Rani Karden finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time and becomes a victim of the "civilized" wars of the Five Kingdoms. Along with her brother's wife and children, she finds herself held hostage for ransom aboard the privateer Fleetwind. Sorri Westmere, captain of the Fleetwind, sets out to tame the fiery redhead, but she is soon captivated herself. Striving to teach Rani that being a hostage isn't as bad as it might sound, Sorri learns that perhaps her choice of careers is an impediment to personal happiness. Privateer is a fantasy novel of 140,000 words and is the first in the Five Kingdoms series.

After being left behind on the docks of Southgate, Rani Karden struggles to put her life back together. Glora and her family provide a loving safe haven, but Rani is unable to forget Fleetwind's captain. But then, Minori asks the right questions, and Rani realizes she is the key to ending the wars that victimize the women and children of Norida. And Fleetwind is the lock. This novel of 220,000 words continues the story of Rani Karden and Sorri Westmere. And their friends.