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Siren's Call #1
Siren's Call
A looming war. A pirate's revenge. A young noble caught in the middle...
Dradin Sharlain is the youngest son of the most feared family in Malseenia. Scorned by his father and tormented by Vax, his sadistic brother, Dradin is seen as weak and vulnerable, despite his talents in diplomacy. When his carriage breaks down in a remote area known to harbor pirates, he soon falls prey to Captain Rastay, the merciless commander of the pirate ship Siren. Captain Rastay kidnaps him, intending to ransom Dradin for the crewmen Vax is holding captive. Trapped on the high seas, Dradin learns the pirate captain is everything he is not—powerful, fearless, and experienced in the ways of the world. But soon Dradin must make a bargain that may cost him his freedom and his innocence. Only he's no longer certain Rastay is as evil as the rumors claim...
Captain Rastay is desperate to rescue his men from the brutality of Vax Sharlain. So when the chance arises to capture the youngest of the family, he quickly takes the innocent young noble hostage. Rastay is driven by a wildness that shadows him, a craving for action, for revenge, and a growing desire for Dradin. After betrayals and subterfuge, both men are launched on a course toward a perilous battle on the high seas. Yet neither war nor treachery will stop Rastay from getting what he wants. But does he still want revenge...or does he want the hauntingly beautiful Dradin Sharlain in his arms?
Reader Note: Contains intense emotional elements
Dradin Sharlain is the youngest son of the most feared family in Malseenia. Scorned by his father and tormented by Vax, his sadistic brother, Dradin is seen as weak and vulnerable, despite his talents in diplomacy. When his carriage breaks down in a remote area known to harbor pirates, he soon falls prey to Captain Rastay, the merciless commander of the pirate ship Siren. Captain Rastay kidnaps him, intending to ransom Dradin for the crewmen Vax is holding captive. Trapped on the high seas, Dradin learns the pirate captain is everything he is not—powerful, fearless, and experienced in the ways of the world. But soon Dradin must make a bargain that may cost him his freedom and his innocence. Only he's no longer certain Rastay is as evil as the rumors claim...
Captain Rastay is desperate to rescue his men from the brutality of Vax Sharlain. So when the chance arises to capture the youngest of the family, he quickly takes the innocent young noble hostage. Rastay is driven by a wildness that shadows him, a craving for action, for revenge, and a growing desire for Dradin. After betrayals and subterfuge, both men are launched on a course toward a perilous battle on the high seas. Yet neither war nor treachery will stop Rastay from getting what he wants. But does he still want revenge...or does he want the hauntingly beautiful Dradin Sharlain in his arms?
Reader Note: Contains intense emotional elements
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2017
31 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Owens
31 books612 followersAlso known as J.C. McGuire.
J.C Owens lives in small town, rural Alberta and is a self confessed writing-a-holic. In the absence of help for this affliction…
I do indeed love to write and have now completed thirty published stories, along with over twenty books sitting idle in my computer, waiting… I love the genre of male/male stories and conflict in what a person thinks they want, versus what they truly need to become themselves. I think any writing that shows the beauty of men loving men is worthwhile.
I love to hear from my readers and always appreciate suggestions and comments for future books. Sharing a love of reading and good, hot sensuality between men is always a cause for celebration!
J.C Owens lives in small town, rural Alberta and is a self confessed writing-a-holic. In the absence of help for this affliction…
I do indeed love to write and have now completed thirty published stories, along with over twenty books sitting idle in my computer, waiting… I love the genre of male/male stories and conflict in what a person thinks they want, versus what they truly need to become themselves. I think any writing that shows the beauty of men loving men is worthwhile.
I love to hear from my readers and always appreciate suggestions and comments for future books. Sharing a love of reading and good, hot sensuality between men is always a cause for celebration!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 9, 2017
Lo confieso, una de las 4 es sólo porque tengo debilidad por los pelirrojos, dicho esto, las otras tres van para la historia, cuya primera parte es casi brillante, lenguaje rico, buenas descripciones, preciosa construción del mundillo que les rodea y en general, una sorpresa por su calidad, sin embargo, la segunda parte decae bastante porque aunque hay una gran carga de tensión entre ellos, pasado el momento cumbre es cómo si de repente al autor/a le hubiese entrado una prisa tremenda por solucionarlo todo. (Mi sádico corazoncito también ha echado en falta un poco más de 'sangre' en esa venganza, al final el fiero capitán quedó en gatito)
No sé exactamente cómo se enamoran, el insta love no me molesta demasiado pero creo que le ha hecho un gran disfavor a la historia y los personajes, la novela hubiese agradecido unos capítulos más en los que la relación de los protas se genere, se nutra, se haga creible y no te pase cómo a mi, que pensaba que el gato le habia puesto la zarpa al kindle y me había saltado alguna escena.
A pesar de ello, es muy entretenido si te van los piratas maromos con trencitas y los chicos que son el equivalente medieval de un twink que al final demuestra más valor que todos ellos juntos.
Esperaré ansiosa por el resto y de paso ojearé el resto del autor porque no conozco nada suyo.
No sé exactamente cómo se enamoran, el insta love no me molesta demasiado pero creo que le ha hecho un gran disfavor a la historia y los personajes, la novela hubiese agradecido unos capítulos más en los que la relación de los protas se genere, se nutra, se haga creible y no te pase cómo a mi, que pensaba que el gato le habia puesto la zarpa al kindle y me había saltado alguna escena.
A pesar de ello, es muy entretenido si te van los piratas maromos con trencitas y los chicos que son el equivalente medieval de un twink que al final demuestra más valor que todos ellos juntos.
Esperaré ansiosa por el resto y de paso ojearé el resto del autor porque no conozco nada suyo.
August 18, 2017
Sigh. I am so sad that this book wasn't as compelling as past books. The writing is always top notch, JC is a very talented writer that makes any story a pleasure to read, but the overall story was not as deep and thoughtful as her earlier books.
Sadly, they are getting a bit formulaic, the misunderstood virginal/somewhat asexual pretty boy with a core of steel from being abused and persevering and the enemy that eventually sees past the surface are the base characters. I LOVE that trope. LOVE it, but the past few have been, I don't know, too easy. Not enough conflict between duty and love.
The older books, with much more psychological programming and intense internal struggles were more compelling to me and I miss them. The characters really had to abandon some close held dogma to get to the happy ending and the struggle to get there was fulfilling.
Additionally, the sex scenes were just not...fulfilling. While I do expect some dubcon in my enemies to lovers story, I want to actually feel the resistance and the overcoming of the resistance on both sides. The sex scenes (I think there were two?) that were on page were unsatisfying and I felt no connection between Draiden and Rastay while they were intimate together. I certainly had no idea why Draiden fell so hard for Rastay after those sex scenes. It seemed immature and shallow instead of worldview altering and devotional.
JC Owen is an autobuy, this doesn't change things but hopefully she gets back to her roots and gives us more ruthless men being only slightly tamed by their match and matches that have to dig deep to tame those men.
Also, be aware. This book ends at 85%. I hate when I think I have more to come and am blindsided by the book ending early. There is a bunch of excerpts and blurbs for other JC Owens books that take up the other 15%.
Sadly, they are getting a bit formulaic, the misunderstood virginal/somewhat asexual pretty boy with a core of steel from being abused and persevering and the enemy that eventually sees past the surface are the base characters. I LOVE that trope. LOVE it, but the past few have been, I don't know, too easy. Not enough conflict between duty and love.
The older books, with much more psychological programming and intense internal struggles were more compelling to me and I miss them. The characters really had to abandon some close held dogma to get to the happy ending and the struggle to get there was fulfilling.
Additionally, the sex scenes were just not...fulfilling. While I do expect some dubcon in my enemies to lovers story, I want to actually feel the resistance and the overcoming of the resistance on both sides. The sex scenes (I think there were two?) that were on page were unsatisfying and I felt no connection between Draiden and Rastay while they were intimate together. I certainly had no idea why Draiden fell so hard for Rastay after those sex scenes. It seemed immature and shallow instead of worldview altering and devotional.
JC Owen is an autobuy, this doesn't change things but hopefully she gets back to her roots and gives us more ruthless men being only slightly tamed by their match and matches that have to dig deep to tame those men.
Also, be aware. This book ends at 85%. I hate when I think I have more to come and am blindsided by the book ending early. There is a bunch of excerpts and blurbs for other JC Owens books that take up the other 15%.
July 4, 2018
This may be the first book by JC Owens that I really did not enjoy. It may have something to due w/ the fact that this book is based around revenge rape. You raped my brother so I'm going to rape yours...ya that's not going to work for me. Plus I feel like all Rastay's anger was directed at the wrong person. If he really wanted to hurt Vax (which it didn't sound like he did) he should have gone about it a completely different way.
April 16, 2018
The "swashbuckling rogue wins over good-hearted captive virgin with his rough ways" trope is an awful old mainstay of the romance genre. As a reader who enjoys romance where authors put a new spin on outdated or problematic tropes, and especially loves queer romance that delivers thoughtful takes on tropes that were once viewed as reserved for straight relationships, I was really curious about where "Siren's Call" would go.
Spoilers follow, but for what it's worth, these are things I wish I'd known before I bought and read the book.
It didn't go far, sadly, faithfully following that disgusting old forced seduction trope to the letter. The summary mentions that there are "intense emotional elements," which is an inadequate description. The book repeatedly turns to rape, sexual assault, and sex of dubious consent as plot elements in ways that feel gratuitous, including an out-of-left-field incestuous threat from the villain toward the end. But it's most visible in the main relationship, which romanticizes rape. I could not fathom why Rastay and Dradin suddenly fall in love after a short sex scene which Dradin has been coerced and trapped into. Dradin--who had been abused by his family all his life!--was made to THANK Rastay for not pummeling him, and then they were suddenly madly in love after that?!
The prose is awkward and the ending is rushed. The sex scenes felt generic, utilitarian, and short, and were all tainted by coercion. The central love story did not recover from the power imbalance, and the move from terrorizing captor/terrorized captive to star-crossed lovers was jarringly fast.
Honestly, I don't know how I finished this book. It made me furious.
Spoilers follow, but for what it's worth, these are things I wish I'd known before I bought and read the book.
It didn't go far, sadly, faithfully following that disgusting old forced seduction trope to the letter. The summary mentions that there are "intense emotional elements," which is an inadequate description. The book repeatedly turns to rape, sexual assault, and sex of dubious consent as plot elements in ways that feel gratuitous, including an out-of-left-field incestuous threat from the villain toward the end. But it's most visible in the main relationship, which romanticizes rape. I could not fathom why Rastay and Dradin suddenly fall in love after a short sex scene which Dradin has been coerced and trapped into. Dradin--who had been abused by his family all his life!--was made to THANK Rastay for not pummeling him, and then they were suddenly madly in love after that?!
The prose is awkward and the ending is rushed. The sex scenes felt generic, utilitarian, and short, and were all tainted by coercion. The central love story did not recover from the power imbalance, and the move from terrorizing captor/terrorized captive to star-crossed lovers was jarringly fast.
Honestly, I don't know how I finished this book. It made me furious.
April 7, 2022
Rating: 3.5 stars
I will preface this review by saying that I usually do not like pirate stories much. I bought this book on the strength of the author. That being said, I did enjoy this book. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I bought into Dradin's and Rastay's romance a bit more. That aspect fell flat for me. As character's I liked Dradin much more than I liked Rastay. Although, I do think that was the point to Rastay's character. On the plus side, I really liked many of the side characters. I loved Oulin especially.
Story wise, while it doesn't end in a cliffhanger, there are many plot points left open at the end of this book. The author states that she is planning a sequel. I liked this story enough that I'm on board and looking forward to see where this story is headed. I would love Oulin to have his own story.
I will preface this review by saying that I usually do not like pirate stories much. I bought this book on the strength of the author. That being said, I did enjoy this book. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I bought into Dradin's and Rastay's romance a bit more. That aspect fell flat for me. As character's I liked Dradin much more than I liked Rastay. Although, I do think that was the point to Rastay's character. On the plus side, I really liked many of the side characters. I loved Oulin especially.
Story wise, while it doesn't end in a cliffhanger, there are many plot points left open at the end of this book. The author states that she is planning a sequel. I liked this story enough that I'm on board and looking forward to see where this story is headed. I would love Oulin to have his own story.
October 15, 2020
4.5 stars.
There was a part (non-con bordering rape) I did not like at all, but the author managed to save it by adding a voice of reason - aka a fellow captain pirate.
One other, and rather minor in this book, problem, was a the L word. How? Why? What the heck? *scratches her head*
Anyway, in the end, I really enjoyed the story. The author promised more, so I am waiting! :D
***
Warning: No magic, no paranormal, no mermaids/sirens. Nothing supernatural, just a historical placed in an imaginary, but normal, world.
There was a part (non-con bordering rape) I did not like at all, but the author managed to save it by adding a voice of reason - aka a fellow captain pirate.
One other, and rather minor in this book, problem, was a the L word. How? Why? What the heck? *scratches her head*
Anyway, in the end, I really enjoyed the story. The author promised more, so I am waiting! :D
***
Warning: No magic, no paranormal, no mermaids/sirens. Nothing supernatural, just a historical placed in an imaginary, but normal, world.
November 18, 2017
The author's logic behind the love story somehow eludes me. Character is coerced into sex to trade for his servant's freedom. Character falls in love with rapist. They live happily ever after??
I don't understand that, to be honest.
I don't understand that, to be honest.
May 12, 2018
It was perfect. That’s it. I have no other words. No more words are needed. I have read this 3 times.
January 10, 2018
This is a book with many potentials, which are, quite a shame, never fully developed. There are sections I really like, but the actions are pretty lame.
I like Dradin's calmness and wisdom, but he might be a little more charming if there's some minor flaws in his personality. Rastay's temper is well depicted and really reminded me of the pirate protagonist in "Trade Winds." However, the personalities of neither of the couple were really developed despite the good start. The second half of the story tend to be focused on actions, which are far less interesting and flat.
Still, I enjoyed some of the story and think it deserve at least 3 stars (3.5 to be precise).
With the notes after the story, I do suspect that Ren and Hilde had something not fully developed when in the academy, which makes good sense considering Rastay was more angry with Hilde than with Vax.
I like Dradin's calmness and wisdom, but he might be a little more charming if there's some minor flaws in his personality. Rastay's temper is well depicted and really reminded me of the pirate protagonist in "Trade Winds." However, the personalities of neither of the couple were really developed despite the good start. The second half of the story tend to be focused on actions, which are far less interesting and flat.
Still, I enjoyed some of the story and think it deserve at least 3 stars (3.5 to be precise).
With the notes after the story, I do suspect that Ren and Hilde had something not fully developed when in the academy, which makes good sense considering Rastay was more angry with Hilde than with Vax.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2017
I should've learnt my lesson from all the other books by this author that I didn't like, but I thought it'd turn out different. The sample was good! I considered a lot before I bought it. What NOT ONE review so far has mentioned is the gross disgusting rape plot line.
Pretty much, Rastay (worst name ever) forces Dradin to sleep with him so he can keep his servant safe. He rapes Dradin, but it's justified because he wasn't brutal. Then they suddenly have feelings for each other????? After like three days in each other's company where Dradin is terrified of Rastay???
Disgusting. I had to DNF because I couldn't stand reading this ridiculous Stockholm syndrome book. There is something seriously wrong with justifying rape in a book.
Pretty much, Rastay (worst name ever) forces Dradin to sleep with him so he can keep his servant safe. He rapes Dradin, but it's justified because he wasn't brutal. Then they suddenly have feelings for each other????? After like three days in each other's company where Dradin is terrified of Rastay???
Disgusting. I had to DNF because I couldn't stand reading this ridiculous Stockholm syndrome book. There is something seriously wrong with justifying rape in a book.
December 22, 2017
There's a lot to like in this book. Lots of tropey goodness - pirates, secret princes, cold pretty boy who's too reserved to let anyone in, dark pasts, and enemies-to-lovers is my favourite Id fodder.
I really enjoyed the beginning, and this author's prose is well constructed, but the book just...didn't go anywhere. Some of the plot threads got dropped or didn't go anywhere, I didn't see why Dradin started liking Rastay after all the unpleasantness (don't read this book if dubcon is not your thing).
I think I would still have been a fan if I felt like I understood the characters - but they kept doing things and I just didn't understand why. I'm into romance for the characters, basically, so for me this was something I couldn't get past - YMMV.
I really enjoyed the beginning, and this author's prose is well constructed, but the book just...didn't go anywhere. Some of the plot threads got dropped or didn't go anywhere, I didn't see why Dradin started liking Rastay after all the unpleasantness (don't read this book if dubcon is not your thing).
I think I would still have been a fan if I felt like I understood the characters - but they kept doing things and I just didn't understand why. I'm into romance for the characters, basically, so for me this was something I couldn't get past - YMMV.
August 23, 2022
Do not EVER glorify rape. WTF?!
But that aside the case of inexplicable “insta-love” halfway through the book between the victim and his rapist… I mean everyone knows about “magic healing powers of a dick”, but I did not think it could induce love as well *sarcasm*
If one needs a good example of pirate/captive story one needs not look further than “On a Lee Shore”, bam no rape needed.
But that aside the case of inexplicable “insta-love” halfway through the book between the victim and his rapist… I mean everyone knows about “magic healing powers of a dick”, but I did not think it could induce love as well *sarcasm*
If one needs a good example of pirate/captive story one needs not look further than “On a Lee Shore”, bam no rape needed.
August 11, 2017
Such an excellent and fun read. The plot was interesting, the pace was well done, and the characters -oh, how I loved the characters. The sex between the two men was utterly sexy. I highly recommend this book to read. A great story done by J.C. Owens.
August 19, 2017
Calling to Me Again and Again!
As always JC Owens gives a story worth reading again and again. Filled with adventure, a battle, and two amazing lovers, I can't wait until the sequel! Bring it! We're ready!
As always JC Owens gives a story worth reading again and again. Filled with adventure, a battle, and two amazing lovers, I can't wait until the sequel! Bring it! We're ready!
January 14, 2018
To be honest, I had no idea what was motivating any of the characters to do what they did. Except, idk Hilden maybe? The rest is a mystery, which should explain just how badly written I thought this book to be.
August 28, 2017
I need Ren and Hilden's story. There is something between them and I need to know what. Oulin deserves a story too.
September 1, 2020
I think in this story J C Owens has done a better job of landing the ending than in many of their other books that I’ve read.
November 4, 2024
This was...fine. I was initially put off by the overly dramatic language, but it's not intolerable. My main complaint is that despite the MCs being at odds for most of the book, it still feels like insta-love. They barely speak to each other but somehow develop very intense feelings. No buildup to the relationship, no substance, and any romantic or sexual tension is undercut by rapid POV switches. Plus, unrealistic sex (a pet peeve). Still, the story was exciting for a while. I find it very irritating that the book ended at 80%. The rest was promos for other books. I'll probably give this author another shot but I'm hesitant about paying full price—I feel cheated.
September 6, 2017
I liked it
I really liked it.
~~spoliers~~~
I thought the end of Bad would have been a Biltmore drawn out. Or his threat would have a been a bit more real. He was built up and talked about a bunch and then we meet him Nd then he's dead. It was all a bit anticlimactic.
I loved the characters though.
I'd read the next one for sure!
I really liked it.
~~spoliers~~~
I thought the end of Bad would have been a Biltmore drawn out. Or his threat would have a been a bit more real. He was built up and talked about a bunch and then we meet him Nd then he's dead. It was all a bit anticlimactic.
I loved the characters though.
I'd read the next one for sure!
January 23, 2020
Great world building, really good story, but not much of a romance. The feelings from both Will and Dradin felt artificial at best. They didn't even spend enough time together to have any kind of real sense of the other.
March 17, 2022
1.5
J’ai pas du tout aimé mais puisque l’histoire est courte (environ 300 page en ebook) je me suis dit que j’allais le finir et peut être l’apprécié….
Spoiler alert: NON.
J’ai quand même mis 1.5 pour les efforts fournie par l’auteur d’avoir écrit un livre.
J’ai pas du tout aimé mais puisque l’histoire est courte (environ 300 page en ebook) je me suis dit que j’allais le finir et peut être l’apprécié….
Spoiler alert: NON.
J’ai quand même mis 1.5 pour les efforts fournie par l’auteur d’avoir écrit un livre.
August 8, 2017
This was so good! I can't wait for any sequel Miss Owens!
August 25, 2017
4.5 stars
August 29, 2017
It's a wonderful and exciting read! Enemies-to-lovers, pirate and nobleman, strong and brave MCs, slow burn romance, only three short sex scenes, and that killing blow! Well done, Dradin!
September 14, 2017
4.5 Star. I can't wait for the rest.
October 1, 2017
Sooo good. I couldn't put it down.
November 22, 2017
You can read my review of “Siren's Call” at my web site.
May 4, 2022
*4.5*
June 15, 2019
Soap opera involving faux rapey pirates and none of the dp orgies that I was hoping for, and that might or might not have rescued this hot mess.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews