Book Review: Hamilton's Battalion by Rose Lerner, Courtney Milan, and Alyssa Cole

Hamilton’s Battalion: A Trio of Romances   

Authors: Alyssa Cole, Rose Lerner, Courtney Milan

Publisher: Courtney Milan

American release date: October 17, 2017

Format/Genre/Length: Kindle/Gay Romance/Interracial Romance/378 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Hamilton’s Battalion is a trio of novellas, set during and after the American Revolution. After the death of her husband, Alexander Hamilton, Elizabeth Hamilton collected reminiscences from those who knew him, particularly those who fought with him during the war. That was the inspiration for these tales, told by three different authors.

Promised Land by Rose Lerner

Corporal Ezra Jacobs is actually Rachel Mendelson, a Jewish woman who also wants to fight for her country. Once married to Nathan Mendelson, she left that life behind five years ago, letting him think her dead. Don’t ask—it’s complicated! But when she accidentally runs into him in the middle of her camp, she pegs him as a spy and turns him in. However, things are not what they seem. Now Rachel and Nathan have to make sense of who they were as opposed to who they are now. Have they been brought together for a reason… and will the war tear them apart in the most final way possible?

The Pursuit of… by Courtney Milan

Corporal John Hunter is serving in the rebel army with the promise of being freed from his condition of slavery once the war has been won. His concern is for his sister and her child, and he wants to return to them as quickly as possible to make sure they are all right. When he accidentally runs across a British soldier named Henry Latham, Henry’s first comment to him is “Nice weather for a siege, isn’t it?”

These men are opposites, yet they soon find themselves together under circumstances which would have been impossible before the revolution, as they travel to Rhode Island. What began as a confrontation could change… but for the better or not remains to be seen. John has never met anyone who talks as much as Henry. And as for his cheese… well, the less said about that the better.

As opposite as night and day, they find themselves drawn to each other by a power too strong to fight. But considering the day and age, will they be allowed to be happy together? Or will they be forced to separate forever?

That Could be Enough by Alyssa Cole

Mercy Alston works for Elizabeth Hamilton, helping her to preserve the stories she collects from the people who served with her late husband, Alexander Hamilton. When another young black woman, Andromeda Stiel, comes on behalf of her grandfather, Mercy is immediately drawn to the beautiful dressmaker. Andromeda is lively and flirtatious and utterly enchanting… and she seems to be very attracted to Mercy as well.

But Mercy has known too much heartache from other women, so she’s buttoned herself up and walled off that part of her heart which might respond to Andromeda. Mercy doesn’t believe happiness is in store for her, and she’s not willing to take a chance again. Not to mention society frowns on such as they. She has her work with Mrs. Hamilton, as well as taking care of her daughter Angelica, who has not been the same since her brother Phillip was shot in a duel years before, while defending their father.

Can Andromeda get through to Mercy and show her that she deserves to be loved? Or will she live in the memory of lost lives, like Mrs. Hamilton and her daughter?

I loved each of these novellas. Each tells a different story, and each writer has her own style, but together this is one great read. I love all things Hamilton, so when I ran across the book, I had to buy it. I’m glad I did. Each story has one thing in common… love. People in love. And each couple has its own obstacles, whether it’s an interfering Jewish mother-in-law or a society that does not allow people of the same sex to love one another or people who are of different races.

Prior to reading this, I was familiar with Alyssa Cole, and have reviewed several of her books, I didn’t know Rose Lerner, and Courtney Milan was on my to-read list.

If I had to pick my favorite couple, that would be a hard choice, but I think I would go with John and Henry, because I do love a good story about two men, and these two are wonderful, each in his own way. The first story was a good introduction to many Jewish customs and traditions I was unaware of. And while I did not warm up to Mercy and Andromeda immediately, it didn’t take long for them to click with me. Especially when I realized Andromeda felt the same as I do about Mrs. Hamilton wasting her life on a man who not only is dead but who mistreated her when he was alive and certainly didn’t deserve to be canonized.

This is a must-read for anyone who loves Hamilton, but I also recommend it to those who enjoy history, and those who like good love stories. This has all of that and more!

Book Review: A Duke by Default (Reluctant Royals #2) by Alyssa Cole

A Duke by Default (Reluctant Royals #2)      

Author: Alyssa Cole

Publisher: Avon

American release date: July 31, 2018

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Contemporary Romance/384 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Portia Hobbs is the black sheep of her family, the one who can do nothing right. Always compared to her perfect twin sister, Reggie, Portia has always felt that people think it should have been her, rather than Reggie, who fell ill and ended up wheelchair-bound. Having money is not the answer to everything, which Portia proves abundantly. She stops and starts projects on a whim, changes lovers constantly, and drinks to excess. Even her friend Ledi finds her hard to deal with sometimes. So now Portia is off on another of her harebrained journeys to find herself, this time as an apprentice to a sword maker in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Arriving in Edinburgh, Portia is dismayed to find her new employer nowhere in evidence, so is forced to hire a vehicle to take her to Bodotria Armory. There she comes upon an alarming scene—a young woman being menaced by an older man. Portia rushes into the fray without hesitation, making the assailant, onl to discover that she has just attacked her new boss! Great first impression!  Apparently the two were just engaging in a little swordplay, which is not surprising considering where they are! Besides being greatly embarrassed, Portia can’t help but notice how sexy her new boss is. But she’s decided before she even arrived in Scotland that she is a new Portia, and this Portia does not drink, and she most certainly does not fool around with handsome Scotsmen!

Tavish McKenzie is a little taken aback by the unexpected assault, but even more when he gets an actual glimpse of Portia, once his eyes stop burning. No denying she is very stunning. He was never in favor of the apprentice program to begin with, that being his brother Jamie’s idea, but he reluctantly goes along with it. Doesn’t mean he’s going to make things easy for Portia, and he’s resistant to all of her ideas to help the armory. Change does not come easily to Tav. He knows little of the Internet, and hates to be in any video. Besides, he has other problems, including making the armory pay, as well as teaching the weans, and keeping the neighborhood from being scooped up by land-hungry corporations who have no idea about the people who live there and make their livelihood there.

At first, Tav keeps Portia at a distance, telling her to busy herself with things other than sword making. Not one to be easily daunted, she does so, at the same time continuing to contribute to her sister’s popular blog, GirlsWithGlasses.  Although dismayed at not being able to do what she came to do, she refuses to give up, even as she fights her growing attraction to Tav who, as she discovers, has a gentle heart beneath his exterior gruff. While doing some research, Portia uncovers some information that will be a real game changer for Tav. Apparently, his biological father was a duke, unknown to him, and the title has gone to someone else, in lieu of a direct descendant. If he takes back the title, and all that comes with it, not only is problems but a lot of those of the neighborhood can be taken care of. But is he cut out to be a duke? And what about the mutual attraction between Tav and Portia? How long can they go before having to act on it?

Much as I loved A Princess in Theory, I have to agree with my daughter that the second book is even better! Watching Tav and Portia dance around each other while growing hopelessly more and more in love is priceless! They each have personal baggage, and a reluctance to become involved with someone else. But sometimes, what is meant to be will be. I wasn’t exactly fond of Portia in the first book, but she not only redeemed herself in this one, I grew to love her. She has carried so much around with her for such a long time. Her sister is supportive, but she tends to keep Reggie at arm’s length, and their parents… well, they don’t treat Portia very well, and that’s actually an understatement. Tav and Portia are certainly a match for one another, and each gives as good as they get. There’s a novella that comes after this book, and I have that, and there is also a third book, which concerns Johan, who is A Prince on Paper.  Looking forward to it very much.

If you like romances and great couples and happily ever after, A Duke by Default is perfect for you!

Guest Blogger Chris T. Kat

Good morning! Please welcome fellow Dreamspinner author Chris T. Kat today! She was brave enough to answer my infamous Rick Reed questions, plus she's going to tell us about her newest release with DSP. I have to say it looks really awesome. Chris, make yourself at home, I'll rustle us up something. Why don't you go ahead and answer the questions?

The Questions

1)      You’re marooned on a small island with one person and one item of your choice—who is that person and what item do you have?

Assuming I won't be marooned on the island for too long I'd take my husband. Does that sound lame? Oh well. I do love the guy and he's great at giving massages and we can talk for hours. BUT, and that's why it is capitalized, I'd go crazy without my kids, so—as tempting as the small island sounds—I'd take a boat with me to be able to get back quickly.

    2)   Which musical would you say best exemplifies your life – and which character in that musical are you?

Uh, I don't even know that many musicals. Can I pretend this question doesn't exist?

3)      Take these three words and give me a 100 word or less scenario using them: acquaintance, metric, communicated

The metric stamping of heavy boots on the concrete floor vibrated through my body. I asked, “Who's that again?”

“An acquaintance.”

“Right. Why exactly is he stomping around like a herd of buffaloes?”

“He's not stomping, he's playing a rhythm. I told you he wanted to show it to me, so I could tell him whether I like it or not.”

“Why am I here?”

“You're here because your body language communicated your desire to be at my side.”

“Ah,” I replied as I leaned closer to him. “You've got a point.”

4)      You’ve just been let loose in the world of fiction, with permission to do anyone you want. Who do you fuck first and why?

Daniel Jackson from Stargate SG 1 (from the first two seasons). What can I say? I have a thing for the thick, long hair and blue eyes. Also, did you see those legs? Yum. Oh, and he has one of the sweetest smiles I've seen.

5)      What is your idea of how to spend romantic time with your significant other?

Wellll, there are different scenarios I can think of... Hmm, I already mentioned my husband's massaging skills, right? I think I'll go with that. A nice dinner, a massage and...  fade to black. ;-)

   6)    When you start a new story, do you begin with a character, or a plot?

It goes hand in hand. Usually I'll imagine a character and he shows me his story.

7)      If they were to make the story of your life into a movie, who should play you?

Um, gosh, these questions are hard to answer! I honestly don't know. Whoever plays me would need to be small. ;-)

8)      Who’s your favorite horror villain and why?

I don't have a particular horror villain though I'm always fascinated by the villains in Dean Koontz's books.

9)      Do you have an historical crush and if so, who is it?

Nope.

10)   Is there a story that you’d like to tell but you think the world isn’t ready to receive it?

Oh, there are a lot of stories I'd like to tell but nothing out of the ordinary.

Blurb:

When a bad day at work culminates in losing out on a promotion, Jim Sanders shifts into his animal form to let off steam. Then his bad day turns into a bad night—while prowling his Atlantic City neighborhood as a large gray house cat, he’s caught in a torrential downpour. What little luck he has washes down the gutter when his new boss, Andrew Wright, catches him taking shelter on his porch, brings him inside, and starts calling him Mr. Frosty.

As a feline, Jim becomes the inadvertent confessor for his boss’s lonely son, Tony, a victim of schoolyard bullying. As a human, he feels drawn to Andrew, a man he wanted to resent. Finding love was never part of Jim’s plan for the future—not with his bizarre secret—yet suddenly he finds himself navigating that minefield anyway. But not everything is easy, especially for an interracial gay couple dealing with prejudice in the workplace, at Tony’s school, and even within their own families. 

Monday

Wet darts pelted the cat’s thick fur. Annoyed, the feline meowed before hurrying along the sidewalk, looking for shelter. He should have stayed at home, in his nice little apartment in Venice Park, Atlantic City, where he could overlook the Atlantic Ocean—dry.

None of the buildings he encountered appealed to the cat even though his long silvery fur was already soaked, itching slightly. Still, the cat dashed on, ignoring the increasingly uncomfortable feeling of clotted fur.

After a while, he reached the outskirts of a neighborhood and slowed down marginally. Inspecting the neighborhood more closely, the cat realized he was a long way from home. He should have realized this when he'd run over Albany Avenue bridge, but he'd been occupied by his desire to find a warm shelter.

His stroll had taken him to Chelsea Heights; he’d probably have sore paws by the time he was back home.

The rain’s intensity increased, making it difficult for even the cat to see. The feline rounded several houses and looked for cat flaps but found none.

Even more annoyed, the silver-furred cat took refuge on a small porch, where he curled his shivering body into a tight ball on the doormat. At least he wouldn’t get any wetter there. The cat shrieked when the door suddenly burst open, revealing a small blond-haired boy with thick glasses  hiding bright-blue eyes.

The boy lifted the cat into his arms, his quick reaction surprising the cat and making it impossible for the feline to give in to his initial flight reaction. .Talking soothingly, the boy cuddled the big cat against his chest. Not wanting to hurt the boy, the cat didn’t fuss.

“Tony!” a man called from inside.

.

The cat, who had frozen in the boy’s embrace, turned his face toward the man’s voice. A blond-haired man, his longish hair cut in a fashionable style, dressed in tightly fitting dark-blue sweatpants and a gray hoodie, came into the cat’s focus.

“Tony, you can’t just pick up a strange cat! It’s all wet and what if it hurt you?”

“But, Daddy! Animals don’t hurt me. They know I’m harmless,” the boy answered, a hint of exasperation showing in his voice. The boy and the man had obviously had this conversation before.

The father of the boy crouched down behind his son and sighed. He didn’t get any further because Jim, the cat, suddenly hissed. Jim’s eyes narrowed and he readied to attack the man in front of him—the man he had met for the first time today, only a few hours ago. The man who had taken the position Jim had applied for.

I have to say this looks wonderful, and I intend to get it!  Best of luck, Chris!  Come back and visit us again soon! Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie