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Reviews for Bride of Blackbeard by Brynn Chapman
The Bride of Blackbeard by Brynn Chapman is what I refer to as a ‘beefy’ read. It’s a romance sandwiched between historical facts and a personal growth story.
Constanza is a great heroine. She is strong willed with a purpose. But unlike so many historical romances that plop a 2008 woman into the past, Constanza’s ‘Stanza’ is believable and very well defined. A childhood filled with unspeakable nightmares has forced her to be stronger and more self reliant than most women of her time. Even her escape is tainted. Stanza’s loyalty to her brother, Will, and especially to her sister, Katrina, is both a blessing and curse. Nothing comes easy for Stanza but she keeps moving forward toward that happily ever after.
Where Constanza is a woman not molded in the traditional time setting, Lucian is. As a hero restricted by the mind set of the 1700’s his character is often at odds with Stanza. Lucian is a man of good heart and nature, something Constanza hasn’t been lucky enough to have in her life. While the personal barriers he must overcome are different than Stanza’s, Lucian’s growth as a character is as heart wrenching as Constanza’s.
The final barrier to their happiness is the same - Edward Teach, a.k.a. Black Beard. Ms. Chapman does an excellent job building up the suspense around this final threat to their happily ever after ending, that I wondered if it was going to happen….but the story was so well written I was willing to accept the ending either way. And I did find the ending complete - surprising - but complete.
The secondary characters of Hopkins offer plenty of chances to see the real personalities of Lucian and Constanza. They are hopelessly selfish people. Her sister, Katrina, is the prodding force in many of the things in Constanza’s life, rarely positive.
Bride of Blackbeard contains many fascinating historical facts woven into the plot. This is not like reading a history book. The characters are engaging and the pacing is excellent.
Magnolia, Long and Short Review Honored in Book of the Week Placements
Rating: 4 Cups
Constanza Symthe takes a chance when she
accepts a job as governess of the Hopkins children in North
Carolina. Boarding a Brigantine ship, she takes her sister, Katrina,
and brother, Will, and tries to escape painful childhood memories.
Brynn Chapman has crafted a story that is a tapestry of lore, legend, and fact. Bride of Blackbeard will leave you asking questions until the last page. Chapman’s passion for research into the ailments, from the ordinary to the bizarre, drive this book forward and enhance already well-crafted characters. The heroine, Constanza, is exactly as the author shows: unique, unconventional and a champion for rejected and lonely. Hero Lucian is a refreshing mix of vulnerability and strength. And tiny Meg has a bit of us all in her. At some point we all feel as she has—alone, with our only recourse to lock ourselves away in a world all our own and hope someone will listen. Chapman’s medical background definitely adds to this book, and the author notes at the end were a definite plus. Parts of the plot could have been focused more as I found myself pulled in by certain aspects of her writing more than others, but Bride of Blackbeard made me concerned for the characters and curious to learn more about the pirate himself. For this reader that is a mark of good fiction.
Jennifer Linforth
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Copyright 2008 Leanne Burroughs
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Nominated
for Best Book of 2008!!! 
