Product Description

Living in Cork, Ireland, a hotbed of resistance to British rule, makes Ian Mulroney's life dangerous despite his peaceful beliefs. But disgusted by the brutality and shootings in the streets, he agrees to join the local IRA brigade to use his skills with medicine and learn the ways of war. There he meets Devlin Walsh. Ian has seen him before, and the impression left upon his body was not easy to ignore. He couldn't know that Devlin felt the same. But because of the war, they are comrades first, despite their silent, budding attraction to one another. As the resistance grows and the violence escalates, Ian and Devlin fight the only way they know how, losing family and friends in their efforts to free their country. Together, they are stronger to face the next day's struggle. Together, they are united in their belief in the hand of God. Together, they will find a way to survive the war.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #498058 in Books
• Published on: 2008-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Customer Reviews

Another Good One
Yet another great story from John Simpson. The story had great pacing and did not rush into anything. The author puts alot of historical detail into the story bringing extra depth and emotion. The Ian and Devlin are both sympathetic characters who you root for. One has more experience (sexually) than the other, but there is no pressure put on the less experienced man. The editing was well done, no editing or grammer errors noticed. Can't wait for John Simpson's next novel.

Touching and Sexy
This book is a really good read, I loved it. The characters are real and their love is touching and realistic for 1920 Ireland. I couldn't put it down and finished it in one night!

A "Stunner"............and not for good.....
.........reasons. (Another "At Swim, Two Boys," a novel by Jamie O'Neill, this work is nowhere near being.)

((Here is my approach to obtaining/reading/reviewing Gay romance tales in book form. Simply, it's seeking the holy grail of that genre---or looking for the "Addictive Read"). Selection of read materials is based mainly on purchase of new stories by favorite authors or on comments/reviews by you in these online "Book" pages. Sometimes I feel correctly steered by you (the "Keepers" filling my shelves), other times mislead---occasionally badly (the "Throwaways"). Rarely, I come across the "Addictive," those I can reread at least monthly (see below starred *** area for a list......and for some "near-Addictive" as well). For some reads, I'll share comments with you, as follows. Thanks for sticking with me so far.))

This canNOT be the writer of "Condor One," for which I gave a top rating. If it is, he's in some way regressed to much earlier writing days, both in grammar and syntax. (Admittedly, having read only these two of his works, they are my only comparison and exposure to this author).

I realize that the two lead characters (particularly Devlin) are, basically, simple men of poor economic means and lacking higher education........growing up in simpler times, and that it's all right for their utterances and the descriptions of their thoughts and feelings to be simpler.........but that's no excuse for the overall tone of the writing to be so: "See Dick & Jane with dog, Spot (or Scottie, if you prefer it be that terrier type); see Dick throw a ball; see Scottie run to fetch the ball."

Particularly, the couple's talks with each other about sex are so simplistic it was almost embarrassing to this reader. But then, again, I'd find myself thinking, are these such simple men that that's the only plane on which they can express themselves? Is the author actually trying to fit the level of writing to their social and educational positions? Even if so, it doesn't make for that interesting or challenging a read----writing aspects that hold a reader's attention. Because of what I've just described, on more than one occasion I found myself "skimming through" this book----never a good sign. Again, what's happened to this novelist?

Notable grammatical problems or seeming inconsistencies in what was being expressed (in this reader's opinion):

- Bottom areas of both Pages 4, 17, 73 contain sentences missing commas, which can result in misreading and changed meaning, or sentences which are incorrectly structured.

- I won't detail personal bias over the use of the word, "ablutions," and the term "Promised Land," which seemed a little over the top / out of place for the level of these particular young men. And being able to get an erection and accomplish the "follow through," after suffering a "hurts like hell" skirmish wound? Wow, what a guy!

- And lastly there's this idiot's (me) fetish over the misuse / inconsistent use of pronouns, "that" and "who," and our English-using society's apparent crusade to eliminate "who" (Page 4 example: "Walsh's deep blue gaze contrasted with his coal black hair made him a very handsome man THAT all the girls chased after."-----missing commas, also). Please note, I am giving one extra rating Star for the little bit of history the author's work gives us----see the O'Neill work for much more.

Don't know what was happening with Dreamspinner Press's editing. The only thing they seem to have done well with this production is to give it a noteworthy cover. So, when all is said and done, I just don't see myself holding on to my copy at all.

PS--Oh, a tip: if you want to experience a top gay romance novel, written in a catching, straightforward manner and containing some of the best grammatical and editing work I've run across, give a look-see at Z. A. Maxfield's "Crossing Borders" (if you want near-pornography, don't look here).

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