Dawn Douglas (1)

This short story is exactly what it says on the cover: a first impression of a potential relationship. I liked the determined approach Matthew took despite the fact he was scared and uncertain. David, or Dr. Holt as he is called throughout most of the book, is a bit of a harder guy to like. His withdrawn, socially somewhat inept manner comes through beautifully, though.

If you like reading about a very hot first time between an older and a much younger man, and enjoy the hints at a possible relationship to follow, you will probably like this story.… (altro)

The idea of buying an officer’s position, ending up with a rank of captain or lieutenant based on the amount of money spent, seems very strange to me. But it was the way things were done in the British Army during much of its history (1683 to 1871), with all the problems attached to the concept of financial prowess replacing real ability and training. There were limits though; commissions could only be purchased in cavalry and infantry regiments, up to the rank of colonel. Set during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, this is the story of twenty-one-year old William, the second son of an earl who encounters “real life” as a member of the Army, and Duncan, the thirty-five-year-old experienced sergeant who is assigned to him.

William has wanted to be a soldier all his life, and thinks he is well prepared based on the military history and tactics courses he took at Oxford University. His father, however, doesn’t think him ready for significant responsibility, so he “only” obtains a lieutenant’s commission for William. Once the reality of war with all its brutality hits William, he grudgingly admits that his father was right. He needs a lot of help, and Sergeant Duncan Blair is just the man to teach him. William gradually realizes he’s developing an infatuation – one that, if discovered, is a hanging offense. Not that this stops him from wanting more than a solid friendship.

Duncan may be lower in rank than William, having actually earned his position through hard work, but he has experience on his side. He saves William’s life quite a few times, and he is always gruff about it, but his actions and loyalty speak louder than his words. He turns away from William after catching him getting a blow job from another officer, but I wasn’t as sure as William that it was disgust. Admitting to loving a man was dangerous back then, and Duncan is too good a soldier to risk everything for a relationship both men think is impossible.

When they do finally open up to each other, due to tragedy and William risking his life one too many times according to Duncan, the result is explosive. Anger and fear, as well as passion explode across the pages, and I was totally invested in finding out how this would end. And let me tell you, the author definitely made me suffer along with William. It was a heartbreaking final run before the happy ending!

If you like historicals with a lot of detail, if you’re interested to find out more about who lived two hundred years ago and seem to be very different from today based on their ideas about society and “how things should be”, and if you’re looking for a read that uses the brutality of several wars as a backdrop for a highly passionate romance, then you will probably enjoy this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
… (altro)

3.5 stars-- Simple, brain candy story about a 22 year old American college student and a 38 year old Brit billionaire.

Sounds familiar? The not as worldly college student getting bent over a businessman's desk? I like that trope. And this was good enough brain candy which I need at the moment so I was happy.

"I'm going to come," he panted. "I'm going to come in your ass, and then I'm going to pull out, strip this condom off, and you're going to clean me up."

This quote gets the party started and made me even happier.

Nathan gets forced to help his twin sister out by delivering coffee to the Griffin Trust Group - a bunch of office sharks. But Nathan catches the eye of the biggest shark there, Charles Griffin. In a few days they have some nice foreplay before the main event.

That main event was the best part of the story.

"That's because you've only slept with boys before. I'm a man. And I'm going to fuck you."

After that office fucking, the story gets choppy. And that ending made me a little pouty because I wanted more. This gave enough but didn't explore. If it did, it could have been a solid 4 stars from me, at least. The writing was competent, the characters were likeable enough.

Sadly, I have to lump this into the PWP with some plot category.

But it was a nice distraction for an hour or so.
Recommended if you're in need of that too.
"… (altro)