If you’d like to see that and some other fun stuff relating to the series, I’m adding bits and pieces like a playlist, the Pinterest board, and, soon, a map, to this page on my website: https://www.claresager.com/bbssecret

So, there you have it, a few of my thoughts and inspirations for this book. What did you think? Who was your favourite character? Vice? Knigh? Maybe you’re a fan of Perry? Or perhaps you prefer a bad boy, like FitzRoy? Who would you like to see more of and get to know better? What moments had you cheering or ripping your hair out? Sign up and reply to the welcome email to let me know!

I tend to email my newsletter once or twice a month, plus the occasional brief update when I have a new book out, so you’re the first to know. I usually share photos from my travels and research, advance snippets of what I’m working on, fantasy book deals and new releases, plus cool giveaways. It’s also the best place to get all the news about Vice and Knigh’s adventures first. You can sign up here: https://www.claresager.com/bbsback

Thanks for picking up BBS and reading this—and well done for getting to the end of my author note! I’ll catch you again at the end of Against Dark Tides where Vice and Knigh will have to deal with the aftermath of betrayal, a devious Duke, and a sea creature once thought the stuff of legends …

[Edited September 2020: Read on for your sneak peek of the opening chapters of ADT.]

For now, I’ll just wish you happy reading!

All the very best,

Clare Sager, April 2020

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Against Dark Tides – Sneak Peek

The Viscountess Villiers

Vice smiled sweetly across the card table, the expression making her muscles ache. She’d used this smile so often over the past two weeks, she thought she might’ve grown accustomed to it by now, but no. Some things she’d never get used to.

Knigh Blackwood kept his gaze on the cards already revealed on the green baize. Cool, calm, and collected as ever. He’d re-perfected his mask over their voyage so far, and every blank expression made Vice’s insides ache and itch until she had to fidget. How easily he shut her out.

From their seats either side of Vice, Lord and Lady Pevensey exchanged a glance before both raising their eyebrows at her. Vice fought the urge to give them a triumphant grin and instead cocked her head at Knigh.

“Darling,” she said, voice over-bright, “remind me again, does a full house win?”

Does a full house win? She bit back a snort as she revealed her cards. Lady Pevensey had two of a kind, Knigh three of a kind, and Lord Pevensey had folded already. Obviously it won.