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Blockade
Key West, 1861. The country is tearing itself apart, and the war has reached the island before the first shots have faded from memory.
For Nate Van Doran, the sea has always offered a simple find a wreck, save what you can, and live to sail another day.
The Civil War changes the rules.
Key West remains in Union hands while Confederate Florida surrounds it. Warships patrol the Straits. Blockade runners slip through the darkness. Captured vessels become prizes worth fortunes, and every wreck carries the possibility of riches—or accusations of treason.
Nate wants no part of the war. But when salvage, politics, and an ambitious naval officer collide, neutrality becomes impossible.
His enemies have uniforms, influence, and the law on their side. His allies include a federal marshal, a woman with dangerous family ties, and the hard men who make their living from the unpredictable waters surrounding the Florida Keys.
As the blockade tightens, Nate is drawn into a struggle involving wreckers, warships, Confederate runners, hidden loyalties, and a prize that could change his future—if it doesn’t get him hanged first.
Set against the reefs, wrecking grounds, forts, docks, and narrow streets of Civil War Key West, Blockade is a historical adventure of ships, salvage, betrayal, and survival at the southern edge of a divided nation.
For Nate Van Doran, the sea has always offered a simple find a wreck, save what you can, and live to sail another day.
The Civil War changes the rules.
Key West remains in Union hands while Confederate Florida surrounds it. Warships patrol the Straits. Blockade runners slip through the darkness. Captured vessels become prizes worth fortunes, and every wreck carries the possibility of riches—or accusations of treason.
Nate wants no part of the war. But when salvage, politics, and an ambitious naval officer collide, neutrality becomes impossible.
His enemies have uniforms, influence, and the law on their side. His allies include a federal marshal, a woman with dangerous family ties, and the hard men who make their living from the unpredictable waters surrounding the Florida Keys.
As the blockade tightens, Nate is drawn into a struggle involving wreckers, warships, Confederate runners, hidden loyalties, and a prize that could change his future—if it doesn’t get him hanged first.
Set against the reefs, wrecking grounds, forts, docks, and narrow streets of Civil War Key West, Blockade is a historical adventure of ships, salvage, betrayal, and survival at the southern edge of a divided nation.
Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Piracy vs. Salvage
This series has jumped forward to the Civil War, saying goodbye to many of the original characters as son Nate Van Doren takes over the helm as captain, and narrates the tale. Set in the Keys, where Southern sympathizers rule the majority of the area but Fort Taylor in Key West and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas are held by the North, smuggling is rampant. Britain is clamoring for cotton and the Southern sympathizers seek arms. As always, the action is fast-paced, moral questions often have many facets, and good intentions battle greed as each individual has his own loyalties--mostly to himself. Obviously, if you've read earlier books in the series you'll have a deeper appreciation of the background, but this story represents a new beginning, and stands well on its own.
This series has jumped forward to the Civil War, saying goodbye to many of the original characters as son Nate Van Doren takes over the helm as captain, and narrates the tale. Set in the Keys, where Southern sympathizers rule the majority of the area but Fort Taylor in Key West and Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas are held by the North, smuggling is rampant. Britain is clamoring for cotton and the Southern sympathizers seek arms. As always, the action is fast-paced, moral questions often have many facets, and good intentions battle greed as each individual has his own loyalties--mostly to himself. Obviously, if you've read earlier books in the series you'll have a deeper appreciation of the background, but this story represents a new beginning, and stands well on its own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The well written continuation of The Tides of Fortune series with civil war action in the Key West area of Florida. A well written thriller with plenty of fast paced action and a realistic main character. Contains plenty of ships, lots of salvage, continuous betrayal, and the strive to survive. We learn about the troubled times in American history in the Florida Keys. Highly recommened thriller that was well researched.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews