Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Lynden Bay Romance (2007), 187 pages
Description
Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. LGBTQIA+ (Fiction.) HTML: Ambitious and handsome, Joshua Andrews had always valued his life too much to take unnecessary risks. Then he laid eyes on the elegant picture of perfection that is Peter Kenyon. Soon to be promoted to captain, Peter Kenyon is the darling of the Bermuda garrison. With a string of successes behind him and a suitable bride lined up to share his future, Peter seems completely out of reach to Joshua. But when the two men are thrown together to serve during a long voyage under a sadistic commander with a mutinous crew, they discover unexpected friendship. As the tension on board their vessel heats up, the closeness they feel for one another intensifies and both officers find themselves unable to reign in their passion. Let yourself be transported back to a time when love between two men in the British Navy was punishable by death, and to a story about love, about honor, but most of all, about a Captain�??s Surrender.… (more)
Media reviews
User reviews
LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
Josh is the oldest midshipman on the Nimrod, a British Navel vessel under the command of a paranoid and vindictive captain. When the Nimrod plays host to a family and one First Lieutenant Peter Kenyon bound for Bermuda Josh's reserve and fears are put to the test for Kenyon is the most beautiful
Peter had always done everything by the book, rising through the naval ranks to a pending captaincy upon his arrival in Bermuda. However, the Nimrod held some viperous surprises and holding together the crew, guaranteeing the safety of the woman he hoped to marry and arriving in one piece might prove harder than he imagined. The most shocking event of them all is his midshipman bunkmate, Joshua, and the forbidden feelings growing between them.
This book was recommended to me when I mentioned how much I enjoyed Lee Rowan's Ransom. Although I did like this story I wasn't quite as smitten with these characters. I just didn't feel the strong connection here as I did there. But, it has to be kept in mind that I really adored Ransom and the comparison comes from the similar genres. The story was exciting and did justice to its multiple points of view without jarring transition between them all. It did get a little violently graphic in parts, but not to the point where I wanted to stop reading. Josh's dilemma in the end was surprising and I really wasn't sure what decision he would make. That ambiguity made it interesting. I certainly think that if you have a preference toward this genre, that this would be a good book to read.
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officer he has ever set eyes on. But with the captain watching his every move, a mutinous crew and knowledge of his own blasphemous nature against God and country for his desires Josh knows it is only a matter of time before go very wrong.Peter had always done everything by the book, rising through the naval ranks to a pending captaincy upon his arrival in Bermuda. However, the Nimrod held some viperous surprises and holding together the crew, guaranteeing the safety of the woman he hoped to marry and arriving in one piece might prove harder than he imagined. The most shocking event of them all is his midshipman bunkmate, Joshua, and the forbidden feelings growing between them.
This book was recommended to me when I mentioned how much I enjoyed Lee Rowan's Ransom. Although I did like this story I wasn't quite as smitten with these characters. I just didn't feel the strong connection here as I did there. But, it has to be kept in mind that I really adored Ransom and the comparison comes from the similar genres. The story was exciting and did justice to its multiple points of view without jarring transition between them all. It did get a little violently graphic in parts, but not to the point where I wanted to stop reading. Josh's dilemma in the end was surprising and I really wasn't sure what decision he would make. That ambiguity made it interesting. I certainly think that if you have a preference toward this genre, that this would be a good book to read.
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LibraryThing member krysteria
I'll read just about any historical gay story I come across. Enter A Summer Place by Ariel Tachna and Captain's Surrender by Alex Beecroft.
A Summer Place has a beautifully done cover, elegant, captivating. It's title invokes a consistent, interesting tail. Captain's Surrender sounds like it might
Completely typical that Captain's Surrender turned out to be a well thought-out tale with a great storyline, lots of angst, love, sea battles - you might even call it epic. While A Summer Place tried but failed to live up to its design. Not that it was bad, it was a decent book, however, a little CLUE on the back cover that it's a historical
tale would have been nice. Not everyone loves a historic tale like me.
Barring cheesy cover graphics, Alex Beecroft must have done some serious research on colonial naval warfare. I've read many a sea tale and there were terms in this book that were new to me. Life on the ship was totally believable as was how to captain such a vessel. What got me the most were the two main characters. They were so different,
you'd almost think two different people wrote each part, because sometimes it's hard to write a convincingly well-crafted opposite without it sounding overly contrived. At first I didn't like the head- hopping chapters, but looking back, it was good to know what everyone was thinking. It truly ended up rounding out the story, however, at
the start of the book, I thought there was a little too much attention paid to Emily. I got over that.
All in all, Captain's Surrender came alive. It's way up there on my list of favorite books. Definitely a keeper.
A Summer Place had a slower pace, it was more of a historical CSI (and I'm not sure I ever realized what time frame we were in) and the characters weren't quite as likable.
A Summer Place has a beautifully done cover, elegant, captivating. It's title invokes a consistent, interesting tail. Captain's Surrender sounds like it might
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be a little too erotic, S&M, probably not much storyline and the cover is cheesy - photoshopped models layered over palm trees and a snippet of a ship, with the title with way too many photoshop type effects covering up the photos.Completely typical that Captain's Surrender turned out to be a well thought-out tale with a great storyline, lots of angst, love, sea battles - you might even call it epic. While A Summer Place tried but failed to live up to its design. Not that it was bad, it was a decent book, however, a little CLUE on the back cover that it's a historical
tale would have been nice. Not everyone loves a historic tale like me.
Barring cheesy cover graphics, Alex Beecroft must have done some serious research on colonial naval warfare. I've read many a sea tale and there were terms in this book that were new to me. Life on the ship was totally believable as was how to captain such a vessel. What got me the most were the two main characters. They were so different,
you'd almost think two different people wrote each part, because sometimes it's hard to write a convincingly well-crafted opposite without it sounding overly contrived. At first I didn't like the head- hopping chapters, but looking back, it was good to know what everyone was thinking. It truly ended up rounding out the story, however, at
the start of the book, I thought there was a little too much attention paid to Emily. I got over that.
All in all, Captain's Surrender came alive. It's way up there on my list of favorite books. Definitely a keeper.
A Summer Place had a slower pace, it was more of a historical CSI (and I'm not sure I ever realized what time frame we were in) and the characters weren't quite as likable.
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LibraryThing member SharonMariaBidwell
Books such as “Captain’s Surrender” by Alex Beecroft is a read I love to hate. I hate that it exceeded my expectations and yet I love that I wish I had written this book. It inspires me; it makes me want to aspire and produce quality. The reader in me loves that this book became a part of my
Captain’s Surrender is the work of a talented writer, succeeding on multiple levels. As an avid reader, I plough through many books in all types of genres. I have works that are a light, entertaining read, to doorstop epics, and enjoy them all on many different levels. However, “Captain’s Surrender” is what the art of true storytelling is all about.
The story of Josh Andrews and Peter Kenyon takes place at a time in British history where the “crime” of homosexuality meant hanging. The infallible human heart would love to believe that love truly does conquer all, but when the threat of death literally hangs over your head in the form of a noose, what are two people in love to do? When two people love each other is there really such a thing as choice?
The book opens on a grotesque moment and from there your heart is in your mouth until and, possibly, long after you’ve turned the last page. That initial spark of love, of something beautiful between Josh and Peter amidst such horror is only one of the underlying themes of the book. My only criticisms, if you can call them that, is the cover doesn’t do the book justice and being that this is a British book by a British writer, with a British setting, I should like to have seen British spellings. However, the tone hits the period delightfully, and the dialogue is superbly composed. This read is heart-warming, thought-provoking, and immensely enjoyable.
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life, and will remain on my bookshelf, a keeper. I’m not parting with this one. Nope. Never.Captain’s Surrender is the work of a talented writer, succeeding on multiple levels. As an avid reader, I plough through many books in all types of genres. I have works that are a light, entertaining read, to doorstop epics, and enjoy them all on many different levels. However, “Captain’s Surrender” is what the art of true storytelling is all about.
The story of Josh Andrews and Peter Kenyon takes place at a time in British history where the “crime” of homosexuality meant hanging. The infallible human heart would love to believe that love truly does conquer all, but when the threat of death literally hangs over your head in the form of a noose, what are two people in love to do? When two people love each other is there really such a thing as choice?
The book opens on a grotesque moment and from there your heart is in your mouth until and, possibly, long after you’ve turned the last page. That initial spark of love, of something beautiful between Josh and Peter amidst such horror is only one of the underlying themes of the book. My only criticisms, if you can call them that, is the cover doesn’t do the book justice and being that this is a British book by a British writer, with a British setting, I should like to have seen British spellings. However, the tone hits the period delightfully, and the dialogue is superbly composed. This read is heart-warming, thought-provoking, and immensely enjoyable.
Show Less
LibraryThing member markprobst
What if Aubrey and Maturin weren’t just good friends?
Reading Alex Beecroft’s debut novel, Captain’s Surrender, one thing is for certain – Ms. Beecroft is a fan of Patrick O’Brien’s Master and Commander series. She lovingly pays tribute to O’Brien’s style, but thankfully not his
Peter Kenyon comes on board the Nimrod to take the place of the recently executed-for-sodomy first officer. The assignment is temporary as he is to be given his own command once they reach Bermuda. The captain of the ship is a barbaric tyrant that makes Captain Bligh look like a swell guy. Peter is forced to share quarters with midshipman Joshua Andrews. Peter takes Joshua into his confidence about his mutinous contemplations, and Joshua confides his amorous attraction to Peter. Once they reach Bermuda, they begin a love relationship, but each understands that it is only a temporary arrangement. I won’t reveal any more of the plot so as not to spoil the outcome.
The author has chosen a unique method to convey the story. Using multiple points of view is a common writing style, but for the first half of the book, Beecroft relegates a different point of view for each chapter. It works quite well in that you can see the contrast of how Peter and Joshua are perceived by other characters to what is really going on inside their heads. Nevertheless, I found myself looking forward to the chapters that featured the point of view of one of the two lovers. The second half of the book was more traditional in its point of view shifts with the majority being assigned to Josh or Peter.
Where the novel really shines is in its historical texture. Beecroft has really done her homework here. The luscious descriptions of the decks and sails, the smells of battle, all give you just enough information to clearly picture it without overwhelming you with extraneous details. Dialogue is also very authentic. I particularly love the way she paints the goriest details of battle while having shipmates so desensitized that they even make humorous jokes about the carnage.
Another well written passage occurs near the end where Peter wanders the deserted village late at night while he struggles with his inner demons. I was reminded of Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady or Gaston Lachaille in Gigi as they wandered the streets in soliloquy at the end of those movies. However Peter’s thought process is much baser as he has some truly ugly thoughts at this point.
It’s also refreshing that the erotic factor is kept in check. Of late it appears that the women m/m writers are much less bashful about explicit sex than we gay male writers are, so it’s nice that Beecroft chose not to go full erotica.
I hesitate to mention one minor inaccuracy – the biblical quotes spoken by the Reverend are taken from the New International Version rather than the King James Version (with all its “thee”s and “thou”s) which would be the only English-language translation of the bible that existed in 1779. The modern language of the newer translation felt really out of place.
All in all Alex Beecroft has written a wonderful age-of-sail novel that can be enjoyed by fans of sea stories or m/m romance.
Reading Alex Beecroft’s debut novel, Captain’s Surrender, one thing is for certain – Ms. Beecroft is a fan of Patrick O’Brien’s Master and Commander series. She lovingly pays tribute to O’Brien’s style, but thankfully not his
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linguistic authenticity that requires one to consult an 18th century naval manual for translation. Beecroft’s language is simpler and makes for an easy, enjoyable read.Peter Kenyon comes on board the Nimrod to take the place of the recently executed-for-sodomy first officer. The assignment is temporary as he is to be given his own command once they reach Bermuda. The captain of the ship is a barbaric tyrant that makes Captain Bligh look like a swell guy. Peter is forced to share quarters with midshipman Joshua Andrews. Peter takes Joshua into his confidence about his mutinous contemplations, and Joshua confides his amorous attraction to Peter. Once they reach Bermuda, they begin a love relationship, but each understands that it is only a temporary arrangement. I won’t reveal any more of the plot so as not to spoil the outcome.
The author has chosen a unique method to convey the story. Using multiple points of view is a common writing style, but for the first half of the book, Beecroft relegates a different point of view for each chapter. It works quite well in that you can see the contrast of how Peter and Joshua are perceived by other characters to what is really going on inside their heads. Nevertheless, I found myself looking forward to the chapters that featured the point of view of one of the two lovers. The second half of the book was more traditional in its point of view shifts with the majority being assigned to Josh or Peter.
Where the novel really shines is in its historical texture. Beecroft has really done her homework here. The luscious descriptions of the decks and sails, the smells of battle, all give you just enough information to clearly picture it without overwhelming you with extraneous details. Dialogue is also very authentic. I particularly love the way she paints the goriest details of battle while having shipmates so desensitized that they even make humorous jokes about the carnage.
Another well written passage occurs near the end where Peter wanders the deserted village late at night while he struggles with his inner demons. I was reminded of Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady or Gaston Lachaille in Gigi as they wandered the streets in soliloquy at the end of those movies. However Peter’s thought process is much baser as he has some truly ugly thoughts at this point.
It’s also refreshing that the erotic factor is kept in check. Of late it appears that the women m/m writers are much less bashful about explicit sex than we gay male writers are, so it’s nice that Beecroft chose not to go full erotica.
I hesitate to mention one minor inaccuracy – the biblical quotes spoken by the Reverend are taken from the New International Version rather than the King James Version (with all its “thee”s and “thou”s) which would be the only English-language translation of the bible that existed in 1779. The modern language of the newer translation felt really out of place.
All in all Alex Beecroft has written a wonderful age-of-sail novel that can be enjoyed by fans of sea stories or m/m romance.
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LibraryThing member OldEnough
I bought this after reading "False Colors", hoping for more of the same sort of action adventure. This was, however, primarily a romance with only dashes of swash or buckle.
LibraryThing member Unreachableshelf
This is rather an oddly constructed book. It has more points of view than one would expect in a romance, the two heroes are apart for much of the book, but there's no doubt that the outcome of the romance is the primary plot point. As a result, it doesn't seem quite at home either in romance or in
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general Age of Sail fiction. However I would consider it enjoyable over all. Show Less
LibraryThing member Steelwhisper
This is at that stage (roughly 60%) more like 2.5* than 3*. Possible spoilers ahead!
Pros
This was edited above average, it had sizable stretches which showed a very engaging prose and the entrance scene certainly was a truly well-written whopper.
Cons
Apart from very short passages I never felt truly
Huge, truly enormous main cause of this was the treatment of the female protagonist Emily. She was a modern woman transposed into the 18th century, effectively grumbling and whinging away at facts which for a middleclass woman of that time would have been entirely normal and not at all noteworthy. Breeches and hopping around in the rigging? Certainly not that either. Alone with a male suitor? Even though the 18th century was less uptight than the 19th I think not at that age and stage in life. In short--Emily was a feminist manifesto screeching consistently at me. I dislike them already in modern fiction, but in a historical? Heh. No.
Second contenders for distraction from immersion certainly are the two men. Either life in the Royal Navy was as hazardous to the health of the average gay man as Josh made it out to be, then Peter would logically have to have been at least rather like him. Or it wasn't, then Josh comes over as a bit unhinged. Given that but 15 years or so later indeed a boy of barely 17 serving in the Navy was publicly hanged, I'd say Peter ought to have been far more conscious of matters and shows an uncharacteristic (for the time and place) unconcern.
Something which really keeps bugging me in gay historicals: penetrative anal intercourse was a real rarity prior to roughly 1910 (when the percentage of PIA among gay men was lower than 10%!). So when in historical romance after historical romance couples have oil at the ready and bugger each other as if it were nothing to them, then my suspension of disbelief evaporates and I begin to wonder whether I mayhaps am actually reading m/f in disguise. It's heteronormative women who see penetration as "real sex".
The saying is "less is often more", however if you leave it almost all out, that's really not so nice. I missed quite a few scenes which would have helped show bonding between the two men, scenes of import (e.g. Peter's flogging, the keelhauling), action was often left either too early or told instead of shown. Unlike other reviewers I discerned but minimal UST and found nothing a turn on, by the way.
On the whole there was too much pulling me out of this story, and too little drawing me into it. I never got a connection with any of the characters and suspect this has to be one of those Marmite books one either likes or dislikes.
Pros
This was edited above average, it had sizable stretches which showed a very engaging prose and the entrance scene certainly was a truly well-written whopper.
Cons
Apart from very short passages I never felt truly
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immersed in the correct time. Huge, truly enormous main cause of this was the treatment of the female protagonist Emily. She was a modern woman transposed into the 18th century, effectively grumbling and whinging away at facts which for a middleclass woman of that time would have been entirely normal and not at all noteworthy. Breeches and hopping around in the rigging? Certainly not that either. Alone with a male suitor? Even though the 18th century was less uptight than the 19th I think not at that age and stage in life. In short--Emily was a feminist manifesto screeching consistently at me. I dislike them already in modern fiction, but in a historical? Heh. No.
Second contenders for distraction from immersion certainly are the two men. Either life in the Royal Navy was as hazardous to the health of the average gay man as Josh made it out to be, then Peter would logically have to have been at least rather like him. Or it wasn't, then Josh comes over as a bit unhinged. Given that but 15 years or so later indeed a boy of barely 17 serving in the Navy was publicly hanged, I'd say Peter ought to have been far more conscious of matters and shows an uncharacteristic (for the time and place) unconcern.
Something which really keeps bugging me in gay historicals: penetrative anal intercourse was a real rarity prior to roughly 1910 (when the percentage of PIA among gay men was lower than 10%!). So when in historical romance after historical romance couples have oil at the ready and bugger each other as if it were nothing to them, then my suspension of disbelief evaporates and I begin to wonder whether I mayhaps am actually reading m/f in disguise. It's heteronormative women who see penetration as "real sex".
The saying is "less is often more", however if you leave it almost all out, that's really not so nice. I missed quite a few scenes which would have helped show bonding between the two men, scenes of import (e.g. Peter's flogging, the keelhauling), action was often left either too early or told instead of shown. Unlike other reviewers I discerned but minimal UST and found nothing a turn on, by the way.
On the whole there was too much pulling me out of this story, and too little drawing me into it. I never got a connection with any of the characters and suspect this has to be one of those Marmite books one either likes or dislikes.
Show Less
LibraryThing member knotbox
Joshua Andrews is a Midshipman on the Nimrod, where Captain Walker keeps his crew in a constant state of terror and suspense. The least infraction will land a man in irons, flogged for all the company to see. If Walker knew what Joshua was, he'd be hanged. He avoids the attention, which would grant
The dangerous journey from Portsmouth to Bermuda, to aid in the fight against pirates and smugglers, becomes increasingly tense as Walker continues to cling to his grasp of power over an increasingly mutinous crew. The only absolution is that when Peter confides in Joshua of his worries over the possible mutiny, Joshua finds he can trust Peter in turn. That, and a pirate ship shows up on the horizon and becomes a good relief for the crew's tension.
Alex Beecroft has written a fantastic story, filled with suspense and tender romance. What I described for you actually only covers about half the story, but I feel if I go to far beyond arrival in Bermuda, I'll be spoiling too much of the story for you. The story does also include some of the terrific problems inherent in romance, the gay sub-genre and historical fiction. Many good reviews have gone into this already, so I'll be going over what really worked and why I'll be reading more from this author. (As soon as my library updates its digital shelves, of course. OverDrive is a wonderful, wonderful thing.)
Joshua is sympathetic, not that Peter isn't either, but we spend slightly more time learning about Joshua's history and his motivations, and as a reader, its easy to connect with him. The action onboard and on the sea is really interesting, most of the nautical terms are used correctly, the only ones I'm not sure about were the ones I didn't know. The twists were interesting, the conflict was a little tired, but brief. I do have to complain about the convenience of some characters appearing when they did. The people Joshua encounters while away from Bermuda, the inexcusable evil of the captain, and the anachronism of the main female character. When I thinking about how lovely everything else was though, I'd read another book similar to this without question.
What about you? Does mustache twirling, convenient plot devices and anachronism rub you the wrong way?
242pp. Samhain. October 2009.
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him deserved promotion, as well the keen eye under which he is sure he'd be discovered. When Peter Kenyon, a lieutenant, arrives to fulfill the lately vacated position, once occupied by the man swinging from a noose upon his arrival, Joshua is immediately captivated and knows this man will be his downfall.The dangerous journey from Portsmouth to Bermuda, to aid in the fight against pirates and smugglers, becomes increasingly tense as Walker continues to cling to his grasp of power over an increasingly mutinous crew. The only absolution is that when Peter confides in Joshua of his worries over the possible mutiny, Joshua finds he can trust Peter in turn. That, and a pirate ship shows up on the horizon and becomes a good relief for the crew's tension.
Alex Beecroft has written a fantastic story, filled with suspense and tender romance. What I described for you actually only covers about half the story, but I feel if I go to far beyond arrival in Bermuda, I'll be spoiling too much of the story for you. The story does also include some of the terrific problems inherent in romance, the gay sub-genre and historical fiction. Many good reviews have gone into this already, so I'll be going over what really worked and why I'll be reading more from this author. (As soon as my library updates its digital shelves, of course. OverDrive is a wonderful, wonderful thing.)
Joshua is sympathetic, not that Peter isn't either, but we spend slightly more time learning about Joshua's history and his motivations, and as a reader, its easy to connect with him. The action onboard and on the sea is really interesting, most of the nautical terms are used correctly, the only ones I'm not sure about were the ones I didn't know. The twists were interesting, the conflict was a little tired, but brief. I do have to complain about the convenience of some characters appearing when they did. The people Joshua encounters while away from Bermuda, the inexcusable evil of the captain, and the anachronism of the main female character. When I thinking about how lovely everything else was though, I'd read another book similar to this without question.
What about you? Does mustache twirling, convenient plot devices and anachronism rub you the wrong way?
242pp. Samhain. October 2009.
Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2008-01-01
Local notes
OCLC = 11
0 local
Gift from J. O. Hebert
0 local
Gift from J. O. Hebert