What do you think?
Rate this book
448 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2014
It was getting easier for the captain to see the two boys together like this; they offered each other the solace that Baltsaros just wasn't capable of, and their relationship was a much-needed bridge for the gap that had always existed, unbeknownst to him, between Tom and himself. He decided that he simply needed both of them to feel whole; it worked to soothe his possessiveness somewhat.Sweet Jesus this book really knocked my socks off! It was beautifully written and had me hooked immediately. I barely put the damn thing down... You only need so much sleep when you have a book like this waiting for you on your Kindle. ;)
The iron fist that Baltsaros led with was tucked into a satin glove lined with the softest fur. Men looked up to the captain; they praised his fairness and feared his anger. They emulated his grace, refinement, and unshakable self-confidence; they bowed their heads in loyalty and vied for his attention.I find it's quite common for readers to choose sides in literary love-triangles. Personally, I prefer to see a triad work out all the way to the end. I was never on 'Team Tom' or 'Team Baltsaros', but I certainly had my moments of doubt as I read through this story. All three of the main characters evolved throughout this book, but the captain was a sight to behold.
Jon. Passionate and gentile. Jon with his boundless hope that the three of them would find some kind of arrangement. "Bloody fucking naïve fucking Jon," slurred Tom, shaking his head.Jon's character really flourished in this book. He's come a long way from the sickly terrified boy who was knocked unconscious and dragged to the deck of a pirate ship nearly a year and a half ago.
"He sees the good in me, Da, plain as day. That's somethin' worth fightin' for. Maybe even somethin' worth dyin' for." His words sounded strangely choked.Oh Tom... Brutish, ruthless, deadly, yet affable Tom... Such a complicated character and such a joy to read. There are hidden depths to this man which become quite clear as this story progresses.
I am condemned to die! I laugh;
For if my fates are kindly sped,
My doomer from his own ship’s staff
Perhaps I’ll hang instead.
And if I fall, why what is life?
For lost I gave it then as due,
When from slavery’s yoke in strife
A rover I withdrew.
“Bloody fuckin’ cocksuckin’ bloody hells am I fuckin’ glad to see yer fuckin’ face!”
“Does it occur to you that maybe you've burned me out? That I no longer care whether what you spout is truth or lie?”
“Yes, fine. Savvy,” she muttered.
“Aw lovey, yer a fine-lookin’ woman, it’s not that,” Tom said apologetically. “All jokin’ aside, if it ain’t the captain, or it ain’t Jon…” He shrugged again. “There just ain’t anyone else.”
“Tom reached out and let his knuckles graze Jon’s arm, a hidden touch just to ground him for the span of a heartbeat. Maybe Jon would turn a blind eye. Maybe they’d continue to live in denial that they both loved a fucking monster.
Jon smiled at the brief caress, and Tom felt his chest get tight.”
"Right in the midst of a dangerous, desperate situation was not the time to have a crisis of the heart. It felt foolish. It also felt like the most important thing in the world."
"Hush, lovey. Hush, it'll be ok, Jon. Stop your fighting', it's just me. Old Tom's goin' to make things better..."
The kiss was endless, staggering. It was as if a dam had broken between the men as they strained against each other on the hard mattress. They were raw with desire and thoughts unsaid, both wanting to draw the moment out as long as they could, knowing that it might be a very long time before they had a chance to shed their skins and press their scarred hearts together again.The more I learn about Tom, the more I love him. What a sweet soul he is under all that damage.
"He sees the good in me, Da, plain as day. That's something' worth fighting' for. Maybe even dyin' for."
Monique & Macky Review