The Seagull by Wes Snowden – #BookReview #seaadventuresfiction #NetGalley

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars 5 stars

Book Blurb:

In the turbulent years leading up to the American War of Independence, one man’s journey will redefine his destiny and the future of a nation.

Jeremy Whitehall, a privileged young man from London, suddenly finds himself stripped of wealth and thrust into the hands of his ruthless uncle. Forced into an unwelcome mission to Nantucket, Jeremy’s task is clear: manipulate the burgeoning New England candle industry to serve his uncle’s greed. But as the Atlantic swells beneath him, Jeremy’s conscience awakens, leading him to question the path laid out for him. Upon arrival in Nantucket, Jeremy crosses paths with the spirited daughter of a whaling ship captain, who ignites a transformation within him. Together, they plot to thwart his uncle’s sinister plan. However, an unforeseen disaster at sea catapults Jeremy into a world of peril and opportunity, where he must navigate treacherous waters, both literal and moral. From the lavish halls of London’s elite to the wild, unforgiving seas off the coast of Brazil, The Seagull charts Jeremy’s thrilling metamorphosis from a pampered wastrel to a man of honor and determination. Set against the backdrop of a world on the brink of revolution, this spellbinding tale of adventure, romance, and personal redemption will captivate readers from the first page to the last.

His Review:

Mr. Jeremy Whitehall was born into wealth in Great Britain. The colonies were suppressed by exorbitant taxes on every transaction payable to George the Third. The taxes help support a war with France and the colonists get no benefit from the taxes. Also, all shipping is required to sail through British ports and pay a fee to the King before delivering or selling anything developed in the Colonies. The British merchants and King have a monopoly on all production and deliver no benefit to the Colonies.

The Seagull by Wes SnowdenJeremy could care less. The bars in London are loaded with beer and spirits. He works for his uncle but in reality is a “Never-do-well”. His well-to-do uncle tires of his wild ways and sends him to America as a hand on a sailing ship. He works at every job on the ship and becomes a very good sailor.

He meets a lovely young lady in the Colonies and decides he wants to wed her. However, a whaling ship goes out for an indefinite period of time and he is not sure she will wait for him.

C E WilliamsA well written novel and believable tale of love. There is romance and clashes between some of the characters. It’s a well plotted and paced narrative, well worth the reader’s time. Despite a slightly slow start, I found my interest growing as I read and by halfway through the book did not want to put it down. Read and enjoy. You will not be disappointed. CE Williams

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this ebook. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

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Book Details:

Genre: Sea Adventures Fiction, US Historical Fiction
Publisher: Corvent Creative
Publication Date: September 5, 2024
Source: Publisher and NetGalley

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US  |  Amazon-UK

 

We Snowden - authorThe Author: Wes Snowden is an author primarily as a result of an unforeseen event.

A born storyteller, Wes would often find himself surrounded by groups of excited kids. Their high-pitched voices demanding to hear the latest chapter on the adventures of Pirate Joe, or The Lost Princess, The Magic Opal, or whatever was current.

One day, a good a teacher friend listened in. At her gentle insistence, Wes was encouraged to commit those early verbal stories to paper for the benefit of future generations of youngsters.

However, as is often the case in life, that first bite of the apple produced an intense desire for more. After honing his craft writing several children and young adult books, Wes now focuses on writing unique, entertaining full-length stories for adults.

White Swan Wishes, Zachary’s Gold, One Last Move, and The Leprechaun Wars will be joined by Firebug, the latest novel in the fall of 2020.

After a successful career as an international business owner, Wes now spends his writing time between Toronto, Vancouver, and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Wes Snowden is a member of Writers & Editors Network.

©2926 CE Williams – V Williams

Somewhere in the South Pacific (The Todd Ingram Series Book 7) by John J Gobbell – #BookReview – #historicalthrillers

Somewhere in the South Pacific by John J Gobbell

Rosepoint Publishing: Five Stars 5 stars

Book Blurb:

Somewhere in the South Pacific by John J GobbellInspired by the true story of John F. Kennedy’s daring naval mission at the height of World War II, this historical thriller brings the unanswered question of the past to life with fast-paced action and vivid detail.

After surviving a near suicidal mission on Mondo Mondo Island, Lieutenant Commander Todd Ingram is sent back to the States on a thirty-day leave—but the war waits for no one, and trouble is already rippling through the Pacific Theater.

Fresh from Stateside training, Lieutenant JG John Kennedy takes command of the PT 109, a torpedo boat in desperate need of repairs, for the upcoming mission to retake the Western Solomon Islands. But the war isn’t the only thing on Kennedy’s mind: he’s torn between his family’s expectations and his forbidden love for Inga Arvad, a beautiful Danish columnist who narrowly escaped Nazi occupied Germany.

When a disastrous attempt to interrupt Japanese supply lines slices Kennedy’s PT 109 in half, Ingram and his six destroyers must pick up where Kennedy left off. Can Ingram save Kennedy and his stranded men while defeating the Japanese? Ingram is prepared to fight to the end, but victory comes at a steep price behind enemy lines…

His Review:

Nineteen hundred forty-three is a major turning point in the war in the Pacific. John Gobbell writes a very interesting account of the PT boats which attacked and harassed Japanese shipping around the Solomon Islands. This narrative focuses on the cadre of officers and men who executed this part of the war. They were in wooden ships approximately 30 feet at beam and 80 feet long. With a complement of thirteen men, they had to be mostly self-sufficient.

Somewhere in the South Pacific by John J GobbellAmong these was a young Lieutenant Junior Grade named John Fitzgerald Kennedy. This account of his service cast an entirely new light on President Kennedy and his actions in the South Pacific! He was a bit of a rounder and a rascal taking care of his boat and shipmates with the actions of a scrounger.

Being assigned to the PT 109 was being assigned to a boat that was dry-docked with holes in the hull and many operational issues. Thirty-plus days were required to get her sea-worthy. Lt. J.G. Kennedy replaced the boats’ three Packard 1600 engines with those pilfered in shipping crates at the naval repair docs. Nothing seemed to be nailed down where Kennedy was concerned. He took care of his craft and crew like a jealous mother-in-law took care of her daughters.

Jack Kennedy was rather irascible in the treatment of others. He finally had his tail feathers clipped when a senior officer informed him that he was headed to the brig if any further ordinance or supplies were purloined from the supply area. By this time the PT 109 was one of the best equipped of the PT boats. This served him and his crew admirably in the months to come.

The function of the PT boats was to harass and attempt to sink Japanese shipping going through the slot in the Solomon Islands. This sea corridor was a major route for the Japanese supplying their troops in the Pacific theatre and sinking Allied Ships. Many islands in this island chain had thousands of Japanese entrenched in the hills and mountains through this passage.

CE WilliamsThe author has painted John F. Kennedy as a very likable commander and a champion for his men. He was also a very tenacious practical joker. The Japanese found him a worthy foe. The book is fun to read and shows another side of our very famous 35th president. I could not put it down. 5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Book Details:

Genre: Sea Adventures Fiction, Historical Thrillers, War Fiction
Publisher: Severn River Publishing
ASIN: B09KMHG4MS
Print Length: 404 pages
Publication Date: April 26, 2022
Source: Publisher and NetGalley
Title Link: Somewhere in the South Pacific [Amazon]

 

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John J Gobbell - authorThe Author: JOHN J. GOBBELL is a former Navy Lieutenant who saw duty as a destroyer weapons officer. His ship served in the South China Sea, granting him membership in the exclusive ATonkin Gulf Yacht Club.@ As an executive recruiter, his clients include military/commercial aerospace companies giving him insight into character development under a historical thriller format. A Code For Tomorrow is the second of four stand-alone novels in the Todd Ingram series. Altogether, he has written six novels involving U.S. Navy action and is currently at work on his seventh. He and his wife Janine live in Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at john@johnjgobbell.com

©2022 CE Williams – V Williams V Williams

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