Writing under a pseudonym, this author crafts compelling historical novels that often immerse readers in the thrilling world of naval warfare and heroic endeavors. Her style is marked by meticulous historical detail and an ability to draw readers into the dramatic events of the 18th century. Through her characters, she explores themes of honor, courage, and moral dilemmas during times of conflict. Her works are valued for their capacity to bring the past to life, offering readers an engaging literary experience.
'Fire as she bears. Rake her, lads.' Winter, 1793. Newly promoted Master and Commander Charles Hayden's orders are to deliver the frigate HMS Themis to Lord Admiral Hood, whose fleet is sheltering in the Mediterranean. Only hours out of port, however, and the Themis is engaging with the French navy.
Born to an English father and a French mother, lieutenant Charles Saunders Hayden's career is damned by his ?mixed? heritage. Assigned to the HMS Themis , an aging frigate under the command of a captain reviled by his crew for both his brutality towards his men and his cowardice in battle, Hayden is torn between honor and duty, as the British navy engages the French in a centuries-old struggle for power.
Captain Charles Hayden has orders to destroy a French frigate sailing from Le Havre and to gather intelligence from a royalist spy. On discovering French plans for an imminent attack on British soil, Hayden must return to Portsmouth to give warning before it is too late. But the enemy have been lying in wait for him, and so begins a dangerous chase out into the Atlantic and into the midst of a French squadron.