Sails on the Horizon: A Novel of the Napoleonic WarsSAILS ON THE HORIZON Dientes de Diablo, 1797 With his first historical high-seas adventure chronicling the exploits of Naval Commander Charles Edgemont, Jay Worrall sets sail in the rousing tradition of C.S. Forester and Patrick O’Brian. The year is 1797. Napoleon Buonaparte is racking up impressive wins in the field against the enemies of revolutionary France. On the seas, England is putting up a staunch resistance. When a modest fleet of British ships off the coast of Portugal encounters a larger force of Spanish vessels on their way to rendezvous with the French, the English are quick to seize the opportunity for a victory–even at the risk of a calamitous defeat. Twenty-five-year-old Charles Edgemont is second lieutenant aboard the HMS Argonaut, the smallest ship in the British line of battle. When orders come for the Argonaut to engage in an all-but-suicidal maneuver to cut off the escape of the Spanish ships, he leads his gun crews bravely–until the death of the captain and the first lieutenant elevates him to command of the stricken vessel. In the chaos that follows, his defiant refusal to yield under enemy fire earns him a permanent promotion. Thanks to the purse awarded him by the Admiralty after the fight, Charles is wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. But there are challenges when he returns home after years at sea. His newfound riches will prove no help when it comes to winning the heart of Penelope Brown, the feisty Quaker with whom Charles falls in love. Even more of a hindrance is his profession, for Penelope regards war as sinful and soldiers as little better than murderers. Changing Penelope’s mind may just be the hardest battle Charles has ever fought–at least until fresh orders send him back to sea, where he faces a more traditional and equally formidable adversary in a series of stirring battles of will and might. From the Hardcover edition. |
What people are saying - Write a review
User ratings
| 5 stars |
| ||
| 4 stars |
| ||
| 3 stars |
| ||
| 2 stars |
| ||
| 1 star |
|
LibraryThing Review
User Review - jamespurcell - LibraryThingGood entry into, hopefully, a continuing series about the Napoleonic Wars. Good main characters, a thoughtful Quaker counterpoint which foretends an unconventional marriage. Lively action which aptly ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - sleahey - LibraryThingWith plenty of battle action on the high seas, this novel is set during the Napoleonic wars. The main character is a young ship's commander who tests his courage to reassure himself that he is no ... Read full review
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
admiral admiral’s ain’t Argonaut Attwater Aye aye battle Beechum boat brig broadside Brown cabin cannon captain carriage carronades Charles answered Charles asked Charles Edgemont Charles saw Charles thought Charles took Charles watched Charles’s couldn’t crew cutter Daniel Bevan deck didn’t dockyard Ellie eyes Ferrol fire foremast frigate George Brown Grimsley gundeck guns hand he’d head heard horses hull Jervis knew ladderway Lieutenant Bevan Lisbon Lomond looked lookout Louisa Majesty’s masts midshipman Molly morning naval navy nodded officers orders Pendle Penelope Brown Penny Penny’s port port admiral Portsmouth pulled Quaker quarterdeck quickly rail reef rigging round shot sails Santa Brigida seamen She’s ship ship’s shot shouted side smiled soon sorry Spaniard Spanish Spanish frigate starboard stood talk Tattenall Thank thee There’s things Tillman voice wagon warships We’ll What’s Winchester wind yards yelled You’re
Bibliographic information
| Title | Sails on the Horizon: A Novel of the Napoleonic Wars |
| Author | Jay Worrall |
| Publisher | Random House Publishing Group, 2006 |
| ISBN | 158836514X, 9781588365149 |
| Length | 304 pages |
| Subjects | › Fiction / Historical Fiction / Sea Stories Fiction / War & Military |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |