JULIAN STOCKWIN

Thrilled at his first command, a little brig sloop called Teazer, Thomas Kydd must race to bring his ship to battle readiness - he is desperately needed to defend Malta against Barbary corsairs, ferocious privateers and the French who are frantically trying to rescue the remnants of their army in the Levant. But his jubilation does not last long - peace is suddenly declared and Kydd is left ashore on half pay.A rare chance gives Kydd the opportunity to once again go to sea. He sets sail as captain of a convict transport for the penal colony in New South Wales - and challenges that will test both his seamanship and humanity to the limit.

1814 Ashore on leave Captain Sir Thomas Kydd learns of a dismal harvest and general hardship among the population In Germany Napoleon Bonaparte is celebrating victories that once again make his name feared throughout Europe An armistice is signed and while the Allies lick their wounds Bonaparte sets to preparing for a grand advance And in a fragile peace and saddled with huge war debts the government has no choice but to place HMS Thunderer along with many other Royal Navy ships in reserve until the Navy can decide what to do with their great fleets Meanwhile Kydd is offered an admiral s flag but this is the West Africa station and the anti slavery operations set in fever ridden swamps Despite the obvious dangers and hardships Kydd sees this as the realisation of his life s ambition and readies for sea in his beloved Thunderer as his flagship In a turn of the tide Bonaparte is defeated by the Allies and exiled to the tiny island of Elba Then electrifying news breaks out the tyrant has escaped and is marching on Paris the citizens flocking to join him The British government as well is rocked by a realisation that Napoleon s invasion fleet is still in being and if the French navy declares for him they can sail from the ports now free of blockade a

Thomas Paine Kydd, a young wig-maker from Guildford, is seized by the press gang, to be a part of the crew of the 98-gun line-of-battle ship Royal William. The ship sails immediately and Kydd has to learn the harsh realities of shipboard life fast. Despite all that he goes through in danger of tempest and battle he comes to admire the skills and courage of the seamen - taking up the challenge himself to become a true sailor.KYDD launches a masterly new writing talent and a thrilling new series. Based on dramatic real events, it is classic storytelling at its very best, rich with action with exceptional characters and a page-turning narrative.

1803. Tensions are escalating again between England and France. While the Royal Navy launches reconnaissance, rescue missions and spies on the continent, French privateer ships are lurking in English waters poised to strike at British trade. Smugglers, perilous storms and a treacherous coastline all threaten to overcome HMS Teazer" as her men fight to gain control of the seas around Cornwall and Devon. Meanwhile an unlikely rival is seeking her captain's heart. The beautiful and determined admiral's daughter could be the key to realising all Kydd'shopes andambitions. But high society, he finds, can be as treacherous as his first mistress -- the sea.

Thomas Kydd was promoted to acting lieutenant at the bloody Battle of Camperdown in October 1797. Now he must sit an exam to confirm his rank or face an inglorious return before the mast.

Thomas Kydd was promoted to acting lieutenant at the bloody Battle of Camperdown in October 1797. Now, he must sit an examination to confirm his rank -- or face an inglorious return before the mast. But this is only the first of many obstacles for a man who was pressed into the King's Service and discovered a calling for the sea. Kydd is from humble origins, yet he attains the lofty heights of the quarterdeck as an officer in His Majesty's Navy. If he is to avoid spending the rest of his career as a tarpaulin officer, he must also become a gentleman. Kydd and his enigmatic friend Nicholas Renzi set sail in HMS Tenacious for the North American station. Aboard the old 64-gun ship, Kydd comes to doubt he will ever match up to the high-born gentlemen officers. The frontier town of Halifax, which is also home to a British prince of the blood, provides a welcome diversion. Meanwhile, the young United States is in dispute with revolutionary France, the Quasi War, and Kydd finds himself in the USS Constellation in the heady days of the birth of the American Navy.On his return to Halifax, Kydd surmounts more hurdles, both personal and professional -- will he ever see himself as truly one of a band of brothers?

It is 1797 and Thomas Kydd is now master's mate on Achilles, a 64-gun ship-of-the-line, on his way back from the Caribbean. After a dangerous rescue mission to Venice Kydd sails for England, but his joy at returning home after many years' absence is soon forgotten when he finds himself at the centre of one of the most extraordinary events in English history - the Mutiny at the Nore.Ten thousand men, one thousand guns and scores of ships hold the country to ransom: the government is near collapse; the economy on the brink of ruin.And Kydd is faced with a terrible choice. Abandon his friends and shipmates? Or join the rebellion and put his career - and even his life - on the line?

April 1814. Napoleon is deposed and exiled after defeat by a resurgent allied collation. Saddled with huge war debts, the British government has no choice but to place many of its naval ships in reserve. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is one of the lucky officers not to be put on half pay. Instead, in the realisation of his lifes ambition, he is offered an admirals flag, but the station is West Africa and with it comes anti-slavery operations set in fever-ridden swamps. Despite the obvious dangers and hardships, Kydd readies for sea with his beloved Thunderer as his flagship. But before he can set sail comes the electrifying news - the tyrant has escaped from Elba and is marching on Paris, the citizens flocking to join him. Napoleons invasion fleet is still in being and if the French navy declares for him they can sail from the ports now free of blockade and make the invasion of England a reality. Whats more, the entire Channel Fleet has been stood down, its ships in various stages of repair. Theres one man in active service who happens to be on the spot - Admiral Sir Thomas Kydd. With frantic haste hes appointed temporary commander-in-chief to sail with all the men-o-war that can be scraped together to stand athwart the French. Waterloo is coming but before then Kydd must use all his legendary subterfuge and daring to save England from her peril. Admiral is the twenty seventh and last of the adventures of Captain Sir Thomas Kydd whose story began in the year 1793 and tells for the first time in fiction how a pressed man through his bravery and ingenuity progresses to the quarterdeck of his own ship, and here, in the final book of the series, the command of a fleet with an admirals pennant.

The Thomas Kydd novels are the story of one mans journey from pressed man to Admiral during the Great Age of Fighting Sail.Mutiny: Caught up in the Mutiny on the Nore, Kydd is faced with a terrible choice. Abandon his friends and shipmates? Or join the rebellion and put his career - and even his life - on the line?Quarterdeck: Kydd must pass a tough examination for his lieutenancy, and when Tenacious reaches the colonies, Kydd is caught up in the intrigue surrounding the birth of the American Navy.Tenacious: Thomas Kydd is aboard Tenacious, part of a small squadron commanded by Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson. Its mission is to scour the Mediterranean and locate Napoleon and his army.Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line - Daily ExpressIn Stockwins hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world - Guardian

In Stockwins hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world - GuardianIt is 1797 and Thomas Kydd is now masters mate on Achilles, a 64-gun ship-of-the-line, on his way back from the Caribbean. After a dangerous rescue mission to Venice Kydd sails for England, but his joy at returning home after many years absence is soon forgotten when he finds himself at the centre of one of the most extraordinary events in English history - the Mutiny at the Nore.Ten thousand men, one thousand guns and scores of ships hold the country to ransom: the government is near collapse; the economy on the brink of ruin.And Kydd is faced with a terrible choice. Abandon his friends and shipmates? Or join the rebellion and put his career - and even his life - on the line?******************What readers are saying about MUTINYAnother rip-roaring, compelling story - 5 starsI love this series - 5 starsEven better than the other sailing ship era books - 5 starsOn the edge of your seat right to the end - 5 starsExcellent, thank you - 5 stars

In Stockwins hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world - GuardianIt is two years since Thomas Kydd was spirited away in the night to serve his country aboard the old line-of-battle ship Duke William. Now, he and and the other members of the ill-fated Artemis are shipwrecked sailors, back in London waiting to be summoned as court martial witnesses. Then, in a political act to shield an officers reputation, they are shipped out in haste to the Caribbean - where sugar is king and yellow jack a fearsome peril.*****************What readers are saying about SEAFLOWERA great read for lovers of a seafaring yarn - 5 starsStockwins seafaring books are so great to read. They leave you wanting more! - 5 starsI thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it - 5 starsIm absolutely hooked now . . . - 5 starsAn excellent read, full of action and adventure - 5 stars

PERSEPHONE is another shining milepost for Captain Thomas Kydd and his creator, Julian Stockwin - QuarterdeckNovember 1807. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd must sail to Lisbon to aid the Portuguese Royal Familys evacuation in the face of Napoleons ruthless advance through Iberia. In the chaos of the threatened city an old passion is reawakened when he meets Persephone Lockwood, a beautiful and determined admirals daughter from his past. But the Royal Familys destination is Brazil, Perspehones England, and it seems Kydds chance has gone again. Only later he discovers Persephone has another suitor - and that, if he wants to win her hand, he must enter the highest echelons of London society.Mixing with aristocracy and royalty brings other responsibilities. The Prince of Wales asks him to take temporary command of the Royal Yacht. Sailing to Yarmouth, Kydd realises they are being stalked by French privateers. The terrible threat of a prince of the blood being captured sees Kydd call on daring seamanship of the highest order.***************What readers are saying about PERSEPHONEVery much recommended, for this is an absolutely astonishing naval story by this author, and thats why I like to say: "Sail On, Thomas Kydd"! - 5 starsA masterly piece of writing! - 5 starsEnd one and start another - theyre addictive - 5 starsRead it - thats all Ill say - 5 starsStill excellent, still gripping - 5 stars

In Stockwins hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world - GuardianWith Bonaparte held to a stalemate in Europe, the race to empire is now resumed. Britains ambitions turn to the Spice Islands, the Dutch East Indies, where Admiral Pellew has been sent to confront the enemys vastly rich holdings in these tropical islands. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd joins reinforcements to snatch these for the British Crown.The two colonial masters of India and the East Indies face each other in mortal striving for the region - there can be only one victor to hold all the spoils. The colonial genius, Stamford Raffles, believes Britain should strike at the very centre of Dutch spice production, the Moluccas, rather than the fortresses one by one but is fiercely opposed. Kydd, allying himself to this cause, conspires to lead a tiny force to a triumphant conclusion - however the Dutch, stung by this loss, claim vengeance from the French. A battle for Java and an empire in the East stretches Kydd and Tygers company to their very limits.*************Praise for Julian Stockwins Kydd seriesPaints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-lineDaily ExpressThis heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detailNautical MagazineFans of fast-paced adventure will get their fill with this book Historical Naval Society

Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line - Daily ExpressThomas Paine Kydd is in Halifax enjoying the recognition and favour of his fellow officers when Tenacious is summoned to join Horatio Nelsons taskforce on an urgent reconnaissance mission. Intelligence suggests the French Revolution is about to set the Mediterranean ablaze, but Bonapartes fleet is nowhere to be found. Nelson and his Band of Brothers begin a desperate search for him.Kydds newfound ambition fuels his desire to be at the forefront of the hunt. But with power comes responsibility; with responsibility, accountability. Kydd will face his greatest challenge ever amidst bloodstained seas. And defeat will mean humiliation - or death.*******************What readers are saying about TENACIOUSStockwins best effort yet - 5 starsAnother fabulous story . . . Brilliantly written and totally engrossing - 5 starsA really good read, up to now the best in the series - 5 starsA very good insight into naval history . . . The best Kydd so far - 5 starsThis book is great - 5 stars

Thomas Kydd was promoted to acting lieutenant at the bloody Battle of Camperdown in October 1797. Now, he must sit an examination to confirm his rank - or face an inglorious return before the mast. But this is only the first of many obstacles for a man who was pressed into the Kings Service and discovered a calling for the sea. Kydd is from humble origins, yet he attains the lofty heights of the quarterdeck as an officer in His Majestys Navy. If he is to avoid spending the rest of his career as a tarpaulin officer, he must also become a gentleman. Kydd and his enigmatic friend Nicholas Renzi set sail in HMS Tenacious for the North American station. Aboard the old 64-gun ship, Kydd comes to doubt he will ever match up to the high-born gentlemen officers.

From internationally bestselling author Julian Stockwell comes a dramatic nautical adventure closely based on real events following one mans journey to become a true sailor of the Royal Navy and defender of 18th-century Britain.Europe is ablaze with the Napoleonic Wars. The British prime minister is under pressure to intimidate the French and dispatches a Navy squadron to appear off the French coast. To man the ships, ordinary citizens must be press-ganged.Thomas Paine Kydd, a young wig-maker from Guildford, is seized and taken across the country to be part of the crew of the ninety-eight-gun line-of-battle ship Duke William. The ship sails immediately and Kydd has to learn the harsh realities of shipboard life amid war at sea. Despite all he goes through, amid dangers of tempest and battle, he comes to admire the skills and courage of his fellow seamen, taking up the challenge to become a true British sailor defending his nation.Kydd launches a masterly naval fiction series, rich with action, exceptional characters, and authentic detaila classic tale of maritime courage and survival in the Age of Sail.

Internationally bestselling author Julian Stockwins seafaring hero, young Thomas Kydd, comes of age in this epic naval adventure set in the Great Age of Sail.Writing in the sweeping tradition of Patrick OBrian and C. S. Forester, acclaimed author Julian Stockwin continues the saga of Seaman Thomas Paine Kydd as he moves up the ranks of the Napoleonic-era British navy.The year is 1794. Kydd and the other shipwrecked sailors have returned to England for the court-martial of the sole surviving officer of Her Majestys frigate Artemis. Kydd was on duty the thirteenth of April as quartermaster of the starboard watch. He knows what happened that dreadful night. His evidence can destroy an officers career.Kydd is devastated by the loss of his ship, and hes shocked when hes not allowed to tell the court his story. Instead, Kydd and his good friend Nicholas Renzi are forcibly shipped off to the Caribbean. After many lonely months at sea, they dont even have a chance to go ashore to see family and friends.New adventures await, however, as both Kydd, a man of humble origins gradually rising through the ranks, and Renzi, whose exalted family heritage remains a tantalizing mystery, discover the pleasures and hazards of a lush new land.The journey will take Kydd from a dockyard in Antigua to a life-and-death struggle on the high seas aboard the plucky naval cutter Seaflower. While war between England and Revolution-torn France escalates, Kydds mettle under fire -- as a sailor and a man -- receives the ultimate test.Set at the dawn of a new century, Seaflower gives us the primal forces of nature at sea where they are at their most untamed and exhilarating. This is classic storytelling at its powerful best.

With Kydd, Julian Stockwin introduced us to a young wig-maker from Guildford who was kidnapped and pressed into duty with the tempestuous crew of the Duke William battleship. Now, Thomas Paine Kydd is backwith a vengeancein the latest installment of Stockwins thrilling naval adventure series.Artemis is the 18th-century crack frigate that Kydd and sea-mate Nicholas Renzi are set to sail all the way to the fabled Far East. In this great age of fighting sailing ships, Kydds voyage promises to be a perilous undertaking. But not even shipwreck, mutiny, or a confrontation with a mighty French frigate manages to thwart Artemis and her crew. Its only when Kydd receives an urgent message from homeone that threatens to cut short his career and trap him on shore foreverthat Artemiss real journey begins. Filled with mesmerizing suspense and vivid details of Napoleonic-era seafaring, Artemis is classic, page-turning storytelling at its best.

Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line - Daily ExpressCommander Thomas Kydd is eager to play his part in thwarting Bonapartes plans for the invasion of England. Joining Admiral Nelsons command, Kydd and his ship soon find themselves at the heart of the action that leads up to the greatest sea battle in history: Trafalgar. Kydds journey takes him from false sightings of the enemy and dramatic chases across the Atlantic, to the bloody annihilation of the enemy during the actual battle, and the heroic aftermath.******************What readers are saying about VICTORYMore of the same, please! - 5 starsThe best Stockwin yet! - 5 starsA great read . . . I salute a terrific story teller of that bygone age! - 5 starsA masterly retelling of a real heros tragic demise and a thoroughly enjoyable novel - 5 starsA marvelous book - 5 stars

In Stockwins hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world - Guardian1803. Tensions are escalating again between England and France. While the Royal Navy launches reconnaissance, rescue missions and spies on the continent, French privateer ships are lurking in English waters poised to strike at British trade. Smugglers, perilous storms and a treacherous coastline all threaten to overcome HMS Teazer as her men fight to gain control of the seas around Cornwall and Devon. Meanwhile an unlikely rival is seeking her captains heart. The beautiful and determined admirals daughter could be the key to realising all Kydds hopes and ambitions. But high society, he finds, can be as treacherous as his first mistress - the sea.*******************What readers are saying about THE ADMIRALS DAUGHTERStockwins best yet - 5 starsAnother great Julian Stockwin novel - 5 starsGreat read, a brilliant series - 5 starsA very good book of adventures at sea - 5 starsThe entire series is utterly brilliant - 5 stars