Amber Wake - Gabriel Falling

by P.S. Bartlett, Ronovan Hester

Where do I begin?
That’s a difficult question in and of itself but when your life is transformed into something else, do you start when you’re born or when your life truly began?
I was born in London as Gabriel Wallace. The child of high society; although I was raised to appreciate
everything that softly landed in my hand. I followed all the rules. I worked hard, studied hard and ended up a captain in the Royal Navy before my twenty fifth
birthday. Unfortunately, I saw the world through my own eyes, not the eyes of my superiors and my vision was clear.
I knew my duty. I knew my job. I also knew deep down, regardless of the loyalty my commission required, my stance was in opposition and it was but a matter of time before they’d force me to stand alone.
Fortunately for me, my crew was loyal too and I had the full support of my closest friend and confidant as well. I didn’t know where I’d end up but I knew one thing for sure; I needed to get the hell out of England and thanks to them, I was taking my ship with me.
The time had come to hunt.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2016

About the author

Award-winning author, P.S. Bartlett, was born on Valentine's Day many moons ago in South Baltimore, Maryland, less than a mile from Fort McHenry and Federal Hill. The youngest of eleven children, she grew up surrounded by history and loved exploring these national monuments on her bicycle as a child with her friends regularly.
She published her first novel in 2013. If she isn’t actively writing a novel, she’s definitely plotting a few.
P.S. (Peggy) has always had a love of books and writing. She also paints and draws, and although writing takes up the majority of her free time by choice, she loves spending time with her friends and family.
Peggy’s goal is to become a full-time writer and spend the remainder of her days creating worlds, characters, and stories that will carry on long after she’s written her last word.
Her motto is: "I'm taking a fantastic voyage. Won't you join me?"

Reviews

[J. Kahele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorry I have to throw my Johnny gifs in when I can.
This novel is very slow through the first few chapters, the dialogue is a little long and drawn out at first but as the authors settle in the writing becomes a lot smoother, making the story a lot more interesting and the flow a lot smoother. The story is written in the POV of a pirate named Rasmus Bergman and I found his characterization to be right on spot. The world building was magnificent, it was as if you were sitting next to the characters in each scene. I need this when reading anything fiction to make the story believable.
The well-written lines and plot really grab you and tug you in and you are constantly flipping the pages to see what happens next. If you are looking for an intriguing fast-paced read this is definitely for you.

[Colleen Chesebro · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens with Royal Navy Captain Gabriel Wallace who finds himself coerced into a situation that jeopardizes his career and everything else that he holds dear. Captain Wallace’s hand is forced by Admiral Chambers who court-martials him in front of his peers.

Captain Wallace knows his days are numbered and he makes the decision to leave England with his navy vessel, the Majesty’s Venture, to escape the wrath of the Admiral, known to the rest of the British Navy as the “Chambers of Hell!” The Royal Navy retaliates and in no time is after the now nefarious Captain Wallace and his crew.

However, the captain is not without his friends. The ship’s crew follow their captain with a loyalty that is unrivaled in the whole of England even though Captain Wallace has a secret plan which only he knows. Only the captain’s best friend, Miles Jacobs knows the darkness that lurks inside the captain.

With few options left to them, Captain Wallace and his men chart a course for the American Colonies and the Caribbean, branded as pirates by men they once proudly served with, while in the Royal Navy. Their main objective … to wage war on Admiral Chambers and to expose him for what he truly was – the bloodiest pirate of them all!

Recommendation:

I thoroughly enjoyed Amber Wake and the set of circumstances that brought Royal Navy Captain Gabriel Wallace to find himself a reluctant pirate. When I said this was not your typical pirate tale, I wasn’t kidding.

This seafaring tale is really the study of a man finding himself in a situation where his quick wits and sense of right and wrong lead you on a rollicking good adventure. The captain is clearly the star of the book and you get a clear sense of his internal struggle where he is obliged to reveal the darkness that lurks within himself.

I loved the depth that each of the characters portrayed. I was able to step inside of their minds and live the story through their eyes. History came alive and showed the chivalry this group of men possessed not only for the crew but for others as well.

When the raging sea battles ensued I found I could not put the book down. I had to know what was going to happen next! I discovered many surprises along the way which made the book totally unpredictable, a real plus. Always present was the battle that raged between good and evil leading you into an adventure on the high seas filled with risks and peril, and the struggles of men.

I do not usually give many 5 star ratings on my reviews. When I do, you know the book touched me deeply. For me, the book was all about the internal battles of the captain dealing with his feelings of vengeance against the Admiral that ruined him. It was the story of a man balancing his duties and becoming a real “man.”

If you love adventure tales with a historic flare you will love Amber Wake as it sweeps you up into a
tale filled with suspense and intrigue!

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

[M.J. Mallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

REVIEW : https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/201...

I really enjoyed Amber Wake - Gabriel Falling by P.S. Bartlett and Ronovan Hester. This pirate tale oozes excitement, the fight scenes are first class, and the touches of humour had me chuckling like a pirate!! I'd recommend it for readers who enjoy a fast paced adventure on the high seas, lots of camaraderie, and splashes and splashes of thrills. It's a very entertaining read, a well written and plotted book. Its strength lies in its thrilling passages, excellent characterisation, and sense of place. You really do feel that you are one of the crew, going off on an adventure, to an uncertain future, and perhaps sticky end. These elements make the book truly shine.

Towards the end of the middle section the momentum of the narrative slows down a little to explore the once honourable Royal Navy Captain’s motivations: Gabriel Wallace’s sense of justice, his fear that his character is changing, developing into something that perhaps he fears to become. This is an interesting aspect of the novel, suggesting his internal struggle to cast off his pirate persona, to overturn the wrongs done by Admiral Chambers. He longs to be a better man, and all the while he is changing into a man he does not recognise – a pirate! This goes more than skin deep, but is evident in his change of name: Rasmus, the changing names of the ships he captures, his pirate lingo, and his growing goatee beard, etc. This part of the novel reminded me of a kind of Robin Hood pirate of the high seas, this once respectable, gallant Captain, desires to protect those deemed to be at risk from the Admiral’s greed. I enjoyed this but I did feel that this reflective section could have perhaps been a bit shorter. I must be a bit of a devil because I preferred the fast paced excitement of the fight scenes! Ha Ha!! I confess I'm a bit of a rogue…

Also there are strong similarities to Robin Hood/Maid Marian in Gabriel’s desire to protect and preserve the innocence of women - those who may fall prey to the lasciviousness and wantonness of pirates of folklore. Though having said that he isn't an angel either!

My recommendation: Definitely read Amber Wake - Gabriel Falling, especially if you enjoy the sea…. Go on a pirate adventure, sail the high seas, taste that salty water.... but whatever you do don't rile pirate Captain Rasmus aka Gabriel or you might end up walking the plank!

[H. Schussman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amber Wake, Gabriel Falling by Ronovan Hester, co-author P.S. Bartlett
Review by H. Schussman (Author)
4.5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Reader’s Point of View:
This prequel is written to explain an enigmatic pirate, Captain Rasmus Bergman, found in a series written by P.S. Bartlett. Author Ronovan Hester was selected by P.S. Bartlett to go back in time to develop the character of this fierce, yet protective man. Set in the early 1700’s, Hester uses a very formal Old English dialogue and non-dialogue language style. The historical descriptions are done smoothly, and flow nicely without being to “teachy”.
A word of advice is to settle into the language as quickly as possible. It was a bit of a stumbling block for me, as I tried to mentally get the long slow phraseology to catch up with the fast scenes. Hester seems to settle into a great story-telling groove after the third chapter. After that I was along for the ride.
If you’ve read the other three in this female pirate series, you will be hungry for the story of Rasmus. If you haven’t read any of them you will find yourself wanting to find out what happens next. This is the making of a pirate! How did this noble (albeit bad-tempered) man become one of the most feared pirates in the Caribbean Sea?
It’s a little confusing, but I believe P.S. Bartlett wrote Blue Diamond first and it was a major hit. The novella, Ivory Dawn was written to give history on Ivory. Amber Wake, Gabriel Falling is the story of Rasmus. Demons and Pearls is how those two met, Jaded Tides is the second book regarding the duo. Oddly enough, Blue Diamond has a different pirate in Ivory’s life, Captain Maddox Carbonale. Hester also develops this man’s character from the main character’s POV.
According to Bartlett she wrote them backwards because she was curious about how they came to be the fierce pirates they are in Blue Diamond. Not having read anything but Amber Wake, I wouldn’t know how well she pulls all of that off, but I do like Hester’s development of Rasmus Bergman from his male point of view.

Writer’s POV:
As stated above, the language is Old English and a bit stiff at the start. I don’t know if I warmed up or if Ronovan Hester warmed up, but it flowed through my mind smoother after a couple of chapters.
In Amber Wake, Gabriel Falling, Hester takes on the challenge of writing first person and steers clear of some of the pit-falls of that style. He doesn’t describe what is happening behind him or on another boat. As a reader, you only know what Captain Rasmus Bergman knows, which is critical in first-person writing.
Another challenge is developing a character from someone else’s series. Hester takes this in stride and creates a back-story to explain the famous pirate. He includes history of what could explain Rasmus’ high moral standards (for a pirate) and his upper class education. At times the internal and external dialogue, and the actions seemed at odds, but it didn’t stop me from reading.
This is the first I’ve read of The Razor Adventures Pirate Tales. It would be entertaining to get readers together, who read these books in different order, and see if we each have a favorite character based on which book we read first.
So in conclusion; Ivory Dawn, Amber Wake, Demons and Pearls, and Jaded Tides are all prequels to The Blue Diamond. Unlike Ivory Dawn, Amber Wake is a stand-alone novel, but barely.

[Sarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever enjoyed book so much –you absolutely needed to tell everyone about it? This is one of those books. Stating the obvious: I enjoyed reading this Historical Adventure by authors PS Barlett and Ronovan Hester. Amber Wake – Gabriel Falling, follows the journey of Gabriel Wallace a Royal Navy Captain. Betrayal and corruption lead this dishonored captain on a journey to piracy and revenge – all in the name of the crown, queen and county – set in 1705.
The story itself could easily be turned into a movie. The authors give you an action packed scene after the next. You can hardly wait to turn the page. This story tied in well with the other books in this series, all, which I’ve also read – and think, are highly recommendable. The difference between this book and the other’s being that this one is set in a man’s world, told by a man. Women do not play much of a vital role in this story except for making the life of our hero difficult.
I loved reading this hero, as he clearly is a man of honor. The emotional conflicts he endures throughout his revenge set mission makes for interesting reading. The relationship between him and his second in charge is a good example of such. We also find a boy Adam in this story. Gabriel seems to have taken up the father roll to Adam, which makes for some endearing scenes. The main characters are very well developed and complex.
As this is an Indie publication, it seems necessary to comment on the well-formatted and overall well-edited book. The rich usage of the English language was a delight to read. Exquisite. Some real care was put into the actual word usage. The language also fit the period of the tale.
Overall, my personal opinion is that the authors PS Bartlett and Ronovan Hester did an excellent job writing this book. But don’t take my word for it, read the first chapter here (http://ronovanhester.com/2015/12/28/m...) or check out the kindle sample on Amazon. I dare say if you enjoy action packed adventure with swords and fistfights you will not be disappointed.
P.S just in case you were wondering - I bought my kindle copy of this book on Amazon and was not paid or asked by either author to review the book.

[Cindy Vallar · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a London tavern in 1705, Captain Gabriel Wallace and Lieutenant Miles Jacobs intervene when an admiral attempts to kill his wife’s paramour. Gabriel prevents this, but someone stabs the admiral and Gabriel must face an Admiralty court of inquiry. The verdict, while acknowledging both his good intentions and his loyal service to the Crown, cashiers him from the Royal Navy. But the admiral’s friends aren’t satisfied and hatch a plot to destroy Gabriel. Not only do they connive to bring about his eventual execution, but they also kidnap his younger brother and set his house aflame with him in it.

Miles and another lieutenant rescue Gabriel and his brother and, having nowhere else to turn, they head for the Majesty’s Venture, Gabriel’s former vessel. While others see the crew as hard-headed and undisciplined, Gabriel realizes just how loyal his men are when they decide to “retire” from the navy and abscond with their ship. First, though, they have to escape the harbor and the naval vessel pursuing them.

Never one for idleness, Gabriel didn’t waste his time after being relieved of his command and waiting for his trial. He uncovered interesting details about the admiral and his friends, hypocritical men who claimed allegiance to the Crown but stole from it to line their own purses. He and his crew become pirates with a purpose – to bring about the downfall of his enemies and reveal their secrets. His insistence on keeping his plans to himself, rather than sharing them with Miles, puts a strain on their friendship. Sooner or later, Miles must decide whether to stand with Gabriel or not, and Gabriel is uncertain which way Miles will go.

Like undulating waves, Amber’s Wake is a tale of non-stop action and heart-thudding thrills: storms at sea, pirates, and narrow escapes from their hunters (former friends and colleagues). The characters are well-drawn and, although the reasons behind Miles’s hesitancy and Gabriel’s reluctance to share could be stronger, they quickly snare readers into caring about what happens to them. Readers familiar with the other books in the Razor’s Adventures Pirate Tales series will enjoy this one, which explores Rasmus Bergman’s past, and look forward to future exploits with Gabriel and his men.

[KL Caley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently finished reading Amber Wake by PS Bartlett & Ronovan Hester and I must say it is such a catching and intriguing storyline. It is set around the classic storyline of a hero trying to right a wrong done to him but it is so much more than that. When Royal Navy Captain Gabriel Wallace finds himself unknowingly tricked into a situation the ruins his career and risks his family he makes the decision to leave England. With the help of his friends and crewmates, they make an escape and become regarded as Pirates. As a reader, you truly get caught up in the need for Captain Wallace to take down Admiral Chambers and all that he corrupts. With drama leaping off the first page, it gets its hook into you straight away. A page-turner from start to finish.

I adore historical fiction novels anyway, but I must say Amber Wake’s storyline is excellent and unlike anything I have read before. I don’t know much about the British Royal navy (and maybe that made it all the more intriguing to me), but felt I could easily have lived through each setting from the British courtroom, the American Colonies, Caribbean ports, and, of course, the ships themselves.

The characters throughout the book were superb. As a reader, you could feel the strength of Captain Wallace, the loyalty of his crew, the difficulties with trust and friendship. All the emotions leapt straight from the page. Of course, there is also moments of strong comradery and humorous touches too. One of my favourite quotes being:

“His face was puffed-up and as red as a drunken Irishman with an empty wages packet.”

For me, the book was totally unpredictable and a real gem of a discovery. The authors writing style, the plot twists, the locations and most importantly the strong storyline all kept me turning each page eager for more. Highly recommended.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber Wake - Gabriel Falling is filled with intense emotions, intrigue and suspense!

It is a story of change and one man’s transformation, telling the tale of one Gabriel Wallace, captain of the Royal Navy, an educated and honourable man -a man with a moral code that is largely unwavering, confident yet humble.

The book opens with an unfortunate incident leading to Gabriel being court-martialled for murder and subsequently disgraced. Choosing to flee with the support of his loyal crew, he embarked on adventures and survival on the high seas, all the while intent on clearing his name, hell bent on revenge against the men who had accused him of murder and thereby banishing him to the other side of the law. As he faced the challenges of being a reluctant pirate and a leader of men, Gabriel’s baser instincts revealed themselves.

What will he do to redeem himself? What will he do to assuage the fury within? Will he be thwarted by beauty? By his closest confidante? What makes a man with integrity? And who is the little boy of whom he is so protective?

This is an entirely engaging and enjoyable read!

[D.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling is a well written historical fiction. It is full of action, adventure, and thrilling suspense; everything a reader would expect to find in a good pirate tale, but this book is so much more.

I found the characters to be deep and complex; each drawing on the other. Along with the occasional twisted and tainted character of a few pirates, the reader also finds unexpected fairness, loyalty, and morality in the hearts of some main characters.

The plot is solid. The storyline is impeccable. Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling is a fantastic read. A tale of a man who is his own man, whatever type of man that might be!

[Angela Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid reader, it takes a while for me to actually start reading. However, once I start, that's all I do. Especially if I'm engrossed in a book. This was the case with Amber Wake. I loved the old fashioned tone in the narrative. We don't get many of that these days. And it helped me visualize the scenes more than it would, otherwise. Reading, I felt like I was watching movie.

It was a fast moving adventure that left me wanting more. It took me a while to begin reading, but once I did, I honestly couldn't put it down. I highly recommend!

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
'Like undulating waves, Amber’s Wake is a tale of non-stop action and heart-thudding thrills: storms at sea, pirates, and narrow escapes from their hunters (former friends and colleagues). The characters are well-drawn and, although the reasons behind Miles’s hesitancy and Gabriel’s reluctance to share could be stronger, they quickly snare readers into caring about what happens to them.'

Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my personal challenge to read something outside my usual genre. I was surprised at how quickly I was drawn into the book, carried along by the exciting story and held with the characters as their personalities and development unfolded through each adventure. I have been proved wrong in thinking pirates were for boys. Grandmother's can enjoy the mischief and adventure too! A great read for everybody, I think you will get booked also.

[Elena Alvarez Dosil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookre...

Gabriel Wallace, captain of the Royal Navy, is unfairly court-martialed. But Gabriel is not alone, and his crew will make him find an escape and be there for him. Things will never be the same for captain Wallace.

The book is written in first person, from Gabriel’s point of view. It took me some time to get into this book due to the language used in it, but after finishing it I can say that I absolutely loved it, and I wanted to start it over again and again. Where to start reviewing this book? It has great characters that grew on me, fully fleshed and with complex reactions. There is a clear evolution, not only of Gabriel, or Rasmus, but also the other men in his crew. I grew terribly fond of him, Miles, and Maddox, and I already miss them so much!

This is a book about pirates, about treason, about sacrifice, and above all, about friendship. During their journey, they discover the freedom of this new life, but also the price they must pay for it, and they wonder whether there will be a way back from it.

I must clarify that this is the third book in a series, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the previous books, but I am planning to do so as soon as I can, since I loved the world building, the portraying of the characters, the detailed descriptions, and the adventure.

I was lucky enough to discover this book due to his narrator, Jake Urry, which has a distinctive style and velvety voice that I could listen to for hours on end. He really became Gabriel in this book, or rather Rasmus. Bartlett’s beautiful language found the perfect voice and style in Urry’s narration, and both text and voice complemented each other reaching perfection. This is one of those audiobooks that will stay with me for a very long time and that I absolutely recommend to everyone.

I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

[Lori Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Title: Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling (The Razor's Adventures Pirate Tales)

Authors: P.S. Bartlett & Ronovan Hester

Genre(s): Historical Fiction, High Adventure, Fantasy

Summary:

Captain Gabriel Wallace of the Royal Navy finds himself tangled in a web of lies, deciet and betrayal. Following a mishap in a tavern involving the Admiral, his wife and her lover, Wallace is court-martialed. Along with his loyal crew, he steals his ship, and heads for the high seas. Although Wallace is now a pirate, he is still an honorable and fair Captain. With his mind set on vengeance, he sails to the Colonies and the Carribean with the Royal Navy in pursuit.

Review:

Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling is a 'not-your-typical' pirate story. And that's a good thing for this reader who normally reads science fiction and thrillers. The authors did an excellent job maintaining the appropriate language for the early 18th Century. Historical events are well-researched. And the cast of characters are believable and well-rounded. This novel has some of the best action scenes I have read in a long time (yes, even better than some thrillers I've recently read). They left me breathless and in anticipation. There are some endearing moments throughout the novel involving Wallace, Miles Jacob and a young boy named Adam. Through those scenes, you learn about the character of Gabriel Wallace, what makes him the man he is and how loyal his friends really are. The story is authentic, engaging and suspenseful. Highly recommended.

Rating: 5-stars

[Mv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Captain Wallace and his loyal crew as they must resort to behaving like pirates (despite maintaining their morals and personal code) to accomplish their goal. Captain Wallace has been wrongly court-martialed and flees with his ship in pursuit of the truly corrupt, all the while being pursued themselves.

There are moments of tenderness, of personal conflict, of questioning motives , and of course sea battles. I enjoyed all the characters. They were well developed and I was drawn into their struggles. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. This story neatly incorporated the language and lives of people during this time in history.

I believe this is part of a series, but I’m unsure how much more of these characters we would read. I look forward to knowing more of their adventures. This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by these authors. It won’t be my last!

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator (Jake Urry) and he did an excellent job. His use of accents was superb and he brought the characters to life, personalities and all. The female voices were well done. I feel he struggled with the (if I recall correctly ) Jamaican accent, but it was not an issue. I’d love to listen to another book read by this narrator.

There are no explicit sex scenes or excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.

[Jody Allred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I was surprised by this book. It was so different from her other books but not in a bad way. I enjoyed it there was more fighting then Romance .I can't wait for another book . Bartlett took this book to another level it's really detailed . Read this b took it was wonderful thank you p.s. Bartlett. I will be wAiting for another wonderful book..

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

audible:I really enjoyed this book! A Captain of the Royal Navy is court marshaled for a crime that wasn't his.He goes on to be a pirate with plans to take everything that the man who took his livelihood owns.Great narration by Jake Urry turned this into an adventure to read!I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.