The Shepherd and the Solicitor

Title: The Shepherd and the Solicitor
Author: Bonnie Dee, Summer Devon
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Genre(s): Historical
Page Count: 161
Reviewed by: Ele
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

When a storm is brewing, taking shelter could be the most dangerous move of all.

One careless, public sign of affection cost Daniel Pierce’s lover his life at the hands of a hate-filled mob. Grief-stricken, Daniel retreated from society to a sheep farm in the wilds of the north. Years later, Gregory Tobin erupts into his solitary life.

Sent to confirm the existence—or the death—of the Pierce family’s lost heir, Tobin isn’t sure he’s found the right man. The gruff, shaggy hermit calling himself Jacob Bennet bears little resemblance to photographs of the younger Pierce. Tobin needs more time to study his quarry.

With lambing season in full swing, Daniel grudgingly admits he could use an extra hand. Through a long, exhausting night, they parry back and forth as Tobin probes closer and closer to the truth. And something beyond casual attraction simmers between them.

They come together in a crash of desire, but ultimately Daniel must overcome the terrors of the past to reconcile the man he was with the man he’s becoming—a man capable of loving again.

Warning: Many sexy encounters on a sheep farm—NO, not like THAT!—between two adult males with temperaments as different as night and day.

This was my first book from these authors but I can assure you it won’t be the last. Set in the post Victoriam era, back in the day when homosexuality was considered sodomy , this is the story of Daniel and Gregory.

The start of this book is like a punch to the gut. We become witnesses of a crime, a gay bashing we would call it today, that ended with the death of Jacob Phillips, Daniel’s lover.

After that, Daniel Pierce changes his name to Jacob Bennet and retreats to the countryside where he becomes a farmer. He leaves everything behind, his money, his heritage, his old self. He becomes someone else, a recluse who works all day and only speaks to his ewes. Hurt and alone, grumpy and bitter. Dead inside.

Gregory Tobin, a solicitor, is sent to find the lost heir and convince him to come back and finish his affairs. With hair red like fire, eyes clear like the sky and a mouth that never shuts up, Gregory parks his butt in Daniel’s cottage and just refuses to leave. And since Daniel can’t just ignore the newcomer, he might as well put up with him for a few days.

But what they can’t ignore is the growing attraction between them. There are not a lot of sex scenes here but I didn’t miss the steam at all. The slow burn was delicious and the tension palpable through the story. And they lead to an explosive first time.

““Your mouth is a dangerous thing,” Bennet growled in his ear. “Your words. They make me want again.”
“Good. Take what you want, including my mouth.”

But what I loved the most was seeing the change in Daniel during these few days. It’s a healing process and Gregory guides him through it.

“I want to take it slow with you, ease your sorrow and remind you of all the good things we live for.”

Daniel starts to feel again, he faces his guilt and eventually he forgives himself. He is awakened.

“Forgive me.”
“Forgive yourself.”
Bennet squeezed his eyes closed and tears leaked down his face. Forgive yourself. The voice sounded like that of Jacob Phillips.

The HEA is swoon worthy and real, always according to the era’s standards. For the lovers of Historical romance, highly recommended!

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