I'll start by saying English isn't my mother tongue and so I'm not used to reading Historical novels (Romance or otherwise) so it took me time to get into the story as - truth be told - the language was a bit difficult for me at times. But I kept on because I knew I can trust Joanna to bring me a book worth reading and that it was! I really enjoyed this one. Lindsay and Drew's relationship was slow building even with all the nudging from Lindsay's part. It needed time - THEY needed the time. Also it's NOT the right place for Lindsay to find his mate considering it's not just his home town, it's also where he was imprisoned for years and years and just the thought of returning to his master makes him shudder.
The story is told solely from Lindsay Somerville's POV. His life have been quite ordinary up until he is taken hostage by Duncan MacCormaic. When Duncan's servant found Lindsay and saw the resemblance between him and the one man his master desires and can never have - Francis Neville - he brought him back for Duncan. Duncan turned Lindsay into a Wolf and imprisoned him for years on years. Using him and abusing him. When Francis and Marguerite come to his rescue he doesn't know if he can trust them but as they are the ONLY chance he has to MAYBE finding freedom he goes with them.
Living with Francis and Marguerite is no hardship. They get along great and life couldn't be better even if Duncan is still looking for him and tries every few years to find him. But he has his friends to help and cover his tracks when needed. That's how easily 100 years go by. From a servant he turns into a peacock who enjoys life's pleasures. Men yeah but also and mostly a vain appearance he can flaunt on the streets of Paris with colorful cloths, powdered hair and a bit of rouge on his cheeks and lips.
When Marguerite tells him to go back to his home town of Edinburgh (close to where Duncan lives) to retrieve scrolls which might reveal the whereabouts (or demise) of her maker he takes the opportunity, especially as Duncan is far away from home (looking for him actually..). The scroll are in the hands of Hector Cruikshank and so Lindsay's job is to try to charm his way through the greedy old man and buy the scrolls in the cheapest price he can ....
While waiting for Hector to admit him he meets Drew Nicol, an architect working on Hector's new house in the "New City". Lindsay more than just likes what he sees in Drew and thus tries to befriend him. First saying he is interested in a house himself and later on admitting how much he is interested in Drew himself. Drew finds Lindsay's behavior (and whole demeanor) quite alarming. The cloths, the colors, his blatant interest in him. He was impressed while being totally unimpressed of the guy. But he couldn't truly deny his attraction even if he regretted it every time he let his guard down. I really understood him. His life hadn't been easy. It was never about what HE wanted / needed it was always about complying, so giving in to what Lindsay is offering him is more than tempting it's simply dangerous and not only because being gay is illegal.
Things get complicated when Francis appears in Edinburgh with terrible news. It means Lindsay has to wrap things up QUICKLY with Hector, but it also means his time with Drew will be coming to an end and he cannot bear leaving him behind but he knows he must. Living so close to Duncan's house it NOT a good idea.. But how can he leave when all his being, including his Wolf is BEGGING him to keep Drew by his side.
As this is part one things are not truly resolved, they actually get more complicated.. But that's what part two is going to be about. CAN'T WAIT to get my hand on it !!!! I hope I won't have to wait long before it's published. Fingers crossed !
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Rating:
★★★★½ |
E-Book
Edition |
216
pages
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Read on:
30 August 2019
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