Swift for the Sun

by Karen Bovenmyer

Benjamin Lector imagines himself a smuggler, a gunrunner, and an all-around scoundrel. A preacher's son turned criminal, first and foremost he is a survivor.

When Benjamin is shipwrecked on Dread Island, fortune sends an unlikely savior--a blond savage who is everything Benjamin didn't know he needed. Falling in love with Sun is easy. But pirates have come looking for the remains of Benjamin's cargo, and they find their former slave Sun instead.

Held captive by the pirates, Benjamin learns the depths of Sun's past and the horrors he endured and was forced to perpetrate. Together, they must not only escape, but prevent a shipment of weapons from making its way to rebellious colonists. Benjamin is determined to save the man he loves and ensure that a peaceful future together is never threatened again. To succeed might require the unthinkable--an altruistic sacrifice.

Genres: Pirates, Historical, M M Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, LGBT, Adventure

230 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2017

About the author

Karen Bovenmyer was born and raised in Iowa, where she teaches and mentors new writers at Iowa State University. She triple-majored in anthropology, English, and history so she could take college courses about cave people, zombie astronauts, and medieval warfare to prepare for her writing career. After earning her BS, she completed a master’s degree with a double specialization in literature and creative writing with a focus in speculative fiction, also from Iowa State University. Although trained to offer “Paper? Or plastic?” in a variety of pleasant tones, she landed an administrative job at the college shortly after graduation. Working full-time, getting married, setting up a household, and learning how to be an adult with responsibilities (i.e. bills to pay) absorbed her full attentions for nearly a decade during which time she primarily wrote extremely detailed roleplaying character histories and participated in National Novel Writing Month.

However, in 2010, Karen lost a parent.

With that loss, she realized becoming a published author had a nonnegotiable mortal time limit. She was accepted to the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast MFA program with a specialization in Popular Fiction and immediately started publishing, selling her first story just before starting the program and three more while in the extremely nurturing environment provided by the Stonecoast community, from which she graduated in 2013. Her science fiction, fantasy, and horror novellas, short stories, and poems now appear in more than forty publications. She is the Horror Writers Association 2016 recipient of the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship. She serves as the nonfiction editor for Escape Artist’s Mothership Zeta Magazine and narrates stories for Pseudopod, Strange Horizons, Far Fetched Fables, Star Ship Sofa, and the Gallery of Curiosities Podcasts. Her first novel, SWIFT FOR THE SUN, an LGBT pirate romantic adventure set in the 1820s Caribbean, will be published on March 27, 2017.

Reviews

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swift for the Sun is a heady mix of Robinson Crusoe, every pirate movie Errol Flynn ever made, a heartfelt tender M/M romance, political intrigue, the Portuguese colonization of the Americas and ... matelots.

Benjamin, the mulatto son of a preacher and himself a fledging gunrunner, survives a shipwreck and washes up on Dread Island - named because no one ever returns from Dread Island. Benjamin is saved by a mysterious castaway named Soli or "Sun" : "The sun rising behind him lit his hair with tints of shining gold, sunlight streaming past a mass of tangled blond braids. His eyes surprised me, not the brown of a native, but smoke-blue like an angry sea, dark and hidden, set deep in the sharp angles of his face [...] his slender body was packed with strong, wiry muscles."

Sun is intelligent, resourceful, young, fierce as any warrior, heavily scarred, yet shy as a deer:

I felt him shaking a little, a tremor across his shoulders. It reminded me of a deer I’d surprised on a trail once, checking for danger.

Benjamin feels "the old stirring my father had desperately tried to beat out of me come alive" and soon he and Sun are "violating Leviticus 18:22 in every delicious way I could imagine" ... until Dread Island is once again invaded by Portuguese-speaking pirates, who share a dark twisted past with Sun.

At this point - roughly 33% into the book - the plot swings into swashbuckling high gear with a mutiny, lashings, rape, torture, searches for hidden treasure, not one but two pirates abruptly proclaiming themselves to be of royal blood, a reveal that one pirate (and possibly two) is a woman, the appearance of Benjamin's doppelganger, and much political maneuvering. Personally, this was a bit too convoluted for my taste, but the last 20% of the book centered more on Benjamin and Sun and tied everything together beautifully.

“Sun.” I whispered his name again and again. It was my prayer and my salvation.

The author did an incredible amount of research on the Portuguese and Brazilian conflicts in the Caribbean, as well as Icelandic, French, Creole, Spanish, Italian phrases and sayings. I'm fascinated by the pirate concept of "matelot" which was essentially a same-sex marriage where each man shared their property as well as their bed and could be named as the other's heir. There's a lot of historical research that suggests the matelot relationship was a common one and acknowledged and accepted in the pirate world. Fun fact: The phrase "matelot" eventually was shortened to "mate" FYI.

The relationship between Sun and Benjamin and their commitment to one another (“Where you go, I go,”) is beautifully told and richly described. There was a tad too much info dumping and political intrigue for me personally, but I would definitely recommend this tale of pirates to anyone looking for a well-researched M/M historical. 4 stars.

I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release day review to come . . . .

In the meantime though, Swift for the Sun is a pretty epic undertaking and I do love some actual history in my historicals so I really appreciated how the author worked that all in to a love story between some pretty memorable characters.



**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**

[Steph ☀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

***3.75 stars (rounded-up)***

Warning : There is a brief mention of noncon: "Martio pulled down my britches and violated me." That is basically it.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book. It started off a bit rough, but as the story and conflict progressed and revealed itself, it got so much better. I was really intrigued by the espionage and double-dealings in the story and how the author revealed each moment. In addition, as characters are introduced, the camaraderie among them grows and becomes humorous at times. There is so much going on in this story; therefore you're warned. Which also means: Pay attention while reading this story. I wish I could give you more info, but I very rarely writes spoilers.

If you haven’t caught on, this is a Historical Romance, which IMO was very well done. So, if you are looking for a hot steamy pirate/slave book then please look elsewhere. While there are intimate moments between Sun and Benjamin, it is not detailed, nor is it the focal part of the story. This is a story about two men: Benjamin and Sun. One a son of a preacher that yearns for adventure and has always been attracted to other men. His father tried to quash it by beating him for his sins every chance he could. The other, taken from his home and made to become a slave. Fighting to stay alive in the most literal sense and a lover of men as well. Due to unfortunate circumstances their paths end up crossing. Thus it’s a bit rough in the beginning, but as time goes on their feelings towards one another grows. Sun and Benjamin eventually start to build a life together, but soon outside forces threaten their time together. Yet, through everything they seem to make it out together, stronger than ever.

In the end, it is really just the beginning of their adventure being free in every way possible. I really hope that the author expands upon this and brings us further adventures with these two wonderful men and the rest of the characters of the Sea Fury. It would be nice to know if Benjamin ever meets Sun’s family; that is they are still alive. To find out exactly what happened to him that fateful day when he taken from his family. In addition, it would be nice to know if they ever get to fulfill their dreams with each other, but also the mission they have. IMO, it was pretty good for her début MM novel.

I am one of many reviewers at Gay Book Reviews and can be found here: http://gaybook.reviews/author/steph/

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kazza · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars rounded up
Full review on the blog: http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...

Thoughts -

I really liked the first 50% of this book and I liked the last 15%. In between were too many names, too many situations, use of several languages and their instant translations that bugged me, and a few info dumps about history in the region that weren’t necessary. They tamped down the innocent and slow-burn chemistry that initially arose between Sun and Benjamin. The author needed to maintain that chemistry throughout while building upon it with action, adventure and history. There was some nice stylistic language used which gave the book a sense of the period, and I really loved Sun, warts and all, but I have to deduct 1.25 stars because that 35% I wasn’t so fussed on became a bit cheesy and unpleasant in an out-of-character way, and somewhat convenient.

There were some lovely moments that I enjoyed as well. It always melted my heart when Sun called Benjamin my Benjamin, how from the beginning he looked out for the man he loved. While there isn’t a lot of sex in the book, which I found apt, there are some heated moments between Sun and Benjamin.

We wrapped our bodies around each other, kissing, touching, taking off clothing when it got in our way. I felt the need for him burning through me, so hot it hurt my chest.
“Sun.” I whispered his name again and again. It was my prayer and my salvation.

There’s also action, and a woman played a strong secondary role amongst it all.

Overall this was a pretty decent historical gay romance, with one of the best book protagonists in Sun - I really enjoyed the book a lot more because of him. While it didn’t make the 4/5 star cut, it was still a book I wanted to finish. I needed to know how everything turned out for Sun and Benjamin. I can see a number of readers who enjoy historical gay romance really enjoying this book. The writing gives a sense of time, plus the excitement and trepidation two young men hold for their future. It has a fitting ending for the period and should make readers happy. 3.75 Stars!

[SheReadsALot]

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Thank you for the gift, Elfy McElfmuffin!!

[Pianka *call me PIU* · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

‘Swift for the Sun’ is a historical gay romance set in the treacherous waters of the Caribbean. It starts out as ‘stranded in an island’ trope but quickly develops into a much bigger and dangerous adventure as ruthless pirates gets involved and the MCs try to fight and survive while also preserving their love for one another.

The writing gives a vivid feel of the setting and the tumultuous times when Brazil was trying to break free from its parent country, Portugal. So along with the romance there are various other elements to look forward to in this book.

Benjamin Lector is a preacher’s son turned criminal from North Carolina. His first undertaking as a smuggler and gunrunner ends in a tragedy as he is ship wrecked losing all his crew as well as cargo. Benjamin finds himself stranded at the infamous ‘Dread Islands’. Trying to survive the elements and mostly failing, Benjamin loses all hope of surviving until he gets rescued by a man who seems to be the only resident of the island.

Sun is a man of few words. He cares for Benjamin and steadily revives him. As the two men spend practically all the time together, Benjamin falls for his savior and vice versa. They settle into a comfortable routine of foraging, hunting and loving each other but as all good things come to an end, Benjamin and Sun’s haven gets invaded as pirates arrive at their island. They are here for Benjamin, especially for his cargo which he lost to the ocean.

As they are carted away by the pirates as their captives, Benjamin learns more about Sun’s past as a slave and what horrendous things he had to do to survive. With the help of a few powerful characters who comes to their aid, Benjamin and Sun escapes while helping their newly minted friends to stop the rebellious colonists of Brazil. Benjamin gets his adventure living his life on the ocean whereas Sun finally sheds his past life for a brand new one with the love of his life.

“I’ve seen how you are with the others on this ship. How you make them… happy. Like you make me happy. I did not think I would ever be happy again, nor that anyone would wish for me to be with them, but…. Benjamin. You make people belong. You make me want… to belong again. You freed me. Saved me.” ~ Sun

This story had a lot of twists which continuously kept me on the edge of my seat. The MCs meet and then there is a lull in action as the lovers fall in love and establish a profound connection. And then when the pirates arrive, the story takes a more violent turn as they are tortured and humiliated as captives. Then the story again changes track as the MCs are rescued and become valuable members of the crew.

We get the story from Benjamin’s POV entirely but it does not diminishes the presence and feelings of Sun. Sun is a tortured soul who did what he did just to survive. His actions were wrong but he did them to stay alive and I could not fault him for that. I could not help but sympathize with his plight and trauma and continuously prayed that he finally get his peace. He does get his HEA with his Benjamin as well as acceptance for their relationship at a time when homophobia was rampant. It was a fitting HEA for both Benjamin and Sun.

“There was no safe place in this world for Sun and me, but there were safe people, and we had found them, and they knew us, and we knew them, and together there was hope for something better for all of us.”

What I liked most about this story was an MC in a pirate/high-seas smuggling story, who is not a very shrewd character or an accomplished criminal. Benjamin had a good heart with a huge capacity of forgiveness and compassion. He was naïve in most ways criminal with a strong moral code which you don’t generally expect in a character involved in gunrunning or smuggling. His love and affection for Sun was exemplary as he risks his neck time and again for his ‘matelot’. I admired his selfless love for Sun, his pure soul and his innate sense of doing the right thing.

The heat level in this story is not too high but felt fitting for the situations the MCs always found themselves in. There are no graphic sex scenes but the intimate scenes were passionate enough to beautifully portray their deep-seated feelings for each other. I for one enjoyed their entire journey from an unconventional meeting to being ‘matelots’.

This story is quite heavy in the politics of the time when the story is set. It had a lot of action, mutiny, swashbuckling sailors and a surprising ‘female’ character who was as fearless as she was efficient in dispatching her enemies.

Historical romance lovers will enjoy this book very much. I had an exciting time reading this novel.

*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*

[A.J. Bauers · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ask the author to describe this book, she'll cheerily say it's a "gay pirate romance" and leave it at that. But in truth, this novel is so much more. There's a darkness in this book, so don't expect your standard warm and fuzzy romance story. Be prepared for trials, both of the mind and body, that might have you setting down the book for a moment, if only to fully feel the depth of the situations Ben and Sun are swept into.

The depth and care Bovenmyer takes with the historical details and language are absolutely astounding. Pirate stories are often romanticized, but this author brings a gritty realism to the subject that leaves the book feeling like an artifact (a hot and steamy artifact, but still). And to help navigate the many foreign phrases and terms scattered throughout the prose, the author even includes a glossary in the back for a handy reference.

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves not only a gay pirate romance, but also to anyone who appreciates well-written and well-researched historical fiction. You will not be disappointed.

[Elisa Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Swift for the Sun Karen Bovenmyer
1) This was a fantastic book that was so vivid I almost felt like I was actually there in the story.
2) This was an interesting story. I liked the way the characters grow during the story. A must for those that like historicals.
3) An engrossing tale of survival and love against the backdrop of slavery, freedom, and the search for happiness.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

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I picked this book up with no idea that it was a romance, though in hindsight the cover may have been a clue. The fact that I came specifically for historical pirate fiction and was not turned away by the romance should speak to how well-handled the romance itself is. It's there, and in places it's quite powerful, but it never serves as a substitute for good storytelling.

Something that immediately jumped out at me was the very precise control of pacing. Whether that's an innate talent the author possesses, or the result of many drafts, I have no idea, but the effect is palpable. The situation aboard the Swift emerges fully-formed, with enough intrigue concerning Benjamin's identity and the risk of his incompetence being exposed that the reader is very comfortable with the idea that we'll be spending a while on the ship, maybe a first act or so. Then the rug gets pulled out and the shipwreck comes suddenly enough to feel like a real catastrophe. Great mirroring of the character's experience of the event with the reader's reversed expectations.

The quick transition into the survival narrative, and even the efficient portioning out of scenes in the relationship building part that comes next, is crucial. There is always an immediate and important problem for Ben to be worried about, and even though he's literally stranded on an island with only one other person, who is not always around, the story (and sense of urgency) doesn't stall whatsoever. This is great. I definitely expected a bit of waiting around for the plot to pick up, but the immediate concerns of resources and safety, along with Ben's internal emotional arc, kept every moment feeling significant from a storytelling perspective. In fact, the solid and continuous build of Ben's internal arc gives the rather freewheeling external plot a valuable structural spine.

The fact that the relationship was fragile and believable with high levels of vulnerability from both characters was some quality icing on the cake.

The fact that the pirates who come back to Dread Island are involved in Sol's past initially felt a little convenient (there are lots of ships, lots of crews), but the reveal that they're largely there *because* of Benjamin's misadventure and after his cargo is fantastic, because not only does it adequately explain the seeming contrivance, it places an internal guilt conflict on Ben along with the external. I was super happy about that.

All the details of the emerging international clusterfuck going on behind the scenes work very well on a fabula level, though my one nit to pick is that the way in which this information is given to Benjamin and thus the audience felt a bit rushed and tidy.

That said, this expositional development is used to propel us into a breathless few bits of conflict that were exceptionally gripping, and into Tortuga. The portrayal of Tortuga, and the Perle in particular, was fabulous, and likely my very favorite part of the book. I don't exaggerate when I say the author captured a bit of that magic that makes readers wish they could visit Narnia, or the Shire, or Hogwarts. You conjured nostalgia for a place the reader hasn't been.

Though the ending is what a reader would expect of a romance, it was spectacularly well-earned, and these characters had to suffer through a lot more adversity than you tend to see in romance. The happy ending elicited a feeling of relief and justice, rather than a groan.

That moment of supreme comfort that Benjamin feels when he realizes he's in a place that accepts him is a lived experience for both me and many of my other LGBTQIA+ friends; it's amazing to look around and suddenly realize the people around you are okay with you, when you're not used to it.

Again, I didn't know this was a romance book. And it didn't bother me in the least. The storytelling was crisp, smart, and knew when to get lush. As said above, came for the piracy, stayed for the emotional authenticity.

Though the book isn't perfect (I haven't met such a book), it goes so far above and beyond the expectations of the form both in ambition and execution that there's no question as to how many stars it earns.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Adventure on the High Seas!

Benjamin has escaped from an ordinary life to adventure on the High Seas, only he's way over his head. He's jumped into a smuggling scheme where he's posing as a notorious Captain, only he knows about as much about sailing as any lubber. When he finds himself ship-wrecked on a desert isle with a dark reputation, he's not any better off, having only lived in more civilized surroundings.

Sun (an Anglicized version of his name given by Benjamin, rather like Defoe's Robinson Crusoe christened his Friday), is man who has escaped the pirates that had him enslaved. Fortunately for Benjamin, he knows much better how to survive and saves Benjamin's life.

There is a lot going on in this book. There are historical political and social details that impact the events. The voices (in speech and thought) of the characters pay homage to the period. Benjamin struggles with his attraction to men, as the son of a preacher who regularly made sure to beat things out of him. He also has moral issues with some of the cardinal sins, despite his involving himself with plots and smugglers. But never fear, these things help set the period and are mostly a subtext rather than plot points. There are also so many micro-tropes played with here-- the twin from different parents, shipwrecked, mysterious island (with a volcano!), white slave, forced to fight in the pits, Man Friday... and that's only in the beginning of the book! But again, never fear, the story goes beyond the toying with these, so that they are almost throw-aways, put there for pure fun.

Benjamin and Sun do not immediately make a sweet couple. They each have their issues and flaws. But it is an exciting journey to go with them as they figure themselves out, become better men, and ultimately forge their fate together.

[Sex is had, but handled lightly with historical terms. There is rape, but handled similarly and briefly.]

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is lovingly and thrillingly crafted, and I was hooked from start to finish. Filled with adventure, romance, and more than a few lovable rogues, Swift for the Sun is a masterpiece. Both of the Benjis, Sun, and especially Marisol were breathed into life, and I couldn't turn each page fast enough. Totally deserving of every star.

[Ash Ellithorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of my issues with the book could have been solved by starting me just a scene or two, a chapter at the absolute most. Conventional wisdom is to begin as close to the inciting incident as possible and right in the thick of the action, which I usually agree with. For this one, though, I wished that I'd had a little more time to get used to the main before being thrown into the shipwreck that sets events in action. While I clicked immediately with Ben, the problem was that I didn't feel anything for his crew or his ship or the life he was giving up to try to survive as a smuggler. So, when the inevitable happened, I wasn't saddened by the wreck or the loss of his men, which I really needed to be for some of the events that come later in the book.

After that first chapter, I found my footing. Ben's relationship with Sun and the way it progresses feels really natural to me, so I loved that. I ripped through the rest of the first half of the book, eager to see them get their happy ending.

Just after halfway, though, I hit another stumbling block. The novel changes direction, not in a bad way, just in one that I wasn't expecting. I think, again, taking a little longer at the start to lay out some of the politics at play in the early 19th century Caribbean would have made the transition a little smoother for me, and I wouldn't have been so disoriented by the sudden switch.

I lost a little precious time adjusting to the new path that the plot takes, but I was very satisfied with the way the novel ends. It's sweet without being saccarine, and it rings true to the characters. At the end of the day, it's exactly what I want from a romance!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical romance is not my usual fare, but I had a really hard time putting Swift for the Sun down. A lovely blend of action and romance with just the right level of levity to make the book thoroughly engaging. I found the story and the characters to be interesting and enjoyable from the get go to the very end. I wish there was more!

[Inge Borg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Discovered Diamond

In the beginning, the title “Swift for the Sun” conjured up everything from old sailing ships swiftly following the sun - to other flights of fancy involving smugglers and privateers (which it does). At the end of Bovenmyer’s novel, I realized that I was wrong in assuming it to be a rollicking pirate fable or – as one of its genre is listed as gay romance - a man loving another man; it was so much more (even though I, too, have loved men – but then, I am a woman).

Benjamin Swift (as he introduces himself to us in this first-person account) is young, impetuous and a bit of a bungler who doesn’t listen too well to advice from his more experienced mates. This becomes sadly evident when, as captain of the Sea Swift, he puts his ship squarely on the rocks on cursed Dread Island.

Deeming himself the only survivor of the wreck, the young seafarer is understandably spooked when he finds himself face to face with a blond island savage who masters survival a lot better than our handsome Benjamin. After initial life-threatening quarrels and mutual mistrust, the two men (both being predisposed by nature or circumstance) fall deeply in love.

This is when the author’s mastery of human needs and wants shines. Lust and love are aptly intertwined with Benjamin’s secret hope to be rescued. A storm does bring a ship - and with it terrible trouble brews for the two. Sun could easily “take care” by himself of unwanted intruders into their isolated paradise; but during an ensuing fight, Benjamin feels he needs to prove himself.
That’s when I shouted at my Kindle, “For heaven’s sake, he told you to stay put!” I had become utterly involved in the two protagonists’ fates and desperately wanted them to escape their seemingly inexorable doom clamped on them by their “rescuers.”

Apart from the thrill of exotic seafaring adventure, the novel left me with a much deeper question about loyalty, the bond between two human beings, and the moral choice between killing for freedom or submitting to Man’s laws. “What would any of us have done?”

I obtained a free copy as part of my review for Helen Hollick’s Discovering Diamonds Review Blog. “Swift for the Sun” is an excellent fluid read and easily earned five stars from me as a Discovered Diamond.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure that I would, seeing as it’s written in first person, and that’s my least favourite POV to read. But it worked really well, I think because the POV was written with lots of emotion and depth. I felt I could really see and understand what Benjamin was feeling throughout, which is what I look for in this kind of POV writing (and which I find a lot of other stories lack).

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the dialogue, the connections made. Also, learning more about the history of the time, especially around Haiti, was fascinating to view through this fictional story lens.

The story, plot, action and pacing are all brilliantly done, with few slow places. I felt engaged throughout, and the romance between Sun and Benjamin was well done.

Also, I loved Benji. Actually, I loved most of the characters and hated the ones I was meant to hate, which I think is a good sign.

Really, this was just an all around fantastic read.

Also, heads up TW for very brief, non-detailed rape. Like one sentence, handled respectfully for such intense, harsh subject matter.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pirate fan's wet dream. Everything you could want and something that often isn't found in the m/m genre at least done in a series fashion. It starts of as a cast a way story with two guys who don't speak a common language stuck on a deserted island. Later we end up with pirates and a little bit of political intrigue thrown in. I liked both characters a great deal. Benjamin is a truly nice guy and deeply caring of Sun. Sun is the killer and protector that has a horrific past. Historical books really aren't my thing but I read this straight through and enjoyed it a great deal.

[Shelba · Rating 1 out of 5]

I suppose I am the odd man out, being the first person to give this less than 3 stars. I can't quite put my finger on what I didn't like about this book, but I struggled through it until almost the halfway point before shelving it on my DNF list. I suppose one of the reasons I didn't enjoy it was because I couldn't bring myself to care for the MC. Considering it is a story about pirates, I found it rather dull. And the smut was really awkward to read: manhood, arousal, staff, mast (I know this is a book about pirates, but "mast", really?)...just say "cock" already.

[Page Crusherz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my surprise of the season! I LOVED this book, and I know I will reread it again and again. Excellent!

[Helen Hollick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs

"an excellent fluid read"

[Carrie Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written story with memorable characters and lots of excitement. A little saucier than my usual literary fare in parts, but the romance/love was sweet and believable, and the history was well researched and imagined. I didn't think I was into pirate-y stories, but I'm glad I branched out — it was well worth the ride.

[Melia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely well-researched and honestly just an enjoyable read.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wheee!!! This was a rip roaring, rollicking, aye me hardies, roller coaster pirate ship ride!! A combination of Robinson Crusoe, Gilligan's Island and On The Island a MF read from some years ago), this was an engaging, action-packed story of a guy who is impersonating a pirate ship captain, Benjamin, and Sun, a near savage who's been living on Dread Island after escaping dire circumstances. It's never quite clear, at least initially, why Benji has been impersonating a pirate ship captain and smuggler but he finds himself and his crew in a horrible storm and after spending hours tossed about in the ocean, finds himself on an island every ship captain stays away from - Dread Island. Great action combined with some lovely geopolitical intrigue. There was some muddled explanations of the treaties, the colonies involving France, Portugal and Brazil, etc. and it taxed my mind to try to remember who was fighting whom and who conquered whom, but it was still fascinating. Also great weaving of the story of how one defines who is a mulatto and what that meant in the US at that time. Just a bit confusing, though, particularly at the end. Benjamin and Sun are great together. Lots of blood and gore, fighting, and beware, an on page sexual assault. Lots of attention to detail although at times, it appears that the dialogue slipped. This is a new to me author and this appears to be her first novel. Really enjoyed it and look forward to whatever she has in store for her next mm read.

[Aidan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This book was fine, I didn’t hate it. I might have rated it a bit higher, until they came to the stupid matelot crap. Firstly, “matelot” just means “sailor” so every time they were like “there’s so many matelots” - yeah I bet so, on a boat. It was just...so over-emphasized. If they had just been like “we engaged in a matelotage” and moved on I would have thought it a cute element, but then the author just beat the damn concept into the ground! There’s minimal evidence/information about matelotage at all, certainly no indication that there were scores of them congregating in the Caribbean and being all publicly mushy. It was just so ridiculous and became way too big of an element of the story - if I have to hear the term “matelot” again anytime soon I think I’ll scream.

[Sean Hanlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read that thrusts you into a historical world of love and survival. A story that is quite eye opening to a world of romance that I have not had the pleasure to explore yet. Karen Bovenmyer also makes the reader feel a spectrum of emotions. From sadness, to gut dropping horror, to heart-warming joy. There are characters you'll love, and those you despise, but only because they are well written villains. The ending seems to hint at another story to tell, one that I am greatly looking forward to.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written

There should be more m/m romance this who written. I look forward to more from this author on any subject, really.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot of action packed into this one. It felt like way more than 230 pages. It's a fun adventure.