Title: The Professor And The Smuggler Author: Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon Main Characters: Carne Treleaven & Phillip Singleton Genre: Romance & Historical Length: 222 pages Publisher: Duet Publishing Date of Publication: January 2nd 2016 Story: A grumpy smuggler meets a bumbling professor and treasure is found. An explorer at heart, former university professor Phillip Singleton’s adventures have only taken place in his imagination—until recently. Exploring the Cornish coast to research a travel book, he encounters a living example of a pirate archetype. Dark-haired, black-bearded Carne Treleaven might have been hewn from the very rock his name describes, and Phillip is eager to discover more. Carne has little patience for the awkward, dreamy professor, an outsider who must be steered away from local secrets. He agrees to serve as a guide to seaside caves where smugglers once operated only to keep Phillip away from more recent activity. As personalities clash, secrets unfold, and riches are revealed, the two polar opposites find the point where their similarities lay. Carne’s old beliefs are shattered by his attraction to a man and he must decide if he’s willing to take a huge step outside his familiar life and into a brand new world. Review: Where do I begin with this story driven historical book? I for one, am not a big fan of historical books or anything set back way way before the modern civilization started. It’s just not my thing. That’s why I was being skeptical when I started this book because it would take a really good story construction to get me into books like this. But damn, the first sentences of this book got me hooked. I laughed so hard, it wasn’t even that funny but somehow to me it was. That’s when I realized that this book and I would get along just fine. Ex-professor Phillip Singleton went on a journey towards the Cornish coast in search of old stories that made the essence of the place and to discover various hidden treasures along the way if he was lucky. He had wanted nothing more than to bring the amazing places to people in a shape of a book loaded with pictures and incredible stories that had shaped the place. So on his automobile, carrying his camera equipment, Phillip set out the secrets of Par Gwynear and share it with the world. Trudging on his own, stumbling along the way and even damaging a thousand year old landmark, Phillip found himself in the presence of a local man, Carne Treleaven. Carne on the other hand, wanted nothing more than to get Mr. Singleton out of Par Gwynear. The people have their own secret and due to the circumstances prior, the town provides a place for contraband items. Smuggler activities, to be exact. Despite the negative act, this provide the financial means for the town to survive in the years to come. So with his discovery of the very curious and clumsy Phillip, Carne offered to be a guide for the wondering professor. At least this way he can steer Phillip away from the smuggling activities of the town as well as to keep an eye on the professor’s work. The town couldn’t afford to get caught with their illegal happenings if Phillip wasn’t what he said he was. The chemistry between the two characters blended so well. Phillip’s personality as the ex-professor off to create his own adventure flew off the page. He was such a unique character that it was no wonder I favored him from the very start. The way he gets lost when talking about his life, his camera and his pictures, it was so admiring, Maybe that was why Carne couldn’t help but be interested in some way at the tourist which of course he refused to acknowledge. But living together in Carne’s home, sharing a meal, touring caves and spending the whole day together, something was bound to happen. Writing-wise, this was greatly done. It was simple and not too wordy. It wasn’t too angst which I know a lot of people will appreciate for a change, that including myself. There weren’t any scenes that were prolonged too much which I absolutely hate. The moments between the two characters were a pleasure to read, since this was set in a different timeline, it felt more genuine to see them make something out of their growing closeness. The fact that Carne wasn’t into men as he said proved to be a challenge in their way along with Phillip’s openness for their ‘experimentations’. It wasn’t natural for Carne, yet with Phillip, it felt natural. Over all, I really loved this book. It was exciting to read, what with the town’s secret coming to the surface, people doing things behind other’s backs, caves threatening to collapse, storms proving to be difficult to overcome. A lot of things happened yet it wasn’t too overloaded. It really got me anticipating for what would happen next. I agree this isn’t a jam-packed action filled book but it’s enough to catch your attention until the very end. Thumbs up. Favorite Line: “Ah, you madman. You’re too starry-eyed to survive in this world,” Carne murmured, then pulled Phillip against his chest and held him fast. |
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February 2016
"Without a doubt, there was no place, nothing as exotic or rare, as that moment right there with him. Never again could I claim miracles didn't happen." |