Reviewed by Heather C
Title: The Shepherd and the Solicitor
Author: Summer Devon and Bonnie Dee
Heroes: Gregory Tobin & Daniel Pierce/Jacob Bennet
Genre: M/M Historical Romance
Length: 161 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
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.
Many sexy encounters on a sheep farm—NO, not like THAT!—between two adult males with temperaments as different as night and day.
Review:
Four years ago, after the tragic loss of his lover, Daniel Pierce fled his home and responsibilities to live a secluded existence raising sheep. Now, lawyer Gregory Tobin is on a mission to find the missing heir to a wealthy company and bring him back to settle outstanding business. Tobin’s sources lead him to the property of a mysterious farmer calling himself Jacob Bennet. Could this be the man Tobin has been searching for? What if that man doesn’t want to be found?
I’m stating the obvious here in that Jacob Bennet IS the missing Daniel Pierce. Seriously, there was never any doubt so let’s just get that cleared up from the start.
First of all, I LOVE when Summer Devon and Bonnie Dee co-write together. I don’t even read the blurbs of their books before I’m already adding them to my wait-list. Yes, “wait-list” because I’ve already read every historical romance they’ve penned together…so I have to wait and wait and wait… As always, The Shepherd and the Solicitor completely hits the mark for what I expect from these two authors.
Second, I loved how secluded this story is!! Bennet and Tobin are alone together for such a large portion of the story…the perfect setting for tons of sexual tension without any distractions from outside forces. The chemistry between them was spot on and I loved how Tobin was persistent in his methods to get Bennet to “reveal” himself…in more ways than either of them ever expected. I was a tiny bit bothered by Bennet’s sudden change of heart: going from wanting to get rid of Tobin…to not wanting him to ever leave…all in the span of a few hours. Ah, but this is a romance, and I have to ask: Who could ever resist Tobin’s charms?
Third, I had a few little irritations with this story. The biggest one was the inconsistent use of the characters’ names. It was already a bit confusing since one character was referred to as both Daniel Pierce and Jacob Bennet, and it seemed that the authors made an attempt to use the appropriate name when designating the man “today” versus the man from the “past”. But it was abundantly inconsistent when using first names versus last names for both characters at any time. (Note: I received an advanced copy of this book for review, so it is entirely possible that further edits have been made to clean up this confusion.)
Also, I wanted to KNOW Jacob Phillips! Yeah, yeah…I know he’s dead but I believe that if Bennet would have shared more of the REAL Jacob, and not just his death, I would have better connected to the feelings of loss and to the man Bennet was mourning.
I must not forget: the sheep were ADORABLE!! I loved all the birthing bits!!
Finally, I LOVED LOVED LOVED the ending! Perfection!
Overall Impression: I Really Liked It
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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