First, let’s take a peek at Vic’s first meeting with Jacko.
Vic stormed to the door and opened it. A pirate stood on the other side, smiling.
Long, black, shiny hair coiled about his shoulders like snakes. His dark piercing eyes and several slashing scars across his high cheekbones gave him a decided air of danger. The large gold loops hanging from his ears and the multitude of gold chains about his neck only enhanced his pirate image. She glanced down to ensure he wore no saber. Her relief he didn’t was offset by the two guns resting in crossing shoulder holsters beneath his colorful vest and a knife peeking from his waistband.
Jacko wants to share more about his weaponry today.
His main armory is two Webley Mk revolvers. These were adopted by the British army in 1887. It’s an extremely powerful top breaking gun with automatic extraction. (That means when you open to reload, it automatically kicks out the old shells.) It carries six rounds and is accurate up to 50 feet. It can shoot 20-30 rounds/minute or said another way, approximately one shot every half second with 7.5 seconds reloading time in between rounds. (That’s Jacko’s time, other may be slower and less accurate.)
Xavier arranged for the purchase of these guns in a private purchase from the military. He had to pull some strings. Normally, only high ranking officers can buy them for personal use. But Xavier is highly valued by several of the ministers, including the First Minister, so he was able to buy the guns. Before Jacko got his new weapons, he carried a small 5-round Webley Bulldog revolver which wasn’t nearly as powerful, but small enough to slide into his coat pocket. The British Bulldog was the gun used to kill President Garfield in 1881. (Jacko wants to assure you he did not do that.)
The small gun that Jacko carries in his boot is a Remington Derringer, a favorite with the ladies for its diminutive size. Jacko just likes its small size, since most ships will not allow him to carry weapons onto the ship. Can’t really blame them, given Jacko was a pirate not so many years ago.
Jacko’s knife has been passed down through generations of gypsies and is the only thing he has left of his family. He believes it has great gypsy magic
He also has deadly goodlooks and is known to steal kisses.
I should refocus now. Here’s more about The Troublesome Apprentice:
The Adventures of Xavier & Vic
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Book 1
The Troublesome Apprentice
By Liza O’Connor
∞
Cases to be Resolved:
The Key to Aunt Maddy’s Death
The Missing Husband of Mrs. Wimple
The Disappearing Scarlet Nun
The Clever Butcher’s Wife
The Rescue of Lady Anne
While investigating the death of a friend and client, Maddy Hamilton, Xavier Thorn (reputed to be the greatest sleuth in England) is greatly impressed with Maddy’s nephew, Victor, and offers him a job as his secretary. Aware of Xavier’s history of firing secretaries, Victor garners a promise that for three months he cannot be fired. Vic then proceeds, in Xavier’s view, to be cheeky and impertinent at every turn. Xavier endures the impudent pup because Victor is most skilled in extracting the truth from clients and intuiting facts with little evidence to assist.
As they solve a string of cases, Xavier discovers a few more important details about his troublesome apprentice, such as her true gender, and the realization that she has awakened his long dormant heart.
“My employer is in the next room. One cry of alarm from me, and you will be dead, for he is a very fine marksman.”
Instead of being frightened by Vic’s words, the fellow chuckled. “That he is.” He turned and pushed the outside door closed, since she had failed to do so. “He left me a message I was to assist you in your mission.”
“What mission?”
“I’ve no idea. Don’t you know?”
Vic frowned at him. “Sit over there, while I speak to my boss,” she ordered and pointed him to the bench. The pirate laughed at her, but sat as instructed.
She hurried to the office door and called out, “Sir, I need to interrupt you one moment, please don’t shoot me as I enter.”
Instead of intimidating the pirate, it only amused him further, but he remained on the bench allowing her to escape into Xavier’s office and lock the door. Feeling a bit safer now, she took his chair and pondered what her next move should be. She decided she should describe the pirate in detail and leave Xavier a note so he could hunt down and kill the scoundrel when her body washed ashore.
The Troublesome Apprentice
Read Free WithKindle Unlimited
I’m tired of telling my proper bio. So you get the improper bio.
Liza O’Connor was raised by feral cats, which explains a great deal, such as why she has no manners, is always getting in trouble, and doesn’t behave like a proper author and give you a proper bio.
She is highly unpredictable, both in real life and her stories, and presently is writing humorous romances. Please buy these books, because otherwise, she’ll become grumpy and write troubled novels instead. They will likely traumatize you.
Mostly humorous books by Liza:
Saving Casey – Old woman reincarnates into troubled teen’s body. (Half funny/half traumatizing)
Ghost Lover—Two British brothers fall in love with the same young woman. Ancestral ghost is called in to fix the situation. There’s a ghost cat too. (Humorous Contemporary Romance)
A Long Road to Love Series: (Humorous Contemporary odd Romance)
Worst Week Ever — Laugh out loud week of disasters of Epic proportions.
Oh Stupid Heart — The heart wants what it wants, even if it’s impossible.
Coming to Reason — There is a breaking point when even a saint comes to reason.
Climbing out of Hell — The reconstruction of a terrible man into a great one.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
Investigate these sites:
Liza’s Blog and Website Facebook Twitter
Don’t Forget to enter to win one of the two $25 Amazon Gift Cards.
As most know, I love Liza’s books. Chopped full of humor and romance, I usually finish them in a couple of hours with a well satisfied smile on my face. This is no different but in some ways, its WAY different.
Ms. O’Connor has done her homework when it comes to the Victorian period. I’m not much of a historical reader simply because too many writers cram too much information on you and the story gets lost in the process. Ms. O’Connor wrote the historical facts in a way that not only did I enjoy reading about them, she weaves them into story with ease. It was fascinating to read about weaponry during that time. Plus, come on…the picture above. Jeez…
Another thing that she wrote about was how she portrayed Vic in the book. Being a woman in the Victorian period was somewhat easier but in ways it wasn’t. To be educated was still in the stone age and to be taken seriously, forget it. I loved how Vic is comfortable pulling off the sham but when her heart gets involved…all bets are off.
The romance in the book is spot on, too. Nothing is rushed since Vic and Xavier do have a mystery to solve. As in all of Liza’s books, the romance makes sense and is beautifully written.
I’m really at a loss at what else to say about the book. I could write a thesis on Ms. O’Connor’s books but then I’d have spoilers and I hate spoilers. I’ve said this before and I will say it again…READ.LIZA.O’CONNOR. She never disappoints me in her storytelling.
Now I sit and wait impatiently for the next installment. I love a good mystery and romance. Especially in the Victorian Age.
The name Jacko makes me think Vic met Michael Jackson.
Hmmm The hair is about the same length. Did people call Michael ‘Jacko’?
The Troublesome Apprentice sounds like a fantastic read!
There is no series I’ve written better loved by my critters and editors.
Great review, I can’t wait to read the book.
Yes please! 🙂
I love the giveaway of Amazon cards and your books look very interesting….would love to get both!
Nice one!
Thanks for the review. Sounds like an interesting book 🙂
thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for stopping by
Awesome review! This sounds like a great book I can’t wait to read. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for stopping by. It is an awesome review.
Fantastic review–and that picture of Jacko–wow! He needs a book all to himself!
actually he is in several romance novel (Not yet published- staring role in 2)
Love the review and of course I can’t wait to read more about Jacko!
What a lovely review! Thank you so much.