Review: Blessed Isle

Reviewed by Jen
 

I had high hopes for this novella. It's the story of sea captain who has to fight his growing feelings for his lieutenant, in a time where a relationship between them could end in hanging.   But it didn't work for me, largely because of the way the story is told. It's set up as a journal, recounting the history between the men.  As a result, it's all telling, with no showing.  The narrative never allowed me to feel invested in the story. It was more of a detached recounting of events.  And I never felt like I had more than a cursory idea of who these men were as people.

Basically, it plays out like this.  Harry is named captain of the ship where Garnet serves. They are instantly attracted to one another, but Harry rejects the feelings... determined to hold onto his honor. He wants to be the best captain he can be, but during a transport of convicts, the crew contracts typhus.  Add to that, killer storms and a prisoner revolt, and Harry & Garnet barely escape with their lives. They make it to a deserted island --and live Survivor-style, until they are rescued.

Most of the story, they are miserable. Most of the story, they aren't even together. And when they get to the island --and finally have a chance to be with one another-- I didn't even feel like I got to enjoy it.  It was all glossed over.  For instance, their first time together:

When we woke that first morning, we made love. Nothing needed to be said; we both understood it would happen as soon as we had the physical resources to allow it.  It was sweet and weary and gentle, just kisses and the stroke of callused palms.

Um... I wanted to actually bear witness to the scene.  Not just be told that they did it. And essentially, this was how the entire story was told.  There was virtually no romance. It was just... not good for me.

Rating: C-

*ARC Provided by Riptide via NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Blessed Isle

by Alex Beecroft

Release Date: December 31, 2012

Publisher: Riptide

Review: His Heart's Obsession

Reviewed by Jen
 

Being in love with another man is no small thing for an officer in the British Royal Navy, especially if the year is 1752. It's even worse if the object of your affections is head-over-heels in love with someone else entirely. But despite the odds against him, Robert is not ready to give up on his feelings for Hal.

Hal may be crazy about the ship's captain, William, but William has no idea and favors women, anyway. So Robert makes his move. Hal is shocked by his interest and even questions his sincerity. So Robert vows to prove his love by being the kind of man Hal could respect.

This is a really short story, but it's one led primarily by emotion. I believed in Robert's affections for Hal and in Hal's hopeless crush on William. I liked watching Robert try to better himself and show Hal what love really looks like. I did, however, think Hal was a little hard on Robert. He knows first hand what unrequited love feels like. He could have been a little kinder.

I also wished for a little more sexual payoff. Though I acknowledge what we got was good --and realistic, considering the circumstances. It also reinforces that this is a story really more about the feeling of love rather than the psychical manifestation of it.

Well done, especially considering the brevity of the story, which was less than 80 pages.

Rating: B-

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

His Heart's Obsession

by Alex Beecroft

Release Date: June 19, 2012

Publisher: Carina Press

Review: By Honor Betrayed

Reviewed by Jen
 

Tom has been Conrad's manservant for years. And they have developed a deep friendship that goes beyond the difference in their stations. There is an unspoken thread of something even more between them... a quiet, intense longing that neither has ever acted upon. The two serve together in the 18th century Royal Navy... so if they were to ever give in to those feelings, they could hang for their actions.

The ship's captain starts to catch wind that there may be more to the relationship and tries to separate the men. But his actions only force Tom and Conrad to confront their feelings. From there, the story follows the two of them as they try to find their footing as lovers, while knowing the risks they are taking.

The story was pretty short and we see very little of the men together. Most of the book deals with their obstacles as opposed to their actual relationship. The couple of love scenes we get are just ok --they were brief and didn't have all that much fire or romance. Meh. I wasn't really blown away by this one. 3 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

By Honor Betrayed

by Alex Beecroft

Release Date: November 7, 2011

Publisher: Carina Press