Blaggard's Moon

Just released! A tale about the choices good men and women make when confronted by evil, told from the perspective of a pirate forced by his own dire circumstances to contemplate his misdeeds and the ways of piracy. The pefect place to start your journey into Nearing Vast, as the events of this book precede those of the Trophy Chase Trilogy.

Now shipping ... Click cover to order.

“This is the story of the great battle between the pirates of the world and the band of merciless men who would purge us from the seas, and make the name Hell’s Gatemen a source of terror to us all.”

Thus begins the tale of love and war told by Ham Drumbone, a pirate storyteller with a gift for dramatic detail. It is recalled by Smith Delaney as he awaits a gruesome death at the hands of ancient beasts called mermonkeys, eager to devour his bones. In the process of remembering, this simple pirate ponders in his always-earnest and often-whimsical way the mysteries of true hearts wronged, noble love gone awry, dark deeds done for the sake of gold, and the sacrifices made for love. For Ham's story is about Damrick Fellows, the great pirate hunter, who works his way ever closer to the great pirate king Conch Imbry, only to find his focus blurred by his love for the pirate's woman, Jenta Stillmithers. By the time the tale ends, Delaney must come face-to-face with himself, with his choices, with the power of love, and with a God who promises him both a hell richly earned and a grace given where none is deserved.

The TROPHY CHASE TRILOGY

The Legend of the Firefish

Now in its second printing. Click cover to purchase.

In this timeless tale of the pursuit of faith and honor, Packer Throme longs to bring prosperity back to his decaying fishing village by discovering the trade secrets of a notorious pirate who hunts the legendary Firefish for its rare meat. Armed with the love of a priest's daughter, Packer stows away on the great ship, Trophy Chase. But events quickly spin out of control, and he must choose whether, and then how, to confront the evil power he unwittingly unleashes. Packer and Panna find enormous dangers, failures, and triumphs, and their kingdom on the brink of war.

The Hand that Bears the Sword

Now also in its second printing. Click cover to purchase.

The adventure continues as Packer Throme's newfound renown has thrust the young couple into the center of their nation's war effort. Packer and the Trophy Chase set sail for deep waters to try to slow an invasion by the unstoppable armada of the Kingdom of Drammun, while the Firefish stalk from below and pirates chase from behind. At home, Panna must fight the insidious evil that would destroy their homeland from within. Their struggles test them past endurance, but only increase their fame.

The Battle for Vast Dominion

Just nominated for a Christy award! Click cover to order.

The saga concludes as Packer Throme leads his people in war. The simple fisherman's son and the daughter of a village priest now find that a surprising new power has been granted them from above, through Packer's knowledge of the Firefish. As army faces army, and navy faces navy, all are drawn inexorably to the source of all earthly power... the feeding waters of the Firefish. Here the epic struggle for dominion of the world will be settled at last, and the path that Packer has chosen will deliver him to evil. And then...?

My view is, you're missing a whole lot just reading those summaries. Tell you what, head over to Muster in the Vast Encyclopedia, and I'll give you a bit more about the characters.    --Cap Hillis