Genre: Historical, Regency
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Love at first seduction in Georgian England.
Reid never knew how fast love could hit until he met Midshipman David. Can he convince the reluctant young officer they are perfect together?
In the style of Regency England, His Midshipman is a stand-alone M/M novella. Reid and David’s story continues in His Second Chance, the Regency Lords series, a queer romance by award-winning author Stephanie Lake. Start the series today to heat up your evening.
“Stephanie Lake gives us appealing characters, fun storylines, and crisp prose. I especially enjoy the skill she uses with her historical settings. Her stories are perfect when I need an escape from the here and now.” – Kim Fielding, award-winning author of The Bureau series.
“Bold, sensual historical settings that immerse you in the experience and characters that bring the past startlingly to life.” – Amy Lane, award-winning author of Fish out of Water series.
The Review
Viscount Troubridge, aka Reid Blair has made his way to the rowdy “Pig in a Poke” tavern. Besides a good drink, he’s looking for someone to spend time with. The Poke is the only place Reid knows to seek out men. He stays away from the Molly House, where constables lay in wait to arrest men for gross indecency.
A young man sits down in only seat available – the one next to him. He’s an impressive figure, most likely a sailor. Reid explains that his companion had left with another man and probably won’t return. As time progresses with drink and talk, they warm to one another. He learns the man’s name, Midshipman Smith, and notices Smith has coin, when he uses it to pay for his drink. It leads him to believe that Smith comes from a wealthy family, because midshipman aren’t paid that well.
Reid has lustful feelings for Smith, and the signs are clear. Already having drunk too much, he asks Smith back to his home, where he has the finest port. As he departs, he tells Smith to wait and follow after him, as leaving together could lead to trouble. When they meet on the corner, they can’t help but rush to Reid’s home together.
Reid is enamored with David Smith and doesn’t want to let him go. But David claims he has to report back to his frigate in just six days. If only Reid can talk him out of being in the Navy… has he finally found a companion who would be the perfect lover? Unfortunately, David returns to the frigate and leaves Reid with hopes of his return. But will he?
His Midshipman is a short historical teaser, a prequel to Lake’s Regency Lords series. The author transports readers to London in April of 1779, setting the tone for the time and place with wonderful worldbuilding.
Reid and David are opposites – Reid has confidence and a sense of humor. David has not told Reid the entire truth about himself, and fears what could happen if he and Reid were found out. I also loved Reid’s cousin Elizabeth. She is a woman before her time, and full of mischief.
I enjoyed this prequel, set at a dangerous time in history for gay men. It’s witty, serious at times and full of wonderfully intimate moments between Reid and David.
The next tale in the “The Regency Lords” series is “His Second Chance”.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
