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Sea Witch Chronicles #3
Bring It Close
The third voyage of Captain Jesamiah Acorne, pirate, scoundrel and charming rogue. A meticulously researched, full-blooded adventure full of heart-stopping action, evil villains, treasure and romance. "Helen Hollick's 'Sea Witch Voyages' have it all... ripping adventures on the historical high seas." (Suzanne McLeod, author).
386 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2009
5 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Helen Hollick
57 books527 followersI escaped London in January 2013 to live in North Devon - but was born in Walthamstow, North East London in 1953 I began writing at the age of 13. Desperately wanting a pony of my own, but not being able to afford one, I invented an imaginary pony instead, writing stories about our adventures together at every spare opportunity. In the seventies I turned to science fiction - this was the age of Dr. Who, Star Trek and Star Wars. I still have an unfinished adventure about a bit of a rogue who travelled space with his family, making an honest(ish) living and getting into all sorts of scrapes. Perhaps one day I might finish it.
I had wanted to become a journalist when leaving secondary school, but my careers advice was not helpful. "Don't be silly," I was told, "you can't type." (I still can't, I use four fingers.) Instead, I worked in a Chingford library where I stayed for 13 years although I was not very happy there - I did not realise it, but I wanted to write. The one advantage of the library, however, was the access to books, and it was there that I came across the Roman historical novels of Rosemary Sutcliff, the Arthurian trilogy by Mary Stewart, and the historian Geoffrey Ashe. I was hooked on Roman Britain - and King Arthur!
Reading everything I could, I eventually became frustrated that novels were not how I personally felt about the matter of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere).
By this time, I was married with a young daughter. I had time on my hands and so I started writing my idea of Arthurian Britain . I deliberately decided not to include Merlin and Lancelot, there was to be no magic or Medieval myth. My book was to be a "what might have really happened" historical novel, not a fantasy, and most certainly not a romance! What I didn't know, when I started, was that my one book was to grow into enough words to make a complete trilogy.
I found an agent who placed me with William Heinemann - I was accepted for publication just after my 40th birthday. The best birthday present I have ever had.
I had previously had a smaller success with a children's personal safety book (stranger danger) called "Come and Tell Me," a little story that I had written for my daughter when she was 3. I wanted to tell her how to keep safe in a clear and simple manner - with a message that could be easily remembered. "Always come and tell me before you go anywhere with anyone" fitted nicely. I was immensely proud when my little story was taken up as an official safety book by the British Home Office to be used nationally by the police and schools. An updated and revised version of "Come and Tell Me" was re-published by Happy Cat Books but is now out of print.
I followed on with two Saxon period novels A Hollow Crown and Harold the King - both are about the people and events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 - from the English point of view.
(these titles are published as The Forever Queen and I Am The Chosen King in the US)
When Heinemann did not re-print my backlist I took my books to a small UK independent publisher with their even smaller mainstream imprint, adding my historical adventure series the Sea Witch Voyages to my list.
Unfortunately Discovered Authors / Callio Press, were not as organised as they should have been and the company closed in the spring of 2011. Not wanting my books to fall out of print in the UK I took them to an indie company - SilverWood Books of Bristol UK - and with their technical assistance "self published"
I am also with Sourcebooks Inc in the US, with Artemis Yayinlari in Turkey, Sadwolf in Germany at Catnip Edizioni in Italy.
I was delighted to make the USA Today bestseller list in 2011 with The Forever Queen (US title of A Hollow Crown)
I have published two non-fiction books: Pirates Truth and Tales with Amberley Press and Smugglers : Fact and Fiction with Pen & Sword.
I also run an historical fiction review blog, Discovering Diamonds, with a dedicated and enthusia
I had wanted to become a journalist when leaving secondary school, but my careers advice was not helpful. "Don't be silly," I was told, "you can't type." (I still can't, I use four fingers.) Instead, I worked in a Chingford library where I stayed for 13 years although I was not very happy there - I did not realise it, but I wanted to write. The one advantage of the library, however, was the access to books, and it was there that I came across the Roman historical novels of Rosemary Sutcliff, the Arthurian trilogy by Mary Stewart, and the historian Geoffrey Ashe. I was hooked on Roman Britain - and King Arthur!
Reading everything I could, I eventually became frustrated that novels were not how I personally felt about the matter of Arthur and Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere).
By this time, I was married with a young daughter. I had time on my hands and so I started writing my idea of Arthurian Britain . I deliberately decided not to include Merlin and Lancelot, there was to be no magic or Medieval myth. My book was to be a "what might have really happened" historical novel, not a fantasy, and most certainly not a romance! What I didn't know, when I started, was that my one book was to grow into enough words to make a complete trilogy.
I found an agent who placed me with William Heinemann - I was accepted for publication just after my 40th birthday. The best birthday present I have ever had.
I had previously had a smaller success with a children's personal safety book (stranger danger) called "Come and Tell Me," a little story that I had written for my daughter when she was 3. I wanted to tell her how to keep safe in a clear and simple manner - with a message that could be easily remembered. "Always come and tell me before you go anywhere with anyone" fitted nicely. I was immensely proud when my little story was taken up as an official safety book by the British Home Office to be used nationally by the police and schools. An updated and revised version of "Come and Tell Me" was re-published by Happy Cat Books but is now out of print.
I followed on with two Saxon period novels A Hollow Crown and Harold the King - both are about the people and events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 - from the English point of view.
(these titles are published as The Forever Queen and I Am The Chosen King in the US)
When Heinemann did not re-print my backlist I took my books to a small UK independent publisher with their even smaller mainstream imprint, adding my historical adventure series the Sea Witch Voyages to my list.
Unfortunately Discovered Authors / Callio Press, were not as organised as they should have been and the company closed in the spring of 2011. Not wanting my books to fall out of print in the UK I took them to an indie company - SilverWood Books of Bristol UK - and with their technical assistance "self published"
I am also with Sourcebooks Inc in the US, with Artemis Yayinlari in Turkey, Sadwolf in Germany at Catnip Edizioni in Italy.
I was delighted to make the USA Today bestseller list in 2011 with The Forever Queen (US title of A Hollow Crown)
I have published two non-fiction books: Pirates Truth and Tales with Amberley Press and Smugglers : Fact and Fiction with Pen & Sword.
I also run an historical fiction review blog, Discovering Diamonds, with a dedicated and enthusia
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 6, 2014
If you haven't read any of Helen's books about Jesamiah Acorne the handsome charismatic, sexy Pirate captain of the "Sea Witch" you are missing a fabulous treat. They are wonderful! Lots of excitement, romance, adventure with a blend of the supernatural added both on the high seas and off them."Bring it Close" is the third in the series.
July 26, 2011
My thoughts:
Oh Jesamiah you really should learn to keep it in your pants. Though I still do not hate him, despise him a bit yes, but not hate since Hollick is just too good making her point.
Lots happened on the last book. Jesamiah came back alive from his spying trip, he learnt new truths about his family, his brother was not his brother at all. And now he is happy but bored since he is not a pirate any more. Of course then things goes to hell when Alicia, his brother's wife and former whore shows up and Jesamiah, oh you know. Tiola leaves and he goes after her. This book also deals with pirates again and the darker sides as the attention moves to Virginia and North Carolina where Blackbeard can be found. Jesamiah is going to deal with him once and for all.
Here we finally meet real pirates. Bloodthirsty men who rape, kill and torture without a second thought. They are real pirates and they should be feared. I am not saying Jesamiah is a choir boy, no he has done bad things but there is still good in him. Blackbeard on the other hand is a crazy psychopath and Hollick has made Jesamiah a part of his story.
This book is also a bit darker as many will suffer direct and indirect at the hands of pirates.
But there is still adventure to be had and we learn more about Tiola's craft, as she is a witch sent to guard against the dark. Poor Tethys is not around much, but instead we have the ghost of Jesamiah's father telling his story.
Conclusion:
The book will promise you adventure, evil pirates, tragic love stories and witchcraft. So be prepared for a wild pirate adventure.
Oh Jesamiah you really should learn to keep it in your pants. Though I still do not hate him, despise him a bit yes, but not hate since Hollick is just too good making her point.
Lots happened on the last book. Jesamiah came back alive from his spying trip, he learnt new truths about his family, his brother was not his brother at all. And now he is happy but bored since he is not a pirate any more. Of course then things goes to hell when Alicia, his brother's wife and former whore shows up and Jesamiah, oh you know. Tiola leaves and he goes after her. This book also deals with pirates again and the darker sides as the attention moves to Virginia and North Carolina where Blackbeard can be found. Jesamiah is going to deal with him once and for all.
Here we finally meet real pirates. Bloodthirsty men who rape, kill and torture without a second thought. They are real pirates and they should be feared. I am not saying Jesamiah is a choir boy, no he has done bad things but there is still good in him. Blackbeard on the other hand is a crazy psychopath and Hollick has made Jesamiah a part of his story.
This book is also a bit darker as many will suffer direct and indirect at the hands of pirates.
But there is still adventure to be had and we learn more about Tiola's craft, as she is a witch sent to guard against the dark. Poor Tethys is not around much, but instead we have the ghost of Jesamiah's father telling his story.
Conclusion:
The book will promise you adventure, evil pirates, tragic love stories and witchcraft. So be prepared for a wild pirate adventure.
August 13, 2012
We are proud to announce that this book has been honored with a 2012 B.R.A.G.Medallion - telling you that this book is well worth your time and money!
August 27, 2017
Bring It Close is the 3rd voyage of Captain Jesamiah Acorne, pirate, scamp and someone you’d always want to have your back. The Sea Witch series is a blend of my favourite gentles, historical with just the right touch of fantasy. I loved the first two instalments, but this one is my favourite so far.
We pick up with Jesamiah and Tiola after he’s received amnesty from his pirating from Governor Rogers in Nassau. He’s not bored (and up to no good) for too long before he and Tiola are off—she to birth a baby in North Carolina and he to sort out his newly inherited estate in Virginia, along with all the baggage that comes with it. But very soon, the Malevolent Evil that has caused Tiola and Jesamiah so much grief before is at it again, this time in the form of Edward Teach, Blackbeard himself!
Jesamiah is one of those rare heroes who leaps off the page. He’s both hero and anti-hero, and even when he’s behaving like a scamp, it’s not hard to forgive him. And Tiola is like a northern star, steadfast and fixed. I just love her too. In Bring It Close, Jesamiah had to confront the ghosts of his past (literally) while defeating the monsters in the present. There were so many twists and turns that continued until the end. A brilliant page turner.
We pick up with Jesamiah and Tiola after he’s received amnesty from his pirating from Governor Rogers in Nassau. He’s not bored (and up to no good) for too long before he and Tiola are off—she to birth a baby in North Carolina and he to sort out his newly inherited estate in Virginia, along with all the baggage that comes with it. But very soon, the Malevolent Evil that has caused Tiola and Jesamiah so much grief before is at it again, this time in the form of Edward Teach, Blackbeard himself!
Jesamiah is one of those rare heroes who leaps off the page. He’s both hero and anti-hero, and even when he’s behaving like a scamp, it’s not hard to forgive him. And Tiola is like a northern star, steadfast and fixed. I just love her too. In Bring It Close, Jesamiah had to confront the ghosts of his past (literally) while defeating the monsters in the present. There were so many twists and turns that continued until the end. A brilliant page turner.
August 6, 2011
Originlly posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
The troubled, guilt-ridden spirit of Charles Mereno (Jesimiah’s father) prowls the pages of Bring It Close striving to set right his many wrong doings during his earthly life. The spirit’s story reveals how Jesimiah suffered because of his father’s faulty judgment and how Evil personified in the person Black Beard came to be.
Jesimiah Acorne and Tiola Oldstagh maneuver to survive as they deal with Evil’s ambassador Edward Teach (Black Beard), a pirate protected by the Devil and controlled by malevolent Dark Powers. How Jesimiah is connected to Black Beard is a dark thread woven into this intriguing tapestry of this tale.
The bright, shining thread in the design is Tiola, the eternal soul of a White Craft witch-woman in a beautiful, young woman’s body. She uses her abilities as a midwife and healer for good. She has to tread cautiously since the people in the early eighteenth century did not deal kindly with witches. Neither would the Dark Malevolencies if they could locate her as the source of light and good that stands against them.
Jesimiah is a variegated thread in the tapestry, somewhat of a chameleon, who fits in with whichever segment of the population he needs to in order to stay alive and prosper. Now a “retired” pirate with amnesty, he still sails into life-threatening situations used by self-serving people who are not concerned about whether he lives or dies just so long as they get what they want.
Jesimiah, a complex character, lives by the pirate code for the most part, but an underlying morality tempers his judgment much of the time. At times he slips and finds himself isolated from his soul mate Tiola, who is his only true comfort. His inability to mentally reach her leaves him desolate as he gets into situations that bring him to the brink of death.
The supernatural elements in Bring It Close play major roles. Jesimiah’s father’s spirit, with the help of the old witch woman, crosses the eternal river to return to earth and set right his wrongdoings. His character fills in the back story that led up to the horrific childhood Jesimiah suffered that led to his pirate life. Many things alluded to in the first two books of this trilogy, Sea Witch and Pirate Code, are explained in Bring It Close. Some of the graphic descriptions make one shudder.
Helen Hollick weaves in a multitude of characters, like the durable Alicia, the determined Sam Grant, the tried and true Rue, and many others, as she creates a tale of people struggling to build lives in the New World along the eastern coast of America and the Caribbean. Evil stalks the area and flourishes on the greed and fears of the people. How Good copes, with Evil running rampant, makes captivating reading with adrenaline-pumping actions, dreadful situations, and a love as solid as a rock and as soft and gentle as a sigh. That love is the foundation for Jesimiah and Tiola’s relationship.
The organization and POV changes in Bring It Close were a little distracting for me. At times I felt pulled too far away from the hero and heroine. However, having read the first two books of the trilogy, I loved traveling with Jesimiah and Tiola as they get ever closer to their happy-ever-after.
Ms. Hollick’s incredible ability to weave in history, superstitions, moralistic judgments of the time, unique terms and sayings, levels of society, women’s place in the hierarchy, supernatural elements, and fantasy makes the story rich. Her wonderful descriptions and her spectacular character development make the story throb with life.
Bring It Close is an amazing armchair adventure into the world of pirates and settlers along the eastern coast of America in the eighteenth century.
The troubled, guilt-ridden spirit of Charles Mereno (Jesimiah’s father) prowls the pages of Bring It Close striving to set right his many wrong doings during his earthly life. The spirit’s story reveals how Jesimiah suffered because of his father’s faulty judgment and how Evil personified in the person Black Beard came to be.
Jesimiah Acorne and Tiola Oldstagh maneuver to survive as they deal with Evil’s ambassador Edward Teach (Black Beard), a pirate protected by the Devil and controlled by malevolent Dark Powers. How Jesimiah is connected to Black Beard is a dark thread woven into this intriguing tapestry of this tale.
The bright, shining thread in the design is Tiola, the eternal soul of a White Craft witch-woman in a beautiful, young woman’s body. She uses her abilities as a midwife and healer for good. She has to tread cautiously since the people in the early eighteenth century did not deal kindly with witches. Neither would the Dark Malevolencies if they could locate her as the source of light and good that stands against them.
Jesimiah is a variegated thread in the tapestry, somewhat of a chameleon, who fits in with whichever segment of the population he needs to in order to stay alive and prosper. Now a “retired” pirate with amnesty, he still sails into life-threatening situations used by self-serving people who are not concerned about whether he lives or dies just so long as they get what they want.
Jesimiah, a complex character, lives by the pirate code for the most part, but an underlying morality tempers his judgment much of the time. At times he slips and finds himself isolated from his soul mate Tiola, who is his only true comfort. His inability to mentally reach her leaves him desolate as he gets into situations that bring him to the brink of death.
The supernatural elements in Bring It Close play major roles. Jesimiah’s father’s spirit, with the help of the old witch woman, crosses the eternal river to return to earth and set right his wrongdoings. His character fills in the back story that led up to the horrific childhood Jesimiah suffered that led to his pirate life. Many things alluded to in the first two books of this trilogy, Sea Witch and Pirate Code, are explained in Bring It Close. Some of the graphic descriptions make one shudder.
Helen Hollick weaves in a multitude of characters, like the durable Alicia, the determined Sam Grant, the tried and true Rue, and many others, as she creates a tale of people struggling to build lives in the New World along the eastern coast of America and the Caribbean. Evil stalks the area and flourishes on the greed and fears of the people. How Good copes, with Evil running rampant, makes captivating reading with adrenaline-pumping actions, dreadful situations, and a love as solid as a rock and as soft and gentle as a sigh. That love is the foundation for Jesimiah and Tiola’s relationship.
The organization and POV changes in Bring It Close were a little distracting for me. At times I felt pulled too far away from the hero and heroine. However, having read the first two books of the trilogy, I loved traveling with Jesimiah and Tiola as they get ever closer to their happy-ever-after.
Ms. Hollick’s incredible ability to weave in history, superstitions, moralistic judgments of the time, unique terms and sayings, levels of society, women’s place in the hierarchy, supernatural elements, and fantasy makes the story rich. Her wonderful descriptions and her spectacular character development make the story throb with life.
Bring It Close is an amazing armchair adventure into the world of pirates and settlers along the eastern coast of America in the eighteenth century.
February 26, 2016
This is the third of Helen Hollick's magnificent pirate series, the voyages of the Sea Witch, featuring its captain, Jesamiah Acorne, a reformed pirate but not always a reformed man.
In this thrilling episode, his lover and White Witch, Tiola is called to the Carolinas to help a lady who is having a difficult pregnancy, for her healing powers are well known. Jesamiah decides to follow the ship that is carrying her but encounters an old and very dangerous adversary – Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. But in saving her ship from the pirate, Jesamiah finds himself falsely accused of attacking it and once again finds himself facing the hangman's noose. Unless....
In between all this, Jesamiah is haunted – mentally and physically – by his dead father, whom he cannot find in himself to forgive.
Ms Hollick has written an action packed novel which is thoroughly enjoyable and, in this volume, has upped the tempo with regard to the supernatural powers of Tiola and their effects on Jesamiah. With the introduction of Blackbeard, she paints a very realistic picture of the (in)famous pirate and he almost steals the show. Almost.
Without a doubt, the best Sea Witch adventure yet and highly recommended.
In this thrilling episode, his lover and White Witch, Tiola is called to the Carolinas to help a lady who is having a difficult pregnancy, for her healing powers are well known. Jesamiah decides to follow the ship that is carrying her but encounters an old and very dangerous adversary – Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. But in saving her ship from the pirate, Jesamiah finds himself falsely accused of attacking it and once again finds himself facing the hangman's noose. Unless....
In between all this, Jesamiah is haunted – mentally and physically – by his dead father, whom he cannot find in himself to forgive.
Ms Hollick has written an action packed novel which is thoroughly enjoyable and, in this volume, has upped the tempo with regard to the supernatural powers of Tiola and their effects on Jesamiah. With the introduction of Blackbeard, she paints a very realistic picture of the (in)famous pirate and he almost steals the show. Almost.
Without a doubt, the best Sea Witch adventure yet and highly recommended.
July 18, 2011
"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."...my full review may be read on my book review blog Rundpinne.
August 9, 2011
Arggg! Captain Acorne starts off quite the pirate rogue in his regards to his relationship with Tiola.
In addition, his life gets rocky as the past is revealed to us and catches up with him.
I love how there are strong female characters in this story and how they fend for themselves.
Again, loved the details of ships, sailing and the beauty of the sea.
In addition, his life gets rocky as the past is revealed to us and catches up with him.
I love how there are strong female characters in this story and how they fend for themselves.
Again, loved the details of ships, sailing and the beauty of the sea.
Read
August 3, 2011Swashbuckling fantasy set on the coasts of colonial Virginia and North Carolina, featuring the historical pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Third in the Jesamiah Acorne pirate series.
Review: http://www.carlanayland.org/reviews/b...
Review: http://www.carlanayland.org/reviews/b...
December 8, 2009
Reviewed for NQG.
Want to read
June 16, 2012ISBN13-9781906236625 is the Nook ebook version
February 27, 2013
Another fun, supernatural pirate yarn from Helen Hollick. I especially liked Blackbeard in this one. Would like to read the next one but it's not availale yet on Nook. Grrr.
May 29, 2014
bit slow in places but great ending to this series of books
June 15, 2014
Well told story, enjoyed the build up. End was too quick, seemed like a rushed effort, pity. Hope there are explanations of the gold and the plantation etc. in a following book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews