The Bright and Breaking Sea

Neill (the Chicagoland Vampires series) introduces readers to the capable and courageous Captain Kit Brightling in this romantic, rambunctious high-seas adventure and series launch. In 1815, only one year after the end of the Continental Wars, Queen Charlotte’s spies bring word to the Saxon Isles that vanquished emperor Gerard Rousseau plans to harness the magic of sea and land to return from exile. When one of these spies is kidnapped, the Queen orders Captain Kit Brightling, an often overlooked member of the elite Crown Command due to her gender and relative youth, to lead the search and rescue along with veteran Colonel Rian Grant. Kit, who started life as a foundling, disdains the elite beau monde from which Grant hails, but, as the two work together to uncover a network of traitors in the Queen’s inner circle, they realize that trusting each other may be their only hope of survival. Neill’s creative reinterpretation of the Napoleonic Wars is diverse and gripping, and the growing bond between the well-matched Kit and Grant is sure to conquer readers’ hearts. Readers will be eager to see where Kit’s next adventure will lead. Agent: Lucienne Diver, the Knight Agency. (Nov.)