The Privateer
Now Available
published by Sapere Books
All that glitters is not gold…
New York, 1707
While the world is at war and the bold seek their fortunes, Gideon Locke’s reputation is in tatters, leaving him destitute and stranded in New York City.
Rather than waste years aboard a merchant ship, he shucks oysters for a living, trying in vain to convince one of the sailors whose prizes fill the wharves to take him on.
His fortune changes when Captain Tanner, a charismatic privateer, recruits him aboard his ship, the Priscilla.
Their mission appears straightforward: deliver a pair of wealthy passengers, Charles Hamilton and his wife Lady Sara, to Jamaica.
But Gideon soon realises Captain Tanner is hiding a dark secret.
As a murky link to the notorious French corsair, Captain Baudelaire, emerges, Gideon’s fortune looks to be on a downward spiral.
And when he is set up as a traitor, it seems his very life could be at stake.
Can Gideon escape his disastrous sea adventure? Can he rebuild his reputation?
Or will his first privateering adventure be his last…?
vigilant
Gideon Locke Naval Adventures Book 2
Kindle Pre-order available now
paperback release November 20, 2026
published by Sapere Books
It’s another exciting sea adventure for Gideon Locke! For fans of Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian, Nicholas Monsarrat, C. S. Forester and Max Hennessy.
The hunter becomes the hunted…
1708
Privateer Gideon Locke once more finds himself adrift and out of favour in New York.
But when he manages to secure a letter of recommendation from Lord Archibald Hamilton, it seems his fortunes might once more start to turn.
He is given the opportunity to serve on the New York Galley under Captain Regnier Tongrelou.
But Tongrelou has a reputation for recklessly attacking the largest vessels he can find, regardless of the danger.
And with Gideon and Tongrelou acting under secret orders from Lord Hamilton, it isn’t long before they find themselves in stormy waters.
When Gideon’s old enemy, Baudelaire, captain of the Vigilant resurfaces, it seems his career — and his life — could be in jeopardy.
Can Gideon escape his past? Will he complete Hamilton’s mission?
Or will he fall victim to the brutal commander of the Vigilant?
VIGILANT is the second book in the Gideon Locke Naval Adventures series: action-packed, authentic Age of Sail historical adventures set in the 18th century.
THE GIDEON LOCKE NAVAL ADVENTURES SERIES:
Book One: The Privateer
Book Two: Vigilant
Dan Donato lives in New York with his wife and two daughters. He is a lifelong student of history and an avid reader who draws inspiration from the works of Bernard Cornwell, C. S. Forester, James Clavell and many others. While Daniel enjoys many things, travel and good conversation chief among them, his one true passion is bringing the past to life via historical fiction.
