maddox: I'm quite the artist and I also enjoy writing poetry.

Ivory: Poetry? I've never seen any poetry.

Maddox: What about when I whisper in your ear...

Ivory: Hmmm...good point there love.

Ivory

After all you've been through, you did something monumental and my jaw dropped. I have to ask: WHAT WERE YOU THINKING????

Ivory: I suppose I was thinking all of the time, energy and pain that went on because of greed and the only thing that really mattered was knowing that love was real. We played so many games and yet when we finally could get out of our own way, I saw what truly mattered and that wasn't it.

However...book two will definitely answer that question. ;) Oh you tease, Ivory!

Meet P. S. Bartlett

Award winning author, P.S. Bartlett, was born on Valentine's Day many moons ago in South Baltimore, Maryland, less than a mile from Fort McHenry and Federal Hill.

Her first novel, "Fireflies," was published with GMTA Publishing in 2013 and the prequel to "Fireflies," entitled "Hope From the Ocean," was published in March of 2014. She loves history and historical fiction. She gets her history fix via movies, television and of course, books although she enjoys reading almost every genre.

Her motto is:"I'm taking a fantastic voyage. Won't you join me?"

Giveaway

P.S. Bartlett is offering ONE LUCKY WINNER

a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Enter Below - International Where Allowed

Ends November 17, 2014

a Rafflecopter giveaway