January 14, 2011

Welcome to the Blog Hop

Brrrr…it’s cold outside! Welcome to the Blog Hop. Perhaps a Caribbean adventure will warm you up? I’m giving away a copy of my newly released historical, THE PRIVATEER, to all visitors who comment and leave their contact information. Thank you for visiting.

If you’re not following my blog, won’t you mosey over to the right side bar and join the other kind souls who have clicked on under "Followers"?

So what’s THE PRIVATEER all about? Here’s a little bit of background about my first ever published novel that has been re-released through Desert Breeze Publishing:

In 1728, diamonds discovered by gold washers in Brazil found their way to Portugal. The Portuguese sent the suspected treasure to Lisbon to be examined, hoping the rest of the New World wouldn't notice. They knew Caribbean pirates and privateers, despite the lucre of sugar, would never be satisfied without their shares. Sugar was sweet, but it did not make kings.

THE PRIVATEER, an Age of Sail historical, is frequently touted as a Historical Romance, which has at times left romance readers gnashing their teeth, but this Caribbean is more than a love story. It’s a novel about the years following the Golden Age, as the nations of the world gained a foothold on pirating in the Caribbean. It’s a story about a man with a dark past, trying to do the right thing and yet advance himself. It’s a tale about a young woman holding on to the idea of independence in a world of Georgian propriety. As these characters struggle to find themselves amidst the hardships of life, politics and Mother Nature in the Leeward Islands, they discover the things that truly matter in this life, no matter the era or circumstances to which we are born.

Leave a comment and your contact info to enter the Giveaway and thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy an excerpt from THE PRIVATEER below and have a great Blog Hop!


EXCERPT:

"Good Lord!" was Captain Adair's first private remark. "What was that wild, babbling thing?" Well satiated at the Lieutenant-Governor's expense, Captain Adair and Bertrand had excused themselves as the hour drew late. Once free of the manor's gates, they slowed their pace, letting their eyes adjust to the dim light of the waxing half moon. Dark shadows of the island's palm trees stretched across the foot path like ghostly sentinels. Fronds ruffled the night air. "Those white curls," Adair continued, "have you ever seen such fair madness?"

Bertrand waved him off. "I prefer beauty in her natural state, not trussed like a turkey without a mind to own."

"I didn't mean she wasn't a beautiful thing, Miss O'Connell. If one likes a girl with no shape and high as a heron."

"Now that I am faced with the inevitable obligation of procuring one of those things as you call them, I'm not inclined to worry about form."

"Well," said Adair, too loose in the tongue, "I'm sure Miss Spencer feels the same way."

Bertrand made an ugly face for his friend's benefit. "What we must suffer to advance ourselves." He wanted nothing to do with matrimony, but he knew if his ambitions were to be met, there was little choice.

"Surely a title has its merits. Fortunately for me," Adair added, "I only need to catch and conquer to earn my colors."

"And you have conquered well," Bertrand said wryly.

Adair lost all mirth. "A fine upstanding wife would all but secure you, mate."

Bertrand ground his teeth at the thought that everyone on the island seemed to believe Miss Spencer would make a fine upstanding wife, and nobody more than her mother. He changed the subject before he let slip that he found the O'Connell girl far more intriguing.

"Speaking of security, Dubois has returned."

His companion stiffened. "What information did he gather?"

"The Warbler was in Martinique not three weeks ago."
"Again? Bloody thieves."

Bertrand shrugged. "It's a simple way to profit. They trade slaves for sugar rather than gold, then return to England with a valuable commodity that is easier to transport."

"Sugar purchased from the French. Where are the Africans coming from directly?"

"Not from the South Sea Company, that much I know."

"Should we consider this an answer to the recent surge in kidnappings?"

"I would lay all the blame on the Spanish, but they appear to be too busy pillaging our ships in the name of Utrecht. Port Royal is on vigilant guard. Once these ships leave England the African coast is over their shoulders."

Adair brushed a hair that had escaped its pigtail in the blessed breeze, out of his eye. "I cannot believe a merchant would run such risk."

"Everyone has his thumb in the pie. I don't see a connection with the rumors. And there is more. Some of the same leaflets discovered in Jamaica have made their way east."

"Your man found evidence of an uprising?"

"From what I understand."
"Old Cudjoe?"

"I'm disinclined to believe that," said Bertrand.
"But who reads them?"

"It is ignorance, Adair, to assume the Englishman the only literate creature in the New World."

"Any more rumors of French support?"

Bertrand shook his head. "No evidence, but France would profit enormously. Consider St. Lucia. They want it."

"I don't like it though. The shipping lanes are starting to resemble the Channel."

"Search them," Bertrand growled.

"For what? The papers are official and nothing is out of order."

"Allow me."

"No," Adair said. "You monitor the guardacostas. Those Spanish mongrels are up to something. The next ship of the line I spy without colors will get a boarding party."

"You'll be wise to have orders for that."

"I'll think of something. A lieutenant transfer should arrive soon to replace Walker."

Bertrand stooped and picked up a discarded bottle, half buried in the sand. "There have been more attacks." He shook it clean and blew across the top.

"Pillaging?"

"Aye. Pirates. And this Moreaux, again. He appears to scout within a closer range of the colonies before each strike then disappears quickly."

"Where?"

Bertrand shrugged in the blue moonlight. "Belize, perhaps? New Providence? Maybe as far as Brazil."

"Too far, man. Any more theories?"

"Men from the Main recognize the name."

This drew in Adair immediately. "Any word from survivors?"
"To my knowledge, he doesn't leave any."
"Then the rumors are from?"

The pair approached a slight embankment that led to the wharf and the frigate, Indemnity. Bertrand stopped. "He seems to be regrettably selective. Flies any colors he fancies. She's rumored to be a galleon although anyone able to throw up sails and ignore a few chasers can elude them."

Adair sought the moon. It glowed luminous, unlike his expression. "You've been given more than I," he muttered. He wiped his hand over his face looking suddenly tired. "Until next week then, my old friend," and taking his cue, Bertrand slipped off into the shadows underneath the pilings.

Find out more: Desert Breeze Publishing

Buy Now Link: Amazon, Desert Breeze Publishing

47 comments:

Jason and Emily said...

I love pirates/privateers, and yours sounds like a lot of mystery wrapped up in there. Thanks for posting an excerpt! I would love to receive a copy of the book. Thank you so much! (I remember reading an excerpt of By Heart and Compass a while ago and enjoyed that as well.)

-Emily
hendrickson_emily(at)hotmail(dot)com

Norma Huss said...

I'm very into sailing (writing & actually doing it), and an historical tale sounds great!

Norma
rhuss(at)willowgables(dot)com

Oh, it isn't five something a.m. here. Different time zone, I guess!

Laura at Library of Clean Reads said...

I love historical fiction. Please enter me.
laura at laurafabiani dot com

buddyt said...

This sounds like a good rollicking read !

Please enter me in the giveaway.

I am a Follower via GFC.

Thank you.

Carol T

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

CiNdY said...

Count me in please!! I am a new follower via GFC!!
CiNdY
cmurphy213@yahoo.com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

A good mystery is the best read of all, this book has a great storyline.

I follow by google reader.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

BURIED IN BOOKS said...

I love historical novels and pirates:) Count me in!

hrose2931@gmail.com

I just joined GFC my follower name is my blog name Buried in Books.

Heather R.

MarionG said...

Pirates are thrilling and exciting. Would love to read this. Please count me in.
polo-puppy-fluffyAThotmailDOTcom
Cheers

Unknown said...

Sounds like such a fun book! Thanks for the chance to win

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

debbie said...

I really enjoy historical fiction, I would love to read this.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

BLHmistress said...

Thanks for the giveaway. Book sounds really good I love pirate stories.

vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(com)

Megan said...

sounds like a facinating read!!

megankyser at gmail dot com

polly said...

looks very interesting...thanks so much!
pkeintz@gmail.com

Anne Patrick said...

Hi Danielle,
I enjoyed your excerpt.
Don't enter me in your contest because I plan on buying it. I wish you continued success, my friend!

Lynossa (Deranged Book Lovers) said...

Wow, that seems like an interesting story! Count me in, I'm your new follower ^^

Lynossa(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ricki said...

Seems like a wonderful read from the excerpt.
I am a GFC follower.
rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

Elly said...

This book sounds great!!
tootsierollpop15 at hotmail dot com

Debra Chapoton, author said...

Loved the excerpt. Enjoying the hop. I mosied over and became a follower. Mosey back at http://edgeofescape.blogspot.com/
bigpinelodge at gmail dot com

Michele said...

Thanks so much for the chance to win. I follow you by GFC

jmluker at winco.net

Nicole Zoltack said...

Awesome excerpt!

~Nicole
Nicole.Zoltack@gmail.com

Mary Preston said...

I now follow - happily.

'The Privateer' looks amazing.

marypres@gmail.com

brendajean said...

The book sounds darling and I can't wait to read it! Thanks so much!!

bchild5 at aol dot com

SiNn said...

sounds awesome count me in


mortalsinn@yahoo.com

Connie Black said...

What a great review. Thanks for the chance to win this great read.
epblack at zoominternet dot net

Aik said...

I'd love to win this book!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

gamaclamor said...

GFC follower here. Thanks for this!

gamaliel.clamor(at)gmail(dot)com

Judy said...

Thanks for the excerpt!!

Judy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

1 Funky Woman said...

Looks and sounds like a great book! Thanks for the opportunity!

Megan

mcarusopartridge@gmail.com

http;//1funkywoman.blogspot.com

Jennifer Mathis said...

great excerpt :)

meandi09@yahoo.com

Linda Banche said...

Hi Dani, my favorite part of a romance is the story. To my way of thinking, here are too few historical romances like this. THE PRIVATEER sounds exactly like my cup of tea. Keep writing them. lindabanche@comcast.net

Estella said...

Love to read about pirates!

GFC follower

kissinoak at frontier dot com

Kasumi said...

Much time that I don't read about pirates, and I think it's time!

Thanks for the chance!

kasumigogo[at]gmail[dot]com

Andra Lyn said...

thanks for this! I love your blog!
hense1kk@cmich.edu

Linda Henderson said...

Thank you for the giveaway. I'd love to read the book.

GFC follower as seriousreader

seriousreader at live dot com

Aleetha said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Aleetha said...

I have never see that book before
I am looking forward to read it

aleetha.ally at gmail dot com

Carol L. said...

Historical Fiction and Pirates makes for a fantastic read. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I'm a new GFC follower under Lucky47.
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com

Read for your future! said...

Please enter me in your contest. All books won are read reviewed and donated to the Middletown High School. THanks for the chance to win
Lora1967
chaarmedone1512@aol.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway! Sounds like a good read for me!

chibi.pooh@gmail.com

Alyssa Nelson said...

Sounds awesome! Thanks for the giveaway!

archambo.alyssa(at)gmail(dot)com

katklaw777 said...

Thanks for the great giveaway!
katklaw777 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

GFC follower Melissa R.



giveawaymommy at yahoo dot com

IdentitySeeker said...

Sounds great! Look forward to reading it! Thanks:)

sarah.setar@gmail.com

Tressa said...

Sounds like a great read and I love stories about pirates!
tressa(dot)sherman(at)hotmail(dot)com

p7 said...

You've had me at Portugal (kidding, but now you have a Portuguese follower to your blog =]). Actually, you've had me at historical and pirates. ^^ Thanks for the giveaway!

catarina_romeira at hotmail dot com

Martha Eskuchen said...

Thanks for being part of the giveaway hop.
mesreadsATgmail.com

Laura H. said...

Thanks for the great giveaway and for participating in this blog hop! Historical romance is my favorite genre and pirates make the best "heroes". I would LOVE to read your book! BTW, I'm a new GFC follower (Bornajhawk).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom