Dorset author Paul Weston has released a new title, Not by Sea, the second book in the Jack Stone series following the warm critical and commercial reception of his debut novel Weymouth Bound.

Set in the Napoleonic Wars, the fast-paced thrillers are inspired by Paul’s fascination with history and his considerable sailing experience – he worked at sea for many years and has written for nautical publications such as Yachting Monthly.

During the Peace of Amiens, in 1802, seaman Jack Stone visits Paris, where he encounters the feared head of the French secret police, Fouché, and witnesses what can only be secret preparations for an invasion of Britain.
When war breaks out again, Jack Stone is back at the centre of an attempt to protect Britain from its enemies.

Paul said: “Readers said they found Weymouth Bound interesting and exciting, and I hope the same will be said of Not by Sea, which shares many of its main characters.
“I have told the story from several viewpoints, including from the French side.
“As well as the actions of war on sea and land, the story deals with the aftermath of revolution, the effects of a police state on its victims and technological advancement.”
Not by Sea weaves together the narratives of midshipman Jack Stone with those of other characters including the ruthless Breton Captain Morlaix, his daughter Dominique and Percy Snowden, Jack Stone’s fellow midshipman.

The book’s title refers to the famous quote of Admiral John Jervis: “I do not say, my lords, that the French will not come. I say only that they will not come by sea.”
Paul, who lives in Wareham, now works as an engineer, presently specialising in electric vehicle charging, but spent 11 years as a merchant seaman, on tankers, offshore in the North Sea and on ferries.
He has been sailing since childhood, initially on his family’s converted fishing boat True Vine. He has also sailed across the Atlantic on a home-designed and built 26-footer, and to the Azores and back on another boat of the same size.
The first parts of Paul’s account of refitting a 31ft boat and taking it to the Mediterranean and back by sea, river and canal is available as a blog at www.paulwestonauthor.com
He now owns a 42ft aluminium lift keel sailing yacht.