In the first scene, they go down to the ship's hold to dig out a box of textbooks that a shipmate needs to study for an exam. But that's not their only motive for retreating from public view. Alone at last, they come together in a quick sexual encounter. They've been secret lovers since the events of Ransom, and they must ... please click for full review with no spoilers of Winds of Change ( )

This story picks up after "Ransom" with Davy, William and Captain Smith transferred to another ship of war to try and flush out a saboteur. Ironically, to do this Davy and William are asked to act as though they are having an illicit shipboard romance to accomplish this which is both a blessing and a curse to their "real" illicit, and potentially deadly, feelings for each other.

Once again this story was extremely well written and interesting. Being a sequel there was not any of the character building and it was told primarily from William's POV which made the book significantly shorter. I did rather miss having more of Davy's POV as he has a lighter attitude to counter William's angst (which there was lots of!), but once you get into the story it is clear why the book had to be written this way. Just as a heads up, the bedroom scenes are quite explicit and might tend to make some people a bit uncomfortable. I also had a bit of a feeling I had missed something, again with regard to past events being mentioned during the story. However, at the back of the book is a blurb about an anthology the author did with these characters which explains this. Certainly something I intend to buy in the near future! If you have an open mind to read gay, historical romances I would highly recommend reading both "Ransom" and this story. I have greatly enjoyed them! ( )

What a spectacular follow-up to Ransom!! While Ransom was an adventure story in which a forbidden M/M relationship occurs, Winds is definitely an M/M romance where an adventure occurs. Will and Davy are now a couple, although to protect their lives they must keep it a secret. This makes the relationship especially touching because they have so few opportunities to show their love for one another while on ship. They both feel the strain of it, and have doubts about their future together. But, this is a romance with the prerequisite (thank goodness!) happy ending.

Winds opens with Will and Davy being transferred to a new ship along with the heroic Captain Smith. Their new ship, The Valient, has a serious problem though--a blackmailing saboteur. Naval Investigations issues secret orders for Will and Davy to "pretend" to be lovers to draw the traitor out! But such subterfuge will put their lives in danger - both from the traitor, and the possibility that someone else may discover them not knowing of the secret orders. Battles on the high seas, dangerous sexual temptation, and murder all add up to an exciting, action packed novel.

As a romance novel, this is way above par. The plot isn't just thrown in as an excuse for hot sex (not that I mind hot sex!) There is a rich backdrop to Will and Davy from the start that gives depth to the characters and the writing is high quality. This is more than love at first sight, and the couple must face more than the standard "angst" and societal prejudice against gays. They could literally be killed for their passion, and that makes their love more credible. There is more sex in Winds than was possible in Ransom, and it is very well done. Will and Davy finally have someone they can trust with their secret and the historical setting makes a wonderful back drop. Finally, their Naval careers offer the potential for many more adventures (hint, hint, Lee Rowan). Highly recommended! ( )

Winds of Change follows on directly from Ransom, where Dave and Will along with Captain Smith endured and traumatic kidnap attempt, and where the two young men Dave and Will realised their love for one another.
It is now 1801 as we rejoin Lieutenants David Archer and William Marshall and they are about to be advised by Captain Smith of their new commission; their captain is being transferred to a larger ship, HMS Valiant, and he is taking the two men with him as his first and second lieutenants. It is not until they are aboard the Valiant that Captain Smith informs them there is something more to their commission; the Royal Navy believes there is a saboteur amongst the Valiant’s crew and part of their job is to flush out this saboteur, and in order to do this Davie and Will ironically are ordered to pose as lovers. So begins their dangerous assignment which among other things leads their ship into an ambush.
But while the plot is intriguing, the real story is to be found in the growing love affair between our two heroes. Despite the dangers inherent in their liaison, they find plenty of opportunities to get together and express their passion. The love between them is beautiful; a genuine reciprocated love that is truly unselfish, each willing to do whatever is necessary, make whatever sacrifice to secure the safety and well being of the other. However not all necessarily runs smoothly for them, being Naval officers they are not in control of the own destiny, and as a consequence they have to make some tough decisions that will impinge on their relationship.
This is a fitting sequel to Ransom, with plenty of action and drama as well as interaction between the two lovers. The love story is very moving, I found it particularly so when the hard decisions hard to be made, I read for many pages with a lump in my throat. Highly recommended. ( )

Sequel to last year's Ransom, this novel continues the story of Davy and William. It still feels like fanfic to me, but it was sweet. ( )