Wanted, a Gentleman

November 14, 2016
In this short, eloquent novel, randy adventures ensue in a lighthearted feel-good but historically plausible early-19th-
century setting, with just enough intrigue to stay interesting. Merchant Martin St. Vincent, a black freedman, goes into the offices of London’s Matrimonal Advertiser to compel the publisher, white Englishman Theodore Swann, to disclose the identity of a correspondent to the paper who is pursuing the daughter of St. Vincent’s former owner despite her family’s objections. When the daughter and her swain try to elope, St. Vincent brings Swann on a recovery mission that allows the two men a great deal of private time together. Charles (Rag and Bone) elegantly uses period language to support the feeling of the era in a way that’s easy to read, and is honest about 19th-century race relations while meticulously avoiding clichés and stereotypes. The sex scenes between St. Vincent and Swann are always mutually enthusiastic but still have an aggressive, testosterone-driven heat. The eloping couple serve a plot role rather than becoming a secondary romance, but their characterization is strong.

December 1, 2016

Martin St. Vincent, elegant, attractive, and black, walks into the London office of the biweekly Matrimonial Advisor demanding information from white publisher Theo Swann about one of his advertisers. Martin, an emancipated slave and now a wealthy merchant, is trying to stop the underage daughter of his former owner from being taken in by a fortune hunter, and he knows they've been communicating through cryptic messages in the Advisor. He fears the worst--and isn't about to let Theo off the hook. Soon the two men are haring off to Scotland in search of the fugitive pair, only to find passionate love, as well as betrayal, along the way. VERDICT With humor and wit, Charles puts a unique, sensuous spin on the classic Regency Gretna Green elopement plot. This lively M/M romp explores the hard-hitting issues of racism, classism, and homophobia and delivers an enjoyable read as well. Charles (Rag and Bone) lives in London.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2016
Theodore Theo Swann, publisher of The Matrimonial Advertiser, finds himself on a wild-goose chase when Martin St. Vincent, a freed black man, enters his London shop inquiring about a particular advertisement. St. Vincent is looking for Jennifer, the daughter of his former master, who may be eloping with the author of said advertisement. Swann is persuaded to join St. Vincent on his quest because he will attract far less attention than a black man in 1805 England. What begins as purely a business arrangement develops quickly into more as the two rush to the border in hopes of finding Jennifer before she elopes or, worse, ruins herself. Theo and St. Vincent are as opposite as two can be, but they work together brilliantly, their mutual attraction is strong, and their sex scenes are honest, raw, and hilarious. Charles provides a little gothic plot twist that stretches the imagination, while this historical gay romance remains true to its roots in grand nineteenth-century love stories. Period dialogue coupled with a strong setting make this an affecting, quick read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)