A Gentleman of Substance

By: Julia Talbot

Narrated by: Austin Jay

Michael St. James hates tidewater post-Colonial Virginia with a passion. Banished there thanks to an ill-timed duel, Michael is bored with the countryside, and thinks his new companions are poorly-educated boors. What he needs is a challenge, something to stimulate his mind. Which is why, when Michael meets Daniel Calhoun, he takes such an immediate interest.

Daniel Calhoun is a gentleman farmer who has no time for the social niceties demanded by a man of his station any more than he has patience for changing fashion or politics. When he sees Michael St. James, Daniel sees a man with no substance, and he's certainly not interested in becoming friends, or more, with the irritating man. There's more to Michael than meets the eye, as Daniel soon discovers, and the two embark on a scorching affair that might just be the ruin of both of them. Can they find a way to be together, or will Daniel and Michael be forced to hide what they feel?

This title was previously published under the same title. Two-thousand words have been added to the text for the second edition.

©2004, 2016 Julia Talbot (P)2016 Julia Talbot

Really good!

A low angst, amusing enemies-to-lovers romance. Michael and Daniel were well matched and fun to get to know. I'm happy that they got their HEA.
The narrator is new to me and one that I'd listen to again. I loved his growly tone for Daniel.
Great way to experience the story.

more or less PWP

If you're in the mood for something steamy with a bit of story mixed in for flavour, then you've hit a winner. There's enough plot to make it clear how and why two ostensibly different people would fall in love, and even to establish some good side characters, but I'd say about 70% of the book is smut. Which isn't a complaint by any means! Sometimes that's what you're feeling, and this is well-written and engaging besides. but it's not my preference, so for me it was just... pretty good? Enjoyable, but not something I'd come back to. The performance is decent, but unexceptional; there are some varied voices, a few Southern accents mixed in and some more feminine tones, and for the most part the two leads' voices were distinct. But again, nothing that stirred strong emotions in me. Overall, this one wasn't quite for me, but I can see its merits well enough to think it might be someone else's perfect pick.

Historical Romance

This was a sweet historical romance between two different men from different lifestyles. The huge obstacle, once the two main characters finally realized that they were perfect together, was how taboo homosexual relationships were during that timeframe. There’s drama, love, and action in this book, and it made for a quick, enjoyable read.

Good book ok narration

The story is pretty good but the narrator, while his voice is amazing, he tends to over enunciate and sounds very unnatural.

An amusing romp

Unfortunately, the difficulty I had with the narrator affected my enjoyment of the story. The inflections for the characters speech detracted from the otherwise pithy dialogue.

fabulous historical western.

Oh gosh, this is so very good. Julia Talbot gave this story such a good historical voice. I felt I was back in time with these men.
Daniel is a squire that loves his land and sister. His sister married into substance and She drags him to socials with her. He meets Michael a new man of substance with secrets.
Michael's father has sent him there as a punishment for his sins. He decides the arrogant squire is fun to poke (and wants to poke in more ways than one).
Julia Talbot gave this story such a good historical voice. I felt I was back in time with these men. I loved all the characters, the setting, the story, and oh wow did the ending surprise me!

Austin Jay did a pretty good job with the narration. I did like listening to the story and his voice was a perfect old-time cowboy voice.

If you like historical western, witty characters, a twist of an ending, (Brokeback Mountain with a HEA) you will love this. ( I suggest the audio if you can get it!)