Blog Tour ~ Sweet William by Dianne Hartsock ~ (Review, Excerpt + Giveaway)
Title: Sweet William
Author: Dianne Hartsock
Genre: Gay Romance, Historical Romance
Length: Novella
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Synopsis
That is, until he reunites with Fredrick: his former tutor and the one man who captured his heart.
But William’s father has declared Fredrick off limits. And Fredrick, himself, believes he’s beneath the attention of the Wilkerson heir.
After having lost his current pupil to graduation, and with no prospects of a replacement, Fredrick is homeless, hungry, and easy pickings for the men on the docks.
When Fredrick is shanghaied into service on William’s own merchant ship, will William discover his plight in time to rescue him?
Excerpt:
THE TWO FRIENDS slowed their pace as the wide expanse of Massachusetts Bay came into view. Tall ships at half-mast dotted the bay. William took a deep breath of crisp air sharp with the tang of salt and tar. His heart swelled with pride at the impression his own merchant ship, The East Star, made at the dock. Trim and fit, the ship sat beautifully in the water, cannons displayed as they were cleaned and readied for another voyage.
“She’s a beauty,” Tiggy agreed as the foremost sail unfurled: a white gleam against blue sky. Deck hands swarmed to secure it and check for damage incurred during the last sail. At a shout, William’s gaze swept the deck of the ship, and he found the cabin boy waving from the gangplank. Several sailors joined him, and they made their way across the bustling dock in his direction.
Theodore chuckled. “Looks like you’ll have plenty of protection, dear friend. Handsome ones at that. See you tonight?”
“Of course.” William shook Tiggy’s hand in lieu of a kiss. After his friend left, William tried not to show his interest as the sailors came up to him, but uniforms were so damned attractive.
He bit his lip on a smile and bowed slightly when the cabin boy—a pretty young man he’d saved from the streets in Newport—bobbed his head. “Sir, Captain Knox would like to see you at your convenience.”
“Thank you, Francis. Lead the way.”
He enjoyed the blush that colored the youth’s cheeks before Francis turned on his heels and escorted him to the ship. He gave a rueful smile as he followed. It would be a delight to kiss the sweet boy below deck—he was fifteen, after all, dark haired and lovely— but his vision instantly switched to Freddie, their bodies entwined in some dark corner.
Buy Links
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-William-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01EAU61KS/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sweet-William-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01EAU61KS/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/Sweet-William-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01EAU61KS/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/Sweet-William-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01EAU61KS/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sweetwilliam-2018685-158.html
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
Fredrick is about to lose his job as tutor—and if he doesn't find another post soon, he'll likely find himself homeless, as well—when his path crosses with his former student, William Wilkerson, again.
William's life has been a privileged one, as heir to his father's shipping business, and he's indulged in the company of several fine men in Boston; yet, his heart belongs to the tutor his father sent away years ago. Now he's intent on making things as they should've been all those years ago, but William's father might be the least of their worries.
This book was well written, and Dianne Hartsock managed to transport me to the era Sweet William depicts quite easily. Fredrick was adorable and my heart broke for all he'd had to go through at his age. I didn't quite like William. Unfortunately, he said one thing and did another, and while he came through for Fredrick in the end and it seemed like he was trying, I'm not convinced he was what Fredrick deserved. Also, I would've loved to have a bit of closure there at the end, just to see how they were faring.
All in all, a good, short, fast-paced and enjoyable read. Recommendable!
Rating: 4 Stars!!!
Giveaway
Prize: $10 ARe Gift Carda Rafflecopter giveaway
Video Trailer
About the author
DIANNE HARTSOCK is the author of m/m erotic romance, both contemporary and fantasy, the psychological thriller, and anything else that comes to mind. Oh, and a floral designer. If she can’t be writing, at least she has the chance to create through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage to bring a smile to someone’s face.Currently, Dianne lives in the Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play.
Social links
Website: https://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock
Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannehartsock
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannehartsock/
Thank you for the very nice review!
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