From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Think of England (Think of England #1)

K.J. Charles

Start date: August 1, 2014

Finish date: August 31, 2014

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

Apr 08, 2014 Deanna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, historical-fiction, military, grabs-my-heart, m-m, too-short, want-more, made-me-think, why-did-i-wait-so-long-to-read-this, made-me-cry

A historical novel written at the turn of the 20th Century, not Victorian times, not WWI and not WWII. How refreshing! Now add two MCs that I adore and cannot get enough of, mix in treachery, abuse of power and prejudices that can kill and you have a fantastic read. Especially since it is very well written.

I enjoyed being in Curtis' mind as he realizes his first impressions were off and that he was letting his own prejudices color those impressions. Curtis' awakening sneaks off the pages and in ...more

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Jul 05, 2014 Rhys Ford rated it it was amazing

oooooooooo yes. Such a great tale, and woven in a way that reminded me SO much of a traditional Sherlockian story with a dash of hot men to spice things up. Loved this beyond measure!

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 11, 2017 Bibliophile rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m

Dipping my toes into m/m historicals. This was a fun read. :)

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 28, 2014 Bogusia rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm-historical-romance

3.75 stars
it left me, and perhaps other readers, wanting more :)

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 10, 2014 Susana rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Think of England is so good. Honestly. I really enjoyed it. I could not put it down. From the very beginning, I fell completely for Captain Archie Curtis, who is trying to discover if the accident which caused his handicapping injuries (he lost three of his right hand fingers) and killed his friends and fellow soldiers was the product of an unfortunate coincidence or vile sabotage. Following a clue, he agrees to spend a fortnight in an isolated house in the countryside, propriety of a rich busin Think of England is so good. Honestly. I really enjoyed it. I could not put it down. From the very beginning, I fell completely for Captain Archie Curtis, who is trying to discover if the accident which caused his handicapping injuries (he lost three of his right hand fingers) and killed his friends and fellow soldiers was the product of an unfortunate coincidence or vile sabotage. Following a clue, he agrees to spend a fortnight in an isolated house in the countryside, propriety of a rich businessman who was greatly favoured by the fatal accident. There he joins a bizarre company of varied people, and he immediately feels distaste for one of them: flamboyant poet Daniel da Silva. His sleek and affected, effeminate ways represent all the things Curtis despises in a man. But circumstances bring about an unlikely alliance between them, and soon Curtis finds out that there is more in Da Silva that meets the eye.
K.J. Charles is one of my favourite writers. In a flawless style, she knows exactly how to measure out the information in order to build tension and intrigue, mixing thriller and romance. The mystery of the failing weapons is interesting, but not as much as the relationship building between Curtis and Da Silva. They are great together. Charles manages to create two very different characters which are both likeable and believable. They have different voices, as well as very different personalities, clear when they describe the way they see each other. For Daniel, Curtis is a “Viking, …, huge, muscular, rampant…a great, powerful brute of a man, bent on rape and pillage…”, whereas Curtis sees da Silva as “Incomprehensible, …, and far too clever for their own good, and hiding all sorts of things and-rather beautiful”. The book is told from Curtis’ point of view, but there is enough of Da Silva in it to show a clear image of the annoying poet. There is a steady evolution in Curtis’ opinion of his counterpoint. From a deep distaste of Da Silva he moves to admiration towards the man’s capability and eventually harbours unexpected feelings for him. Faced with an unknown situation Curtis deals with in the same way he deals with everything. Once he finds the problem, he assesses it and makes up his mind as to what is to be done. And acts on it. Curtis does not consider himself a homosexual, as he puts it “He simply didn’t feel queer, whatever that might feel like. He felt like a normal chap who, now and then, enjoyed encounters with other chaps”. But Daniel brings back feelings and sensations he thought he had lost forever, and once he realizes he really wants the man, he goes for it. Even though that implies having to overcome the high barriers Da Silva has risen in order to protect himself form being hurt again. As Da Silva himself puts it: “I don’t thing I’ve ever met anyone who could hurt me as much as you”. Fortunately, Curtis does not relent, and realizing he cannot overcome Daniel with words, he decides to raid his way into his heart.
The chemistry between Da Silva and Curtis is amazing, something I would love to continue reading about. I hope this is the beginning of a long series, and we get more of these two in a near future. As for now, I do recommend Think of England to anyone with a taste for great romance novels with a hint of mystery, thrilling adventures and a lot of passion. Utterly enjoyable!

P.S.: I completely agree with Daniel:the most arousing sight in the world is a big man reading poetry ...more

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Sep 19, 2014 L.Giselle rated it it was amazing

Reviewed for MM Good Book Reviews

I love a little conflict in characters who are driven together like magnets, one side draws them inevitably together while other aspects repel them. On the surface Curtis and Daniel da Silva could not have less in common. Curtis is the uptight, wounded in war, regimental cut and dry soldier of her majesty’s crown, while Daniel appears to be a flippant, sexualized fop, with lofty poetic ideals, an abhorrence to violence and a pampered lazy manner. But both have mu Reviewed for MM Good Book Reviews

I love a little conflict in characters who are driven together like magnets, one side draws them inevitably together while other aspects repel them. On the surface Curtis and Daniel da Silva could not have less in common. Curtis is the uptight, wounded in war, regimental cut and dry soldier of her majesty’s crown, while Daniel appears to be a flippant, sexualized fop, with lofty poetic ideals, an abhorrence to violence and a pampered lazy manner. But both have much deeper traits lurking just under the surface, much like da Silva’s poetry inflects.

When the two meet up after being invited to stay at the Armstrong family’s country estate, they soon find they are stepping on each other’s toes, stumbling over their main mission….to find out what dark deeds the Armstrong’s are up to.

It seems a common goal forces them to spend more time together, risking their necks together and forcing Daniel and Curtis both to take a closer look, discover what their true personalities are like behind the act. At first blush I wasn’t sure whether Curtis was going to wind up fighting or fucking da Silva, the tensions sure were high enough for both scenarios. The chemistry was hot and I knew sparks were going to fly as they kept tripping over their own motives and passionate reasons for being at Armstrong’s estate.

The suspense was excellent! I love a good mystery, and while I pretty much knew the who and what, I couldn’t figure out all the why’s and especially couldn’t figure out how Curtis and da Silva were going to escape the danger they were in and catch the bad guys. This plot contained many off page characters, and actions that helped build the suspense and the mystery.

There are also a lot of layers to this story, which I find to be the best marker for success of any plot. Little details about characters feathered in at just the right moment, parallel themes, like the poems by da Silva mirroring the obstacles the men each face in themselves. I loved it all! I could not put his book down and feel that this story could lead to some exciting subterfuge and mystery solving for both characters in stories to follow! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for more Curtis and Daniel! ...more

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Sep 29, 2014 Anna rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 03, 2014 Ali rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mm

**I received a copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review**

So, so GOOD!! This was such a nice change of pace from many of the MM Romances that we see today. Suspense, humor, a little bit of everything.

The characters were fantastic. Archie and Daniel. They were engaging, smart; they had chemistry... The Library Scene... The Folly... Aaah...

Even the supporting roles were fantastic. I especially liked Miss Merton and Miss Carruth (those two would make an excellent spino ...more

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Aug 26, 2018 ΛNNΞ rated it liked it · review of another edition

This was just okay for me. I am a huge fan of this author's work but this book just lacked the chemistry and intrigue of some of her other books. I liked Curtis but found both MC lacked a certain depth ... and that impacted how engaged and invested I was in this story. However, I have just realized that this is the first story in a series and I will definately read the next book and I'm hopeful that it might provide the progression and chemistry that this book sadily lacked for me. ...more

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Aug 25, 2014 Ann32 rated it it was amazing

My first book from K J Charles and I'm hooked. If there is one thing this author knows how to do is keeping your attention up. The plot is always moving and when it isn't she throws some intense jaw dropping blows *cough*. Literally.

I really liked the characterization and the very fine description of houses and surrounding that only a true Brit could do. How beautifully put inside the text! The dialogues are solid and ...what can I say. A good writer and a good editor. ...more

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