At Love's Command (Brothers in Arms, Book 3) [Paperback]

Samantha Kane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 2008

A Brothers in Arms novel. A child when they were betrothed, Sophia Middleton has been waiting twelve years for Ian Witherspoon to return and marry her. Preyed upon by her vicious father and older brother, Sophie longs for Ian to rescue her. Ian Witherspoon and Derek Knightly became best friends during the Peninsular War, and returned as lovers. Two more years pass before the desire for a wife and children prompts Ian to recall his little fiancée. Ian is determined to make a marriage work between the three of them. Derek opposes the marriage despite Ian's determination, but how long will he be able to resist love's command? Sophie's vulnerability hides a core of strength and the combination enthralls and seduces both men. An apt pupil, Sophie learns trust and passion from Ian, and Derek tutors her in the ecstasy of surrender. Love will conquer their fears as they fight those who would tear them apart.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Samantha Kane has a gift for telling emotionally charged stories with passion and sensuality. Her characters are in depth and well developed[...]At Love's Command is a must read novel. It doesn't matter if historical romances are not your thing, because this is one story that will change your mind[...]Samantha Kane is an absolute marvel to read. Her Brothers in Arms series is not to be missed. The men are passionate and sensual and the women are strong." -- Kimberley Spinney, Ecataromance Sensual 5 Stars

"Samantha Kane has done it again. High marks across the board. I've followed this series from the beginning and I can't get enough of it[...]All Have secrets and hidden pain but the love that grows so quickly between them makes your heart ache[...]Samantha just keeps getting better every time." -- Melisa, Euro-Reviews, 5 Stars

"Samantha Kane is a shining example of the gems offered by ePubs at their very best...At Love's Command deserves to be front and center on the mass market new releases display at every major bookstore...I can summarize this book, indeed this entire series, in one word... exquisite." -- Bev(QB), The Good, the Bad, the Unread A+, and Cubie's Confections

"This book was just a perfect read for me and... it was so well-written that I actually forgot gender and just sat back and watched a love story unfold. It was an exemplary tale!" -- Natasha Smith, Romance Junkies 5 Stars

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc. (May 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419957724
• ISBN-13: 978-1419957727
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Samantha Kane lives in North Carolina with her husband of thirteen years and her three children, two boys and a girl. She has a Master's Degree in American History, and taught American and World History in high school for seven years before becoming a full-time writer and mother. As a working mother of three young children, Sam likes her down time. You'll often find her at the beach (even in winter) when she has a few vacation days to spare. Not surprisingly, her favorite pastime is reading.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true GEM of a story, August 9, 2008

By 

B. Leveto "BevL(QB)" (Northeastern OH, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: At Love's Command (Brothers in Arms, Book 3) (Paperback)

The Brothers in Arms series centers around a group of men who fought together in the Peninsular War. In pairs, they protected each other and saved each other many times over. They love each other but, for some of them, they never considered how much they needed to also physically love each other and could only fulfill that unspoken need by sharing one woman. Once they find a woman they can both love, it also frees them to explore their love for each other.

As much as I loved the previous books in this series, they almost pale in comparison to At Love's Command (despite a couple of minor issues I had with two secondary characters).

At Love's Command is the story of two of the men, Ian and Derek, who have already discovered how much they need each other in every way (flashbacks to their war years add to the richness of this story). But Ian dreams of a "new start with someone not associated with the war and all that happened there... Finally they could put the past behind them and live fully in the present, planning for a future. Ian wanted a family. He wanted children. And he wanted to give those things to Derek, too." Unfortunately, Derek neither needs nor wants any part of it. He is convinced that a wife will destroy his life with Ian.

"A child when they were betrothed, Sophia Middleton has been waiting twelve years for Ian Witherspoon to return and marry her. Preyed upon by her vicious father and older brother, Sophie longs for Ian to rescue her."

In this series, Samantha Kane shows us another reality within the Regency era ton... woman had no rights and were at the mercy and whim of the men in their lives. They either accepted their lot in life or held out hope that yet another man would change their circumstances. From the vantage point of our modern times, it is hard to comprehend that women had so little personal power. And as romance readers, we are accustomed to seeing women of the ton treated as pampered, protected pets or, at worst, neglected and ignored by indifferent parents/guardians.

In At Love's Command, it is truly horrifying to learn what Sophia has endured at the hands of her father and brother, made more so by the fact that she really had no choice but to survive it or take her own life... until Ian sends for her. It was heart wrenching to watch her fear of Ian's rejection and her willing debasement of herself as she grasped at the only hope she would ever have in her life. From her POV, the fact that Ian already had Derek in his life meant that he would make few demands on her sexually and she would feel some measure of freedom and control for the first time.

Kane's writing has matured exponentially with this rich, exquisite, multi-dimensional story. Each of the men reminisces about their history together which makes their bond all the more believable and allows us to see their current situation from both viewpoints. And watching Sophie bloom and discover her true personality and sexuality is a delightful journey. Kane weaves Ian's dreams of a loving triad, Sophie's dreams of freedom, and Derek's cynicism together and gradually a pattern of mutual respect and caring starts to appear. As with the previous books, Kane's mastery of erotic scenes allows us to perceive each erotic act as unique to this set of participants.

I think At Love's Command could probably be read as a standalone, but I recommend you read them all just for the enjoyment. Most of the characters from the previous books appear but I don't think it would be difficult to catch the gist of their stories in relation to Ian, Derek, and Sophie's story. In fact, Kate, her friend Kitty, and her niece Very (all of whom we meet in book 1, The Courage to Love) play important roles in At Love's Command, but just enough of their back story is mentioned that their presence would make sense to those who haven't read the previous books. FYI: the Majors Richards and Randall who appear in Derek's and Ian's Peninsular War reminiscences are the Tony and Jason from The Courage to Love.

Samantha Kane is a shining example of the gems offered by ePubs at their very best. As it stands now, NY would never touch her bisexual storylines, yet I assert that At Love's Command deserves to be front and center on the mass market new releases display at every major bookstore.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovin' Me Some Derek!, May 8, 2009

By 

VampFanGirl (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: At Love's Command (Brothers in Arms, Book 3) (Paperback)

'At Love's Command' is a tale of three very tortured souls who find healing in the arms of each other. First there is Ian Witherspoon. As the second or third son of an Earl (I can't remember which), Ian went off to war on the continent as was quite the norm for his station. Word gets around the camps that Ian is invincible after having diving into battle time and again and coming out alive with barely a single wound. He becomes known as the Captain who can't die. Ian cares not for his fellow soldiers thoughts for he knows the he could very well die, luck is just on his side. Little does he know that his prowess has caught the attention of young lieutenant.

Lieutenant Derek Knightly has seen the worst of death. He's lost so many friends and is haunted to the point where sleep is no longer an option. Derek seeks out Ian in the hopes of befriending a soul that has the inability to die and the stories of Captain Ian Witherspoon is proof of his invincibility.

At first Ian doesn't know what to do with the young and beautiful lieutenant but the two eventually become fast and inseparable friends and it's no surprise when the two soldiers begin to share a lover, Dolores. No sooner does Ian start to have strange feelings for Derek. He's never lusted for a man in his life but when Derek and Ian are making love to Dolores, Ian can't help but feeling more aroused by his male friend. Derek shares these same pensive thoughts but when horror strikes and Dolores is killed, a separation of grief occurs between the two men before their yearnings can be explored. For months they hardly speak but the sexual tension is rampant. Both men desire the other but neither has the courage to act. Finally Derek takes the initiative and seduces Ian. *fans self* Arguably one of the best scenes in the book.

Now back from war, Derek and Ian are still devoted lovers. Ian's love for Derek has become so great that exile from his family for his lifestyle choice doesn't overly bother him. He has Derek and he'll never set him free no matter what the circumstance. But as a couple of years pass, Ian has come to the conclusion that both he and Derek aren't whole. Something vital is missing and it's not just the laugh of his lover but a deep seeded need within himself as well. He desires Derek and he wants him in his life forever, but Ian also desires children and not only for himself. He wants a wife for him and Derek. A woman who will become part of both their souls.

Sophie Middleton has led a horrible and tragic life consumed of fear and hate. The only light at the end of a dark and seemingly endless tunnel is a marriage betrothal signed when she was a young girl. Ian Witherspoon promised that when she was old enough he'd come for her and she would be his wife. Now, years later, he's finally summoned her for their wedding and Sophie couldn't be more scared in her life.

Derek is not happy with Ian's decision to marry and tries endlessly to dissuade him. The jealousy over having to share Ian with another is eating away at his heart but this is only masking the true dilemma. Derek is not nor has ever been free with his heart. After having been the witness of so many deaths, Ian is still the only being strong enough to withstand life. Of course this is only Derek's rational. While the nightmares continue to plague his nights, Derek fears that this new bride will only make his emotions more raw and his dreams more terrifying with the absence of his lover and friend. To Derek's horror, he's finding himself entranced by Sophie. He can't bear to fall in love for her defense against death has never been proven. He cannot have a repeat of Dolores's fate. He doesn't think he could survive that type of loss again.

Ian is immediately entranced by his new and beautiful bride. But there's something sad and desperate lurking beneath the liquid innocence of her eyes. Her secrets are soon revealed though. It becomes quickly obvious that her father has brow-beaten his daughter into strict submissiveness that has nearly destroyed her beautiful spirit. In addition, Ian soon discovers that Sophie has also been brutally raped repeatedly by her evil brother Harold who thankfully is touring the continent or he'd find himself the recipient of a bullet hole to the chest. With painstaking tenderness, Ian seduces Sophie and teaches her the exquisite pleasure that can be attained while making love. Soon Sophie opens to Ian her body and soul at his insatiable request.

But life is still incomplete. Derek has continued to maintain his distance but Sophie is slowly plowing through his thick walls of defence. Unknowingly, Sophie captures his heart to Derek's eternal chagrin. But before the words of love can be spoken, Sophie is taken from Derek and Ian's safe embrace. An evil plot of revenge has been revolving around the three's burgeoning relationship. Desperate to find their wife and destroy her enemies, Derek and Ian take off to save the woman they love. They can only hope that they are not too late.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A decent novel despite its flaws, October 13, 2008

By 

Vixenne Victorienne "Kymberlyn Reed" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: At Love's Command (Brothers in Arms, Book 3) (Paperback)

At Love's Command was a much longer and richer novel in the Brothers in Arms series. The main characters were far more developed than in the first two books. However, the novel only rates *three stars* because someone--perhaps the author or the publisher--seems not to understand that a regency novel has to have certain elements in order to transport a reader to that time and place. Language is a very important element and the novel failed in this. It was jarring to read of characters who sounded more at home in a contemporary novel than a historical.

I actually loved the two male leads--Ian and Derek--who shared both love and a horrific past during the Penninsular War. The use of flashbacks is extremely effective and helped to create a sense of deep and lasting love between the two. Again, the author excelled in creating male characters who behaved like males, rather than making one more effeminate. I also loved how they understood the dynamics of power sharing in their relationship. Derek was especially appealing because he wasn't perfect. He was that `diamond in the rough'--the soul of a poet wrapped up in a less-than-civilized exterior. His gradual acceptance of a woman into their lives felt more natural than Ian's more utopian view.

The heroine, Sophia Middleton, represented a much different view from what many Regency readers are used to. Sad to say, this depiction was a lot closer to the truth. Even amongst the upper ten-thousand, women had little personal power, which is one reason the patronesses of Almack's are so fascinating because of their ability to rule society--even over the Prince Regent. Normally, such timid and weak heroines hold no interest, but Sophia's story really grabbed at my heartstrings. Her father was abusive and her brother a far worse cad. She was a survivor and in a way, created her own destiny through making a choice to live in the pale with not one--but TWO--husbands. Because of her life under such brutality, even the smallest of kindnesses met with fear of censure and of her being sent back. Still, there was a core of iron in Sophie, to the point of a willingness to take her own life and not go back to the horror of her father and brother. She also learned how to stand up to the often taciturn Derek.

Characters from past novels find their way into Ian, Derek and Sophie's lives--Jason, Tony and Kate; Kitty, Veronica, Freddy, Wolf and Michael--and all intertwine to help heal their wounds.

The erotic scenes are extremely hot and perfect for readers who like reading about sexy men getting down and dirty. It is nice to see two alpha males who can be both dominant and submissive without taking away from their masculinity. Ms. Kane has learned how to really make these scenes less prurient and give them more emotional impact, though again the jarring modern slang leaves little to be desired. It is possible to write scenes in this vein and still remain true to the Regency language. For instance, Linda Berdoll succeeded quite well in her tribute to Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife.

My other problem is that once more everything wrapped up nicely at the end. The family, once mortified that their prodigal son wants to have his male lover and a wife--suddenly sees the light and welcomes him back into the fold. The villains get their comeuppance and we saw one villain--the other happens offstage, not to mention that there will obviously be other books to follow in the series because of all the friends who have appeared in past stories.