Book excerpt: Being a pirate is all Emmaline Descoteaux has ever known. However, if she wishes to avoid the noose, she must find another path in life. Utterly bored with everything and everyone, Emme now spends her days in bed with her sexual servants while she attempts to become a respectable businesswoman. That is until Queenie, Emme’s most trusted advisor, makes a bold prediction that sends Emme out into the streets of New Orleans in search of information. American spy turned diplomat, Alexander Pickering is in Spanish-held New Orleans attempting to obtain information about the future of the city and how his young country can use that information to its advantage as part of its plans for territorial expansion. Now that he has that information, Alex is anxious to pass it on to the people who need it the most. Before he can, however, he’s attacked in a dark alley by men looking to kill him. After Emme rescues Alex from certain death, they must go on the run together aboard her ship until help can arrive, even though trouble still follows them as they sail across the Gulf of Mexico. Can Emme trust the crew she has known for years or are they, too, determined to see her hang, and can Alex convince her that he, above all others, can be trusted to guard not just her life but her heart as well? Is it hot? Yes, it is! Please be advised that this 85,200-word novel is written in the true spirit of pirates, including “salty” language and sexual situations that would be historically appropriate for that era. It is NOT a “sweet and clean romance” and is intended for those seeking a MUCH hotter and sexier read while still looking for a romantic happily ever after. This novel is not appropriate for younger audiences