Title: The Courage To Love
Author: Samantha Kane
Publishing Date: 2007
Genre: Historical/Erotic
Rating: D
Sensuality: Burning
The Courage To Love is the first book in Samantha Kane's Brothers in Arms series. Jason Randall and Tony Richards return from their sojourn on the continent to claim the woman they love. Kate has been living as a mistress to several men. Jason and Randal received a letter from one of Kate's friends suggesting that Kate needed their help and would be ready to settle down with them and start a new life as their wife. When Jason and Tony, go to see Kate, they know immediately that something is not right. She is not her usually happy self. She seems jumpy and frightened by them. They need to find out what happened to Kate while they were away.
I had quite a few problems with this book. The biggest problem I had with the book was the believability factor. I just couldn't grasp how open these men were with their unusual relationship with each other and Kate. In no way could I suspend disbelief to believe that two men, in this time period would be that open about their homosexual feelings. Back in this time period sodomy was a hanging offence. I don't think these men would have been as flagrant about it as they were in the book. Nor, do I think Lord Randall's mother would be as accepting as she was.
I also felt like the dialogue was very weak. The men would say things that no man would ever be caught dead saying, or think thoughts no man would be likely to think. One other minor detail that left me grinding my teeth, was that Jason is a titled Lord, but it is never specified to exactly what title he holds. Little details like this would have gone along way into beefing up the story.
It is never really explained as to why these men love Kate. The beginning of the story starts with them already having an established past together. While this helps the believability of the characters being able to jump into the sex right away, it also weakens the plot. I think the story could have been strengthened with flash backs, or something to give the reader insight into how they fell in love. As far as I am concerned that the author could have inserted any woman into Kate's role and it would have read the same.
Here is what others had to say:
Nose in a Book
The Tyranny of Reading
Lurv A la Mode
The Reading Spot
9 comments:
VALIDATION!
Thank you.
I did not like it either, and I'm not kidding, but yours is the first review I have seen that agrees with mine.
FINALLY!
Seneca, LOL, that is so funny! If I remember correctly, the review at Lurv a la Mode was so-so. I find myself being disappointed in EC's books. Although, I did really like Lisa Marie Rice and Sarah McCarty, both started out at EC. I need something more than just imaginative sex scenes. I need a good plot and characters I care about. I hate to give a bad review, but I have to be honest. Oh well. It's always good to know that at least one person agrees with you :)
I think I'm a very forgiving reader and can suspend belief in so many different books. I'm sorry you didn't like this one. I have to say I'm a fan of the series.
I'm sorry to hear you didn't like it. I've heard the same complaint about Sam Kane's work before. But I have to admit, I love this series like a fat girl loves cake.
But for sure, it does require some suspension of disbelief. I'm just willing to go there with her.
Good luck with your next reading choice!
Tracy and Kati, Thanks for not beating me up and throwing rotten tomatoes! I guess, to each his own, right?
Thanks for the review. This is one that I got @ EC when they had a bunch for $3-4. I'll still read it but now I know what to expect.
OUCH! I guess we don't agree on everything after all because I gave this my HIGHEST rating and ended up placing this series on my All Time Favorite Series list.
However, that doesn't mean I thought it was perfect by any means and can certainly understand that some issues that didn't concern me or weren't deal-breakers for me could push your hot buttons. God knows, we each have our own "can't swallow it" issues.
Hey Bev, I figured I was going to ruffle a few feathers with this post. But hey, at least we can be civil about it :)
You're welcome! ;) Hey - if we all agreed on every book - what fun would that be???
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