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Ransom |
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| Author: Lee Rowan Published: 2006-09-01 |
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List price: $14.99 Our price: $10.19 |
Usually ships in 24 hours As of: December 01st, 2008 01:41:57 PM |
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Customer comments on this selection. A welcome shift.....I recently had cause to write a negative review for another book by this author, so it was with considerable trepidation that I took this one up. I'm very glad I did. It is a rollicking good yarn, well written and with characters who, in this book, are well fleshed out. Will and Davy are endearing and I particularly liked that they took so long to realise their mutual attraction - no 'wham, bam, thankyou m'am' here. For me, just the right amount of erotica - very plausible and, a welcome relief, not going at it like rabbits all the time to the detriment of the story.Enjoyed it immensely and from my previous one star rating to this five star rating is a quantam leap - full marks to Lee Rowan. RansomIt is 1796 and David Archer is an officer in His Majesty's Royal Navy. He has just born witness to a duel between William Marshall and a man that wanted to get to know Will on a more intimate level. A man, that unbeknownst to Will, had preyed upon Davy for years. From his first glance of the newest member of their crew, Davy has felt an immediate affinity for Will, and now that affinity has grown into love, however doomed and misplaced it is. The Articles of War clearly declare sodomy between men to be punishable by death, but regardless of that, he is quite sure that Will would never see him that way, considering the fervor with which he just defeated his dueling opponent. Three years later, Davy and Will have just returned to Portsmouth after a long and harrowing time at sea, surviving sea battles and minor wounds aboard the Calypso. They are enjoying a pleasant meal with their Captain, Sir Paul Andrew Smith, when he is called away on an urgent matter. The two men accompany him to a carriage only to find that they have been duped. They are now at the mercy of Captain Aidan, a pirate who intends to ransom them back to their families. When Davy and Will are locked up away from Smith, the two men must band together to find a way to escape. But the depths of the pirate's depravity are made clear when he makes a terrible proposition towards Davy. Please Aidan, in every sense of the word, or Will and Captain Smith will face the consequences. Davy will do anything to ensure that Will doesn't get hurt, but the memories of his previous encounter of being forced weigh heavily on him. He is desperate to keep Will in the dark as to his agreement with Aidan. When Will wakes Davy up from a nightmare, things unexpectedly heat up and get out of control between them. Neither is sure what to do now, but both are willing to forget it for the moment to concentrate on their escape. But, now that his eyes have been opened to his love for Davy, Will is finding it harder to ignore. And now that Will knows the truth about Aidan and Davy, he is determined to save his friend. Yearning for just one chance at happiness, they are determined to have one night together before reality and the Navy intrudes. Can the three men escape in time, or will their plans all be for naught? And can Will and Davy ever find a way to be together if they do escape? Ransom is quite simply stunning in its intensity and atmosphere. I felt transported back in time as I read it, feeling the salt air on my face, hearing the lash of the cane as it bit into flesh, seeing the desperation on the face of a man losing hope, and sensing the unending love between two men destined to be together. Davy is an incredible character, one I wanted to take into my arms and protect, and Will is the perfect man for him. Lee Rowan has penned a breathtaking tale in Ransom: one of intrigue and desperation, but with a strong core of hope and everlasting love written throughout. These men are heroes, and I loved every minute of their tale. Shannon reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed Kidnapping, Adventure and a Forbidden Love...Set in 1796 when coming out was not an option and being in the Royal Navy where sodomy was a hanging offense, acting Lt. David Archer keeps his love for fellow officer, Lt. William Marshall strictly on a friendship level. Marshall is a bold and promising young man who is favored for promotion. He's also killed a man in a duel for trying to force advances upon him. Assigned to the Frigate HMS Calypso, under prize-winning Captain Sir Paul Andrew Smith, both men have been given their first command over two small captured French ships. They accompany the Calypso to Portsmouth to be repaired and refitted. Sadly for fans of naval engagements, the details of the action take place off-screen. The Captain rewards his two young officers with a meal on shore. Afterwards, when on their way to see the master of the repair dock a messenger arrives saying that the Admiral wants a word with the Captain immediately. After hopping into the awaiting carriage they discover it is a trick. A gang of kidnappers has been operating in the area, previously targeting rich merchants or their families, but never before any Navy officers (although the Captain had been warned to protect his family). They speculate that word of their prizes and the deep-pockets of the Captain's family must have been the temptation. The dangers of their unpredictable captor, who may decide this is the last kidnapping and kill them all after the ransom is paid, and possible punishment if any attempts at escape are discovered are suspenseful enough. With the added threat to Archer and his fear of anyone finding out, it is worse. How they can escape--or be rescued-- and their eventual fate makes for an engrossing tale. The kidnapping plot is a bit far-fetched, but written with enough explanation to not worry overmuch about it. The sexually sadistic, unbalanced captor is another slightly over-the-top element, but also explained and presented well in the text. The relationship between Archer and Marshall could also have been unbelievable, particularly as they move from friends to lovers suddenly, but again, the author manages to deflect total disbelief, and the way it happens is surprising and somewhat puzzling, but also realistic, given who they are and the characterization is strong and the relationship is well set-up. I'd like to have had some indication, however, that Marshall knew he might be somewhat predisposed, but then, given the period, denial--or never even considering such thoughts-- is probably to be expected. Although there is some action depicted, particularly at the end, it wasn't the naval battles one might expect. However, given that this is a romance plot (despite the great focus on the suspense), one should probably go elsewhere if sea battles and life on a frigate are what you want. The setting and bits of historical detail felt authentic enough. Although I'm no expert, I've read a number of historicals and nautical adventures and nothing struck me as being out of place. Archer and Marshall and Captain Smith are sympathetic and admirable characters whom I would love to read more about. Personally, I enjoyed this story and will certainly seek out the sequel.  Looking for age of sail? Skip this one.If you're just looking for an historical fiction with gay sex in it, you're in luck, but don't count on reading too much action. If you're concidering picking this up because you want to add another age of sail era novel to your collection, leave this one on the shelf. I really had high hopes for this book bases on other reviews. Yes, the book does focus on the blooming relationship between two naval officers. However, anyone looking for a historically acurate novel with homosexual characters will be left out in the cold. Unfortunaely, the author should have done more research. In the era this novel is set, the premis is completely unfounded and impossible. Also, I encountered some confusion and much disappointment as a C. S. Forester fan when the author quotes nearly word for word the leiutenant's exam that Hornblower fails in "Mr. Midshipman Hornblower." This is either a very, very close coincidence, or the author is too lazy to make up their own material. A great blend of romance and story-tellingKidnapped by pirates, can two young officers of the Royal Navy find a way to free themselves before they give in to their growing desire for one another? Ransom is a perennial favorite of mine, which I read over and over. It's not just because I love the period and the setting - so vividly brought to life here. Though I must say that the era of battles and bravery on the high sea has a romance all of its own, which Ransom perfectly captures. It's not just that Will and Davy are such splendid young men, each very different from each other, but each in their own way thoroughly admirable. I think what I love best about this book is that it has such a strong story. Even if you're not into gay romance for its own sake, watching Will and Davy - and Captain Smith's - attempts to escape; their plans, frustrations, sufferings and indomitable refusal to give up is page-turningly exciting in itself. Combine that with a mystery plot as the kidnapped officers' shipmates try to work out who has taken them and where to go for a rescue, and you could read this as a straight adventure and be delighted. But add the slowly building tenderness of the m/m love story too - the beauty of this relationship forged out of hardship, which somehow redeems both lieutenants and helps them to grow into their strength - and you have a classic of the genre. One that you really ought not to miss. Reviewed by Alex Beecroft [...] |
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