About the Book

Book: Silver Bounty

Author: Victoria McCombs

Genre: YA Pirate Fantasy

Release date: January 10, 2023

Never Trust a Pirate

Emme is tasked with getting rid of the king, but kings are not an easy target, and this one is bent on purging his lands of pirates. As Emme’s job becomes increasingly dangerous, she learns to survive the pirate way—cunning and merciless—while consoling herself with one fact: she’s just doing what it takes to get home.

But when Emme mistakenly takes out the wrong man, not even the protective pirate captain can save her from the consequences. In a string of betrayals, one thing is certain. You can never trust a pirate.

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About the Author

Victoria McCombs is the author of The Storyteller’s Series, and The Royal Rose Chronicles, with hopefully many more to come. She survives on hazelnut coffee, 20-minute naps, and a healthy fear of her deadlines, all while raising three wildlings with her husband in Omaha, Nebraska.

More from Victoria

Pirates are more civilized than I gave them credit for. Did you know the captain didn’t have complete authority over the ship? While researching for the book, I discovered they used a voting system, and the captain followed what the crew wanted. Usually pirate stories depict a strong captain that makes all the decisions, so it was a fun twist to include more of the democracy style of the early pirates into my story. With that, came the fun power struggles as different crew members wanted different things, and they all try to sway the command of the ship. Smaller crew alliances form, friendships are tested, trust broken, and the future of the Royal Rose comes into question as, at times, the greatest threat to them lies within their own crew.

Author Interview with Victoria

What does success as an author look like to you?

I’ve been dreaming of a movie deal for a future book idea, with Ben Barnes or Henry Cavill starring—so my dreams are pretty lofty right now! Realistically, I’d like to support my family of five off my income, so that’s my goal in the next few years.

Which character did you connect to best in this book?

I gave Emme the disease that runs through my family, then I gave her my insecurities about never feeling like I belong. So she is such a reflection of me that it’s hard for me to send the book out for fear of how people will react to her.

Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

The main character in this book is sick with a disease that I gave a fake name to. But it’s a real disease in my family, and it’s hit us hard. I can’t know until I’m older if I have it as well, but I poured out all my emotions into Emme as I faced my fears of going through it someday. The scene where she discovers her hands are too unstable to write was the hardest, and I think I cried three times while writing/editing that one.

What inspired this book?

This is actually ironic, but I thought to myself that I wanted a solid pirate book, but didn’t know of any. So I wrote one. In the process of writing book one, four huge pirate books were released, and I started hearing about so many more, and I realized I wasn’t as original as I thought! Luckily there are some unique things, like the oathbinding tattoos to help it stand out.

Which author influenced the you most?

Stephanie Garber’s Caraval showed me how to create a vivid world that readers want to drown themselves into, and Adrienne Young taught me to create strong characters.

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

Zechariah 2:5 “I will be a wall of fire around her,” declared the LORD, “And I will be the glory within her midst.”

What is your vacation spot?

I went to the mountains this fall and it was beautiful! But honestly, I’m such a homebody.

What are you reading right now?

Adrienne Young’s The Last Legacy

Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

I’m obsessed with my floor to ceiling windows that coat the wall directing in front of my writing desk, and in the spring the trees bloom with white flowers while the petals fall like snow. Behind me are my large bookshelves with my collection proudly displayed. My favorite part is how my writing room is in the middle of the house, with the family living around me, so writing feels like something we are all a part of.

If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

Okay, I know this is a basic answer, but hear me out. I’d take my Bible, because (well, because of Jesus) but because it’s so huge, that I could read a new thing every day for a year, then start over. All the other books would be so short that I’d memorize them quickly and grow bored.

Thank you for letting us get to know you!