Fortunes Of War [Paperback]

Mel Keegan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2005

In 1588 a young mercenary and the son of an English earl meet by a quirk of fate. Dermot Channon is a soldier, while Robin Armagh has been sheltered on his father's estate. Love blossoms fast while war looms on the horizon. Under the thundercloud of armed conflict, Channon leaves England and the Spanish Armada sails soon after. Robin despairs of seeing him again, for their countries are locked in an endless struggle. Years fly by, and in 1595, when Robin's brother is taken for ransom in Panama, the dangerous duty of delivering the price of his life and liberty falls to Robin. He sails with the historical '1595 Fleet,' commanded by Francis Drake, hoping to bring home his brother. But Fortune has other plans for Robin and Channon. Ahead of them is a an epic adventure in hazardous waters where old enmities, Spanish and English, shape their future together -- and try to drive them apart.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A self-confessed science fiction and fantasy devotee, Mel Keegan is known for novels across a wide range of subjects, from the historical to the future action-adventure ... but certainly MK is best known for the NARC series, featuring iconic characters Jarrat and Stone. Mel lives in South Australia with an eccentric family.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: DreamCraft (June 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975088491
• ISBN-13: 978-0975088494
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,538,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the genre, February 23, 2002

By 

Maries "Maries" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fortunes of War (Paperback)

I've read Aquamarine and Ice, Wind, and Fire, and thought they were just so-so - but Fortunes of War is one of the best historical romances I've ever read, gay or straight (and I've read a lot of them). And if anyone is sick of the cliches of the standard heterosexual romance novel, this book is a great breather, very fresh and unique. The plot is not as predictable or naive as in some other Keegan novels, and there are more twists and turns than I would normally expect from him. The characters in this book are painstakingly developed, the setting feels completely authentic, and the writing is really a notch above that in Aquamarine and Ice. There are also fewer typos.

What's best about the novel is the intensity of the relationship between the heroes. They are hot, they are passionate, they are believable, and their relationship is believable. It makes sense that they are in love, a point a lot of romance novels neglect. The sex is hot too - not as ubiquitous as in Ice, and better, more intense, than in Aquamarine.

Somewhere among the pirates, battles and other thrills and adventures, there is a more serious gay theme. The heroes suffer for their love and are forced to make hard choices and big sacrifices in a world where homosexual love is not always welcome.

As usual, Keegan's dialogue is a bit stilted and odd in places, and some of the secondary characters are a little shallow, but whatever weaknesses this novel has are swept away by the desparate intensity of the heroes' relationship. It's impossible not to fall in love with them both, and little flaws can easily be overlooked when you're in love.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The things I do for Mel..., November 25, 1997

By 

Drew Brainiard "watchword" (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fortunes of War (Paperback)

I'm a fan of Mel Keegan, one of the world's most irritatingly non-prolific writers, so I get lured into reading things I ordinarily would not. Like--er--pirate stories.

In FORTUNE'S OF WAR Keegan abandons contemporary thrillers (please don't do this, Mel!) and sci fi thrillers to turn his attention to historical adventure. This is the tale of half-Spanish mercenary Dermot Channon and his love for young Robert Armagh, the son of an English earl. As the blurb on the back of the book puts it, "The couple's adventures together on the Spanish Main make a swashbuckling romance in the best gay pirate tradition." That reads for sex, dueling, sex, sea battles, sex, revenge, deadly fevers...did I mention sex? In short, plenty of action of all descriptions.

Keegan has a keen eye for sensuous detail, and a gift for creating warriors with a tender side. His stories are wildly imaginative, romantic and fun.

So am I now a fan of pirate stories? No. But I'm still a fan of Mel Keegan.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply pure delight !, July 18, 2002

By 

R.Parklane (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fortunes of War (Paperback)

Fortunes of War was my first Keegan's book. It is so good that it prompted me to acquire all other Keegan's books which are available. Sadly none has come close to Fortunes of War. I do not care for the Spain vs England background. It is the story of the two lovers which gripped me and held me till the end. Our two lovers are such likable beautiful young men, their characters solid and almost real. When they were forced to be separated I felt a tug at my heart and just had to keep on reading until 3 in the morning to savor their reunion. Their love for each other is lusty, breathless yet tender and touching. I am a straight woman and have not touched a romance novels for years. However Fortunes of War has become one of my top ten favorites. I hope the book will be savored by a wider audience and not just men in love with each other.