SHANGHAIED, an Edgars Family, Neptune’s Five bookIt’s 1941. While Europe is emblazoned in a devastating war, America sits blissfully neutral. An ocean separates them from the conflict, but not everyone believes the states are safe from the Nazi threat.Zach Edgars, code name Neptune, and his team of undercover ONI operatives are in North Carolina hunting German spies working on American soil. … American soil. Their only clue is a slip of paper in a dead informant’s pocket that reads, Shanghaied in Wilmington.
Sophie Moore, grew up working in her father’s pub, the Shanghaied, situated near the newly built emergency shipyard. She’s used to dodging wayward hands and the occasional drunken brawl, but a newcomer in the dark trench coat and with the swagger of a pirate has her feeling nervous. Despite his involvement with the locals’ less-than legal activity, something about Neptune makes her think there might be more to the man.
When her friend goes missing, Sophie finds herself and her father’s bar thrust in the middle of a dangerous game of cloak and dagger. Can she trust this pirate, or will she and her father lose everything—life, love and liberty?
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Book one in the Edger Family/Neptune’s Five series a well written war story that kept me turning pages. I found I needed a Kleenex as I read this emotional story. This is Captain Zachariah Edgars in the U.S. Navy an undercover ONI operative with the code name Neptune, and Sophie Moore who works in her Father’s pub the Shanghaied. I want to read more in this series. This is a new Author to me. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What an original book! I can honestly say that I truly enjoyed reading Shanghaied. It caught my attention from page one. Most of the historical romances that I have read have taken place long before 1941 – the year in which this book takes place. The mystery plotline drew me in and the charcters grounded and vested me in the story. Hopefully, there will be more books in this series. With so many great characters, I think Ms. Ferrell could easily create more fantastic stories.
It’s 1941 and Europe is at war. The United States finds itself at the cusp of the conflict, barely taking a deep breath for the fear of being drawn in. For Zachariah “Neptune” Edgars, he and his superiors at the US Navy Intelligence know it is only a matter of time before the US is also engaged in the conflict as the enemy is trying to infiltrate America at every turn. When it becomes clear that the enemy may already be aground within America, Neptune and his crew must find and neutralize the threat.
What an excellent start to what I know will be an amazing series! I love that this is not your usual Regency England historical romance (not that those aren’t terrific) but one that takes place during an important era in American history that usually is not covered in the historical and/or romantic suspense genre. I love this author’s writing; the way Ms. Ferrell is able to bring character development, the storyline and pace of the plot together is so smooth and “effortless” that before you know it, you are totally immersed in the book! The romance is period-appropriate and perfectly balanced with the suspense to create a riveting story.
As for Sophie and Zack – the chemistry and strength between these two characters is charming and inspiring. Much as “Neptune” is the leader of the group, Sophie and Zach are the “Northstar” for the Five and the series itself. And what an excellent link to the Edgars Family series, as these characters are the prequel to Ms. Ferrell’s first series (which are excellent reads as well.) I cannot wait for the next adventure the Neptune Five will take me on!
A world at war, German spies on US soil, a message all bring together Operative Zach and Sophie together. Really good book with romance, suspense , and story line. First in the Neptune 5 series and will be looking for the rest in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
With “Shanghaied,” Suzanne Ferrell has written a gem of a story. It’s the start of a new series, set during WWII, and, while technically a prequel to her Edgars family series, it works as a stand-alone novel. I love her Edgars Family series and in this first book of the Neptune’s Five series, she goes back a ways in the family history to the early days of WWII before the US had formally joined the war. With pirates and spies, a handsome hero and a spunky heroine, this story hits all the right buttons. This is Zach’s and Sophie’s – the family patriarch and matriarch – story. The romance is relatively mild, but no less satisfying. The story is really about espionage and catching traitors. Because I know German U-boats hunkered down right off the eastern seaboard (there’s a great dive to one about 30 miles off of Morehead City, NC) and that spies and saboteurs came ashore from them, the story has a good basis in reality. Zach leads a team of handpicked men, each of whom brings different specialized skills to the group. The team dynamics feel real and I’m looking forward to reading each man’s story. Sophie and her father run a bar in a rough, waterfront town. The Depression has wound down, but there’s still a bit of desolation in the air, even if new work is coming in thanks to the increased need for ships and supplies for England. Ms. Ferrell captures that feeling. These are tough men, living in tough times, and knowing that it is only going to get tougher. While we know who some of the bad guys are, the real villain was a surprise. Who it is, well, you’ll need to read the book to find out.