Eliza Knight, whose historical romance (with pirates!) Savage of the Sea (Pirates of Britannia: Lords of the Sea book one) arrives Oct. 26, joins today to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day by sharing some of her favorite pirate heroes.

Eliza: Shiver me timbers! Did ye know today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day? Arr, mateys! What be your pleasure? Books? Pirate heroes? Highlanders? What about Highland pirates in books?

Recently, Kathryn Le Veque and meself partook in a clap of thunder, loaded to the gunwalls we was, and began jesting about medieval pirates — and that wee bit of jesting turned into an inferno of treasures. We chased it ’round until we’d bounty aplenty in the form of an entire romance series guaranteed to melt the socks off any wench! Pirates of Britannia: Lords of the Sea, coming to ye starting this October!

Whisky, women and mayhem! Pirates, plunder and passion!

There be four books planned, two penned by me and two by Kathryn. Me heroes are from the Scottish brethren Devils of the Deep, and Kathryn’s heroes hail from an English brethren, Poseidon’s Legion. Together, they’ll band together to fight their enemies, sending any scourge that dares cross them to dance the hempen jig!

A daring brotherhood, where honor among thieves reigns supreme, and crushing their enemies is a thrilling pastime. These are the Pirates of Britannia.

Naturally, as historical writers, we do a lot of research for authenticity. One of which was to check out pirates throughout history. Sink me! Ye dinna have to tell me twice!

Ahoy, me hearties! Let me share … I’ll pass the grog and spin ye a tale of the swashbucklin’ Jacks I’m sweet on …

Robin Wright and Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride. (Photo: 20th Century Fox, The Kobal Collection)

Dread Pirate Roberts played by Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride. This is my all-time-favorite movie, and Westley … Sigh … Who can resist those baby-blue eyes and that sexy smile? He is the ultimate hero, living only for true love! He fights against an expert swordsman, a giant and even builds up an immunity to poison so he can beat a nincompoop in a battle of wills. And when he finds his Buttercup, he wants to know why she betrayed him. Even professes his love when she does the unthinkable, believing him to be truly the Dread Pirate Roberts and not her love, and shoves him down a cliff. “As you wish,” meaning “I love you,” will never be the same to anyone’s ears again!

Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow and Orlando Bloom as Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean. (Photo: Disney)

Jack Sparrow played by Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Yes, he’s mostly drunk and a barrel full of laughs, but Jack Sparrow is also exceedingly clever, even if it’s to get other people to do what he wants. Beyond that silly cleverness, though, lurks a man with a sexy swagger and a smoldering gaze. Oy, he’s so hot … The way his voice goes all smooth and soft when he calls the lassies, “love.” Why didn’t Elizabeth Swann fall for him? Forget Will Turner already!

Sir Nicholas Beauvallet from Georgette Heyer’s book Beauvallet. Oh, Nicholas, Nicholas … Who doesn’t fall in love with him? He is wicked and teasing and all things a seriously hot hero can be. He might be a pirate, but he has a sense of honor, and the way his smoldering gaze gives the heroine hot flashes, the way he can read her mind … Does anyone have a fan? I need a fan … If you haven’t read this book … Do yourself a favor and get it RIGHT NOW.

Sir Walter Raleigh played by Clive Owen in Elizabeth: The Golden Age. (And yes, he is portraying a real-life privateer.) Apologies, I just fainted. Clive Owen … Clive Owen … Dressed in breeches, leather and a billowing shirt, with smoldering heavy-lidded eyes and a near smile, how can you not want to be marooned on an island with him?

Zach McGowan as Captain Charles Vane and Ray Stevenson as Blackbeard in Black Sails (Photo: Starz)

Captain Vane played by Zach McGowan from Black Sails. Have you seen Captain Vane? Do yourself a favor and spend an hour or more on YouTube, or better yet, watching reruns of the show … That voice … *shivers* The man is as ruthless as he is sexy. He’s the bad boy I know I should stay away from … but I can’t.

So, what say ye? Who is your favorite slave to the sea?

About Savage of the Sea:

When Highland pirate prince, Shaw “Savage” MacDougall was invited to a deadly feast, he didn’t know that saving a wee lass would forever change his future.

A lady with a dangerous secret…

Lady Jane Lindsey, widowed at a young age, seeks refuge from her departed husband’s vengeful enemies. For five years, she’s held a secret that could cost her everything, including her life. When her safety is compromised, she reaches out to the only man who’s protected her in the past, and offers him a bounty he cannot refuse.

A Highland pirate determined to save her…

Shaw’s life is perfect. Whisky, women and mayhem. He wants for nothing—until Lady Jane presents a treasure he’d never considered possessing. Is he willing to risk his lethal reputation in order to save a lass he barely knows, again? Will she trust a pirate to see their arrangement through to the end? And what happens when perilous battles turn to sinful kisses? Who will save them from each other?

About Eliza

Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty sizzling historical, time-travel and contemporary romance novels. Under the name E. Knight, she pens rip-your- heart-out historical fiction. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses and two very naughty puppies.

Find out more at www.elizaknight.com.