Title: Bring It Close
Author: Helen Hollick
Publisher: Silverwood Books
Publication Date: June 22, 2011
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN: 978-1906236625
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
Back Cover Blurb:
Jesamiah Acorne, Captain of the Sea Witch, has accepted a pardon of amnesty against his misdeeds of piracy, but old enemies do not forget the past. In particular Edward Teach – Blackbeard himself – has a bone to pick with Acorne.
Following an indiscretion with an old flame, Jesamiah finds his fiancée, the midwife and white witch, Tiola Oldstagh, has gone to North Carolina to help with a difficult birth: the problem, that is where Blackbeard now resides. He must not discover that Tiola is Jesamiah’s woman. She will have to hide her gift of Craft from the black-hearted pirate who has sold his soul to the devil.
With Sea Witch damaged and himself wounded, Jesamiah must take stock of the situation – but arrested for acts of piracy how is he to clear his name, avoid the noose, keep Tiola safe and put an end to Blackbeard – all while being haunted by the ghost of his father?
From the Bahamas to North Carolina and Williamsburg in Virginia Bring It Close moves at a swashbuckling pace. There is intrigue, misunderstandings, romance and adventure – all wrapped up in a blend of supernatural fantasy and a sailor’s yarn of a good read!
My Review:
Bring It Close by Helen Hollick is the third voyage of Captain Jesamiah Acorne, the previous two in the series are Sea Witch and Pirate Code. I have read the previous two books and believe that while the reader can find Bring It Close enjoyable without having read the previous two books, it is best if the books are read in order. While I am not generally a fan of mystical fantasy, Hollick’s writing is exceptionally well done in Bring It Close. With a blend of historical fiction, the genre for which Hollick is well known for, and fantasy, readers will find Bring It Close a tantalizing story of adventure and the conflict between Acorne and Edward Teach, better know as Blackbeard. Packed with suspense and intrigue, readers will want to hang onto this 3rd installment through to the end as Jesamiah’s fiancée risks discovery by Blackbeard while serving as a midwife near Blackbeard’s residence. In the copy of the book I reviewed, Hollick offers the reader detailed maps and an extremely helpful glossary of terms used throughout the book, I cannot confirm the newest release contains these items, but certainly hope it does as for this land lover, they proved invaluable. To fans of historical fiction looking for a unique twist of fantasy intertwined, I recommend Bring It Close and Hollick’s preceding two novels in this series, Sea Witch and Pirate Code.
About the Author:
Helen was born in North East London, England, and started writing pony stories as a young teenager. She moved onto science fiction and fantasy and then discovered the delight of writing historical fiction. Published in the UK and the US with her books about King Arthur and the 1066 Battle of Hastings, Helen also writes a series of historical adventure seafaring books inspired by her love of the Golden Age of Piracy. Helen still lives on the outskirts of London with her husband, Ron, adult daughter Kathy and a variety of pets, including a dog, a cat, and three horses.
To learn more about author Helen Hollick and her books, please visit her main website.
I did not receive a copy of the book from Silverwood Books for this tour. I relied on my personal copy of Bring It Close which is a different edition, publication year, and publisher therefor if any changes have been made to the most recent edition, it is not reflected in my review. Silverwood Books provided me with the images and information for the tour button, book cover, book blurb, and the author information.
Thank you so much for such a grand review Jennifer -
Yes, I can confirm that everything in the earlier editions of all three of my Sea Witch Voyages are in the new SilverWood Books Editions – except for the typos and errors (which I hope have been fixed!) The maps have been updated (as have the covers) and the new editions are now more professionally produced – at last I have found a superb UK publisher who is producing my books as they should be. The story itself hasn’t changed, though – as much intrigue and adventure in whatever edition you sail away with!
Thank you for stopping by Helen! I imagine your schedule is quite hectic. I am very pleased to know the storyline did not change.
I love Helen Hollick’s writing so I’m keen to try her Sea Witch series but I’d definitely read it in order lol
I have enjoyed everything I have read by Helen Hollick.