Winds of Marque

This is a swashbuckling tale of the first order, set in a Regency-era world where social class dictates everything and ships sail among the planets on solar winds and currents. Liam Blackwood is second in command to a typical reckless lord who's willing to risk ship and crew in a petty and dangerous race. Blackwood eagerly accepts the opportunity to leave the regular navy and join a clandestine ship, captained by Commander Sophia Riverton, operating under a letter of marque to seek out and eliminate a scourge of vicious space pirates. Riverton and Blackwood set sail for the dark of space with a handpicked and dauntless crew on the HMSS Daring, and soon they have their first bloody confrontation. Replete with pirates, full-bore battles, enigmatic aliens, and traitors, this fast-paced tale never lets up. The characters are well defined and engaging, and there is the requisite forbidden romance and plenty of byzantine political intrigue.