William recognized the unusual merriment as belonging to his oldest brother, Captain James Hawkins, the once infamous pirate Black Hawk. The man had the temperament of a raging bull, and his sudden, spirited outburst could only be ascribed to one source.
Sure enough, William located James with his exotic wife, Sophia, ensconced in a tête-à-tête near the ballroom doors. Whatever their exchange, it had amused the former corsair to no end.
The Hawkins family was happy. At last. Even the pup had much improved. A crippling melancholy had consumed him for years, but Quincy had also recently wed, his wife’s healing touch having chased away his nightmares.
“A toast,” said Quincy, raising his glass. “To happily-ever-after. Though late, ‘tis better than never.”
William offered a sardonic smile. Unlike the rest of his hard-drinking brothers, he never wallowed in alcohol. He didn’t like to lose control of his senses. Ever. But more and more of late he’d made exceptions. He clinked his brother’s glass before downing the fiery brandy.
Why not? thought William. After all, he was dying.
WELCOME!
Enter the sensual and swashbuckling world of The Hawkins Brothers: four dark and dangerous pirates who retire their wicked ways after their sister becomes a duchess. But can the rugged rogues enter high society in Regency England, masquerading as gentlemen? Or will their true identities be revealed?
Learn all about the sexy brigands by turning the page, but beware! The Hawkins Brothers just might steal your heart and never give it back.
MY HERO
Take the following personality quiz and find out which Hawkins brother is best suited to steam up your night!
1. On a warm and sunny day, I’d be outside:
A. On a nature walk
B. Gardening
C. Hosting a BBQ
D. Playing sports
2. At a dinner party, I’m most likely to drink:
A. Wine
B. Ginger Ale
C. Beer
D. Anything!
3. My favorite holiday is:
A. Valentine’s Day
B. Christmas
C. Thanksgiving
D. Halloween
4. If I could go anywhere in the world, I’d visit:
A. Jamaica
B. Africa
C. Las Vegas
D. Ibiza, Spain
5. My idea of the perfect date is:
A. A late night picnic on the beach
B. An intimate dinner at a restaurant
C. Going to a football game
D. An evening of dancing
ANSWERS: MY HERO
Mostly As: James Hawkins
Captain James Hawkins, the infamous pirate leader Black Hawk, is the oldest of the Hawkins brood and wields the greatest brute strength. As the head of the family, he is saddled with responsibility and can prove stubborn at times as he struggles to keep his kin together and away from the gallows. He prizes loyalty above all other qualities and possesses a lusty appetite for life’s simple pleasures. A true alpha male, he can communicate an order to a tar (or a desire to a woman) with just one piercing look. However, he also has a tender side, achingly soft at times, but well concealed. It is only in moments of great peace that he drops his iron front and lets the tenderness show. See James Hawkins meet his match in Mistress of Paradise and The Infamous Rogue
Mostly Bs: William Hawkins
William Hawkins is the second eldest and the most levelheaded of the Hawkins brood. Intelligent and even tempered, he can see both sides of a story clearly. He has a knack for settling a conflict before it gets out of hand, earning him the status of peace-maker in the tempestuous family. But William’s sensibility leads to emotional indifference, making him a stranger to romantic love. Will the responsible William open his heart at last, and let the wild and stormy ways of love take root? Find out in How to Steal a Pirate’s Heart (Coming Soon).
Mostly Cs: Edmund Hawkins
Hot-tempered Edmund Hawkins is the middle brother. He enjoys a big meal and a good round of fisticuffs. Secretive, he tends to keep to himself, talking only if he has something worthwhile to impart. He is content to let his older brothers rule the roost, while he searches for amusement elsewhere ... in London’s underworld. Will the brooding Edmund find a woman who will bring out the champion in him? Look for his emotional story in The Notorious Scoundrel.
Mostly Ds: Quincy Hawkins
The pup, Quincy Hawkins, is the youngest of the Hawkins brood and the most likely to get into scrapes. Charming and flirtatious, he makes the ladies swoon. He’s always ready for fun or adventure—even if it lands him in the gaol. He’s honest (too honest) and will always tell you what’s on his mind. But the fun-loving rake possesses another, darker side. Personal demons lead him astray. Will he find a deep and enduring love to help him reconcile with his tortured past? Don’t miss his tale in How to Seduce a Pirate.
THE HAWKINS BROTHERS SERIES
MISTRESS OF PARADISE (prequel)
A dark and troubled soul, Captain James Hawkins seeks freedom from his tortured past as the infamous pirate, Black Hawk. But when he meets a seductive beauty on the island of Jamaica, he finds a passion greater than any foray at sea.
Sassy, fierce and independent, Sophia Dawson knows her heart's desire—and it's the sexy brigand who tempts her with promises of pleasure. In his arms she finds erotic delight and respite from duty as her mad father's caretaker.
But a storm lurks on the horizon as the couple's heated affair attracts scorn from the islanders. Will James and Sophia weather the brutal tempest . . . or will there be trouble in paradise?
BUY NOW!
THE INFAMOUS ROGUE (book one)
The daughter of a wealthy bandit, Sophia Dawson once lost herself in the arms of Black Hawk, the most infamous pirate ever to command the high seas. But now, determined to put her sinful past behind her, she prepares to enter society as the bride of a well-born nobleman who knows nothing of her scandalous youth. All goes according to plan until her ex-lover—now a respectable sea captain but just as handsome and dangerous as ever—appears and once again tempts her with desire.
From the moment he sees Sophia again, James Hawkins wants only one thing: revenge. He'll see to it that the reckless beauty pays for abandoning their heated affair. And so begins a battle of wills that can end only in utter ruin . . . or wicked surrender . . .
“ You'll relish this lively high-seas romp."
~ Romantic Times Book Reviews,
Reviewer’s Choice Nominee for Best Historical Romantic Adventure
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THE NOTORIOUS SCOUNDREL (book two)
Like an irresistible siren, the veiled dancer with the bewitching green eyes lures dukes and earls into London’s underworld to see her dance—and succumb to her spell. Some says she’s a princess, but only one man knows her darkest secret.
She is Amy Peel, an orphan from the city's rookeries, and she believes the bold rogue who unmasks her to be nothing but a scoundrel—albeit a dangerously handsome one. He may have rescued her from an attempted kidnapping, but she will not give in to his sensual seduction or to the wicked desire she begins to feel . . .
He is Edmund Hawkins, swashbuckling pirate turned reluctant gentleman, and he will not let the lovely Amy slip through his grasp, especially when he learns she's in greater peril than she could possibly know. He will do everything in his power to protect her—for this notorious scoundrel has truly, unbelievably, lost his heart . . .
“An unforgettable read . . . Get this book today!"
~ The Romance Studio,
5 Hearts! review of The Notorious Scoundrel
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HOW TO SEDUCE A PIRATE (book three)
The downtrodden daughter of a viscount, the Honorable Miss Holly Turner is desperate for money and assumes the secret identity of Lord H—the erotic artist—but her carefully crafted world turns on its ear when she stumbles into the room of one very handsome—and very naked—gentleman, mistakin
g him for her model.
Quincy Hawkins is chasing the dragon, hoping to outrun the demons from his past, but when an audacious—albeit beautiful—wench paints him in the buff, mayhem erupts. What is a gentleman pirate to do when scandal strikes? Marry the wench, of course. There’s just one hitch. He won’t bed her. Ever. His charming wife has already stolen from him his likeness, his freedom, and Quincy won’t give her anything more . . . not even his body.
Holly can’t believe her ears. A marriage in name alone? She will never have a wedding night? She will never know the pleasure of her husband’s sensuous touch? Well, she won’t stand for it. She intends to have a real marriage—with all the sensual benefits—even if it means seducing her stubborn pirate.
And don’t miss Too Great a Temptation and Too Dangerous to Desire where The Hawkins Brothers first appeared as supporting characters—and stole readers’ hearts!
TOO GREAT A TEMPTATION
A lord so sinful he is dubbed the "Duke of Rogues," Damian Westmore lives for pleasure—until the day his brother dies at the hands of pirates. Abandoning the libertine life to pursue revenge, Damian finds the criminals he seeks and joins their crew in disguise, waiting for the chance to strike the brigands down. But he never imagined there would be a woman on board—or that the stunning siren would inflame the very passions Damian swore to resist until his brother's death was avenged.
Beautiful, fiery Mirabelle Hawkins longs for the freedom of the high seas—so she stows away on her brother's pirate ship at the first opportunity. But she finds something more exciting than chase and plunder: a bold, handsome, secretive sailor whose touch makes her tremble with desire . . . but whose love is a cutlass that could destroy all she holds dear.
“Fans of historical romance will thoroughly enjoy this fresh take on the genre.”
~ Publisher’s Weekly,
Starred Review of Too Great a Temptation
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TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE
Lonely and overcome with grief after a painful loss in his past, Adam Westmore walks the ocean's edge in solitude.
Forced to marry a depraved foreign prince, Evelyn Waye believes she has no choice but to throw herself from the jagged cliffs into the crashing surf below.
When Adam sees the enchanting woman in terrible danger, he rescues her from death and brings her back to his humble cottage. Hesitant to reveal his true identity as a distinguished lord, he nonetheless offers to protect her. And she needs protection, for the prince will find her—and harm her.
Evelyn wants to trust the handsome stranger who saved her life, but her cursed beauty has made her suspicious of all men . . . even one whose kindness disarms her, whose gentle touch inspires passion within her.
Soon Adam and Evelyn are consumed by desire . . . a dangerous desire that puts their very lives in peril.
“An outstanding read.”
~ Romance Reader at Heart,
Top Pick! review of Too Dangerous to Desire
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexandra Benedict is the author of several historical romances published by Avon Books. She also writes fiction as an Indie Author. Her work has received critical acclaim from Booklist and a starred review from Publishers Weekly. All of her books are translated into various languages. For more information visit: www.AlexandraBenedict.ca
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