But perhaps I’d have seen the signs had I been looking for them prior to that.

Or I’ve fallen into the old “the readers can look into my head and read my mind” trap. With very few exceptions I write male/male Age of Sail stories with a supernatural background; but I shouldn’t take it for granted that everybody knows. I think you’ve really made a good point there.

Can you share anything about it? Is it another historical story?

It’s set in both the 18th century and modern London. The sins of our past… if you’re interested: I’ve put the draft (I have to emphasise “draft” here…) of the first three chapters online for my readers to comment, shred and boo.

The Purser, The Surgeon, The Captain And His Lieutenant

It’s a *.pdf file and 100% bug free. There will still be changes, of course, but it will give you a general idea.

I agree that the hints of Daniel’s sexual orientation might have been too subtle (there were a couple of them before that scene). Would you have felt differently and seen it as less of a surprise if you’d known in advance about it? But that’s obviously something I’ll have to work on for the 2nd edition. Thanks for pointing it out.

I think that knowing in advance probably would have made some difference. I was excited to read the book simply because I thought it was an old-fashioned ghost story, never dreaming that it intersected another love of mine, MxM romance. Jayne did mention the fact when I was a quarter of the way through, and it made me blink because I’d not noticed anything like that in what I’d read. But perhaps I’d have seen the signs had I been looking for them prior to that.

Still, the fact that the hero declared his love so ardently and from where I sat suddenly, means to me that maybe a stronger hint of his feelings wouldn’t have hurt. Then again, maybe I’m just dense. ;)

As for the price: unfortunately, I live in a very expensive country. After the break-even, I earn about 20 pence off every copy.

Ouch! That’s one slim profit margin. I thought about it after I’d written this, and I routinely spend $10-15 on one volume of manga which takes probably less time to read than your story. The price you’re asking is not unreasonable.

My first novel will be out this spring.

Congratulations! Can you share anything about it? Is it another historical story?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review my book. I really appreciate it, and I’m very grateful for your comments. I wish I could have sent you “the real thing” (if you still want a copy, please yell) – it makes a lot of difference. That’s one of the reasons why there’s no e-book version available.

But the story is told from Daniel’s close point of view, and I would have expected some idea of his feelings prior to this, other than that the captain’s smile of approval at one point made him happy.

I agree that the hints of Daniel’s sexual orientation might have been too subtle (there were a couple of them before that scene). Would you have felt differently and seen it as less of a surprise if you’d known in advance about it? But that’s obviously something I’ll have to work on for the 2nd edition. Thanks for pointing it out.

‘dickhead’ stems from the 1960’s according to several online etymology resources, so it wouldn’t have been used in speech by Georgians.

Ouch! You’re perfectly right. Shame on me… that one flew right under my radar!

I’d love to see what you could do with more pages at your disposal.

My first novel will be out this spring. :)

I’d really like to thank you for your honest review. You definitely pointed out some weaknesses I need to work on, and I’m glad you still found our little book entertaining.

As for the price: unfortunately, I live in a very expensive country. After the break-even, I earn about 20 pence off every copy.

Have a lovely day!

Emma

I really love the “historical immersion” concept–in terms of both graphics and storyline–but I’m unwilling to shell out a ten-spot for an eighty-page niblet. Moreover, I get no sense of any strong central conflict. Is there one, Jan?

There actually is conflict in terms of the “ghost”. There’s an evil on board the ship that has to be defeated, and the hero’s personality is key to the battle. That does have something to do with the relationship, but it seemed almost incidental to me, as did unfortunately the relationship itself.