Hello everyone!
Okay.
So there's something about this particular trope that keeps drawing me back.
I don't even really know WHAT it is, only that, if you find the right authors, it can be absolutely amazing to read.
And Keira Andrews is one of those smashing authors you just love to pick up.
I loaded a number of her books onto my new e-reader but haven't YET managed to read the lot of them. Sadly, life apparently wants to have some claim on my reading hours. Still, I did in fact nibble through one that had been sitting on my to-read shelf for a while, and if it's not the highly anticipated Test of Valor - I'm sorry!
I'm getting there, I promise.
But the book I'll be talking about tonight is titled The Station.
As per usual, any other links where you may find different book reviews (from books by Ms Andrews of course) can be found at the bottom of this page. I think I have quite a few by now, or maybe I'm dreaming and I THINK I have many, but actually only have one or two.
I'll fix it real quick if that's the case!
But now, The Station.
This is a historical romance, so, you know, there's lots of carriages and balls and fancy dresses, and SHIPS SAILING AROUND THE GLOBE.
Yup.
Ahem.
Colin, one of the protagonists, is all set to go to Cambridge but he actually has a little secret: years ago, he spied on stable master Patrick while Patrick was ... busy ... with another man, and young Colin figured out he kind of prefers men, too.
Only, at the time, that's kind of illegal.
And, you know, bound to land you on the gallows. Or in prison. Or ...
You get the idea.
Naturally, because no self-respecting book will have no drama, Patrick is caught during a party (at which Colin's parents expect Colin to try and win back the hand of this one young lady ... oops?) and set to be killed on the spot when Colin speaks up for him, coming out to pretty much everyone within hearing distance, and so both of them are now sentenced to death.
Well, not quite.
Colin's uncle manages to defuse the situation enough so that the pair is instead placed on the first ship bound to Australia with other convicts, and that's where they'll be spending the next ... oh, four or so months.
Yeah, travel used to take FOREVER.
Anyway, on the ship, it's a confusing push-and-pull between Colin and Patrick; while Colin yearns for Patrick, Patrick seems to only do certain things out of convenience, but then protects and defends Colin so he isn't raped, that sort of thing.
Then there's an outbreak of typhoid fever, because naturally it's not enough that they're being sent to Australia.
Colin manages not to catch it, but Patrick does, and poor Colin sits by his side day and night until he's better, one of the lucky few who survive the outbreak. Most just have to be tossed overboard, including the husband of one of the settlers moving to the new continent.
Why is this important, you ask?
Well, because Miss Emily secures Patrick and Colin both to help drive her cattle to the land her husband had bought in Australia. They're accompanied by Robbie, a fine drover who says he spends most of his days in the saddle and doesn't put down roots.
Interestingly enough, neither their new mistress nor Robbie seem all that bothered about the fact that Patrick and Colin prefer men. Actually, there's a whole host of jokes between the three men in general because Robbie is pretty clear he's got nothing to worry about: the other two only have eyes for each other, after all, so honestly he can just wave that off and turn them into good workers.
Which he totaly does, too. Colin takes to this new land like a fish to water, and Patrick isn't too unhappy, either. Plus they get to be together ...
Things can't all be smooth, though. They have a few mishaps on the way and meet their new neighbour while they're at it, as well. And oh, also, during their little trek to the station (hence the book's title) Colin realises Robbie and Emily are in love, but she's hesitant because she says she's too old for him. Or something.
Anyway, they quickly figure out their neighbour wants to pretty much own half of Australia and they're in his way, but they push on to the station in any event where they begin setting up their lives, somehow.
Only there's a problem: Colin had previosly figured out, while comforting his land lady, that she'd actually BOUGHT him and Patrick, and they're not on any records anymore.
This comes out with a loud bang later during an argument after which Patrick angrily packs up and leaves, because no man alive has ever been born to use the good sense Mother Nature gave a goose. Obviously, as soon as he's gone, trouble comes a-knocking.
The evil neighbour (what else can I call him??) sends his goons to kill off the settlers so that he can poach their land, but Colin fights back and Patrick returns too, just in time to do some shooting.
The two couples reconcile and decide to iron out their differences, and Patrick admits that, as much as he wanted to believe no one could touch his heart, Colin had. So the pair then take on the position as partners on the new station, and while Emily will wait out the birth of her child (undetermined whether it's her husband's or Robbie's at this time) at the main house with Robbie, Patrick and Colin will ride out to build fences around the station border.
Because their neighbour probably isn't done yet. Which leaves the doors wide open for a sequel.
And I'll love it if it comes! Because these kind of books are the best, fun, easy to read, full of humour and little historic tidbits, and of course a happy ending after some drama and hurdles along the way.
Yet again one of Keira Andrews' lovely works which I highly recommend.
xx
*image not mine
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