Bennett R. Coles

A bold act of piracy has shaken the highest halls of power, and the star sailing ship HMSS Daring is running at full sheet on a new mission ordered by His Imperial Majesty. Commander Lord Liam Blackwood and Petty Officer Amelia Virtue have seen their share of adventures together, but this mission brings challenges they've never faced before, from both inside the ship and out.As Daring finds itself in a desperate struggle against rogue forces, Liam and Amelia must discern the true motivation of their adversaries before the ship, its crew and their relationship get torn apart forever.

The misfit crew of HMSS Daring are on a covert mission to dismantle a sprawling pirate network threatening the empire in this enthralling second Blackwood & Virtue novel--a thrilling, action-packed blend of the military sea adventures of Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander series with Jim Butcher's sci fi Cinder Spires novels.Exuberant after scoring a major victory against enemy pirates, the star sailing ship HMSS Daring eagerly embarks on its new mission. Until the pirate network is dismantled and its mysterious leader Dark Star brought to justice, the safety of the empire remains in jeopardy.Supported by the ship's misfit crew, Subcommander Liam Blackwood and Quartermaster Amelia Virtue go undercover, following leads that take them deep into the pirate network. Yet the closer they get to its center and the elusive Dark Star, the clearer it becomes that all is not what it seems.Pirates aren't the only danger the duo face. Empowered by imperial decree, an old enemy is murdering noble families and taking their property--an enemy that has a personal grudge against Daring and her crew. And now he is on his way across the galaxy to exact revenge.Caught between ruthless pirates, a vengeful enemy, and their own increasingly intense feelings, Liam and Amelia must use all their cunning, charm, and daring to get out this alive.

Bennett R. Coles ranks among my go-to list in SF. Entertaining and intelligent storytelling and terrific characters. In Winds of Marque, Coles may well have invented a whole new subgenre that has me scrambling for a description--Steam Space? Whatever you call it, a blast to read. Here's hoping that many more adventures are in the offing for Blackwood and company. --Steven Erikson, New York Times bestselling authorThe first novel in an exciting science fiction series--Master and Commander in space--a swashbuckling space adventure in which a crew of misfit individuals in the king's navy are sent to dismantle a dangerous ring of pirate raiders. In a dense star cluster, the solar winds blow fiercely. The star sailing ship HMSS Daring is running at full sheet with a letter of marque allowing them to capture enemy vessels involved in illegal trading. Sailing under a false flag to protect the ship and its mission, Daring's crew must gather intelligence that will lead them to the pirates' base.Posing as traders, Daring's dashing second-in-command Liam Blackwood and brilliant quartermaster Amelia Virtue infiltrate shady civilian merchant networks, believing one will lead them to their quarry. But their mission is threatened from within their own ranks when Daring's enigmatic captain makes a series of questionable choices, and rumblings of discontent start bubbling up from below decks, putting the crew on edge and destroying morale. On top of it all, Liam and Amelia must grapple with their growing feelings for each other.Facing danger from unexpected quarters that could steer the expedition off course, Blackwood and Virtue must identify the real enemy threat and discover the truth about their commander--and their mission--before Daring falls prey to the very pirates she's meant to be tracking.

"Bennett R. Coles ranks among my go-to list in SF. Entertaining and intelligent storytelling and terrific characters. In Winds of Marque, Coles may well have invented a whole new subgenre that has me scrambling for a description--Steam Space? Whatever you call it, a blast to read. Here's hoping that many more adventures are in the offing for Blackwood and company." --Steven Erikson, New York Times bestselling authorThe first novel in an exciting science fiction series--Master and Commander in space--a swashbuckling space adventure in which a crew of misfit individuals in the king's navy are sent to dismantle a dangerous ring of pirate raiders. In a dense star cluster, the solar winds blow fiercely. The star sailing ship HMSS Daring is running at full sheet with a letter of marque allowing them to capture enemy vessels involved in illegal trading. Sailing under a false flag to protect the ship and its mission, Daring's crew must gather intelligence that will lead them to the pirates' base.Posing as traders, Daring's dashing second-in-command Liam Blackwood and brilliant quartermaster Amelia Virtue infiltrate shady civilian merchant networks, believing one will lead them to their quarry. But their mission is threatened from within their own ranks when Daring's enigmatic captain makes a series of questionable choices, and rumblings of discontent start bubbling up from below decks, putting the crew on edge and destroying morale. On top of it all, Liam and Amelia must grapple with their growing feelings for each other.Facing danger from unexpected quarters that could steer the expedition off course, Blackwood and Virtue must identify the real enemy threat and discover the truth about their commander--and their mission--before Daring falls prey to the very pirates she's meant to be tracking.

VICTORY AT ANY COST Though narrowly thwarted in their attack on Earth, Centauri rebels continue assaulting targets across Terran space, placing Jack Mallory and Thomas Kane in the thick of the action. On Earth, Centauri spies whip up anti-war sentiment, seeking to cripple the government and gain the upper hand. As enemy efforts become increasingly deadly, Special Forces operative Katja Emmes digs deep to locate the perpetrators. When it’s learned that the Centauris employ new and deadly technology, Terran forces must up their own destructive capabilities. Yet how far can the violence be taken before results become atrocities?

The Terran military has defeated the invading fleet, but the war is far from over. As a covert agent embeds himself on Earth, advanced Centauri technology enables him to pry into the military's most secure files, accessing secrets that could lead to millions of deaths.Lieutenant Commander Thomas Kane, Lieutenant Katja Emmes, and Sublieutenant Jack Mallory again find themselves at the forefront of the planet's defenses. Yet terrorism isn't the only threat they face. Given what they've experienced, their greatest challenge may be defeating the memories of war.

COLES WRITES WITH VERACITY, WITH A DELICIOUS STREAK OF SUBVERSION." STEVEN ERIKSON, New York Times bestselling author of Gardens of the Moon Lieutenant Katja Emmes is assigned to the fast-attack craft Rapier, joining a mission to investigate weapons smuggling activity between the Terran colonies of Sirius and Centauria. If true, this act of rebellion could escalate rapidly, and lead to all-out war. When combat does erupt, its ferocity stuns the Terran forces, and pushes them to their limits. It tests the abilities of Lieutenant Emmes, as well, along with Sublieutenant Jack Mallory and Lieutenant Commander Thomas Kane, commanding officer of the Rapier. But failure is not acceptable. They must defeat the enemy...by whatever means necessary. "PULSE-POUNDING MILITARY SCIENCE FICTION FROM A NEW MASTER OF THE GENRE." WILLIAM C. DIETZ, bestselling author of Andromeda's Fall "DELIVERED AT MAXIMUM VELOCITY WITH LASER-GUIDED PRECISION." CHRIS EVANS, author of Of Bone and Thunder "VICARIOUS THRILL RIDES THAT GET THE READER'S HEART PUMPING...WROUGHT WITH SUSPENSE." CHANTICLEER BOOK REVIEWS