Coming of age story set during the Civil War in North Carolina. The year is 1865 and General Sherman's army has marched into North Carolina and into eleven year old Andrew's life. The soldiers slaughter his hogs and take his wounded father prisoner. There are no make-believe games of war with his friends and dreams of glory. Andrew experiences the terrible injustice of war, greed and love of family. His rescue attempt fails and the same ruthless soldiers that burned his grandfather's home capture him. Escape is impossible and execution for spying is all but certain. His greatest regret is not...

The Snake Killer (33,000 words) A Middle Grade Novel. Killing a thousand snakes was the easy part. Staying alive was the hard part. Snakes were bad enough but being alone and only eleven years old, Josh had to contend with his fears. His dad had told him the thinking man was a live man and when you stop thinking you die. Josh must face death square in the eye without blinking.

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.

THE MESSENGER (second book in the series) Hornet was a cursed ship. Distrust of the fever-laden Hornet and the young American born Captain are an ill fit to the fleet of Admiral Hyde-Parker and Admiral Rowley. Yet, a small squadron of Spanish ships hampers their communications 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. In time he accepts his role. Jackson put it into...

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.a prince. 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."

Dead Man's Clothes is the heart-stopping adventure of three orphaned boys at the close of the Civil War.

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 re-appearance of Sumerford leads to a risky rescue of ladies captured and held by a...

Book 4 in the Donland Series 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. In freezing weather the munitions and soldiers are landed. A fort has to be subdued and Major Ellington is determined to have his glorious battle....