1762, The Georgian Age of Sail: For his first command, John Cavendish is given a shipthe HMS Meteorand a crew, both in need of repair and discipline. Hes determined to make a success of their first mission, and hopes the well-liked lieutenant Alfred Donwell will stand by his side as he leads his new crew into battle: stopping the slave trade off the coast of Algiers. Alfie knows their mission is futile, and that their superiors back in England will use the demise of this crew as impetus for war with the Ottoman Empire. But the darker secret he keeps is his growing attraction for his commanding officera secret punishable by death. With the arrival of his former captainand loveron the scene of the disastrous mission, Alfie is torn between the security of his past and the uncertain promise of a future with the straight-laced John. Against a backdrop of war, intrigue, and personal betrayal, the high seas will carry these men through dangerous waters from England to Africa to the West Indies in search of a safe harbor.
False Colors: An M/M Romance
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
"Library Journal", 4/15/2009
"Kidnappings, violence, intrigue, piracy, and an abundance of naval detail drive the action in this intriguing, relatively sweet romance."
"Kidnappings, violence, intrigue, piracy, and an abundance of naval detail drive the action in this intriguing, relatively sweet romance."
About the Author
Alex Beecroft was born in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and grew up in the wild countryside of the Peak District. After studying English and Philosophy at Manchester University, Alex moved to London to work for the Lord Chancellor's Department. She married her husband, Andrew, in St. James' church, Paddington - famous for being the church where Oscar Wilde had his wedding. Alex, Andrew and their two daughters live near the University of Cambridge, where they try to avoid being mistaken for tourists. Her first novel, Captain's Surrender, was published in January 2008.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Erastes
Format:Paperback
When I was in fandom there were certain writers who had the capacity to make me want to smash my keyboard into tiny pieces and not write again. When I finished Alex Beecroft?s new book, False Colors, I had that feeling this morning.
There are a very few books on my list of ?essential reads? for anyone interested in Gay Historical Fiction. The Charioteer, At Swim Two Boys, As Meat Loves Salt and now False Colors.
Yes, it?s that good. If you are interested in the genre at all, or are planning to write the genre in future I hold up False Colors and say ?this is how it should be done.?
To say that FC isn?t a romance would be doing it an injustice because it is?in the modern and the old-fashioned sense of the word. But Beecroft takes that mixes it up with adventure to die for (literally) moral dilemmas popping up like mushrooms, earthy realistic 18th century figures and heart stopping action?and of course romance.
At the core it?s about two young men who struggle with their places in life and have to weigh up those places, and their reputations- and ruin thereof-against their duty. Many authors would take a book about gay sailors and have most of it having the protagonists either shagging like bunnies or leaning attractively on the quarter-deck pining for the colour of his love?s eyes but Beecroft knows the navy and the men within. She knows despite how much tumescence is going on in the fine linen of a sailor?s drawers sailors need to work the ship, take watches, men need to be fed, watered, entertained, repel boarders, fight the enemy. If they tend to forget their lover?s fine eyes while they are fighting for their lives, one has to forgive them.?... Read more ›
There are a very few books on my list of ?essential reads? for anyone interested in Gay Historical Fiction. The Charioteer, At Swim Two Boys, As Meat Loves Salt and now False Colors.
Yes, it?s that good. If you are interested in the genre at all, or are planning to write the genre in future I hold up False Colors and say ?this is how it should be done.?
To say that FC isn?t a romance would be doing it an injustice because it is?in the modern and the old-fashioned sense of the word. But Beecroft takes that mixes it up with adventure to die for (literally) moral dilemmas popping up like mushrooms, earthy realistic 18th century figures and heart stopping action?and of course romance.
At the core it?s about two young men who struggle with their places in life and have to weigh up those places, and their reputations- and ruin thereof-against their duty. Many authors would take a book about gay sailors and have most of it having the protagonists either shagging like bunnies or leaning attractively on the quarter-deck pining for the colour of his love?s eyes but Beecroft knows the navy and the men within. She knows despite how much tumescence is going on in the fine linen of a sailor?s drawers sailors need to work the ship, take watches, men need to be fed, watered, entertained, repel boarders, fight the enemy. If they tend to forget their lover?s fine eyes while they are fighting for their lives, one has to forgive them.?... Read more ›
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Alex
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Once I started, I found this book very hard to put down - Beecroft puts you in thumbscrews and then keeps tightening them. The tension is, at points, almost unbearable, so I inhaled that book in two days.
This is the story of John Cavendish, prim and proper British naval officer, and the more rebellious, hedonistic Alfie Donwell; both men have their demons and hardships to face.
In a tour de force, we are taken through Barbary slave markets, pirates, icebergs, naval court martials, politics, betrayal, and naval battles. And, of course, the searing attraction between both men, one more experienced, the other still having to come to terms with his desires. And Beecroft really does take them through the emotional wringer before they have a chance at building something together, even though, whatever it is, it will have to stand up against the morals of a time when men like them can be hanged just for acting on their emotions.
A powerful mix of history, high emotion, and unforgettable characters. Loved the cover, which looked "respectable" enough that I could read it on the bus or train without raising (too many) eyebrows.
This is the story of John Cavendish, prim and proper British naval officer, and the more rebellious, hedonistic Alfie Donwell; both men have their demons and hardships to face.
In a tour de force, we are taken through Barbary slave markets, pirates, icebergs, naval court martials, politics, betrayal, and naval battles. And, of course, the searing attraction between both men, one more experienced, the other still having to come to terms with his desires. And Beecroft really does take them through the emotional wringer before they have a chance at building something together, even though, whatever it is, it will have to stand up against the morals of a time when men like them can be hanged just for acting on their emotions.
A powerful mix of history, high emotion, and unforgettable characters. Loved the cover, which looked "respectable" enough that I could read it on the bus or train without raising (too many) eyebrows.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
False Colors is a total and absolute pleasure. The plot is marvellous and very exciting - and I don't even usually go for seafaring novels, but there's a perfect and very real level of historical detail there which meant I felt part of the whole scenario without being overwhelmed by it. The characters were gripping, well-rounded and very human - even the minor characters felt real. I can thoroughly recommend this book and look forward to more from Beecroft soon.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Film Fan
Format:Paperback
All I can say is read, read, read!
I want to review without giving too much away. A wonderful book. Totally satisfying from start to finish. Alex Beecroft is a genuine talent and deserves a wide readership. Set during the 18th century , this story is about two very different men who realise in the end, that they both want the same thing and each other.
M/M fiction is a a fairly new genre, and if this is the direction in which it is going, long may it thrive. I have not read Ms Beecroft's first book, but this is wonderful. I came to this book knowing little of the 'Age of Sail' period, and not as a great reader of gay fiction.
However, the nautical detail is superb - and adds a rich background to the story.You are left in no doubt that real attention has been paid to research and accuracy, right down to the language. The action scenes are totally gripping, as are the vivid descriptions of everyday life at sea, the ports, the prisons and the political intrigue of the day. Secondary characters are beautifully drawn, particularly Farrant - who stands in stark (and quite sad)contrast to both Cavendish and Donwell.
Anyone looking for hardcore erotica,needs to look elsewhere.What sex scenes do exist are done with taste, subtlety and are in keeping with the period. I found them sweet and sensual. This is a romantic book that deals primarily with two very different men who meet, each going through a long (and sometimes painful) journey of self-discovery.
Kudos to Ms Beechcroft for keeping a sense of historical perspective, and helping the reader to fully understand what it was really like to be a gay man during this period. I think that adds to the realism of the book.... Read more ›
I want to review without giving too much away. A wonderful book. Totally satisfying from start to finish. Alex Beecroft is a genuine talent and deserves a wide readership. Set during the 18th century , this story is about two very different men who realise in the end, that they both want the same thing and each other.
M/M fiction is a a fairly new genre, and if this is the direction in which it is going, long may it thrive. I have not read Ms Beecroft's first book, but this is wonderful. I came to this book knowing little of the 'Age of Sail' period, and not as a great reader of gay fiction.
However, the nautical detail is superb - and adds a rich background to the story.You are left in no doubt that real attention has been paid to research and accuracy, right down to the language. The action scenes are totally gripping, as are the vivid descriptions of everyday life at sea, the ports, the prisons and the political intrigue of the day. Secondary characters are beautifully drawn, particularly Farrant - who stands in stark (and quite sad)contrast to both Cavendish and Donwell.
Anyone looking for hardcore erotica,needs to look elsewhere.What sex scenes do exist are done with taste, subtlety and are in keeping with the period. I found them sweet and sensual. This is a romantic book that deals primarily with two very different men who meet, each going through a long (and sometimes painful) journey of self-discovery.
Kudos to Ms Beechcroft for keeping a sense of historical perspective, and helping the reader to fully understand what it was really like to be a gay man during this period. I think that adds to the realism of the book.... Read more ›
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 34 reviews
4.1 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Fundamentally flawed at its centre
Having bought this and found myself struggling to get anywhere with it I have only just realised that the reviews are mainly from women. I may have been duped. Read more
Published 11 months ago by SergiusT
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lots of work went into this story
Author Alex Beecroft certainly entered into the Georgian Age of Sail when she wrote this page turner. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Geoff Flint
5.0 out of 5 stars
Total Immersion
I do not consider myself to be easily pleased as a reader. The best books for me are those which have both compelling and believable characters and a richly described world, and... Read more
Published on 30 April 2011 by Tim Crowhurst
1.0 out of 5 stars
misguided romance
This story is about a virgin being pursued by an attractive virile seaman. Sounds just like a Mills and Boon hetero romance. That's the problem. Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2010 by Dotsmate
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gay Romance
Great read. Male/Male love set in aboard a naval ship when the penalty for sexual acts between two men was punishable by hanging. Read more
Published on 22 July 2010 by Downsman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A right pageturner!
As my first foray into gay historical romance I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but was not disappointed by False Colours. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2010 by Josephine Myles
3.0 out of 5 stars
False Colours
A good read - if not somewhat predictable in places. I much preferred the character of the blond man, found the other one a bit 'stuck up'.
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by david audit
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Fiction > Contemporary Fiction
- Books > Fiction > Gay & Lesbian > Gay
- Books > Gay & Lesbian > Literature > Fiction > Gay
- Books > Romance > Adult & Contemporary
- Books > Romance > Gay & Lesbian
- Books > Romance > Historical
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
