A Hard, Cruel Shore

A Perilous Year at Sea for Captain Alan Lewrie"You could get addicted to this series. Easily."---The New York Times Book ReviewThe year 1809 starts out badly for Captain Alan Lewrie, Royal Navy, and his ship, HMS Sapphire. After extracting the sick and cold survivors of Sir John Moore's army from disaster at Corunna, they're hit by lightning while escorting the army to England, shattering the mainmast. Without a replacement, Lewrie's active commission may end. As the Admiralty needs troopships, not slow, old Fourth Rate two-deckers, Lewrie must resort to cunning and wit to keep his ship and skilled crew together.Just when he thinks he's succeeded, new orders appoint him Commodore over a small squadron assigned to prey upon French seaborne supply convoys off the treacherous north coast of Spain, better known as the Costa da Morte, the Coast of Death. With the sea proving more dangerous than the French Navy, Lewrie hopes to reunite with his mistress, Maddalena Covilhá, as he establishes a base in newly won Lisbon. One thing is certain: it's going to be a perilous year, hopefully not ending wrecked on the rugged shores of Spain!