Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

'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.

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.

I couldn't put this book down. I've read several of the books in the series and this is by far the one I read every spare minute I had. The relationship and love between Ian and Derek is fantastically written. I fell in lust for them both and Sophia is the perfect mate for them both. Derek's dark side comes out and his refusal to accept Sophia is what really brings the tension and passion together. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book!!!

Ian Witherspoon became best friends and lovers with Derek Knightly during their time fighting as officers in the Peninsula during the Napoleonic War. They are both still haunted by their harrowing time there, but Ian hopes to make a new and better life for himself and for Derek, one filled with love and family and a wife and children, even if he has to create a family and friends all by himself, as his family has ostracized him due to his liason with Derek. Ian was betrothed by his father's wishes years ago to Sophie Middleton--someone he hopes will be the kind of wife who will accept him and Derek.

Sophie has been abused by her father and her brother all her life and will do anything to get away. She has long hoped for Ian to come and save her. When Ian finally meets her, he instantly sees that all is not right. He falls in love with the sweet Sophie and tries to get her away and to safety, into marriage. Now, if only Derek will understand...

Of course, there are plenty of hot sex scenes to make people happy. I prefer some decent plot and character development to shore it all up and was happy to have some flashbacks to the war when Ian and Derek first meet and how they find a local girl they both share, then finally find each other (along with more sex scenes, naturally). This helps flesh out their characters and give them some back-story. I would still have liked a bit more insight into their characters and motivations, but it gives enough information to fill in some gaps. Sophie is a bit less detailed, but still rendered well and sympathetically. The plot itself is thin, but at least it was existent. I found the number of male couples and menages a trois among their immediate acquaintances very unbelievable, but as they were characters from other books, I suppose it was inevitable--and they did add interest to the book.

Book four in Samantha Kane's menage m/m/f 'Brothers In Arms' series is "At Love's Command" and it's quite a weighty read at close to 400 pages. Kane's series is set in Regency England and follows pairs of men who fought together in the Napoleonic wars and became lovers. On their return to England, each pair strives to find acceptance and happiness in a society that was overtly hostile to open same-sex relationships. These couples each find the woman that can complete their relationship and offer them the chance for family and children. Interesting premise, very well done in all these novels.

Ian and Derek returned from the wars quietly sad. Even their steadfast love wasn't quite enough. So Ian decides to honor the marriage his family arranged when he was a very young eighteen. Derek, however, feels threatened and defensive about bringing a woman into their lives. He's afraid to love and lose anyone else.

For Sophie, the twelve long years since her betrothal have been ones of mental and physical torture and degradation. The news of her fiancee's return gives her hope of escaping from her current life. She's heard of her future husband's relationship with another man and doesn't care. In fact, she hopes that relationship will keep him out of her bed once she's with child.

Ian falls first, but Derek is a much tougher case. Reading about their caring relationship and generosity of their love was so touching and so very sexy. If male/male sex and menage sex offend you, then you don't want to read this book. If you enjoy those things, you really shouldn't miss "At Love's Command" by Samantha Kane. It's probably the best historical menage story I've read yet.

I know that some reviewers before me picked up on some of the flaws in this book. I honestly never even noticed them because I was so into this story. It was a wonderful love story with characters that I fell in love with, especially Derek! The loves scenes were HOT too & that's a definite plus. Samantha Kane has quickly become one of my favorite writers. I am so glad that with many characters who's stories have yet to be told there will be more Brothers in Arms stories to come. So please Samantha, keep em coming! I am in love with this series.

The reason that I didn't give 5 stars is because I kept waiting for something to happen during the love scenes & it never did so I was a bit disappointed. Other than that it was awesome! This is going on my keeper shelf for sure.

Ian Witherspoon was a man with a plan. He was finally getting married to a woman he had been promised to for over twelve years. His lover Derek Knightly was less than thrilled because he couldn't see the big picture. Ian thought it was important for their future for them to be involved with someone that wasn`t involved with the war. He thought they could both get past it at some point if they had a tomorrow to look forward to. He couldn't wait because he would finally have the complete family he has always wanted that hopefully included children from both he and Derek. He just had to make Derek understand his vision for the future, but right now he just couldn't get past his anger to see it.

Sophie Middleton couldn't wait to meet her future husband Ian. She had heard the rumors about he and his lover, but she was going to get the opportunity to escape from her abysmal life. She has lived such a horrific existence; the fact that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel was enough for her to have hope. She knew that she wasn't a catch by any stretch of the imagination, and intended to let Ian know he could continue with his lover as if nothing had changed. Sophie just hoped Ian would go through with the marriage, so she didn't have to suffer the abuse any longer.

As plans for the wedding progressed, Derek became more despondent. He was not giving Ian up, but didn't feel he had much to bargain with since the wedding was going to take place. Derek refused to like her, and hadn't even been polite enough to introduce himself. He made himself scarce, so he didn't have to deal with it. Ian had informed him about the abuse Sophie had suffered at the hands of her family, but even that was not enough to melt the anger in his heart. When the wedding day arrived, Derek made the concession, and attended the wedding against his own better judgment. What no one realized was that a past enemy had just inserted himself into their future.

This was a fine addition to the Brothers in Arms series. Sophie just broke my heart. She had endured so much in her short life. You can see right away why Ian felt so protective of her. It was a treat to see her blossom with Ian. She went from a frightened woman to a force to be reckoned with. She even got to the point where she could spar with Derek, and come out on top. Well-developed characters in a suspenseful story make this a good read!

Fairly new to the genre, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I do think any book categorized as historical, should adhere to historical convention beyond superficial smatterings of place and clothing. Considering the author's history background, I felt history in 'At Love's Command' was more or less gratuitous. Language was way too contemporary, and I think a writer can use a good deal of license in a history without completely sacrificing the period. Male character names also seemed to suffer from 'contemporitis'. History felt so markedly incidental to the erotica, that it was easily forgettable, and there was little sense of a transportation to the past. I think Samantha Kane is a more than capable writer, and could easily take this genre to a higher level of intelligence--which I would love; however to be fair to Ms Kane and her target audience, there may be few readers who want an equal amount of history and, say, some action and/or adventure blended in with the sex. (write one just for me, please?) 'At Love's Command' was close to pure erotica in my opinion, and it delivered the hot stuff on that front. I completely disagree with the dude who labeled it bisexual porn trash.

I thought Derek and Ian were nicely developed characters, and leaps and bounds above anything I've read in the historical romance/erotica genre. Usually, I find most of the male characterizations so obviously female incarnations, as to not be remotely believable. I was especially impressed with Ms Kane's men. Sophie? Oh, dear...well, not so very. I think a blow-up doll would have as much going for it. There are always arguments to support the lifeless and submissive females of the era, but it seems more of an excuse to defend a weak characterization. Again, I would have loved for Ms Kane to develop Sophie a bit more, and have her truly worth the efforts of the two powerful men attracted to her. The end was pat, and not particularly satisfying. I confess to fast-forwarding a bit, hoping there would be more story beyond the sexual romps. I would buy the sequel to this story, so that is, perhaps, the greatest testament to its achievement.

This book was worth waiting for. The writer did not disapoint. I do recommend this book to anyone. I love the whole storyline, it was hot, the sex was hot and not cheaply described. She did a great closing, hope this does not mean that she won't move to the next couple, would love to know more about the niece and her beaus. This story went a bit more in deph about the previous two books story, giving an end of the circle style. We get to understand a little bit more about what happened to all of them and how they came to be. I would recommend buying her two previous books and then reading this one, although you don't have to, but you will certainly enjoy them all.