Stevie‘s review of A Gathering Storm (Porthkennack, Book 2) by Joanna Chambers
Historical Gay Romance published by RIptide Publishing 15 Apr 17
Having explored modern day Porthkennack in the first book of this multi-author shared universe, this second instalment takes us back to Victorian Cornwall and (possibly) the ancestors of some of the characters we previously encountered. Nicholas Hearn is the result of a liaison between one of the Roscarrocks – the town’s most powerful family – and a gypsy woman who stayed on after her own family abandoned her. Following his mother’s early death, Nick has worked for his paternal grandfather and been made land steward of the estate. Never quite sure of his status amongst the villagers: not quite one of them, not a true Roma, and certainly not fully accepted as a Roscarrock, Nick is intrigued as anyone by the newcomer who has built a manor house up on the cliffs, close to the cavern known locally as The Hole.
The object of so much local intrigue, Sir Edward Fitzwilliam is a scientist with a keen interest in the supernatural – not uncommon amongst the Victorian educated and wealthy classes. In his case, the curiosity was sparked by unusual events that occurred during a storm at sea. Edward believes himself to have been visited by his twin brother at a time he later learned was the moment of the other’s death in battle. Missing his twin greatly, Edward is seeking to reproduce the conditions of the storm using the Hole’s magnifying effect of sea conditions and plans to recruit volunteers from amongst the villagers to discover whether any of them can contact deceased loved ones by this method. The villagers, however, are suspicious of Edward’s meddling and blame him for injuries sustained by one of his volunteers some time subsequent to the experiments conducted on him.
Through a series of unfortunate encounters and misunderstandings, Nick is drawn into Edward’s schemes. While the experiments do not seem to be working out as planned, the men find they have more in common than might have been expected, including a mutual attraction, although at times their differences seem to predominate, particularly the differences in their backgrounds and beliefs.
Once again with this series, I loved all the world-building that has gone into the stories and the fully rounded primary and secondary characters. The different attitudes of the various characters towards science and the supernatural felt very in keeping with everything I know about Victorian England, and the excitement some of the characters felt at the coming of new technology, such as the railroads, was very believable. If I have any criticisms, it’s that the ending felt a little rushed, with some rather convoluted tying up of loose ends. Regardless of that niggle, I’m keen to learn more about this corner of Cornwall, past and present, and also hope to find time to read more by this new-to-me author very soon.
Grade: B
Summary:
When grief-stricken scientist Sir Edward Fitzwilliam provokes public scorn by defending a sham spiritualist, he’s forced to retreat to Porthkennack to lick his wounds. Ward’s reputation is in tatters, but he’s determined to continue the work he began after the death of his beloved brother.
In Porthkennack, Ward meets Nicholas Hearn, land steward to the Roscarrock family. Ward becomes convinced that Nick, whose Romany mother was reportedly clairvoyant, is the perfect man to assist with his work. But Nick — who has reason to distrust the whims of wealthy men — is loath to agree. Until Fate steps in to lend a hand.
Despite Nick’s misgivings, he discovers that Ward is not the high-handed aristocrat he first thought. And when passion ignites between them, Nick learns there’s much more to love than the rushed, clandestine encounters he’s used to. Nevertheless, Nick’s sure that wealthy, educated Ward will never see him as an equal.
A storm is gathering, but with Nick’s self-doubts and Ward’s growing obsession, the fragile bond between the two men may not be strong enough to withstand it.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
