Happy Book Birthday to Call of the Sea!

Call of the Sea

By Rebecca Hart
Release Date: September 21, 2015

Publisher: Roane Publishing

Keywords: Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifter, Selkie, Pirates, Irish Lore, 17th Century Romance, Sea Stories

Elysandra Winters has always yearned for a life of adventure on the rolling seas and is willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill her dream. When her Privateer father continually refuses to allow his only daughter to sail, Ellie defies him, disguises herself as a boy, and goes in search of a captain who will give her a chance to prove her worth.

Thanks to the cursed selkie blood coursing through his veins, Daniel O’Rourke needs the sea to survive. After giving up on his humanity and spending three years in seal form, he decides to give his human side another chance. Daniel goes in search of a job and a sense of normalcy, earning himself a position aboard Captain Winter’s ship, The Siren’s Call. However, his new captain’s first assignment has nothing at all to do with sailing, and everything to do with his headstrong young daughter.

Years later, when the leader of a band of bloodthirsty pirates murders Captain Winters, Daniel and Elysandra’s lives come crashing back together with the force of a hurricane. Both experts in deception, they must find a way to trust each other in order to quell the raging storm between them, and have any hope of hunting down the captain’s killer.

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Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code.  No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing's marketing department.

Xebec from Call of the Sea - #AtoZChallenge

“…try to write the best you can without worrying too 

much about other things in advance.” 

– Qui Xiaolong 

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Xebec  

Call of the Sea

Fantasy / Romance

by Rebecca Hart

Elysandra Winters has always yearned for a life of adventure on the rolling seas and is willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill her dream. When her Privateer father continually refuses to allow his only daughter to sail, Ellie defies him, disguises herself as a boy, and goes in search of a captain who will give her a chance to prove her worth. 

Thanks to the cursed selkie blood coursing through his veins, Daniel O'Rourke needs the sea to survive. After giving up on his humanity and spending three years in seal form, he decides to give his human side another chance. Daniel goes in search of a job and a sense of normalcy, earning himself a position aboard Captain Winter's ship, The Siren's Call. However, his new captain's first assignment has nothing at all to do with sailing, and everything to do with his headstrong young daughter. 

Years later, when the leader of a band of bloodthirsty pirates murders Captain Winters, Daniel and Elysandra's lives come crashing back together with the force of a hurricane. Both experts in deception, they must find a way to trust each other in order to quell the raging storm between them or have any hope of hunting down the captain's killer.

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Excerpt:

“Sails to the stern, Captain!”

The call from the crow’s nest jerked Daniel’s attention toward the top mast and the crewman pointing behind them.

Captain Winters lifted the spyglass, peered through it. “Lateen sails, no colors. Looks like a Xebec.” Lowering the glass, his gaze swept to Daniel. “All hands at the ready.”

“All hands at the ready!” Daniel shouted across the deck of the brigantine. “Step handsomely, men!”

The Captain rested a hand on Daniel’s sleeve. “Take the helm, Daniel. I want you at the wheel if there’s to be a fight.”

Daniel nodded, looking to the man he’d grown to admire. “Aye, Captain.”

In his years with Winter’s Shipping, Daniel had done well for himself, rising in rank from cabin boy to first mate. For reasons he could never be sure of, the Captain had kept his secret for eight years. That moonlit night had changed everything for Daniel, and he vowed to repay the Captain for the kindness he’d shown.

Daniel took the wheel from the helmsman. “Go help Walters with the leeward yards, Jacobs.”

The toothless Jacobs bobbed his head. “Aye, sir.”

Glass in hand, Captain Winters joined him on the quarterdeck. “They’re shallow on the draft and coming at us with a bone in their teeth. We won’t outrun them.”

Daniel turned the wheel hard to starboard, steering The Siren’s Call toward her swift pursuer. “Then we best outgun her, Captain.”

The Captain’s blue eyes sparkled with light. “That’s a plan if ever I heard one, lad.” He stepped toward the rail and shouted across the deck. “Mind the yards and keep those sheets tight, men! Hold close to the wind!”

The Xebec closed in.

“She’s flying a Roger, Captain!” Another call from the crow’s nest.

Daniel cursed. Corsairs.

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Mark of the Brotherhood - #AtoZChallenge

“Don’t leave your hero alone very long. Have at least 

two characters on stage whenever possible and let 

the conflict spark between them. There can be 

conflict with nature and your hero can struggle 

against storm or flood, but use discretion. … You 

could write a gripping story about a struggle 

between a lone trapper and a huge, clever wolf. But

the wolf is practically humanized in such a story and 

fills every role of villain. The wolf too wants 

something and does something about it. A storm 

doesn’t want anything and that’s why its conflict with 

man is generally unsatisfactory. It doesn’t produce

the rivalry which is the basis of good conflict.”

—Samuel Mines

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Mark of the Brotherhood
From the Pirates & Swashbuckler's Anthology
Fantasy

by Pam Bitner

Bashear Galvani Santiago lived a good life on the isle of Castillo until his brothers were brutually murdered. Thrust into responsibility he thought he would avoid being the youngest child, Bashear soon finds his enemies have conspired against him along with his father. Whisked away from his home and his beloved, Bashear must figure out whether to resign to the fate handed to him or fight for all he has lost.

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Excerpt:

His favorite place to stretch his legs and read, the wide expanse around the fountain allowed for him to be free of crowds and the loud cries of vendors in the central marketplace. Lounging back on the marble steps of the fountain, he enjoyed the soothing splash of water pouring from the trio of scantily clad female statues. They held aloft conch shells laden with gold veins. Chains bound their ankles to the pedestal signifying their servitude. A reminder of the trade of human flesh the city’s ancestors partook in. A seedy history none of the citizens denied. 

Bashear opened his book, losing himself within the pages. A shadow passed over him, blocking the glorious sun bathing his face. A boot knocked into his outstretched legs. With a casual air, he looked up and saw James. A fresh scar adorned James’ face, a gift from Bashear during their altercation in the Sinner’s Circle a few days before. 

“It isn’t over, Bashear,” James said in an even tone. 

”Really?” With an exaggerated move, Bashear licked his thumb and turned the page of his book. “I would say the mark on your cheek and the pints we had would say different.” The loser in the Sinner’s Circle was required to purchase ample drink for the victor.

James kicked his foot again.

Bashear, pursing his lips, closed his book. His finger marked the place as he assessed the buzzing fly. “I suppose this is some bout of idiocy you have, James?”
”Besting me in a little unimportant sword dance does not give rights to my lady.” His knuckles whitened.
“Isabella is mine.”

”Then I best pray she doesn’t scream my name out in the heat of passion while with you. Good that you have told me this, James, so I may warn her tonight.” A cocksure grin spread across Bashear’s face.
James’ face reddened in anger. “You had best meet me tonight at the appointed spot to sort this out. Do not expect me to back down this time, Bashear.”
Bashear reveled in it. “I don’t intend to, James. This time I won’t drink before the match. It obviously dulled my wits the last time. You are dismissed. Shoo.”

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