RELEASE DAY REVIEW: 'Wanted, A Gentleman' by K.J. Charles
Title: Wanted, A Gentleman
Author: K.J. Charles
Cover Artist: Lou Harper
Published: January 9, 2017
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance; Historical Romance
Length: 157 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Historical Fiction; HEA
About Wanted, A Gentleman
By the good offices of Riptide Publishing KJ Charles’s new Entertainment
WANTED, A GENTLEMAN
Or, Virtue Over-Rated
the grand romance of
Mr. Martin St. Vincent . . . a Merchant with a Mission, also a Problem Mr. Theodore Swann . . . a humble Scribbler and Advertiser for Love
Act the First:
the offices of the Matrimonial Advertiser, London where Lonely Hearts may seek one another for the cost of a shilling
Act the Second:
a Pursuit to Gretna Green (or thereabouts)
featuring
a speedy Carriage
sundry rustic Inns
a private Bed-chamber
***
In the course of which are presented
Romance, Revenge, and Redemption
Deceptions, Discoveries, and Desires
the particulars of which are too numerous to impart
4 HEART READ
REVIEW:
KJ Charles writes Wanted, A Gentleman, her tribute to Ann Radcliffe, the mother of Gothic romance, as a spoof. Only a very talented author could achieve this duality. The result is pure entertainment, delivered in Charles' hallmark eloquent prose, with a peppering of social commentary.
Martin St Vincent, an educated black gentleman, confronts Theodore Swann, the disreputable owner of the Matrimonial Advertiser; for publishing several posts between Miss. Jennifer Conroy, an underage girl, and an unknown fortune-hunter who is secretly wooing her. Unfortunately, the rogue soon absconds with the young miss headed towards betrothal in Scotland.
Martin engages Theodore to help him give chase, and reveals that the journey is emotional repayment to the Conroy family. Martin had been a slave to them, serving as Jennifer’s nanny. During that time, he was frequently told he should feel blessed that the Conroy’s had spared him work on their sugar plantation. At 18, Mr. Conroy freed Martin from slavery and gave him money to start his own business.
Theodore, who presents himself as a materialistic scoundrel, is surprisingly supportive. “I don’t think you have to be thankful that someone refrained from doing something terrible to you. You could break my neck now, I’m sure, and I am not remotely grateful that you aren’t doing so.”
But is Theodore truly sympathetic, or actually the rascal he claims? “He wanted to be helping (Martin)… because he wanted to make Martin feel that he was on his side, he told himself. But he had a sinking suspicion that wasn’t true. The fact was, he wanted to be on Martin’s side, which was a different thing entirely.”
As the two men struggle to recapture Miss. Conroy, with her reputation intact, readers are treated to a story within a story, within story, creating a series of parries and feints, double crosses and thrusts worthy of the best fencers of yesteryear. But will it bring the men together, or rip them apart?
I read this book twice, knowing the whole story, to see if Ms. Charles had stayed consistent throughout, and I have to say I admire her sharp mind and sharper pen. Her wording tells the truth, but distracted me from other clues.
KJ can never be satisfied writing a rousing tale or a sexy love story. She uses Wanted, A Gentleman as a forum to assess social justice. And so, we learn that women’s husbands had complete control over their fortunes and bodies. Thus, women were virtual slaves, and once betrothed, could be abused, much as one can neglect property. Debtors fared equally as poor.
Throughout Wanted, A Gentleman these heavy topics are presented lightly, the back drops to two love stories. They showcase KJ's philosophy of love, the penultimate paradox.
We choose to enslave ourselves to love because we are freed by our responsibility and indebtedness to another.
Or as Theo says, "I prefer the man you thought I might be to the one I am.”
A copy of Wanted, A Gentleman was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by Riptide Publishing, in exchange for our fair and honest opinion.
About the Author
KJ Charles is a writer and freelance editor. She lives in London with her husband, two kids, an out-of-control garden and an increasingly murderous cat.
KJ writes mostly romance, gay and straight, frequently historical, and usually with some fantasy or horror in there. She specialises in editing romance, especially historical and fantasy, and also edits children’s fiction.
For more works from K.J. visit her website.
