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Royal Navy #2
Winds of Change
The ruggedly handsome Lt. William Marshall of His Majesty's Navy carries a secret close to his heart, one that is more important than either his loyalty to England or his devotion to duty. His shipmate, Lt. David Archer, is not only his best friend, he's been his lover for over a year. The penalty should their relationship be discovered? Death, by hanging. Both men control their passions and exercise discretion aboard ship as best they can, but the ship's quarters are close, shore leave is infrequent, and in the military. . .nothing is permanent. A transfer to a new ship leads to danger as Will and David are caught in a web of intrigue. Ordered to masquerade as lovers in order to flush out and help capture a saboteur who is known to use blackmail to achieve his ends, they face possible discovery of the truth. Then a murder attempt leaves Davy near death while Will is sent off, without knowing his lover's fate, to command a captured French vessel. Will and David have always known the risks, known that death might take either of them at any time. Their chances of staying together were never high...could it be that their luck has finally run out?
157 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 16, 2019
3.5 Seaworthy Stars
I wasn’t wrong that this sequel would put me through the ringer, because it did.
There’s a reason why I’m not a wholehearted historical fan, for the realistic hardcore setup is not easy on the nerves, because if discovered, Will and Davy’s secret is punishable by death.
Suffice it to say, these men have to hide, where any sign of affection or favor might be deemed suspicious, where a brief kiss every few months is all they have to cling to. Despite such challenges and self doubt, what this isn’t low on is how much they love each other in spite of the challenges and danger and that's what shines through most.
This had a good amount of intrigue and suspense as Will and Davy go about finding a traitor in their midst. These men struggle with their duty to the crown and to each other and when Davy is gravely injured, both have a lot of soul searching to do. There’s pain and anguish and longing and sorrow but love is such a powerful thing and won’t let these two stay apart for long!
Off to their next adventure!
I wasn’t wrong that this sequel would put me through the ringer, because it did.
There’s a reason why I’m not a wholehearted historical fan, for the realistic hardcore setup is not easy on the nerves, because if discovered, Will and Davy’s secret is punishable by death.
Suffice it to say, these men have to hide, where any sign of affection or favor might be deemed suspicious, where a brief kiss every few months is all they have to cling to. Despite such challenges and self doubt, what this isn’t low on is how much they love each other in spite of the challenges and danger and that's what shines through most.
This had a good amount of intrigue and suspense as Will and Davy go about finding a traitor in their midst. These men struggle with their duty to the crown and to each other and when Davy is gravely injured, both have a lot of soul searching to do. There’s pain and anguish and longing and sorrow but love is such a powerful thing and won’t let these two stay apart for long!
Off to their next adventure!
May 22, 2010
“Winds of Change” is the sequel to Lee Rowan’s “Ransom” and continues the adventures and misadventures of Lts William Marshall and David Archer after their capture and escape in the book of that name. And it’s a very good read.
The two men are transferred to a new ship, together with their captain; a “Trouble ship” where there is unrest and sabotage. A method of smoking out the sabateur is proposed but it is not without a great deal of risk for David and William, and for their growing relationship.
The characters are wonderfully drawn, they would slide into any of the Hornblower novels without even causing the slightest bow wave. William is a career man and his duty is every bit as important to him as it is to Nelson himself. He puts his heart and soul into everything he does, whether it’s managing a 74 gun ship of the line, or loving the love that dare not speak its name. David is my favourite, I have to say, for his innate love of life despite everything he’s been through.
For my money, this book has everything. It’s a wonderful love story, without underplaying the very real danger that homosexuals faced in His Majesty’s Navy in the late 1700′s and early 1800′s. It’s meticulously researched, but Lee writes in a way that doesn’t bore you with facts of the time, she writes simply as if she were writing in that time, and the period detail becomes as unobstruvive as if it were a contemporary novel. It’s a mystery, a thriller and it has lines that made me giggle, parts that made a hard boiled cynic like me cry (twice) and some wonderfully tender sexual moments.
If you found Ransom a little slow, then you’ll be happy with WoC, as it’s faster-paced, tighter and there’s a very real tension throughout.
If I had one tiny quibble, I was dissapointed that the ending of the mystery was done off screen, I was expecting as much adventure in the last part of the book as I’d read in the first part, but in reality, what Lee decides to concentrate on in the final pages doesn’t spoil the story at all.
In the growing genre of homosexual historical fiction, Lee Rowan is at the forefront. She never sacrifices period detail or excellent writing in an attempt to dumb down at any time.
Very highly recommended.
The two men are transferred to a new ship, together with their captain; a “Trouble ship” where there is unrest and sabotage. A method of smoking out the sabateur is proposed but it is not without a great deal of risk for David and William, and for their growing relationship.
The characters are wonderfully drawn, they would slide into any of the Hornblower novels without even causing the slightest bow wave. William is a career man and his duty is every bit as important to him as it is to Nelson himself. He puts his heart and soul into everything he does, whether it’s managing a 74 gun ship of the line, or loving the love that dare not speak its name. David is my favourite, I have to say, for his innate love of life despite everything he’s been through.
For my money, this book has everything. It’s a wonderful love story, without underplaying the very real danger that homosexuals faced in His Majesty’s Navy in the late 1700′s and early 1800′s. It’s meticulously researched, but Lee writes in a way that doesn’t bore you with facts of the time, she writes simply as if she were writing in that time, and the period detail becomes as unobstruvive as if it were a contemporary novel. It’s a mystery, a thriller and it has lines that made me giggle, parts that made a hard boiled cynic like me cry (twice) and some wonderfully tender sexual moments.
If you found Ransom a little slow, then you’ll be happy with WoC, as it’s faster-paced, tighter and there’s a very real tension throughout.
If I had one tiny quibble, I was dissapointed that the ending of the mystery was done off screen, I was expecting as much adventure in the last part of the book as I’d read in the first part, but in reality, what Lee decides to concentrate on in the final pages doesn’t spoil the story at all.
In the growing genre of homosexual historical fiction, Lee Rowan is at the forefront. She never sacrifices period detail or excellent writing in an attempt to dumb down at any time.
Very highly recommended.
November 15, 2019
Second book about British lieutenants William Marshall and David Archer, of His Majesty’s frigate Calypso. The plot has thickened: Will and Davy have to pretend to be a couple in order to defraud a traitor on the ship.
I think the book is a little bit unbalanced. The plot with a traitor is somehow unfinished: we don't get to know why he decided to betray his country and the feeble hints that he did it because he was gay didn't explain his motives at all.
After Davy's injury the tone of the book changes - it becomes true emotional drama. Will is destroyed by the news and decides to never ever love again.
Again - the ending seems a little bit too sweet and unrealistic. It goes against the main idea of the series: gay men in the British Navy lived under the constant threat. Authority is always an enemy, even the friendliest one.
I think the book is a little bit unbalanced. The plot with a traitor is somehow unfinished: we don't get to know why he decided to betray his country and the feeble hints that he did it because he was gay didn't explain his motives at all.
After Davy's injury the tone of the book changes - it becomes true emotional drama. Will is destroyed by the news and decides to never ever love again.
Again - the ending seems a little bit too sweet and unrealistic. It goes against the main idea of the series: gay men in the British Navy lived under the constant threat. Authority is always an enemy, even the friendliest one.
November 21, 2014
'Winds of Change & Eye of the Storm' by Lee Rowan begins where the first book left off. David and Will are firmly established as a couple but fear that their captain's new assignment will separate them. While they don't want this to happen, they know that it's a real possibility. Instead, they are placed together deliberately because of their loyalty and trustworthiness. Something the captain needs in spades, because there's a saboteur on board and the captain is hoping, with Will and David's help, to expose and bring him to justice. Considering that the captain thinks the best way to lure the traitor in is for them to act like lovers, it's an amusing situation, especially since they try so hard not to do that; but duty calls and they respond to the request with relish.
Will loves the sea and takes his job very seriously. David is there by chance and the only thing keeping him on a ship is being near Will. But when Will is in command, he feels he must behave as a good example to his men, which leaves David lonely and frustrated. He's definitely a black and white thinking person. David has more patience than God when it comes to enduring William's stick up the ass attitude about certain things. It took an extraordinary set of circumstances to get them together as lovers in the beginning and it seems that it will take even more remarkable circumstances to keep them there.
When an accident at sea separates them, Will is devastated. While he and David are apart, Will misses David so much that, at times, he feels as if he can't go on. Yet at the same time, he takes every opportunity to put walls between them; constantly thinking of reasons why they should not be together. In a decision he makes without consulting David, Will refuses to read the frequent missives he receives from him and never replies. He's made up his mind that David is better off without him and, even though Will is miserable and feels only half-alive, he is determined to avoid contact with him. He's hoping that David will soon give up on him and move on. I've never understood this type of logic. Will has the most precious gift anyone could have and he's trying to dismiss it; and even worse, he doesn't give David an opportunity to defend himself. Will's fear of losing David, while rejecting him at the same time, just about drove me crazy. More than once, I wanted to shake him and tell him to get over himself; open his heart and love David the way he deserves to be loved and to stop doubting that they are meant to be together. Try as I may, I can't understand his logic; nor can I understand how Will could love the sea so much that he'd give up being with the man he loves just to be on a ship instead of in some small cottage, living together. Duty and honor are nice to a point, but they can surely make for a lonely life.
David is such a good soul. Even with all the hardships and abuse he's had to endure, he still has this wonderful, glowing joy for life. He's beautiful inside and out, charming, loveable, and has more patience than is sometimes good for him. David loves William with all his heart and has an innate understanding of him which Will may not even have of himself. How he has the patience to put up with Will's indecision and doubts, I can't fathom. So many times it's David who gives in and sorts things out and he does so with as much grace and passion as possible. Sometimes I think that Will doesn't deserve David's devotion. I don't blame him for feeling angry when Will starts treating him like a China doll instead of the strong, capable man he knows him to be and I was thrilled when he finally has enough and takes action, even when it means going against Will's direct orders.
There's a great deal more going on in this story. A trip to meet Kit, David's cousin, provides an opportunity to show some history about sugar plantations; a rescue mission to pick up Kit's father-in-law leads to meeting his friend Etienne Beauchene, a brilliant mathematician. These are just some of the other adventures, or misadventures, as you will. But the core of the story is Will and David's struggle to become closer, while outside influences conspire to pull them apart. I enjoyed this story even more than the last. It runs more smoothly, with plenty of action and a great deal of angst. If you enjoyed the first story in the series, 'Ransom', then you will surely enjoy this one as well. I recommend it not only to followers of the series, but to new readers as well. Thanks, Lee, for another story about Will and David and their quest to find happiness together. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Will loves the sea and takes his job very seriously. David is there by chance and the only thing keeping him on a ship is being near Will. But when Will is in command, he feels he must behave as a good example to his men, which leaves David lonely and frustrated. He's definitely a black and white thinking person. David has more patience than God when it comes to enduring William's stick up the ass attitude about certain things. It took an extraordinary set of circumstances to get them together as lovers in the beginning and it seems that it will take even more remarkable circumstances to keep them there.
When an accident at sea separates them, Will is devastated. While he and David are apart, Will misses David so much that, at times, he feels as if he can't go on. Yet at the same time, he takes every opportunity to put walls between them; constantly thinking of reasons why they should not be together. In a decision he makes without consulting David, Will refuses to read the frequent missives he receives from him and never replies. He's made up his mind that David is better off without him and, even though Will is miserable and feels only half-alive, he is determined to avoid contact with him. He's hoping that David will soon give up on him and move on. I've never understood this type of logic. Will has the most precious gift anyone could have and he's trying to dismiss it; and even worse, he doesn't give David an opportunity to defend himself. Will's fear of losing David, while rejecting him at the same time, just about drove me crazy. More than once, I wanted to shake him and tell him to get over himself; open his heart and love David the way he deserves to be loved and to stop doubting that they are meant to be together. Try as I may, I can't understand his logic; nor can I understand how Will could love the sea so much that he'd give up being with the man he loves just to be on a ship instead of in some small cottage, living together. Duty and honor are nice to a point, but they can surely make for a lonely life.
David is such a good soul. Even with all the hardships and abuse he's had to endure, he still has this wonderful, glowing joy for life. He's beautiful inside and out, charming, loveable, and has more patience than is sometimes good for him. David loves William with all his heart and has an innate understanding of him which Will may not even have of himself. How he has the patience to put up with Will's indecision and doubts, I can't fathom. So many times it's David who gives in and sorts things out and he does so with as much grace and passion as possible. Sometimes I think that Will doesn't deserve David's devotion. I don't blame him for feeling angry when Will starts treating him like a China doll instead of the strong, capable man he knows him to be and I was thrilled when he finally has enough and takes action, even when it means going against Will's direct orders.
There's a great deal more going on in this story. A trip to meet Kit, David's cousin, provides an opportunity to show some history about sugar plantations; a rescue mission to pick up Kit's father-in-law leads to meeting his friend Etienne Beauchene, a brilliant mathematician. These are just some of the other adventures, or misadventures, as you will. But the core of the story is Will and David's struggle to become closer, while outside influences conspire to pull them apart. I enjoyed this story even more than the last. It runs more smoothly, with plenty of action and a great deal of angst. If you enjoyed the first story in the series, 'Ransom', then you will surely enjoy this one as well. I recommend it not only to followers of the series, but to new readers as well. Thanks, Lee, for another story about Will and David and their quest to find happiness together. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
November 3, 2012
Not quite as good as the first, but still enjoyable if you like the main characters
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The plot here is once again different from those of most m/m Age of Sail books I’ve read. Rowan does well at putting her characters in unusual (and dangerous, of course) situations that involve more than just typical sea battles.
- The formation of David and Will’s romance, which occurs in Ransom, is sweet and tentative, and it’s fun to see their romance at the next level in this installment, when they’re more settled in the relationship and more sure of each other.
- I got a better idea of the structure of naval ships as well as naval politics in this volume than I did in its predecessor. Discovering that the new ship the men are assigned to has 650 crewmen, for example, was quite surprising to me, as were the revelations of the political entanglements through which naval officers had to navigate.
CONS:
- The conclusion struck me as rather abrupt. Very near the end, both men are miserable, contemplating a life apart from each other, and then within seven pages, all is resolved and they’re together again, set to continue life (at least for a while) at each other’s sides.
- Again, as with the first story, I had reservations about how happy I thought the conclusion was. The story ends as well as such stories conceivably can, but the men are facing a future of uncertainty and extreme secrecy, with no chance of anything like the sort of life possible for their heterosexual counterparts.
- David and Will often use euphemisms when talking about sex, and I suppose that’s mostly out of necessity. I didn’t see the point of it when they’re alone, though, and the references to ships’ terms when the men are in the bedroom got old for me very fast. “Barnacles on the hull,” David says at one point as he’s sucking on Will’s chest, and Will replies, “If you keep on with that, the shipworm will get you.” And then there’s this: “Will knew that he’d intended to say something, but the barnacle had fastened onto his bowsprit and he simply couldn’t think.”
Overall comments: I enjoyed this, even though I had reservations about its ending. You don’t need to have read Ransom to understand what happens in this volume, but I’m not sure you’ll adequately appreciate this one unless you’ve read the first. Knowing the men’s emotional history certainly enhances the story.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The plot here is once again different from those of most m/m Age of Sail books I’ve read. Rowan does well at putting her characters in unusual (and dangerous, of course) situations that involve more than just typical sea battles.
- The formation of David and Will’s romance, which occurs in Ransom, is sweet and tentative, and it’s fun to see their romance at the next level in this installment, when they’re more settled in the relationship and more sure of each other.
- I got a better idea of the structure of naval ships as well as naval politics in this volume than I did in its predecessor. Discovering that the new ship the men are assigned to has 650 crewmen, for example, was quite surprising to me, as were the revelations of the political entanglements through which naval officers had to navigate.
CONS:
- The conclusion struck me as rather abrupt. Very near the end, both men are miserable, contemplating a life apart from each other, and then within seven pages, all is resolved and they’re together again, set to continue life (at least for a while) at each other’s sides.
- Again, as with the first story, I had reservations about how happy I thought the conclusion was. The story ends as well as such stories conceivably can, but the men are facing a future of uncertainty and extreme secrecy, with no chance of anything like the sort of life possible for their heterosexual counterparts.
- David and Will often use euphemisms when talking about sex, and I suppose that’s mostly out of necessity. I didn’t see the point of it when they’re alone, though, and the references to ships’ terms when the men are in the bedroom got old for me very fast. “Barnacles on the hull,” David says at one point as he’s sucking on Will’s chest, and Will replies, “If you keep on with that, the shipworm will get you.” And then there’s this: “Will knew that he’d intended to say something, but the barnacle had fastened onto his bowsprit and he simply couldn’t think.”
Overall comments: I enjoyed this, even though I had reservations about its ending. You don’t need to have read Ransom to understand what happens in this volume, but I’m not sure you’ll adequately appreciate this one unless you’ve read the first. Knowing the men’s emotional history certainly enhances the story.
August 14, 2011
I'd give 5 stars to the first part of the book and 3 to the second.
The first part of the book deals with Will and Davy being transferred with their captain to a new ship, where they have to deal with a traitorous spy. In order to lure the spy to the open, Will and Davy are ordered by their captain to behave as if they were more than just friends. It's too easy for the two of them to comply the orders, but they are also afraid that they're risking too much. Their plan is successful and as a result, Davy is seriously wounded.
This part was my favorite because there were the elements of action and dangerous romance that were in the previous book of the series. After Davy is wounded, the two have to spend some time apart. Will is particularly worried that his relationship with Davy is not the best thing that could have happened to his lover. This second part is more focused on Will's doubts, Davy's recovery and their forced separation, since Davy has to stay in hiding until the spy is apprehended and Will gets a promotion and the command of his first ship.
This second part is more romantic, but I felt that it wasn't wrapped up very nicely, because the plot of the spy was abandoned and resolved behind the scenes, so to speak. I also think the space given to Will's concern was too large, because I felt there was some repetition.
I enjoy this series and I like historicals, Will and Davy are very passionate and I liked seeing how their different personalities mingle. Will is insecure and is always worrying about the world in general, while Davy is more relaxed and intuitive, relaying a bit more on instinct. I hope the next book will be more focused on the adventure/action part, because what I really loved of the first book was the thrill of the dangers the two were facing and the taste of the forbidden, which was lost in the tropical paradise where Will and Davy passed some sweet time.
The first part of the book deals with Will and Davy being transferred with their captain to a new ship, where they have to deal with a traitorous spy. In order to lure the spy to the open, Will and Davy are ordered by their captain to behave as if they were more than just friends. It's too easy for the two of them to comply the orders, but they are also afraid that they're risking too much. Their plan is successful and as a result, Davy is seriously wounded.
This part was my favorite because there were the elements of action and dangerous romance that were in the previous book of the series. After Davy is wounded, the two have to spend some time apart. Will is particularly worried that his relationship with Davy is not the best thing that could have happened to his lover. This second part is more focused on Will's doubts, Davy's recovery and their forced separation, since Davy has to stay in hiding until the spy is apprehended and Will gets a promotion and the command of his first ship.
This second part is more romantic, but I felt that it wasn't wrapped up very nicely, because the plot of the spy was abandoned and resolved behind the scenes, so to speak. I also think the space given to Will's concern was too large, because I felt there was some repetition.
I enjoy this series and I like historicals, Will and Davy are very passionate and I liked seeing how their different personalities mingle. Will is insecure and is always worrying about the world in general, while Davy is more relaxed and intuitive, relaying a bit more on instinct. I hope the next book will be more focused on the adventure/action part, because what I really loved of the first book was the thrill of the dangers the two were facing and the taste of the forbidden, which was lost in the tropical paradise where Will and Davy passed some sweet time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2013
SlashReaders: I think that book number two was actually somewhat better than the first one. The plot was somewhat more cohesive and a little better done. Though there were still issues on a whole it came across better than the first one. However, it was not well resolved in the end. They chase the spy around the ship and then find out who it is. But then it's kinda just left there until the spy gets hanged and it's not really resolved past that. I think something a little more would've been nice in that area. Was the spy a French spy as it was hinted out or just a saboteur with a grudge against HM's Navy. Was a secret compartment and documents found in the captured French ship that Will eventually captains? Those questions weren't really answered, which was annoying.
The characters were also more developed in this one and some more levels added then there were before. Though some of the neediness gets a bit annoying. It is understandable and doesn't quite reach the point where you want to shoot the characters. Davy gets close a couple of times but given the circumstances, I can almost believe it. Besides, he's always been the weaker characters. He starts to round out more in the second book, which helped.
There is more of this, it comes in another book with three novella’s (Trilogy No. 109: Sail Away) I believe if I understood things right. I do not plan on purchasing this third bit. Despite the improvement in the second book. Despite the fact that it was written much, more smoothly for the most part and with more detail and less of a fanfic, feel to it than the first.
That's my opinion. I'm glad that so far my new book is written better than these two were.
The characters were also more developed in this one and some more levels added then there were before. Though some of the neediness gets a bit annoying. It is understandable and doesn't quite reach the point where you want to shoot the characters. Davy gets close a couple of times but given the circumstances, I can almost believe it. Besides, he's always been the weaker characters. He starts to round out more in the second book, which helped.
There is more of this, it comes in another book with three novella’s (Trilogy No. 109: Sail Away) I believe if I understood things right. I do not plan on purchasing this third bit. Despite the improvement in the second book. Despite the fact that it was written much, more smoothly for the most part and with more detail and less of a fanfic, feel to it than the first.
That's my opinion. I'm glad that so far my new book is written better than these two were.
July 22, 2016
Let me tell you about this sweet little corner of the internet called the Age of Sail fandom which everyone should totally join. Its authors are ridiculously talented. Lee Rowan is one of them. Am I allowed to mention the origins of Ransom on here? Because knowing where it came from, I loved Ransom and Winds of Change so much.
First of all, let me profess my undying love for David Archer. Seriously. Perhaps I'm a little biased, but I [i]love[/i] him.
Secondly (perhaps this should have been the first point, it's more important), I cannot even begin to think of how much research the author has obviously put into this, and it's explained in such a way that it's clear what's happening, but you don't feel like the author has just handed you a copy of Wikipedia's glossary of naval terminology.
Thirdly, I loved how this was everything I ever wanted from the Live Kennedy Universe.
I loved the story, but I have to confess that the second part of the book was a little disappointing. Believe my, I don't mind the fluffy porn-without-plot (okay there was plot but the porn was more important at that point :P), but I would've liked a little more about their Super Secret Mission, instead of just kind of dropping the subject and having Will find out much later that the traitor was hanged. That was a bit meh.
Overall, I loved it! On to the next one :)
First of all, let me profess my undying love for David Archer. Seriously. Perhaps I'm a little biased, but I [i]love[/i] him.
Secondly (perhaps this should have been the first point, it's more important), I cannot even begin to think of how much research the author has obviously put into this, and it's explained in such a way that it's clear what's happening, but you don't feel like the author has just handed you a copy of Wikipedia's glossary of naval terminology.
Thirdly, I loved how this was everything I ever wanted from the Live Kennedy Universe.
I loved the story, but I have to confess that the second part of the book was a little disappointing. Believe my, I don't mind the fluffy porn-without-plot (okay there was plot but the porn was more important at that point :P), but I would've liked a little more about their Super Secret Mission, instead of just kind of dropping the subject and having Will find out much later that the traitor was hanged. That was a bit meh.
Overall, I loved it! On to the next one :)
December 3, 2007
When I heard that Rowan produced another book I was quite surprised by it. I got it in my hands and my good mood slowly faded away page after page. I am huge fan of the books inspired by age of the sails and I am also huge fan of slash. This was fatal to that book. I recognized several fanfictions in it, those were from different authors trough the years. I am wondering if it is just coincidence or author was inspired by them, so much that it little stinks. The simple love affair of two young King's officers are more complicated when one is pretending to be dead. Duch switching of identity and soapy text did not help the book as well as lack of sex scenes. I think if author keep it as porn without any plot it will improve the book. Porn should be kept simple, right?
May 25, 2012
This is the second book in the Royal Navy series. The story begins with the drama of whether their captain's promotion would separate Will and Davy onto different ships then they draw the assignment to help draw out a traitor. Locating the traitor exacts a terrible price that leaves one in mourning and the separation caused by the fortunes of war.
The book was fairly short and should probably be thought of more as a novella, but it does make good on action, suspense, and drama. The historical backdrop is well written and the characters are worthy of empathy as the reader is given the story in both their voices.
The book was fairly short and should probably be thought of more as a novella, but it does make good on action, suspense, and drama. The historical backdrop is well written and the characters are worthy of empathy as the reader is given the story in both their voices.
August 13, 2012
Somehow these books by Lee Rowan hit me just about right. I'm not a big fan of historical romance, and certainly not of naval romance, but I have found the first two novels in this series to be extremely satisfying.
Maybe it's that Rowan writes with intelligence. Her plots are interesting and detailed, and her characters are rounded and nuanced. There are few cardboard cutouts here, and few dull spots to suffer through. There is also plenty of angst for folks like me who appreciate that sort of thing, but the emotion never seems to become maudlin or artificial.
Whatever it is, I most definitely like these books -- and I'll definitely be finishing the series soon.
Maybe it's that Rowan writes with intelligence. Her plots are interesting and detailed, and her characters are rounded and nuanced. There are few cardboard cutouts here, and few dull spots to suffer through. There is also plenty of angst for folks like me who appreciate that sort of thing, but the emotion never seems to become maudlin or artificial.
Whatever it is, I most definitely like these books -- and I'll definitely be finishing the series soon.
June 18, 2011
A lovely continuation of Davy and Will. A cruel twist almost undoes them. Davy is always thinking he doesn't deserve Will and guideline is wrong. Lots of angst. Love the intensive sailing knowledge and what seems like perfect historical detail. The last chapter seems just a bit implausible that someone would know of their love and give the privacy at jay the right moment. But I've purchased book 3 and will start soon. I look forward to reading more of Ms Rowan's work with other settings as I do like her writing skills.
January 2, 2011
Sequel to last year's Ransom, this novel continues the story of Davy and William. It still feels like fanfic to me, but it was sweet.
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