Ambitious author Tom Durwood is looking for new readers for his challenging, award-winning adventures! 📚 Tom Durwood draws on his background as an educator in literature to both educate and entertain readers in his newest historical fiction, The Illustrated Boatman's Daughter. Deftly presenting important literary themes like imperialism through the lens of a strong female protagonist, Durwood provides a dose of history for lovers of mystery and thrillers. The Illustrated Boatman's Daughter is an old-fashioned epic adventure story complete with swashbuckling fights, treachery and assassins. Readers will find revenge and heartbreak, anguish and love, secret identities, brave deeds in the face of overwhelming odds—and a new perspective on one of history's great tales.
In “The Illustrated Boatman’s Daughter,” he gives us Salima, a young woman of the Nile, who in this scene must defend against arms merchants ….    “We are too full to take these now,” said Salima to the next in line, a burly young Afar tribesman, who escorted a stack of long wooden boxes. Two companions stood beside them. “Come earlier next time.” 
“What do you mean, ‘too full’?” he demanded.
“I am not speaking in code, friend,” said Salima. “Take them to the bargeman, Chavi, across the way. He can ferry you. We don’t take guns.” 
She nodded towards the stacked boxes with the French markings. 
“We have heard that your rival transports are all inferior to yours.”
She motioned for the next in line. “Those Martini Henrys are good rifles,” she said. “But you may find yourself stuck loading the breech. The American rifles don’t stop firing.” She raised one eyebrow. 
“I can make a separate arrangement,” said the Afar. “Is there a male I could see, daughter? Your uncle? Your father, perhaps?”
“Step out, friend. Come back another day. With another cargo.” 
Fury flushed the tribesman’s features. His shoulders tensed and he reached for his waistband..
She did the same, half-standing–   
The dog growled and started. 
The Tunisian stepped between the two. 
“A thousand pardons.” The Afar bowed and laughed nervously. “It’s a friendly dispute.” He stepped out of line and retreated, with his boxes and his grumbling companions.   📚Read free excerpts from Tom’s adventure story here!: https://boatmansdaughter.com/
 Foreword by Fatima Sharrafedine.  "Heroes coming of age... and changing history." “A series of historical novels like this is refreshing, and much-needed …”
~Lauren E. Snyder / Bookseller, Malaprop Books