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reviews_and_ramblings ([personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings) wrote2008-06-23 03:10 pm

The Squire by Shawn Lane

Duncan is Sir William's squire. Duncan is 18 years old but he is not "grown" like the other squires of same age. He is little and pretty, almost too pretty to be a man. And he is in love with his knight, Sir William. Duncan has yet to experiment sex, with women or men alike, but he dreams everynight of William and when he accidentally spies another squire making love with a man, he realizes that also him, who likes men, can physically love. But he still desires only William, who apparently only has female lovers.

Sir William is a 27 years old young man. He is very handsome and has his fair share of lovers. He is not against the idea to make love to a man, but actually it'is more simple to be with a woman. But his young squire is a pretty thing to look at, and now that Duncan starts to be interested in the sexual side of love, he is ready to pick up the "blushing virgin".

The story is very short, less than 45 pages, but it's a funny romp. Not very historical detailed, it's more a little piece of savage romance, with the twist of the maiden virgin becomes a virgin squire. Even if Duncan is a man, he is not a very good squire, and probably he is not ready, and never will, to be a knight. He is the classical omega man, always in trouble and always in need to have a firm hand to direct him.

The story faces the problem of the social status of William, and of his due toward his title: as first and only son, he is expected to marry and produce an heir. something that obviously Duncan couldn't give him...

If you don't expect to read a "strong" historical romance, but are happy to enjoy a short and funny tale, The Squire is a light one. Duncan is the real only main character, William is more an icon, the dream lover of young Duncan.

To better set the story, I notice that the author uses some uncommon words, like "to swive" and "mayhap": maybe they are not so uncommon as they sound to me, but they help me to be aware that I was reading an historical romance, and not a contemporary romance "dressed" as historical.

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/TheSquire.html

Amazon Kindle: The Squire

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