“Here, every man is equal.” ~Billy Bones

Leaving the poll up a few more days! You can vote more than once so please do. 

If you know anything about pirates, one of the most important matters aboard a ship is that all crew members get a vote on everything relating to ship business. I’d like to apply the same principles here for the naming of my newest pirate ship. She’s captained by a fearless and ruthless pirate, who goes by the name of Black Eye Woodley, in my forthcoming novel, Jaded Tides. However, this fine upstanding gentleman and his equally as ruthless cast of colorful characters aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. They’ll definitely be sailing straight through into my next installment in the Razor’s Adventure Series, so keep a weathered eye on the horizon mates!

I’ve chosen my favorite suggestions from all of the posts here on my blog, as well as from those on my Facebook Page – The Razor’s Adventures Pirate Tales. I’d really appreciate it if you could drop by my page sometime and give it a like and by all means, say hello and share your own work!

Here’s an excerpt from where we first meet Black Eye Woodley to maybe help ye scallywags leave yer mark:

I could hear the hoof beats now. They slowed as they approached the house and Rasmus opened the door and stepped out onto the front porch. As they came to a halt, I heard the raspy and boisterous voice of a man shout, “Avast mates! It be Big Red Bergman ‘imself!”

The hot breath of the field hands blew against the back of my neck as I leaned forward in the dark, watching from the window. I turned quietly to them and said, “Those of you with guns, move to the windows and set your eyes on that finely dressed one who is addressing Captain Bergman. I can assure you, that man is the leader and obviously a captain as well.” They all did as I advised as I too readied myself to fire when necessary upon the big, blond fancy man, who was now dismounting his horse.

The faces of the men surrounding him glowed orange in the torchlight. One by one they too dismounted and stood aside their steed with their hands resting on their weapon of choice. They were dirty and varied greatly in appearance. Their faces were frightening and most were scarred or poorly tattooed. I’d never seen such a cast of characters. It was impossible to take my eyes off of them as each man was more interesting looking than the next, albeit in a twisted and bizarre way.

These were pirates alright and once I’d adjusted to their menacing presence, I counted eighteen of them. What ship could spare that many crewmen, just to go after one lousy murdering pirate? I hushed my inquiring thoughts so that I could overhear every word exchanged between Rasmus and the bejeweled man in the long emerald coat.

“Captain Bergman,” the man said, sweeping his enormous tricorn hat from his head, brushing it through the air and across his body with a bow.

“Black Eye Woodley. What brings you to Nassau, not to mention out here at this hour? The fruit harvest isn’t for at least another month,” Rasmus joked. Removing his cavalier and bowing as well.

“Oh, I’m certain ye know exactly what brings us out here on this shitty evening. The hour is of no importance when there’s a dead inn keeper at the Windy. We have it on the word of a little bonny, dark eyed lass, that the killer is one of your crew.” The man Rasmus had called Black Eye Woodley, stepped towards the front porch and rested his shiny gold buckled boot upon the bottom step.

“That’s far enough, Woodley. Who sent ye here? Ye ain’t the law so ye have no business claiming anybody, killer or not,” Rasmus said.

“On the contrary, Red, the Governor ‘imself often calls on gentlemen such as ourselves to lend a hand in situations such as these. There’s pirates everywhere in Nassau ye know, brother, and I happen to have a great interest in keeping the peace here.”

“Since when?”

“Since he pays in gold for my services. He doesn’t much care for the sight of blood. Hasn’t got the stomach for it.”

“Ye can’t have him. He’s just a kid and that inn keeper pulled a pistol on him. It was self-defense.”

“Him?” Woodley said of over a laugh. “Why, ye must think me an utter fool, Red. Now, ye haven’t been at sea so long ye can’t distinguish a woman from a man have ye?”

“What are ye talking about?” I trembled at Rasmus’ tone. I could feel the fear coursing through his veins from where I stood but I didn’t dare move a muscle, lest I ruin whatever plans he was making in his head and I knew damn well he was plotting something.

Now, make yer mark! I need to finish me book!