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Secret Service #1
The Road to Silver Plume
Secret Service operative Emlyn Strickland may be new to field work, but his talent for identifying counterfeit bank notes, honed over ten years at the Treasury, has given Sing Sing’s population a respectable boost. When counterfeiter August McKee takes illegal advantage of a sinking silver market, his former confederate Darrow Gardiner shares that information with Agent Strickland so they can track down the once-friend who left Darrow to rot in prison. Promised his freedom in return, Darrow’s after something more. He wants possession of his best work, the flawless fifty dollar plates still in McKee’s hands. And with a little maneuvering, he’ll have the one thing a vengeful McKee may consider fair the Secret Service operative whose testimony sent them both up the river. It seems an objective within Darrow’s reach after he rescues Emlyn from an assassin, earning a measure of his trust in the process. But on the cross-country journey in search of McKee, another attempt on their lives leaves operative and outlaw stranded miles from Denver, with no one to rely upon but each other. Beset by turncoat agents, angry miners, and the burgeoning threat of a wealthy and powerful McKee, Darrow and Emlyn discover that standing on opposite sides of the law doesn’t safeguard them from the dangers of friendship—or a deeper attraction that may force Darrow to choose between the real and the counterfeit as he’s never done before.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 24, 2015
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703 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
March 6, 2016
Tamara Allen is one of my favorite writers and I was delighted to see this new novel appear. This author has a gift for both accurate, immersive historical detail and great characters whom I come to care about. This book was no exception (and even had a little more on-page erotic content than her normal fade-to-black.)
The romance is a very slow burn, which is fitting since we begin with a Secret Service operative, Emlyn Strickland, and a counterfeiter, Darrow Gardiner, natural opponents (the more so because Strickland's testimony sent Gardiner to prison.) Although they are nominally working together, with Gardiner trying to gain an early release from Sing-Sing prison, in exchange for informing on his former partner-in-crime, Gust, this is true enemies-to-lovers, with hidden motives. Unlike some books in this category, Allen gives these men enough time to work past conflict and mistrust slowly.
I enjoyed both characters. Emlyn is brilliant, confident in his narrow sphere of detecting counterfeit money, but inexperienced in fieldwork and in life. Darrow grew up very rough, losing his mother as a small child, and living on the streets and under the tutelage of other criminals. He has all the social skills and confidence Emlyn lacks, but not the moral compass, or the long vision. Each of them complements the other, if they can get beyond working at cross purposes.
The setting is fascinating - that time in US history when the nation left the bi-metal standard in the late 1800's. Moving away from the silver standard had significant repercussions on the silver mining state of Colorado, the men who worked and owned the mines, the towns the miners supported, and on down the layers of society. This roadtrip story takes our heroes into the heart of that crumbling situation, in search of counterfeit silver dollars, and dangerous men.
Once or twice the story bogs down in historical detail, but it is always quickly rescued by the delightful main characters. My only real complaint was that their first names sound like last names, and it took me a few chapters of alternating POV (with associated switches from first to last names) to firmly link Emlyn = Strickland and Darrow = Gardiner, without having to think about it. But the mental exercise was a small price to pay for the joys of this story. (and better yet, it's listed as a series. Be still my heart. I can't wait for more.)
The romance is a very slow burn, which is fitting since we begin with a Secret Service operative, Emlyn Strickland, and a counterfeiter, Darrow Gardiner, natural opponents (the more so because Strickland's testimony sent Gardiner to prison.) Although they are nominally working together, with Gardiner trying to gain an early release from Sing-Sing prison, in exchange for informing on his former partner-in-crime, Gust, this is true enemies-to-lovers, with hidden motives. Unlike some books in this category, Allen gives these men enough time to work past conflict and mistrust slowly.
I enjoyed both characters. Emlyn is brilliant, confident in his narrow sphere of detecting counterfeit money, but inexperienced in fieldwork and in life. Darrow grew up very rough, losing his mother as a small child, and living on the streets and under the tutelage of other criminals. He has all the social skills and confidence Emlyn lacks, but not the moral compass, or the long vision. Each of them complements the other, if they can get beyond working at cross purposes.
The setting is fascinating - that time in US history when the nation left the bi-metal standard in the late 1800's. Moving away from the silver standard had significant repercussions on the silver mining state of Colorado, the men who worked and owned the mines, the towns the miners supported, and on down the layers of society. This roadtrip story takes our heroes into the heart of that crumbling situation, in search of counterfeit silver dollars, and dangerous men.
Once or twice the story bogs down in historical detail, but it is always quickly rescued by the delightful main characters. My only real complaint was that their first names sound like last names, and it took me a few chapters of alternating POV (with associated switches from first to last names) to firmly link Emlyn = Strickland and Darrow = Gardiner, without having to think about it. But the mental exercise was a small price to pay for the joys of this story. (and better yet, it's listed as a series. Be still my heart. I can't wait for more.)
February 7, 2016
I think this is Tamara Allen's best book to date - and what's even better - it's the start of a series!
Once again I'm tired (because I write all my reviews before I go to bed), so I'll keep it short and sweet.
This is a well-written and tightly-plotted historical and I loved it. It's not for people who need a lot of on-screen sex and romance is seemingly not the center of the story but then again it is. When push comes to shove, all the characters' actions are motivated by their growing attraction/unwilling fondness for each other. Still, outwardly it does not seem very much of a character study because the character arcs are illustrated by action rather than thought or description and it works so well. This is what's so great about showing instead of telling.
And, boy, there is some action in there. I've said it before - I'm not a very visual person but I could picture it all in my head - not only the real action scenes though there a number of those but I also could see the train huffing and puffing up the mountain and feel the cold.
So, I highly recommend this book to everybody who likes intelligent, action-packed historicals with a love story at their core. If you go in there for 80% proof m/m romance, this is not for you.
My book year is starting out very nicely and I'm pleased. Very, very pleased.
Once again I'm tired (because I write all my reviews before I go to bed), so I'll keep it short and sweet.
This is a well-written and tightly-plotted historical and I loved it. It's not for people who need a lot of on-screen sex and romance is seemingly not the center of the story but then again it is. When push comes to shove, all the characters' actions are motivated by their growing attraction/unwilling fondness for each other. Still, outwardly it does not seem very much of a character study because the character arcs are illustrated by action rather than thought or description and it works so well. This is what's so great about showing instead of telling.
And, boy, there is some action in there. I've said it before - I'm not a very visual person but I could picture it all in my head - not only the real action scenes though there a number of those but I also could see the train huffing and puffing up the mountain and feel the cold.
So, I highly recommend this book to everybody who likes intelligent, action-packed historicals with a love story at their core. If you go in there for 80% proof m/m romance, this is not for you.
My book year is starting out very nicely and I'm pleased. Very, very pleased.
March 6, 2019
All the stars.
I can't express how much this book worked for me. Tamara Allen really knows how to write slow burn. God, the banter between Strickland and Darron! The sexual and romantic subtext! The slow, realistic transitions of their relationship from adversaries (criminal and man of the law) to companions and more.
This is a big book and there is a whole fascinating counterfeiting plot going on, but really this story was showing these guys' journey toward each other. Actions speak louder than any words, and, wow... the things these guys do!!! <3
The first chapter is a bit slow and has a bit more set up--but once Darron and Strickland team together on page the chemistry has a wonderful, slow, under-the-skin sizzle.
Oh, and the dialogue. Genius. Have I mentioned how much I love this author?
Also, the sex scene between these two was one of the better I've read because the characters were consistently themselves throughout and, just, yeah. It worked. Also, it felt like such a reward once I got there! (It's a big book. Took me all up around 9-10 hours to read. Admittedly, I'm a slow reader).
I <3 this. And I hope this author gets lots of love so she can keep writing these amazing stories!
Gah, I'm fan-girling here. But this story made me so freaking happy!
I can't express how much this book worked for me. Tamara Allen really knows how to write slow burn. God, the banter between Strickland and Darron! The sexual and romantic subtext! The slow, realistic transitions of their relationship from adversaries (criminal and man of the law) to companions and more.
This is a big book and there is a whole fascinating counterfeiting plot going on, but really this story was showing these guys' journey toward each other. Actions speak louder than any words, and, wow... the things these guys do!!! <3
The first chapter is a bit slow and has a bit more set up--but once Darron and Strickland team together on page the chemistry has a wonderful, slow, under-the-skin sizzle.
Oh, and the dialogue. Genius. Have I mentioned how much I love this author?
Also, the sex scene between these two was one of the better I've read because the characters were consistently themselves throughout and, just, yeah. It worked. Also, it felt like such a reward once I got there! (It's a big book. Took me all up around 9-10 hours to read. Admittedly, I'm a slow reader).
I <3 this. And I hope this author gets lots of love so she can keep writing these amazing stories!
Gah, I'm fan-girling here. But this story made me so freaking happy!
December 31, 2015
4.5 stars
Historical action adventure + road trip romance
This was full-on, non-stop historical action and adventure. Sweeping from the depths of Sing Sing to the dark bustle of the Bowery, from a Chicago preparing for the World's Fair to underground silver mines in a Colorado facing the potential repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.
Darrow is a counterfeiter who has already served six years of his sentence at Sing Sing when a counterfeit coin falls into his lap. With it, he sees a way towards early release - leading federal agents to the man responsible, who happens to be the old friend and colleague who left Darrow behind. If Emlyn, the Treasury counterfeiting expert who gave the evidence that locked Darrow away, gets harmed in the process, all the better.
Except Emlyn is not the arrogant agent that Darrow expects. Emlyn is clever, principled and perhaps a little too trusting. And Emlyn gradually starts to see through to the heart of Darrow and he knows there might be more to Darrow than a skilled counterfeiter.
Emlyn and Darrow set out on a fast-paced trip to Colorado where they are beset on all sides. It was a thrilling journey and my heart was pounding through good portions of it.
The romance between Darrow and Emlyn is subtle with a very slow burn. There's a little steam here but the author makes us wait for it. But when it finally happens ... oh so lovely.
The historical aspects of this were fascinating and I really enjoyed the author's descriptive writing style. I feel like this will strongly appeal to those who liked The Only Gold and to anyone else who enjoys rich historicals, especially those with lots of action and just enough romance to satisfy.
Historical action adventure + road trip romance
This was full-on, non-stop historical action and adventure. Sweeping from the depths of Sing Sing to the dark bustle of the Bowery, from a Chicago preparing for the World's Fair to underground silver mines in a Colorado facing the potential repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.
Darrow is a counterfeiter who has already served six years of his sentence at Sing Sing when a counterfeit coin falls into his lap. With it, he sees a way towards early release - leading federal agents to the man responsible, who happens to be the old friend and colleague who left Darrow behind. If Emlyn, the Treasury counterfeiting expert who gave the evidence that locked Darrow away, gets harmed in the process, all the better.
Except Emlyn is not the arrogant agent that Darrow expects. Emlyn is clever, principled and perhaps a little too trusting. And Emlyn gradually starts to see through to the heart of Darrow and he knows there might be more to Darrow than a skilled counterfeiter.
Emlyn and Darrow set out on a fast-paced trip to Colorado where they are beset on all sides. It was a thrilling journey and my heart was pounding through good portions of it.
The romance between Darrow and Emlyn is subtle with a very slow burn. There's a little steam here but the author makes us wait for it. But when it finally happens ... oh so lovely.
The historical aspects of this were fascinating and I really enjoyed the author's descriptive writing style. I feel like this will strongly appeal to those who liked The Only Gold and to anyone else who enjoys rich historicals, especially those with lots of action and just enough romance to satisfy.
July 17, 2022
Reread 16/07/2022
It’s almost funny to look back at what my past self wrote and see things like I had a hard time trying to keep reading, when it took me 3 days to finish the book. On this reread, it took me 14 days* (!!!), but it wasn’t in any way the book’s fault, just life taking over.
I still stand by my original review, even though I remembered the ending a little differently, it was still perfect, especially for a first book in a series. I look forward to reading the sequel.
If I had to rate this book for the first time today, I might not be as generous as I was a few years ago, but since this is still better written and with a more convincing romance than a lot of books I’ve read in this genre, I’m not going to change anything.
* To my ever so patient friends, I promise this was an exception, not a new trend. Thanks for not revoking my BR card.
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First read 12/03/2016
The writing was amazing, but the story was too slow in the beginning...I had a hard time trying to keep reading. The last 35% more than made up for the rest, though, and I absolutely loved the ending.
It’s almost funny to look back at what my past self wrote and see things like I had a hard time trying to keep reading, when it took me 3 days to finish the book. On this reread, it took me 14 days* (!!!), but it wasn’t in any way the book’s fault, just life taking over.
I still stand by my original review, even though I remembered the ending a little differently, it was still perfect, especially for a first book in a series. I look forward to reading the sequel.
If I had to rate this book for the first time today, I might not be as generous as I was a few years ago, but since this is still better written and with a more convincing romance than a lot of books I’ve read in this genre, I’m not going to change anything.
* To my ever so patient friends, I promise this was an exception, not a new trend. Thanks for not revoking my BR card.
---------------------------------------
First read 12/03/2016
The writing was amazing, but the story was too slow in the beginning...I had a hard time trying to keep reading. The last 35% more than made up for the rest, though, and I absolutely loved the ending.
July 14, 2022
Reread review 7/2022:
3.5 stars
Since the second book finally came out 🥳, I decided to reread this with some book buddies since it's been over six years since I read this. Bumping it up a half star, because I do really like Darrow (after awhile) and Emlyn, and the writing is just that good.
But I still think this was too slow, especially that whole chapter at the party. It didn't really get much action until the last quarter or so, though there was an interlude early on. Although I'm not sure how I missed that Emlyn had just ended a relationship at the beginning of the book the first time I read this. Maybe because it's barely mentioned. I did like the romance a bit more on the reread. Maybe because I knew where it was going, I was able to pick up on the subtle nuances more this time around.
Original review 1/2016:
This book was sloooooow to start. Way too slow. I generally like books that take their time, but this one just plodded along for the first 60% and I actually had to put it aside for awhile. Which is a shame because it has all the elements of a great adventure story if everything else hadn't gotten in the way. Like drawing lessons. And breakfasts from kindly ladies. Far too much of this takes place on a train, with almost nothing of importance happening. You'd get one scene of action, followed by ten scenes of inaction. Thankfully, the last 40% picked up the pace and it ended one a strong note, but it's not enough to make up for that slow start. And while some of those scenes of inaction are necessary to build up the relationship between the MCs... actually, let's just address that.
I'm not sure you could really call this enemies to lovers. Emlyn Strickland was the main agent responsible for putting Darrow Gardiner behind bars for counterfeiting. While he's serving his time, Darrow swears vengeance on the man, and when he gets the opportunity to get out and secure an early release, he does... nothing at all against Emlyn. Because that would jeopardize his early release. Which makes sense! I'm not complaining about that. But I never got the feeling that he ever actually hated Emlyn. Despised him for doing his job, sure, but not hate. There was little to no animosity on either of their parts, and they go on to work rather cordially with each other from the start, even if they don't necessarily trust each other, so I never really got that sense of conflict between them. Darrow may have had some ulterior motives, but for the most part, they were both working towards the same goal. I wonder if this would've worked better if it had been told entirely from Emlyn's POV, so at least then we could have doubts on Darrow's motives and therefore some conflict and therefore an actual driving force through the first half of this book.
This is also kind of insta-love because all of this takes place in a week. (Really? Just a week? Surely it had to be more like a month. Seriously, y'all, this was sloooow.) So they go from not really liking or trusting each other to loving each other in a week. Except there's really no chemistry here at all. I mean, they barely even look at each other that way. Darrow does here and there because he's been locked up for six years and he's horny, but Emlyn doesn't do so at all, and suddenly they're just going at it hot and heavy? I wasn't even sure if Emlyn was gay until that point! I say this as someone who likes low heat and hates it when MCs do nothing but lust after each other and have sex-obsessed thoughts every other page, but this isn't low heat. It's complete lack of heat. It's subarctic. (Though while I'd usually grind my teeth at the unprofessional professionalism that Emlyn shows here, they are pretty much equals by that point in the story and it didn't bother me, so at least this book accomplished that much.)
So why three stars? It was well-written and has great attention to detail for the settings and times, and once the action did finally kick into gear, I was able to enjoy it. I know this is the start of a series, and I do usually enjoy Ms. Allen's work, so I'm still looking forward to the next one.
3.5 stars
Since the second book finally came out 🥳, I decided to reread this with some book buddies since it's been over six years since I read this. Bumping it up a half star, because I do really like Darrow (after awhile) and Emlyn, and the writing is just that good.
But I still think this was too slow, especially that whole chapter at the party. It didn't really get much action until the last quarter or so, though there was an interlude early on. Although I'm not sure how I missed that Emlyn had just ended a relationship at the beginning of the book the first time I read this. Maybe because it's barely mentioned. I did like the romance a bit more on the reread. Maybe because I knew where it was going, I was able to pick up on the subtle nuances more this time around.
Original review 1/2016:
This book was sloooooow to start. Way too slow. I generally like books that take their time, but this one just plodded along for the first 60% and I actually had to put it aside for awhile. Which is a shame because it has all the elements of a great adventure story if everything else hadn't gotten in the way. Like drawing lessons. And breakfasts from kindly ladies. Far too much of this takes place on a train, with almost nothing of importance happening. You'd get one scene of action, followed by ten scenes of inaction. Thankfully, the last 40% picked up the pace and it ended one a strong note, but it's not enough to make up for that slow start. And while some of those scenes of inaction are necessary to build up the relationship between the MCs... actually, let's just address that.
I'm not sure you could really call this enemies to lovers. Emlyn Strickland was the main agent responsible for putting Darrow Gardiner behind bars for counterfeiting. While he's serving his time, Darrow swears vengeance on the man, and when he gets the opportunity to get out and secure an early release, he does... nothing at all against Emlyn. Because that would jeopardize his early release. Which makes sense! I'm not complaining about that. But I never got the feeling that he ever actually hated Emlyn. Despised him for doing his job, sure, but not hate. There was little to no animosity on either of their parts, and they go on to work rather cordially with each other from the start, even if they don't necessarily trust each other, so I never really got that sense of conflict between them. Darrow may have had some ulterior motives, but for the most part, they were both working towards the same goal. I wonder if this would've worked better if it had been told entirely from Emlyn's POV, so at least then we could have doubts on Darrow's motives and therefore some conflict and therefore an actual driving force through the first half of this book.
This is also kind of insta-love because all of this takes place in a week. (Really? Just a week? Surely it had to be more like a month. Seriously, y'all, this was sloooow.) So they go from not really liking or trusting each other to loving each other in a week. Except there's really no chemistry here at all. I mean, they barely even look at each other that way. Darrow does here and there because he's been locked up for six years and he's horny, but Emlyn doesn't do so at all, and suddenly they're just going at it hot and heavy? I wasn't even sure if Emlyn was gay until that point! I say this as someone who likes low heat and hates it when MCs do nothing but lust after each other and have sex-obsessed thoughts every other page, but this isn't low heat. It's complete lack of heat. It's subarctic. (Though while I'd usually grind my teeth at the unprofessional professionalism that Emlyn shows here, they are pretty much equals by that point in the story and it didn't bother me, so at least this book accomplished that much.)
So why three stars? It was well-written and has great attention to detail for the settings and times, and once the action did finally kick into gear, I was able to enjoy it. I know this is the start of a series, and I do usually enjoy Ms. Allen's work, so I'm still looking forward to the next one.
March 26, 2017
I enjoyed the story, quite a lot, but it took me forever to get through it. And the burn was much slower than I would have liked and there is almost no steam. Still, the writing was really good and I enjoyed the banter between the MC's and the story was interesting. I'm glad I finally read it. I may read book 2, we'll see.
~~~Many thanks to the Pixie Elf for gifting me this book!~~~
~~~Many thanks to the Pixie Elf for gifting me this book!~~~
January 3, 2016
Actions speak louder than words...which is my response to those who say Tamara Allen's latest book isn't romantic enough. Are there numerous sex scenes? No. Do the two M/Cs ever say they love each other? I don't think they do, nor is it necessary. Yet for anyone who likes a slow burn love story rich with historical detail, The Road to Silver Plume will be very rewarding. Allen writes late 19th/early 20th century historical romance with a eye and ear for this period of enormous change, and the search to uncover a money counterfeiting ring is set in the context of key decisions about to be made about monetary policy and the silver standard.
As always, Allen's characters grow and change through the course of the novel (hard to believe it takes place over the course of less than a week). Emlyn Strickland proves to himself and the world that he is brave and daring enough to be a field agent, not just an expert in spotting counterfeit coins. And Darrow Gardiner - well, he stays a rogue right up to the last line of the book, but his vow to avenge those responsible for his six-year incarceration at Sing Sing (including Emlyn) slowly turns into something more honorable. The growing attraction between the two is understated until the last quarter of the book, which is also when the adventure ratchets up exponentially and both MCs have to rely on their courage, honor and cunning to keep each other alive.
Allen released this book very quietly on December 24, 2015, and it was one of the nicest Christmas presents I gave myself.
As always, Allen's characters grow and change through the course of the novel (hard to believe it takes place over the course of less than a week). Emlyn Strickland proves to himself and the world that he is brave and daring enough to be a field agent, not just an expert in spotting counterfeit coins. And Darrow Gardiner - well, he stays a rogue right up to the last line of the book, but his vow to avenge those responsible for his six-year incarceration at Sing Sing (including Emlyn) slowly turns into something more honorable. The growing attraction between the two is understated until the last quarter of the book, which is also when the adventure ratchets up exponentially and both MCs have to rely on their courage, honor and cunning to keep each other alive.
Allen released this book very quietly on December 24, 2015, and it was one of the nicest Christmas presents I gave myself.
January 19, 2016
So lovely. Tamara Allen writes such wonderful historicals. I really enjoyed this. It's a beautifully written road trip story about counterfeiting in 1890s America and it's so interesting and very exciting too. The level of historical detail is amazing and never overwhelming. The characters are well developed and so delightful. The love story is subtle and slow-building and very well done. Tamara Allen's books always make me feel good. She always takes the time to tell the whole story and never rushes. The ending leaves room for a sequel and I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series, regardless of what it's about.
December 29, 2015
First, I need to confess I am a fan of Ms. Allen and her work. I have been looking forward to this book for quite some time. And I was not disappointed.
It is an archetypical story - two guys, one of them well-situated, rule-respecting nice boy, the other a rogue with the heart of gold but with little respect for rules. Naturally, they influence each other and together come better off. Well, there is quite a number of stories that could be described in this manner, including most of Ms. Allen´s previous novels, yet this one is special. Why?
First: the historical setting - late 19th century. It felt so real that I am inclined to believe Ms. Allen is a vampire who remembers 19C from her own experience.
Second: Darrow, one of the MCs, the roguish one. He is actually the most interesting character in the whole story, his decisions are crucial and his dilemmas are painfully real. You can really feel that he is troubled, that whatever he chooses he is going to lose something that really matters to him. It has been a while since I felt a dilemma of a literary character as acutely as this one.
Apart from that, Darrow is absolutely sweet. What a shame he lived 100 years ago...:(
Third: the main villain. He is so gentlemanly. He does not lose his temper, he talks so eloquently - it is the old Don Giovanni dilemma: if Mozart has written such astonishing arias for such a bad guy, he can´t be that bad. I definitely hope the main villain was not punished too severely.
Fourth: no heavy bickering between MCs. It feels refreshing after two novels by T.J. Klune.
Fifth: best sex scene of the year and perhaps the most erotic by Ms. Allen. Scorching hot and sweet at the same time.
And there are some points I didn´t like so much: (it is me, not Ms. Allen!)
First: the criminal element. I would expect it to be a bit more complex than that.
Second: the first half of the novel is somewhat sluggish. Most of it is a description of travelling by train in 19th century which is interesting, but not very exciting. The second part is - on the other hand - an actual rollercoaster which kept me from going to sleep till 4 a.m.
Third: There were moments I questioned the sanity of the side characters
Fourth: I could not shake off the feeling that I was actually reading more of the same - a crossbreed between The Only Gold and Whistling in the Dark. I didn´t mind at all because both of them are favorites of mine, but I do believe Ms. Allen has more to offer.
To sum it up, this is the best historical M/M novel of the year. Great characters, dilemmas that feel real, historical setting that feels even realer, great action and sweet hot sex in modest quantity.
The only bad thing is it would take a year or more for another book by Ms. Allen to be published:(
It is an archetypical story - two guys, one of them well-situated, rule-respecting nice boy, the other a rogue with the heart of gold but with little respect for rules. Naturally, they influence each other and together come better off. Well, there is quite a number of stories that could be described in this manner, including most of Ms. Allen´s previous novels, yet this one is special. Why?
First: the historical setting - late 19th century. It felt so real that I am inclined to believe Ms. Allen is a vampire who remembers 19C from her own experience.
Second: Darrow, one of the MCs, the roguish one. He is actually the most interesting character in the whole story, his decisions are crucial and his dilemmas are painfully real. You can really feel that he is troubled, that whatever he chooses he is going to lose something that really matters to him. It has been a while since I felt a dilemma of a literary character as acutely as this one.
Apart from that, Darrow is absolutely sweet. What a shame he lived 100 years ago...:(
Third: the main villain. He is so gentlemanly. He does not lose his temper, he talks so eloquently - it is the old Don Giovanni dilemma: if Mozart has written such astonishing arias for such a bad guy, he can´t be that bad. I definitely hope the main villain was not punished too severely.
Fourth: no heavy bickering between MCs. It feels refreshing after two novels by T.J. Klune.
Fifth: best sex scene of the year and perhaps the most erotic by Ms. Allen. Scorching hot and sweet at the same time.
And there are some points I didn´t like so much: (it is me, not Ms. Allen!)
First: the criminal element. I would expect it to be a bit more complex than that.
Second: the first half of the novel is somewhat sluggish. Most of it is a description of travelling by train in 19th century which is interesting, but not very exciting. The second part is - on the other hand - an actual rollercoaster which kept me from going to sleep till 4 a.m.
Third: There were moments I questioned the sanity of the side characters
Fourth: I could not shake off the feeling that I was actually reading more of the same - a crossbreed between The Only Gold and Whistling in the Dark. I didn´t mind at all because both of them are favorites of mine, but I do believe Ms. Allen has more to offer.
To sum it up, this is the best historical M/M novel of the year. Great characters, dilemmas that feel real, historical setting that feels even realer, great action and sweet hot sex in modest quantity.
The only bad thing is it would take a year or more for another book by Ms. Allen to be published:(
March 2, 2016
I just can't rave enough about the world building, the depth and breadth of the characters, the gorgeous prose and clever dialogue, and the perfect editing. This author is wildly talented and I'm at a loss as to why I waited so long to crack open one of her novels. I own five of them! I guess the real reason is that I am no lover of historicals regardless of how well they are written. I did put this one aside at about 25% for a day, but because the author is favorite of one of my reading buddies I felt compelled to finish it. It wasn't long before I literally couldn't put it down until I was done. Highly recommended.
February 16, 2022
Leave it to the fabulous Tamara Allen to grip me with a novel focusing on the depreciation of silver towards the end of the 19th century's in the United States.
Tightly plotted, with well rounded and believable characters. Allen never fails to impress me and I'm just sorry she's not a more prolific writer.
Tightly plotted, with well rounded and believable characters. Allen never fails to impress me and I'm just sorry she's not a more prolific writer.
probably-not-but-freebie
February 13, 2019Freebie at the zon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Road-Silver-...
July 11, 2022
I liked this book a lot. It's a bit slow, especially at the beginning, but once we're in the last third, the pace picks up. The setting was good, I didn't know anything about silver deprecation back in nineteen century, so it was very interesting to learn about it and how counterfeit currency was created and spread around.
I liked Emlyn, Darrow not so much at first, but I warmed up to him towards the end. I wanted to smack him now and then for being so oblivious to things.
And as always, I loved the BR of this is well written book full of adventure with a slow pace but good characters and setting.
I liked Emlyn, Darrow not so much at first, but I warmed up to him towards the end. I wanted to smack him now and then for being so oblivious to things.
And as always, I loved the BR of this is well written book full of adventure with a slow pace but good characters and setting.
January 4, 2016
Wonderful! Probably her best book yet. And coming from someone who rereads 'The Only Gold' at least once every other month, that's saying something. Loved the book, can't wait to read it again!
March 9, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Well written and evenly paced, The Road to Silver Plume is, when rendered to its simplest form, the story of one man’s road to redemption and another man’s attempt to prove himself capable of a difficult job. But the book is so much more than that. It’s a romance, a western, and a small treatise on the use of currency and counterfeiting in the United States. And Allen weaves all of this complexity together in a fluid story that rarely lags or stumbles. Darrow and Emlyn are captivating characters, each fully dimensional and distinct in their personalities. Their romance is quiet and even and feels like the natural evolution of two men who are hurled together under difficult circumstances, neither of them as tough as they pretend to be. Emlyn is rigid in his duty, but recognizes Darrow’s skill as an artist and believes him capable of finding a better path. No one has treated Darrow like an equal for a long time and, despite his desire for freedom, he can’t help his need to protect Strickland and see him safely returned to New York. In this environment of mutual respect, wary trust and genuine attraction, their romance feels believable and realistic.
The Road to Silver Plume is an excellent historical adventure that does a great job of blending romance and action. It has a strong sense of time and place without becoming so burdened with historical fact as to become laborious. The characters are engaging and it’s easy to relate to them on multiple levels. The romance isn’t at the foreground of the story, rather it is woven almost seamlessly into the wider plot and neither overwhelms or underwhelms. If you love a good old fashioned adventure story with great protagonists, then consider the Road to Silver Plume. And once you’ve read it, go check out Tamara Allen’s other works. You won’t be disappointed.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Well written and evenly paced, The Road to Silver Plume is, when rendered to its simplest form, the story of one man’s road to redemption and another man’s attempt to prove himself capable of a difficult job. But the book is so much more than that. It’s a romance, a western, and a small treatise on the use of currency and counterfeiting in the United States. And Allen weaves all of this complexity together in a fluid story that rarely lags or stumbles. Darrow and Emlyn are captivating characters, each fully dimensional and distinct in their personalities. Their romance is quiet and even and feels like the natural evolution of two men who are hurled together under difficult circumstances, neither of them as tough as they pretend to be. Emlyn is rigid in his duty, but recognizes Darrow’s skill as an artist and believes him capable of finding a better path. No one has treated Darrow like an equal for a long time and, despite his desire for freedom, he can’t help his need to protect Strickland and see him safely returned to New York. In this environment of mutual respect, wary trust and genuine attraction, their romance feels believable and realistic.
The Road to Silver Plume is an excellent historical adventure that does a great job of blending romance and action. It has a strong sense of time and place without becoming so burdened with historical fact as to become laborious. The characters are engaging and it’s easy to relate to them on multiple levels. The romance isn’t at the foreground of the story, rather it is woven almost seamlessly into the wider plot and neither overwhelms or underwhelms. If you love a good old fashioned adventure story with great protagonists, then consider the Road to Silver Plume. And once you’ve read it, go check out Tamara Allen’s other works. You won’t be disappointed.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
Currently reading
May 30, 2016HOLY CRAP! This is now out! https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
November 20, 2020
Very Special and Beautifully Done
I was so impressed with Tamara Allen's "Whistling in the Dark" that I hopped to it and bought this book as soon as it was published--and I am so glad I did.
Now, there are going to be people who will say that it is slow in the beginning, and takes too long before the MCs (Emlyn and Darrow) get more than familiar with each other, but even though I want a lot of sex throughout a book, I am in a forgiving mood. That's because this book rambles along like a cross-country train ride in the last years of the 19th Century, with exceptional detail of how the United States faced total ruin through counterfeit paper and coin backed by silver--while President Cleveland was trying to move to the gold standard.
Does that sound boring? Nope, because you will fall in love with Emlyn and Darrow, even if they don't fall in love, or lust, with each other until the right time. And by then you will understand why it took so long, why the risks had to be overcome, and you will be suddenly plunged into a headlong stampede of action, bloodletting, and (dare I say it?) love that you will savor. Well done once again--as soon as I finished it, I bought Ms. Allen's "The Only Gold."
I was so impressed with Tamara Allen's "Whistling in the Dark" that I hopped to it and bought this book as soon as it was published--and I am so glad I did.
Now, there are going to be people who will say that it is slow in the beginning, and takes too long before the MCs (Emlyn and Darrow) get more than familiar with each other, but even though I want a lot of sex throughout a book, I am in a forgiving mood. That's because this book rambles along like a cross-country train ride in the last years of the 19th Century, with exceptional detail of how the United States faced total ruin through counterfeit paper and coin backed by silver--while President Cleveland was trying to move to the gold standard.
Does that sound boring? Nope, because you will fall in love with Emlyn and Darrow, even if they don't fall in love, or lust, with each other until the right time. And by then you will understand why it took so long, why the risks had to be overcome, and you will be suddenly plunged into a headlong stampede of action, bloodletting, and (dare I say it?) love that you will savor. Well done once again--as soon as I finished it, I bought Ms. Allen's "The Only Gold."
July 28, 2022
kindle-sort-reread
This is so, so dry. It's an Allen and I can't bring myself to rate below 2* but it's touch and go.
It's well researched, Allen knows her stuff. Unfortunately I'm simply not that interested in currency and the silver/gold debate. It never came alive for me or felt relevant. A whole book of it and I never felt I was told why this was important enough for me to have an opinion on, it never made me care.
The relationship is also a drawn out affair. I don't think it can really be classed slow-burn though. The characters get to know each other and share a grudging respect; but Darrow is playing his own game and Strickland is highly reserved so they were never really working in sync. There's no feel of attraction between them until they're suddenly together, and then while I appreciate subtlety here it was too effective and risked giving the impression they weren't too invested in each other.
Drama comes at the end. It had great potential for an active adventure but ultimately for me the currency inspections and debates overwhelmed the plot.
This is so, so dry. It's an Allen and I can't bring myself to rate below 2* but it's touch and go.
It's well researched, Allen knows her stuff. Unfortunately I'm simply not that interested in currency and the silver/gold debate. It never came alive for me or felt relevant. A whole book of it and I never felt I was told why this was important enough for me to have an opinion on, it never made me care.
The relationship is also a drawn out affair. I don't think it can really be classed slow-burn though. The characters get to know each other and share a grudging respect; but Darrow is playing his own game and Strickland is highly reserved so they were never really working in sync. There's no feel of attraction between them until they're suddenly together, and then while I appreciate subtlety here it was too effective and risked giving the impression they weren't too invested in each other.
Drama comes at the end. It had great potential for an active adventure but ultimately for me the currency inspections and debates overwhelmed the plot.
December 29, 2016
Superb writing, just superb. Very little (read practically none) sexual activity and this is a sssssloooooowwwww burn.
An historical novel (late 19th century) about America's Secret Service and the department responsible for counterfeiting dollar bills and dollar coins. Two protagonists, one Secret Service Agent, one convict on release from Sing Sing, to aid said SS Agent.
Great historical information, great characters, great plot....a little slow in tempo occasionally, but forgiven because of the great story/writing and distinct lack of sexual coupling, although the protagonists succumb at the 75% mark.
4.5 stars. Loved it.
An historical novel (late 19th century) about America's Secret Service and the department responsible for counterfeiting dollar bills and dollar coins. Two protagonists, one Secret Service Agent, one convict on release from Sing Sing, to aid said SS Agent.
Great historical information, great characters, great plot....a little slow in tempo occasionally, but forgiven because of the great story/writing and distinct lack of sexual coupling, although the protagonists succumb at the 75% mark.
4.5 stars. Loved it.
March 8, 2019
I don’t know how I was lucky enough to pick this up FOR FREE??? But what a phenomenal story! This was slow burn at its finest. The characters were loving developed with such clear voices and the story itself was exciting at every turn. I was rooting for these two gentlemen and wasn’t disappointed. Would love an update on their lives.
And now to read the author’s back list.
And now to read the author’s back list.
August 17, 2021
Interesting and fun.
And just gets better every time!
And just gets better every time!
July 4, 2023
3.5 rounded up
Slow burn historical, with a enemies-to-lovers vibe given the forger and the lawman of it all. I really enjoyed the plot and the writing and historical vibe were both really excellent. I liked the characters a lot, but my biggest issue was that, personally, there was something that felt a little unequal about the pairing. I think because there is the built in inequity of Darrow essentially being in Emlyn's custody, that it felt like the author swung a little too hard in making it seem like Darrow was some amazing, experienced super-smart criminal, and Emlyn was the green agent who kept screwing up and getting in over his head. Others might not get the same read out of it, but to me, the burn was almost too slow, and I didn't entirely feel Darrow's changing opinion of Emlyn--I wanted there to be more there for him to admire, as sometimes it felt more patronizing and pitying to me. This is absolutely the kiss of death for me personally in any romance, and the fact that I still rated this highly and enjoyed it is testament to the fact that it wasn't egregious, but I did have that feeling throughout , and I'm really hoping the next book course corrects a bit now that they're on more even ground. I'm also hoping for a bit more explicit romance, but in terms of smut (we only got one sex scene here, and there was almost equal amounts of Darrow with other people as with Emlyn, which I didn't love in terms of a balance for a romance book...) and in terms of them being together as a couple, as that happened quite late in this one. But I am looking forward to the next, and I do think a lot of my issues here are probably pretty personal to me...
Slow burn historical, with a enemies-to-lovers vibe given the forger and the lawman of it all. I really enjoyed the plot and the writing and historical vibe were both really excellent. I liked the characters a lot, but my biggest issue was that, personally, there was something that felt a little unequal about the pairing. I think because there is the built in inequity of Darrow essentially being in Emlyn's custody, that it felt like the author swung a little too hard in making it seem like Darrow was some amazing, experienced super-smart criminal, and Emlyn was the green agent who kept screwing up and getting in over his head. Others might not get the same read out of it, but to me, the burn was almost too slow, and I didn't entirely feel Darrow's changing opinion of Emlyn--I wanted there to be more there for him to admire, as sometimes it felt more patronizing and pitying to me. This is absolutely the kiss of death for me personally in any romance, and the fact that I still rated this highly and enjoyed it is testament to the fact that it wasn't egregious, but I did have that feeling throughout , and I'm really hoping the next book course corrects a bit now that they're on more even ground. I'm also hoping for a bit more explicit romance, but in terms of smut (we only got one sex scene here, and there was almost equal amounts of Darrow with other people as with Emlyn, which I didn't love in terms of a balance for a romance book...) and in terms of them being together as a couple, as that happened quite late in this one. But I am looking forward to the next, and I do think a lot of my issues here are probably pretty personal to me...
Want to read
March 22, 20203/21/20 Currently FREE
I adore Tamara Allen's stories! I urge all my GR pals who enjoy historical romance to check these out. Amazingly, Ms. Allen is currently offering most of her stories for FREE, so it is a great time to add these stories to your book treasure hoard.
Go, go, go and download these delightful treats!
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
I adore Tamara Allen's stories! I urge all my GR pals who enjoy historical romance to check these out. Amazingly, Ms. Allen is currently offering most of her stories for FREE, so it is a great time to add these stories to your book treasure hoard.
Go, go, go and download these delightful treats!
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
August 28, 2022
***4 - 4.5 Stars***
April 29, 2023
The main characters in this M/M historical romance are fantastic. First, we have bookish, honest gay Secret Service agent Emlyn Strickland, a specialist in identifying counterfeit bills. He's a doll, if slightly inexperienced in actual field work. Second, we have bisexual former counterfeiter Darrow Gardiner, who's just spent the last six years in prison and figures pretending to trade information for his freedom might get him a chance to steal his best counterfeit plates back from an ex-colleague so he can go back to crime.
Deep in his heart, Darrow really doesn't believe what he does is wrong. If the government can print money, why can't he? Given what Emlyn does for a living and his respect for law and order, it's such a terrible idea for them to fall for each other... so of course they end up in forced proximity traveling to Colorado to investigate an illicit silver mine, get betrayed so the only people they can rely on are each other (if Emlyn can really rely on Darrow), face great peril, etc. etc. It has all the story beats you want in a romantic suspense, with two distinctive leads and a wonderful slow burn.
Looking back, I'm honestly not sure how everything that happened in this book was supposed to fit into a week, but at the time I didn't notice. I was too busy freaking out over people getting shot at and stuff.
I re-read this in 2023 after having read the sequel, and enjoyed it just as much as the first time way back in 2017.
Deep in his heart, Darrow really doesn't believe what he does is wrong. If the government can print money, why can't he? Given what Emlyn does for a living and his respect for law and order, it's such a terrible idea for them to fall for each other... so of course they end up in forced proximity traveling to Colorado to investigate an illicit silver mine, get betrayed so the only people they can rely on are each other (if Emlyn can really rely on Darrow), face great peril, etc. etc. It has all the story beats you want in a romantic suspense, with two distinctive leads and a wonderful slow burn.
Looking back, I'm honestly not sure how everything that happened in this book was supposed to fit into a week, but at the time I didn't notice. I was too busy freaking out over people getting shot at and stuff.
I re-read this in 2023 after having read the sequel, and enjoyed it just as much as the first time way back in 2017.
February 7, 2016
I really enjoyed this book.
Some readers seem to have found the romance aspect to be too slow for their tastes, but I found it moved believably within the character development and historical time period.
I'm not one who usually enjoys American historicals, much less anything having to do with Western expansion, and god forbid, mining. Having grown-up in the West in an area built on mining just the idea of ore of any kind makes me start looking for a poorly built shanty to freeze to death in. However, that said, somehow Allen made the debate over the Silver Standard interesting, and the interest didn't even spring from the possibility of having the main characters have crazy debate-sex over it.
The history and world is really well researched and written, and I'm really looking forward of reading more about these characters in a series. This book set a very good foundation for follow-ups.
And if you do ever have a chance to visit Georgetown I suggest it, they have a nice place for breakfasts and a lovely winter festival. Also a mining museum, if you feeling like killing yourself via boredom.
Some readers seem to have found the romance aspect to be too slow for their tastes, but I found it moved believably within the character development and historical time period.
I'm not one who usually enjoys American historicals, much less anything having to do with Western expansion, and god forbid, mining. Having grown-up in the West in an area built on mining just the idea of ore of any kind makes me start looking for a poorly built shanty to freeze to death in. However, that said, somehow Allen made the debate over the Silver Standard interesting, and the interest didn't even spring from the possibility of having the main characters have crazy debate-sex over it.
The history and world is really well researched and written, and I'm really looking forward of reading more about these characters in a series. This book set a very good foundation for follow-ups.
And if you do ever have a chance to visit Georgetown I suggest it, they have a nice place for breakfasts and a lovely winter festival. Also a mining museum, if you feeling like killing yourself via boredom.
January 17, 2016
Some might call this enemy to lovers sub-genre, for me Emlyn & Darrow are not quite enemies to begin with but they are definitely what I would call adversaries. At first, I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to "get into" this story right now as it wasn't really the time frame I was searching for but it only took the first chapter and I was hooked. Emlyn might be out of his depth as a field agent but he sure does know his money. Darrow may be a convict looking for his way out but he too knows his money or how to create it anyway. Together they have a common foe in their sites but watching them find a way to work together is interesting and immensely entertaining. Once again, Tamara Allen has captured the era with precision and created characters that burrow their way into your heart in both loving and not-so-loving ways. A great read for anyone who loves historicals but also for those who love a great story.
September 12, 2016
★★★☆☆ ~ 3 Stars
Well-written story that I had a very hard time finishing. After the fact, I found out that this author has little to no sex content in her books which is fine, but I doubt I'll read anything further from this author. Just not my cup o' tea.
So if you don't like sex in your books - this is the author for you, she does write well. If you do like sex in your books, heed my warning.
Well-written story that I had a very hard time finishing. After the fact, I found out that this author has little to no sex content in her books which is fine, but I doubt I'll read anything further from this author. Just not my cup o' tea.
So if you don't like sex in your books - this is the author for you, she does write well. If you do like sex in your books, heed my warning.
March 26, 2016
One of the best books I've read this year. I've seen some complaints about the slowness of the burn, but this is a story about trust, and to have moved an enemies-to-lovers plot along any more quickly would have defied credulity. The pacing is perfect. I'd love to see more of Em and Dare!
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