Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Michael St. James hates tidewater post-Colonial Virginia with a passion. Banished there thanks to an ill-timed duel, Michael is bored with the countryside, and thinks his new companions are poorly-educated boors. What he needs is a challenge, something to stimulate his mind. Which is why, when Michael meets Daniel Calhoun, he takes such an immediate interest.

Daniel Calhoun is a gentleman farmer who has no time for the social niceties demanded by a man of his station any more than he has patience for changing fashion or politics. When he sees Michael St. James, Daniel sees a man with no substance, and he’s certainly not interested in becoming friends, or more, with the irritating man. There’s more to Michael than meets the eye, as Daniel soon discovers, and the two embark on a scorching affair that might just be the ruin of both of them. Can they find a way to be together, or will Daniel and Michael be forced to hide what they feel?

NOTE: This book was originally published by Torquere Press in March 2004. 2000 words have been added to this edition.

Book Review

Daniel Calhoun, in 'A Gentleman of Substance' by Julia Talbot, is very close to his family and has worked for years to build up his farm from practically nothing. He loves his life, but when he falls in love with another man Daniel is forced to choose between the two; he has to decide whether to keep what he has, or give it all up for love.

Both Michael and Daniel are delightfully crafted, each with an abundance of personality, sensuality, resourcefulness, and determination, which, of course, makes their personalities clash with fervor. Even though Michael St. James is first presented as a scoundrel, it's fascinating to watch him develop a conscience, particularly after falling in love with Daniel. I sympathized with his confusion in having to learn how to proceed as a man of conscience after living a lifetime with so little regard for others. Daniel is most likely the only person he's ever cared for more than himself and Michael doesn't want to hurt him, but doesn't have a clue how best to prevent that from happening and, consequently, makes matters even worse.

Daniel is just as stubborn and proud as Michael. He has met his match both intellectually and physically and it drives him mad. The more he tries to pull away from Michael, the closer they become. It was like watching a rubber band be stretched apart, knowing that eventually it will come smashing back together, which was precisely what happened. For love's sake, Daniel and Michael set out on an unfamiliar path, one which will test both men's resolve and have them doing a lot of soul searching.

'A Gentleman of Substance' is a passionate historical romance set in Virginia in the late 1700s – early 1800s. It's well written in a lyrical style, with engaging characters and rich descriptions of the culture in that time period. If you want a passionate historical romance with a fairy tale ending, which will put a smile on your face and a sigh on your lips, then I'd highly recommend this story. Thank you, Julia Talbot, for this entertaining trip into the past.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 147 pages/46000 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	21-March-2016
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.amazon.com/Gentleman-Substance-Julia-Talbot-ebook/dp/B01D8WF7AO