Literary Awards

 "Tortuga Bay is a rousing and complex pirate adventure mixed with a Romeo-and-Juliet love affair. Staley breathes life into Haiti and its history through well-rounded, multifaceted characters who tackle difficult situations in realistic ways.... Isabella is a unique and compelling character, not only because she’s a woman, but also because she’s an African slave who escaped her bonds to cherish freedom and command a ship of pirates. She endures in spite of hardships and never abandons her comrades or her beliefs."
Cindy Vallar, editor, 

 “Isabella sizzles in this swashbuckling sequel to The Pirate of Panther Bay.  Her sword slices through oppressors from the first page to the last in an adventure that puts her daring and decisive stand against slavery at the center of a story that shimmers like its Caribbean setting. Unputdownable!”
Donna Meredith, author of Wet Work, The Color of Lies, and the Glass Madonna. 

 " Tortuga Bay continues Isabella’s saga, this time putting her history as an escaped slave seeking justice for her fellow plantation workers. This desire to help others find freedom as she has done forces Isabella into making difficult decisions."

"For those who would like their adventure and romance with a sense of social conscience, Sam Staley's Tortuga Bay will offer them a worthy read,"
Jim Booth

“In SR Staley's sequel to The Pirate of Panther Bay, Isabella once again shows she is made of as much grit as any male pirate captain.  The action starts on page one and never lets up.  Through exhilarating battles at sea and the start of a slave revolution on land, Isabella fights for the success of her ship, safety of her crew, and survival of her lover, who happens to be a captain in the Spanish Navy -- a sworn enemy.  At the same time, she is searching for the meaning of the Prophecy given to her long ago by her now dead mother.  Staley's familiarity with ships of war and the history of the region helps readers feel they are part of the action. “
M.R. Street, award-winning author of the Werewolf's Daughter, Hunter's Moon, and Blue Rock Rescue.

"Tortuga Bay (Pirate of Panther Bay) by SR Staley is a captivating pirate story delivered with absolute excellence. The idea of a teenage girl as the fierce captain of a crew of pirates is not an easy concept to imagine, let alone bring out on paper, but SR Staley brought her to life brilliantly and made her feel natural and genuine. Isabella is a compelling character with real depth. The character development, coupled with the flawless descriptive writing style and memorable setting vividly brought this story to life. With nonstop action and thrills right from the beginning, SR Staley delivered yet another winner in the Pirate of Panther Bay series. Tortuga Bay is an exceptionally well-developed story that gives a genuine touch to the theme and puts a fresh spin on the way pirate stories are told. Lovers of the genre will find the Pirate of Panther Bay series a worthy read."
Faridah Nassozi, 5-star review

“If you pick up Tortuga Bay you better strap on your seat belt because you will be transported back in time to an era of pirates and ships chased by the soldiers and sailors of Spain’s Most Royal Catholic Majesty. Isabella, continuing her role as The Pirate of Panther Bay from the previous book, is an intriguing character. By casting this young woman as a pirate captain Staley launches a frontal assault on all the female stereotypes so prevalent in literature, media and the entertainment world. He has done a remarkable job of mixing pirates, Royal political intrigue and Haitian voodoo into an entertaining tale.”
Col. Michael Whitehead (ret.), author of The Lion of Babylon and Messages from Babylon