It’s wonderful when someone new meets Jane, and likes her!
Great review from Cruising World Magazine! BTW Destiny’s Gold (Book 1) is currently on sale, as is Book 2: Destiny’s Freedom. Click here for more details.
historical fiction
Book Club Discussion Questions
Now Captain Jane Thorn is merrily sailing amongst us, Author Pamela Grimm has compiled Book Club Questions.
Click here to view the list of questions for your club.
We’d love to know your answers/discussions, especially to Question 3!
“If you were to cast the movie, who would play Captain Jane? Chief Mate Dawkins? Count Bonenfant?”
Book 2 is on its way very soon!
“With your Skins whole and your Pockets fat!”
Captain Jane Thorn motivates her crew to work hard and watch her back… but do they?
“All right, men,” she began, “we are finally off and you made a good job of it in the end. I should like to thank you all for signing on. We mean to make a lucky and profitable venture of this trip and see you all home with your skins whole and your pockets fat.”
At this, a cheer went up from the men and Jane had to wave her hands to quiet them. She continued, “We are bound for Cuba as our first port of call. We have a contract to pick up sugar, and will see to loading some for ourselves as well. That should give you something extra in your pay packet if we get a good price.” Another cheer interrupted her speech, and Jane waved again to settle them so she could finish.
“We have heard there may be fever in Havana, so we will make quick work of the cargo when we are there. I fear we may need to limit shore leave if the epidemic is raging, but I aim to make it up to you on the other side. Dawkins and Galsworthy here can be counted on to see you right with the work, and Cookie will keep your bellies well filled. Do your work, do it well and swiftly, and we will all arrive home by and by with gifts for our sweethearts and money to put in the bank.”
This is an excerpt from Destiny’s Gold – Book 2 is due for release in the New Year… you’d better hurry and catch up with Jane…
“Anchors aweigh!” – “Hoist the jib! Helm to windward!”
Destiny is underway, and so is Captain Jane Thorn in – Destiny’s Gold
“The sails filled and they tacked out of the harbor into the Atlantic.”
We are proud to announce Destiny’s Gold is now available in paperback (in the USA – rest of the world following soon!).
Join Captain Jane Thorn and her hearty crew…
“Heave short!” The foredeck crew rammed home the capstan bars and prepared to pull the Destiny downriver until she floated over her port bow anchor. As soon as the tide turned, they would heave the anchor and set sail on a broad reach with the wind on the starboard quarter. It was a tricky maneuver in tight quarters, but would give them a jump on the larger vessels if they could pull it off.
Perched on the near end of the Destiny’s eighteen-foot jib boom, Galsworthy peered down at the anchor chain, waiting for it to draw slack.
“Heave ho!” came the call, and the men bent their backs to the work, pushing the bars around the capstan as one of the hands led them in a rousing chorus of Maid of Amsterdam.
“Anchors aweigh!” rang out as the flukes cleared the bottom and the Destiny began to move with the outgoing tide.
“Hoist the jib! Helm to windward!” The orders were coming fast as Jane watched her crew move nimbly to execute Mister Dawkins’ commands. Over the past week, these seven sailors had come together under the firm hand of the chief, and Jane felt a shiver of pride and anticipation as the sails filled and they began the long tack down the harbor and out into the Atlantic.
Great story!! (Very few books get a five star rating from me, but this one is close.)
December 2, 2018 – Format: Kindle Edition
I don’t know anything about sailing, but I do know when I enjoy a good adventure story and really feel that I’ve connected to a character. Captain Jane and her crew grabbed my heart and pulled me into her world. The book was very enjoyable and I’m looking forward to reading the next one!
New Historical Fiction Author Emerges into the Limelight!
Combine four women from opposites sides of the globe but connected by their passion for writing and sailing and what do you get? The ingredients for a powerful maritime novel with a strong female lead, Destiny’s Gold.
You can pre-order your Kindle copy now. Click here.
SisterShip Magazine interviews New York sailor and emerging author Pamela Grimm to discover where she finds her inspiration and how the characters in Destiny’s Gold have a life of their own.’
Why write about the merchant marine instead of pirates? Surely they are more fun!
Aaargh! A pirate lives by his sword, but a trading captain has to live by her wits. That’s much more fun, I think! Captain Jane has to figure out how to get what she wants without pulling a weapon on anyone, in general. Not that she won’t channel her inner pirate if needed!
Pamela Grimm historical fiction author of Destiny’s Gold
What makes historical fiction set in the 19th century so special?
The first half of the 19th century was a time of upheaval and change all over the world. In many ways, the rapid developments in technology and the political turmoil would be familiar to today’s readers. For Americans, the country was still growing and defending its territory while trying not to get involved in European affairs. Within, issues of slavery, expansion, and the role of government were hot buttons that everyone had to work around. Captain Jane is akin to today’s millennials, figuring out what she thinks about things and acting on her principles.
How important is research to you when writing a book?
Research is everything! I want to bring the reader into Jane’s world and make it feel familiar. The problems people were solving in Jane’s day laid the foundation for the world we live in today. Have you ever thought about how long it would actually take to raise the anchor on a 200-ton ship? Longer than you might imagine!
How realistic are your books?
Captain Jane and the Destiny are as realistic as I can make them. All of the events and places I reference are real, as are many of the people she encounters. Every now and then, I take liberties with time frames, but I strive to give the reader a realistic sense of the world in 1820.
Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?
Oh, my characters pretty much do what they want to do. They are constantly surprising me! I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. In general, I know what the central storyline will be, but how things play out is always a mystery until it happens. I find myself saying, “Oh really?” a lot when I am writing.
How much of yourself do you put into your books?
I confess, Captain Jane is my alter-ego. She pretty much does what I think I would do in most situations, although sometimes I have to shake my head at how obtuse she can be. That’s probably when she is being most like me.
Who would play Captain Jane in the movie?
If I could wave a magic wand, it would be a young Loreena McKennitt.
When can the readers expect your next book?
Soon! The Destiny is already headed out for a new adventure with Captain Jane and her loyal crew aboard. Look for the next volume in the series in 2019.
Wondering who the fourth member of our team is? All will be revealed soon. Stay tuned to SisterShip Press Pty Ltd Facebook page or this blog to be in the know!
