Review: The Glorious First by M. Howard Morgan – Historic Naval Fiction

The Glorious First is the second book in M. Howard Morgan’s series about Royal Marine officer Jack Vizzard.

As war with France breaks out the government needs information and Vizzard finds himself in the murky world of espionage. Captured in enemy territory he must find a way to escape. Back iin England, for his valuable work, he is assigned to a ship in Lord Howe’s fleet which plays a pivotal role in the first major battle of the war known as the Glorious First of June.

The book really has two distinct parts, the first of which is somewhat slower, but it is well written and the storyline flows well. The book picks up as the battle approaches and the action sequences are graphically written.

It is good to see a Royal Marine character taking centre stage and I look forward to further instalments of Vizzard’s adventures. Recommended.

via Review: The Glorious First by M. Howard Morgan – Historic Naval Fiction.

The British Navy in the Baltic HC – Historic Naval Fiction

John D. Grainger has just released a new book, The British Navy in the Baltic. It is available worldwide in Hardcover.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of the activities of the British navy in the Baltic Sea from the earliest times until the twentieth century. It traces developments from Anglo-Saxon times, through the medieval period when there were frequent disputes between English kings and the Hanseatic League, the seventeenth-century wars with the Dutch, and Britain’s involvement in the Northern Wars in the early years of the eighteenth century. It considers in detail the major period of British involvement in the Baltic during the Napoleonic Wars, when the British navy fought the Danes, Napoleon’s allies, and was highly effective in ensuring Sweden’s neutrality and Russia’s change of allegiance. It goes on to discuss British naval actions in the Baltic during the Crimean War and in the First World War and its aftermath. Throughout, the book relates naval actions to patterns of trade, to wider international politics, and to geographical factors such as winter sea ice and the shallow nature of the Baltic Sea.

via The British Navy in the Baltic HC – Historic Naval Fiction.

Britannia’s Shark PB – Historic Naval Fiction

Antoine Vanner has just released the third book in The Dawlish Chronicles, Britannia’s Shark. It is now available in paperback worldwide and will be released for kindle shortly.

1881. The British Empire’s power seems unchallengeable. But now a group of revolutionaries threaten that power’s economic basis. Their weapon is the invention of a naïve genius, their sense of grievance is implacable and their leader is already proven in the crucible of war. Protected by powerful political and business interests, conventional British military and naval power cannot touch them.

A daring act of piracy drags the ambitious British naval officer, Nicholas Dawlish, into this deadly maelstrom. Drawn in too is his wife Florence, for whom a glimpse of a half-forgotten face evokes memories of earlier tragedy. For both a nightmare lies ahead, made worse by a weakness Dawlish never suspected he had. Amid the wealth and squalor of America’s Gilded Age, and on a fever-ridden island ruled by savage tyranny, and manipulated ruthlessly from London by the shadowy Admiral Topcliffe, Nicholas and Florence Dawlish must make very strange alliances if they are to survive – and prevail.

via Britannia’s Shark PB – Historic Naval Fiction.

An Interview with Alan Lawrence – Historic Naval Fiction

Historic Naval Fiction is pleased to have obtained an Interview with Alan Lawrence whose new novel, The Massacre of Innocents, was recently released.

What can you tell us about The Massacre of Innocents without spoiling the plot for readers

?The plot, the historical events within which the story develops, as well as the people within the story all bring essential ingredients to the mix, but the most important one is the depth, dialogue and realistic nature of the principal characters. I have strived to add this strength and colour to my own characters, and to illustrate the thoughts, concerns and emotions affecting them within the bloody events of the story; to show how these events affect them.

Read More An Interview with Alan Lawrence – Historic Naval Fiction.

The Devil to Pay HC/K – Historic Naval Fiction

Author David Donachie’s new novel, The Devil to Pay, will be released in hardcover and for kindle download worldwide on 20 November 2015.

Faced with a ship in need of repair, enemy attacks and the threat of wily Admiral Hotham, John Pearce is sailing into danger.

Meanwhile Ralph Barclay is on his way to the Mediterranean. Thinking his wife still with Pearce and that he can repair his marriage by rescuing her, he sails in pursuit, Hotham half-hoping he suffers the same fate as the admiral has in store for Pearce. Can John Pearce fight to first save himself and his charges from captivity and then to be free from the enemy? It is a battle that will require all of his wits.

via The Devil to Pay HC/K – Historic Naval Fiction.

Review: Trident by Michael Aye – Historic Naval Fiction

This new title in Michael Aye’s Fighting Anthony’s series covers new ground as the author, for part of the story, moves the setting away from the Caribbean. With knowledge of an attempt by American privateers and the French to intercept the vital East India trade a squadron is despatched to the waters off Madagascar, however after his Admiral is wounded, as Flag Captain, Gabe finds himself in command and facing a superior force.

Throughout this series the author has built up quite a large cast of characters but as usual we are reintroduced to them without slowing down the pace of the story. There are no detailed descriptions of ship handling but several action sequences.

The ‘Fighting Anthony’s is set during the American struggle for independence but does not seek to recount specific historical events. This is another good yarn with a fresh feel and ‘Trident’ as well as the series as a whole is recommended.

via Review: Trident by Michael Aye – Historic Naval Fiction.