This first book in a new series is set in and around the Portland, Maine, waterfront. It introduces Brandon Blake, a loner who lives on his old wooden cruiser. Raised by his alcoholic grandmother after his mother was lost at sea, Blake learned to depend on himself. During an assignment for a law-enforcement class, Blake gets involved in a fight and is marked for payback by a soon-to-be-released convict. Meanwhile, questions surface about his mother's disappearance.

"The first in a new series set in and around the dark waterfront of Portland, Maine, featuring Brandon Blake a lean loner who lives on an old wooden cabin cruiser"--Jacket.

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Brandon Blake, the tough and resourceful kid from the Portland waterfront, has made it. He's been hired by the Portland Police Department, partly as payback for stopping a vicious cop killer in PORT CITY SHAKEDOWN. But the newest rookie on the night shift isn't pulling any punches. And when a drug-addled mom can't find her baby, Blake—whose mother left him and was killed when he was a toddler—comes down on her hard. Except the baby really is gone. Meanwhile, Blake's girlfriend, aspiring writer Mia, sees Brandon drifting into the world of cops and crime and leaving her behind. Brandon's relentless search for the child brings a load of trouble down on him, threatens his career, his life, his relationship. Will he end up alone on his old cabin cruiser Bay Witch? Or worse?

Your Compass to Maritime Mastery As boundless as the oceans, the field of maritime studies has charted the course of human civilization for centuries. It's an ever-evolving realm where the waves of change constantly reshape the contours of knowledge. In this expansive sea of understanding, having a reliable compass is indispensable. The Dictionary of Maritime, with its compendium of 4,645 meticulously curated entries, aims to be that navigational aid guiding enthusiasts, professionals, and scholars alike through the complex waters of maritime terminology. Our journey begins at the shores of basic nautical terms, ventures through the straits of maritime law, navigates the currents of naval architecture, and explores the depths of oceanography. Each entry within this dictionary is akin to a nautical star, guiding readers through the dense fog of maritime jargon towards the clarity of comprehension. The Dictionary of Maritime is far more than a mere collection of definitions; it's a lighthouse illuminating the path for those sailing the tumultuous seas of maritime studies. Whether you are a seasoned mariner, a maritime law scholar, a naval architect, or an oceanography student, this dictionary is designed to bridge the gap between the arcane and the understood, between obscurity and clarity. This book is not merely a passive repository of maritime terms but an active engagement with the rich tapestry of maritime knowledge. Each term, each phrase is a portal into a vast world that has shaped, and continues to shape, the course of human history. The terms encapsulated within these pages are buoy markers on your journey through the expansive waters of maritime understanding. Our endeavor is to foster a shared lexicon, a common ground of understanding that can enhance communication, collaboration, and comprehension across the myriad sectors within the maritime domain. By doing so, we aspire to contribute to the safety, efficiency, and evolution of the maritime world. As you delve into the pages of The Dictionary of Maritime, you are embarking on a voyage of discovery. Each term you encounter is a nautical mile on your journey towards a deeper understanding of the world that lies beyond the horizon. We invite you to hoist the sails of curiosity and let the winds of knowledge guide you through the enlightening pages of The Dictionary of Maritime. May your quest for understanding be as boundless as the oceans and may your exploration through these entries chart a course towards a lifetime of learning in the maritime realm.

Where in the world is Billy Battles? As Book Three of the Finding Billy Battles trilogy begins we know where Billy is. He is in Chicago with his wife, the former Baroness Katharina von Schreiber living a sedate and comfortable life after years of adventure and tragedy. That changes with a single telephone call that yanks Billy and Katharina back into a life of turmoil and peril. Persuaded by a powerful old friend to go undercover for the U.S. government the two find themselves in Mexico during the height of the violent 1910-1920 revolution. There they grapple with assorted German spies, Mexican revolutionaries, devious political operatives, and other miscreants. Caught in the middle of the 1914 American invasion of Veracruz, they must find a way out while keeping their real identities secret. After managing to extract themselves from danger, disaster strikes. It’s an ordeal Billy is all too familiar with and one that will send him plummeting into a painful abyss of despair and agony. Consequently, Billy vanishes leaving family and friends to wonder what happened to him. Where is he? Is he dead or alive? What provoked his disappearance? In Book Three of the Finding Billy Battles Trilogy, those questions are answered, and the mystery behind Billy’s disappearance is finally revealed.