Title: Kindred Hearts
Author: Rowan Speedwell
Genre: m/m historical fiction
Print length: 350 pages
Publication date: May 1, 2011
Rating: Four Stars
Blurb: Charming rascal Tristan Northwood seems to have it all: an ancient name, a noble inheritance, a lovely wife, and a son he adores. Women love him, men admire him, and it seems there is nothing he can’t do, whether it’s seducing a society wife or winning a carriage race. Little does Society suspect that the name means nothing to him, the fortune is in his father’s controlling hands, and he has no interest in his wife except a very distant friendship. Society bores him, and he takes dares because he only feels alive when he’s dancing on the edge... until his wife’s brother comes home from the wars.
Decorated war hero Major Charles Mountjoy jerks Tris out of his despair by inspiring feelings of passion Tris had never suspected himself capable of. Almost as terrifying as those feelings for Charles are the signs Charles might return his affection—or, even worse, that Charles sees the man Tristan has been trying so valiantly to hide from the world.
Review:
Historical novels have a charm of their own; as long as the writer does the necessary research, half the battle is already won. This novel definitely has the feel and the tone of the era it was placed in. Once you're comfortably immersed into this world, the story flows smoothly. The writer makes sure you're well acquainted with the main character, his virtues and shortcomings. She also takes care to familiarize the reader with the world the character lives in, which in turn helps us understand all the ways he is affected by it. The supporting characters are painted with surprising attention to detail. Most of the dialogue is very well done and historically accurate.
That said, there was a definite landslide of drama happening in one portion of this book. An over the top saturation of drama. Not necessary. In fact, the quantity and forced intensity of it took quite a bit away from the book. It could have been done with a great deal more finesse without disturbing the plot line, which is solid and intriguing throughout.
That said, there was a definite landslide of drama happening in one portion of this book. An over the top saturation of drama. Not necessary. In fact, the quantity and forced intensity of it took quite a bit away from the book. It could have been done with a great deal more finesse without disturbing the plot line, which is solid and intriguing throughout.
Buy it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kindred-Hearts-ebook/dp/B004YXAM4I/ref=cm_cr-mr-img
More titles by Rowan Speedwell:
Title: Angel Voices
Author: Rowan Speedwell
Genre: m/m romance
Print length: 49 pages
Publication date: December 17, 2011
Overall reviewer rating: Four Stars
Blurb: On a frigid winter night, college freshman Will stumbles into the shelter of a church during choir practice. His father has just discovered that Will is gay, and has beaten him and thrown him out of the house. But right now Will's interested only in getting warm.
Will's college roommate Quinn is a soloist in the choir, which is practicing for a Christmas program. He discovers Will in the church--and his friend's condition. Will, who has grown up in a repressed environment, including church school, an abusive father and a passive mother, is taken aback by Quinn's enthusiasm and determination to take care of him.
Does Will have a future after all, especially one that will include Quinn?
Review by Sirius ( Amazon Vine Voice ):
This was an enjoyable sweet Christmas story with just an appropriate scope and just enough hope and sugar for my taste. I liked that while guys acknowledge strong feelings for each other, they dont swear on spending life together. Quinn's kindness shines through, while Will comes out as somebody who suffered from cruelty, but not somebody who is going to need saving all his life. But besides being an enjoyable Christmas story, this story had something else which I want to comment upon. I was extremely pleased when at some point it is being expressly acknowledged that despite not having anal sex yes, the guys are still having sex, fun, enjoyable sex. I mean, I know it is stating the obvious, but even in the stories I love dearly in this genre, there is this obsession with anal sex, while not every gay couple cares for it, from what I understand (not from personal experience) a lot of couples dont do that. It was refreshing enough for me to read about.
Buy it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Voices-ebook/dp/B006NFC9QO/ref=la_B00478G29Y_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1368062077&sr=1-6
More titles by Rowan Speedwell:
Title: Angel Voices
Author: Rowan Speedwell
Genre: m/m romance
Print length: 49 pages
Publication date: December 17, 2011
Overall reviewer rating: Four Stars
Blurb: On a frigid winter night, college freshman Will stumbles into the shelter of a church during choir practice. His father has just discovered that Will is gay, and has beaten him and thrown him out of the house. But right now Will's interested only in getting warm.
Will's college roommate Quinn is a soloist in the choir, which is practicing for a Christmas program. He discovers Will in the church--and his friend's condition. Will, who has grown up in a repressed environment, including church school, an abusive father and a passive mother, is taken aback by Quinn's enthusiasm and determination to take care of him.
Does Will have a future after all, especially one that will include Quinn?
Review by Sirius ( Amazon Vine Voice ):
This was an enjoyable sweet Christmas story with just an appropriate scope and just enough hope and sugar for my taste. I liked that while guys acknowledge strong feelings for each other, they dont swear on spending life together. Quinn's kindness shines through, while Will comes out as somebody who suffered from cruelty, but not somebody who is going to need saving all his life. But besides being an enjoyable Christmas story, this story had something else which I want to comment upon. I was extremely pleased when at some point it is being expressly acknowledged that despite not having anal sex yes, the guys are still having sex, fun, enjoyable sex. I mean, I know it is stating the obvious, but even in the stories I love dearly in this genre, there is this obsession with anal sex, while not every gay couple cares for it, from what I understand (not from personal experience) a lot of couples dont do that. It was refreshing enough for me to read about.
Buy it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Voices-ebook/dp/B006NFC9QO/ref=la_B00478G29Y_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1368062077&sr=1-6
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