Cassandra Channing holds one thousand dollars in her reticule, her family's entire wealth; but no one in Baltimore will partner with her to allow her to invest in a privateer ship. Luke Heaton owns a broken down merchant ship he won gambling, but doesn't have the finances to fix her up and set out privateering. Luke's reputation as a rogue keeps Cassandra from joining forces with him, until he is her last option.

Luke's very presence unnerves Cassandra and sets her heart to fluttering with every encounter. However, their agreement to work together is signed and sealed with one stipulation. Luke must not drink or gamble while on the ship or on a voyage. A hard task for Luke, but he is determined to stop a legacy of failure in his life, so he agrees.

On his newly refurbished ship's maiden voyage, Luke takes down a British merchant ship, sells it and its contents, and brings back Cassandra's investment tenfold. She is pleased that she can now support her family: her mother, two sisters, and their household for years to come. This war of 1812 killed her father and has taken off her two older brothers to fight in Canada. She is solely responsible for their welfare.

On his second voyage, Luke takes along his ten-year-old brother. John has been his responsibility since Indians burned out and killed his parents when John was just a baby. John has rickets and wears a brace. Luke has always tried to shelter him from the world. But he decides it is time to let him get a taste of life at sea and learn Luke's trade. Unexpectedly, Luke's encounters with the British put everyone, including John and Cassandra, in peril. How will they triumph?

Surrounded by a host of characters with a firm faith in God, Luke and Cassandra are constantly encouraged to put their trust in Him and let Him guide their destiny. Both characters are headstrong and independent, wanting to pave their own way in life. They believe God has abandoned them. Have they just moved away from Him? This is a beautiful historic novel, weaving in tragic yet heroic events of this war. If you enjoy a good swashbuckling romance, you'll love this one!

Book Summary

You’ll be gasping for air in this seafaring romance by popular author and Christy Award nominee MaryLu Tyndall. Baltimore’s Cassandra Channing will do anything to provide for her family—even if it means hiring the town rogue as a privateer. Luke Heaton is a handsome rake with a tortured past who is blackmailed by the British into selling supplies to their ships just off the coast. Cassandra and Luke’s worlds collide as they are drawn into danger, secrets, romance, and war. But when the British begin to bombard Fort McHenry, how long can they protect their love—and each other?