Fighting King George

Set in the sweltering summer of 1775, the story opens on the Charleston waterfront as the colonies stir against British oppression. The distant drumbeats of approaching warships signal that the quiet of the South Carolina coast is about to shatter, and rumors of a looming strike for liberty swirl through the air.

Sixteen‑year‑old Tom Deering, the son of a prosperous planter, rows his skiff beside Cole, a massive young enslaved man whose strength and loyalty echo that of a living statue. As they watch the British vessels anchoring near Sullivan’s Island, the pair wrestle with the promise of rebellion—Tom hopeful for a new future, Cole haunted by the brutal memories of his own bondage. Their uneasy alliance hints at a daring plan that could bring them face‑to‑face with the iron‑clad guns of Fort Johnson, setting the stage for a clash that will test courage, friendship, and the yearning for freedom.