Because writing historical fiction must transport the reader into the past, I had to think like a soldier, act like a pirate, and learn about siege warfare. And to boot, it had to be interesting!

The English 1702 siege on St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in the United States, really happened. It is recorded history and I had to weave that history into a story. I couldn't gloss over the clunky parts or change the direction of the story because the plot was already there. I had to deal with it. I had to take the facts and present them as they occurred.

If I did my job well, Under Siege! readers should be able to imagine the era, feel the hot and humid Florida heat, and the panic the townspeople felt when they had to move into the Castillo de San Marcos to fight.

The story unfolds through Pedro's eyes. He's been told he's told too young to fight. But he has skill and a unique knowledge of the land on his side.

When the English attack, he and his friend, Miguel, are thrown into an adventure of a lifetime. A naval blockade, an escaped pirate with detailed knowledge of the fort, woods crawling with the enemy, and a fort with critically low ammunition are just some of the challenges ahead. They realize they must sneak behind enemy lines to help or the town will perish.