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Sharing Hamilton
Philadelphia, 1791. James and Maria Reynolds are flat broke. Well aware of the attraction between his wife and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, James hatches a plan to blackmail Alexander and get rich - and sends Maria to seduce him. Meanwhile, the mysterious Dr. Severus Black befriends the Hamiltons and becomes a close confidant of Alexander's wife, Eliza. While Mrs. Hamilton grows fond of the handsome doctor, she also senses something different about the debonair young man. Meanwhile, a vicious serial killer is stalking the city by night. As Hamilton's affair with Maria runs headlong towards personal and professional catastrophe, the constables of Philadelphia draw a net around the emerged killer of young serving girls. But what connection could Dr. Black have with the murders, which a hundred years later would be mirrored in his own country... by none other than Jack the Ripper? In 'Sharing Hamilton', historical romance author Diana Rubino and award-winning thriller writer Brian L. Porter uniquely blend the mystery and romance genres, based on the true story of the Hamilton affair with the added spice of a serial killer stalking the streets of USA's first capital city.
440 pages, Paperback
Published July 8, 2021
About the author
Brian L. Porter
62 books71 followersFormerly a member of the Royal Air Force, Brian L Porter is an award-winning author, and a dedicated dog rescuer, with the distinction of having more than twenty Amazon #1 bestsellers to his name. He has written under three pseudonyms, with bestsellers coming under each of his writing guises. The majority of those have come under his Brian L Porter name with four coming under his Harry Porter and Juan Pablo Jalisco names.
Nowadays, he divides his time between writing his popular Mersey Murder Mystery series of books, and his immensely successful true-life Family of Rescue Dogs series, all featuring the dogs that form part of his own family, and all having been Amazon #1 bestsellers.
Nowadays, he divides his time between writing his popular Mersey Murder Mystery series of books, and his immensely successful true-life Family of Rescue Dogs series, all featuring the dogs that form part of his own family, and all having been Amazon #1 bestsellers.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 12, 2017
Sharing Hamilton by Diana Rubino and Brian L. Porter is an enthralling suspense novel that provides an unexpected departure from Porter’s cozy mystery signature style. Rubino, known as a historical fiction novelist, brings Alexander and Eliza Hamilton to life in this absorbing collaboration. Leave it to Porter to introduce elements of murder mystery to the fore, and together they take us to the end times of one of America’s Founding Fathers in this vibrant spellbinder.
Hamilton’s eye for the ladies creates the conflict around which the storyline is woven. Though neither Alexander nor his wife Eliza harbor any illusions of compromising their social prominence, their emotions take them along narrow precipices. Alexander finds himself attracted to Maria Reynolds, who hopes to draw Hamilton into a devious web of deceit. Eliza, in turn, finds a kindred spirit in Dr. Severus Black, who becomes her own confidant.
The use of first-person narrative is introduced by Rubino (we suspect), which pulls back the curtain to reveal the ulterior motives of the protagonists. Moreover we find ourselves standing alongside a serial killer on the streets of Philadelphia who eventually begins stalking the shadows of the main characters. It’s a sharp turn from Porter’s usual style which will titillate his readers and keep you turning pages to find out whether Aaron Burr will have anything to do with the climactic finale.
For historical fiction buffs and Porter’s growing reader base of murder mystery fans, Sharing Hamilton by Diana Rubino and Brian L. Porter is a sure-fire hit.
Hamilton’s eye for the ladies creates the conflict around which the storyline is woven. Though neither Alexander nor his wife Eliza harbor any illusions of compromising their social prominence, their emotions take them along narrow precipices. Alexander finds himself attracted to Maria Reynolds, who hopes to draw Hamilton into a devious web of deceit. Eliza, in turn, finds a kindred spirit in Dr. Severus Black, who becomes her own confidant.
The use of first-person narrative is introduced by Rubino (we suspect), which pulls back the curtain to reveal the ulterior motives of the protagonists. Moreover we find ourselves standing alongside a serial killer on the streets of Philadelphia who eventually begins stalking the shadows of the main characters. It’s a sharp turn from Porter’s usual style which will titillate his readers and keep you turning pages to find out whether Aaron Burr will have anything to do with the climactic finale.
For historical fiction buffs and Porter’s growing reader base of murder mystery fans, Sharing Hamilton by Diana Rubino and Brian L. Porter is a sure-fire hit.
December 31, 2017
WHAT a way to finish off my reading for 2017. This was UTTERLY ridiculous with EXCELLENT lines like 'As I was about to fondle his surging manhood'. Eliza has zero personality, Alexander the Ginge is about 80 times hotter than he really was, Maria is a manic pixie dream girl, James Reynolds NAMED HIS PENIS. And that's before I mention Dr. Severus Black (great name) who is UTTERLY NEEDLESS. Why did we need a
Excellently dreadful book.
Excellently dreadful book.
Read
January 1, 2018This book was utterly bonkers. I can't even give it a rating. It's some strange imagining of how the events of the Reynolds affair happened, told in alternating first person POV, at times in excruciating detail, then with weeks at a time glossed over. Oh, and there's a serial killer on the loose who appears to have nothing to do with any part of the actual storyline. And somehow Eliza is the most boringly written character on earth. I just. I can not adequately explain the experience of reading this book.
In lieu of trying to explain anymore, here are some of my favourite baffling quotes:
• Reynolds casually calling Hamilton "Hambone" ???
• "I remained in a constant state of arousal all day." Sounds uncomfortable.
• "I was about to fondle his surging manhood." SURGING MANHOOD.
• Hamilton keeps calling Jefferson "Jeff" when he talks about him. JEFF.
• "Those close to me call me Sandy." DO THEY, ALEXANDER? DO THEY?
• "The red mist of rage," which is experienced by the serial killer as he strikes...
Crikey.
In lieu of trying to explain anymore, here are some of my favourite baffling quotes:
• Reynolds casually calling Hamilton "Hambone" ???
• "I remained in a constant state of arousal all day." Sounds uncomfortable.
• "I was about to fondle his surging manhood." SURGING MANHOOD.
• Hamilton keeps calling Jefferson "Jeff" when he talks about him. JEFF.
• "Those close to me call me Sandy." DO THEY, ALEXANDER? DO THEY?
• "The red mist of rage," which is experienced by the serial killer as he strikes...
Crikey.
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November 6, 2017
Being a history student by my initial education, and loving historical novels, this was a must read, never mind one of the co-authors, Brian L. Porter is one of my favorite authors. This tale, as one might expect with the description of a clandestine affair, especially one with such an historical figure, was a bit slow moving. The back story of a murderous doctor added a spice of a different kind as well and made one wonder whether the main ingenue would meet her fate at the hands of the notorious Doctor Severus Black. The story was very well written and the characters were presented as though they were real, and in fact they were. I thoroughly enjoyed this, my first essay into the world of Diana Rubino.
April 7, 2021
Oh, what a tangled web we weave
The name Alexander Hamilton has an aura of celebrity, bordering on mythical proportions. No doubt a book titled “Sharing Hamilton” is certain to attract readers from the outset. That it’s created by two award-winning authors sweetens the pie, and ensures that the pages will be jam-packed with rip-roaring storytelling, historical details, lusty romance and chilling suspense. The book satisfies on all counts. Not knowing any details of Hamilton’s life, I read the book as pure fiction. For who in the world in those days would have the time, the energy, the devious mindset to create and perpetuate such intrigue and deceptions. It wasn’t until I read Rubino’s author notes at the end, that I was even more impressed by such a masterful telling of fact, with some fictional characters woven in. (That said, I suppose they did have a lot more time on their hands: no TV, social media, or other distractions of modern life.)
Here we have a Hamilton who is not only a revered Founding Father, the first Treasury Secretary of the United States, but is also a bed-hopping cad with an insatiable sexual appetite and a penchant for deception and infidelity. These idiosyncrasies make Hamilton ripe for blackmail lest his latest perfidious affair be revealed by none other than the scheming opportunistic husband of the lady that Hamilton desires. There are so many threads to this devious web of deceit, and so many personal agendas that, at times, it resembles farce or a drawing room comedy of the most delicious kind. We have political shenanigans, spies, insider trading, a clueless Lady Hamilton, heart-rending romantic obsession, and - oh, yes: A Jack the Ripper-style serial killer (fiction). All this, while Hamilton tries to corral political allies and fend off political foes while shaping a new nation and its economic policies.
But have no doubt, the storyline is compelling and serious, with heart-rending passion and human pathos. The attraction between Hamilton and Maria Reynolds is based as much on intellectual brilliance as it is on body heat. The lady is shamelessly besotted, while Hamilton’s commitment to the nation is stronger than his commitment to his paramour. His wife, Lady Eliza Hamilton, is blindly supportive of her husband’s political and patriotic pledge, but is shaken by the blackmail attempts that would mar her husband’s reputation and destroy his career. As she goes about trying to unmask the scoundrel, she is in complete denial about the truth and looks for answers in all the wrong places.
Eventually, destiny wins out, and the story follows its own truth. (If only History were taught in schools with such panache, there might be more students interested in its intricacies.) As for our fictional serial killer, created by Brian Porter, as chilling as this storyline is, it is almost superfluous, but since this character has been “kicking around” in Porter’s mind as the possibility for one of his own novels, I say bring it on. The author gives us a cliffhanger of an update on the killer’s whereabouts that has you wanting more.
Bravo!
The name Alexander Hamilton has an aura of celebrity, bordering on mythical proportions. No doubt a book titled “Sharing Hamilton” is certain to attract readers from the outset. That it’s created by two award-winning authors sweetens the pie, and ensures that the pages will be jam-packed with rip-roaring storytelling, historical details, lusty romance and chilling suspense. The book satisfies on all counts. Not knowing any details of Hamilton’s life, I read the book as pure fiction. For who in the world in those days would have the time, the energy, the devious mindset to create and perpetuate such intrigue and deceptions. It wasn’t until I read Rubino’s author notes at the end, that I was even more impressed by such a masterful telling of fact, with some fictional characters woven in. (That said, I suppose they did have a lot more time on their hands: no TV, social media, or other distractions of modern life.)
Here we have a Hamilton who is not only a revered Founding Father, the first Treasury Secretary of the United States, but is also a bed-hopping cad with an insatiable sexual appetite and a penchant for deception and infidelity. These idiosyncrasies make Hamilton ripe for blackmail lest his latest perfidious affair be revealed by none other than the scheming opportunistic husband of the lady that Hamilton desires. There are so many threads to this devious web of deceit, and so many personal agendas that, at times, it resembles farce or a drawing room comedy of the most delicious kind. We have political shenanigans, spies, insider trading, a clueless Lady Hamilton, heart-rending romantic obsession, and - oh, yes: A Jack the Ripper-style serial killer (fiction). All this, while Hamilton tries to corral political allies and fend off political foes while shaping a new nation and its economic policies.
But have no doubt, the storyline is compelling and serious, with heart-rending passion and human pathos. The attraction between Hamilton and Maria Reynolds is based as much on intellectual brilliance as it is on body heat. The lady is shamelessly besotted, while Hamilton’s commitment to the nation is stronger than his commitment to his paramour. His wife, Lady Eliza Hamilton, is blindly supportive of her husband’s political and patriotic pledge, but is shaken by the blackmail attempts that would mar her husband’s reputation and destroy his career. As she goes about trying to unmask the scoundrel, she is in complete denial about the truth and looks for answers in all the wrong places.
Eventually, destiny wins out, and the story follows its own truth. (If only History were taught in schools with such panache, there might be more students interested in its intricacies.) As for our fictional serial killer, created by Brian Porter, as chilling as this storyline is, it is almost superfluous, but since this character has been “kicking around” in Porter’s mind as the possibility for one of his own novels, I say bring it on. The author gives us a cliffhanger of an update on the killer’s whereabouts that has you wanting more.
Bravo!
December 14, 2017
History That Could Easily Have Been True
Sharing Hamilton, by Diana Rubino and Brian L. Porter, held my interest not only because of the story but also because my family is tracing our genealogy. So finding this historical fiction book came at the right time.
The story itself, fiction as it is, shows Rubino’s love of history. She has produced a plausible story of how events may have occurred and entwined them with true history. Her knowledge of the time period shows that she has done a lot of research, whether recently or in the past, this author knows her facts. All the elements of the time period needed to get the reader feeling a part of it all is undeniably there. Costumes and dress, food and drink, mannerisms and speech colloquialisms, and so much more. All of these elements make a seamless plot and help my interest throughout.
Brian L. Porter’s contribution of adding a serial killer into the mix was surprising, yet not so. Porter is famous for the best-selling mysteries. Slipping a serial killer into the threads of this story was also done seamlessly. This added an additional air of excitement, interest and fear or anticipation to the overall plot. I must smile at the way Porter’s contribution ended but will not do a spoiler here. Needless to say, I believe it’s a set-up for more of Porter’s serial mystery books.
For those who love historical fiction, I highly recommend reading this story. It’s doesn’t story far from reality. Rubino’s thorough documents of the facts in the back pages after the story ends shows the historical fact around which she based her fiction. A superb read!
Sharing Hamilton, by Diana Rubino and Brian L. Porter, held my interest not only because of the story but also because my family is tracing our genealogy. So finding this historical fiction book came at the right time.
The story itself, fiction as it is, shows Rubino’s love of history. She has produced a plausible story of how events may have occurred and entwined them with true history. Her knowledge of the time period shows that she has done a lot of research, whether recently or in the past, this author knows her facts. All the elements of the time period needed to get the reader feeling a part of it all is undeniably there. Costumes and dress, food and drink, mannerisms and speech colloquialisms, and so much more. All of these elements make a seamless plot and help my interest throughout.
Brian L. Porter’s contribution of adding a serial killer into the mix was surprising, yet not so. Porter is famous for the best-selling mysteries. Slipping a serial killer into the threads of this story was also done seamlessly. This added an additional air of excitement, interest and fear or anticipation to the overall plot. I must smile at the way Porter’s contribution ended but will not do a spoiler here. Needless to say, I believe it’s a set-up for more of Porter’s serial mystery books.
For those who love historical fiction, I highly recommend reading this story. It’s doesn’t story far from reality. Rubino’s thorough documents of the facts in the back pages after the story ends shows the historical fact around which she based her fiction. A superb read!
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March 28, 2021Purchase Verified Format: Kindle Version
Hallmark of craftsmanship
I must admit it was a bit unexpected to find Brian Porter teaming up with a full-blooded romantic US writer such as Diana Rubino after his Mersey Mystery Series and endearing pet stories, but well worth investigating at first hand.
What a duo. They work so naturally together it was almost impossible to detect where one left off and the other began – the hallmark of craftsmanship.
I found it a fascinating story about the tempestuous extra marital love affair between the US treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and Maria Reynolds; cleverly interspersed with graphic accounts of the deadly sexual motivated murders carried out by the smooth-talking Dr Black who stalked the streets by night, searching for his latest victim. All this set against a realistic backcloth of American politics in the 18th century.
As details of their illicit affair begin to leak out due to the increasing demands of Maria’s blackmailing husband, Hamilton’s wife, Eliza seems to attract the attentions of Dr Black to the point where I was expecting her to be the next one on his list.
I can see that we will be seeing more plots evolving between the two of them in the not to distant future at this rate. Full marks for a tense and gripping romantic thriller.
Hallmark of craftsmanship
I must admit it was a bit unexpected to find Brian Porter teaming up with a full-blooded romantic US writer such as Diana Rubino after his Mersey Mystery Series and endearing pet stories, but well worth investigating at first hand.
What a duo. They work so naturally together it was almost impossible to detect where one left off and the other began – the hallmark of craftsmanship.
I found it a fascinating story about the tempestuous extra marital love affair between the US treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and Maria Reynolds; cleverly interspersed with graphic accounts of the deadly sexual motivated murders carried out by the smooth-talking Dr Black who stalked the streets by night, searching for his latest victim. All this set against a realistic backcloth of American politics in the 18th century.
As details of their illicit affair begin to leak out due to the increasing demands of Maria’s blackmailing husband, Hamilton’s wife, Eliza seems to attract the attentions of Dr Black to the point where I was expecting her to be the next one on his list.
I can see that we will be seeing more plots evolving between the two of them in the not to distant future at this rate. Full marks for a tense and gripping romantic thriller.
March 14, 2019
This historical romance has a few twists as readers head back in time to the 1790's when Alexander Hamilton was the treasury secretary. He has a few secrets in his life and James Reynolds is going to use them and his wife trying to blackmail the man. In the meantime, a serial killer is on the lose. This novel is a good read that feels accurate in much of the history shared and spellbinding in the twisted story found inside the covers.
March 25, 2019
This book was a ride from start to finish. There were some good points but also there were other points that just...made no sense.
I just...don't know how to express my thoughts and feelings on this properly.
I just...don't know how to express my thoughts and feelings on this properly.
April 16, 2021
The premise that I do not like historical romance books makes my appreciation of Sharing Hamilton more remarkable. I guess that is down to the careful research by author Diana Rubino, who takes us back to the era of the Founding Fathers with admirable authenticity. The intuition to involve Brian L. Porter with his fascinating addition of a serial killer, Dr Severus Black, skilfully woven into the plot adds more spice to a tale already brimming with intrigue. The character Severus is worthy of a novel in his own right, but Brian Porter’s memorable characterisation adds to the period feel of the book, which boasts the splendid characterisation of the female personages by Rubino. All told, an excellent read that will be appreciated also by more general readers not just lovers of romance. 5 stars.
October 1, 2018
I appreciate the amount of research that went into this story. The romance was believable and the stakes over their affair being discovered boosted the tension.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews