Book excerpt: From the USA Today bestselling author of Loving the Earl comes the tale of a ruthless pirate and the Scottish lass who fills him with desire for something greater than plunder. With her clan’s crops burned and their property confiscated, Mairi McFadden is desperate to free her brother from imprisonment so that he can take his rightful place as chief. Her only hope is the fierce English pirate Phin Lockwood, but the buccaneer laughs at her meager funds. His roving eyes, however, tell Mairi there’s something else he’ll take in exchange for her brother’s rescue. Though she burns with hatred for the English, she’ll do anything to save her clan. The crown has made it clear that Phin has two choices: bring in a certain Scottish traitor or hang. And he’s not about to let a tiny, whiskey-eyed woman get in his way, even if she is pointing a gun at him. When Phin learns that Mairi’s brother is the very man he seeks, he’s more than willing to use the lass as bait. But as the moment of capture draws near, Phin is surprised by his feelings for the courageous beauty who has him considering risking his life—for someone besides himself. Look for all of Sharon Cullen’s delightful historical romances: The All the Queen’s Spies series: WED TO A SPY | BOUND TO A SPY The Secrets & Seduction series: THE NOTORIOUS LADY ANNE | LOVING THE EARL | PLEASING THE PIRATE | HIS SAVING GRACE | SEBASTIAN’S LADY SPY | THE RELUCTANT DUCHESS The Highland Pride series: SUTHERLAND’S SECRET | MACLEAN’S PASSION | CAMPBELL’S REDEMPTION Praise for Pleasing the Pirate “A fast-paced, adventure-filled romance . . . with passion, engaging characters and a storyline that will capture the reader throughout. Well done, I loved it!”—My Book Addiction Reviews “A sizzling, smart relationship that evolves beautifully to capture readers’ hearts as well as their imaginations . . . Cullen crafts an engaging romance that is as much a tribute to the past as it is a tale of two unlikely lovers.”—RT Book Reviews “The sexual tension between the two characters propelled me through most of the novel.”—The Siren’s Mate “When I finished the story, my senses were filled—no emotion spared.”—Booktalk with Eileen Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from other Loveswept titles.