Blacksouls

by Nicole Castroman

  Teach took a threatening step in Easton’s direction, but Anne stopped him with a firm hand on his arm. Easton pressed his lips together and didn’t say another word.

  The four of them watched the flames as they licked at the wood at an alarming rate.

  Reva looked up. “I hope you have a new name in mind. The Fortune is no more.”

  Teach regarded Anne. The gaze in his eyes made her stomach flip. “We’ll call it the Queen Anne.”

  Anne tilted her head to the side, regarding Teach, and loving the way the light flickered over his features. He looked fierce, like a pirate, and a small thrill shot through her to know that he was hers. “No,” she said, shaking her head.

  “Why not?” Reva asked, clearly shocked. “I think it’s a lovely name.”

  Easton was quick to nod his assent. “Aye, I agree.”

  “It is a lovely name, but I have one that I think would work better.”

  Teach quirked a brow at her and waited.

  “We’ll call it Queen Anne’s Revenge,” Anne said, her lips curving up in a smile.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  It took a large and competent crew to sail a pirate ship successfully. Captains had to be bold and fearless, but they couldn’t navigate the stormy seas on their own. The same can be said about writing a book. While the author writes the story in solitude, without the help of a talented and dedicated crew the book would not find its way onto bookshelves.

  If I’m the captain of this ship, then my editor, Nicole Ellul, is definitely the quartermaster, nearly equal in power. Without her valuable insight and asking me to take the story further, this book wouldn’t be what it is today. We even had a hurricane named after us, but thankfully, our ship wasn’t lost. To the rest of the publishing team at Simon Pulse: Mara Anastas, the admiral, who keeps many ships afloat; Mary Marotta and Liesa Abrams, both captains in their own right; Chelsea Morgan, Carolyn Swerdloff, and Audrey Gibbons, some of the most capable seawomen around. Thank you so much for all your tweets and support! It’s a pleasure to be part of the Simon & Schuster crew. Lauren Forte, you’re the best copy editor and gunner around for making sure all the words were kept in good repair. Karina Granda, you’re a pirate queen, and I absolutely love the cover for Blacksouls. You came up with the perfect Jolly Roger for this book and I don’t know how to adequately show my gratitude.

  Tracey Adams, über agent and sailing master, in charge of navigation and making sure I stayed on course, not an easy job, considering the shifting tides of the market and unforeseen storms that come up in any book’s path. Thank you for being such a fierce advocate and all-around great person, and thanks as well to all of Adams Lit. It’s such an honor to be a part of the family.

  When I finished Blackhearts, I knew exactly where I wanted the story to go, and like any historical novel, it required research. The most crucial titles to creating an accurate portrayal were Daily Life in the Age of Sail by Dorothy Denneen Volo and James M. Volo and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass. Both books were vital to giving the story authenticity, although I admit to taking some artistic license with facts. If there are any glaring mistakes or inaccuracies, I take full responsibility.

  Becky Wallace, from now on I will refer to you as Becky Boatswain. You took your duty of inspecting the ship (my manuscript) and the rigging (my characters) very seriously. You’re an amazing critique partner, a gifted author, and a wonderful friend, and I consider myself lucky to know you.

  Angie Thomas, Nic Stone, and Robyn Lucas were invaluable as I drafted this novel. They were the carpenters, responsible for repairing any damage to the hull by making sure Anne’s story was watertight and accurate. In many instances, carpenters also acted as ship surgeons, using the same tools to perform operations and amputations with no anesthetic. Angie, Nic, and Robyn were no different, suggesting I cut anything that wasn’t true to Anne’s narrative. Ladies, y’all are insanely talented and immensely fierce and I am truly grateful for your insight.

  Kelly Elliot, Molly McAdams, Stefani Sloma, Jessica Cluess, and Kerri Maniscalco, your enthusiasm for this story was the backbone of my crew; as my beta readers, you knew how to read the skies, the weather, and the mood of the captain. I am forever grateful to you for taking the time to read this when it was in its less-than-polished form.

  There have been so many readers and book bloggers who’ve been influential in promoting and marketing my books and I am forever in your debt: Sarah K (@thebooktraveler) and Sarah (@whatsarahread), Kristen (@myfriendsarefiction), Brittany (@bbookrambles), Nicole (@blackbeakbooks), Bridget (@darkfaerietales), Rachel (@yaperfectionist), Karina (@MermaidsReadToo), Rachel (@BeautyandtheBookshelf), Fallon (@bookinneverland), Nicola (Queen of the Bookshelves Blog), Jaime Arnold of Rockstar Book Tours, Ben Alderson (@Benjaminof Tomes), Stephanie (@Chasm_of_Books), and many, many more. I’ve met some of you already and hope to meet more of you in the very near future. Mundie Moms and Vilma Gonzalez, THANK YOU for the amazing cover reveals for both Blackhearts and Blacksouls. Prepare yourselves for when I finally get to meet you ladies in person. And, of course, I’m incredibly grateful to the librarians and booksellers who have put my books into the hands of people who needed them.

  I also have some good friends in my corner who’ve continued to show me love and support. Janine Simpson, Holly Loveland, Amie Fagg, and Julie Nelson. Our road trips and lunches have helped me more than you could ever know. I think we need to go on another cruise for more research. Also a special shout-out to Connie Baxter, Christa Tady, Melissa Newman, and Demi Bush. You know what you did in your own special way.

  To my parents, James and Doris Platt, I can’t remember a time when the two of you weren’t reading. Your love of books was definitely passed on. To my siblings, Andrea, Cameron, Kirsten, and your families, thank you so much for helping to spread the word. Love you all! And many thanks to Heidy, Romina, Carlos, and Ida as well.

  I don’t know what I would do without my own crew at home who always encouraged me to follow my dream. Sophia and Anthony, I LOVE YOU and I love being your mom. “You make me cry.” And to my Miguelo, you are my anchor and my best mate. Te amo mucho. Families are forever.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  When I set out to write the story of Blackbeard, I wanted to add flesh and bones to a legend—to create a backstory for a man who chose the life of a pirate and who historians claim was cruel and unruly. But recent studies have people questioning those reports. Some say Blackbeard wasn’t as evil as formerly believed, and that he was a type of Robin Hood of the seas. The Edward Teach of Blackhearts and Blacksouls is a work of fiction based on a few details in various historical accounts. The world he lived in, however, was very real.

  I fiercely love my characters and wanted to be true to their narratives. I knew from the beginning I needed a strong female who could go toe-to-toe with the young man who would go on to become the most infamous pirate to sail the seas. An image of Anne came to mind immediately, a beautiful biracial girl with a fierce spirit and a longing for freedom. Blackhearts ended with both Anne and Teach on separate ships heading for the West Indies. The more I researched, the more I discovered that the story would be much broader in scope than I first anticipated.

  In writing Blacksouls, it would have been impossible to ignore the subject of slavery, nor did I want to. I believe it’s important to confront the past, to learn and grow from our predecessors’ failings. I can only hope Blacksouls opens the door for deeper conversations on this topic in the future.

  If you’re interested in more information about the actual history of slavery, I suggest reading the works of Frederick Douglass himself, including Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.

  Another book I would recommend is by Andrea Stuart, entitled Sugar in the Blood: A Family’s Story of Slavery and Empire. One of Ms. Stuart’s ancestors fell into the life of a sugar plantation owner, quite by chance. Incredibly well researched, this book details the horrors of the transatla
ntic slave trade and how absolute power corrupts.

  Of course I also needed help with the nautical aspects of my book. I turned to Daily Life in the Age of Sail by Dorothy Denneen Volo and James M. Volo. It provided a wealth of information that I hope added to the authenticity of the readers’ experience.

  These works combined to help me craft Blacksouls. At its heart, my story is about a young man’s descent into the world of piracy. But it’s also about the young woman he loves and their journey together to find their place in a sometimes cruel and unfair world.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo by Vickery Photography

  Nicole Castroman was lucky enough to come with her very own best friend—a twin sister who can read her mind and finish her sentences. Nicole received her BA from Brigham Young University and has lived in Germany, Austria, and two different places called Georgia. One is the country located near the Black Sea, and the other is the state of Georgia, where she currently lives with her husband and two children. Blackhearts was Nicole’s first novel.

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  Also by NICOLE CASTROMAN

  BLACKHEARTS

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  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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  First Simon Pulse hardcover edition April 2017

  Text copyright © 2017 by Nicole Castroman

  Jacket photograph copyright © 2017 by Winter Media/Corbis

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  Jacket designed by Karina Granda

  Interior designed by Greg Stadnyk

  The text of this book was set in Adobe Garamond Pro.

  This book has been cataloged with the Library of Congress.

  ISBN 978-1-4814-9105-1 (hc)

  ISBN 978-1-4814-9107-5 (eBook)