The Panther Bay
Pirate Blog

Bellbrook, OH – Sick and tired of vampires during the holiday season? Want to see the twighlight of the Twilight book series? That’s what iZs Press thinks by announcing the first “Stuff Isabella the Pirate Day,” a light-hearted holiday event promoting SR Staley's historical action-romance, The Pirate of Panther Bay. Staley’s young-adult novel follows the exploits of Isabella, an escaped slave who turns to piracy to preserve her freedom in the 1780s.

Copies of the critically acclaimed novel can be purchased at amazon.com (paperback and kindle versions), bn.com, and borders.com. Buyers preferring a copy signed by the author, they can use the secure order system on the book’s web site, www.pantherbay.com. Buyers from pantherbay.com will also get free shipping upgrade to first class delivery to make sure their books arrive on time for the holidays.

“Everyone should have a smart, take no prisoners pirate on their bookshelf,” says Staley. “Isabella is an inspired gift for the holidays and the perfect antidote to those readers ready to move beyond neck bites for entertainment. The pirate Isabella—a teenage female pirate captain to boot—knows all to well the stakes if she fails to keep her crew in line and defend her pirate ship against the notorious Spanish pirate hunters trolling the Caribbean Sea. Who wouldn’t want to open it as a stocking stuffer or a Hanukka gift?”

Reviewers have called the Pirate of Panther Bay a “swashbuckling tale of piracy, action and romance” (www.allbooksreview.com) and a “grand high seas adventure any teen would love; many adults as well (www.youngadultromancewriters.com). John Lehman, former publisher and editor of  of the literary magazine Rosebud, has said SR Staley “masterfully captures a sword fight, building tension it seems hard to believe possible short of seeing it on a huge movie screen” (www.bookreview.com).

Buyers ordering on-line should not be concerned if amazon.com, bn.com, or borders.com claim the book is out of stock during the holidays. IZS Press is prepared to ship copies to these book distributors in real time as orders are received so that The Pirate of Panther Bay arrives in plenty of time for the holidays.

Background: Women Pirates

Isabella’s story is unique in fiction as well as the real world of pirates. While several well-known pirates were women, they were rare. Pirates were a superstitious lot, and women were almost always considered bad luck.  Most pirate codes explicitly banned woman from their vessels. Captured woman were often raped, murdered and thrown overboard.

But Isabella’s leadership role is not without historical precedent. Mary Read and Ann Bonny, the most infamous female pirates of the 18th century “Golden Age” of Caribbean piracy, were known for their cutthroat fierceness. They were tried and convicted of piracy in 1721, but saved from the hangman’s noose by “pleading their bellies.” It was against English law to hang someone who was pregnant.

The 16th century Irish pirate queen and captain, Grace O’Malley, pillaged English shipping and coast villages in rebellion against England’s encroachment on Ireland, and as a way to fund her growing estates. Jailed and about to be hanged, she managed to be released and even befriended Queen Elizabeth I at one point.

Staley says perhaps the most strong-willed female pirate captain was Cheng I Sao (aka Mrs. Cheng). At the height of her power in the early 19th century, Mrs. Cheng led a pirate confederation that included fleet of more than 300 vessels and almost 17,000 pirates, plundering villages, ships, and shipping routes throughout Southeast Asia. Her influence was so broad, and her grip on the “brethren” of the Chinese coast so firm, the Chinese government gave up trying to subdue her by force. Unlike most pirates, she died peacefully at the age of 69 after a negotiated “retirement” in Canton (now Guangzhou).

About the Book

 

The Pirate of Panther Bay is set in 1780 on the Caribbean Sea. Isabella becomes captain of the Red Tide after her lover, the previous captain, dies. But her first command is put in jeopardy when her crew demands results and she doesn't deliver. It doesn't help that she's only 18-years-old, an escaped slave and falling in love with one of her enemies—Juan Carlos, a young Spaniard captured during her first battle. She should have killed him, and her mercy sends her life into a maelstrom of mutiny, imprisonment and revenge.

\Contact the author at pantherbay@aol.com.

Visit the web site: http://www.pantherbay.com.

Here's what readers are saying about The Pirate of Panther Bay:

“A great adventure romance!”

-- Robert, Chapel Hill, NC

“The sword fights leave you breathless. Add that to the intense love story, and you just might feel the rocking of a ship while you read!”

-- Morgan, Sarasota, Florida

“I didn’t want to put it down. Isabella’s character is different from anything else I’ve read -- a girl pirate who can take care of herself!”

-- Carly, Kettering, Ohio

“An engaging swashbuckler that leaves the reader wanting more.”

-- Heidy, Bellbrook, Ohio

“Staley has done a wonderful job of weaving historical elements into the story line while keeping them relevant and interesting.”

-- Colleen, New York, NY

“With each turn of the page, you are drawn in by the adventure and romance.”

-- Gary, West Milton, Ohio

“A fun and exciting adventure book that the whole family can enjoy reading.”

-- Alex, Bellbrook, Ohio.

Here's what reviewers say about The Pirate of Panther Bay (full reviews available at www.pantherbay.com):

• “The brilliant descriptive powers of author S.R. Staley allows the reader to … feel the intense emotions as the sword fights and cannon fire fuel the imagination.” (youngadultromancewriters.com)

• “A swashbuckling tale of piracy, action, and romance, The Pirate of Panther Bay is a well-researched and entertaining trip. There are enough sword-and-cutlass battles to excite anyone. Female readers will especially enjoy the strength shown by the main character, whose inspiring spirit is worthy even of Hollywood.” (AllbookReviews.com)

• Because of this lovelorn central character the book sometimes seems more romantic novel than adventure yarn, but S.R. Staley puts plenty of zip into the action sequences. [H]e masterfully captures a sword fight, building tension it seems hard to believe possible short of seeing it on a huge movie screen…. There's fine description plus conspiracies and colorful characters galore, but what I liked best was the irony of the story…. Robert Louis Stevenson would have loved this book. I sure did.” (John Lehman, founder and original publisher of Rosebud,  on Bookreview.com.)

• If you are looking for an expertly written, unique, and original pirate-themed book, then this is the book for you. (readerviews.com)

• Part adventure story, part history lesson, but 100 percent pirate, Staley has crafted a tale that will stir your emotions and your mind. Whether you're young or old, The Pirate of Panther Bay will forever change the way you think about buccaneers. ¶ (Tim Bete, Author of Guide to Pirate Parenting, and director of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop)

• This adventurous tale takes a circuitous journey that remains true to the real world of pirates and Spain’s desire to reign over the New World. ¶ (Cindy Vallar, Pirates & Privateers)