Review: Love and Independence ... Yes, please
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 5, 2014
If you enjoy Historical M/M Romance with wonderful detail and characters of which the author has intimate knowledge and decides to share that with the rest of the world, then I have a book for you. Come and find out more about David and Murdo in early 19th Century Scotland… 4.5 stars worth. ;)We open this time in 1822 with David working for Chalmers full time, having become his right-hand man, the term Chalmers uses himself. King George IV is coming to Edinburgh, attempting to bring some unity between Scotland and Britain, and everyone is preparing for it. We also open with the quality of writing exhibited in the first book of this series, Provoked. David’s voice is as strong as ever, still a very reasoned, passionate and caring man. As for Murdo Balfour, he’s still… well, he’s Murdo and we gain even more knowledge as to why that is. David has relented and is calling him the more intimate Murdo instead of by his last name now. Contented sigh #1. ;)Let’s just get right to it, these two are still hot as all git out. Their chemistry has only gained in the ability to knock each of them over with its power, let alone us as the readers. It happens with subtlety but speaks to a much larger shift in their connection. There is not an overabundance of encounters, but each and every one is scorching and always adds a new layer to their, yes, relationship. I think both of them are slowly admitting it to themselves if not each other quite yet. The greatest thing is seeing two rather self-confident men tossing each other off-kilter and the aftermath created. Contented sigh #2.Even when David and Murdo are not interacting, there is tension. The outer tension from the conflict between ruling Britain and subject Scotland helps keep things moving and strung together, not really ever letting things rest. The inner tension is that between David and Murdo. If any two people can find a way to lose control with their words and say things they can’t seem to help but blurt out, while at the same time completely relishing what one does for the other physically and emotionally, these two men can and are highly talented. This is a more detailed explanation for CS #2. ;)The fact that society treats being gay as a sin and illegal is still a part of this overarching story. The change comes from David reacting outwardly when the subject arises. The shame he was taught when young by society as a whole has been replaced by anger and defiance. What other changes would he go through?There is a first for these two and it is probably not what you may expect. Like most of their times together, it’s not ‘just’ about sex, about what’s on the surface. We learn something about them, it shows how well-matched they really are, including past experiences. Intimacy is a prize of time and they now have both. If they can just hang on to it. They’re on the same page but aren’t always reading it concurrently. It feels like someone wrote their lives, centuries ago, and now they’re getting to live them. Together. Contented sigh #3.Underneath it all, Murdo is a romantic. He can quickly cover it in layers of practiced manners when he feels rejected by David, but it’s always there. David is a romantic, too, but his is layered beneath pragmatism and the desire to be the strong, capable man he is. He can be slow to recognize a romantic gesture from Murdo but he does get there. They both do. That is such a refreshing and enjoyable aspect of this story and of these two men. Misinterpretation does happen but they overcome it, working through it in the moment. This circles back around to how they and we learn something about them whenever they are together. Progress in every sense, that feeling of forward movement in a story. Contented sigh #4.This story took a bit longer to build as a whole, the parts not coalescing until close to the end of the read. But, boy, when they do, look OUT. It takes an unexpected and totally unforeseen turn and sets things in motion beautifully for the final book in the series. There is more reason to hope for these two at the end of this volume but we aren’t at the finish line yet. Just be prepared, there is no concrete end when you get to the last word here.You will have a better experience with this book if you do read Provoked first. The final installment, Enlightened, is scheduled for release this coming spring. I cannot wait to find out what’s in store for David and Murdo. Snatch this one up, folks, you won’t be disappointed.This review can also be found on Prism Book Alliance