Suzanne Shaw is a new author at Meryton Press and Of Ships and Sealing Wax is her first book. This historical novel is set in 1795 when England feared invasion by Revolutionary France. It follows naval officer, Captain Edward Trewin, as he navigates the uncertain waters of war, marriage, love, and sacrifice.
The back cover copy hints at more. Shall we take a look?
Blurb
Love… Honor… Duty…
In the midst of war, how will one man and two women decide what matters most?
In the early days of England’s war against Revolutionary France, Captain Edward Trewin is one of the nation’s most successful naval officers, but his private life is falling apart. His wife Julia, who bitterly resented his eagerness to sail to war, has not answered any of his letters for more than a year.
Dispirited, Edward sails his battle-scarred frigate directly for the dockyard in Portsmouth, bypassing his home in Cornwall. He faces a lonely existence ashore for months on end while his ship is made ready for service, but an unplanned encounter results in a very different challenge—temptation. While staying with a friend, Edward finds himself gradually drawn to his host’s capable but neglected daughter Caroline. What transpires in Portsmouth changes everything. How will Edward and two very different yet remarkable women resolve a tangle of love, honor, and duty?
From the Author
An Introduction to Of Ships and Sealing Wax
I have long been interested in stories about the British Navy during the 18th century, following the exploits of daring sailors and officers who protected Britain and sailed out to engage the enemy, often for months or years at a stretch. The 1790’s began the long conflict known as the French Revolutionary Wars, which Britain entered in 1793, shortly after the execution of Louis XVI in France. There are many novels, films, and even television series that evoke the war between Britain and France, most often focused on the events of battle.
However, what I wanted to know was what might have happened when these men came home. What was the cost, to all parties, of leaving their families for months on end? If a ship’s captain was so heroic, so successful as to be known to an entire nation, how did he pick up the thread of family life upon his return? Was it even possible for him to do that? Was he always longing to go back to sea? In writing Of Ships and Sealing Wax, I gave those questions my fictional consideration and ended up with a novel that could be described as Jane Austen meets Patrick O’Brian (although they would both probably be somewhat shocked by certain events).
One of the true joys of writing historical fiction is diving into that wide and deep hole called “research” – literature of the period, histories old and new, maps, calendars, cookbooks. At one point, I had the opportunity to put my hands on 18th century naval documents at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. That experience gave me goosebumps – and a plot twist!
Another pleasure is recognizing parallels between our lives and lifestyles today and those of historical characters. A frigate captain like Edward Trewin, whom you will meet, would have been the fighter pilot of his day – energetic and perfectly pleasant but not short on ego or even a bit of swagger. A naval wife such as Julia Trewin, while striving to be dutiful in that role, might still wish to be her own person, at least to the extent society allowed. A young woman living at home like Caroline Heywood might be taken for granted yet full of surprises. People surprise us all the time, don’t they? I imagine the same was true in 1795.
In fact, I’m quite sure that in most respects people were much the same then as they are now. They are sometimes querulous, sometimes content, occasionally petty rather than generous, perhaps outwardly confident but inwardly less so. They like to gossip. They like to win. They like to have their own way.
Modes of communication may change, but the desire to communicate abides. In the 1790’s people relied on letters. At home, the post would have been reasonably reliable. For those at sea, the ability to dispatch or receive letters was unpredictable, so letters were often numbered and arrived in batches or perhaps never at all. To be cut off from correspondence was to be cut off from a life line. Interspersed throughout the novel are a number of letters to and from various characters. Letters can reveal even more than dialogue. They invite you to read between the lines. The entire book was so much fun to write, but especially the letters. I felt immersed in those times. When you are reading, I hope you feel the same.
~ Suzanne Shaw
After we take a look at the cover, Suzanne will share an excerpt with us.
Of all the pictures that Suzanne and I looked at, this frigate is the one we both found. It had to be the front cover – it fit the story perfectly!
Sealing wax, letters, maps, and more… read between the lines of the image. What does it tell you?
We hope you like the cover and will enjoy reading Suzanne’s novel. It is available for preorder on Amazon and will be sent to your eReader on October 12th.
Amazon Universal Buy Link
Are you ready for the promised excerpt? Let’s get to it!
Excerpt
Passing the porter’s lodge and crossing under the dockyard gate, Edward set out for Admiralty House. The sky was lowering and leaden and the snow falling more thickly, but he turned towards High Street with renewed energy.
As the shore commander at Portsmouth, Admiral Elias White was responsible for the supply, refitting, and armament of every ship in the dockyard, and Portsmouth Dockyard’s efficiency was key to the Royal Navy’s war effort. His precious time was protected by several officious, black-coated clerks, but when Captain Trewin was announced the admiral greeted him at once.
“Come right in and sit down, Trewin,” he said, motioning to an upholstered elbow chair in front of his massive desk. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance. An honor, sir!”
A clerk took Edward’s damp hat and cloak. Another brought coffee on an ornate brass tray. Snow drifted past the west-facing windows of Admiralty House, but White’s office, with its well-tended fire and gleaming mahogany furniture, was a haven of light and warmth. The contrast with Edward’s shipboard life could not have been more complete.
“I have had your dispatches, sir,” White announced. “And I read all the London papers, of course. Allow me to congratulate you. A frigate’s the thing, you know.” His bushy eyebrows lifted as he smiled. “Commanded a frigate meself during the American war. Now, sir, if we had ten more like Palladium and ten more captains like yourself there would be no French Navy left to speak of, eh?” A few more frigates and many more ships of the line would have been a better thing, but Edward smiled politely.
Though the port admiral was voluble, he asked pointed questions and understood the importance of getting a vessel back in service without undue delay. There would be problems—foundries falling behind, labor and lumber in short supply—but with luck and if the weather held, Palladium should be ready for orders again by mid-spring. She must have the new copper sheathing, certainly. They would have to see what the over-taxed foundries could deliver in the way of heavier guns.
“Yes, certainly you may sleep ashore. You will be at the George, I take it. Come back in two days and we will see about modifications that can be made during repairs.
“Baker! Baker, there!” White shouted into the anteroom. “I will see Captain Trewin again on Thursday afternoon. And pray get him a carriage to the George at once.”
The inn was no great distance, being hard by the dockyard, but Edward welcomed the gesture. Inside his shiny black boots, his feet remained chilled. He settled himself for the short journey, grateful for White’s gracious good sense, but not looking forward to his ship being out of commission for months. In that time there would be no action, no prize money, and too much time in which to think. The Navy needed Palladium back in service as soon as possible, and so did he.
Some hours later, having done away with large servings of beef and kidney pie and an impressive amount of mulled wine, Edward and Admiral Heywood rested companionably in the George Inn’s bustling taproom. Even though he had grown hard of hearing, the admiral still knew how to listen. He shifted in his bow-backed chair and leaned forward on his stick as Edward described Palladium’s service with the Mediterranean Squadron. They had sailed in the spring of ’94 and were soon on detached duty off Toulon, targeting merchantmen and French warships alike.
It was easy enough to speak of victory in battle, the prizes they had taken, the bravery and skill of his people. He could state the raw number of casualties without flinching. But he was certain that Admiral Heywood would also understand the things he left unsaid. Few others could realize so fully the isolation of command or the weight of the butcher’s bill. There was no need to speak of hurried burials at sea, the agony of abandoning wounded men to filthy hospitals, the grim business of reports, and even grimmer business of writing letter after letter to wives, fathers, or mothers. Even sitting well-fed and in good company in the George, Edward’s head throbbed. He wondered if he would ever be warm again.
Admiral Heywood had grown pensive. Perhaps he remembered a young lieutenant’s desperate grief following a wretched battle many years ago or perhaps he was remembering losses of his own. But he spoke cheerfully a moment later.
“You must come up and stay at Whitborne while you are here,” he said. “True, it is a bit of a jaunt getting in to the dockyard, but that may be a good thing. We are out Portsdown way, not half an hour’s journey on a decent horse. I promise you will have good food and drink, company when you want it, and be left in peace when you do not. My daughter Caroline looks after me now my wife’s gone, and she is a capital housekeeper. Say you will, sir.”
Edward had visited Heywood’s home briefly many years before, a handsome but comfortable house set in its own parkland. Heywood was doubly lucky, for he had not only inherited the estate of a childless uncle; the wealth he had accumulated over many successful years of naval service allowed him to maintain a sizable house and its lands without straining his purse.
“That is uncommonly civil of you, sir. I accept with pleasure.” Bless his generosity—an answer to a prayer.
Heywood displayed his easy smile. “Excellent. I will send a message up straightaway.”
What do you think? Do you want to read more? Suzanne will be visiting a few blogs over the next few days. Drop by to see what she has to say and read another excerpt! On the day of each stop, the blogs and links will be posted on the Meryton Press Facebook page.
Contact Info
Connect with Suzanne Shaw here.
Facebook author page is https://www.facebook.com/authorsuzanneshaw
Instagram: @itssuzanneshaw https://www.instagram.com/itssuzanneshaw/
Website: https://suzannejshaw.com/
Giveaway
Meryton Press is giving away an eBook of Suzanne Shaw’s Of Ships and Sealing Wax to two lucky readers. To enter for your chance for one of the books, please share your thoughts with Suzanne in the comments below. We want to hear from you. The giveaway is international and ends October 4th at midnight. Good luck!
Kelly Miller
Congratulations, Suzanne, and best wishes for the success of your book!
Meryton Press
We’re happy you stopped by, Kelly.
Suzanne Shaw
Thank you, Kelly! I appreciate your support very much.
Suzan Lauder
Intriguing excerpt and premise! Is the cover boat a frigate? I know nothing about boats. It is a fine cover to say the least.
Meryton Press
Hi Suzan. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, it is a frigate.
Suzanne Shaw
Thank you, Suzan! The source painting for this frigate is from the same period as the novel. We were very happy to find this wonderful ship in the public domain.
Jennifer DeMay
I am excited to read this book! I have always loved Jane Austen as well as books involving sailing. I have not read much from this time period so I am very interested in delving into the historical aspects of the novel.
Meryton Press
It’s great that you are excited to read this book. We hope you get to soon! Good luck in the giveaway.
Lucy Knight
Hooray! As another Jane Austen and Patrick O’Brian fan, this sounds right up my street and I look forward to reading it. Brava, madam.
Suzanne Shaw
Oh, Lucy — You have the soul of my ideal reader. I had elements of both Jane Austen and Patrick O’Brian in mind while writing Of Ships. As I’ve said elsewhere, they might both be shocked at some events. But in our times more secrets tend to be revealed than back in the day. That’s part of the fun.
Suzanne Shaw
Hello, Jennifer! Yes, the day is finally here. I am so happy to share the book with you at last. I think Jane Austen might have been a little taken aback by some events, but perhaps she left some interesting bits out of her work, too.
Glory
Congratulations on the book! Communication is always the most important factor especially when apart from each other. As a military spouse that was key to keeping our marriage strong during deployment.
Meryton Press
You certainly know the importance of communication. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Glory. Good luck.
Suzanne Shaw
You pick up on such a key point. The book has several themes, a couple of which I only recognized after it was written. The importance of communication, or the lack thereof, was always front and center in my mind. It’s something that can have a very supportive effect, or a damaging one. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
jeannette
As a history buff, I enjoy novels set in a different time period and this one sounds like a wonderful escape into those years when men and women had manners and were respectful. Congratulations on the publication of your novel!
Suzanne Shaw
Thank you so much, Jeannette. I hope you enjoy the book. When reading literature set in this particular period, you become immediately aware of the importance of courtesy and manners. I feel people are much the same now as then, but good manners were certainly more prevalent in those times.
Gill Mather
I was most impressed by the excerpt from ‘Of Ships and Sealing Wax’. The translation of historical facts gleaned from research material to the written page is extremely well-done and comes over very naturally. I don’t know if any of the characters were people in real life, for example the admirals, but they, too, seem very real. As a writer of historical fiction myself, I know what a challenge it can be to include real historical figures, whether famous people or less prominent, in a book and weave what is known of their real lives into a story.
In its detail of the life of a port during wartime and the problems of ship-building, the excerpt brings the scenes to life. It reminded me somewhat of Philippa Gregory’s ‘A Respectable Trade’, though that book is set in the port of Bristol rather than Portsmouth.
The blurb is intriguing. Captain Trewin comes over as a decent man and one wonders how the pull of two different women coupled with the calls of duty as well as the need for propriety will resolve themselves. It certainly makes one curious to read the book and find out. That the book includes a personal human predicament in addition to possibly the technicalities of the life of a naval captain both ashore and at sea renders the book all the more attractive.
The excerpt is well-written and compelling. The title, coming I presume from Lewis Carroll’s poem, is evocative and, aside from the famous poem, suggests perhaps more than one meaning. The book deserves to be successful and I hope that it proves to be.
Suzanne Shaw
Gill, I am so grateful for your kind words. I absolutely loved researching this novel, but to convey the story vividly I often had to leave good material on the cutting room floor, so to speak. Your appreciation of the result means a lot to me. None of these characters are based on historical figures, but of course they became “real” to me and if they feel real to readers, that makes me truly happy. I love Philippa Gregory; honored to be mentioned in the same sentence. About the title, you are right — it is a play on lines from The Walrus and the Carpenter, although that poem was published in a much later period. I just liked the phrasing and thought it worked well. As for the characters’ choices in challenging circumstances, all I can say is that they are all flawed and all, in my view, fascinating — and very human. I hope you enjoy the book!
Jan Hahn
Excellent covers, both front and back, reflecting the time this story is set. Suzanne is a very good writer, and her extensive command of historical events adds to the authentic mood of this novel. I’ve heard there is a definite love story awaiting those of us who desire that element in the fiction we read. I look forward to finding it among the ships and sealing wax.
Congratulations on your first book with Meryton Press!
Suzanne Shaw
Hi Jan, Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful comments. I’m delighted with the cover myself. Janet Taylor designed both the front and back beautifully. I especially love that red wax seal on the spine! I’ve said all along, this can be thought of as a romantic book without being a romance as such. It’s human relationships that particularly capture my interest. The nautical details help add period authenticity and flavor. I hope you enjoy the book!
Brigid Huey
Congratulations!! And what a beautiful cover! I can’t wait to have this on my shelf!
Suzanne Shaw
Thank you, Brigid! I loved editing this book with you. And I agree, the cover is wonderful! Janet’s design is everything I hoped for.
Linda
I enjoyed reading the excerpt from your novel “Of Ships and Sailing Wax”. Your novel’s plot of an English Navy captain life both at sea and personal is very interesting in exploring his navel life, personal life and the consequences that occur from an unexpected situation. I agree that much has been written about the war England had with France but not from the perspective of an English officer which makes your book very interesting.
I look forward to reading your novel “Of Ships and Sealing Wax”.
Good luck in your future novels.
Suzanne Shaw
Hi Linda — I’m so glad to hear that the book sounds interesting to you. Edward has many challenges ahead of him, so I would love to hear what you think after you have had a chance to read his story.
Traci Barela
Suzanne and Meryton Press,
It is very exciting to hear and now see that Of Ships and Sealing Wax is soon to be setting sail!
The excerpt is enticing and has me looking forward to reading the book when she sails.
Congratulations Suzanne, I am so happy that OSaSW is being published!
Best wishes!
Traci
Colleen
Sounds interesting!
Suzanne Shaw
Hi Traci — Thanks for posting here! I’m so grateful for your good wishes. Finding a home for this book at Meryton has been wonderful and also a good example of why to never give up! You’ll know what I mean if I say “WISHes” come true. x Suzanne