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Black Flag #4
No Quarter
Sometimes, old debts cost dearly.
War breaks out when the Union’s newest member planet is attacked by an age-old rival. Now every planet or star system with a grudge is capitalizing on the unrest.
And every available hand is drafted into service, to help keep the peace. That includes privateers Kay Ellis and Captain Magdalene Landon, whose honeymoon is cut short when the Black Flag is assigned to the far reaches of Union space.
It’s supposed to be a quiet mission: a simple show of force to deter mischief makers and reassure the border colonies that they haven’t been forgotten.
What they find instead is a ruthless enemy, who will stop at nothing to defeat the Union - and anyone flying her colors.
War breaks out when the Union’s newest member planet is attacked by an age-old rival. Now every planet or star system with a grudge is capitalizing on the unrest.
And every available hand is drafted into service, to help keep the peace. That includes privateers Kay Ellis and Captain Magdalene Landon, whose honeymoon is cut short when the Black Flag is assigned to the far reaches of Union space.
It’s supposed to be a quiet mission: a simple show of force to deter mischief makers and reassure the border colonies that they haven’t been forgotten.
What they find instead is a ruthless enemy, who will stop at nothing to defeat the Union - and anyone flying her colors.
- GenresScience FictionLesbian
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2020
22 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Ford
74 books127 followersRachel Ford lives in beautiful Central Wisconsin. She is a programmer, who works in everything from SQL to .NET to Cisco CVP and IVR. Her latest foray into new and exciting things has been developing custom Java plugins for CVP applications.
Rachel also enjoys recreating historically authentic jewelry, and mixing historical recreations with fantasy elements to create exciting new pieces.
When not designing jewelry or tinkering with computers, Rachel spends her time writing and reading science fiction and fantasy.
Rachel also enjoys recreating historically authentic jewelry, and mixing historical recreations with fantasy elements to create exciting new pieces.
When not designing jewelry or tinkering with computers, Rachel spends her time writing and reading science fiction and fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 29, 2020
No Quarter is not really about a war going on between the Union and a past enemy of the Black Flag. It is about the mission the ship gets assigned to while the war is going on. Due to some interesting twists in the beginning of the book, the Flag is carrying civilian passengers. Civilian passengers stuck on what has now become a battleship and having to eat Dave’s cooking.
The peacekeeping mission is a lot more than what Mags and Kat signed up for or should I say expected because they did not get a choice on having to go. We get foot chases, dead bodies, Syd being his lovable self, beatings, and gunfights. (sigh) Just another day serving on the Black Flag.
Ford always packs the books full of action. This time around she remembered the romance part of it too (thank you!!!). Oh and I will give you a popcorn moment: oh my goodness the drama. Seriously. Make the popcorn and watch it fly.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
The peacekeeping mission is a lot more than what Mags and Kat signed up for or should I say expected because they did not get a choice on having to go. We get foot chases, dead bodies, Syd being his lovable self, beatings, and gunfights. (sigh) Just another day serving on the Black Flag.
Ford always packs the books full of action. This time around she remembered the romance part of it too (thank you!!!). Oh and I will give you a popcorn moment: oh my goodness the drama. Seriously. Make the popcorn and watch it fly.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
April 2, 2020
Family feud on a space ship in a war zone - 3 stars
The story line was based on the effects of having a few family members on a semi-military privateer / military ship.
The book starts off with the wedding of two officers. However, before the honeymoon (and time off for the crew), a war broke out.
A neurotic mother of the bride with her latest husband and son, a brother to the bride, were over the top in this adventure. The cook, Dave, took on the primadonna role of unliked by many but irreplaceable. Even so, it was easy to share Dave's discomfort when his freezer was loaded up with frozen corpses.
There were aliens and an almost human battle robot (Syd) who rounded out the cast. The characters played out roles of spoiled children acting out as if they were in high school. It was too much like a silly sitcom for me.
The best part was the warring enemies on the ground of the planet Terga II; they had been fighting each other for hundreds of years and needed Union (military) supervision to keep the fragile peace. When the peacekeepers arrived directly from the wedding ceremony, they were welcomed by an aggressively friendly Prime Minister from one faction and a gruff and belligerent Imperator commanding the other side. The machinations between the two Terga II groups provided suspense and drama as a counter play for the family bickering.
A pleasant diversion was a salvage mission to drag a centuries old "prehistoric" space ship, the Vulpine, which was refurbished. After it passed its space trials, the Vulpine was used for joyrides.
April 12, 2020
💖💖💚OFFBEAT AND DISTRACTING : I LOVED IT !
On the planet KALESIA, engineer Katherine/Kay Ellis is about to marry the love of her life : the beautiful captain Magdalene/Maggie/Mags Landon.
On the nerves, Kay still has to endure her manic mother, and her alcoholic brother.
As the wedding ceremony is due to begin, registrar T'edgar Tal has disappeared...
But where did he go ???
---------------------
This is the very first ARC novel of the author RACHEL FORD that I read and I found the book offbeat and very entertaining.
A great surprise for this volume 4 ot the BLACK FLAG series !
As a war begins, the two main characters are recalled aboard their spaceship, the Black Flag, with the mission to go and monitor the planet TERGA II.
But nothing will go as planned...
I loved the funny and offbeat side of this novel, the interactions between the characters and especially the character of Katherine.
As it's volume 4, I will start reading the series from the beginning, by volume 1 : SAFE PASSAGE.
I want to know how the whole story started.
I recommend this book. I loved it !
On the planet KALESIA, engineer Katherine/Kay Ellis is about to marry the love of her life : the beautiful captain Magdalene/Maggie/Mags Landon.
On the nerves, Kay still has to endure her manic mother, and her alcoholic brother.
As the wedding ceremony is due to begin, registrar T'edgar Tal has disappeared...
But where did he go ???
---------------------
This is the very first ARC novel of the author RACHEL FORD that I read and I found the book offbeat and very entertaining.
A great surprise for this volume 4 ot the BLACK FLAG series !
As a war begins, the two main characters are recalled aboard their spaceship, the Black Flag, with the mission to go and monitor the planet TERGA II.
But nothing will go as planned...
I loved the funny and offbeat side of this novel, the interactions between the characters and especially the character of Katherine.
As it's volume 4, I will start reading the series from the beginning, by volume 1 : SAFE PASSAGE.
I want to know how the whole story started.
I recommend this book. I loved it !
May 15, 2020
Hostilities have broken out and our privateer crew has been pressed into service to keep the peace. Of course, they run straight into an enemy that doesn't have any interest in peace.
This is book four in the series. The story works well as a standalone, but you won't understand all the relationships if you start here. I recommend you start from book one (or at least book two).
This is an SF space adventure, somewhere along the lines of Firefly. The science is there, but the ship and crew are the heart of this story. They have that wonderful mix of personalities that provides depth to a story. The story is well written with a solid plot, lots of action, intrigue and humor that keeps everything moving at a fast and furious pace. The plot also has plenty of twists and turns which keep you guessing as to what comes next. I truly got sucked in the moment I started the book one and eagerly await each new book.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is book four in the series. The story works well as a standalone, but you won't understand all the relationships if you start here. I recommend you start from book one (or at least book two).
This is an SF space adventure, somewhere along the lines of Firefly. The science is there, but the ship and crew are the heart of this story. They have that wonderful mix of personalities that provides depth to a story. The story is well written with a solid plot, lots of action, intrigue and humor that keeps everything moving at a fast and furious pace. The plot also has plenty of twists and turns which keep you guessing as to what comes next. I truly got sucked in the moment I started the book one and eagerly await each new book.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
March 21, 2020
**** SPOILER ALERT ****
In "No Quarter: ( Black Flag - Book Four )" Ford delivers another great entertaining story aboard the Black Flag.
The author, as we readers have come to expect, did a fantastic job of world building and character development introducing us to some new characters. We get to see Mag's and Kay's wedding on the very eve of war. We also meet Kay's Mom, brother, and Stepdad.
On the way to return Kay's family to their home the Black Flag is activated by the admiralty. Then the fun really begins.
Q: Who should Mags trust: Imperator Webb, or Prime Minister Smith?
Q: Will Kay survive being in close proximity to her Mom's eccentric form of micromanagement?
A: Grab this book and find out!
I can hardly wait for book 5 to come out!!
In the interest of transparency: I was given a review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.
In "No Quarter: ( Black Flag - Book Four )" Ford delivers another great entertaining story aboard the Black Flag.
The author, as we readers have come to expect, did a fantastic job of world building and character development introducing us to some new characters. We get to see Mag's and Kay's wedding on the very eve of war. We also meet Kay's Mom, brother, and Stepdad.
On the way to return Kay's family to their home the Black Flag is activated by the admiralty. Then the fun really begins.
Q: Who should Mags trust: Imperator Webb, or Prime Minister Smith?
Q: Will Kay survive being in close proximity to her Mom's eccentric form of micromanagement?
A: Grab this book and find out!
I can hardly wait for book 5 to come out!!
In the interest of transparency: I was given a review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.
May 19, 2020
Ford doesn’t let up in this series. It’s starts out innocuously enough with Maggie and Kay’s wedding. That introduces Kay’s family to us – the annoying mother, the quiet stepdad, and the ne’er-do-well brother. Everyone is looking forward to partying and vacationing but then the officiant doesn’t show up. They finally discover why after Sydney steps in and marries them.
Now the Black Flag is heading off with guests to monitor a planet in which two nations are constantly at war. By the time they arrive, only the family is still aboard. The mission seems OK and the mains meet the two factions. One is pleasant and welcoming while the other is taciturn and angry. Things move along slowly for the crew so we get background on Kay’s family dynamics, some romances pop up, and the crew explores a ship graveyard, a nice respite from danger. Then things blow up. There are some exciting, edge of the seat chapters that kept me engrossed. Wow! And now I have to wait til August for the next adventure.
Now the Black Flag is heading off with guests to monitor a planet in which two nations are constantly at war. By the time they arrive, only the family is still aboard. The mission seems OK and the mains meet the two factions. One is pleasant and welcoming while the other is taciturn and angry. Things move along slowly for the crew so we get background on Kay’s family dynamics, some romances pop up, and the crew explores a ship graveyard, a nice respite from danger. Then things blow up. There are some exciting, edge of the seat chapters that kept me engrossed. Wow! And now I have to wait til August for the next adventure.
April 2, 2020
No Quarter (Black Flag, #4), my twelfth read from author Rachel Ford. Another well-written & enjoyable book in the Black Flag series.No matter the genre a Rachel Ford book can be counted on to be entertaining & enjoyable. I have to say there's something to be said about reading a series back-to-back-to-back that increases the enjoyment as you're in the mindset of the books going in. I look forward to the next book in the series, I just have to wait for it to be written. Oh well, I have other Rachel Ford books to read. "I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
November 28, 2024
There is not any real sexual stuff in this series and if that's what you want in a fantasy setting, go read something Radclyffe, but this is just as great without all the sexy stuff added into it. Sometimes I actually feel those parts are not even necessary parts to tell in a story set like this where a lot of craziness is happening all the time.
I do like that there are the slowed-down moments in between with these characters, where they get to really evaluate what they want and who they want to be for each other. Assuring themselves and each other that it's going to be alright, even if it might not be at the time.
I do like that there are the slowed-down moments in between with these characters, where they get to really evaluate what they want and who they want to be for each other. Assuring themselves and each other that it's going to be alright, even if it might not be at the time.
April 2, 2020
This is my first book by this author. It was really good. The storyline kept me interested and turning page after page. Family members in this story were totally off the wall. There were aliens and human battle robots who rounded out the story. So before the honeymoon is over the crew are fighting in the war. (So much for the honeymoon and time off). I'm going to go back and read the series from the beginning. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 8, 2021
I loved the wedding, mostly because Syd got to marry them. I know Kat was a little disappointed but being with Mags is all she needs. No the best way to spend their honeymoon but then again, who plans on a war breaking out.
I'm not even going to get into Kat's mom, what can one say about moms? although I loved that it was she who got Syd back in the game. I'm glad they are leaving there and can't wait to read the next adventure.
I'm not even going to get into Kat's mom, what can one say about moms? although I loved that it was she who got Syd back in the game. I'm glad they are leaving there and can't wait to read the next adventure.
May 21, 2021
Okay, now there's civilian/family members aboard the Black Flag and it's hilarious, serious, dangerous, plot filled and lots of political shenanigans. Katherine's mother is a character with no filter and refuses to believe she has faults. Well written enough that I do not like the woman - ever. I'm out of breath after reading the book. When the action starts it's non-stop and breathless. The Union brass is clueless and buck passing. So, still well-written, fast paced space action.
April 6, 2020
This Author does a bang up job when she gets to writing Space Opera and this installment is a great read. Once I got started, I didn't put it down until I was done. The story line and character development are fine tuned and believable. I cannot wait for the next novel to come out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 9, 2020
Came at just the right time
I forgot that this book was coming out and found it downloaded on my kindle right when the quarantine was starting. So glad to see this story continuing and can't wait to see what's next.
I forgot that this book was coming out and found it downloaded on my kindle right when the quarantine was starting. So glad to see this story continuing and can't wait to see what's next.
September 7, 2020
A great series
I just love this crew! I enjoy my time as part of the crew and miss my friends in between books. Sydney has evolved into such a great, "guy." I was also nice to meet Katherine's family.
I just love this crew! I enjoy my time as part of the crew and miss my friends in between books. Sydney has evolved into such a great, "guy." I was also nice to meet Katherine's family.
August 13, 2022
Getting better and better!
Same great characters, same great writing, excellent new mission!
What do you do if your mother-in-law comes for a wedding but stays for months? Go to war of course!
Another fine mess for Capt Mags and Engineer Kay.
Same great characters, same great writing, excellent new mission!
What do you do if your mother-in-law comes for a wedding but stays for months? Go to war of course!
Another fine mess for Capt Mags and Engineer Kay.
April 11, 2020
Terrific Book
I do adore this book and the series! The characters and their stories are so well done. Thank you for your hard work on this book and series.
I do adore this book and the series! The characters and their stories are so well done. Thank you for your hard work on this book and series.
May 9, 2020
Good series
I have enjoyed each of the four books so far. The characters are great and you get to know them pretty well. The story is good also. Can’t wait for the next one.
I have enjoyed each of the four books so far. The characters are great and you get to know them pretty well. The story is good also. Can’t wait for the next one.
February 16, 2021
The whole series is interesting - The problems/conflicts, etc are NOT what you might expect from a "space opera" despite how the book is promoted. Really refreshing change!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews