Down to a Sunlit Sea

The Winds of Fortune #5

by John Wiltshire, Isobel Starling (Illustrator), Gary Furlong (Narrator)

When you stop fighting windmills, imaginary or otherwise, you tend to end up with a lot of time on your hands. Of course, Aleksey Rider-Mikkelsen, Lord of Light Island, isn’t going to get bored. And if he did, he obviously wouldn’t join a preposterous hunt for sunken treasure with Ben and his annoying friends to keep himself entertained. He only has himself to blame, therefore, when a fun adventure suddenly turns deadly serious. There’s a reason some treasure should stay hidden. What he is about to unearth in the sub-tropical paradise of Scilly could have profound implications for the origins of all peoples of the world. And some of his companions are willing to kill to make sure that story is never told.

Genres: M M Romance, Suspense, Contemporary, LGBT, Audiobook, Action, Mystery Thriller

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2023

About the author

John Wiltshire is the fictional persona of the author of the More Heat Than The Sun series. After spending twenty-two years in the military perfecting the art
of looking busy whilst secretly writing, John left as a senior officer
when a hastily dug tunnel was ready for use. Now living in New
Zealand (at least until enough money can be raised to leave) John has no plans to return to the army. Unless the world situation gets considerably worse, that is.

Reviews

[BevS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I'm really not sure what to make of this new series of stories as a whole...one thing's for definite though, they're just not as good as the original More Heat Than The Sun series and I would suspect that because they've not been placed under the correct John Wiltshire author here on Goodreads, many readers of the original series are blissfully unaware of this new series existence 😕.

As far as this particular story is concerned, we have treasure, avid treasure hunters, deadly great white sharks, a murder or two, a peaceful death or two, and to be perfectly honest IMHO, rather toned down versions of the Misters Rider-Mikkelsen although that does change towards the end. I can't exactly say that I've been champing at the bit to read the next story in the new series...unlike the old series, and the formatting problems [small print then larger print and back again] and general editing laziness [oh btw, Breton relates to most things pertaining to Brittany, but it's not a place] throughout the whole series have made reading it a real challenge for me, and not something I've particularly enjoyed. Can the REAL John Wiltshire please stand up? 4 stars.

[AGandyGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 Stars*

Hmmmm...this is my least favorite of the 5. The treasure hunt was fun but the backstory and set up just went on and on.

The highlights however are again just more with these two but more importantly more page time with Miles. I just adore this quirky kid.

There was no indication at the end of this that there would be more, but I have to believe this is not the end. The original series is far better but these are fun adventures and great glimpses into the craziness of life these two are experiencing together.

[Simone - on indefinite hiatus - · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3 - 3.5 Stars***

[Tou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read more heat than the sun over and over and over again on KU and then I devoured the winds of fortune, i can never have enough of the boys and I hope with all myself that they will return again. In the meanwhile, I decided to buy all the books in paperback format!! They’re a bit pricey for me, but I will buy one each month starting from next month. Thanks to you I can have them in my life forever 🩷

[Clary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just never want this series to end! (It had to be sharks, right? Ack! And I thought the polar bear was crazy).

[ᐯEᖇOᑎIᑕᗩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
Another adventure with Ben and Aleksey...equal parts over the top and heartfelt. The treasure hunt veers into wild territory (as it tends to with these two), but I didn’t mind. There’s a bittersweet thread running through this one, especially with Enid and Billy’s story, and it hit me harder than I expected. I’ll never get tired of this found family or the glimpses into their ever-growing circle.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. A fitting end to this story arc. I’m really hoping the author continues this series. I need these characters in my life.

[Calen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve said it before and I will gladly say it again: This is my favourite series and I love following along with these characters. I want to live in this world. There is so much to admire here. Particularly the character development in this book. It might have the most of all the books so far. I was genuinely touched reading it. A special nod to the author for writing Michael some proper recognition from his “best friend.”

[MaRoj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le dio una pata a un tiburón de 8 metros 🤨 Me sentí viendo a Jason Statham en Megalodon pero luego de lo del oso, el tsunami, los caníbales y una larga lista de asesinos ya un tiburón debería de ser lo de menos.

Por otro lado «Aun no me quiero ir Sr Stark» 😢 quiero seguir leyendo más de Aleksey 😭 denme más libros

[jasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this complaining about Ben and Aleksey’s story being 14 books long (quite a few of which were 500+ pages!!!) but I’m so damn sad to say goodbye because I’m sure this is the end. An enjoyable, if not final, adventure for the gang. I didn’t enjoy Harry yapping on about the story like just get to the treasure hunting damn. But alas, I’ve really come to love these characters.

[L Monster · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars for the last book of a 5-Star Series!

Alas, this book wasn't anything special. It was a bit boring at times and I fell asleep once or twice, BUT it was a final goodbye to the Ryder-Mikkelsens, and I am going to miss them dearly.

I do understand that John Wiltshire might be done with the series for good. I kind of prefer it like this, actually. I think everything that had to be said about these two has been said. They deserve to live the rest of their lives in peace, without increasingly farfetched plot lines and last-minute villains.

It would also really make no sense to bring them back into conflict. There isn't anything these two can't work out at this point. They're deeply committed to each other, so no conflict arising from lack of trust would be believable. Not after everything they've been through (kidnappings, amnesia, religious conversion, alleged infidelity, drug addiction, secrets from the past, etc). They're also billionaires and there's little money can't solve. On top of that, they're in good health, with a great support system (I mean, they're on intimate terms with the Queen of England and they've got about a fuckton of bodyguards and a former navy officer hero looking after the island. And the dogs, we can't forget the dogs. And Squeezy. God, I love Squeezy.

I'd toyed with the idea of them maybe getting into a polycule with Tim and Squeezy. I wouldn't have hated that in the slightest, but I do see how fans might be divided if that were the case. Let's leave that to the fanfics. I wonder if there are fanfics... hmm...

So, here's the long awaited ranking with links to my reviews.

MORE HEAT THAN THE SUN series

1. Love is a Stranger ★★★★★
2. Conscious Decisions of the Heart ★★★★
3. The Bridge of Silver Wings ★★★★
4. This Other Country ★★★★★ (would give more if I could!)
5. The Bruise-Black Sky ★★★★
6. Death's Ink-Black Shadow ★★★★
7. Enduring Night ★★★★★
8. This Fateful Heap of Days ★★★★★
9. The Bright and Hungry Future of Hawks ★★★★

THE WINDS OF FORTUNE series

1. The Gods of Chaos and Chance ★★★
2. The Paths Less Travelled ★★★.5
3. The Meaning of Storms ★★★★
4. Shadows in the Mist ★★★
5. Down to a Sunlit Sea ★★★

And that's all, folks!
The first series was the stronger one, no doubt, but the second one featured Aleksey's POV and that was simply priceless.
I loved these books so much and I will be going back to them for the rest of my life, I'm certain of that.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in tears here. Its the last of this series.....
I was up til the wee small hours of the morning - could not put it down !!!
Talk about anxiety driven reading.... Like, I know these guys have gotten themselves into some hairy situations but this time - OMG - are you kidding me ??
I cant say anymore for fear of spoiling it for other readers, but if this author and series is new to you - start at Book 1 series 1 and belt yourself in for one hell of a ride.
Thank you JW - more please.......

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrated by Gary Furlong. Have I mentioned that I love his narration for these characters in particular. Especially his “tsk” sound that Alexei makes. It’s so perfectly Alexei. Anywhoodles, I’m pretty sure this is the finale for Season 2. And I really hope there will be another season. I love these characters, they are so fascinating. In this book, a major mystery is uncovered, there is some awful violence, a few minor mysteries are resolved and a few new mysteries hinted at.

KU + whisper sync

[Carole M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope there are more to come!

I don’t think I could ever get enough of Aleksey (Nik) & Ben and the rest of the crew. These characters are some of the best I’ve ever read.
This last one in series 2, please don’t be the last one, is so well written and will keep you clued to the story.

[Bekka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skipped to the end of the book to double check it also has "To be continued" written on the last page...but it didn't! It read "The End" which after reading the book and ending I find hard to believe. Ben and Aleksey will never be at the End and I will keep reading their story for as many books as this author writes!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read and a twist I truly did not see coming!!

Are these the finest novels ever written? No. Is the sex entirely unrealistic and actually physically impossible? Yes. Have I completely fallen in love with this couple and long for more of them? Oh, absolutely! This will definitely be a series I return to time and time again.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Not my favorite in the series, but I won't complain because I love spending time with Aleksey and Ben so much. The ending was optimistic after the upsetting events that happened, but I'm going to choose to believe they are possible. I don't know if this is the end, but I would be very happy to keep reading about Ben and Aleksey.

Read December 6, 2025

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!
I want more!
Narration is perfection!

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 heartwarming stars

I hate that this might be the end of our guys journey!!! I’ll miss them so much.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible series, never disappoints, im always wanting more from this family by this fantastic story teller

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't believe I'm going to say this... Oh, the shame... I found myself, for the very first time, skipping over pages in Ben and Aleksey's story. I'm not giving up, though, I'm just waiting for GF to read it to me. I'm so embarrassed!

Months later
Finally! I got to listen to GF read the story to me, and... I still don't know. It's a mixed bag of emotions, but mostly, I'm sad that this is the end of the adventure. I'll probably listen to all 14 books again and again.