13 ratings | 13 reviews | avg rating:4.38

James L. Nelson’s Followers (179)

More followers…

James’s Bookshelves

read (13)
currently-reading (0)
to-read (1)
nautical-fiction (3)
nautical-non-fiction (2)

James’s Friends (70)

Scott Brook

244 books | 1,433 friends

Abram

520 books | 497 friends

J.M. Aucoin

37 books | 229 friends

Phillip

792 books | 27 friends

Dan

79 books | 68 friends

JOYCE GODSEY

1,331 books | 241 friends

Frank Scala

305 books | 19 friends

Kris

645 books | 22 friends

More friends…

James L. Nelson

Goodreads Author

Born

in Lewiston, Maine, The United States

Website

http://www.jameslnelson.com/

Genre

Historical Fiction, History, Nonfiction

Member Since

March 2013

edit data

James L. Nelson (1962-) is an American historical nautical novelist. He was born in Lewiston, Maine. In 1980, Nelson graduated from Lewiston High School. Nelson attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for two years, and then transferred to UCLA, with the ambition of becoming a film director. Nelson, his wife, Lisa, and their daughter Betsy lived for two years in Steubenville, Ohio, while Lisa attended Franciscan University. They also have two boys, Nate and Jack. They now live in Harpswell, Maine, where Nelson continues to write full time.

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask James L. Nelson questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

hi,just wondering if you could recommend any other historical fiction authors?

James L. Nelson Hey, Dan. One of the top writers (who you probably know about) is Bernard Cornwell who writes in all different time periods. I'm still a huge fan of…moreHey, Dan. One of the top writers (who you probably know about) is Bernard Cornwell who writes in all different time periods. I'm still a huge fan of C.S. Forester's Hornblower books. I think they stand up well. Patrick O'Brian as well, though some people find him dull. Dewey Lambdin writes a fun series about an officer in the British Navy during the Napolionic Wars. The Flashman books by George McDonald Frasier are great, edgy and funny. Also Alexander Kent for more British age of sail books.

I don't know if I ever answered your question about me writing more Age of Sail books. Right now I'm focused on the Viking novels, so I don't see any more of a later time period in the immediate future, but who knows? There's lots of stuff that happens in my life that I don't see coming. Thanks for asking!(less)

flag

7 likes · like
Comment

Hi James, I'm really hooked reading the Norsemen Saga and recently finished reading Night Wolf. Now I'm wondering when and if there will be a sixth book coming?

James L. Nelson Fabian, thanks for the query. Funny, a number of people have thought Night Wolf might be the last in the series. Maybe because of the title, I'm not…moreFabian, thanks for the query. Funny, a number of people have thought Night Wolf might be the last in the series. Maybe because of the title, I'm not sure. Anyway there will certainly be another. I'm in the middle of writing it now. It will be called Raider's Wake and I hope to have it out in a few months. Hopefully there will be more after that.

I have another book coming out this month, something quite different for me but something I've wanted to try for a long time. It's called Full Fathom Five, a modern-day thriller set on the Coast of Maine. The main character is a lobsterman. Hope you'll give it a try.

If you'd like to receive notices of upcoming books and have not done so yet you can sign up for my newsletter at www.jameslnelson.com. I usually only send one out when a new book is coming out.

Thanks again for being in touch.(less)

flag

4 likes · like
1 comment

See all 15 answers from James L. Nelson…

Combine Editions
James L. Nelson’s books

Average rating: 4.1 · 7,415 ratings · 557 reviews · 33 distinct works • Similar authors

	Fin Gall (The Norsemen Saga, #1) 3.86 avg rating — 1,561 ratings — published 2013 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dubh-linn (The Norsemen Saga, #2) 4.10 avg rating — 706 ratings — published 2014 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Lord of Vik-lo (The Norsemen Saga, #3) 4.32 avg rating — 591 ratings — published 2015 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Glendalough Fair (The Norsemen Saga, #4) 4.27 avg rating — 541 ratings — published 2015 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Night Wolf (The Norsemen Saga, #5) 4.45 avg rating — 450 ratings — published 2016 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Raider's Wake (The Norsemen Saga, #6) 4.42 avg rating — 382 ratings — published 2017 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Guardship (Thomas Marlowe, #1) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 429 ratings — published 2000 — 19 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Loch Garman (The Norsemen Saga, #7) 4.45 avg rating — 260 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	By Force of Arms (Isaac Biddlecomb, #1) 3.92 avg rating — 265 ratings — published 1996 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Vengeful Wind (The Norsemen Saga, #8) 4.48 avg rating — 171 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by James L. Nelson…

Series by James L. Nelson

The Norsemen Saga (8 books)
by

James L. Nelson (Goodreads Author)

4.16 avg rating — 4,661 ratings

The Brethren of the Coast (3 books)
by

James L. Nelson (Goodreads Author)

3.99 avg rating — 926 ratings

Thomas Marlowe (3 books)
by

James L. Nelson (Goodreads Author)

3.99 avg rating — 926 ratings

Isaac Biddlecomb (5 books)
by

James L. Nelson (Goodreads Author)

4.06 avg rating — 750 ratings

Samuel Bowater (2 books)
by

James L. Nelson (Goodreads Author)

4.01 avg rating — 164 ratings

More series by James L. Nelson…

Upcoming Events

No scheduled events. Add an event.

rss
James’s Recent Updates

James Nelson is now friends with Kevin Boatman
Jun 11, 2018 10:06AM · like
James Nelson rated a book it was amazing The Accident by Chris Pavone (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This was an excellent book! I had never read any of Chris Pavone's work before but gave this a try and was very happy I did. A lot of the book revolves around the publishing industry, which was an added pleasure for me. But the plot moves right along ...more
Apr 18, 2017 12:16PM · 3 likes · like · see review
James Nelson rated a book it was amazing Brilliant Beacons: A History of the American Lighthouse by Eric Jay Dolin (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is a great book! Eric Dolin is the master of doing grand, sweeping histories. I was never much interested in lighthouses, but this book kept me turning pages, particularly as the author is so good about integrating the story with the larger hist ...more
Jan 26, 2017 07:43AM · 4 likes · like · see review
James Nelson made a comment in the group Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers — Introductions topic " Hello, all. My name is Jim Nelson. I'm a big fan of thrillers. A big Jack Reacher fan, as so many are. I like Paul Doiron, Michael Connelly and others ...more "
Oct 21, 2016 05:56AM
James Nelson rated a book really liked it The Bone Orchard (Mike Bowditch, #5) by Paul Doiron (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Excellent book, like all of the Bowditch books I've read. The main character has anger issues, not huge but there, that can be jarring but also make for a more believable and rounded character. As a Mainer I enjoy the Maine settings. Good book.
Oct 21, 2016 05:50AM · like · see review
James Nelson joined the group Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers
Sep 19, 2016 06:00PM · like
James Nelson made a comment on his review of Fin Gall (The Norseman Saga, #1) " Hey, thanks for the kind words! Very pleased you enjoyed the book. A review on Amazon is always welcome as well. Working on #5 right now, tentatively t ...more "
Mar 01, 2016 07:38AM · see review
James Nelson rated a book liked it Trap Line by Carl Hiaasen	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I'm a huge Carl Hiaasen fan. Being too lazy to look at the publication date I didn't realize that this is an older book, not that that matters much. But it is a joint effort with a co-author and that might be why it didn't quite reach the heights I g ...more
Feb 14, 2016 06:04PM · like · see review
James Nelson rated a book it was amazing Fin Gall (The Norseman Saga, #1) by James L. Nelson (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Great Book! Brilliant! I laughed, I cried, I wanted to make it a part of me! Okay, sure, I wrote the thing, and that might make me a bit biased. But I did read it. More times than I wanted to. And I just want to say thanks to all the folks who have r ...more
Jan 08, 2016 04:50AM · 38 likes · like · see review

More of James's books…

Quotes by James L. Nelson

“The morning sleeper Has much undone The quick will catch the prize.”
― James L. Nelson, Fin Gall

0 likes

“A man should drink in moderation be sensible or silent. Hávamál”
― James L. Nelson, Fin Gall

0 likes

“Fin Gall - Gaelic term for Vikings of Norwegian descent. It means White Strangers.”
― James L. Nelson, Fin Gall

0 likes

See all James L. Nelson's quotes »

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Ancient & Medieva...: Pirate Historical Fiction	29	112	Oct 04, 2014 11:21PM
Historical Fictio...: Betty's History BA	17	117	Nov 15, 2014 03:24PM
The Seasonal Read...: 15.3 - Letters of the Season	120	241	Nov 21, 2014 08:34PM
The Seasonal Read...: Fall 2014 Completed Tasks: Do Not Delete Posts	4668	1102	Dec 01, 2014 08:53AM
A Million More Pages: Code Name Verity: Mini Challenge	121	136	Jan 15, 2015 12:49PM
The History Book ...: THE AGE OF SAIL	54	462	Oct 04, 2016 12:12AM

More…

James L. Nelson’s Followers (179)

James’s Bookshelves

James’s Friends (70)

James L. Nelson

Goodreads Author

Learn more
Ask the Author

Popular Answered Questions

Combine Editions
James L. Nelson’s books

Series by James L. Nelson

Upcoming Events

rss
James’s Recent Updates

Quotes by James L. Nelson

Topics Mentioning This Author

recent posts
James’s Groups

James’s Friend Comments

Flag Abuse

James L. Nelson

Goodreads Author

Popular Answered Questions

Upcoming Events

rssJames’s Recent Updates

Topics Mentioning This Author

Flag Abuse

rss
James’s Recent Updates