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The Arrow and the Flame #1
A Flash of Golden Fire
Twenty-two-year-old Simon White begs for a place on Captain Dinesh Martin’s pirate ship, the Arrow. When he proves hilariously inadequate at most tasks, he finds himself in the captain’s quarters as cabin boy, housekeeper, and bed warmer.
Captain Martin used to be a British naval officer, until he became disenchanted with the hypocrisy, racism, and classism of the institution and embarked on a life of piracy. He runs an organized and efficient vessel and prides himself on the men with whom he surrounds himself. He is esteemed and admired, and he gives them as good a life as they’ve ever known.
But Simon has more than a few surprises up his sleeve, including some frightening powers, and Dinesh learns that sometimes a pretty appearance and amenable disposition can fool even an experienced man of the seas.
Captain Martin used to be a British naval officer, until he became disenchanted with the hypocrisy, racism, and classism of the institution and embarked on a life of piracy. He runs an organized and efficient vessel and prides himself on the men with whom he surrounds himself. He is esteemed and admired, and he gives them as good a life as they’ve ever known.
But Simon has more than a few surprises up his sleeve, including some frightening powers, and Dinesh learns that sometimes a pretty appearance and amenable disposition can fool even an experienced man of the seas.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2025
About the author
A.E. Lister
53 books242 followersExquisite LGBTQ+ Romance. Incendiary encounters, stealthy romance, multiple genres. AE Lister is a Canadian non-binary/gender fluid author with a vivid imagination and a head full of unique and interesting characters. They have been writing for publication since 2011 and have published over 25 books.
Website: https://aelisterauthor.com/
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Website: https://aelisterauthor.com/
Blog: https://aelisterauthor.weebly.com/
Newsletter Sign-up: https://stats.sender.net/forms/dPOr6b...
Quick Links: https://aelisterauthor.com/quick-links
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 25, 2025
⭐️4.5 stars ⭐️
Kinky pirate romance with a fantasy twist.
A Flash Of Golden Fire was such a fun pirate-y & sexy romp! I came for the sexiness, but was pleasantly surprised by the entertaining plot, the crew of misfits, and our cheeky main character, Simon, who was just hilarious and lovely.
These two were such a match, loved the banter and Simon’s brattiness. The kinks were ‘tame’ compared to other works I’ve read by this author, but I liked their dynamic, of dominant Captain and bratty cabin boy, and I loved that they didn’t take everything seriously, but just had fun with each other, in and out of the bedroom.
The plot, or rather the actual presence of a plot, was surprising. Yes, it’s mostly erotica, but I liked that there was more to it, more to the characters than just sexy men getting it on, more to Simon than just the Captain’s fucktoy (their words, not mine).
That HFN ending, though, made me so sad. I wanted to see more of their crazy adventures.
Other than that, this was a super fun time and exactly what I needed.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Age gap (maybe 10 years?)
- Mentions of parental death (past)
- Top/bottom
- Threesome scene
- Orgasm control
- Facial
- Overstimulation
- Light breeding kink
- Impact play/spanking
- Restraints
- Virgin role-play
- Wait, that’s not a dildo! (spoiler, A BAR OF SOAP 💀I can’t)
- Butt plugs
“Oh, Rooster. I’m positive that I will be extremely satisfied with this arrangement.” Dear God, what had I just signed up for?
Kinky pirate romance with a fantasy twist.
A Flash Of Golden Fire was such a fun pirate-y & sexy romp! I came for the sexiness, but was pleasantly surprised by the entertaining plot, the crew of misfits, and our cheeky main character, Simon, who was just hilarious and lovely.
“I like the men I fuck to be restrained, as you will see, and I’m not the most gentle of lovers.” A shudder wracked me. I nodded. “Well, it just so happens, Captain Martin, that I’m rather fond of a man who knows what he wants… and isn’t afraid to take the pleasure.”
These two were such a match, loved the banter and Simon’s brattiness. The kinks were ‘tame’ compared to other works I’ve read by this author, but I liked their dynamic, of dominant Captain and bratty cabin boy, and I loved that they didn’t take everything seriously, but just had fun with each other, in and out of the bedroom.
“Goddamn it, Rooster. How on earth did I resist you for so long? Hmm? Even desperate and as filthy as you were, you lit a fire within me. And that flame only burns brighter now.”
The plot, or rather the actual presence of a plot, was surprising. Yes, it’s mostly erotica, but I liked that there was more to it, more to the characters than just sexy men getting it on, more to Simon than just the Captain’s fucktoy (their words, not mine).
“Does boarding vessels inflame your blood, Captain?” He grunted. “Aye. Though not as much as boarding young upstarts like yourself.”
That HFN ending, though, made me so sad. I wanted to see more of their crazy adventures.
Other than that, this was a super fun time and exactly what I needed.
“I don’t want to lose you.” I stared at him, seeing genuine care for me in his kind expression. “I don’t want you to lose me either,” I whispered.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Age gap (maybe 10 years?)
- Mentions of parental death (past)
- Top/bottom
- Threesome scene
- Orgasm control
- Facial
- Overstimulation
- Light breeding kink
- Impact play/spanking
- Restraints
- Virgin role-play
- Wait, that’s not a dildo! (spoiler, A BAR OF SOAP 💀I can’t)
- Butt plugs
February 13, 2026
You know how they say not to judge books by their covers? This is 1000% an example of this - it was NOTHING like what I was expecting going into it. I was expecting a seafaring tale of storms and terror and bloodthirsty pirates. What I got was a HILARIOUS comedy at sea with an absolute riot of a main character whose only skill in life is sucking dick and being a brat. This book sits firmly in the same category as ‘Our Flag Means Death’ and Alexandra Rowland’s ‘Running Close To The Wind’.
Do not go into this expecting an accurate historical seafaring account (for that you want Katie Daysh’s ‘Leeward’), but expect A LOT of kinky sex (ropes, dom/sub dynamics, spanking) and general hilarity. Our main character, Simon, spends an alarming amount of time chasing the ship’s goat and being a sassy lil motherfucker (Simon, not the goat). He’s just so deeply funny; he’s mouthy and rude and just a general chaos gremlin. I adored him, and his love interest, the charismatic Captain Dinesh Martin, who was a delightful mix of Stede Bonnet and Captain Blackbeard from OFMD.
80% of this book is Dinesh and Simon having sex and frankly, it was a delight. Then there’s a lil supernatural element (Simon is more than just some boring human y’know, but also he doesn’t want this responsibility, he just wants to get dicked down, ya feel me?). There’s also a section towards the end where Dinesh and Simon hire a molly and all sleep together… I am sort of hoping it becomes MMM in book 2 because I LOVED Domingo; I can be a bit funny about sharing between MCs but Domingo absolutely fit their dynamic and I just loved him.
Overall an amazing read; silly, funny, sexy and chaotic - not the book I was expecting, but 100% the book I needed 😹
Do not go into this expecting an accurate historical seafaring account (for that you want Katie Daysh’s ‘Leeward’), but expect A LOT of kinky sex (ropes, dom/sub dynamics, spanking) and general hilarity. Our main character, Simon, spends an alarming amount of time chasing the ship’s goat and being a sassy lil motherfucker (Simon, not the goat). He’s just so deeply funny; he’s mouthy and rude and just a general chaos gremlin. I adored him, and his love interest, the charismatic Captain Dinesh Martin, who was a delightful mix of Stede Bonnet and Captain Blackbeard from OFMD.
80% of this book is Dinesh and Simon having sex and frankly, it was a delight. Then there’s a lil supernatural element (Simon is more than just some boring human y’know, but also he doesn’t want this responsibility, he just wants to get dicked down, ya feel me?). There’s also a section towards the end where Dinesh and Simon hire a molly and all sleep together… I am sort of hoping it becomes MMM in book 2 because I LOVED Domingo; I can be a bit funny about sharing between MCs but Domingo absolutely fit their dynamic and I just loved him.
Overall an amazing read; silly, funny, sexy and chaotic - not the book I was expecting, but 100% the book I needed 😹
May 24, 2025
Pirates with a dash of magic! I love it
This book was so unexpectedly fun and funny. Simon was so incredibly likable and hilarious with his ornery wit and his snark towards Captain Dinesh, it made for an oddly endearing and addicting dynamic. I ended up absolutely adoring the two of them together.
This is a swashbuckling adventure that stars down on his luck Simon as he swindles (actually more like begs) his way onto the private ship of rakish Captain Dinesh, who quickly learns although Simon has enough attitude to drown the whole ship, he isn't the most talented at sailing. Eventually he and the captain form a bond and Simon ends up as the cabin boy.
It's kinky and exciting and full of all the adventure on the high seas you could want in a pirate romance. My favorite part was the chemistry between Simon and Dinesh, I thought it was quite well done. I also liked the found family feeling you begin to get by the end of the book as the crew bonds. I'm definitely keeping an eye on this series as I'm invested now and am really excited to see what happens next.
This book was so unexpectedly fun and funny. Simon was so incredibly likable and hilarious with his ornery wit and his snark towards Captain Dinesh, it made for an oddly endearing and addicting dynamic. I ended up absolutely adoring the two of them together.
This is a swashbuckling adventure that stars down on his luck Simon as he swindles (actually more like begs) his way onto the private ship of rakish Captain Dinesh, who quickly learns although Simon has enough attitude to drown the whole ship, he isn't the most talented at sailing. Eventually he and the captain form a bond and Simon ends up as the cabin boy.
It's kinky and exciting and full of all the adventure on the high seas you could want in a pirate romance. My favorite part was the chemistry between Simon and Dinesh, I thought it was quite well done. I also liked the found family feeling you begin to get by the end of the book as the crew bonds. I'm definitely keeping an eye on this series as I'm invested now and am really excited to see what happens next.
June 2, 2025
A Flash of Golden Fire is my all time favorite style of romance from A.E. Lister! Sassy, wiley, young man courts older, devilish rake - and wraps him around his little finger. Sparks fly, passion burns, and the adventures never end!
Told entirely in the first person, which Lister writes so beautifully, we get to know all the characters through Simon’s telling. I love how the story unfolds and the relationships grow - and since I don’t want to spoil it, I’m not going to say anything more about that!
A.E. Lister sets up multiple fascinating aspects of the story for future episodes, and I hope there are going to be many. Fans of this wonderful author are going to love A Flash of Golden Fire. And if you haven’t discovered them yet, this is the perfect time to give their writing a go. Fans of historical, swashbuckling pirate romances are going to love it as well. I highly recommend this one.
an advanced copy of A Flash of Golden Fire was graciously provided by the author, at my request, for the purpose of my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Told entirely in the first person, which Lister writes so beautifully, we get to know all the characters through Simon’s telling. I love how the story unfolds and the relationships grow - and since I don’t want to spoil it, I’m not going to say anything more about that!
A.E. Lister sets up multiple fascinating aspects of the story for future episodes, and I hope there are going to be many. Fans of this wonderful author are going to love A Flash of Golden Fire. And if you haven’t discovered them yet, this is the perfect time to give their writing a go. Fans of historical, swashbuckling pirate romances are going to love it as well. I highly recommend this one.
an advanced copy of A Flash of Golden Fire was graciously provided by the author, at my request, for the purpose of my honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 11, 2025
4,25 ⭐
A fast-paced MM romantasy with pirates? Sign me up! This was a fun, goofy time all around 🤩
A fast-paced MM romantasy with pirates? Sign me up! This was a fun, goofy time all around 🤩
September 27, 2025
4⭐
This was sexy and humorous. I can definitely see the 'Our Flag Means Death' influence here. The captain has many similarities with the Blackbeard of the series too, so if you were one us going all heart eyes watching the series, you might want to try this out.
Simon on the other hand is cheeky and slutty, and in no way ashamed of those things. There's plenty of good smut in this book, with a humorous edge, very typical for the author. I'm still not a fan of spanking, but it's not overly used here. And I didn't really enjoy the power imbalance but I think it's not too bad for the setting.
The book is a bit too long and the stakes aren't really high enough for the larger adventure. Simon's ability is just a too powerful panic button. Still, it was a fun book, and I didn't get bored bored at any moment. Though I am a bit hesitant if a sequel will entertain me, it will depend on where things are going. I'd rather read the story of a certain supporting character than continue with this couple.
This was sexy and humorous. I can definitely see the 'Our Flag Means Death' influence here. The captain has many similarities with the Blackbeard of the series too, so if you were one us going all heart eyes watching the series, you might want to try this out.
Simon on the other hand is cheeky and slutty, and in no way ashamed of those things. There's plenty of good smut in this book, with a humorous edge, very typical for the author. I'm still not a fan of spanking, but it's not overly used here. And I didn't really enjoy the power imbalance but I think it's not too bad for the setting.
The book is a bit too long and the stakes aren't really high enough for the larger adventure. Simon's ability is just a too powerful panic button. Still, it was a fun book, and I didn't get bored bored at any moment. Though I am a bit hesitant if a sequel will entertain me, it will depend on where things are going. I'd rather read the story of a certain supporting character than continue with this couple.
October 28, 2025
4.5 stars. This was loads of fun. Although I almost DNF’ed shortly out of the gate because it was feeling a little PnP. But it grew legs and took a delightful turn, and I had a rollicking good time.
Simon was a gem. Charming, sassy, witty, earnest. I adored him. The Captain was a sweetheart. So smitten with Simon and a bit helpless in the face of his infatuation and love. There's lots of sex. Lots. But it wasn't one of those situations where you become bored and desensitized and start to skip. Nope, it remained hot and fun and humorous throughout. The cast of side characters was perfection. Vivid and funny and likable. Esmaralda was of course my favorite. She made me laugh my head off. Bang up writing, full of humor, and true to the time period.
I’m crazy eager to know if/when there will be another book. Simon and Dinesh’s story seems very unfinished, and there's loads of opportunity for further adventure.
Simon was a gem. Charming, sassy, witty, earnest. I adored him. The Captain was a sweetheart. So smitten with Simon and a bit helpless in the face of his infatuation and love. There's lots of sex. Lots. But it wasn't one of those situations where you become bored and desensitized and start to skip. Nope, it remained hot and fun and humorous throughout. The cast of side characters was perfection. Vivid and funny and likable. Esmaralda was of course my favorite. She made me laugh my head off. Bang up writing, full of humor, and true to the time period.
I’m crazy eager to know if/when there will be another book. Simon and Dinesh’s story seems very unfinished, and there's loads of opportunity for further adventure.
March 6, 2026
This was such a fun and steamy read! I loved the pirate theme mixed in with a bit of witchcraft plus some kinky spice! This is book is witty, funny, and just a delight! Can’t wait for the next! Simon is a scamp and Captain Martin has a firm hand with him 🤭
November 10, 2025
A E Lister hits the high seas and it is sublime. They do historical settings SO well. Their historical Western 760 Miles has always been a personal favourite but A Flash of Golden Fire has now taken the lead! Simon's petulant and almost childish nature is beautifully contrasted by Captain Dinesh's steady, and heavy, hand. As always, the spicy scenes are well done and the bdsm interactinos are fascinating and tantalising...you just never know what to expect! I love the introduction of the fantasy element - which comes in a slow burn....literally ha ha. My only complaint with this book was that it ended, and I need more :)
June 17, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
This is a bit of a romp, with lots of sex, sailing, and some magic. We learn much about Simon’s pyrotechnical backstory, and the captain has his hands full with loving Simon properly, while keeping his more superstitious crew members from tossing “witch” Simon overboard.
The story is the first of a series, and I would one hundred percent read the next book. Simon and Dinesh are fun and playful, having delicious lusty times together, and even inviting a third in under the right circumstances. I would definitely recommend for readers who like sexy, historical romances, or pirate stories with a twist of the supernatural.
Read Veronica's review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
This is a bit of a romp, with lots of sex, sailing, and some magic. We learn much about Simon’s pyrotechnical backstory, and the captain has his hands full with loving Simon properly, while keeping his more superstitious crew members from tossing “witch” Simon overboard.
The story is the first of a series, and I would one hundred percent read the next book. Simon and Dinesh are fun and playful, having delicious lusty times together, and even inviting a third in under the right circumstances. I would definitely recommend for readers who like sexy, historical romances, or pirate stories with a twist of the supernatural.
Read Veronica's review in its entirety here.
Read
May 29, 2025DNF @ 25% - this book is perfectly fine, but there was nothing that really pulled me in and got me invested. I was pretty bored after a few chapters and I’d rather just move on.
If you’re looking for a horny pirate romance with a bratty MC, do give this one a try.
*I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
If you’re looking for a horny pirate romance with a bratty MC, do give this one a try.
*I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
June 7, 2025
I’ve enjoyed other books by this author, and was happy to have really liked this one! It’s fun, spicy, has a decent plot… but it’s HFN 😭 I’m invested and eager for more in this series.
June 7, 2025
It is a good book and a couple.
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2025
Ahoy! Let's greet the Chaos incarnate and all the adventures that lie ahead! This series starts with a literal, not proverbial bang, setting the expectations of the readers to soar high!
A shining example how kinky erotica can seamlessly co exist with plot driven, action packed story and give you heart melting, soul touching memories. AE Lister is a very interesting author that can effortlessly deliver books with different flavours, wildly varying from historical to modern contemporary, but always with her typical signature - kink and BDSM elements, woven in to spike the spice.
When homeless and desperate Simon begs for a place on Captain Martin's ship, he is completely unaware how much his life will change. I read the whole story in one go, enthralled by the dynamic. The magic twist was unexpected, but welcome addition.
Simon was so easy to fall in love with - sassy, open minded, witty, quick thinker and animal lover. His big heart was big enough to love and care even avout chickens and the goats, that were taken aboard. One more sign how empathetic the boy is. I had a secret suspicion his bright, sweet personality is a spell crafter with the way he charms everyone who has spent time around him.
As per usual the author has given the story a strong hurt/comfort/healing vibe and the crew of the ship is actually one big, tightly knit family, where Simon fits perfectly in.
Dinesh Martin, the kinky captain and the whole crew actually made me laugh so many times. Because as always the secondary characters, AE Lister describes, aren't just a mere filler, but make the story even more lively, rowdy and all around entertaining. Hillier, Mr.Guthrie, Boone, Domingo and let's not forget Esmeralda were as interesting and colorful as presence as the rest of the plot.
Ty for this amazing ARC opportunity, AE Lister!
A shining example how kinky erotica can seamlessly co exist with plot driven, action packed story and give you heart melting, soul touching memories. AE Lister is a very interesting author that can effortlessly deliver books with different flavours, wildly varying from historical to modern contemporary, but always with her typical signature - kink and BDSM elements, woven in to spike the spice.
When homeless and desperate Simon begs for a place on Captain Martin's ship, he is completely unaware how much his life will change. I read the whole story in one go, enthralled by the dynamic. The magic twist was unexpected, but welcome addition.
Simon was so easy to fall in love with - sassy, open minded, witty, quick thinker and animal lover. His big heart was big enough to love and care even avout chickens and the goats, that were taken aboard. One more sign how empathetic the boy is. I had a secret suspicion his bright, sweet personality is a spell crafter with the way he charms everyone who has spent time around him.
As per usual the author has given the story a strong hurt/comfort/healing vibe and the crew of the ship is actually one big, tightly knit family, where Simon fits perfectly in.
Dinesh Martin, the kinky captain and the whole crew actually made me laugh so many times. Because as always the secondary characters, AE Lister describes, aren't just a mere filler, but make the story even more lively, rowdy and all around entertaining. Hillier, Mr.Guthrie, Boone, Domingo and let's not forget Esmeralda were as interesting and colorful as presence as the rest of the plot.
Ty for this amazing ARC opportunity, AE Lister!
June 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! The part of me that is still in love with Pirates of the Caribbean all those years later was very happy!
I struggled a little bit during maybe the first half of the book.
While we get to know the characters and the setting and how they start to be together… there wasn’t much action.
The setting felt quite realistic. It didn’t just romanticize everything on the sea, like how filthy pirates actually were.
The MC Simon starts working at Captain Martin’s privateer ship. He does some jobs on the ship until he kind of stumbles into a sexual relationship with the Captain.
And for a while nothing much more happens in the book than that they have sex. I mean it is great kinky sex, but I missed a bit of adventure.
But I worried too soon, because after some fucking the action started and didn’t disappoint at all!
I wondered why the book was marked with witchcraft and that got explained there as well.
Not going into too much detail, but it has a bit of a paranormal aspect, but nothing like PotC! It totally stands on its own!
The relationship between Simon and Captain Martin (being a bit kinky Simon decided that he likes to refer to him that way) grows beyond sex, but I think there is still a bit to go on before they could be their forever love.
The book is the first in a series, so there is so much more potential for them and for the amazing world, and I can’t wait to dive into the next book!
I struggled a little bit during maybe the first half of the book.
While we get to know the characters and the setting and how they start to be together… there wasn’t much action.
The setting felt quite realistic. It didn’t just romanticize everything on the sea, like how filthy pirates actually were.
The MC Simon starts working at Captain Martin’s privateer ship. He does some jobs on the ship until he kind of stumbles into a sexual relationship with the Captain.
And for a while nothing much more happens in the book than that they have sex. I mean it is great kinky sex, but I missed a bit of adventure.
But I worried too soon, because after some fucking the action started and didn’t disappoint at all!
I wondered why the book was marked with witchcraft and that got explained there as well.
Not going into too much detail, but it has a bit of a paranormal aspect, but nothing like PotC! It totally stands on its own!
The relationship between Simon and Captain Martin (being a bit kinky Simon decided that he likes to refer to him that way) grows beyond sex, but I think there is still a bit to go on before they could be their forever love.
The book is the first in a series, so there is so much more potential for them and for the amazing world, and I can’t wait to dive into the next book!
June 9, 2025
This story is told from the POV of Simon in his old age as he recounts his life with the captain and crew of the Arrow. It grabbed my interest from the start, and the steam began almost as soon as the story. Born a peasant, Simon was orphaned at 12, taken in by a family friend, then left alone at 22, when he died as well. Not having much, or anywhere to be, Simon decides life would be better if he could get taken on as a member of a pirate crew. The adventure begins when Simon is taken on by Dinesh Martin, Captain of the Arrow. Unfortunately, Simon isn't very good at anything, but it turns out he and the captain share certain personal tastes, so after remarking on the state of Captain Martin's cabin, Simon becomes his cabin boy and bed partner. But there is more to Simon than even Simon knows, which gives the story a paranormal twist. I laughed through much of this book. Simon is such a twat and spoiled brat that any real pirate would surely have had him drawn and quartered, and it provides the reader with endless SMH moments wondering what his foolish big mouth will say next. This is an engaging and entertaining book, with plenty of steam and a BDSM/kink bent. There is adventure, too, and the book concludes very open-ended, so there are obviously more adventures on the horizon. I am looking forward to the next book.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
February 18, 2026
**I received an electronic copy post-publication from Gay Romance Reviews.**
Actual rating: 3.5
AE Lister takes readers to sea with the first book in a pirate series, A Flash of Golden Fire. Readers follow Simon White who is down on his luck and determined to join a pirate crew to change his prospects. One look at Captain Dinesh Martin has Simon committing to being aboard the Arrow, filling the role of animal caretaker and cabin boy for the charming captain. When circumstances reveal a strange magic that protects those that Simon cares for, Simon can't help but wonder about the source of the power and whether it can be controlled before he causes more damage.
This book was an interesting one in that I really enjoyed the established crew and camaraderie aboard the Arrow, but found Simon himself to be... rather a lot. Simon frequently comes across as a big personality and somewhat undignified in his demeanor, particularly compared to the "professional" pirate crew and his suave captain. As such, it lends an unserious tone to a majority of the book since the readers view of the story is through Simon's experiences.
I was never inclined to set this book down, but this created a bit of emotional disconnect for me where I might otherwise have been more affected by some of the circumstances of the crew. I still enjoyed my time with this book and will happily continue on to book two to learn more about the supernatural components afoot.
Actual rating: 3.5
AE Lister takes readers to sea with the first book in a pirate series, A Flash of Golden Fire. Readers follow Simon White who is down on his luck and determined to join a pirate crew to change his prospects. One look at Captain Dinesh Martin has Simon committing to being aboard the Arrow, filling the role of animal caretaker and cabin boy for the charming captain. When circumstances reveal a strange magic that protects those that Simon cares for, Simon can't help but wonder about the source of the power and whether it can be controlled before he causes more damage.
This book was an interesting one in that I really enjoyed the established crew and camaraderie aboard the Arrow, but found Simon himself to be... rather a lot. Simon frequently comes across as a big personality and somewhat undignified in his demeanor, particularly compared to the "professional" pirate crew and his suave captain. As such, it lends an unserious tone to a majority of the book since the readers view of the story is through Simon's experiences.
I was never inclined to set this book down, but this created a bit of emotional disconnect for me where I might otherwise have been more affected by some of the circumstances of the crew. I still enjoyed my time with this book and will happily continue on to book two to learn more about the supernatural components afoot.
May 31, 2025
First in series (The Arrow and the Flame). Historical paranormal. Age gap. Light BDSM. Hurt/comfort. Single POV. Heed content warnings (there is a sharing scene).
High steam on the high seas. Simon is looking for a safe haven, homeless, penniless, he figures a pirate ship may take him on. When he convinces Captain Martin to let him join his crew, he doesn’t realize he has caught the captain’s eye in a more personal way.
This story is mostly focused on the intimate interactions of Simon and Captain Martin, as they begin a convenient relationship full of kink. There are small bits of life on the ship, with secondary characters that don’t care about the Captain’s personal life which is nice, and glimpses of some special powers that Simon has that come to the fore when under duress. I do wish we learned more about Simon and Captain Martin’s backgrounds, we do get some about Simon, but since the story is from Simon’s POV we don’t know much about Captain Martin beyond what he tells Simon. The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but certainly leaves the series open for more adventures with Simon and Captain Martin.
High steam on the high seas. Simon is looking for a safe haven, homeless, penniless, he figures a pirate ship may take him on. When he convinces Captain Martin to let him join his crew, he doesn’t realize he has caught the captain’s eye in a more personal way.
This story is mostly focused on the intimate interactions of Simon and Captain Martin, as they begin a convenient relationship full of kink. There are small bits of life on the ship, with secondary characters that don’t care about the Captain’s personal life which is nice, and glimpses of some special powers that Simon has that come to the fore when under duress. I do wish we learned more about Simon and Captain Martin’s backgrounds, we do get some about Simon, but since the story is from Simon’s POV we don’t know much about Captain Martin beyond what he tells Simon. The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but certainly leaves the series open for more adventures with Simon and Captain Martin.
November 17, 2025
A Flash of Golden Fire is the first book in A.E. Lister’s The Arrow and the Flame series, and there were plenty of things about the blurb that had me curious. It was not a ‘scream me now’ read, but the fact that I enjoyed the author’s story in the Say Their Names anthology meant I was pushed into picking up this book.
I will be honest and say my feelings toward A Flash of Golden Fire were mixed. While the story had me curious at the start, I found it did not take long for my feelings to change. For me, the pacing did not work. I wanted so much more from the relationship between the characters and found the way things moved was much too fast. I would have been able to overlook this if the plot had been progressing, yet the plot took a backseat for much too long to focus on the relationship that was not explored in the way I had hoped. Thus, while I wanted to love the story, I found myself picking it up and putting it down because the pacing was not working for me.
All in all, while I can see this working for many, this was one of those cases where I was not the right reader for the story.
I will be honest and say my feelings toward A Flash of Golden Fire were mixed. While the story had me curious at the start, I found it did not take long for my feelings to change. For me, the pacing did not work. I wanted so much more from the relationship between the characters and found the way things moved was much too fast. I would have been able to overlook this if the plot had been progressing, yet the plot took a backseat for much too long to focus on the relationship that was not explored in the way I had hoped. Thus, while I wanted to love the story, I found myself picking it up and putting it down because the pacing was not working for me.
All in all, while I can see this working for many, this was one of those cases where I was not the right reader for the story.
February 24, 2026
The cover reads historical of the "Horatio Hornblower" variety. But inside? That's pure Errol Flynn swashbuckler. Except, the story is told from the POV of the sidekick, a cabin boy. With a bare amount of history, ie twisted history, tossed in.
Simon is broke, robbed almost the moment he hit Port Royale. Filthy, exhausted and dizzy from lack of food, he assaults Captain Dinesh Martin and amazingly, gets hired as crew for The Arrow. As animal handler then to cabin boy and finally bedwarmer/lover. A brat, with a smart mouth and shear audacity, he's what the captain needs. And vice versa.
The sizzle is kinky. After a quick introduction to the author's worldbuild and some crew, the majority of the book explores a BDSM relationship. Tongue swallowing, face fanning (and planting), pearl clutching smexy times ahead.
Toss in a little bit of paranormal. The sea awakens power in Simon, uncontrolled magic. Something to explore in later books. I hope.
Fun and so exciting. A E Lister is not an author I normally gravitate to. I can see that I need to correct that.
I received an advanced copy of this e book from GRR and this is my review.
Simon is broke, robbed almost the moment he hit Port Royale. Filthy, exhausted and dizzy from lack of food, he assaults Captain Dinesh Martin and amazingly, gets hired as crew for The Arrow. As animal handler then to cabin boy and finally bedwarmer/lover. A brat, with a smart mouth and shear audacity, he's what the captain needs. And vice versa.
The sizzle is kinky. After a quick introduction to the author's worldbuild and some crew, the majority of the book explores a BDSM relationship. Tongue swallowing, face fanning (and planting), pearl clutching smexy times ahead.
Toss in a little bit of paranormal. The sea awakens power in Simon, uncontrolled magic. Something to explore in later books. I hope.
Fun and so exciting. A E Lister is not an author I normally gravitate to. I can see that I need to correct that.
I received an advanced copy of this e book from GRR and this is my review.
June 8, 2025
Thank you for the book, here is my honest opinion:
So good! I’m happy to see this is intended to be a series because this was a fun, spicy good time. I loved the authenticity in the setting, it feels rough and gritty- as a book about pirates should. I loved spending time on the ship and even how realistically gross it is- the author’s description really put on the ship with the captain and his crew. Simon is a fun character to follow as he is fiery and brave. It was fun to see them evolve, finding there is more to their connection than just chemistry and kink. There is not a ton of action for most of the book but I didn’t miss it, as the characters and couple were full of personality. Honestly, I just loved spending time on the Arrow. The opening dedication makes me hope we get to see more of Dinesh and Simon’s journey, I loved how this added depth and a touch of poignancy to this pirate adventure. Loved it!
So good! I’m happy to see this is intended to be a series because this was a fun, spicy good time. I loved the authenticity in the setting, it feels rough and gritty- as a book about pirates should. I loved spending time on the ship and even how realistically gross it is- the author’s description really put on the ship with the captain and his crew. Simon is a fun character to follow as he is fiery and brave. It was fun to see them evolve, finding there is more to their connection than just chemistry and kink. There is not a ton of action for most of the book but I didn’t miss it, as the characters and couple were full of personality. Honestly, I just loved spending time on the Arrow. The opening dedication makes me hope we get to see more of Dinesh and Simon’s journey, I loved how this added depth and a touch of poignancy to this pirate adventure. Loved it!
October 25, 2025
I don't think I read most of the story summary, to be honest. I probably got to ex british naval officer, got some historical vibes, and decided sure.
I'm not mad about it. Honestly, it was a delight. It's very character driven, not a whole lot going on plot wise, but it has been a lot of fun. It's spicy as hell, kink heavy, without being redundant or feeling unnatural or like the author was just trying to hit a checklist. (If there's a smut bingo board, I'm picking this author though.) The characters are fleshed out, mature, check in, establish consent, and have great conversations. Dialogue is top tier, but maybe not everyone's cup of tea. It's also crude and the book has a sense of humor that may not work for everyone. It worked for me. It doesn't take itself too seriously. I enjoyed the crew, and I liked the side characters that were introduced. Looking forward to more of their adventures.
I'm not mad about it. Honestly, it was a delight. It's very character driven, not a whole lot going on plot wise, but it has been a lot of fun. It's spicy as hell, kink heavy, without being redundant or feeling unnatural or like the author was just trying to hit a checklist. (If there's a smut bingo board, I'm picking this author though.) The characters are fleshed out, mature, check in, establish consent, and have great conversations. Dialogue is top tier, but maybe not everyone's cup of tea. It's also crude and the book has a sense of humor that may not work for everyone. It worked for me. It doesn't take itself too seriously. I enjoyed the crew, and I liked the side characters that were introduced. Looking forward to more of their adventures.
May 21, 2025
4.5 stars
This book is absolutely filthy and I mean that in a kinky as well as sanitary way. I was a little surprised by the supernatural element of the story (I guess I should have read the blurb...) but it did fit in quite well. It's basically a pirate adventure with a surpringly low amount of violence and a pair of debauched kinksters as the main characters. What's not to like?
The world-building is well done, the characters have depth and the story is gripping. The romance part of the story would benefit from a little more focus on relationship-development but since this is only book one I'm not too concerned.
I, personally, would love to see more of some of the side characters and have some glimpses into the Captain's mind.
This book is absolutely filthy and I mean that in a kinky as well as sanitary way. I was a little surprised by the supernatural element of the story (I guess I should have read the blurb...) but it did fit in quite well. It's basically a pirate adventure with a surpringly low amount of violence and a pair of debauched kinksters as the main characters. What's not to like?
The world-building is well done, the characters have depth and the story is gripping. The romance part of the story would benefit from a little more focus on relationship-development but since this is only book one I'm not too concerned.
I, personally, would love to see more of some of the side characters and have some glimpses into the Captain's mind.
June 3, 2025
I received a free copy of this ebook from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.
This is definitely an interesting book. The characters are multifaceted and likeable. I really enjoyed the plot, but felt it needed to be fleshed out more. There are pirates and then also a paranormal element. I was left with a lot of questions.. The romance was sweet and saucy, and I think these two like each other a little too much. Not in a bad way! Be prepared that this is a historical book so things will be crude and dirty. The story felt like it ended very suddenly. Not in a cliffhanger sense.
I still enjoyed it overall. Simon is such a brat, and only dinesh could be the one to handle him. I just felt like it needed more time put into it.
This is definitely an interesting book. The characters are multifaceted and likeable. I really enjoyed the plot, but felt it needed to be fleshed out more. There are pirates and then also a paranormal element. I was left with a lot of questions.. The romance was sweet and saucy, and I think these two like each other a little too much. Not in a bad way! Be prepared that this is a historical book so things will be crude and dirty. The story felt like it ended very suddenly. Not in a cliffhanger sense.
I still enjoyed it overall. Simon is such a brat, and only dinesh could be the one to handle him. I just felt like it needed more time put into it.
June 8, 2025
I am a huge fan of A.E. Lister and was very excited to read this first book in a new series. Pirates, kinky shenanigans and adventures with a bit of magic all the things I like. However, I didn't love it. It was an ok read and I enjoyed it somewhat but few things pulled me out of the story. One major thing that kept me from enjoying it more was the un-$exy nick name Captain used for Simon. English is my second language and in my first language this word means something very derogatory and unpleasant and unfortunately I was unable to get passed it. Another thing was that it took a bit of time for the story to develop and get more engaging. I liked the characters and the setting and will definitely read the next book in the series, but this first book was 3.75 stars for me, rounded to 4.
June 13, 2025
What a deliciously fun pirate story! This is a little bit out of AE Lister's normal troupes but I think it was one of my favorites. They've done historical before, and this was that with a bit of magic thrown in. I particularly liked how Simon narrated the events and found his take on people and events quite intriguing. It also wouldn't be an AE Lister story without some kink and this one sure delivers on that but feels a bit different since it's not so contracted like in modern kink stories. It felt quite natural and it was fun watching Simon act out just to get the captain's attention. There's a bit of bit of action, lots of interesting characters, and a nice bit of heat. This was a really fun story and I hope we get to see more of the crew of the Arrow.
June 8, 2025
With his life changing, Simon White needs a new home. He begs Captain Dinesh Martin for a place on his ship. Dinesh reluctantly agrees only to find that Simon is really not that great at most tasks. He winds up as the captain’s cabin boy. Off on their swash buckling adventures, the two find a way to also find each other.
These two together were amazing. It was fun to watch Simon use his irreverence and his snark to win him over Dinesh. He can be a brat but Dinesh is perfect to keep him inline. Pirates and a sprinkle of paranormal make this a great book to read, enjoy, and savor.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
These two together were amazing. It was fun to watch Simon use his irreverence and his snark to win him over Dinesh. He can be a brat but Dinesh is perfect to keep him inline. Pirates and a sprinkle of paranormal make this a great book to read, enjoy, and savor.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 15, 2025
I used to read this type of book in m/f back when they were called bodice rippers and had guys with long hair blowing in the wind on the cover. Now thanks to AE Lister I’m back to this trope, but in MM. Dinesh is our world weary pirate and Simon is the snarky young man he takes on to his ship. The historical aspects are well written and Lister adds some k1nk and some paranormal elements. You have to read it to appreciate it. Honestly it’s great. As soon as I finished the book I was hoping for more and then I found out that there will be and it made me so happy. So should this be called a vest ripper? Whatever you want to call it I call it marvelous.
June 15, 2025
I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but the paranormal bit seemed to come out of nowhere.
Captain Martin's character was so charismatic. I just loved the way he and Simon interacted. That's where my focus was, so the storm-bringing hands kind of caught me by surprise. It was okay, it moved the plot along several times, but it seemed like there could have been a bit more foreshadowing, maybe in the memories of his mom or in some other paranormal activity in the world of the book.
Captain Martin's character was so charismatic. I just loved the way he and Simon interacted. That's where my focus was, so the storm-bringing hands kind of caught me by surprise. It was okay, it moved the plot along several times, but it seemed like there could have been a bit more foreshadowing, maybe in the memories of his mom or in some other paranormal activity in the world of the book.
March 1, 2026
This was such a fun and enjoyable read. I had no idea what to except from this book besides pirates and a bit of magic and it turned out to be a very funny and interesting read. I truly enjoyed every moment of Captain Martin's and Simon's story and their adventures aboard the Arrow. I loved Simon's saucyness and Captain Martin's commanding personality was perfect to rein him in a bit. These two are filthy and I loved seeing what they would get up to.
If you're looking for pirates, a dash of magic and some fun exploration between a Captain and his cabin boy, then this is the book for you.
If you're looking for pirates, a dash of magic and some fun exploration between a Captain and his cabin boy, then this is the book for you.
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