What do you think?
Rate this book
Saints Save a Sinner
William Arthur Ainsworth, second son of the Earl of Cannahan, has just purchased a Lieutenant’s Commission in the Coldstream Regiment, British Foot Guards. A new officer, Will shows promise and is taken in hand by experienced Scottish Sargent Duncan Blair. Friendship grows into affection and desire as the men fight the French from Egypt to Sweden and back to the Spanish Peninsula through the six coalitions of the Napoleonic Wars. A bloody defeat in Spain and tragedy at home pull William away from service in the British Army and turn him from an officer to an earl, but status, time, and distance combined can’t change Will’s feelings for Duncan. When a hard-won peace is finally achieved, Will realizes the most important mission he may ever undertake will be convincing Duncan that the end of the fighting can mean the beginning of their lives together.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Daily Dose package "Never Too Late."
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Daily Dose package "Never Too Late."
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2015
4 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Douglas
17 books20 followersDawn Douglas lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She realized she wasn't in Kansas anymore when she went to a meeting of her local Democratic party and she and the organizer were the only ones there! Dawn was a reporter for several years but now works in marketing. Next to spending time with her husband and daughter, writing anything from freelance news features to fiction is her favorite thing to do. In 2010, Dawn placed third in a national humor writing competition sponsored by News Portal Corporation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 14, 2023
Beautiful historical (Napoleonic wars 1800-1815) short novel . I’ve never read a war book set during Napoleonic wars and I found it so interesting. Equally interesting was the age gap romance between a young inexperienced superior officer and his older but more experienced soldier. Ahh the pining was delicious and the protective Duncan was an awesome character. Excellent read .
October 6, 2023
Oh, what I wouldn't give to have this be a full length novel! I loved it so, so, so much but unfortunately, the author had to rush through many events and use telling instead of showing to pack this 13 year romance into just 80 pages. But those 80 pages were amazing!
The story starts in 1801 when a naïve 21 year old Will embarks on his career as a soldier after his father had bought him a Lieutenant's commission. Will's only knowledge about war comes from textbooks so he's completely out of his element when he's put in charge of a group of men and thrown into combat. Thankfully, Duncan is a member of his squad. Duncan is a gruff Scotsman, he's 15 years older than Will and has spent the majority of his life in the military as an enlisted soldier. He immediately takes on a guiding role with Will, having identified that the kid might have the best intentions but he has no clue what he's doing.
I loved that the author carefully balanced the dynamic between the MCs so they both held power in different situations. Duncan is much older, he's the more experienced soldier and he's physically much bigger and stronger than Will but Will is an officer so he's always Duncan's superior in the military hierarchy and Will is an Earl's son and , which puts him way above Duncan in society's hierarchy. I loved that these differences between the characters helped keep them on a level playing field and how it resulted in both of them depending on the other to help them in certain situations.
The book covers a 13 year time span, depicting the Napoleonic Wars. Duncan and Will meet in 1801 and they spend the next 8 years chasing Napoleon's forces all over Europe, Africa and India. Then circumstances force Will to return to England to while Duncan stays in the military. They're finally reunited in 1814 when the war comes to an end and Will has figured out how they can be together, despite their class differences. I loved the overall plot and how the author used both characters' personalities, histories and social classes to create interesting life journeys for both of them. In addition, the author did her best to stay true to history (as per an author's note at the end) and while I know very little about the Napoleonic Wars, I appreciate that the author made sure to include real people and real occurrences throughout the entire book, which made the experience even better.
I also adored the way Duncan's Scottish accent was written! You can hear his strong accent from the way the author wrote his dialogue and it was wonderfully done. Duncan's gruff attitude also led to some hilarious one-liners, like the following exchange when
But what I loved most of all was the pacing of Will and Duncan's relationship. When the book starts, Will is nothing more than a naïve kid who was given responsibilities way beyond his capabilities purely due to his position in society. Duncan takes on a mentor-like role with him, teaching Will how to become the officer he needs to be in order to survive and keep his men alive. But as the years go by, Will matures and he and Duncan become solid friends. Then Duncan discovers that Will's gay and this creates conflict between them that takes a few years to resolve. To be honest, I don't know whether to classify this as a GFY or gay-awakening because Duncan never clearly states what his prior attraction level to men has been, but it doesn't matter. He has no sexual experience with men so that's an area where Will takes the lead, which I loved.
The only downside to this wonderful story was the length. Since the author wanted to cover a large span of time within a short story, a lot of events had to be rushed or done through telling instead of showing. In particular, the first half of the book consisted almost exclusively of telling with only tiny portions being showing. The second half slowed things down and was exactly what I wanted but there was still a bit of telling where I would have loved showing. I loved everything about this story and the characters so much that I got upset that I couldn't spend more time with them and that the story was over so quickly. What's also sad is that the author appears to have stopped writing in 2015 and this is their only historical romance. Based on the skills the author demonstrated in this piece, she would be a massive asset to the historical MM romance community if she decided to return so I'll keep my fingers crossed.
But overall, despite the telling vs showing issues in the first half, if you're a fan of historicals then I recommend giving this one a shot because it's a wonderful romance, the MCs are amazing and the specific time period/setting are unique in the genre.
The story starts in 1801 when a naïve 21 year old Will embarks on his career as a soldier after his father had bought him a Lieutenant's commission. Will's only knowledge about war comes from textbooks so he's completely out of his element when he's put in charge of a group of men and thrown into combat. Thankfully, Duncan is a member of his squad. Duncan is a gruff Scotsman, he's 15 years older than Will and has spent the majority of his life in the military as an enlisted soldier. He immediately takes on a guiding role with Will, having identified that the kid might have the best intentions but he has no clue what he's doing.
I loved that the author carefully balanced the dynamic between the MCs so they both held power in different situations. Duncan is much older, he's the more experienced soldier and he's physically much bigger and stronger than Will but Will is an officer so he's always Duncan's superior in the military hierarchy and Will is an Earl's son and , which puts him way above Duncan in society's hierarchy. I loved that these differences between the characters helped keep them on a level playing field and how it resulted in both of them depending on the other to help them in certain situations.
The book covers a 13 year time span, depicting the Napoleonic Wars. Duncan and Will meet in 1801 and they spend the next 8 years chasing Napoleon's forces all over Europe, Africa and India. Then circumstances force Will to return to England to while Duncan stays in the military. They're finally reunited in 1814 when the war comes to an end and Will has figured out how they can be together, despite their class differences. I loved the overall plot and how the author used both characters' personalities, histories and social classes to create interesting life journeys for both of them. In addition, the author did her best to stay true to history (as per an author's note at the end) and while I know very little about the Napoleonic Wars, I appreciate that the author made sure to include real people and real occurrences throughout the entire book, which made the experience even better.
I also adored the way Duncan's Scottish accent was written! You can hear his strong accent from the way the author wrote his dialogue and it was wonderfully done. Duncan's gruff attitude also led to some hilarious one-liners, like the following exchange when
But what I loved most of all was the pacing of Will and Duncan's relationship. When the book starts, Will is nothing more than a naïve kid who was given responsibilities way beyond his capabilities purely due to his position in society. Duncan takes on a mentor-like role with him, teaching Will how to become the officer he needs to be in order to survive and keep his men alive. But as the years go by, Will matures and he and Duncan become solid friends. Then Duncan discovers that Will's gay and this creates conflict between them that takes a few years to resolve. To be honest, I don't know whether to classify this as a GFY or gay-awakening because Duncan never clearly states what his prior attraction level to men has been, but it doesn't matter. He has no sexual experience with men so that's an area where Will takes the lead, which I loved.
The only downside to this wonderful story was the length. Since the author wanted to cover a large span of time within a short story, a lot of events had to be rushed or done through telling instead of showing. In particular, the first half of the book consisted almost exclusively of telling with only tiny portions being showing. The second half slowed things down and was exactly what I wanted but there was still a bit of telling where I would have loved showing. I loved everything about this story and the characters so much that I got upset that I couldn't spend more time with them and that the story was over so quickly. What's also sad is that the author appears to have stopped writing in 2015 and this is their only historical romance. Based on the skills the author demonstrated in this piece, she would be a massive asset to the historical MM romance community if she decided to return so I'll keep my fingers crossed.
But overall, despite the telling vs showing issues in the first half, if you're a fan of historicals then I recommend giving this one a shot because it's a wonderful romance, the MCs are amazing and the specific time period/setting are unique in the genre.
October 27, 2023
One of my favorites of 2023! Unfortunately, my review writing slump continues and I’m struggling to find the words to express just how perfect this one was for me. What I can say is that when I picked up Saints Save a Sinner, it was late and I knew I couldn’t stay up all night with it but it captured me so completely, I was wholly unable to put it down.
I used to say I was a glutton for emotional wreckage because all my faves were ones that tore my heart out and broke it into millions of tiny pieces before finally putting it back together again. Saints Save a Sinner beautifully, poignantly and perfectly clawed out my heart, slowly, surely, bringing tears to my eyes and tightening my throat with silent sobs over and over. The pining! The longing! The ache! They were palpable. It. Was. Glorious.
I think I finished around 4:30 am and I really needed to get to sleep, but I needed to go back and read the passages that gutted me the hardest again and needed to read the ones that stole my breath and brought me back to life again even more than I needed sleep. I finally laid my head down sometime after 5 am. Then, upon waking, I read them once again.
Loved it *swoony sigh* Loved it so much. 5+ stars!
Thank you, thank you, thank you ~Nicole~ for putting this one on my radar! 💛💛💛
I used to say I was a glutton for emotional wreckage because all my faves were ones that tore my heart out and broke it into millions of tiny pieces before finally putting it back together again. Saints Save a Sinner beautifully, poignantly and perfectly clawed out my heart, slowly, surely, bringing tears to my eyes and tightening my throat with silent sobs over and over. The pining! The longing! The ache! They were palpable. It. Was. Glorious.
I think I finished around 4:30 am and I really needed to get to sleep, but I needed to go back and read the passages that gutted me the hardest again and needed to read the ones that stole my breath and brought me back to life again even more than I needed sleep. I finally laid my head down sometime after 5 am. Then, upon waking, I read them once again.
Loved it *swoony sigh* Loved it so much. 5+ stars!
Thank you, thank you, thank you ~Nicole~ for putting this one on my radar! 💛💛💛
July 23, 2015
One thing for sure, back in the 'old days', they sure were patient! I mean, Will practically hold on to the hope and his love for his batman for over a decade!! I thought it was romantic in that sense. It's truly the "if I cannot have you then I will not want anybody else" forever kind of love.
However, the writing here felt a little bit dry and aloof for me -- I didn't feel as emotionally affected with their love story as I would've expected. I also wish for a little more 'after' scenes, just something nice and tidy to give me a glimpse that Will's idea works out after all for him and Duncan. What can I say, I am an "Epilogue" kind of reader.
However, the writing here felt a little bit dry and aloof for me -- I didn't feel as emotionally affected with their love story as I would've expected. I also wish for a little more 'after' scenes, just something nice and tidy to give me a glimpse that Will's idea works out after all for him and Duncan. What can I say, I am an "Epilogue" kind of reader.
June 8, 2015
The idea of buying an officer’s position, ending up with a rank of captain or lieutenant based on the amount of money spent, seems very strange to me. But it was the way things were done in the British Army during much of its history (1683 to 1871), with all the problems attached to the concept of financial prowess replacing real ability and training. There were limits though; commissions could only be purchased in cavalry and infantry regiments, up to the rank of colonel. Set during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, this is the story of twenty-one-year old William, the second son of an earl who encounters “real life” as a member of the Army, and Duncan, the thirty-five-year-old experienced sergeant who is assigned to him.
William has wanted to be a soldier all his life, and thinks he is well prepared based on the military history and tactics courses he took at Oxford University. His father, however, doesn’t think him ready for significant responsibility, so he “only” obtains a lieutenant’s commission for William. Once the reality of war with all its brutality hits William, he grudgingly admits that his father was right. He needs a lot of help, and Sergeant Duncan Blair is just the man to teach him. William gradually realizes he’s developing an infatuation – one that, if discovered, is a hanging offense. Not that this stops him from wanting more than a solid friendship.
Duncan may be lower in rank than William, having actually earned his position through hard work, but he has experience on his side. He saves William’s life quite a few times, and he is always gruff about it, but his actions and loyalty speak louder than his words. He turns away from William after catching him getting a blow job from another officer, but I wasn’t as sure as William that it was disgust. Admitting to loving a man was dangerous back then, and Duncan is too good a soldier to risk everything for a relationship both men think is impossible.
When they do finally open up to each other, due to tragedy and William risking his life one too many times according to Duncan, the result is explosive. Anger and fear, as well as passion explode across the pages, and I was totally invested in finding out how this would end. And let me tell you, the author definitely made me suffer along with William. It was a heartbreaking final run before the happy ending!
If you like historicals with a lot of detail, if you’re interested to find out more about who lived two hundred years ago and seem to be very different from today based on their ideas about society and “how things should be”, and if you’re looking for a read that uses the brutality of several wars as a backdrop for a highly passionate romance, then you will probably enjoy this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
William has wanted to be a soldier all his life, and thinks he is well prepared based on the military history and tactics courses he took at Oxford University. His father, however, doesn’t think him ready for significant responsibility, so he “only” obtains a lieutenant’s commission for William. Once the reality of war with all its brutality hits William, he grudgingly admits that his father was right. He needs a lot of help, and Sergeant Duncan Blair is just the man to teach him. William gradually realizes he’s developing an infatuation – one that, if discovered, is a hanging offense. Not that this stops him from wanting more than a solid friendship.
Duncan may be lower in rank than William, having actually earned his position through hard work, but he has experience on his side. He saves William’s life quite a few times, and he is always gruff about it, but his actions and loyalty speak louder than his words. He turns away from William after catching him getting a blow job from another officer, but I wasn’t as sure as William that it was disgust. Admitting to loving a man was dangerous back then, and Duncan is too good a soldier to risk everything for a relationship both men think is impossible.
When they do finally open up to each other, due to tragedy and William risking his life one too many times according to Duncan, the result is explosive. Anger and fear, as well as passion explode across the pages, and I was totally invested in finding out how this would end. And let me tell you, the author definitely made me suffer along with William. It was a heartbreaking final run before the happy ending!
If you like historicals with a lot of detail, if you’re interested to find out more about who lived two hundred years ago and seem to be very different from today based on their ideas about society and “how things should be”, and if you’re looking for a read that uses the brutality of several wars as a backdrop for a highly passionate romance, then you will probably enjoy this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
October 10, 2023
This is a historical romance, a war romance, an age gap romance, a social difference romance, a slow burn romance, 3/4 episodes during the Napoleonic war and 1/4 epistolary in the form of letters, and it is very well edited. I found a single awkward sentence. (!) I read it slowly, for me, but it isn't slow, which I appreciated. Too many writers make historical novels unbearably wordy, but this one is just right. I loved the MC and his love interest without exception. It ends exactly where it needed to, in my opinion, since I don't have a mind for economics, either. In the Author's Note, she admits to mucking about with the history a bit. Well, it is fiction. :) Anyway, I'm really glad I gave this one a try.
August 17, 2015
** 4.5 Stars **
Oh my God, what a beautifully intense story! I wish it was longer. MORE please!!!
June 3, 2015
Ok, although this was the first DD story I received, I only read it today. You see, it's historical and I'm not a huge fan of that. Well, aside from the Magpie series. Yes.
Anyway. I started today and couldn't stop reading. It was a very compelling story, not letting me go. Well, as I'm getting older and not in my 20s anymore, I find it more and more difficult to believe that someone really holds on to his love for six years or so? And all this 'saints save a sinner' saying got on my nerves, well, a great deal.
Nevertheless, the setting of the story and the writing called to me and it was easy to ignore the few niggles.
Anyway. I started today and couldn't stop reading. It was a very compelling story, not letting me go. Well, as I'm getting older and not in my 20s anymore, I find it more and more difficult to believe that someone really holds on to his love for six years or so? And all this 'saints save a sinner' saying got on my nerves, well, a great deal.
Nevertheless, the setting of the story and the writing called to me and it was easy to ignore the few niggles.
February 14, 2020
4.25 stars
October 10, 2015
Lovely and far-reaching, this story is about an enduring love during times of war. To maintain its scope and pacing in a short story format is a wonderful feat of storytelling.
February 12, 2020
This book reminds me of Bernard Cornwall's' Sharpe series, sharing a setting of the Napoleonic wars with two soldiers fighting in Egypt, the Iberian Peninsula and beyond.
21-year-old Will Ainsworth always wanted to be a solider, with his father the Earl of Cannahan buying his a commission as a lieutenant.
For such a brief story, there is such a richness of character development here, paired with lots of history (totally in my wheelhouse), and everything feels true to the setting, especially the relationship. 4 stars.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
21-year-old Will Ainsworth always wanted to be a solider, with his father the Earl of Cannahan buying his a commission as a lieutenant.
After the charge, I realized that reading about tactics and studying military history, did not a soldier make. Now that my first incursion was ended, I wasn’t eager anymore. In a single day, it felt as though I’d aged fifty years. One battle taught me lessons I never realized I’d need to learn—what blood felt like running down sand-abraded skin, the smell of burning flesh in the air. And perhaps most importantly, it taught me that there was much more to war than glory and honor.Will meets Sergeant Duncan Blair, a Scottish enlisted man about seventeen years his senior, and over the next seven years, they fight side-by-side. Duncan teaches Will how to be a better soldier, and a better man, and there is deep comradery and respect between the two men. But Will's feelings for Duncan far deeper and over the years there is a foundation of love, one that Duncan is hesitant to act upon.
For such a brief story, there is such a richness of character development here, paired with lots of history (totally in my wheelhouse), and everything feels true to the setting, especially the relationship. 4 stars.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
June 3, 2015
First story of the daily dose delivery 2015 and we started with a very good one!
I would have been surprised not to like this because I love pretty much all m/m regency as long as it's well written and the characters are emotionally real.
I quite like Will as a narrator, the story starts when he is only a kid at his first posting in the army, meeting Duncan for the first time then it jumps an we get different moments in their friendship. Even though the narrative is episodic, it was cohesive and didn't feel like we were losing the plot even when years went by; that in itself is an achievement, too often an episodic story just alienates the reader because it is hard to connect with the characters... maybe the fact that this was a longer short helped in this. The last part of the story felt a little long though probably because the couple was truly separated... not sure.
I really liked the way it was written, the characters were engaging and it was kind of sweet.
I'm a little tired to write a review... so sorry it this was repetitive, but I found that when I really like something, I better write something right away or I just go to the next read.
I would have been surprised not to like this because I love pretty much all m/m regency as long as it's well written and the characters are emotionally real.
I quite like Will as a narrator, the story starts when he is only a kid at his first posting in the army, meeting Duncan for the first time then it jumps an we get different moments in their friendship. Even though the narrative is episodic, it was cohesive and didn't feel like we were losing the plot even when years went by; that in itself is an achievement, too often an episodic story just alienates the reader because it is hard to connect with the characters... maybe the fact that this was a longer short helped in this. The last part of the story felt a little long though probably because the couple was truly separated... not sure.
I really liked the way it was written, the characters were engaging and it was kind of sweet.
I'm a little tired to write a review... so sorry it this was repetitive, but I found that when I really like something, I better write something right away or I just go to the next read.
June 22, 2015
4.5 Heart Review by Vicki
Oh yes…. This is just a lovely story.
Lieutenant William Ainsworth, twenty-one years old, newly commissioned officer in the British Army, has a secret crush. On a big, beautiful, burly man. Sargeant Duncan Blair, twenty years older, Scottish. William has studied military history, he’s always wanted to be a soldier, but it turns out to be a lot harder than he expected. He’s promoted, given more responsibility, and takes Duncan as his batman. Duncan is intelligent, educated, experienced and should hold a much higher rank, but he didn’t have money to purchase a commission like so many others did, including William. But William does have a brain, and with the help of Duncan is able to do quite well in the military. This is all taking place in Napoleonic Wars, 1801-1814.
William is aware of his sexuality, and knows just how dangerous it is. He knows his interest in Duncan is not returned, but has a very hard time seeing him go off with women. William finds himself some companionship, once a bit more rough than he intended, and Duncan finds out about his inclination. He’s accepted it, but doesn’t share it. William isn’t happy about this, but what can he do? Move on, stay friends, find companionship elsewhere.
We follow their story for over ten years, mostly in the war, through brief scenes here and there. For being a short story, this one covers a lot of time. I liked that, it worked very well for me. Small glimpses over a long time, gave me a very good understanding of these two and the lives they led. I loved watching the relationship develop between William and Duncan over the story, coworkers to friends, to more eventually. I would love to see what happens next for them.
The writing was very good, Dawn put a lot in here but it didn’t feel rushed or crowded. There isn’t a lot of sex, but there didn’t need to be. What there was, was so worth the wait. Sweet and hot! I liked both characters, I liked their story, and I loved the ending! I am very happy I picked this story to review, it was just a great little historical romance story.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Oh yes…. This is just a lovely story.
Lieutenant William Ainsworth, twenty-one years old, newly commissioned officer in the British Army, has a secret crush. On a big, beautiful, burly man. Sargeant Duncan Blair, twenty years older, Scottish. William has studied military history, he’s always wanted to be a soldier, but it turns out to be a lot harder than he expected. He’s promoted, given more responsibility, and takes Duncan as his batman. Duncan is intelligent, educated, experienced and should hold a much higher rank, but he didn’t have money to purchase a commission like so many others did, including William. But William does have a brain, and with the help of Duncan is able to do quite well in the military. This is all taking place in Napoleonic Wars, 1801-1814.
William is aware of his sexuality, and knows just how dangerous it is. He knows his interest in Duncan is not returned, but has a very hard time seeing him go off with women. William finds himself some companionship, once a bit more rough than he intended, and Duncan finds out about his inclination. He’s accepted it, but doesn’t share it. William isn’t happy about this, but what can he do? Move on, stay friends, find companionship elsewhere.
We follow their story for over ten years, mostly in the war, through brief scenes here and there. For being a short story, this one covers a lot of time. I liked that, it worked very well for me. Small glimpses over a long time, gave me a very good understanding of these two and the lives they led. I loved watching the relationship develop between William and Duncan over the story, coworkers to friends, to more eventually. I would love to see what happens next for them.
The writing was very good, Dawn put a lot in here but it didn’t feel rushed or crowded. There isn’t a lot of sex, but there didn’t need to be. What there was, was so worth the wait. Sweet and hot! I liked both characters, I liked their story, and I loved the ending! I am very happy I picked this story to review, it was just a great little historical romance story.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
July 1, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
Saints Save a Sinner is another in Dreamspinner Press’ 2015 Daily Dose collection and an excellent addition. The author has done a good job of giving readers a hint of British military life at the turn of the 19th century. Ranging from the desert sands of Egypt, to the blistering heat of India, and the bloody hell of Wellington’s Peninsular Campaign, and covering more than a decade, Saints Save a Sinner, tells the story of two dynamically different men, bound by honor, mutual respect, and love. The writing is crisp and descriptive and furthers the plot with a natural, smooth cadence that reads easily and brings the story to life. The historical information is limited, of course, but readers are given enough detail to understand the context of the various situations that Duncan and Will encounter.
Duncan and Will are both captivating characters, though for different reasons. Will is young, rich, and naive. He is a natural leader though and understands that he can learn much from the gruff Scot who serves as his Sergeant and batman. He is loyal and willing to learn and genuinely cares for the men under his command. All of these characteristics combine to make him a likeable and relatable figure and a man you desperately want to find a happily ever after.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
Saints Save a Sinner is another in Dreamspinner Press’ 2015 Daily Dose collection and an excellent addition. The author has done a good job of giving readers a hint of British military life at the turn of the 19th century. Ranging from the desert sands of Egypt, to the blistering heat of India, and the bloody hell of Wellington’s Peninsular Campaign, and covering more than a decade, Saints Save a Sinner, tells the story of two dynamically different men, bound by honor, mutual respect, and love. The writing is crisp and descriptive and furthers the plot with a natural, smooth cadence that reads easily and brings the story to life. The historical information is limited, of course, but readers are given enough detail to understand the context of the various situations that Duncan and Will encounter.
Duncan and Will are both captivating characters, though for different reasons. Will is young, rich, and naive. He is a natural leader though and understands that he can learn much from the gruff Scot who serves as his Sergeant and batman. He is loyal and willing to learn and genuinely cares for the men under his command. All of these characteristics combine to make him a likeable and relatable figure and a man you desperately want to find a happily ever after.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
June 18, 2015
An Exclamation Point
Having read quite a few M/M romances set in the Regency period in England (early 1800s), I thought I would take a chance on a short one that mostly takes place on and around the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars which devastated Europe during that time.
I was not prepared for this beautifully written, heartfelt and heartbreaking a tale about a young British aristocrat whose family is so powerful that it purchased an officer's commission for him. Most splendidly, by telling the tale in the first-person, author Douglas shapes that young man, William Arthur Ainsworth, into a very noble and self-deprecating "quiet hero" who comes to know, trust and eventually fall in love with his right-hand-man, Sargent Duncan Blair, a hardy and huge Scottish nobleman whose family has fallen on hard times, forcing him into the army.
Through the course of the book, the title is the incantation uttered by Duncan ("saints save a sinner, lad!") to bring home with an exclamation point a wide variety of truths to his young ward. But at the end of the day, the question always will be: Can or will, Duncan become the saint who saves the sinner William? Oh, what a lovely war this eventually turns out to be! Grab it.
Having read quite a few M/M romances set in the Regency period in England (early 1800s), I thought I would take a chance on a short one that mostly takes place on and around the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars which devastated Europe during that time.
I was not prepared for this beautifully written, heartfelt and heartbreaking a tale about a young British aristocrat whose family is so powerful that it purchased an officer's commission for him. Most splendidly, by telling the tale in the first-person, author Douglas shapes that young man, William Arthur Ainsworth, into a very noble and self-deprecating "quiet hero" who comes to know, trust and eventually fall in love with his right-hand-man, Sargent Duncan Blair, a hardy and huge Scottish nobleman whose family has fallen on hard times, forcing him into the army.
Through the course of the book, the title is the incantation uttered by Duncan ("saints save a sinner, lad!") to bring home with an exclamation point a wide variety of truths to his young ward. But at the end of the day, the question always will be: Can or will, Duncan become the saint who saves the sinner William? Oh, what a lovely war this eventually turns out to be! Grab it.
July 22, 2015
This story is beautifully written, and I adored these characters. Two men so strong and stubborn that you can't help but root for them, and a historical setting that rings vividly true. I'm always impressed when an author manages to weave in actual historical events without fucking up the pacing of the story, and it's a feat well managed here. Gorgeous all around.
June 7, 2015
Sgt. Blair and Ainsworth. We get to track their relationship through years of hardship and battles. They have longed for each other but not really connected. Each is honorable and committed to doing their duty. But at the end there is cautious hope that just maybe they have found a way to be together without destroying them.
June 22, 2015
4.5 stars--outstanding historical gay romance! I adored both these leads and their character and relationship growth. The organic development of their relationship over time was delicious to read and made that intense ending so fulfilling! This is a must read for historical gay romance fans.
July 29, 2015
A love story of a love story. A sequel would not be such a bad idea to see how Will and Duncan get on in the civilian life -especially Duncan now that he's an 'old' guy.
Great writing, great editing.
Great writing, great editing.
September 21, 2020
Reread 9/20: Why oh why haven't you written any more historicals Ms Douglas?
Original review: Yeah, this is a big story in a little book. Very satisfying. Good period: only a few anachronisms. Always delighted to find someone who does historical m/m well. Smile.
Original review: Yeah, this is a big story in a little book. Very satisfying. Good period: only a few anachronisms. Always delighted to find someone who does historical m/m well. Smile.
June 6, 2015
I didn't have high hopes for this one as I don't really enjoy historical m/m stories. I was pleasantly surprised.
June 10, 2015
I adored this. review coming soon
August 2, 2024
Suprisingly fresh story set in Napoleonic wars. Slowburn with delicious ending.
July 5, 2015
This was not my kind of story. First, it was the Regency time period which doesn’t appeal to me anyway. Second, it was filled with tons of ‘telling’ and not enough ‘showing’. It felt like an entire novel needed to be condensed into a short story so all the chapters where X,Y, & Z happened were shortened to a few paragraphs and so it felt like reading a laundry list rather than experiencing the events.
Doing accents in a book isn’t easy, but this one failed a bit short for me because the ‘accent’ for Duncan kept changing. From ye’r to yer for your and changing the way the ‘na’ was used in canna and ha’na – there were quite a few accented words that didn’t have continuity through the story.
One of the worst infractions was Duncan said a full couple lines in Gaelic and Will didn’t know what they meant. As the story is from Will’s POV, we should not have known what they meant. Unfortunately, directly after the Gaelic was the English version – within the same quotation marks.
However, while those kinds of things would normally garner a 2 star review from me, I will admit the storyline was engaging enough that I bumped it up to 3 stars.
Reviewed by a-nony-mouse for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
Doing accents in a book isn’t easy, but this one failed a bit short for me because the ‘accent’ for Duncan kept changing. From ye’r to yer for your and changing the way the ‘na’ was used in canna and ha’na – there were quite a few accented words that didn’t have continuity through the story.
One of the worst infractions was Duncan said a full couple lines in Gaelic and Will didn’t know what they meant. As the story is from Will’s POV, we should not have known what they meant. Unfortunately, directly after the Gaelic was the English version – within the same quotation marks.
However, while those kinds of things would normally garner a 2 star review from me, I will admit the storyline was engaging enough that I bumped it up to 3 stars.
Reviewed by a-nony-mouse for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
May 4, 2017
lovely historical, very atmospheric, and effortlessly endearing MCs. slow burn, but worth every minute. well paced, well written, a great read overall.
September 14, 2015
3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews