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The Gaslight Mysteries #1
Heart to Hart
Two unlikely men meet in 1923 Ireland.
Michael McCree seems to be a newspaperman, running from a past in Boston. He's a lover of men and a drinker of whiskey, and yet one with some surprising depths and one huge secret.
Simon Hart is a surly, angry, altogether closeted and touch-me-not fellow, a Cambridge-educated private investigator whose business partner has been murdered. He meets Michael in a newspaper shop when turning in an obit notice.
They clash. Fisticuffs fly. And before Simon knows what's happened, he's gained a new flat-mate, a new business partner, and a wanna-be lover. It's the "wanna-be" that drives the present story...and all that follow.
Note: To see 29 Amazon reviews, go to older edition of book on author page!
Michael McCree seems to be a newspaperman, running from a past in Boston. He's a lover of men and a drinker of whiskey, and yet one with some surprising depths and one huge secret.
Simon Hart is a surly, angry, altogether closeted and touch-me-not fellow, a Cambridge-educated private investigator whose business partner has been murdered. He meets Michael in a newspaper shop when turning in an obit notice.
They clash. Fisticuffs fly. And before Simon knows what's happened, he's gained a new flat-mate, a new business partner, and a wanna-be lover. It's the "wanna-be" that drives the present story...and all that follow.
Note: To see 29 Amazon reviews, go to older edition of book on author page!
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Erin O'Quinn
65 books72 followersErin O’Quinn earned a BA (English) and MA (Comparative Literature) from the University of Southern California. Her life has been a pastiche of fascinating vocations—newspaper marketing manager, university teacher, car salesperson, landscape gardener—until now, in relative retirement, she lives and writes in a small town in central Texas.
Erin has published six M/M novels and three novellas with AmberQuillPress and two independent M/M novels.
Her series titled “The Gaslight Mysteries” includes Heart to Hart, Sparring with Shadows, To the Bone. and Thin as Smoke.
Erin's indie books are NEVADA HIGHLANDER and THE KILT COMPLEX, both very well received.
In addition to these Amber Quill Press and indie books, Erin has thirteen other published novels. Of those, two are M/M historicals published by Siren Bookstrand, set in the Ireland of badass clansmen, cattle drovers, druids, Saxon mercenaries and St. Patrick himself.
Erin has published six M/M novels and three novellas with AmberQuillPress and two independent M/M novels.
Her series titled “The Gaslight Mysteries” includes Heart to Hart, Sparring with Shadows, To the Bone. and Thin as Smoke.
Erin's indie books are NEVADA HIGHLANDER and THE KILT COMPLEX, both very well received.
In addition to these Amber Quill Press and indie books, Erin has thirteen other published novels. Of those, two are M/M historicals published by Siren Bookstrand, set in the Ireland of badass clansmen, cattle drovers, druids, Saxon mercenaries and St. Patrick himself.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
dnf
August 17, 2020DNF @ 48%
I hate to give up on this, both because of the unusual setting -- a slightly AU version of 1920's Ireland -- and the MCs, who are offbeat enough to stand out from the crowd of generic m/m romance heroes. But there are two things that are simply driving me crazy.
1. Michael calls Simon "lad" in practically every sentence directed to him. Uh, these guys are the same age, more or less, and to me "lad" is the equivalent of calling someone "boy" or "kid." Maybe it was used differently in that time & place, and should be interpreted as calling him "dude" or "bro"...? I'm stretching for an explanation here, any explanation. But even if there is one, I can't tolerate it being used in almost EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE Michael addresses to Simon. Seriously, this is driving me around the bend.
2. The instalove. Yeah, everyone gripes about instalove. But these guys just met a couple days ago -- and THEY DON'T EVEN LIKE EACH OTHER yet -- so where are all the thoughts of a future together coming from? WTF? I mean, I've seen instalove before, but dammit, this is above and beyond.
Just writing about this is making me nuts, so I guess it's for the best that I put the book down and walk away.
I hate to give up on this, both because of the unusual setting -- a slightly AU version of 1920's Ireland -- and the MCs, who are offbeat enough to stand out from the crowd of generic m/m romance heroes. But there are two things that are simply driving me crazy.
1. Michael calls Simon "lad" in practically every sentence directed to him. Uh, these guys are the same age, more or less, and to me "lad" is the equivalent of calling someone "boy" or "kid." Maybe it was used differently in that time & place, and should be interpreted as calling him "dude" or "bro"...? I'm stretching for an explanation here, any explanation. But even if there is one, I can't tolerate it being used in almost EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE Michael addresses to Simon. Seriously, this is driving me around the bend.
2. The instalove. Yeah, everyone gripes about instalove. But these guys just met a couple days ago -- and THEY DON'T EVEN LIKE EACH OTHER yet -- so where are all the thoughts of a future together coming from? WTF? I mean, I've seen instalove before, but dammit, this is above and beyond.
Just writing about this is making me nuts, so I guess it's for the best that I put the book down and walk away.
January 2, 2014
This book has been on my TBR list for months now, and just the other week I realized that the second and third books of this series had already been released. It immediately moved to the top of my list and I must admit that it was a lot of fun to read.
The Setting: Its 1923 Dun Linden, Ireland (yes, this is a fictional city and it was never the author's intent to be strictly historical accurate). Michael McCree encounters the cock-lifting, "uppity-muppity" Simon Hart and learns that: 1) he has recently lost a close friend, and 2) he has a room for rent.
The Challenge: Michael immediately initiates a fast and furious pursuit of inserting himself into Simon's business and into his bed...and unexpectedly into his heart.
The Characters: Michael, well he has a lot of secrets that I really don't want to spoil, but I will say that he is a slick and slimy chameleon. He is also vulgar and persuasive and obviously knows the dirty, back-alley ways of Ireland. And Simon, he's the jock strap wearing, private investigator who is still trying to deny that he wants cock.
The Mystery: Who killed Simon's former roomate-slash-business partner? There is also a pup thief and a slutty blackmailer. Honestly its a bit outrageous and not too hard to figure out...but still a fun and humorous adventure.
The Language: There is plenty of heavy Irish dialect (which I found difficult to follow at first) and also the new-to-me language of Polari (the slang code language of homosexuals). I found the use of language unique to any other historicals I've read to date.
The Sex: Umm, so there was A LOT of sexual scenes in this book! But for me, it was a perfect balance between the mystery and the smut, because it fit the characters and the atmosphere of the story. Oh, and I must not forget the many instances of animated cocks and phalluses! Seriously, it could be very annoying for many readers, but I just chose to smile, roll my eyes and keep on reading.
My Warning to the Reader: Some of the early sexual encounters between Michael and Simon could be considered by some as a bit dubious...although it didn't bother me at all.
The Ending: There's pretty much a HFN, but very close to being a HEA I'm sure. Michael and Simon's story isn't yet finished so I can only hope that the romance escalates in the subsequent books.
In Summary: I had A LOT of fun reading this and it fit perfectly with my mood for a comedic historical romance. I have already purchased Sparring with Shadows and To the Bone with hopes of reading them as soon as possible.
Review can also be found at The Blogger Girls
The Setting: Its 1923 Dun Linden, Ireland (yes, this is a fictional city and it was never the author's intent to be strictly historical accurate). Michael McCree encounters the cock-lifting, "uppity-muppity" Simon Hart and learns that: 1) he has recently lost a close friend, and 2) he has a room for rent.
The Challenge: Michael immediately initiates a fast and furious pursuit of inserting himself into Simon's business and into his bed...and unexpectedly into his heart.
The Characters: Michael, well he has a lot of secrets that I really don't want to spoil, but I will say that he is a slick and slimy chameleon. He is also vulgar and persuasive and obviously knows the dirty, back-alley ways of Ireland. And Simon, he's the jock strap wearing, private investigator who is still trying to deny that he wants cock.
The Mystery: Who killed Simon's former roomate-slash-business partner? There is also a pup thief and a slutty blackmailer. Honestly its a bit outrageous and not too hard to figure out...but still a fun and humorous adventure.
The Language: There is plenty of heavy Irish dialect (which I found difficult to follow at first) and also the new-to-me language of Polari (the slang code language of homosexuals). I found the use of language unique to any other historicals I've read to date.
The Sex: Umm, so there was A LOT of sexual scenes in this book! But for me, it was a perfect balance between the mystery and the smut, because it fit the characters and the atmosphere of the story. Oh, and I must not forget the many instances of animated cocks and phalluses! Seriously, it could be very annoying for many readers, but I just chose to smile, roll my eyes and keep on reading.
My Warning to the Reader: Some of the early sexual encounters between Michael and Simon could be considered by some as a bit dubious...although it didn't bother me at all.
The Ending: There's pretty much a HFN, but very close to being a HEA I'm sure. Michael and Simon's story isn't yet finished so I can only hope that the romance escalates in the subsequent books.
In Summary: I had A LOT of fun reading this and it fit perfectly with my mood for a comedic historical romance. I have already purchased Sparring with Shadows and To the Bone with hopes of reading them as soon as possible.
Review can also be found at The Blogger Girls
February 14, 2014
I absolutely LOVED this book. So much so I was forcing myself to keep awake to read a chapter as if it would disappear if I turned off my Kindle.
One of the best historicals I've read with a flavour for the time like no other. Strong characters, good set up and a delicacy of writing and pacing that can only be admired. Preferably for a long time since I intend to read this whole series.
So lovely of a novel!
One of the best historicals I've read with a flavour for the time like no other. Strong characters, good set up and a delicacy of writing and pacing that can only be admired. Preferably for a long time since I intend to read this whole series.
So lovely of a novel!
November 10, 2013
This really did start out in a promising manner but, alas, did not remain. But I digress, already. This is for the end of the review, so back to the beginning...
Immediately I enjoyed the direct and bawdy language, both in the descriptions and dialogue. This does mostly hold true throughout the story. As I said, much, much promise.
A sidenote: these men, Michael and Simon enjoyed their Bushmills imbibations. ;)
Michael is unaplogetically sexual. Simon is reserved, to say the least, but it is mixed with regret. Michael has some, too, but hasn't allowed them to lessen his life, as it were.
It's funny, I usually prefer a slow build, which sort of happens here. But rarely am I so... raring to go, to get two men together already because it's all right there. The tension, the want, the need is all crackling and begging for release. Little did I know how much of a fortune teller I had apparently be-come. Mmmm hmmmm.
Michael takes what he wants when he wants it, even with Simon. He does change a bit as time moves along and realizes that by letting Simon come to him sometimes yields better results. Simon feels there is quite a mystery about Michael, and there is. I wish I could say it was more interesting and 'solved' not so neatly - wish I could say that about the mystery they are investigating within the story. I really do, but... I can't.
I was about halfway through and was still looking for the connection, the investment between these two. The strength, the urgency meant to connect the words with their actions shared some possibilities, but it all didn't quite make it. Was I rushing things? At this point, I wasn't sure. I would be later.
I will say that the lead up to each sexual encounter was hot, wanting to promise so much. (There it is again.) They were 'spending', 'releasing' and 'exploding' with regularity, but it felt like once the act itself started, it was over before one could say "are you ready to have some fu - oh, ok, guess so!" - party over. Yes, that is glib irony you sense.
I hesitate to be too specific as to when in the story a change between Michael and Simon does take place so that you get that for yourself, but there is a moment or two. They each realize how they feel and that it would be a pretty wonderful thing to admit it, in some way.
I will also say that parts of this book are really silly, but consistently silly, at least. So I tried to just roll with it as being a part of this world that is post-WW I 1923 Ireland. Most of it, honestly, has to do with what is sometimes lightening speed at which some things grow. G'head, have at it. ;)
If and when I want a slightly out there, raunchy but oh so brief the climaxes, simultaneously tinged with a 'genteel' flavor, a bit unrealistic historical fun for a few hours story, then I will read this author. She has fun with words and local, time period lingo. It feels as if she couldn't quite decide whether to go tongue-in-cheek or the serious research route and ended up wavering somewhere in between. Not that these are mutually exclusive, they need not be. However, in this case, they are. Read this from the tongue-in-cheek side of the tracks and you'll have some squirmy fun. ;)
Immediately I enjoyed the direct and bawdy language, both in the descriptions and dialogue. This does mostly hold true throughout the story. As I said, much, much promise.
A sidenote: these men, Michael and Simon enjoyed their Bushmills imbibations. ;)
Michael is unaplogetically sexual. Simon is reserved, to say the least, but it is mixed with regret. Michael has some, too, but hasn't allowed them to lessen his life, as it were.
It's funny, I usually prefer a slow build, which sort of happens here. But rarely am I so... raring to go, to get two men together already because it's all right there. The tension, the want, the need is all crackling and begging for release. Little did I know how much of a fortune teller I had apparently be-come. Mmmm hmmmm.
Michael takes what he wants when he wants it, even with Simon. He does change a bit as time moves along and realizes that by letting Simon come to him sometimes yields better results. Simon feels there is quite a mystery about Michael, and there is. I wish I could say it was more interesting and 'solved' not so neatly - wish I could say that about the mystery they are investigating within the story. I really do, but... I can't.
I was about halfway through and was still looking for the connection, the investment between these two. The strength, the urgency meant to connect the words with their actions shared some possibilities, but it all didn't quite make it. Was I rushing things? At this point, I wasn't sure. I would be later.
I will say that the lead up to each sexual encounter was hot, wanting to promise so much. (There it is again.) They were 'spending', 'releasing' and 'exploding' with regularity, but it felt like once the act itself started, it was over before one could say "are you ready to have some fu - oh, ok, guess so!" - party over. Yes, that is glib irony you sense.
I hesitate to be too specific as to when in the story a change between Michael and Simon does take place so that you get that for yourself, but there is a moment or two. They each realize how they feel and that it would be a pretty wonderful thing to admit it, in some way.
I will also say that parts of this book are really silly, but consistently silly, at least. So I tried to just roll with it as being a part of this world that is post-WW I 1923 Ireland. Most of it, honestly, has to do with what is sometimes lightening speed at which some things grow. G'head, have at it. ;)
If and when I want a slightly out there, raunchy but oh so brief the climaxes, simultaneously tinged with a 'genteel' flavor, a bit unrealistic historical fun for a few hours story, then I will read this author. She has fun with words and local, time period lingo. It feels as if she couldn't quite decide whether to go tongue-in-cheek or the serious research route and ended up wavering somewhere in between. Not that these are mutually exclusive, they need not be. However, in this case, they are. Read this from the tongue-in-cheek side of the tracks and you'll have some squirmy fun. ;)
May 12, 2023
Rating: 2.5 Stars (rounded down)
Reading this book was a strange experience. It took me 4 days to read it, which is very unusual for me. At the same time, I considered DNFing it a bunch of times but a strong part of me wanted to keep going, despite not enjoying it. By the time I reached the end, I was still conflicted over how I feel about it because it's one of the most unusual MM romances I've ever come across.
First - the positives. One of the big positives was the historical atmosphere. The story takes place in 1923 Ireland and the author clearly knows this time period and location inside and out. Every word, every action, every object - everything felt completely authentic and I was immersed in the time period. I think that was one of the reasons I read it all the way through because 1920s MM romances that don't focus on Hollywood stuff are rare anyway. I also adored the strong, phonetically written Irish accents that some characters had.
As a little aside - the author includes a small glossary of 'polari' (ie coded homosexual related terminology from the time period) at the start of the book. While some of the words are explained in the narrative, some aren't (omi and omi-palone are the most frequent examples) so do yourself a favor and skim over the list before you start or some sentences won't make sense to you. But there are only 13 words and most of them don't come up more than 1-2 times so the story is easily understandable if you don't want to memorize them beforehand.
Another positive is that the mystery plotline was well thought out, even though I didn't care for the execution. Essentially, Simon and Michael are both PIs who join forces when they become flatmates but the majority of their cases are just blackmail/kidnapping situations and the boys resolve them by finding the bad guys, beating them up and returning whatever shouldn't have been with the villains. Michael and Simon were badass hired thugs, but they weren't doing PI stuff during those cases.
The three big mysteries . While the main mysteries were creative, I didn't like how limited Michael and Simon's roles were in terms of actually investigating things.
The last thing I liked about the mysteries was that the author took a page out of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes books by having Simon and Michael frequently pay young street urchin boys to help them in their investigating. Like I said - it ends up being the young boys who actually do most of the leg work instead of Simon or Michael but the boys were adorable, they were great characters and I loved having them appear frequently in the story.
Now onto the negatives and the first one is connected to my last point: the reason Michael and Simon barely did their own investigative work is because they spend the book very, very, VERY focused on their sex lives. In particular, Michael was absurd. The guy CONSTANTLY thought about sex. Every time he sees Simon or the day after/before they have sex, he's constantly thinking about wanting to have sex, he's aroused 24/7 and he's always feeling sorry for his poor dick and balls which aren't getting as much action as he wants. Despite Michael not being satisfied by the amount of sex that's on offer, there are an absurdly high number of sex scenes in this relatively short book. Why is there such a discrepancy? That leads to my next issue:
The romance had really weird dub-con vibes all the way through and it made me more uncomfortable the further I read. Simon is a repressed virgin who has spent years having unrequited feelings for his former soldier buddy Sargeant. Simon has lived such a sheltered life that the guy seems to not understand what homosexuality is and at times he actually thinks that he was the only man to ever have gay feelings for another.
Contrast this with Michael, who (as previously established) is a very horny lad who doesn't apologize for his main hobby being finding-gay-men-to-fuck. The guy doesn't care who he's having sex with, as long as it's happening frequently. When he comes across Simon,
Another minor issue I had was that I didn't find the sex scenes sexy at all. The language used was very blunt and clinical and it reminded me of how male authors usually write MM romance. Words like phallus, rectum, anus, testicles and penis aren't romantic IMO. Here's an example sentence from when Simon is mulling over whether to let Michael fuck him or not: '...accepting the man's large phallus into the depths of his arse-end.' Sorry, that type of writing isn't my cup of tea.
At the end of the day, this story was really enjoyable as a piece of historical fiction and anybody interested in this time period would probably get a lot out of it. But the mysteries were lackluster and the romance ended up making me uncomfortable and made me feel conflicted, which is why I'm not going to continue the series.
Reading this book was a strange experience. It took me 4 days to read it, which is very unusual for me. At the same time, I considered DNFing it a bunch of times but a strong part of me wanted to keep going, despite not enjoying it. By the time I reached the end, I was still conflicted over how I feel about it because it's one of the most unusual MM romances I've ever come across.
First - the positives. One of the big positives was the historical atmosphere. The story takes place in 1923 Ireland and the author clearly knows this time period and location inside and out. Every word, every action, every object - everything felt completely authentic and I was immersed in the time period. I think that was one of the reasons I read it all the way through because 1920s MM romances that don't focus on Hollywood stuff are rare anyway. I also adored the strong, phonetically written Irish accents that some characters had.
As a little aside - the author includes a small glossary of 'polari' (ie coded homosexual related terminology from the time period) at the start of the book. While some of the words are explained in the narrative, some aren't (omi and omi-palone are the most frequent examples) so do yourself a favor and skim over the list before you start or some sentences won't make sense to you. But there are only 13 words and most of them don't come up more than 1-2 times so the story is easily understandable if you don't want to memorize them beforehand.
Another positive is that the mystery plotline was well thought out, even though I didn't care for the execution. Essentially, Simon and Michael are both PIs who join forces when they become flatmates but the majority of their cases are just blackmail/kidnapping situations and the boys resolve them by finding the bad guys, beating them up and returning whatever shouldn't have been with the villains. Michael and Simon were badass hired thugs, but they weren't doing PI stuff during those cases.
The three big mysteries . While the main mysteries were creative, I didn't like how limited Michael and Simon's roles were in terms of actually investigating things.
The last thing I liked about the mysteries was that the author took a page out of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes books by having Simon and Michael frequently pay young street urchin boys to help them in their investigating. Like I said - it ends up being the young boys who actually do most of the leg work instead of Simon or Michael but the boys were adorable, they were great characters and I loved having them appear frequently in the story.
Now onto the negatives and the first one is connected to my last point: the reason Michael and Simon barely did their own investigative work is because they spend the book very, very, VERY focused on their sex lives. In particular, Michael was absurd. The guy CONSTANTLY thought about sex. Every time he sees Simon or the day after/before they have sex, he's constantly thinking about wanting to have sex, he's aroused 24/7 and he's always feeling sorry for his poor dick and balls which aren't getting as much action as he wants. Despite Michael not being satisfied by the amount of sex that's on offer, there are an absurdly high number of sex scenes in this relatively short book. Why is there such a discrepancy? That leads to my next issue:
The romance had really weird dub-con vibes all the way through and it made me more uncomfortable the further I read. Simon is a repressed virgin who has spent years having unrequited feelings for his former soldier buddy Sargeant. Simon has lived such a sheltered life that the guy seems to not understand what homosexuality is and at times he actually thinks that he was the only man to ever have gay feelings for another.
Contrast this with Michael, who (as previously established) is a very horny lad who doesn't apologize for his main hobby being finding-gay-men-to-fuck. The guy doesn't care who he's having sex with, as long as it's happening frequently. When he comes across Simon,
Another minor issue I had was that I didn't find the sex scenes sexy at all. The language used was very blunt and clinical and it reminded me of how male authors usually write MM romance. Words like phallus, rectum, anus, testicles and penis aren't romantic IMO. Here's an example sentence from when Simon is mulling over whether to let Michael fuck him or not: '...accepting the man's large phallus into the depths of his arse-end.' Sorry, that type of writing isn't my cup of tea.
At the end of the day, this story was really enjoyable as a piece of historical fiction and anybody interested in this time period would probably get a lot out of it. But the mysteries were lackluster and the romance ended up making me uncomfortable and made me feel conflicted, which is why I'm not going to continue the series.
March 15, 2014
Fun, light historical, with toasty chemistry between the leads and a lot of sparkling dialogue. Also, books with MCs who always wear jock straps deserve 1000 extra points. On the downside, the mystery was not particularly mysterious, and I was annoyed that the sole female character was a worthless hussy, but I definitely enjoyed the book and plan on reading the sequels.
January 10, 2016
If you like a good historical whodunnit then I think you’re really going to enjoy this first story in the Gaslight Mystery series from Erin O’Quinn. Set in Ireland at the end of WWI a great murder/mystery with an historical backdrop.
Simon is a private investigator and has just lost his former partner Sargent. Was he murdered or was it a case of suicide? This is the thing that needs to be found out. When Michael McCree wheedles his way into his life then nothing is the same again. I loved Michael, your typical crafty Irishman that could charm the hind legs off a donkey . lol! He certainly charmed his way into Simon’s life for sure. However, there is more to Michael than meets the eye and he certainly good for a revelation or two. Not mention that I did find him quite sexy – HAHA. However, Simon proves to be quite reticent of Michael’s advances and proves a hard nut to crack.
I really liked this cat and mouse game between Simon and Michael. A sexual power play of who is willing to succumb to who and who is going to make the advances. At first Michael does most of the chasing, not in a desperate way but more teasing and which was fun to read. He eventually breaks Simon’s defences down, I mean who couldn’t resist the little Irish charmer, and then Simon starts to feel more than the physical but starts to become invested emotionally as does Michael. Great character dynamics that was super fun to read.
There were a few things though that for me took their time to sit right. Despite the historical backdrop the language used for the sex / erotic scenes is modern which at first I had to adjust to a little. However, once I had a sort of modern style BBC production like Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch for example going on in my mind then it settled down just fine. Simon wears a jock strap which is always a turn on for Michael but I felt it was mentioned just a little too much and too often, after a while it became a little monotonous. These were only a few points that I niggled me just a little but really nothing that would have dampened the enjoyment of the book as a whole.
The murder/mystery however was well thought out and loved the idea of Michael and Simon using street urchins as spies. Children that could blend into the background a lot easier than any adult and possibly quite realistic for the time. This added an aspect to their investigative methods that I actually enjoyed a lot. As for the person “whoodunnit” well again not your atypical baddy which was nice to read.
All in all an extremely enjoyable read that kept me thoroughly entertained for a few hours and a good start to a series. Would I read the rest of the series? Yes, quite possibly if given the time.
3.5 stars rounded up to four :-)
Simon is a private investigator and has just lost his former partner Sargent. Was he murdered or was it a case of suicide? This is the thing that needs to be found out. When Michael McCree wheedles his way into his life then nothing is the same again. I loved Michael, your typical crafty Irishman that could charm the hind legs off a donkey . lol! He certainly charmed his way into Simon’s life for sure. However, there is more to Michael than meets the eye and he certainly good for a revelation or two. Not mention that I did find him quite sexy – HAHA. However, Simon proves to be quite reticent of Michael’s advances and proves a hard nut to crack.
I really liked this cat and mouse game between Simon and Michael. A sexual power play of who is willing to succumb to who and who is going to make the advances. At first Michael does most of the chasing, not in a desperate way but more teasing and which was fun to read. He eventually breaks Simon’s defences down, I mean who couldn’t resist the little Irish charmer, and then Simon starts to feel more than the physical but starts to become invested emotionally as does Michael. Great character dynamics that was super fun to read.
There were a few things though that for me took their time to sit right. Despite the historical backdrop the language used for the sex / erotic scenes is modern which at first I had to adjust to a little. However, once I had a sort of modern style BBC production like Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch for example going on in my mind then it settled down just fine. Simon wears a jock strap which is always a turn on for Michael but I felt it was mentioned just a little too much and too often, after a while it became a little monotonous. These were only a few points that I niggled me just a little but really nothing that would have dampened the enjoyment of the book as a whole.
The murder/mystery however was well thought out and loved the idea of Michael and Simon using street urchins as spies. Children that could blend into the background a lot easier than any adult and possibly quite realistic for the time. This added an aspect to their investigative methods that I actually enjoyed a lot. As for the person “whoodunnit” well again not your atypical baddy which was nice to read.
All in all an extremely enjoyable read that kept me thoroughly entertained for a few hours and a good start to a series. Would I read the rest of the series? Yes, quite possibly if given the time.
3.5 stars rounded up to four :-)
April 26, 2016
I adored this spectacular whodunit mystery set in the first quarter of the 1900s Ireland. Lighthearted, enigmatic, and riveting, the riddle of the mystery almost played second fiddle to the sexy and tantalizing cat and mouse chase between its two male leads.
Handsome, earthy and seemingly Irish-American, Michael McCree is going about his daily work at his newspaper when he is love struck by a customer looking to place an advertisement. The customer is an upper-class Irishman, well-educated, and brusque to the point of rudeness as dictates his instructions. He then has the gall to accuse Michael of charging too much.
Suppressing his grief from a recent tragedy, Simon Hart barely notices the big guy behind the counter as he places an ad for the now vacant room in his apartment. But when Michael’s taunting tone demands an outrageous sum in payment, his upset escapes his control and he finds himself drawn into a wager. He will fight the strapping newspaperman, any where, anytime…for the cost of the ad.
And so begins the sparkling and passionate story of two men who are practically opposites, as they slowly find out that they have more in common than not.
This is a fantastic story! There is a mystery: who killed Simon’s partner in his investigation firm? There is romance: will Michael, who is far too knowledgeable to be the lower-class lout he appears, win the heart of reluctant, closeted, grieving Simon? There are motorbike rides, captures and rescues, a femme fatale, and a lovely pair of pint-sized helpers that brought to mind the gang of pickpockets in Oliver Twist. But best of all there is a skillful, beautiful reveal of the hidden charms and talents of each of the lead characters, that caused me to fall in love with them, as they navigate from fury to fragile trust to tenderness and love.
Michael and Simon are without a doubt one of the best pairings I’ve come across in a while and I’m so glad that Erin O’Quinn has penned a sequel to this story. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the period scenery supports the story fully, bringing to mind an almost steampunk atmosphere with dank alleys, gaslit streets, foggy rains, and crisp greenery. I swear I could smell the smoke and whiskey saturated air of the Silver Hind, the Irish pub above which the two men reside. The sex was hot, frequent, and very much lent an air of realism to this captivating and wondrous tale.
Thank you, Erin O’Quinn, for creating this exquisite pair of lovers and this adventurous, swiftly-paced mystery. “Steamy, Sharp, Sexy!”
Handsome, earthy and seemingly Irish-American, Michael McCree is going about his daily work at his newspaper when he is love struck by a customer looking to place an advertisement. The customer is an upper-class Irishman, well-educated, and brusque to the point of rudeness as dictates his instructions. He then has the gall to accuse Michael of charging too much.
Suppressing his grief from a recent tragedy, Simon Hart barely notices the big guy behind the counter as he places an ad for the now vacant room in his apartment. But when Michael’s taunting tone demands an outrageous sum in payment, his upset escapes his control and he finds himself drawn into a wager. He will fight the strapping newspaperman, any where, anytime…for the cost of the ad.
And so begins the sparkling and passionate story of two men who are practically opposites, as they slowly find out that they have more in common than not.
This is a fantastic story! There is a mystery: who killed Simon’s partner in his investigation firm? There is romance: will Michael, who is far too knowledgeable to be the lower-class lout he appears, win the heart of reluctant, closeted, grieving Simon? There are motorbike rides, captures and rescues, a femme fatale, and a lovely pair of pint-sized helpers that brought to mind the gang of pickpockets in Oliver Twist. But best of all there is a skillful, beautiful reveal of the hidden charms and talents of each of the lead characters, that caused me to fall in love with them, as they navigate from fury to fragile trust to tenderness and love.
Michael and Simon are without a doubt one of the best pairings I’ve come across in a while and I’m so glad that Erin O’Quinn has penned a sequel to this story. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the period scenery supports the story fully, bringing to mind an almost steampunk atmosphere with dank alleys, gaslit streets, foggy rains, and crisp greenery. I swear I could smell the smoke and whiskey saturated air of the Silver Hind, the Irish pub above which the two men reside. The sex was hot, frequent, and very much lent an air of realism to this captivating and wondrous tale.
Thank you, Erin O’Quinn, for creating this exquisite pair of lovers and this adventurous, swiftly-paced mystery. “Steamy, Sharp, Sexy!”
September 1, 2016
My rating here on Goodreds always reflects whether or not I enjoy a story -- it can be influenced by a lot of factors, not necessarily the quality of the story. And I have problems with this book...
*) I dislike reading accent immensely ... especially Irish/Scottish accent or what I like to call as British tone. I am an ESL, I already reading in a language that is not my own. Call me a lazy reader but reading books with accent is extra work for me to understand the conversation. It's one of the major reasons why I avoid historical romance (though lately I find that I can enjoy MM historical romance). This one has it and I struggled. Boy did I struggle. I ended up skimming.
*) The book is marketed as Gaslight Mysteries. Unfortunately I felt that the mystery part was overshadowed by the sexual part. Yeah, too much sex for a mystery book. I don't mind romance in my mystery, but not so much the sex. For me, the two are NOT mutually inclusive.
*) Talk about the sex ... quite a few of dubious consents situation for my liking. I never like yaoi trope in my romance ... the "Your mouth says no but your body says yes" thing? It's too close to rape in my mind. I can read yaoi/dub-con/non-con but I prefer to know what I'm getting into. So for me Michael was being too pushy, and border to harassment when he approached Simon, whom Michael admitted himself was still mourning over the death of his friend.
All in all, I didn't enjoy the writing, the characters, or the mystery. Thus my low rating :(
Part of my involvement in Joyfully Jay Reading Challenge Month 2016 Week 1: TBR Pile Challenge (Read a book that’s been on your TBR list for at least a year)
*) I dislike reading accent immensely ... especially Irish/Scottish accent or what I like to call as British tone. I am an ESL, I already reading in a language that is not my own. Call me a lazy reader but reading books with accent is extra work for me to understand the conversation. It's one of the major reasons why I avoid historical romance (though lately I find that I can enjoy MM historical romance). This one has it and I struggled. Boy did I struggle. I ended up skimming.
*) The book is marketed as Gaslight Mysteries. Unfortunately I felt that the mystery part was overshadowed by the sexual part. Yeah, too much sex for a mystery book. I don't mind romance in my mystery, but not so much the sex. For me, the two are NOT mutually inclusive.
*) Talk about the sex ... quite a few of dubious consents situation for my liking. I never like yaoi trope in my romance ... the "Your mouth says no but your body says yes" thing? It's too close to rape in my mind. I can read yaoi/dub-con/non-con but I prefer to know what I'm getting into. So for me Michael was being too pushy, and border to harassment when he approached Simon, whom Michael admitted himself was still mourning over the death of his friend.
All in all, I didn't enjoy the writing, the characters, or the mystery. Thus my low rating :(
Part of my involvement in Joyfully Jay Reading Challenge Month 2016 Week 1: TBR Pile Challenge (Read a book that’s been on your TBR list for at least a year)
April 28, 2014
Let's just say that, in addition to my four-star rating, I've bought the second and third books in this series, "The Gaslight Mysteries." Erin O'Quinn has captured my fancy.
Pretty much the way Simon Hart has captured Michael McCrae's fancy.
O'Quinn's imaginary Irish city in 1923 echoes Jordan Hawk's Widdershins in her series of American-based historical m/m mysteries. The 1920s setting, just after World War I, recalls Tamara Allen's jazz-age settings for her great books, including "Whistling in the Dark."
Simon Hart is grieving and angry, because after burying both his emotions and his physical urges for all of his twenty-five years, his closest friend, business partner--and potential lover--is brutally murdered. He happens upon Michael McCrae while leaving his friend's obituary notice at McCrae's paper.
McCrea is a bit of damaged goods himself, but doubts about his sexual interests have no part in this. Cocky, seductive, and very smart, Michael sets about taking care of Simon, whether or not Simon wants him to.
The pas-de-deux these two men perform is sexy, for sure--but sexual tension is a driving force in this narrative, and not just needless spice. Simon is all about control; Michael is all about taking life by the horns and seeing what happens. Simon's aloofness is all wrapped up in his past and his pain; but Michael's bravado hides a more complex character than anyone understands. Watching these two men come to understand each other is every bit as moving and entertaining as their sexual encounters are. Watching them work toward solutions to various crimes on Simon's to-do list--at first alone, and gradually together--makes for good reading.
I love a book that can be romantic without being soppy; that can have a period feeling without undue stiffness or exaggerated "olde tyme" inflections. 1923 is a long time ago, but it is in the modern world, and O'Quinn manages to create just the right balance to draw us into the story and make us care about these men.
Pretty much the way Simon Hart has captured Michael McCrae's fancy.
O'Quinn's imaginary Irish city in 1923 echoes Jordan Hawk's Widdershins in her series of American-based historical m/m mysteries. The 1920s setting, just after World War I, recalls Tamara Allen's jazz-age settings for her great books, including "Whistling in the Dark."
Simon Hart is grieving and angry, because after burying both his emotions and his physical urges for all of his twenty-five years, his closest friend, business partner--and potential lover--is brutally murdered. He happens upon Michael McCrae while leaving his friend's obituary notice at McCrae's paper.
McCrea is a bit of damaged goods himself, but doubts about his sexual interests have no part in this. Cocky, seductive, and very smart, Michael sets about taking care of Simon, whether or not Simon wants him to.
The pas-de-deux these two men perform is sexy, for sure--but sexual tension is a driving force in this narrative, and not just needless spice. Simon is all about control; Michael is all about taking life by the horns and seeing what happens. Simon's aloofness is all wrapped up in his past and his pain; but Michael's bravado hides a more complex character than anyone understands. Watching these two men come to understand each other is every bit as moving and entertaining as their sexual encounters are. Watching them work toward solutions to various crimes on Simon's to-do list--at first alone, and gradually together--makes for good reading.
I love a book that can be romantic without being soppy; that can have a period feeling without undue stiffness or exaggerated "olde tyme" inflections. 1923 is a long time ago, but it is in the modern world, and O'Quinn manages to create just the right balance to draw us into the story and make us care about these men.
September 21, 2016
I have been picking this book up and putting it down for months (it feels like) - always being interrupted. Finally, over the course of the last two nights, I managed to fend off all comers and read it cover to cover. OMG!!!!!!!!!!
One word ... exquisite.
Rarely have I read anything as richly embroidered on so many levels - 3D macramé I shall call this.
And the best part is that there is a whole series (Thank you, God; I knew you did love me).
First and foremost - a story that you can really get your teeth into.
Secondly - characters that live and breathe (down your neck).
Thirdly - a true romance in the budding - hot and steamy enough to cook rice but also sensual and romantic.
A stellar start to the series, which I cannot wait to devour now.
Alp
One word ... exquisite.
Rarely have I read anything as richly embroidered on so many levels - 3D macramé I shall call this.
And the best part is that there is a whole series (Thank you, God; I knew you did love me).
First and foremost - a story that you can really get your teeth into.
Secondly - characters that live and breathe (down your neck).
Thirdly - a true romance in the budding - hot and steamy enough to cook rice but also sensual and romantic.
A stellar start to the series, which I cannot wait to devour now.
Alp
August 6, 2016
2.5
When Michael McCree sees Simon Hart for the first time, he immediately decides to seduce him. Since Simon needs a flatmate, that's Michael's first goal. The second is to help him investigate the death of his former flatmate, friend and business partner. And the third and the hardest is to seduce him completely.
The first goal is easy. He wins a wager and becomes Simon's flatmate. The second makes the mystery part of the story. The third is not easy since Simon doesn't give his trust easily.
I felt uncomfortable a few times reading this. Michael is too pushy, too forward, He takes whatever he wants, when he wants it. We are the ones who read Simon's thoughts, we are the ones who know Simon needs someone in his life. But Michael cannot know that, so he comes across as being too rough. At the same time, he has a lot of patience for Simon. Fortunately, at one point he realizes it would be better to allow Simon to come to him on his own.
The mystery here is not really a mystery, since you suspect who the villain is the moment that person appears in the story. You could look at it two ways: a villain revealed too fast is one. The other is to accept that it isn't a discovery that is the most important, but the way of finding ways to prove it.
When Michael McCree sees Simon Hart for the first time, he immediately decides to seduce him. Since Simon needs a flatmate, that's Michael's first goal. The second is to help him investigate the death of his former flatmate, friend and business partner. And the third and the hardest is to seduce him completely.
The first goal is easy. He wins a wager and becomes Simon's flatmate. The second makes the mystery part of the story. The third is not easy since Simon doesn't give his trust easily.
I felt uncomfortable a few times reading this. Michael is too pushy, too forward, He takes whatever he wants, when he wants it. We are the ones who read Simon's thoughts, we are the ones who know Simon needs someone in his life. But Michael cannot know that, so he comes across as being too rough. At the same time, he has a lot of patience for Simon. Fortunately, at one point he realizes it would be better to allow Simon to come to him on his own.
The mystery here is not really a mystery, since you suspect who the villain is the moment that person appears in the story. You could look at it two ways: a villain revealed too fast is one. The other is to accept that it isn't a discovery that is the most important, but the way of finding ways to prove it.
December 29, 2014
This one of those books where I am not exactly sure how I felt about it. Parts of it I enjoyed and parts of it grated on my nerves.
The main characters Michael McCree and Simon Hart are likeable enough but it takes a while to get any real sense of either of them.
The mystery aspect of the book is lacking a lot and it seems like half a story. Even though the particular storyline here is wrapped up the book did read like an introduction to a series rather than a stand alone story. I just need to decide if I want to continue with that story.
The main characters Michael McCree and Simon Hart are likeable enough but it takes a while to get any real sense of either of them.
The mystery aspect of the book is lacking a lot and it seems like half a story. Even though the particular storyline here is wrapped up the book did read like an introduction to a series rather than a stand alone story. I just need to decide if I want to continue with that story.
March 31, 2016
2.5 stars. Pretty good. This is well done, but it didn't really grab my attention. It's definitely more of a romance than a mystery story and there's a big focus on sex. The mystery is pretty thin. The setting is a fictional Irish city in 1923 and the world-building is very good and I really liked the atmosphere. The two main characters are interesting, but I found them both to be a little grating sometimes. So there were things I liked, but possibly more things that I didn't like. I think this book just wasn't for me, though most everyone on GR seems to really like it.
Read
June 10, 201515% DNF sorry it's not the authors fault but mine.Find the language bit headache-inducing, especially in this summer heat.
May be will try it out sometime later....doubt anytime soon:(
May be will try it out sometime later....doubt anytime soon:(
May 14, 2013
3 1/2 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Michael works in a newspaper, he is also a man of mystery and secrets, he meets Simon when the man comes in to put a notice in the paper, Michael is intrigued by the man and decides that he will get closer to him. Simon is an investigator, who is looking for a new flat mate because his best friend and business partner, Sargent, was murdered, and he has no interest in letting a hooligan like Michael anywhere near him. Simon finds himself with Michael as his new flat mate and prospective business partner and, if Michael has his way, his soon to be lover, but Simon can’t shake the loss of Sargent and needs to find his killer.
This is an interesting mystery story set in a fictional city in the 1920s. Simon has just lost the man that he secretly yearned for, Sargent was murdered and now Simon is determined to find out by who. Michael has secrets from his past, when he meets Simon the challenge of corrupting the sexy stiff man is too much to ignore. As he gets to know Simon and decides he wants something permanent he divulges one of his secrets and he decides to join up with Simon and help him with his investigations. Simon is resistant to Michael’s charm at first but Michael can be very persuasive, as the two become close and their investigations heat up they discover that Sargent’s killer may be from close to home and that the killer has their fingers in more than one pot.
Michael and Simon are very different characters, Simon is stuffy, ridged and likes the finer things in life, and Michael is rough, scruffy and lusty. Putting them together was an interesting combination especially when it came to the sex scenes, with Michael alternating between gentle and rough coaxing of the virginal and prudish Simon. The mysteries that are investigating were quite rudimental, a dog snatching and a blackmail, but the most interesting one is Sargent’s murder. Discovering the connections and secrets as we go along makes for an interesting story, and the characters as they open up to each other gives us a romance that is unlike many that we read about.
I will recommend this to those that love historical eras, opposites attracting, danger, threats, investigations and a great happy for now ending. I will be interested to see what comes next for Simon and Michael
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Michael works in a newspaper, he is also a man of mystery and secrets, he meets Simon when the man comes in to put a notice in the paper, Michael is intrigued by the man and decides that he will get closer to him. Simon is an investigator, who is looking for a new flat mate because his best friend and business partner, Sargent, was murdered, and he has no interest in letting a hooligan like Michael anywhere near him. Simon finds himself with Michael as his new flat mate and prospective business partner and, if Michael has his way, his soon to be lover, but Simon can’t shake the loss of Sargent and needs to find his killer.
This is an interesting mystery story set in a fictional city in the 1920s. Simon has just lost the man that he secretly yearned for, Sargent was murdered and now Simon is determined to find out by who. Michael has secrets from his past, when he meets Simon the challenge of corrupting the sexy stiff man is too much to ignore. As he gets to know Simon and decides he wants something permanent he divulges one of his secrets and he decides to join up with Simon and help him with his investigations. Simon is resistant to Michael’s charm at first but Michael can be very persuasive, as the two become close and their investigations heat up they discover that Sargent’s killer may be from close to home and that the killer has their fingers in more than one pot.
Michael and Simon are very different characters, Simon is stuffy, ridged and likes the finer things in life, and Michael is rough, scruffy and lusty. Putting them together was an interesting combination especially when it came to the sex scenes, with Michael alternating between gentle and rough coaxing of the virginal and prudish Simon. The mysteries that are investigating were quite rudimental, a dog snatching and a blackmail, but the most interesting one is Sargent’s murder. Discovering the connections and secrets as we go along makes for an interesting story, and the characters as they open up to each other gives us a romance that is unlike many that we read about.
I will recommend this to those that love historical eras, opposites attracting, danger, threats, investigations and a great happy for now ending. I will be interested to see what comes next for Simon and Michael
February 26, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
This absolutely captivating story, with steampunk elements without being steampunk but gaslight, takes place in a fictional 1920s town in Ireland with a culture, language, and traditions of its own. Each finely crafted and rich detail of this world-building artwork lures you in until you feel as though you’re actually there, in Dun Linden. This is a case of complete immersion into a skillfully created world. From little guttersnipes to snobbish uppity-muppities, every character encountered and every street walked on, they all breathe life into this alternate fantasy world of gaslight and murder mysteries.
The best part of this story is the friendship and camaraderie between Michael and Simon. No two men could be more different, yet they share common traits that begin to form the basis of their relationship. Michael appears as a charming, laidback rogue with a heart of gold, but he keeps many secrets buried beneath this happy-go-lucky facade. Simon, on the other hand, seems sullen, quiet, and reserved, but when his temper flares, all bets are off. And inside, his heart is capable of great gentleness and kindness.
The erotic tension between these two runs along the length of the story, so potent it practically leaps off the pages. Michael is a fountain of sexual experiences; Simon is a virgin who desired a straight man and is now lost as to what to do next. As the two begin their sensual tango, Michael is ready, willing, and able to give Simon everything, from pleasure and comfort, to brilliant insight and strength in every sense of the word. In his confusion, uncertainty and regret, Simon takes what Michael gives, always with remorse after, slowly starting to see a world of delight ahead of him as his heart thaws and his body sparks to life. To top this off, their mutual respect and admiration also grows, giving them something to fight for.
Read Susan’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
This absolutely captivating story, with steampunk elements without being steampunk but gaslight, takes place in a fictional 1920s town in Ireland with a culture, language, and traditions of its own. Each finely crafted and rich detail of this world-building artwork lures you in until you feel as though you’re actually there, in Dun Linden. This is a case of complete immersion into a skillfully created world. From little guttersnipes to snobbish uppity-muppities, every character encountered and every street walked on, they all breathe life into this alternate fantasy world of gaslight and murder mysteries.
The best part of this story is the friendship and camaraderie between Michael and Simon. No two men could be more different, yet they share common traits that begin to form the basis of their relationship. Michael appears as a charming, laidback rogue with a heart of gold, but he keeps many secrets buried beneath this happy-go-lucky facade. Simon, on the other hand, seems sullen, quiet, and reserved, but when his temper flares, all bets are off. And inside, his heart is capable of great gentleness and kindness.
The erotic tension between these two runs along the length of the story, so potent it practically leaps off the pages. Michael is a fountain of sexual experiences; Simon is a virgin who desired a straight man and is now lost as to what to do next. As the two begin their sensual tango, Michael is ready, willing, and able to give Simon everything, from pleasure and comfort, to brilliant insight and strength in every sense of the word. In his confusion, uncertainty and regret, Simon takes what Michael gives, always with remorse after, slowly starting to see a world of delight ahead of him as his heart thaws and his body sparks to life. To top this off, their mutual respect and admiration also grows, giving them something to fight for.
Read Susan’s review in its entirety here.
May 9, 2017
4.5 stars! Erin O'Quinn kept me quite enthralled with this unique story, set in the Ireland of the past, to 1923. Simon Hart has just started his own investigative business, along with his very close friend "Sargent", when Sargent is mysteriously murdered. While taking the obituary to the newspaper to be published, Simon meets Michael McCree. Simon is arrogant and abrupt, unsettled by Michael's brash manner and Michael is attracted and intrigued by this man he deciphers only too well. Simon is a rather cold and closed-off personality and he's grieving the loss of the man he had hoped could be more than just a friend. Michael is insightful and clever and determines to study and pursue Simon, with an eye to making Simon his own.
The setting and atmosphere of this fictional Irish city builds, as this pair clash against each other, rigid, closeted Simon slowly succumbing professionally, as well as physically, to Michael's unique set of investigative skills and clever mind. Simon becomes overwhelmed by his reactions to Michael's advances and careens between submission and anger. They gradually establish their trust in each other and combine forces to solve Simon's cases, as well as untangling the puzzle of Sargent's death. They're aided by a charming set of street urchins, their eyes and ears on the street.
I was a bit confused at times, trying to determine whether Simon was unaware of, or in denial of his own proclivities and felt a bit disturbed how he succumbed so easily to Michael's sometimes overly forceful attentions. We're told at the start that this is a fantasy and sexual odyssey, so I tried to stay in that mindset but I think I'm too pragmatic to have been able to sink into the imagery enough. However, Erin is seductively skillful with words and language that is sometimes almost crude, and blunt, while still seeming almost poetic.
I truly enjoyed this humorous, bawdy, action filled tale. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical novels with a light touch, that convey the atmosphere of the era without overwhelming the reader with excessive period detail.
The setting and atmosphere of this fictional Irish city builds, as this pair clash against each other, rigid, closeted Simon slowly succumbing professionally, as well as physically, to Michael's unique set of investigative skills and clever mind. Simon becomes overwhelmed by his reactions to Michael's advances and careens between submission and anger. They gradually establish their trust in each other and combine forces to solve Simon's cases, as well as untangling the puzzle of Sargent's death. They're aided by a charming set of street urchins, their eyes and ears on the street.
I was a bit confused at times, trying to determine whether Simon was unaware of, or in denial of his own proclivities and felt a bit disturbed how he succumbed so easily to Michael's sometimes overly forceful attentions. We're told at the start that this is a fantasy and sexual odyssey, so I tried to stay in that mindset but I think I'm too pragmatic to have been able to sink into the imagery enough. However, Erin is seductively skillful with words and language that is sometimes almost crude, and blunt, while still seeming almost poetic.
I truly enjoyed this humorous, bawdy, action filled tale. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical novels with a light touch, that convey the atmosphere of the era without overwhelming the reader with excessive period detail.
July 15, 2013
I haven't read any of Erin's books before. But since I'm now in contact with her and I really loved the sound of her books, I decided that Heart to Hart was a good place to start. And I was not disappointed in my choice.
Simon Hart and Michael McCree make an unlikely pairing. But oh boy, do these two pair. Often. Bought together by circumstances when Simon appears in Michael's shop where he's preparing a newspaper edition, Michael is instantly smitten to the aloof, proper and gorgeously sexy Simon. Michael, as you'll learn when you read this book, is not one to let the grass lie under his feet. He is a hunter, a man who sees what he wants and goes after it. Poor Simon really stands no bloody chance. Not that he's complaining mind you. Not really.
But Simon is a tortured soul, stricken by grief from a friend's passing who seemed to be more than just a friend, and Michael has his own secrets too. It takes all Michael's considerable charm and persuasion to chip away at Simon's hard veneer and reach the vulnerable and desiring man beneath the woolen greatcoat and smooth silk brocade jacket. And all the while the game of cat and mouse is being played out, both of them are in danger from a source close to home who has a lot to lose if their secret is found out.
The fantasy setting of 1923 Ireland is hauntingly beautiful, reminiscent of the wonderful olden days when men fought duels by fisticuffs and street urchins roamed doing the bidding of any master than paid them. The dialogue is colloquial enough in Michael to leave sweet Irish echoes in your ears without being over used. The contrast between the two men is not so different when they get to know each other better. And boy, do they. Sweet, sensual and erotic sex that leaves you breathless.
All in all, this is a wonderfully written romance, a clever and entertaining plot line that holds your interest and a definite desire to read other books by this talented author.
Simon Hart and Michael McCree make an unlikely pairing. But oh boy, do these two pair. Often. Bought together by circumstances when Simon appears in Michael's shop where he's preparing a newspaper edition, Michael is instantly smitten to the aloof, proper and gorgeously sexy Simon. Michael, as you'll learn when you read this book, is not one to let the grass lie under his feet. He is a hunter, a man who sees what he wants and goes after it. Poor Simon really stands no bloody chance. Not that he's complaining mind you. Not really.
But Simon is a tortured soul, stricken by grief from a friend's passing who seemed to be more than just a friend, and Michael has his own secrets too. It takes all Michael's considerable charm and persuasion to chip away at Simon's hard veneer and reach the vulnerable and desiring man beneath the woolen greatcoat and smooth silk brocade jacket. And all the while the game of cat and mouse is being played out, both of them are in danger from a source close to home who has a lot to lose if their secret is found out.
The fantasy setting of 1923 Ireland is hauntingly beautiful, reminiscent of the wonderful olden days when men fought duels by fisticuffs and street urchins roamed doing the bidding of any master than paid them. The dialogue is colloquial enough in Michael to leave sweet Irish echoes in your ears without being over used. The contrast between the two men is not so different when they get to know each other better. And boy, do they. Sweet, sensual and erotic sex that leaves you breathless.
All in all, this is a wonderfully written romance, a clever and entertaining plot line that holds your interest and a definite desire to read other books by this talented author.
February 25, 2015
5+. The best part of this story is the friendship and camaraderie between Michael and Simon. No two men could be more different, yet they share common traits that begin to form the basis of their relationship. Michael appears as a charming, laidback rogue with a heart of gold, but he keeps many secrets buried beneath this happy-go-lucky facade. Simon, on the other hand, seems sullen, quiet, and reserved, but when his temper flares, all bets are off. And inside, his heart is capable of great gentleness and kindness.
The erotic tension between these two runs along the length of the story, so potent it practically leaps off the pages. Michael is a fountain of sexual experiences; Simon is a virgin who desired a straight man and is now lost as to what to do next. As the two begin their sensual tango, Michael is ready, willing, and able to give Simon everything, from pleasure and comfort, to brilliant insight and strength in every sense of the word. In his confusion, uncertainty and regret, Simon takes what Michael gives, always with remorse after, slowly starting to see a world of delight ahead of him as his heart thaws and his body sparks to life. To top this off, their mutual respect and admiration also grows, giving them something to fight for.
Read the full review at Joyfully Jay.
The erotic tension between these two runs along the length of the story, so potent it practically leaps off the pages. Michael is a fountain of sexual experiences; Simon is a virgin who desired a straight man and is now lost as to what to do next. As the two begin their sensual tango, Michael is ready, willing, and able to give Simon everything, from pleasure and comfort, to brilliant insight and strength in every sense of the word. In his confusion, uncertainty and regret, Simon takes what Michael gives, always with remorse after, slowly starting to see a world of delight ahead of him as his heart thaws and his body sparks to life. To top this off, their mutual respect and admiration also grows, giving them something to fight for.
Read the full review at Joyfully Jay.
July 1, 2016
No.
Although there were a few good points, overall I did not like this. Too many sex scenes, and there was a lot of no-means-yes dubcon (ick). The author is under the impression that Polari was widespread in both Ireland and Boston in the 1920s, which is not how I understand it. And the mystery was meh.
(Also did men actually frequently go about bare-chested with just pants and suspenders in the 20s? Why? I'm pretty sure gay men didn't use condoms [called thus] like the author thinks.)
Although there were a few good points, overall I did not like this. Too many sex scenes, and there was a lot of no-means-yes dubcon (ick). The author is under the impression that Polari was widespread in both Ireland and Boston in the 1920s, which is not how I understand it. And the mystery was meh.
(Also did men actually frequently go about bare-chested with just pants and suspenders in the 20s? Why? I'm pretty sure gay men didn't use condoms [called thus] like the author thinks.)
February 16, 2016
Engaging and entertain read.
A couple of issues. The bad guy might as well have had a sign posted above their head it was so obvious who it was from the very beginning. There is a lot of sex in this book and some of the early encounters feel a tad dub con. Sometimes Michael's accent can get a little hard to read all of the time.
But none of these things were enough to put me off buying the next three books.
A couple of issues. The bad guy might as well have had a sign posted above their head it was so obvious who it was from the very beginning. There is a lot of sex in this book and some of the early encounters feel a tad dub con. Sometimes Michael's accent can get a little hard to read all of the time.
But none of these things were enough to put me off buying the next three books.
March 17, 2014
I bought this a while back after reading the great review on Rainbow Book Reviews. Unfortunately, it sat on my TBR pile for a long time, and now that I've finally read it, I can't wait to buy the next book in the series. I enjoyed the historical setting and the steamy push/pull between two very likable men with a penchant for danger and problem solving. Recommended.
February 17, 2014
Fantastic story and characters. Michael & Simon were two of the most charming men I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. And Alain & Squeak were two of the most adorable little spies/boys to ever appear in a story. I can't wait to start the next book, which I am off to do now!
November 8, 2013
This was a fun read. No angst, no heavy drama, just a lighthearted, or Harted romp.
April 11, 2020
3.5 would be more accurate. O'Quinn's novel is enjoyable, but awkward at times. The problems tend to be based upon her own statement near the start that things mentioned aren't always time appropriate, in language and day to day items. One can excuse a few supposedly known errors, some even humorous, but it can be generally annoying. The history of the jock strap and the condom are both misused. For example, it is not difficult to research the era, and simple differences in items used, say the jock strap or the condom.
September 5, 2017
4.5 stars for me, and I'm rating this as a quasi-steampunk romance more than a mystery. I really enjoyed the chase by Michael, and Simon's reticence. The payoff at the end was a little rushed but it worked for me. The mystery was weak, to be honest, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment.
February 28, 2018
A fantastic story, and written so damn well! This is going onto my keeper shelf, alongside K.J. Charles and Amy Crook. So glad to have a new favorite go-to author!
March 16, 2019
3.5 stars
September 11, 2016
**Grammar**
This M/M historical book set in the year 1923 in Ireland,was really good and well written,and also if there were some scenes that I didnt like so much, the story was still interesting and also the characters.
Simon Hart and Michael McCree meet for the first time, the day when Simon goes to Michael's newspaper shop to put an advertisement and an obituary. We soon find out that Simon is 25 and a private investigator and that the man who died was his former business partner. Now he needs a roommate and a new partner. Michael is instantly smitten with the gorgeous man and the author doesnt hide his lustful thoughts to us. Simon is a complex character, he is a tormented soul in grief. He misses his friend and at the same time he thinks about what could have happened if only he had found the courage to confess to him that he was falling in love. Simon is sure that their feelings where mutual, but now he will never know. Simon and his friend had been together for years, they had fought in the same wars and together they had opened this business, and Simon is sure that his friend was killed bcs he found out something that he shouldnt have.
Simon is vurnerable and he cant resist Michael's persuasions.
Michael is 28 and has many secrets one of them is being a secret agent. He has many talents and one of them he is sure of it, is to make any man fall in love with him, or at least have sex with him. But Simon is different, he understands that the man is scared of his desires and never acted on them. Michael is sure that with a little push Simon will fall hard and never go back.
There were some scenes with a bit of non-cons, since Michael at start is a bit too persistent and pushes Simon on the floor, kisses him without asking and gives him a BJ. Simon doesnt really fight back, and he is a trained fighter so he could do it and free himself, but still Michael was too harsh and acted without consent, and also if Simon liked it and Michael doesnt do anything more than pleasure him, I still found that scene not of my liking. There are other scenes like this one, but when those happen we know more about Simon's personality, the cold exterior and the burning passion he hides, and this time we can be sure that they are consensual.
Simon at start doesnt like Michael, he thinks he is a liar and hides too many things, but mostly he is scared by the passion he feels towards this stranger, this smart soul that with charming words and little tricks was able to become his roommate and later his new business partner.
Michael's personality is complex, he doesnt hide the fact that he is attracted to Simon and would like to have him, but at the same time he tries to be patient and gentle with a man he is starting to love. This is new for him, he has had other relationships but he never fell in love before and he doesnt know how to act. Sometimes he doesnt know if he wants to kiss Simon or hit him bcs the man gets on his nerves or to shake him and make him understand that he doesnt want just a night with him, but something more.
The book doesnt only focus on their growing relationship, but we see the MCs work also on some cases and help some people, but the biggest challenge for them is the murder case that got them together.
They get kidnapped, hit, robbed and lied to, some times not in that order, but in the end they are able to catch the criminals and put them in jail.
Simon was right about his friend being murdered bcs he had discovered something,his sister in law was a real bitch.
There were a lot of sex scenes in the book and in some of them we see how Simon takes the lead, for example the first time he gives Michael a bj, is bcs he wants to do it. Michael doesnt hide his intentions, sometimes with his coarse language he tells Simon precisely what he would like to do to him, but at the same time he never makes him do it. Is always Simon's decision and when he finally, in the epilogue, he decides to give himself to Michael, like he never did before, is only his choice.
In the epilogue we understand that Simon has fallen in love with Michael and also if he pretends to be cold and not reveal his feelings, Michael isnt fooled. We already know that Michael loves him, he let a confession escape in a moment of passion when Simon was giving him for the first time a bj.
The story was interesting and also if from the start we already understand who the killer is, I still enjoyed the reading.
Maybe our MCs werent perfect and their actions not always driven by good intentions, but they were real.
I liked how Simon tried to push Michael away how he acted like a shy maiden and how Michael followed his mood swings like a good puppy, sometimes kicked in his balls, that were sure as hell becoming blue, but always respecting his wishes and giving him time.
This M/M historical book set in the year 1923 in Ireland,was really good and well written,and also if there were some scenes that I didnt like so much, the story was still interesting and also the characters.
Simon Hart and Michael McCree meet for the first time, the day when Simon goes to Michael's newspaper shop to put an advertisement and an obituary. We soon find out that Simon is 25 and a private investigator and that the man who died was his former business partner. Now he needs a roommate and a new partner. Michael is instantly smitten with the gorgeous man and the author doesnt hide his lustful thoughts to us. Simon is a complex character, he is a tormented soul in grief. He misses his friend and at the same time he thinks about what could have happened if only he had found the courage to confess to him that he was falling in love. Simon is sure that their feelings where mutual, but now he will never know. Simon and his friend had been together for years, they had fought in the same wars and together they had opened this business, and Simon is sure that his friend was killed bcs he found out something that he shouldnt have.
Simon is vurnerable and he cant resist Michael's persuasions.
Michael is 28 and has many secrets one of them is being a secret agent. He has many talents and one of them he is sure of it, is to make any man fall in love with him, or at least have sex with him. But Simon is different, he understands that the man is scared of his desires and never acted on them. Michael is sure that with a little push Simon will fall hard and never go back.
There were some scenes with a bit of non-cons, since Michael at start is a bit too persistent and pushes Simon on the floor, kisses him without asking and gives him a BJ. Simon doesnt really fight back, and he is a trained fighter so he could do it and free himself, but still Michael was too harsh and acted without consent, and also if Simon liked it and Michael doesnt do anything more than pleasure him, I still found that scene not of my liking. There are other scenes like this one, but when those happen we know more about Simon's personality, the cold exterior and the burning passion he hides, and this time we can be sure that they are consensual.
Simon at start doesnt like Michael, he thinks he is a liar and hides too many things, but mostly he is scared by the passion he feels towards this stranger, this smart soul that with charming words and little tricks was able to become his roommate and later his new business partner.
Michael's personality is complex, he doesnt hide the fact that he is attracted to Simon and would like to have him, but at the same time he tries to be patient and gentle with a man he is starting to love. This is new for him, he has had other relationships but he never fell in love before and he doesnt know how to act. Sometimes he doesnt know if he wants to kiss Simon or hit him bcs the man gets on his nerves or to shake him and make him understand that he doesnt want just a night with him, but something more.
The book doesnt only focus on their growing relationship, but we see the MCs work also on some cases and help some people, but the biggest challenge for them is the murder case that got them together.
They get kidnapped, hit, robbed and lied to, some times not in that order, but in the end they are able to catch the criminals and put them in jail.
Simon was right about his friend being murdered bcs he had discovered something,his sister in law was a real bitch.
There were a lot of sex scenes in the book and in some of them we see how Simon takes the lead, for example the first time he gives Michael a bj, is bcs he wants to do it. Michael doesnt hide his intentions, sometimes with his coarse language he tells Simon precisely what he would like to do to him, but at the same time he never makes him do it. Is always Simon's decision and when he finally, in the epilogue, he decides to give himself to Michael, like he never did before, is only his choice.
In the epilogue we understand that Simon has fallen in love with Michael and also if he pretends to be cold and not reveal his feelings, Michael isnt fooled. We already know that Michael loves him, he let a confession escape in a moment of passion when Simon was giving him for the first time a bj.
The story was interesting and also if from the start we already understand who the killer is, I still enjoyed the reading.
Maybe our MCs werent perfect and their actions not always driven by good intentions, but they were real.
I liked how Simon tried to push Michael away how he acted like a shy maiden and how Michael followed his mood swings like a good puppy, sometimes kicked in his balls, that were sure as hell becoming blue, but always respecting his wishes and giving him time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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