Mad Madam M: Ok…so I have been reading quite a few pirate books recently (and listening to way too much Gilbert & Sullivan, but what is new). You see…I really wanted to find some historical Australia stuff, but other than 2 Candice Proctor books, I have found nothing (feel free to recommend). But back to the pirates…next to medieval Scottish romance novels, anything nautical themed gets the most horrible covers…
Crystal: What M means to say here is that she likes bad romance. It’s okay, we’re all friends here and this is a supportive loving environment to admit to your strange proclivities.
The Pirate Lord - Sabrina Jeffries
Crystal: Okay, I have to ask, if he’s a pirate where’s the ship? I mean, he’s got the open-to-his-waist flowing in the breeze shirt exposing copious mounts of man-boobies. He’s got his sword. And he seems to be standing in a jungle of phallic looking vines that tilt at the tip. Yeah, no subliminal message there. Where’s the boat? Or even the ocean? A river? Puddle? Plus, what’s with the mascara? Is he a cross dressing pirate? Pirate drag is in vogue now–’cause this dude? SO gay! Did his man-pimp just drop him off on the wrong set?
Mad Madam M: The bigger question, though, is why is there a vine growing up between his legs (oh how I love bad double entendres!). As if the “I’m a proud graduate of the Capt. Morgan school of posing” stance wasn’t enough, now the Pirate Lord feels the need to fondle an errant plant vine. Has he been standing there that long? Was holding on to his sword not enough anymore? Did both hands need to be occupied?
Oh, and what about the buttonless shirt? The sleeves have buttons, but not the front of the shirt. Come on…how is that supposed to work? Does he just tuck it in, hoping for the best until he can find the right moment to proudly show off his hot man-boobs? I mean, he’s on a pirate ship…does he flash his men to keep up moral? Not that there is anything wrong with that…
The Pirate & the Puritan - Cheryl Howe
Crystal: Which one’s the Puritan because neither of them look that pious? Is it just me or does he look a little constipated? Maybe her knee is squishing his pirate jewels! He also has better hair than her…maybe that’s why she’s pancaking his balls. I love how they stopped for a little face time on a storm tossed sea, the sails on their ship are all raggedy in the wind and the one intact ship in the distance is on fucking fire, people! These idiots deserve to drown.
Mad Madam M: But it isn’t only that he has far better hair…why does he have a better bow than her? She just has a knotted blue string, while his luscious hair accessory looks straight from the “Manual of Cheerleader Hair”? I mean, I don’t think I have ever had that nice of a bow in my hair.
Although the other ship looks like it is on fire, I think it’s just another flag. What I can’t figure out is why there is a large ship’s mast protruding out of what appears to be a small boat. I mean, it looks like the boat can hardly hold them and the chest. Is the cover artist trying to tell us something?
Oh, and why are neither of them concerned about the water apparently pouring in their sea craft? If you look carefully, it appear that sea water is cascading into the boat at his back. I mean, I think any rational person would end their staring contest to start bailing out the boat. But then again…maybe that is only me!!
The Pirate’s Jewel - Cheryl Howe
Crystal: Uh, guys? There’s a big motherfucking wave coming at you! And a ship. A big ship! With lots of scurvy, pervy sex-starved pirates who want some group action on your half-naked-in-public asses. Can you move it a little further up the beach? Or maybe he’s lifting the back of her petticoat so someone else can help him double-team her when the boat arrives. And where’s his left hand? Is it fondling his pirate’s jewels? Laughing my ass off because of the title, by the way. Seriously, my whole ass. Gone from laughing.
Mad Madam M: But is that a wave, or simply rocks out in the distance? Either way, there is a big spray of water behind her head for no logical reason…although logic rarely seems to enter into the creation of trashy novel covers.
To be honest, I really don’t want to know where his left hand is. The pained look on his face is bad enough. I’m not sure if he has fallen asleep while kneeling or if he is simply trying to stall hoping that his comrades on the ship will rescue him in time.
And how is she able to remain upright in that position? She is straddling his right leg, but not putting any weight in it, while also standing wantonly. Her other leg seems to be concealed by her petticoats, but it seems like even with good footing with that leg, she would still topple over! And apparently she likes to covertly look at her own boobs while quasi-tusseling a guy’s hair. She’s probably one of the only heroines that laments the fact that her pirate doesn’t have a mullet!
Crystal: She’s humming “When I think about you I touch myself.” He just can’t hear it over the massive roar of the oncoming wave/rock/spray thingie.
