The Downeaster (PB/K) | Historic Naval Fiction

Paul Thomas Fuhrman recently released The Downeaster: Deadly Voyage. It is available in paperback and for kindle download worldwide.

Faithfully based on a historical log of a challenging ‘round the Horn’ adventure in 1872, The Downeaster features riveting and authentic depictions of maritime history, and the development of a unique and enduring love relationship between the thoughtful yet godless captain and the high-spirited feminist Irish nurse. Ultimately, the transformation of the courageous, inexperienced, enthusiastic young apprentice into a highly skilled sailor with valor, dedication, integrity, (and a great new tattoo!) also occupies center stage, along with the torturous daily chores, antics, and tragedies that unfold for the rest of the crew.

The Downeaster provides armchair sailing at its best for both experienced seamen and any reader tantalized by unique adventure, the overcoming of adversity, displays of character, and self-discovery!

Source: The Downeaster (PB/K) | Historic Naval Fiction

Review: Philip Nolan: The Man Without a Country by Chuck Pfarrer | Historic Naval Fiction

Philip Nolan: The Man Without a Country is an unusual entry for the historical naval fiction genre in that the ‘hero’ is a former soldier (artillery officer) convicted of treason and sentenced to life as a prisoner aboard warships. Nevertheless it fits very well.

Nolan has spent many years at sea moved from ship to ship far from home and destined never to hear any news of the United States. Sometimes he is treated harshly and sometimes with some degree of humanity, but he accepts his confinement with equanimity. When he is transferred to the frigate USS Enterprise, ordered to combat Barbary pirates, the Captain orders his humane treatment. It has been difficult, but over the years Nolan, a keen observer, has picked up many of the skills of a seasoned mariner and ship’s officer, including the ability to navigate and to speak several languages.

As the ship battles it’s enemies death and incapacitation’s amongst the officers leads to a demand for Nolan’s skills and he earns the respect of all the members of the crew.

The descriptions of life aboard the frigate and the battles she is involved in are well written with well rounded characters and would result in a recommendation on their own, but it is the interesting life of Nolan that takes the book to the next level and makes it hard to put down as you wish to know how things will turn out for him. Highly recommended.

Source: Review: Philip Nolan: The Man Without a Country by Chuck Pfarrer | Historic Naval Fiction

Dockyard Dog (PB/K) | Historic Naval Fiction

Lyle Garford has just released the first book in a proposed new series, Dockyard Dog. It is now available in paperback and for kindle download worldwide.

In 1784 when Lieutenant Evan Ross is badly injured in a fight with British Royal Navy deserters his Captain abandons him in the Royal Navy hospital on the Caribbean island of Antigua.Upon recovering he meets Captain Horatio Nelson, newly appointed to command of the Northern Leeward Islands squadron and the Royal Navy Dockyard at English Harbour in Antigua. Nelson’s primary task is stamping out rampant American smuggling activity. But to succeed, Nelson needs information.Lieutenant Ross serves as a spy for Nelson against the smugglers, but they aren’t his only foe. French and American spies supporting the smugglers are playing for far higher stakes, sowing the seeds of violent unrest. Lieutenant Ross is soon in the midst of desperate action and working with a beautiful slave woman to gain information as he struggles to stop to their plot.

Source: Dockyard Dog (PB/K) | Historic Naval Fiction

Review: The Pyrate by Michael Aye | Historic Naval Fiction

The Pyrate: The Rise of Cooper Cain is the first book in what appears to be a promising new series from Michael Aye. It follows the life of Cooper Cain as he becomes involved in piracy in the waters of the Caribbean and off the American Atlantic coast during the years preceding the War of 1812.

Aye has followed what appears to be a modern trend of moving pirate novels away from the Hollywood caricatures of pirates and introducing more believable characters. In reality there was little difference between a legal privateer and an illegal pirate and it is perhaps not surprising that the lure of easy money attracted men from all walks of life to cross this line. There were some who you would be best to steer clear of, such as Edward Teach (Blackbeard), but there were probably just as many ordinary men with family ties.

The author has a very believable cast of characters who, when not at sea, lead normal lives, albeit with a wary eye, where they have the same concerns as there law abiding fellow citizens but there is also plenty of at sea action as well as a tie in with his cast of characters from the Fighting Anthony’s series. There is even some insight into how pirates recycled their plunder, particularly ships, into legal markets.

I found the book to be a very enjoyable read which was hard to put down and I look forward to seeing how the characters will be developed through the series. Highly recommended.

Source: Review: The Pyrate by Michael Aye | Historic Naval Fiction