The Guardship

Brethren of the Coast Series, Book 1

By: James L. Nelson

Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart

Shortly after Thomas Marlowe's arrival in Williamsburg, Virginia, all in that newfound capital city are speaking his name. With the bounty from his years as a pirate—a life he intends to renounce and keep forever secret—he purchases a fine plantation from a striking young widow, and soon after kills the favorite son of one of Virginia's most powerful clans while defending her honor. But it is a daring feat of remarkable cunning that truly sets local tongues wagging: a stunning move that wins Marlowe command of Plymouth Prize, the colony's decrepit guardship.

But even as the enigmatic Marlowe bravely leads the King's sailors in bloody pitched battle against the cutthroats who infest the waters off Virginia's shores, a threat from his illicit past looms on the horizon that could doom Marlowe and his plans. Jean-Pierre LeRois, captain of the Vengeance—a brigand notorious even among other brigands for his violence and debauchery—plots to seize the colony's wealth, forcing Marlowe to choose between losing all or facing the one man he fears. Only an explosive confrontation on the open sea can determine whether the Chesapeake will be ruled by the crown or the Brethren of the Coast.

©2000 James L. Nelson (P)2023 Tantor

I could not stop listening!

Very action packed! Over and over it seemed that there was no way out of a situation only to succeed in the end. Enjoyable characters.

Good pirate story anchored in early 17 hundreds American colonies.

Well told story by great author. Early XVIII century sailor yarn with great characters tangled in pirate world.

Well written Novel

As a fan of Novels highlighting the Age of Sail I was surprised and happy to come across James L Nelson’s body of work and am excited to continue read more.The Guardship is a well written fast paced story which I greatly enjoyed. I have already purchased the next book in the series!

Sir, I am a gentleman and I must defend my honor.

Thomas Marlowe is an upstart gentleman and former pirate. He’s essentially a conman but has the swagger and confidence to fit right into to early colonial Virginia high society. Upon arriving he is accepted into the wealthy upper crust of the colony and immediately starts trouble. It’s a Hell of a tale and expertly written. Funny and frightening and very interesting.

awesome as I've come to expect

once again James Nelson hits it out of the park a very historically accurate and exciting novel of pirates and romance and redemption I highly recommend it and it is my favorite out of all his works of which I own all of them I can't wait for the next one to get put on audible give it a shot that is well worth it and the narration was excellent!!!