James L. Nelson Books In Order

Publication Order of Blood, Steel, and Empire Books

Publication Order of Isaac Biddlecomb Books

Publication Order of Thomas Marlowe Books

Publication Order of Samuel Bowater Books

Publication Order of The Norsemen Saga Books

Publication Order of Caleb Hayes Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

The American author James L. Nelson has been writing for some years now, with his unique brand of historical nautical adventures that have gone on to be appreciated worldwide. Producing a number of novels, he has taken the genre to greater heights, with his unique and distinctive take on it. Placing realistic character against the more classic tropes of the genre, he’s managed to build a vast and extensive backlog.

With a keen eye for historical accuracy he’s managed to create a series of books that bring the past to life for his readers. Taking to the seas for many of his stories, he’s also managed to convey a very real sense of what it was like on the ocean many years ago. Maintaining a sense of adventure, though, he’s been able to keep his reader entertained throughout his books as well.

Early and Personal Life

Born in 1962 in Lewiston, Maine, in the United States, James L. Nelson always had a keen passion for the written word from a very young age. Taking in inspiration from the world around him he’d constantly be putting it back into his work, creating well versed and highly distinctive style. With his interest in history driving him forwards as well, he was able to create a more accurate representation of the past through his works as well.

Attending Lewiston High School, he soon graduated, as he went on to attend the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts, for two years too. Transferring to the UCLA following this, he initially had the ambition of becoming a film director before turning to writing. This would all give him the strong visual style inherent in his work, along with allowing him to hone and refine his skills academically as well.

His passion for the sea and ships is something that also fueled his career, with a keen interest in naval history too. Building ships at a young age he was one of the first in his family to take such an interest, as he constantly read up on subjects such as whaling and fighting vessels. This allowed him to build a backlog of materials and ideas to create his novels, ensuring that they became a lot more in-depth in the process.

Still writing to this very day he has managed to amass a large amount of work over the many years of his long and illustrious writing career. With him having written over seventeen novels so far and counting, he’s had a long and highly successful career focusing largely on history; naval and otherwise. This is something that’s expected to continue on into the foreseeable future, as his writing career grows from strength-to-strength.

Writing Career

Turning to writing full-time in 1992 at the age of thirty, he begun to write his first novel ‘By Force of Arms’. Using his experience as a mariner from all the previous years, he took a historical look into the past, along with a highly vivid and imaginative narrative that also managed to engage his readers too. Finally releasing it to the general public in 1996, he brought out his debut novel on the first of February to much acclaim.

Creating over four series during the course of his career, many with recurring characters, he’s built himself an impressive backlog of work. With franchises such as the ‘Revolution at Sea Saga’, the ‘Brethren of the Coast’ series, the ‘Civil War at Sea’ series and the ‘Book of the Norsemen’ series, he has become a highly prolific and versatile author. All of this has allowed him to become a leading figure in the historical fiction genre, ensuring that he is one of the most accurate voices to date.

Gaining a lot of critical acclaim as well over the years, he’s also managed to build himself a respectful profile among his peers and contemporaries too. Winning the ‘Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature’ in 2009 for his novel ‘George Washington’s Secret Navy’ he was well on his way to becoming a firmly established name on the scene. Reaching a commercial level of success too, he was also appreciated by the general public, as well as the critics.

With a worldwide audience, he has managed to build himself a global following with his universal themes and ideas. Setting many of his stories on the sea, along with plenty of other historical period novels, his books are easy to follow and highly accessible. Bringing the readers into this other world, he allows the setting to slowly speak for themselves, giving his audience an insight they may not have had otherwise.

Writing from his home in Harpswell in Maine to this very day, he continues to put out books at a regular and consistent pace. Married to his wife Lisa, they have two sons Jonathan and Nathaniel, along with two daughters Abbey and Elizabeth. Not showing signs of stopping anytime soon, he has plenty more titles on the horizon, something that shall continue for some time to come.

The Lord of Vik-lo: A Novel of Viking Age Ireland

Coming out initially in 2015 through the ‘Fore Topsail Press’ publishing label, this was first released on the 26th of March to much acclaim. Setting up the third title in the ongoing series of ‘The Norsemen Saga’ novels, it manages to carry on in much the same vein as before. With a lot of the narrative arcs continuing, it brings back many of the characters from before, developing them even further than last time.

As Thorgrim Night Wolf makes his preparations to leave Dubh-linn, the Viking town he has spent much time at, he is all set to return to Norway. Looking to leave the Viking life behind him, he plans to return to Vik and become a farmer settling down, but this isn’t to be. Ending up in the Viking longphort called Vik-lo it soon transpires the leader there, Grimarr Giant, wants both Thorgrim and his son Harald dead. Will he be able to survive? Can he ever return home? What will happen when he faces the Lord of Vik-lo?

The Continental Risque

Setting up the third title in the ongoing ‘Isaac Biddlecomb’ series of books, this was originally brought out in 1998 on the 1st of August. Initially released through the ‘Gallery Books’ publishing house, this was set to carry on from the previous two novels, continuing the story in the process. Featuring the eponymous protagonist of the title once again it manages to recapture many of the ideas that came before, whilst also introducing some new ideas along the way.

With the Continental Congress sending a message of independence throughout its chambers, it would appear that some major changes are underway. This means it is therefore up to Isaac Biddlecomb to lead his crew and engage The Royal Navy and save the day. This being the final book in the trilogy everything comes to a conclusion here for the captain, in this final epic installment of the trilogy. Will he help gain independence? Can he save the day? What will become of the Continental Risque?

6 Responses to “James L. Nelson”

1. Wanda Gallegos: 3 months ago

   Really want to know if there will be a book or series showing ott and veek lo, Harold broadarm and thorgram. Just finished whole series and nothing compares!!

   Reply
2. Richard Goff: 8 months ago

   Mr Nelson. I’ve read and still own almost all of your works. I am anxiously waiting for a second book following ‘The Buccaneer Coast’. Will there be a second book in what looked to be the start of another great series.

   Thank you very much!!
   Dick Goff

   Reply
3. Dennis Strickland: 2 years ago

   Hey Jim,

   Anymore Norseman Saga (book 11?) or Buccaneer Coast (book 2?) novels coming out?

   Seems it’s been a long time, and I loved both series.

   Thanks,

   Dennis

   Reply
4. Linda: 2 years ago

   Will there be another Norsemen saga book. Have read them all and truly enjoyed them.

   Reply
5. dorothy gerow: 3 years ago

   Enjoyed the Norsemen saga. When will book 11 come out>

   Reply
   • Norman Isenberg: 3 years ago

     Interesting series to follow. Always leaves questions yet to be answered.

     Reply