The man who fights for his family is far more dangerous than the one who fights for his king.Colonial sea captain Jonas Hawke returns home to Norfolk after a year-long voyage only to have his ship and its valuable cargo seized by the British Royal Navy. As the royal governor further tightens the noose on trade, Jonas is thrust into the chaos of a growing rebellion. Desperate to support his family, he sets out to find work. When he is denied a commission with the newly formed Continental Navy, he outfits his own vessel as a private ship-of-war and voyages to the Caribbean in search of enemy merchant ships he can capture and friends he can trust.
But dangers multiply on the unforgiving sea. The Royal Navy reacts mercilessly to the threat posed by privateers like Jonas. How will Jonas fare now that he has boldly defied the king of Britain to preserve his family? And what will happen to his loved ones while he is away, engulfed in a war to oppose tyranny in the name of freedom?
Awarded the Silver Medal for Historical Fiction by the Military Writers Society of America.“...Authentic. Captivating. Historically accurate. Inspirational...Naval history comes alive, courtesy of retired US Navy Commander Thomas Wing, Naval Academy and Naval War College graduate. A 5-star read!”
—Laura Taylor, six-time Romantic Times award-winner
“Tom Wing’s newest thriller...every bit as great a read as his breakout first novel, Against All Enemies...grabbed me, did not let me go...”
—George Galdorisi, CAPT, USN (Ret.), award-winning author, retired naval aviator
“...(F)fast-paced naval adventure...highly entertaining education in naval history from the perspective of a captain and crew as they navigate many complexities and dangers associated with taking the fight to Britain on the high seas.”
—Isaac G. Lee, LtCol, USMC (Ret.), award-winning author of Hangar 4
“With In Harm’s Way, author Thomas Wing’s beautiful prose captures the rhythm of the sea itself. Hypnotic, lyrical passages describe dance between ocean, wind, and ship, punctuated by nerve-shattering naval battles, bringing to vivid life the Revolutionary War battlefield of the Atlantic Ocean...Fans of naval adventures by Patrick O’Brien and Sean Thomas Russell will be thrilled to discover an exciting new voice.”
—Laura Rader, author of Hatfield 1677
“It's been said many times throughout the annals of maritime history that sailors belong in ships and ships belong at sea. Thomas Wing takes us to the wooden decks of Virginia privateer Resolute taking the first steps towards building the maritime power of the United States. ...relates a gripping saga with a knowledge gained only by having experienced the deep emptiness of leaving families behind, the inner courage of facing the dangers and majesty of the sea, and the thrill of seeing the first lights of home again.”
—Don Ditko, CAPT, USN (Ret.)
“Captivating. Powerful. Well-written...masterfully places you aboard an American square-rigged ship in an ocean ruled by the British Royal Navy. ...hear the creak of blocks and smell the gun smoke. ...a gripping story capturing the fierce spirit of American sailors during the Revolutionary War...immerses you in the raw, high-stakes drama of privateering. ...beyond the battles and strategy, it’s the emotional depth of the sailors’ experiences—their moments of doubt, defiance, and brotherhood—that truly resonate.”
—David Wallace, LCDR, USN (Ret.)
“Gripping, compelling, and impeccably well-researched...vibrant work of historical fiction...a must read...Drawing on decades experience sailing the high seas, Thomas Wing takes his readers on a dramatic voyage that explores political divisions of colonial America, paints the Revolutionary War in a new and fascinating light...”
—Patrick Holcomb, LtCol, USMC (Ret.), award-winning author of Where the Seams Meet
Thomas M. Wing, a Naval Academy and Naval War College graduate, retired after thirty-two years as a Navy Surface Warfare officer. He served across a broad swath of tactical and operational billets, including more than ten years at sea in guided missile destroyers and frigates. A dedicated sailor for over half a century, he founded and served as executive director for the Continental Navy Foundation, and commanded the foundation's tall ship, Megan D. Tom's first novel, Against All Enemies, earned awards for military fiction, including a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Society of America. His short stories have been included in the Phobia! anthology and in periodicals. An amateur historian, his second novel is In Harm's Way. Set during the American Revolution, he drops his main character into the chaos of impending rebellion. Accurate history and authentic settings are his obsession.He resides in San Diego with his wife and daughter, and a cat and dog. Whatever free time he has is still spent on the water. Keep up with his second obsession, nautical and naval trivia, or deleted scenes from his novels, at his web site, https://www.thomasmwing.com, and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThomasMWingWriter/.