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Sea Captain's Promise #1
Sea Captain's Promise
If you’ve lost yourself, you need someone else to show you the way home.
When Thomas Quinn is eight-years-old, he asks a promise of an Irish sea captain: "If ever I should become like me father will you dunk me under the water 'til I cannot breathe? Will you, sir, please?"
The captain agrees.
Ten years later, Thomas is a womanizer, a thief and a drunk, who remembers a promise, but doesn't know what it was about or who it was with.
While flirting with a young woman, he is accosted by her grandfather who knows far more about him than he should. Thomas runs and goes on a drunken binge where he is knocked out by someone wielding a club.
When he wakes, he finds himself tied to a ship’s yardarm by his ankles and is dunked over and over again into Galway Bay until he cannot breathe. Only then does he learn the young woman’s grandfather is the captain of the ship.
Kidnapped and taken out to sea, Thomas fights with the sailors, steals ale from the hold, runs from a battle with a female pirate and falls in love with the captain’s granddaughter.
But it isn't until he finds out who he really is that Thomas’ restless soul finds its way home.
When Thomas Quinn is eight-years-old, he asks a promise of an Irish sea captain: "If ever I should become like me father will you dunk me under the water 'til I cannot breathe? Will you, sir, please?"
The captain agrees.
Ten years later, Thomas is a womanizer, a thief and a drunk, who remembers a promise, but doesn't know what it was about or who it was with.
While flirting with a young woman, he is accosted by her grandfather who knows far more about him than he should. Thomas runs and goes on a drunken binge where he is knocked out by someone wielding a club.
When he wakes, he finds himself tied to a ship’s yardarm by his ankles and is dunked over and over again into Galway Bay until he cannot breathe. Only then does he learn the young woman’s grandfather is the captain of the ship.
Kidnapped and taken out to sea, Thomas fights with the sailors, steals ale from the hold, runs from a battle with a female pirate and falls in love with the captain’s granddaughter.
But it isn't until he finds out who he really is that Thomas’ restless soul finds its way home.
165 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 24, 2010
32 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 3, 2019
While there were pirates in the book, I don't feel like this was a "pirate" novel. It was a great story of redemption and certainly an adventure. I'm not sure how I feel about the overall tone and end of the book. A couple of surprises. No cliffhangers or anything untoward.
May 10, 2013
Yaaayyyy....a break from fiction Romance! Yaaayyy
AUTHOR: Joyce A. Scott did a fantastic job of delivering a promise. SEA CAPTAIN’S PROMISE was a crescendo (a gradual increase) of a read. Her writing style is filled with action, adventure and tons of questions that needed to be answered. I had to forge ahead knowing Joyce had a surprise bag waiting just around the corner for me. Circumstances with humor? Yes. Touching? Well I cried in some parts. Awesome read for Adult and for YA (stubborn is as stubborn does).
GENRE: Historical fiction
SETTING: 19th century; from Ireland to the departure on a ship bound for the American colonies.
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: Thomas Quinn at the age of (8) never wanted to be anything like his father. Thomas Quinn now age (18) is stubborn, a womanizer and less than, shall we say, honest.
SYNOPSIS: Thomas and his best friend Farrell spend their days enjoying the temptations of life. Because of his lifestyle, Thomas soon finds himself aboard the Mistral Anne. He is not on the ship by his own choosing. He is on the ship because of a promise made and a promise being kept.
WHAT I LIKED: If I were Thomas, I would hate to be Thomas however he is more loved than he ever thought he could be. Oh for the love of “patience”.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Relationships i.e., mom, dad, sis, brother, etc. got a bit confusing. Who is related to whom?
I give this book (5) stars because I finally found something to read other than romance AND it was a great fiction book that shows how a very stubborn personality can be overcome with compassion, patience and love.
AUTHOR: Joyce A. Scott did a fantastic job of delivering a promise. SEA CAPTAIN’S PROMISE was a crescendo (a gradual increase) of a read. Her writing style is filled with action, adventure and tons of questions that needed to be answered. I had to forge ahead knowing Joyce had a surprise bag waiting just around the corner for me. Circumstances with humor? Yes. Touching? Well I cried in some parts. Awesome read for Adult and for YA (stubborn is as stubborn does).
GENRE: Historical fiction
SETTING: 19th century; from Ireland to the departure on a ship bound for the American colonies.
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: Thomas Quinn at the age of (8) never wanted to be anything like his father. Thomas Quinn now age (18) is stubborn, a womanizer and less than, shall we say, honest.
SYNOPSIS: Thomas and his best friend Farrell spend their days enjoying the temptations of life. Because of his lifestyle, Thomas soon finds himself aboard the Mistral Anne. He is not on the ship by his own choosing. He is on the ship because of a promise made and a promise being kept.
WHAT I LIKED: If I were Thomas, I would hate to be Thomas however he is more loved than he ever thought he could be. Oh for the love of “patience”.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Relationships i.e., mom, dad, sis, brother, etc. got a bit confusing. Who is related to whom?
I give this book (5) stars because I finally found something to read other than romance AND it was a great fiction book that shows how a very stubborn personality can be overcome with compassion, patience and love.
January 30, 2013
Story started out with lots of promise but for me it fizzled in the end. However, I was really impressed with the writing style. It had a very old world feel to it. It did contain many errors that should have been caught with editing - not simple word errors but at least one paragraph structure I gave up puzzling out what the author meant to say. Did I regret spending my time reading it? No.
June 24, 2013
Maybe I just read this book too slowly, interrupted by other things and other stories, but it was a bit too predictable and unrealistic for me. The author did manage to stay in the language of the day, both in dialogue and in thought, which is a good thing, and there were some good scenes of tension, but all in all, it seemed just a bit too contrived.
June 16, 2023
I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
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https://theboatyacht.com/
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https://numberoneboats.com/jupiter-26...
https://theboatyacht.com/jupiter-39-e...
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Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/jupiter-26-f...
https://numberoneboats.com/jupiter-26...
https://theboatyacht.com/jupiter-39-e...
https://numberoneboats.com/jupiter-39...
October 28, 2020
18 year old Thomas is a real mess. His mother has passed away and he just runs wild in the streets of Galway Ireland. He steals, drinks and womanizes with his best friend Farrell. One night while drunk, they are shanghaied and find themselves on a ship to America. Thomas thinks the captain looks familiar but can't quite place him.
I enjoyed this book but it kind of left me hanging at the end as to how the rest of Thomas' life and those around him will turn out. There is a book 2, so will have to look for it.
I enjoyed this book but it kind of left me hanging at the end as to how the rest of Thomas' life and those around him will turn out. There is a book 2, so will have to look for it.
October 22, 2022
A young boy asks the Captain of a ship to promise if he ever turns out like his father to dunk him in water until he can't breathe. Years later, the boy has turned into a reckless, poor excuse of a man until the same Captain takes him into his care and turns him into a better version of himself. Light read. There's a 2nd installment.
November 19, 2019
Sea Captain's Promise
Very good book with good characters. The story is fresh and clever. Instead of being longer there is a sequel to follow.
Very good book with good characters. The story is fresh and clever. Instead of being longer there is a sequel to follow.
September 27, 2019
Who doesn't like a good adventure story? Add to it a few pirates, the backdrop of smuggling, a family mystery, good guys and bad guys and you have this book. It was a holiday read for me and a thorough enjoyable one at that. A light hearted read with a few twists and turns which weren't to be expected.
January 24, 2013
"Would you make me a promise," a young boy asks the sea captain, "If ever I should become like me father, will you dunk me under the water until I cannot breathe." However, ten years later the boy is Thomas, a petty thief and drunk. That promise is but a faded childhood memory when he, and his vagrant friend Farrell, are shanghaied onto a ship.
Set around the time of the Revolutionary War, the dialogue is written in the dialect of the time and includes much of the jargon of the sea. In some novels, this can get in the way of the story, but here the author does a nice balance of modern English, dialect and jargon.
Thomas and Farrell are both multi-faceted characters with some good and, at the start of the story, many bad qualities. Farrell quickly adjusts to the sea, but Thomas resists. The slow evolution of his character is the focus of the novel. The other characters are well defined, but less explored. Perhaps in a sequel we will see more of them.
Joyce Scott is a Christian and her faith is reflected in a couple of the characters in the story. However, while her faith is lightly sprinkled throughout the novel, it remains an adventure story, with a just a hint of romance.
For full disclosure, I should mention that Joyce is a friend and I read and critiqued parts of the manuscript. However, when she announced the publication I eagerly bought and read the novel. I would not have reviewed the story if I had not enjoyed it. The ending clearly sets up for a sequel which I have not seen but look forward to reading.
Set around the time of the Revolutionary War, the dialogue is written in the dialect of the time and includes much of the jargon of the sea. In some novels, this can get in the way of the story, but here the author does a nice balance of modern English, dialect and jargon.
Thomas and Farrell are both multi-faceted characters with some good and, at the start of the story, many bad qualities. Farrell quickly adjusts to the sea, but Thomas resists. The slow evolution of his character is the focus of the novel. The other characters are well defined, but less explored. Perhaps in a sequel we will see more of them.
Joyce Scott is a Christian and her faith is reflected in a couple of the characters in the story. However, while her faith is lightly sprinkled throughout the novel, it remains an adventure story, with a just a hint of romance.
For full disclosure, I should mention that Joyce is a friend and I read and critiqued parts of the manuscript. However, when she announced the publication I eagerly bought and read the novel. I would not have reviewed the story if I had not enjoyed it. The ending clearly sets up for a sequel which I have not seen but look forward to reading.
June 7, 2013
I wasn't sure about this book at first, but gave it a good chance.... I wasn't disappointed at the least. It has a great story of a wayward young man that learned what love is and what family really is about. Great message and moral compass to the story.
January 16, 2013
Very predictable. Part of the relationship in the story was given away before the storyline reached that point. I know an author is seeing these relationships her head before we do and can understand the mistake, but a good editor should have caught it.
July 7, 2014
2.5*
This book was OK, even quite good, up until a certain point. Then there was a backstory thrown in to the mix which was confusing and left more questions unanswered than answered. It also ended rather badly. It was a shame as it started off so well....
This book was OK, even quite good, up until a certain point. Then there was a backstory thrown in to the mix which was confusing and left more questions unanswered than answered. It also ended rather badly. It was a shame as it started off so well....
July 9, 2014
A good read
I really enjoyed this read, but the end seemed a bit rushed. Things go along, they fight off the pirate, the end. I think going into the voyage to America a bit more would have smoothed the storyline into a more complete tale.
I really enjoyed this read, but the end seemed a bit rushed. Things go along, they fight off the pirate, the end. I think going into the voyage to America a bit more would have smoothed the storyline into a more complete tale.
November 17, 2014
High Seas Adventure
Very exciting but difficult to understand at times particularly when the revelation about the twins was introduced. It was hard to follow the dialogue because I wasn't sure who was talking. But the premise was good. A pleasant story.
Very exciting but difficult to understand at times particularly when the revelation about the twins was introduced. It was hard to follow the dialogue because I wasn't sure who was talking. But the premise was good. A pleasant story.
September 5, 2014
This book was good. Just wasn't one of those books I just couldn't put down.
December 20, 2012
I think it was an ok read, nothing to rave about...not sorry I read it but it certainly doesn't qualify for more then 3 stars. The story just got to unbelievable is all I can say without spoilers.
kindle-i-own-to-read
January 7, 2013Amazon Freebie 01/07/2013
January 12, 2013
This turned out to be mostly a RO-mance, and contained some bad grammar and facile scenarios. There is a sequel, but I won't bother readig it.
June 15, 2015
It wasn't for me.
I started reading the book and it just didn't pull me in. It wasn't engaging. I gave it one star.
I started reading the book and it just didn't pull me in. It wasn't engaging. I gave it one star.
March 25, 2013
A good light read. Likable characters combined with good moral messages kept me reading.
November 15, 2013
Although this has some romantic themes, I didn't think it was a true romance novel. I enjoyed the characters, and the story line. A nice, light read with a solid backbone of redemption.
January 31, 2023
The thing I liked best about this story was the author's strong descriptive writing, never too much, always the right word choices.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews