#1 - Under Enemy Colours
1793: the thunder of cannon fire echoes across the
English Channel, chilling the stoutest hearts . . .
The opening skirmishes of the French Revolutionary War send ageing frigate HMS Themis into waters swarming with enemy ships of the line. Instructed to survey the French coastline, she's soon in the thick of the action: cutlasses slash and bayonets skewer, cannons splinter decks and sever limbs. Onto the smoky deck strides young Lieutenant Charles Hayden.
With an English father and a French mother, the Admiralty are reluctant to give Hayden his first command. Instead, he is to act as a bulwark between the Themis's tyrannical Captain Hart and a mutinous crew. Steering a course between the cowardly captain and the treacherous crew, English common sense and French pride, Hayden must first master his wits before challenging the might of the French naval war machine.
English Channel, chilling the stoutest hearts . . .
The opening skirmishes of the French Revolutionary War send ageing frigate HMS Themis into waters swarming with enemy ships of the line. Instructed to survey the French coastline, she's soon in the thick of the action: cutlasses slash and bayonets skewer, cannons splinter decks and sever limbs. Onto the smoky deck strides young Lieutenant Charles Hayden.
With an English father and a French mother, the Admiralty are reluctant to give Hayden his first command. Instead, he is to act as a bulwark between the Themis's tyrannical Captain Hart and a mutinous crew. Steering a course between the cowardly captain and the treacherous crew, English common sense and French pride, Hayden must first master his wits before challenging the might of the French naval war machine.
#2 - A Battle Won
'Fire as she bears. Rake her, lads.'
Winter, 1793. Newly promoted Master and Commander Charles Hayden's orders are to deliver the frigate HMS Themis to Lord Admiral Hood, whose fleet is sheltering in the Mediterranean. Only hours out of port, however, and the Themis is engaging with the French navy.
Hayden's destination is Toulon, a French port under Lord Hood's protection. But there Hayden's captaincy and seamanship are stretched to their limits. For Toulon holds a deadly surprise for the unwary . . .
A Battle Won is the brilliant second instalment in the epic maritime adventures of Charles Hayden. A masterpiece in the tradition of Bernard Cornwell and Patrick O'Brian.
Winter, 1793. Newly promoted Master and Commander Charles Hayden's orders are to deliver the frigate HMS Themis to Lord Admiral Hood, whose fleet is sheltering in the Mediterranean. Only hours out of port, however, and the Themis is engaging with the French navy.
Hayden's destination is Toulon, a French port under Lord Hood's protection. But there Hayden's captaincy and seamanship are stretched to their limits. For Toulon holds a deadly surprise for the unwary . . .
A Battle Won is the brilliant second instalment in the epic maritime adventures of Charles Hayden. A masterpiece in the tradition of Bernard Cornwell and Patrick O'Brian.
#3 - A Ship of War
1794. As the terror rages in France, Captain Charles Hayden leaves Plymouth to gather intelligence from a spy off the Le Havre coast. But the enemy lies in wait. In the foulest of weather, Hayden's seamanship is tested to the limit and a terrifying chase begins.
Faced with a powerful French squadron Hayden knows he must elude capture at any cost. In his possession are details of an imminent attack on British soil which must be delivered before all is lost. Ahead lie shipwrecks, battles and dramatic escapes - and at the centre, the courage and heroism of a lone captain . . .
Faced with a powerful French squadron Hayden knows he must elude capture at any cost. In his possession are details of an imminent attack on British soil which must be delivered before all is lost. Ahead lie shipwrecks, battles and dramatic escapes - and at the centre, the courage and heroism of a lone captain . . .
#4 - Until the Sea Shall Give Up Her Dead
Crossing the Atlantic, Charles Hayden encounters a dismasted ship sailing under jury rig - it is a slaver headed for the British West Indies. Without Hayden's help many slaves will die of thirst and starvation, and reluctantly he agrees to help the ship in exchange for a percentage of their profits.
Reaching Barbados, Hayden finds his ship in a squadron under the command of the conceited Sir William Jones, who involves Hayden in his perilous exploits. Hayden must question whether he will risk his men and stand by Jones, or whether he will stand against him.
Reaching Barbados, Hayden finds his ship in a squadron under the command of the conceited Sir William Jones, who involves Hayden in his perilous exploits. Hayden must question whether he will risk his men and stand by Jones, or whether he will stand against him.