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In the Company of Men #3
Baymore's Heir
Series: In the Company of Men; Previous Book: Jackson's Pride
Genre: LGBT Historical
Jackson and Will have the perfect life. Baymore is thriving, and no one knows of their love. During a visit to Will's family home, their lives begin to unravel. Duke Holcomb discovers that Will and Jackson are lovers and are told never to return.
All Will has left is Jackson.
But Jackson's pride gets them in trouble again. Duke Holcomb's talk of heirs starts Jackson thinking that what he needs is a son.
Jackson's request for Will to find him a bride will break hearts, pit pride against duty, and drive everyone to acts of desperation, threatening to end everything Will and Jackson have built.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
7 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Lorenz
68 books316 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)gay romance
I’m from New Orleans, that’s N’awlins for those of you who speak the language. I grew up in the Riverbend, or Carrollton, for the old timers, but was a Quarter rat from the age of 11, taking 3 buses to go to art class on Burgundy Street at the Cabrini Doll Museum and NORD center. I attended University of New Orleans and have a BA in Fine Art. My mother worked at Tulane University, six blocks from our house and when we were kids my brother and I parked cars in our driveway for the Saints games at Tulane Stadium. We could get six cars down the drive, two on the front lawn, and two on the street and we only charged $2 a car. We made enough to buy a coupla roast beef po’boys at Comeaux’s on Hickory St. and a snowball over at Williams Snow Ball Stand. We lived 1/2 a block from a cemetery, but doesn’t everyone in N’awlins? We used to watch jazz funerals from our front porch.
Now, my family lives in Katy, Texas. I have a “real” job, a truly supportive and understanding husband, two incredible kids, and a slightly neurotic dog. We used to have a guinea pig, but the dog killed it. Did I say slightly?
My son is 15 and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and Crohn’s Disease, and is a constant lesson in patience, acceptance and managing expectations. He’s super smart, loves video games, fencing, movies, building with legos, and hanging around the house. Like me, he believes that it’s all about him. Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t have Asperger’s, too. Oh, and he’s very handsome.
My daughter, 13, is so creative it’s scary- she loves to paint, draw manga and anima, build dioramas with any box she can get her hands on, create worlds with legos and then make movies with them, sculpt people, animals and objects with those little twist ties from the grocery store, does pottery, and wants to be a lifeguard. And she’s smart, too. And
beautiful, inside and out.
I write for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends as much as I can, without neglecting my family. (That laughter you hear is my husband) I attend a critique group, and do whatever the kids are into at the time.
(1)gay romance
I’m from New Orleans, that’s N’awlins for those of you who speak the language. I grew up in the Riverbend, or Carrollton, for the old timers, but was a Quarter rat from the age of 11, taking 3 buses to go to art class on Burgundy Street at the Cabrini Doll Museum and NORD center. I attended University of New Orleans and have a BA in Fine Art. My mother worked at Tulane University, six blocks from our house and when we were kids my brother and I parked cars in our driveway for the Saints games at Tulane Stadium. We could get six cars down the drive, two on the front lawn, and two on the street and we only charged $2 a car. We made enough to buy a coupla roast beef po’boys at Comeaux’s on Hickory St. and a snowball over at Williams Snow Ball Stand. We lived 1/2 a block from a cemetery, but doesn’t everyone in N’awlins? We used to watch jazz funerals from our front porch.
Now, my family lives in Katy, Texas. I have a “real” job, a truly supportive and understanding husband, two incredible kids, and a slightly neurotic dog. We used to have a guinea pig, but the dog killed it. Did I say slightly?
My son is 15 and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and Crohn’s Disease, and is a constant lesson in patience, acceptance and managing expectations. He’s super smart, loves video games, fencing, movies, building with legos, and hanging around the house. Like me, he believes that it’s all about him. Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t have Asperger’s, too. Oh, and he’s very handsome.
My daughter, 13, is so creative it’s scary- she loves to paint, draw manga and anima, build dioramas with any box she can get her hands on, create worlds with legos and then make movies with them, sculpt people, animals and objects with those little twist ties from the grocery store, does pottery, and wants to be a lifeguard. And she’s smart, too. And
beautiful, inside and out.
I write for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends as much as I can, without neglecting my family. (That laughter you hear is my husband) I attend a critique group, and do whatever the kids are into at the time.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 28, 2013
I'm glad I've been reading these without paying any real attention to the covers, because that it totally not how I see Will and Jackson. These guys are totally in love, have sworn to each other (and at each other at times) and are making a go of things getting Baymore back on its feet after the sudden departure of Hugh the Horrible. Nothing is ever easy of course, and they hit some major bumps in the road. A few new characters are introduced, and I'm really looking forward to the next chapter of this series.
I was a little bit disappointed in how easily and accepting the guys were of Liam's confession, but all seems well in the end.
May 13, 2010
I loved this third book in the series as much as the first two. Jackson is being his prideful stubborn self and gets them into trouble, while Will has to figure out a way to save them.
The depth of emotions between Jackson and Will was wonderful. The cast of secondary characters gets stronger with every book. I loved the solution for the basic problem (how does a gay couple get an heir). I think this is a great book all round.
The depth of emotions between Jackson and Will was wonderful. The cast of secondary characters gets stronger with every book. I loved the solution for the basic problem (how does a gay couple get an heir). I think this is a great book all round.
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March 6, 2012I arrived late to read this third instalment In the Company of Men series but I already knew it was a mistake, a mistake since this is exactly the romance I like. It’s an historical romance, with enough realistic touch to not be “fantasy”, but romantic enough to not ruin the experience of the romance reader with the harsh reality. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing the good historical novel, I love them, and most of the time they are very high quality, but I think the target reader who is opening Baymore’s Heir is searching for something different. They are searching for a love story in an historical setting, and like sometime the romance is unrealistic in an Contemporary setting so it could be in an Historical one; the reader is searching the dream, whatever suit the hero is wearing or house he is inhabiting.
Actually Baymore’s Heir is letting some “reality” to invade the story; Jackson and William met an fall in love in the previous book, and for some that was probably not really possible. William is gay, and more or less, unashamed of it; he is the second son of a duke, his older brother knows the truth and more or less is supporting of William. Jackson is the bastard son of another duke, and coincidence wants that Jackson’s stepbrother, and heir to the dukedom, is also William’s former lover. And of course now William is Jackson’s lover and that is not really taken well by Hugh.
That is more or less the previous plot, and now Jackson is the Duke, and William is his steward and lover; even if everyone knows, no one is opposing their love and this should be an idyllic situation if not for the little detail that Jackson wants to marry and have an heir, mostly to be able to “protect” William’s interests in the chance Jackson dies. A somewhat too “modern-day” worry, but indeed a realistic one, since it would be quite unbelievable that medieval law has some way to recognize Jackson and William’s bond.
I remember that I liked William in the previous novel, more than Jackson, and in a way this is confirmed also in this new story; Jackson is a bear of a man with the soft core, but, truth be told, I don’t think he is as clever as William. I had the feeling that William is maneuvering Jackson on his own will, and even if he does everything Jackson is asking him, he does that in a way that Will will always come out as a winner.
There is less drama in Baymore’s Heir, and the romance part of the story has the lion share. This is really an old fashioned savage romance story, but of the comfortable sort of way, those stories you wish to read on a winter night, under a blanket.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1607377306/?...
Actually Baymore’s Heir is letting some “reality” to invade the story; Jackson and William met an fall in love in the previous book, and for some that was probably not really possible. William is gay, and more or less, unashamed of it; he is the second son of a duke, his older brother knows the truth and more or less is supporting of William. Jackson is the bastard son of another duke, and coincidence wants that Jackson’s stepbrother, and heir to the dukedom, is also William’s former lover. And of course now William is Jackson’s lover and that is not really taken well by Hugh.
That is more or less the previous plot, and now Jackson is the Duke, and William is his steward and lover; even if everyone knows, no one is opposing their love and this should be an idyllic situation if not for the little detail that Jackson wants to marry and have an heir, mostly to be able to “protect” William’s interests in the chance Jackson dies. A somewhat too “modern-day” worry, but indeed a realistic one, since it would be quite unbelievable that medieval law has some way to recognize Jackson and William’s bond.
I remember that I liked William in the previous novel, more than Jackson, and in a way this is confirmed also in this new story; Jackson is a bear of a man with the soft core, but, truth be told, I don’t think he is as clever as William. I had the feeling that William is maneuvering Jackson on his own will, and even if he does everything Jackson is asking him, he does that in a way that Will will always come out as a winner.
There is less drama in Baymore’s Heir, and the romance part of the story has the lion share. This is really an old fashioned savage romance story, but of the comfortable sort of way, those stories you wish to read on a winter night, under a blanket.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1607377306/?...
September 30, 2010
Two years later Jackson and William are living well. Baymore is doing better but life throws them a curve ball and William's father finds them out and banishes William unless he gives up Jackson. William is thankful for Jackson's love. Jackson has an accident involving a tree branch and realizes that Baymore will crumble without a heir and charges William with finding him a wife. Add into the mix the bastard son of Hugh who was raised with glorious tales of his evil father comes to Baymore only to find that his father is dead Hugh.
This was great with two exceptions. First, William didn't raise entirely enough hell with Jackson about the stupidity of a wife. And then takes him back without any true a**kicking. The second is the child, Liam, STABS William when he finds out that will was responsible for Hugh's death and NOTHING was done to the child. He did his best to try and MURDER Jackson and the reactions equaled a shrug by Jackson and William. I would have overlooked William's easy forgiveness of Jackson because Jackson is all William has. But I couldn't overlook how the stabbing was handled.
This was great with two exceptions. First, William didn't raise entirely enough hell with Jackson about the stupidity of a wife. And then takes him back without any true a**kicking. The second is the child, Liam, STABS William when he finds out that will was responsible for Hugh's death and NOTHING was done to the child. He did his best to try and MURDER Jackson and the reactions equaled a shrug by Jackson and William. I would have overlooked William's easy forgiveness of Jackson because Jackson is all William has. But I couldn't overlook how the stabbing was handled.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2010
Lynn Lorenz once again shows just why she is one of my favourite authors. And even though this is the third book in the series, and the first that I've read, it works as a standalone book. Of course I'm sure that it will be fantastic once I read
The Mercenary's Tale
and
Jackson's Pride
, both of which are high on my TBR... very high.
Lynn Lorenz is a master when it comes to bringing her characters to life and to engaging us to the point where we become emotionally connected with them and with what they're going through.
This is the first historical that I've read by Lynn, but she does as marvellous a job in this genre as she does in her contemporaries.
Very, very nicely done!
Lynn Lorenz is a master when it comes to bringing her characters to life and to engaging us to the point where we become emotionally connected with them and with what they're going through.
This is the first historical that I've read by Lynn, but she does as marvellous a job in this genre as she does in her contemporaries.
Very, very nicely done!
June 3, 2017
Another Mercenary Finds Another Noble
NOTE: I have read all five novels in the series and IMHO the chronology is wrong in the volume numbers. I strongly suggest you read them in the following order: The Mercenary’s Tale, His Duke’s Gift, Silent Lodge, Jackson’s Pride, Baymore’s Heir. All of these books are roughly half filled with extended and descriptive carnal scenes. Given the era this is not surprising but the depth of homoeroticism is a surprise, and a welcome one.
This is the second mercenary-meet-noble tale of the series but should be read as the fourth and fifth volumes. This review covers both of them.
Jackson's Pride
Big, brawny, and full of eroticism, mercenary Jackson finds himself in the role of a good Samaritan when he rescues, and then heals, Will, an astonishingly beautiful young man who has been beaten and hanged to die a gruesome death by a group of thugs who consider him an abomination. What follows is a long, detailed, and lovingly developed relationship which ticks all the hot spots and sets the scenario for Jackson's return to the keep of Baymore as the illegitimate son of the seriously ill Duke.
There are twists and curves and all sorts of nefarious goings on here, with various characters introduced including one of the more vicious you will come across--Hugh, who turns out to be more intimately involved in the relationship between Jackson and Will than one can imagine--but you accept it.
The concept of this book is family--how they are screwed up, how they evolve, how they fall apart and develop. There are plots and subplots galore, but in the end you are salivating for more. And you get it.
Baymore's Heir
This is the toughest one of the five to deal with--but not to get through. You will find the cross-currents of the relationships and the plans and needs of all the characters to be completely unique. Yet, when the crisis brought about because of Jackson's stupidity and Will's silent acquiescence hits home, it's their lack of communication which boils the plot over. Indeed, lack of communication runs rampant through this one, including that defect shown by all of the supporting characters.
The key player, however, is a somewhat forlorn. 10-year-old named Liam. You know early on how and why he has come to Baymore, and his naïve presence sets the stage for a lot of what happens--until he finds out the real truth. By then you will have figured out what will happen--if not how--and you will let this one end with a big smile on your face, and a sneaking suspicion that Lynn Lorenz may have introduced us to another MC for a subsequent book. I hope.
NOTE: I have read all five novels in the series and IMHO the chronology is wrong in the volume numbers. I strongly suggest you read them in the following order: The Mercenary’s Tale, His Duke’s Gift, Silent Lodge, Jackson’s Pride, Baymore’s Heir. All of these books are roughly half filled with extended and descriptive carnal scenes. Given the era this is not surprising but the depth of homoeroticism is a surprise, and a welcome one.
This is the second mercenary-meet-noble tale of the series but should be read as the fourth and fifth volumes. This review covers both of them.
Jackson's Pride
Big, brawny, and full of eroticism, mercenary Jackson finds himself in the role of a good Samaritan when he rescues, and then heals, Will, an astonishingly beautiful young man who has been beaten and hanged to die a gruesome death by a group of thugs who consider him an abomination. What follows is a long, detailed, and lovingly developed relationship which ticks all the hot spots and sets the scenario for Jackson's return to the keep of Baymore as the illegitimate son of the seriously ill Duke.
There are twists and curves and all sorts of nefarious goings on here, with various characters introduced including one of the more vicious you will come across--Hugh, who turns out to be more intimately involved in the relationship between Jackson and Will than one can imagine--but you accept it.
The concept of this book is family--how they are screwed up, how they evolve, how they fall apart and develop. There are plots and subplots galore, but in the end you are salivating for more. And you get it.
Baymore's Heir
This is the toughest one of the five to deal with--but not to get through. You will find the cross-currents of the relationships and the plans and needs of all the characters to be completely unique. Yet, when the crisis brought about because of Jackson's stupidity and Will's silent acquiescence hits home, it's their lack of communication which boils the plot over. Indeed, lack of communication runs rampant through this one, including that defect shown by all of the supporting characters.
The key player, however, is a somewhat forlorn. 10-year-old named Liam. You know early on how and why he has come to Baymore, and his naïve presence sets the stage for a lot of what happens--until he finds out the real truth. By then you will have figured out what will happen--if not how--and you will let this one end with a big smile on your face, and a sneaking suspicion that Lynn Lorenz may have introduced us to another MC for a subsequent book. I hope.
November 10, 2023
This is a piece of historical-fiction combined with a look at what life might have been like for a couple of gay men living in a time in the past. The century or even the year is never really mentioned, but we know that it is in the past and before any of the modern conveniences had been created. I thought to say it was from the horse and buggy days but that is not really true based on the story either, it is more like the horse riding days...or maybe the same general period as Robin Hood.
Anyway, Will is a young man who is a lord who go involved with Jackson who comes from a noble family and is chosen, although illegitimate, to be the next Duke of the area that his family has control of. Apparently prior to the time the book is about, Will and Jackson had to fight the guy that tried to take the spot, and Hugh, the one assuming the position get killed for Jackson to ascend. He was the preferred of the two both from the viewpoint of the father, and the servants and retainers.
Anyway in this book, the issue is that Jackson feels the need to have a legitimate heir and although Will is accepted by everybody in the House, he can't have a baby. So, Jackson actually asks Will to "find me a wife" which leads to all sorts of issues for both parties, a young boy who because a page but may just be related to the family. In addition, it is an issue for the woman that Will finds.
So they have to explore how they can find a heir for Jackson and still manage not to end up with any more broken hearts than necessary. Fortunately, there is a retainer than just might be the answer to the whole thing.
I recommend it as an interesting look at how maybe there was life for gay men that didn't include total denial and secrecy.
Anyway, Will is a young man who is a lord who go involved with Jackson who comes from a noble family and is chosen, although illegitimate, to be the next Duke of the area that his family has control of. Apparently prior to the time the book is about, Will and Jackson had to fight the guy that tried to take the spot, and Hugh, the one assuming the position get killed for Jackson to ascend. He was the preferred of the two both from the viewpoint of the father, and the servants and retainers.
Anyway in this book, the issue is that Jackson feels the need to have a legitimate heir and although Will is accepted by everybody in the House, he can't have a baby. So, Jackson actually asks Will to "find me a wife" which leads to all sorts of issues for both parties, a young boy who because a page but may just be related to the family. In addition, it is an issue for the woman that Will finds.
So they have to explore how they can find a heir for Jackson and still manage not to end up with any more broken hearts than necessary. Fortunately, there is a retainer than just might be the answer to the whole thing.
I recommend it as an interesting look at how maybe there was life for gay men that didn't include total denial and secrecy.
July 26, 2016
Jackson and Will, without a doubt, make a good pair but we already learned that in the previous book. In this installment, we get a deeper understanding of our heroes as individuals. Jackson has a big heart, maybe even too large. He's a firm commander but soft in anything else. Not as quick-thinking as Will but he is intelligent in his own way. He knows how to discern problems and situations selflessly, cares genuinely and loves unconditionally. You cannot not love him. Then, here comes Will. He is cool, vain, cunning and stern despite his endearing looks but, and most importantly, he loves Jackson with the passion of a burning sun!
There was obvious haste in plot events, introduction of one too many characters no matter how well-written they were, and the redundancy of the sex scenes, thought dialog and internal conflict. All of which,I've noticed, tends to happen in previous books. For all that, I've only shaved off one star because it truly was an enjoyable read that had me falling in love with two wonderful men and one endearing child. <3
There was obvious haste in plot events, introduction of one too many characters no matter how well-written they were, and the redundancy of the sex scenes, thought dialog and internal conflict. All of which,I've noticed, tends to happen in previous books. For all that, I've only shaved off one star because it truly was an enjoyable read that had me falling in love with two wonderful men and one endearing child. <3
September 4, 2016
This is the third in Ms. Lorenz's In the Company of Men series. This book takes over where Jackson's Pride leaves off. Jackson is ruling Baymore with Will at his side. A riding accident awakens Jackson to the fact that if anything were to happen to him Baymore would be left without a legal heir and subject to turmoil as the rule is battled for. Jackson needs an heir, which means he needs a wife. When he requests Will find him one, he doesn't fully realize that in order to have a wife, he places his relationship with Will in risk of discovery. There are some interesting twists that the fates have in store for these two. Of course there's a happy ending but it was rocky getting there!
January 29, 2010
Great start to another book in this series. It was properly executed but for a few I got a rush when I thought all was going to go to shit for Will and Jackson, but Will's smart wits and cunning prevailed. The ending? I won't give any spoilers on this one, but incredible in my opinion. As the saying goes: All is well that ends well and this would sure did it for me.
Lynn, although I'm an admirer you did not disappoint!
Fawking A and two thumbs up. And as always hoping for more on this dinamic duo.
Lynn, although I'm an admirer you did not disappoint!
Fawking A and two thumbs up. And as always hoping for more on this dinamic duo.
September 2, 2013
This one took me a bit to get in to because it was also about Will and Jackson from the previous book. I'm not a huge fan of established couples but I really liked these guys, but I honestly didn't get into their "story" until later on in the book. I was more interested in what was going on with Marcus and little Liam. I'm happy that it all worked out nicely in the end, even thought it was all predictable.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
January 1, 2012
Book three is a nice addition to the series. I really like these guys although I felt really bad for poor Will at times. Luckily he managed to get his happy ending.
August 23, 2011
I love Lorenz's medieval m/m romances.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews