Friday, February 1, 2013

The Backlist Blog Hop is here!

Welcome Backlist Bloghoppers!

Jaxx Steele here to share my pirate book with you, A Day on Plunderer’s Pride.
I have always loved pirates and cowboys. They are usually tough ruggard men with work hardened bodies by their chosen professions in life.
Cowboy law is simple and just. “Don’t fuck with mine and I won’t fuck with yours and if you do...I get to kill you.” Simple and to the point. I love that! There are no misunderstandings when a man comes to you like that.  A pirate’s code however is a little different, but still I love the simplicity of it. If they want your shit they’re going to take unless you’re man enough to stop them and that includes your woman...or in my case your man! LOL
I finally had to write a book to show my love for these life hardened men. So, here is a look at my first pirate story A Day on Plunderer's Pride. I had Chris Hensworth in mind when I created Captain Hazard and L.L. Cool J in mind when I created Nigel, Julian's right hand man in all that he does.



"A pirate’s life is for me!"

Life is hard, but worthwhile on the pirate ship Plunderer's Pride. Follow Captain Julian Hazard and his band of ruffians as they go about their daily business. As you endure their daily struggles and nightly rewards you may find that a pirate's life may be for you, too. 

Excerpt:

“The men are on standby, Nigel?” he inquired as they walked along the pier.
Julian knew the answer even as he asked the question. Nigel was an exceptional quartermaster. He knew what Julian expected from him and his crew and he had not been disappointed since Nigel officially took the position.
“Aye, sir, waiting for my call.”
“Good man.”
The governor’s house was not far from the shoreline but away from the denser streets filled with taverns, homes, and the noise that filled the heart of small coastal city. In a short while they were on the stone pathway that led them directly to the door of his stately two-story home.
“Good day, Captain Hazard. You are expected,” a servant told him. “Please follow me.”
The governor was an Englishman with all the comforts his position afforded. The house was large and immaculately decorated. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceilings, plush crimson carpet covered the floors, while the walls showed the succession of the men in his family in large golden frames.
“The governor will be with you shortly.”
The oversized room they were left in was scarcely furnished: a few cushioned chairs and small tables to separate them and a circular staircase leading to the upper level. The ceilings and walls were as bejeweled as the rest of the rooms they passed. Captain Hazard looked around the room, frowning before he turned his gaze to his companion.
Nigel stood unmoving, staring straight ahead. His sturdy legs were spread as he stood erect with his chest out and hands clasped behind his back. A light sheen of perspiration glistened faintly on his bald head in the light of the room. His wide chest rose and fell steadily under the tattered tan shirt he wore. Julian glanced at Nigel several times as he paced the floors, admiring his quiet patience. Luckily, before Julian’s intolerance for waiting wore too thin, he heard the clump of heeled shoes on the steps. He turned to the sound.
Sir William Pendleton smoothed the ruffles on his pristine white blouse as he descended the staircase slowly. Two large silver buttons on his abdomen closed the black satin overcoat that swayed along the back of his calves. He exaggerated each step, overextending his legs, causing his foot to hit the stair heavily.
“Greetings, Captain Hazard. So good of you to stop by.” His voice was light and jovial.
“I am here at your request, Governor,” he stated just as cheerfully, walking over to meet him.
“Quite so. Well, in that case, I thank you for answering my summons,” the governor amended, offering the captain a limp wrist handshake. “I am a blunt man, Captain. I will come right to the point of this meeting. You have a reputation of attacking other ships, taking whatever riches they have on board, the crew as well. Is there truth to this accusation?”
Captain Hazard wrapped his arms around his chest and raised a brow. “Aye. I take what I want and trade what I don’t need.” Irritation tinged his voice as he confirmed the allegation without faltering.
The governor raised his hands in surrender. “That is not a criticism, my good man, by no means. I ask because I am in need of such skills.” Governor Pendleton produced another scroll from a nearby desk draw. “This is a Letter of Marque. I would like you to stop a trade ship on its way back from the Americas. It is a Spanish galleon that makes birth out of Santa Domingo. It is said that they carry gold, silver, spices, silks, ivory, and the like. Whatever the cargo is I want it.”
Captain Hazard looked over the letter and nodded. “What is my cut?”
“Bring me half of the goods, and the other half is yours. That seems fair, does it not?”
Hazard thought on his offer. “What of the galleon’s crew?” he asked with a raised brow.
Sir Pendleton waved away his question. “Do what you will with them. Lay waste to whole lot for all I care. They are of no concern to me, only the treasure matters. Do we have an agreement?” he asked impatiently.
Captain Hazard looked over his shoulder at his companion. They had been sailing together for many years. He could read the man very well. Julian looked for signs of caution in Nigel’s handsome but blank expression, but saw none. Satisfied, he re-rolled the scroll and handed it over to Nigel before turning back to the governor.
“Aye, Governor, we have an accord.”
“Excellent! My spies tell me that the ship was due to leave the Americas just this morning in route to Santa Domingo loaded to the brim with my riches. If you leave with the rising sun you should be able to intercept them as they move past Cuba toward Haiti. I do not wish them to return to Hispaniola with riches I have already determined to be mine, Captain Hazard. Do not disappointment me,” Governor Pendleton added pointedly with an air of arrogance before turning on his heels to return to the stairs, abruptly ending their meeting. The captain and his mate left the room quickly.
“Gather the men and meet me on the ship, Nigel. We leave before dawn.”
“Aye, sir,” he said, lagging behind him, already in motion to do his bidding.

Plunderer’s Pride is available now at Muse It Hot
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11 comments:

magic5905 said...

ooh, sounds good. Thanks.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

laurie said...

sounds good. Thanks.

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

SheriV said...

I love pirates. Definitely want to read this!

smurfettev AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

Great giveaway! This is my favorite way to discover new authors!

Sassychassy333 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

book sounds good thanks for the hop
kaholgate (at) ymail (dot) com

Tessa said...

I love, love, love pirates!
tessa (dot) bamberg (at) kolumbus (dot) fi

Sherry said...

It's been a long time since I've read a good pirate book. Thanks for the giveaway.
sstrode at scrtc dot com

nancy said...

Hmmm, pirates. Lots of possibilities. Count me in.

Rush said...

Oh I hate Sir William Pendejo, I mean Pendleton. What a little vile rodent he is! Seems to be an Interesting story though. Thanks for the HOP!

~Rush~
taina1959 at yahoo dot com

Carol L. said...

I've always loved Pirates and their Plundering. Thanks for sharing. I'll put it on my TRL. And thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

Shadow said...

Your book sounds great! Thank for the awesome hop and great giveaway!! :) Have a great day!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com