My husband and I drove though the little town of Mahone Bay this past summer only to find ourselves knee deep in pirates.
There were pirates everywhere.
The streets were swarming with them. Folks were parked on both sides of the main road. Music was blaring, pirates shouting out as we passed. Should we see what all the fuss was about? But where to park? Parking was impossible.
“Do you want to stop?”
“No way!”
We kept on driving, crawling our way through town. I was a bit timid, a bit overwhelmed. I had my camera.I snapped a few photos.
It was Pirate Days.
I hadn’t planned on being involved in a drive by pirate shooting.
Then, earlier this fall, we took a trip to Oak Island. Now, for anyone who doesn’t know about the whole Oak Island thing, let’s just say that if there’s treasure really buried out there, it’s probably buried for good.
We took the tour. Didn’t see any pirates or treasure, but at least I can say I was there. If you ask me we were a few hundred years too late.
Personally, I’ve got nothing against Pirates. I love Johnny Depp“Pirates of the Caribbean.” I even liked Captain Hook in Disney’s Peter Pan. I mean, what a character.
But, not all my encounters with pirates have been positive. I’ve been known to read the occasional book with pirates in them. I read one this summer. I have to admit, I didn’t get it. I felt a bit dumb. It wasn’t pretty.
So despite a few unfavourable experiences with a pirate, I sent for blogger friend, Dave Ebright’s book, “Bad Latitude.” Dave’s a great guy and I believe in supporting “good people.”
Guess what? I read it, and I got it!! I didn’t feel the least bit dumb.
Bad Latitude was written with boys in mind, but there is no reason why girls wouldn’t read this, as well. This book even won second place in the Royal Palm Literary Award for YA Fiction. Way to go Dave!
It’s filled with plenty of action, a bit of history from the St. Augustine area (that’s in Florida) and well, you know how I like history. There are some nasty dead pirates, a boy named Jack, and even a treasure if you’re into finding treasure. Who doesn’t like treasure?
I’ve got to say, Dave, you really had me going with that ending. I felt it all, sad, mad, glad, confused and finally relieved. But now there’s another one looming in the distance, a sequel titled, “Reckless Endeavour.” I don’t think we’ll have to wait too long for this one.
You can find Dave over at Jax Pops right here. and he’s just started a new blog Jack Rackham Adventures. Click here to take a gander.
Congrats, Dave and all the best with your next book!
Laura Best 
Lynn
/ December 10, 2010Laura, was it you who said you didn’t think you would be a very good one to write a review? hmmm This is a great tantalizer.
I have Dave’s book ‘Bad Latitude’, have had it for a few months, but it is still in my growing ‘to read’ pile. (Too much to do before I get to it, and so many great books keep adding to the pile.) I know that once I start reading I won’t want to put it down. Okay, ‘Bad Latitude’ has just been moved closer to the top and I will get to read it sooner.
Thanks, Laura!
(Good review, by the way.)
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Laura Best
/ December 10, 2010Oh, is this a review? LOL I had fun putting this post together. Even got to use my pirate pictures. I know what you mean about a growing “to read” pile. Dave’s book came awhile back but I wanted to get at it. I’m hoping to get a lot of reading done this winter.
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suzicate
/ December 10, 2010Though I’ve never gotten into pirate books or movies, I’m always willing to give it another shot…and that event looks like fun! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
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Laura Best
/ December 10, 2010Thanks for visiting my blog. I guess we have to keep our minds open. 🙂
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syr ruus
/ December 10, 2010You’re always so supportive of other writers, Laura, and we thank you.
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Laura Best
/ December 10, 2010I guess it’s just something I like doing. There are a lot of good books out there and the more we make others aware of them the more books will get read.
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jenniferneri
/ December 11, 2010I was coming in to say the same thing to you, Laura – you really do support other writers.
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Carol Ann Hoel
/ December 10, 2010I have many books I’d like to read right now, and first in line are the books by authors my fellow bloggers have introduced. I’m always putting off the time I’m going to purchase them all and begin reading. Now it will happen after Christmas, of course! I’ll finally get there and have a reading frenzy! Blessings to you…
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Laura Best
/ December 10, 2010Carol Ann, I will never forget how supportive you were with me, by buying my book, taking time to comment on my blog, and writing a review, all this before I scarcely *knew* you. I’m so glad to know that you are so supportive.
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Carol J. Garvin
/ December 10, 2010Great review, Laura! At first I had assumed Bad Latitude would be so much about pirates and buried treasure that it would only appeal to boys, but I wanted to read it anyway to support Dave. I discovered the story was about so much more, and I really enjoyed it! I loved the relationship between Jack and his grandparents, especially knowing that the story grew out of storytelling that Dave does with his own grandson.
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Laura Best
/ December 10, 2010I think perhaps I was under the same impression as you, Carol. For me, I also found the bits of history quite interesting as well. As I mentioned to Dave, I kept picturing him and Deb, and I haven’t even met them. That was a pretty neat thing, I thought. I wonder if one day I’ll be writing a book for Miss Charlotte? One never knows.
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V.V. Denman
/ December 10, 2010Sounds like a good book, Matey. (Sorry I couldn’t resist.)
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Laura Best
/ December 10, 2010LOL! Yes, it is difficult to resist. Isn’t it? 🙂
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Dave Ebright
/ December 10, 2010Well, Laura, not sure what to say! What a great review & a total surprise that you posted about BL. I’m stoked that you liked it. To think it all started out as a short story for Jack (now 7 – he’s convinced that I’m a real pirate & that I’m friends with Harry Potter). My blog’s profile pic shows the 2 of us 5 years ago – on a boat of course – & I sorta DO look like a pirate.
Funny thing, we’re home in St Augustine for the weekend (yay) to visit the new Pirate & Treasure Museum which officially opened the other day. The Owner is from my old stomping grounds in Pennsylvania, hopefully we’ll get to see him. Can’t get enough of those pirates. The fun part (writing fiction) is to take the smallest kernel of historical truth & turn it all into what my grandfather would call, A Whopper.
Thanks again for the support & kind words. Sorry for arriving late – long day followed by a long drive.
Dave
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Laura Best
/ December 11, 2010Hey, I think you’re a pirate, too. I guess that’s something Jack and I have in common. LOL!
Yes, it is fun to take those small kernels of truth and turn them into fiction. I was pleasantly surprised to see those bits of historical truths in Bad Latitude.
BTW You are welcome!
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joylene
/ December 11, 2010I have this book! Sadly, I have many I need to read first. There just isn’t enough hours in the day. I need a maid, a cook, and a bottle washer! Help.
Great review, Laura. I can’t wait to read Bad Latitude. I love stories about adventurers boys. Might have something to do with the fact I raised five! As a regular reader of the author’s blog, I already know the book is going to delight me. Dave’s blog is a blast to follow. Everyone should be reading it if they aren’t already.
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Laura Best
/ December 11, 2010Let me know if you find a maid, a cook, and a bottle washer who works reasonably! I know what you mean. There just isn’t enough time in the day. I’ve a long list of books to get to as well, your book is one of them, of course.
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Ciara Knight
/ December 11, 2010Saw you on Lynn’s site and thought I’d pop over. Glad I did. Great site. I love pirates and I love YA so this might be a good book for me. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
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Laura Best
/ December 11, 2010Welcome, Ciara. If you love YA you’re in the right place. I write YA and read it as well, although that’s not to say I don’t read in other genres because I do.
Thanks for visiting 🙂
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