Customer Reviews

Eye of the Storm (The Royal Navy Series)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm hooked on Davey and Will. Rowan seems good at mixing believable historical details, and naval information, with well developed characters. The love story continues to be meaningful and fun. Probably my only complaint is that the length is really more of a novella - the type is very big, so don't expect a really filled out 180 pages. But it is also something to be said for an author that sticks to her story without a lot of filler.

This book starts right after the last book WINDS OF CHANGE, with Will and Davy united once more. With the treaty causing a lull in fighting, Navy postings are nearly impossible, so Will takes a prime position as a Captain of a civilian ship. He is secretly working in conjunction with British intelligence, and Davy will be sailing with him, posing as the owner, a Canadian merchant. They ply the channel and meet with others forming an information network.

They share a cabin, but all is not well with Davy and Will's relationship. In the last book, Will had tried to leave Davy, disturbed by the pain and guilt he'd felt when Davy was gravely wounded. It was Davy who sought him out, for which Will was glad, but he's still not sure he can bear the idea of putting Davy in harms way... something that could affect his abilities as Captain. And the fear has kept him from being with Davy as much as he could be.

Will and Davy are totally engaging characters, and the background of the Navy at the time of the Napoleonic Wars is fascinating (even when treated with such short shrift). The plot this time is very thin, and not so interesting or suspenseful, however. And the length of the book is shorter than ever, more a novella than a novel. While it was a good thing to read more about Will and Davy, the amount of content and the quality of the content was sadly less than satisfying.

Two of the most dear heroes of the historical gay romance fiction have in this novel their third adventure. From the discovery of their love under dangerous situation in the first book, passing through the climax of an almost separation in the second, the third book is almost an aftermath. Nor William or David never doubted their love, but the fear is always there and they need to find a way to stay together.

William thought to be able to leave David to a normal life, a wife and possible a son, but David was not of the same idea. And despite the fact that David could seem the weaker of the two, it's upon him to find a way to change William's mind. The bait is a secret mission to rescue a frenchman in France territory; the tool a wonderful and fast little yacht which William has to command with a small crew and with David in the fake role of a canadian trader and yacht's owner.

The book starts in a very nice way, with a much waited reunion between William and David, who finally share a bed in a country inn. But the day after they are draw apart, even if not physically, since in the narrow space of the yacht, without possible intimacy, they have to restrain themself. And then David, who never doubted William's love, found out soon before their leave, that William was set out to really severe any communication with David; David still doesn't put in question their love, but maybe the wish of Will to commit himself to find a way to work through the odds to stay together. On the other hand, Will can't see a way for them to be together, even if David suggests a marriage of convenience for Will (don't worry, it's only a suggestion, and there is not even a woman around to accomplish it...).

And then Will has the chance to meet "another" man: again don't worry, there is not a betrayal behind the corner, but still, Will has the chance to understand that what he feels for David is not so strange or forbidden, it's something that he could well have felt for someone else if David was not around. It's not that David turned William, it's Willam's nature. I don't know, but in a way, William's mind finds absolution. In all the books I read on this series, I always found that David was the one who was willing to take more risks for their relationship; it's not that Will is a coward, but sometime he is too cautious.

With this book Lee Rowan introduces as to Etienne, a character that I'd like to see in the future, maybe with his own story.

The 3rd installment and just as absorbing and enjoyable as its predecessors. I too am not happy with its length and bold print but both writer/editor are forgiven because this one is quality writing as usual from Lee Rowan. The rich navy and historical details certainly add a lot of realism to the enjoyable plot but it is Dave's and Will's developing love story which I really love. I have to admit that I find Will frustrating in the beginning as he seems to value the seas, his ship and his navy career more than Davy while Davy only have Will in his heart. On the other hand Davy, the more fearless of the two in their relationship, has always been my favorite character. But Lee soon pens that frustration away and I end up as captivated by the couple's romance which faces dangers and fears in the era they live in. There is a small section in the beginning of the story which tells of marriage to a woman in order to stay together. Please Lee, I hope no such development in future volumes. Lee probably feels this is realistic in the era they live in but I cannot imagine Dave's and Will's touching romance turning into a distasteful M/M/F! Meanwhile I wait impatiently for book 4 which hints of the lovers being ensnarled by the impending war between England and France.

This third installment of Davy and Will's adventures picks up where book two left off. They are now spies for the gov't in the guise of British seafaring traders to France. Their mission is to collect a relation of Davy's and return him to England. Of course, it is never as easy as it predicted and adventure follows. Running below the surface of their adventure is the unresolved issues of their relationship that go back to their adventure in book two. There are new temptations and challenges in the form of a possible rival for Will's affections and Will's reluctance to speak of his thoughts.
My only complaint and it is a small one is that I was disappointed in the length of the story. I felt that the assignment resolved too quickly and easily compared to how hard they had to work in book one when in a jam.
It does leave one hanging and waiting for the next installment though.

A new Lee Rowan book is always good news. Her style is neat, her characterisations good and she tells a cracking tale. It's no mean feat to keep the tension (emotional and otherwise) up in a series of books, but she accomplishes it without resorting to cliches or contrived plot twists.

Marshall and Archer remain a pair of excellent heroes - flawed, heroic and most of all believable.