Showing results by author "Perry Comer" in All Categories

The Rescue is a tale of privateers, bravery, and fierce sea battles. It is a story set during the closing years of the American Revolution when wealthy bankers acquire letters of marquee and build ships for the sole purpose of capturing British merchant vessels and selling their cargoes.

It is 1779 and the war is going badly for England. Donland and the crew of the Hornet must outwit and out sail pirates, the French and the Spanish to rescue the crown prince of Portugal. He is to deliver a king's ransom in gold to pirates holding the prince. Donland is warned, "The man who requested you has placed you in a difficult position. You are to deliver the gold and provide assistance to him. It is the latter than should concern you, for if his mission fails you will bear the brunt of that failure."

Three sloops does not a squadron make...nor a commodore. Sailing from English Harbor, Donland is in command of the sloops Hornet, Stinger, and Jacket. His destination is Port Royal in Carolina to deliver munitions and soldiers. Sumerford has his secrets, Major Ellington of the army has his bluster, and Donland has a captain afraid of his first lieutenant. The mix is explosive, and Donland is challenged to stay in command.

Hornet was a cursed ship. Distrust of the fever-laden Hornet and the young American-born captain are a poor fit to the fleet of Admiral Hyde Parker and Admiral Rowley. Yet, their communications are hampered by a small squadron of Spanish, and Hornet is given the task of running the gauntlet. Trapped and outgunned, he must use his wits to escape and keep the dispatches he is carrying from falling into the hands of the Spanish. From Charles Town to Martinique Donland faces storms, treachery, and envy.

God is not fair. Jim surrenders all his hopes and dreams, goes into hock for an education, and is saddled with a wife who cheats on him. To top that off, the little church wants to fire him because she cheated and left. Pastor Hill is alone, deep in debt, mad at God, and wonders if serving God was the right choice for his life. If you ever wonder what it is really like to be a pastor, walk in Pastor's Hill's shoes. The good news is always the good news and if, like Pastor Hill, you stay the course with God, praying all the while, love and blessings will follow.

The year is 1779, the colonials with the aid of French Admiral D’estang are rumored to be plotting to retake Savannah. Donland is tasked to ferret out information concerning French intentions. He will do so without his trusted first lieutenant and friend who is near death, and the doctor holds out little hope. Unknown to Donland, as he is focused on the discovery the French fleet, is Sumerford's scheme to settle an old score with a traitor on the Island of Jamaica.

The test of enemy fire refines a man's courage. Duty refines a man's character. Donland must face challenges by enemies at sea, calm seas and sudden fierce storms. The Caribbean and Windward Islands are beset with pirates and privateers plundering for themselves or their French masters. His greatest challenge lies in balancing his relationship as Hornet's Captain with those he would call friend. He must sit idly by and observe the Battle of Grenada as French and English ships-of-line pound each other

The task is simple. "Deliver the prize to the Admiral in Antigua." But nothing's simple for Lieutenant Donland as the leaking ship sinks beneath his feet. Aboard is a young boy with no memory that the French desperately want to capture. Donland's first command may well be his only command as he fights off traitors, spies, and a young woman ready to split his gizzard.

Loyalty and courage are put to the test when the Yankees attack on Christmas Day 1864. Willie and his destitute friends beg, steal, and scavenge from confederate soldiers of Fort Fisher near Wilmington, North Carolina, to stay alive. To the boys’ horror, they are caught in the bombardment of shot and shell. Even Henry Hoke, Willie’s personal enemy turns to him for help

Near Twelve Mile Swamp, Captain Williams and his small group of Marines are attacked by a force of 200 while escorting supplies. Captain Williams is wounded eight times, and if not for Hardy’s daring intervention, all would have perished. The Marines are surrounded and outnumbered three to one. It is up to Hardy to defend and defeat the forces arrayed against him.

Love at first sight is possible but as the saying goes, “Buyer be ware!” This Southern romance between the young city-boy preacher and the luscious fiery redhead is filled with down-home humor and drama. Jim Melton is as uncomfortable as a rabbit in a tree. He soon discovers that the folks in rural South Carolina are friendly, nosy and clannish. True to life, the young pastor is assailed with accusations is threatened and has to endure more than his share of laughter.

The year is 1810, the Marine Corps survive not being abolished by Congress. Short of experienced officers, Thomas Hardy recently of England's Sixtieth Foot, secures a commission in the Marine Corps. Hardy's expertise with the Baker rifle and his acquired knowledge of skirmishing learned during the war with Napoleon are put to the test in the contested Spanish territory of Florida. Hardy must prove his worth by finding and eliminating a band of Spanish cutthroats. A company of Spanish regulars add to Hardy's difficulties. He is a fighting officer and a leader of men.

Andrew rounded the stand of small knobby pines and came face-to-face with two men dressed in blue and holding cocked pistols aimed at him. The year is 1865, and General Sherman’s army has marched into North Carolina and into 11-year-old Andrew’s life. The soldiers slaughter his hogs and take his wounded father prisoner. The make-believe games of war with his friends and dreams of glory are over. He experiences the terrible injustice of war and greed.