A few years ago I "stumbled on" the Alan Lewrie books by Dewey Lambdin. Being a huge fan of the Hornblower books these caught my interest. I'd never been able to get into the Patrick O'Brian novels (though at some point I may try again) but these I found quite good...with one caveat. Some of you (by the way) will probably find the part(s) of the books that annoy me your favorite part I suppose. Alan's love life (or possibly "lust life") to me takes away from the novels. I like the "free play" with historical fiction as "most" of the events recounted in the books took place. I love the sea action and the strategy. But Lewrie's "amour" simply takes up space and slows the story (in my view. I know a lot probably don't agree, LOL.). Whenever Alan goes ashore I get ready to read the slow account of Alan and his erotic adventures.Now however Alan is married. I had liked the books (overall) and dared to hope that now that our hero was married he might be less of a hound.Alas, it was not to be.Still this story of the opening shots of the coming Napoleonic war(s) and the story of Alan going back to sea after being ashore at half pay...pays off. Yes Alan is till a rake and he still finds companionship (view spoiler)[ though he does berate himself over it a bit. I mean he doesn't feel guilty enough to cease his activity. Well to be fair he means to but every time he tries...well, let's put it this way. Alan can resist anything but temptation. (hide spoiler)]
