Home Is the Sailor
Page 23
“I know. And I do want you, Davy. Of course I do.”
“Then we will find a little time to be together. We will make the time. No matter how much I might be needed here on the estate, a few days now and then would hardly matter. If I knew your ship was due in Portsmouth, I’d hand the whole circus over to our manager and hie myself off to Pompey. And we’d take the long road home, Will—in a closed carriage.”
It might work. It just might. And the image of a double wedding… the two of them standing up together, even if they were camouflaged by a pair of brides, struck a chord deep in his heart. Almost against his better judgment, Will said, “Perhaps we might attempt an engagement and see how we fare.”
Davy’s face lit up, and Will added, before he was tempted to do something foolish, “A very long engagement.”
“We need to discuss this in more detail,” Davy said. “Privately. Captain Marshall, I must travel to London to resign my commission. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me?”
Coming Soon
Sail Away
Royal Navy: Book Four
By Lee Rowan
Sail away again with Will Marshall and Davy Archer in this collection of missing moments from their saga. Meet some of the background players as they take center stage in tales of their own. Enjoy a journey through the family album of the Royal Navy series in the following stories:
“Captain’s Courtship” is the tale of Cynthia Lancaster and newly promoted Commander Paul Smith, who won’t let revolution stand in the way of their love.
David Archer’s cousin Christopher St. John and his fiancée wind up on the HMS Calypso in “See Paris and Live.”
When a storm leaves Will and David “Castaway” on a deserted island, their fantasy is within reach… if they dare to take the chance.
After the harrowing events in Ransom, Will Marshall realizes the vast difference between their social standing in their “Voyage to London,” and he wonders whether there will be room in Davy’s life for him after all.
Finally, enjoy six short Royal Navy stories that show a glimpse of Will and Davy at the holidays—Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s day, shore leave… and a special nit-picking vignette from Charlie Cochrane.
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
See how the story began!
Ransom
Royal Navy: Book One
By Lee Rowan
An officer, a gentleman… and a sodomite. The first two earn him honor and respect, the third may cost him his life. David Archer realizes how hopeless his attraction to his fellow midshipman is from the moment a newly arrived William Marshall challenges a sexually abusive shipmate to a duel—and shoots him dead.
To Marshall, the Navy is his one chance to move beyond his humble beginnings. While others spend shore leave carousing, he curls up with a navigation text. When they and their captain are abducted, Archer and Marshall become pawns in a renegade’s sadistic game. To protect the man he loves, David Archer chooses to face his own demons of past abuse returned in a different form. When Marshall learns of Archer’s sacrifice, he discovers what he feels for Davy runs stronger and deeper than friendship. He’s in love, for the first time in his life, and he wants to know all about this new emotion.
But first they must escape. Only then will they find out if they can preserve their love without losing their lives.
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Don’t miss
Winds of Change & Eye of the Storm
Royal Navy: Book Two
By Lee Rowan
Winds of Change
Lieutenants William Marshall and David Archer, of His Majesty’s frigate Calypso, have been lovers for more than a year. Because the penalty for discovery is the hangman’s noose, they limit themselves to the occasional night of passion ashore.
But in the Navy, nothing lasts forever. A transfer to a new ship brings with it a bizarre turn of events: their captain orders them to behave as though they are involved in an illicit relationship in order to smoke out a suspected traitor. When their masquerade proves dangerously effective, it threatens to cost Davy his life.
Eye of the Storm
The long war between England and France enters a fragile and temporary truce in the winter of 1802, but the lives of Commander William Marshall and Lieutenant David Archer are more complicated than ever. After almost losing Davy in battle, Will faces the responsibility of command and questions whether he can give orders that will put his love in harm’s way once more.
Doubts torment David Archer. Will walked away once, trying to end their relationship for Davy’s own safety. His physical wounds have healed, but the loss of trust remains. Now, his biggest challenge is persuading Will their love is worth the risk of loss.
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
About the Author
LEE ROWAN has been writing since childhood, but professionally only since spring of 2006, with the publication of her Eppie-winning novel, Ransom. She is a lady of a certain age, old enough to know better but still young enough to do it anyway. A confirmed bookaholic with a wife of many years, she is kept in line by a cadre of cats and two dogs who get her away from the computer and out of the house at least once a day.
Dante Alfonso
Italian God of the Silent Screen
By David Bret
Dante Alfonso lives with his family in a small village in southern Italy until they learn of his affair with Roberto, the nephew of the local priest, and send him to live with relatives in New York City. Onboard the ship to America, Dante meets Jean-Paul, a French entrepreneur, and upon his arrival in New York City, they begin a relationship based on mutual benefits. Dante gets a job as a waiter at Harry’s Place, a popular dance hall, and when Jean-Paul is arrested and deported, Dante moves in with Martin, a coworker, who soon becomes a lover. By way of a wealthy client, Dante gets an audition that earns him a bit part in a film from a major studio.
In Hollywood of the early 1920s, Dante’s star is rising, and he and his handsome publicist, Bob, who reminds him of Roberto, soon become lovers. As a movie star and heart-throb, Dante steadfastly refuses to submit to the pressure and dictates of the studio bosses who want him to marry to stop the rumors about his sexuality. Can a prejudiced Hollywood make him change who he is, or will he find a way to stay true to himself?
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com