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Scotland April 1945, and there is little joy in Iain McCraig’s life. Struggling to look after his farm and herd of prize dairy cows, he finds himself forced to accept help from an enemy PoW despite all his misgivings. Then his prisoner arrives and the quiet farmer begins to wonder if his life will ever be the same. When events take a turn for the worse, will he be able to save something far more precious than his farm?
76 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2016
3 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Leona Grace
22 books16 followersMy stories feature quiet men dealing with the problems life throws at them, and strong women overcoming adversity.
I write in a broad spectrum of genres, from classic westerns to historical LGBT, romance to gothic fantasy, as well as contemporary crime, horror and mystery. But, whatever the genre or the setting, my novels end with hope for the future, and more often than not a definite HEA.
As for me? Well, I am a happily married wife, mother and grandmother, living in the north-west of England where the rain is wet and the people are friendly.
Until recently I was a specialist teacher of children between the ages of 5 and 16 in a variety of educational settings. Having taken early retirement, I now spend as much time as possible either working on my next novel, reading, or wondering what to make for dinner.
I write in a broad spectrum of genres, from classic westerns to historical LGBT, romance to gothic fantasy, as well as contemporary crime, horror and mystery. But, whatever the genre or the setting, my novels end with hope for the future, and more often than not a definite HEA.
As for me? Well, I am a happily married wife, mother and grandmother, living in the north-west of England where the rain is wet and the people are friendly.
Until recently I was a specialist teacher of children between the ages of 5 and 16 in a variety of educational settings. Having taken early retirement, I now spend as much time as possible either working on my next novel, reading, or wondering what to make for dinner.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 15, 2016
3,5 stars.
It was short, the cover was lovely, it was historical and the blurb made me gasp it was so much something I would want to read. So, I went off and read it at once.
I think I liked it less than I expected - and probably less than I could. There were some things I really liked, though. The writing was lovely - melancholic and atmospheric. And I do like reading about farming - feeding and milking animals, cooking, doing chores. There is something hypnotizing in it, I think. And Iain's life-long loneliness, his sadness, his gruff kindness really tugged on my heartstrings. I liked how slow the romance was, nothing rushed, and the characters growing together was very believable. And the thought of Iain losing it again was almost unbearable.
But - I was really thrown off with the other main character, Mikhail, being Russian. Okay, I don't like authors trying to write Russian characters in m/m, and for a reason. For the same reason I didn't like it here. Mikhail's situation raised, like, a million questions for me - about his origin, his past, the circumstances of his (two?) captures, his state of mind. But - there was nothing about him but generalities in the book - spasibo, pieroshki and sovhoz. It didn't feel like he had any kind of story. Everything about him was a plot device. It probably shouldn't have bothered me but it did very much, and that's why I probably liked the book less than other readers might.
It actually felt like flat 3 stars to me but in the end I was really nervous and scared it was going to end badly - and so relieved when it didn't - that I'm upping it.
It was short, the cover was lovely, it was historical and the blurb made me gasp it was so much something I would want to read. So, I went off and read it at once.
I think I liked it less than I expected - and probably less than I could. There were some things I really liked, though. The writing was lovely - melancholic and atmospheric. And I do like reading about farming - feeding and milking animals, cooking, doing chores. There is something hypnotizing in it, I think. And Iain's life-long loneliness, his sadness, his gruff kindness really tugged on my heartstrings. I liked how slow the romance was, nothing rushed, and the characters growing together was very believable. And the thought of Iain losing it again was almost unbearable.
But - I was really thrown off with the other main character, Mikhail, being Russian. Okay, I don't like authors trying to write Russian characters in m/m, and for a reason. For the same reason I didn't like it here. Mikhail's situation raised, like, a million questions for me - about his origin, his past, the circumstances of his (two?) captures, his state of mind. But - there was nothing about him but generalities in the book - spasibo, pieroshki and sovhoz. It didn't feel like he had any kind of story. Everything about him was a plot device. It probably shouldn't have bothered me but it did very much, and that's why I probably liked the book less than other readers might.
It actually felt like flat 3 stars to me but in the end I was really nervous and scared it was going to end badly - and so relieved when it didn't - that I'm upping it.
August 23, 2017
4.5* rounded up.
I received this book as an ARC from an author who is member of the same author group I am in.
This novella deals with what today without question would be called a war crime. A war crime committed by the British against a quite large body of prisoners of war, and refugees, who were repatriated in the sure knowledge that they would be killed the moment they arrived back home. Indeed, there were American and British soldiers accompanying these transports who witnessed these PoWs being gunned down as they emerged from the trains. Few, if any, survived and anyone who wants to read up on this can do so here : http://www.rense.com/general47/butch.htm and here: The Secret Betrayal
However, this novella is not just a lesson in history, it is a wonderfully slow, melancholic and romantic love story featuring a HEA with little sex, but a lot of romantic and erotic tension between a lonely and embittered farmer with a wide heart and a Russian PoW. Both have to learn to trust again and how they do is well-written and believable. The Scottish coastal setting serves almost as a third character and the historical facts of every day farm living are so vividly described that I was right back in the era. The great ending was just the cherry on top of this great little cupcake of a story, one to be consumed at a fireside, with a nice cuppa, and snuggled into a warm duvet. I loved this.
I received this book as an ARC from an author who is member of the same author group I am in.
This novella deals with what today without question would be called a war crime. A war crime committed by the British against a quite large body of prisoners of war, and refugees, who were repatriated in the sure knowledge that they would be killed the moment they arrived back home. Indeed, there were American and British soldiers accompanying these transports who witnessed these PoWs being gunned down as they emerged from the trains. Few, if any, survived and anyone who wants to read up on this can do so here : http://www.rense.com/general47/butch.htm and here: The Secret Betrayal
However, this novella is not just a lesson in history, it is a wonderfully slow, melancholic and romantic love story featuring a HEA with little sex, but a lot of romantic and erotic tension between a lonely and embittered farmer with a wide heart and a Russian PoW. Both have to learn to trust again and how they do is well-written and believable. The Scottish coastal setting serves almost as a third character and the historical facts of every day farm living are so vividly described that I was right back in the era. The great ending was just the cherry on top of this great little cupcake of a story, one to be consumed at a fireside, with a nice cuppa, and snuggled into a warm duvet. I loved this.
January 2, 2023
So, like, God's Own Country but with a Russian POW instead of a Romanian migrant worker, and with a farmer who has cows as well as sheep, who's beaten down but not bitter and hateful like GOC Johnny, and who not only doesn't have meaningless sex during his visits to town but seems never to have gotten laid at all.
But why am I even poking fun? The story is touching, the WWII background is historically accurate as far as I know, the author seems clueful about livestock, not that I'm in a position to assess her expertise (and who knew cows could be so nasty?), and I've got to say I was impressed at how LG got past the First Kiss Hurdle in the setting of rural Scotland in 1945.
There's a lot packed into this novella and I do hope Leona Grace will write more m/m. 4.5 stars tending toward 5.
But why am I even poking fun? The story is touching, the WWII background is historically accurate as far as I know, the author seems clueful about livestock, not that I'm in a position to assess her expertise (and who knew cows could be so nasty?), and I've got to say I was impressed at how LG got past the First Kiss Hurdle in the setting of rural Scotland in 1945.
There's a lot packed into this novella and I do hope Leona Grace will write more m/m. 4.5 stars tending toward 5.
January 4, 2017
Just read this book today and I'm glad I did. It's such a breath of fresh air! Finally a m-m romance that is actually believeable! Not once did I cringe from any unrealistic dialogue and cliche stereotypes. This book is very well written and a fast but good read. If you appreciate a slow burn instead of the more common insta-love then you will enjoy this book.
December 20, 2016
4.5 stars.
I loved it!
It's no secret that I love any romance fiction related to WWII.
It was full of atmosphere.
You could feel Iain's loneliness, his sadness...
The writing was lovely and I felt as if I was in that same Scottish shore with Iain and Mikhail.
The romance was slow build but so beautifully delivered.
I truly wish it was longer.
My only complaint is that Iain and Mikhail had little conversations. I wanted more!
Of everything!
Highly recommended!
I loved it!
It's no secret that I love any romance fiction related to WWII.
It was full of atmosphere.
You could feel Iain's loneliness, his sadness...
The writing was lovely and I felt as if I was in that same Scottish shore with Iain and Mikhail.
The romance was slow build but so beautifully delivered.
I truly wish it was longer.
My only complaint is that Iain and Mikhail had little conversations. I wanted more!
Of everything!
Highly recommended!
January 29, 2022
A beautiful read!
May 11, 2017
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book!!!(3 explanation marks for you Terry P. Cause I'm crazy about this book!)
Anyway, this is a love story that slowly develops between a man trying to keep his farm alive during war time, and a POW he reluctantly takes on as a helper. The writing was wonderful, the author seemed able to draw emotion out of me in as little as a paragraph. Its about love, life, family, war, grief, responsibility, compassion, heart! and so many other things.
This was just brilliant and I'm so glad I read it. One tear fell as I read the last page and I smiled, and I felt joy.
Oops it just occurred to me that I haven't rated this at the time when I reviewed it so there it is Five wonderful stars
Anyway, this is a love story that slowly develops between a man trying to keep his farm alive during war time, and a POW he reluctantly takes on as a helper. The writing was wonderful, the author seemed able to draw emotion out of me in as little as a paragraph. Its about love, life, family, war, grief, responsibility, compassion, heart! and so many other things.
This was just brilliant and I'm so glad I read it. One tear fell as I read the last page and I smiled, and I felt joy.
Oops it just occurred to me that I haven't rated this at the time when I reviewed it so there it is Five wonderful stars
July 5, 2023
A little gem of a book full of details about he wartime years and the austerity and rationing the people lived under. Tn MC Iain has inherited a farm from his brother who is lost in action on the Atlantic convoys.His life is a depressing drudge from morning to nightfall. Although, the eldest of the son's Iain was by-past by his father who bequeath the farm to the second son. Iain life is lonely and a drudge.
He is forced to take a in a Russian prisoner of war who fought with the Germans but in the prisoner of war camp he is badly treated by his fellow German prisoners. Gradually, Iain takes to Mikhail and the two men develop friendship and more, However, a threat to Mikhail continuing on the farm develops with the threat of repatriation home and certain death . I really liked this book and recommend it.
He is forced to take a in a Russian prisoner of war who fought with the Germans but in the prisoner of war camp he is badly treated by his fellow German prisoners. Gradually, Iain takes to Mikhail and the two men develop friendship and more, However, a threat to Mikhail continuing on the farm develops with the threat of repatriation home and certain death . I really liked this book and recommend it.
October 5, 2025
A beautiful story
A well written story that is told at a nice leisurely pace - like life on a farm. I really grew to love the characters and only wish I had more time with them as in a novel instead of a short story. Definitely recommend.
A well written story that is told at a nice leisurely pace - like life on a farm. I really grew to love the characters and only wish I had more time with them as in a novel instead of a short story. Definitely recommend.
January 8, 2023
A quick read - set in WWII Scotland, 43 year old farmer, alone is offered a POW to help on the dairy farm. 40 year old POW is skin and bones, nice story of healing with very minor drama
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2023
Really good read
It was an enjoyable book from the very first page. It also makes you think of what life was like for young men back then.
It was an enjoyable book from the very first page. It also makes you think of what life was like for young men back then.
July 16, 2025
A well written and delicate story that unfortunately lacked compelling characters. It was all too subdued and uneventful even when it was supposed to be dramatic.
September 17, 2024
3.75 rounded up to 4
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews