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The Squire
Duncan has been Sir William's squire for two years. During that time, he has lusted after and been in love with the beautiful muscular knight. Too bad Sir William prefers fair maidens ...
Suddenly Sir William is called home due to the impending death of his father. On the journey, he catches his squire watching other men having sex and realizes Duncan is also ready for some love play. Once they reach the family's estates, William and Duncan begin an affair of both body and heart. But the happiness they find together is short-lived when the king dictates that William must marry a suitable heiress.
Unable to bear his place beside William and his wife, Duncan flees. Can William find the squire to convince him their love is meant to be?
Suddenly Sir William is called home due to the impending death of his father. On the journey, he catches his squire watching other men having sex and realizes Duncan is also ready for some love play. Once they reach the family's estates, William and Duncan begin an affair of both body and heart. But the happiness they find together is short-lived when the king dictates that William must marry a suitable heiress.
Unable to bear his place beside William and his wife, Duncan flees. Can William find the squire to convince him their love is meant to be?
46 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2008
1 person is currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Lane
133 books309 followersShawn Lane writes erotic gay romances and believes love and passion know no boundaries. Happily Ever After is for everyone.
In the past she has written heterosexual romances (see her backlist) but is now concentrating on gay romances.
Shawn lives in California and holds down a boring day job in a legal department of a giant corporation dreaming of the nights and weekends when she can create new stories.
Shawn loves to hear from readers, is happy to answer any questions, and has been known to send free books to fans just because.
In the past she has written heterosexual romances (see her backlist) but is now concentrating on gay romances.
Shawn lives in California and holds down a boring day job in a legal department of a giant corporation dreaming of the nights and weekends when she can create new stories.
Shawn loves to hear from readers, is happy to answer any questions, and has been known to send free books to fans just because.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 26, 2008
This is really 4.5 stars.
I am really becoming addicted to Shawn Lane's writings. My only gripe about her stories are so short. I would love to read a longer story written by her. I will say that although The Squire is a short story, it had all of the elements I love in romance...especially M/M romance.
Set in England in 1345, Duncan has been Sir William's squire for two years. He has fallen for his larger than life Knight and is easily distracted from his duties because he can't keep his eyes off of the beautiful William.
Duncan is not only supposed to be working for William, but preparing himself for a life of being a Knight himself...to which Duncan really doesn't have any desire for.
Sir William has much patience with the accident prone Duncan. Not only does his squire require constant redirection, Sir William knows there is more to him that meets the eye and has been fighting his attraction to Duncan from the moment they met.
When they finally admit their feelings for one another, Sir William has been commanded by the King to marry. This puts Duncan and William's relationship into a tailspin...to which Duncan sees no happy ending for them.
I loved how this story was rounded up. There is a very satisfied ending, and I hope that we get to revisit Duncan and William again...I would love to see how everything works out between them.
If you are offended by explict m/m sex and romance than this book is not for you. I am happy I am not and love this genre, so I got to enjoy this beautiful book.
I am really becoming addicted to Shawn Lane's writings. My only gripe about her stories are so short. I would love to read a longer story written by her. I will say that although The Squire is a short story, it had all of the elements I love in romance...especially M/M romance.
Set in England in 1345, Duncan has been Sir William's squire for two years. He has fallen for his larger than life Knight and is easily distracted from his duties because he can't keep his eyes off of the beautiful William.
Duncan is not only supposed to be working for William, but preparing himself for a life of being a Knight himself...to which Duncan really doesn't have any desire for.
Sir William has much patience with the accident prone Duncan. Not only does his squire require constant redirection, Sir William knows there is more to him that meets the eye and has been fighting his attraction to Duncan from the moment they met.
When they finally admit their feelings for one another, Sir William has been commanded by the King to marry. This puts Duncan and William's relationship into a tailspin...to which Duncan sees no happy ending for them.
I loved how this story was rounded up. There is a very satisfied ending, and I hope that we get to revisit Duncan and William again...I would love to see how everything works out between them.
If you are offended by explict m/m sex and romance than this book is not for you. I am happy I am not and love this genre, so I got to enjoy this beautiful book.
September 28, 2009
Wow! I was surprised by this jewel called "The Squire." My head must've been buried in the sand because I wasn't aware of how great Shawn Lane writes Medieval Romances.
Both William and Duncan were very cool characters in which both men stole my heart from the first page. I'm hoping that Shawn decides to take pity on all of her fans and continue William and Duncan's story. There seems like so much more that can be told between them, I hated to see it come to an end.
Thanks for the point in the right direction, Shayne!
Both William and Duncan were very cool characters in which both men stole my heart from the first page. I'm hoping that Shawn decides to take pity on all of her fans and continue William and Duncan's story. There seems like so much more that can be told between them, I hated to see it come to an end.
Thanks for the point in the right direction, Shayne!
November 11, 2008
Hot and oh-so-sweet - the perfect description for this m/m erotic romance. Set during the medieval time period, Ducan is Sir William's squire. He's not a very good squire, but he tries his best. And at 18 years of age, Duncan is more than eager to explore his sexuality. The man he wants is his handsome knight, yet he doesn't believe William prefers men. Imagine his surprise when William makes his interest known. What follows is a blistering hot affair. Duncan is so sweet and eager, and so in love with William. And William, his love for Duncan is just as clear. But Duncan ends their relationship when he learns the king decides William must marry.
I won't give the ending away, but needless to say, I thought it was perfect. :)
I won't give the ending away, but needless to say, I thought it was perfect. :)
December 15, 2008
I really liked Duncan and William's relationship. William was so patient with Duncan at times, and I loved it when they got together! I wonder how they will work their relationship out, so much obligation on William's shoulders makes me hope that he and Duncan will be able to weather the storm.
September 29, 2017
2.3 Stars
Okay, first I should know better than to read two books with the same theme back-to-back because I'm gonna end up comparing them. To that end, this was a major disappointment.
The language, the style, the tone, the pacing...none if it felt period appropriate. Also, this could have been any servant and lord, so I felt a little cheated out of reading about the tasks a squire would normally perform for a knight. (Mentioned as well, the boy was a shitty squire, so maybe I was saved from the torture of it being done wrong.)
But this "squire"...really? He gets everything he's ever dreamed of in bedding his knight, so yay. Except, flouncing off there and running away when presented with news that a landed fucking noble would *gasp* have to marry at the King's behest? Yeah, sorry, that wasn't at all believable. Even worse? The damn idiot searching high and low for a measly servant, making a scene basically all across the country. *eyeroll* Suuuuuuure.
Honestly, the story wouldn't have even rated 2 stars if the sex hadn't been at least a little hot. No grease, oil or lube of any kind for the first time was a bit crass (if probably historically accurate). Of course, that didn't keep the man from producing it 10 damn minutes later for a second go. Asshole.
Okay, first I should know better than to read two books with the same theme back-to-back because I'm gonna end up comparing them. To that end, this was a major disappointment.
The language, the style, the tone, the pacing...none if it felt period appropriate. Also, this could have been any servant and lord, so I felt a little cheated out of reading about the tasks a squire would normally perform for a knight. (Mentioned as well, the boy was a shitty squire, so maybe I was saved from the torture of it being done wrong.)
But this "squire"...really? He gets everything he's ever dreamed of in bedding his knight, so yay. Except, flouncing off there and running away when presented with news that a landed fucking noble would *gasp* have to marry at the King's behest? Yeah, sorry, that wasn't at all believable. Even worse? The damn idiot searching high and low for a measly servant, making a scene basically all across the country. *eyeroll* Suuuuuuure.
Honestly, the story wouldn't have even rated 2 stars if the sex hadn't been at least a little hot. No grease, oil or lube of any kind for the first time was a bit crass (if probably historically accurate). Of course, that didn't keep the man from producing it 10 damn minutes later for a second go. Asshole.
June 11, 2010
This is an erotic short novella/long short story set in the 14th century, and the heat level is right up there at the top end of the thermometer. I’ll say here and now that I enjoyed the story, and although it’s short and sweet, the author did all the things a short story should do with conflict, and resolution and I can’t fault it in that way at all. I enjoyed the sex too!
The characters were easy to get to know, and I particularly liked Duncan for all his enthusiasm and affection. His knight Sir William has a voice all his own, and I could really see him as described.
That being said, and as this is a historical blog, I have to mention some of the things that struck me when it became clear that this was simply wallpaper historical erotica – men in fancy dress having a lot of sex out ofthe fancy dress – and this could have been avoided.
Firstly, the speech. As the story is set in 1345 it would of course have been impossible to write the speech as it was unless you wanted ye olde Chaucerie erotica but there are ways to express a more formal way of speaking. It is also fine to have your characters speaking in modern (but not too modern please) ways of speaking – but to mix them up is jarring to the reader (or to this reader anyway). One minute Duncan is sounding like a modern man; and then – almost as if the author was suddenly thinking “oops – got to remind the reader that this is in the past” words like “mayhap”, “swive” (when fuck (and making love) are used alternately) and “nay” are scattered throughout. I don’t mind one or the other, but not both.
The historical inaccuracies abound I’m afraid, enough to make a purist scream: Braes are referred to as ancient underpants but braes are actually hills, and I was a bit confused why the squire had hills around his ankles. The word for medieval knickers is braies. There’s mention of chests of drawers (no!) and a wardrobe (definitely not!) but most jarring is Duncan’s age. I understand perfectly why the author had to make him 18, (because most publishers insist on it as that’s the legal age in parts of the USA) but it makes little sense in context, and warping fact to fit modern sensibilities is just daft. Squires were 12 or so when they became squires (having been pages before this from the age of 6 or 7) so to say he’d only been a squire for two years stuck out like a sore thumb. This could have been avoided with a bit of alteration – say making him a squire since he was 12 although this wouldn’t have explained why he could hardly ride a horse.
The editing has to be mentioned too, I’m afraid. Amber Quill is invite only and self-proclaims itself as “The Gold Standard in Publishing” but there are too many typos for me to be convinced of the hyperbole, and in such a short story the quantity of errors, both in accuracy and in the text simply isn’t acceptable.
It’s hard to comment more on the plot, because of the shortness of the piece, but it hangs together well– and, as I said, the sex is red-hot so lovers of historical sex will definitely find this lights a fuse under them. For me though –although I enjoyed the erotica – it was the inaccuracies that spoiled it for me. It won’t stop me looking out for more of Shawn Lane’s work though, as it’s clear that he/she can tell a tale, in and out of the bedroom.
The characters were easy to get to know, and I particularly liked Duncan for all his enthusiasm and affection. His knight Sir William has a voice all his own, and I could really see him as described.
That being said, and as this is a historical blog, I have to mention some of the things that struck me when it became clear that this was simply wallpaper historical erotica – men in fancy dress having a lot of sex out ofthe fancy dress – and this could have been avoided.
Firstly, the speech. As the story is set in 1345 it would of course have been impossible to write the speech as it was unless you wanted ye olde Chaucerie erotica but there are ways to express a more formal way of speaking. It is also fine to have your characters speaking in modern (but not too modern please) ways of speaking – but to mix them up is jarring to the reader (or to this reader anyway). One minute Duncan is sounding like a modern man; and then – almost as if the author was suddenly thinking “oops – got to remind the reader that this is in the past” words like “mayhap”, “swive” (when fuck (and making love) are used alternately) and “nay” are scattered throughout. I don’t mind one or the other, but not both.
The historical inaccuracies abound I’m afraid, enough to make a purist scream: Braes are referred to as ancient underpants but braes are actually hills, and I was a bit confused why the squire had hills around his ankles. The word for medieval knickers is braies. There’s mention of chests of drawers (no!) and a wardrobe (definitely not!) but most jarring is Duncan’s age. I understand perfectly why the author had to make him 18, (because most publishers insist on it as that’s the legal age in parts of the USA) but it makes little sense in context, and warping fact to fit modern sensibilities is just daft. Squires were 12 or so when they became squires (having been pages before this from the age of 6 or 7) so to say he’d only been a squire for two years stuck out like a sore thumb. This could have been avoided with a bit of alteration – say making him a squire since he was 12 although this wouldn’t have explained why he could hardly ride a horse.
The editing has to be mentioned too, I’m afraid. Amber Quill is invite only and self-proclaims itself as “The Gold Standard in Publishing” but there are too many typos for me to be convinced of the hyperbole, and in such a short story the quantity of errors, both in accuracy and in the text simply isn’t acceptable.
It’s hard to comment more on the plot, because of the shortness of the piece, but it hangs together well– and, as I said, the sex is red-hot so lovers of historical sex will definitely find this lights a fuse under them. For me though –although I enjoyed the erotica – it was the inaccuracies that spoiled it for me. It won’t stop me looking out for more of Shawn Lane’s work though, as it’s clear that he/she can tell a tale, in and out of the bedroom.
Read
April 27, 2009Duncan is Sir William's squire. Duncan is 18 years old but he is not "grown" like the other squires of same age. He is little and pretty, almost too pretty to be a man. And he is in love with his knight, Sir William. Duncan has yet to experiment sex, with women or men alike, but he dreams everynight of William and when he accidentally spies another squire making love with a man, he realizes that also him, who likes men, can physically love. But he still desires only William, who apparently only has female lovers.
Sir William is a 27 years old young man. He is very handsome and has his fair share of lovers. He is not against the idea to make love to a man, but actually it'is more simple to be with a woman. But his young squire is a pretty thing to look at, and now that Duncan starts to be interested in the sexual side of love, he is ready to pick up the "blushing virgin".
The story is very short, less than 45 pages, but it's a funny romp. Not very historical detailed, it's more a little piece of savage romance, with the twist of the maiden virgin becomes a virgin squire. Even if Duncan is a man, he is not a very good squire, and probably he is not ready, and never will, to be a knight. He is the classical omega man, always in trouble and always in need to have a firm hand to direct him.
The story faces the problem of the social status of William, and of his due toward his title: as first and only son, he is expected to marry and produce an heir. something that obviously Duncan couldn't give him...
If you don't expect to read a "strong" historical romance, but are happy to enjoy a short and funny tale, The Squire is a light one. Duncan is the real only main character, William is more an icon, the dream lover of young Duncan.
To better set the story, I notice that the author uses some uncommon words, like "to swive" and "mayhap": maybe they are not so uncommon as they sound to me, but they help me to be aware that I was reading an historical romance, and not a contemporary romance "dressed" as historical.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QBPLU6/?...
Sir William is a 27 years old young man. He is very handsome and has his fair share of lovers. He is not against the idea to make love to a man, but actually it'is more simple to be with a woman. But his young squire is a pretty thing to look at, and now that Duncan starts to be interested in the sexual side of love, he is ready to pick up the "blushing virgin".
The story is very short, less than 45 pages, but it's a funny romp. Not very historical detailed, it's more a little piece of savage romance, with the twist of the maiden virgin becomes a virgin squire. Even if Duncan is a man, he is not a very good squire, and probably he is not ready, and never will, to be a knight. He is the classical omega man, always in trouble and always in need to have a firm hand to direct him.
The story faces the problem of the social status of William, and of his due toward his title: as first and only son, he is expected to marry and produce an heir. something that obviously Duncan couldn't give him...
If you don't expect to read a "strong" historical romance, but are happy to enjoy a short and funny tale, The Squire is a light one. Duncan is the real only main character, William is more an icon, the dream lover of young Duncan.
To better set the story, I notice that the author uses some uncommon words, like "to swive" and "mayhap": maybe they are not so uncommon as they sound to me, but they help me to be aware that I was reading an historical romance, and not a contemporary romance "dressed" as historical.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QBPLU6/?...
February 1, 2015
I really liked the plot. Great writing, great characters and excellent sex.
April 8, 2017
Squire lusts after his knight
This was one the author's earlier works, and I think it shows in uneven to almost atrocious writing, especially regarding the mix of "period" language with modern prose. That being said, the story was oh-so-incredibly-sweet in a way that swept me off of my feet, a true knight pursuing what he knows to be noble and right.
Writing: 2 stars
Story: 5 stars
Average: 3.5 stars (rounded to four because of the medieval setting)
This was one the author's earlier works, and I think it shows in uneven to almost atrocious writing, especially regarding the mix of "period" language with modern prose. That being said, the story was oh-so-incredibly-sweet in a way that swept me off of my feet, a true knight pursuing what he knows to be noble and right.
Writing: 2 stars
Story: 5 stars
Average: 3.5 stars (rounded to four because of the medieval setting)
July 19, 2017
Very short sexfest. HFN ending.
May 18, 2021
Reads the Blurb & Enjoy
Nice little palate cleanser which takes you into the fantasy world of a medieval squire in lust with his knight, and unbeknownst to him, the object of his knight's unspoken desire. I breezed right through it with a bowl of ice cream and licked my lips most of the way to the end. Grab it.
Nice little palate cleanser which takes you into the fantasy world of a medieval squire in lust with his knight, and unbeknownst to him, the object of his knight's unspoken desire. I breezed right through it with a bowl of ice cream and licked my lips most of the way to the end. Grab it.
September 6, 2016
Set in England in 1345, Duncan struggles to be a decent squire and to hide his attraction for Sir William. When William catches Duncan watching the squire Aaron with another man, he realizes that his young squire’s desires mimic his own. Although in the past he has avoided pursuing anything with a squire who might feel obligated to pleasure him, William’s feelings for Duncan are different from the start. His longing for the young squire is overwhelming, leading the men to begin an affair that is filled with equal parts lust and love.
The Squire is a sweetly romantic short story, at 57 pages long. The sex between the two men is passionate and erotic, as well as tender as William guides Duncan in his first sexual experiences with another. The emotions run high throughout the story, especially when the men learn that William has been ordered to marry. Duncan is devastated and distraught by this news, as he knows he cannot stand by and watch the man he so deeply loves be married to another. There is a bit of humor in the story as well, as Duncan is not the most attentive of squires, spending more time trying to discover the identify of Aaron’s lover than serving his knight. Overall this is a highly enjoyable story that will leave a smile on your face, absolutely a recommended read!
The Squire is a sweetly romantic short story, at 57 pages long. The sex between the two men is passionate and erotic, as well as tender as William guides Duncan in his first sexual experiences with another. The emotions run high throughout the story, especially when the men learn that William has been ordered to marry. Duncan is devastated and distraught by this news, as he knows he cannot stand by and watch the man he so deeply loves be married to another. There is a bit of humor in the story as well, as Duncan is not the most attentive of squires, spending more time trying to discover the identify of Aaron’s lover than serving his knight. Overall this is a highly enjoyable story that will leave a smile on your face, absolutely a recommended read!
June 23, 2012
3 1/2 Stars ~ This is a quick read about a young squire who has adored the Knight he has been in service to for the past two years. Duncan is positive that Sir William prefers females so he keeps hidden his desire for him. William has had a fondness for Duncan but has not made a move on the young man for fear that Duncan may submit merely because he is his squire. When William becomes certain that Duncan desires him, he surprises him with a passionate kiss. Duncan is deliriously happy with his lover until William informs him that the King desires he marry.
I enjoyed this love story very much. Gotta love a hero who is smart enough to go after the one he loves, and can declare, "I've always felt one is attracted to the person, regardless of their gender.”
This is my first by Ms. Lane, I'm eager to read more :)
I enjoyed this love story very much. Gotta love a hero who is smart enough to go after the one he loves, and can declare, "I've always felt one is attracted to the person, regardless of their gender.”
This is my first by Ms. Lane, I'm eager to read more :)
March 31, 2011
Short and Sweet. I did like klutzy Duncan. He tries, but he just has a few problems with handling his responsibilities. Lucky for him, his knight, William, has a soft spot for klutzy squires :) Good read.
May 23, 2015
I know the writing is lacking and the historical accuracy is shot but this is a guilty pleasure for me. I've read it a number of times--it's my between-books go to story. I wish the author had done other things because I would definitely give them a read.
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November 20, 2008The Squire by Shawn Lane (2008)
December 6, 2008
I enjoyed this book but I wish it would have been longer so the characters could have been more developed. I enjoy books about knights and the Middle Ages.
March 7, 2021
2 stars
September 10, 2016
3.5 Stars
Had this story been just a little more fleshed out, it could have been a 4 (maybe more) Star read. As is, it was still quite enjoyable.
Had this story been just a little more fleshed out, it could have been a 4 (maybe more) Star read. As is, it was still quite enjoyable.
June 23, 2013
I really liked this one. I wish it was longer.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews