Reviews

• Great read!

  Warning: Salvation is a sequel to Purgatory: A Novel of the Civil War, it is not a stand alone. So, please, don't read it if you don't know what happened in the previous book. I know now WHY this book won the 27th Annual Lambda Literary Award in the category Gay Romance. *** If you read Purgatory and found it too dark and to brutal to enjoy, you should give Salvation a try. It is different. *** If you read Purgatory and LOVED it as much as I, you'll be surprise. Jeff Mann's prose could be not ONLY heavily atmospheric, extremely intense, highly emotional, terrifically realistic, physically painful and sincerely beautiful. (It was Purgatory for me). Jeff Mann's prose could be also quiet, tender, soft, culinary(I told, you'd be surprise!) and very VERY romantic. It is what Salvation made me feel. Though if you think that the author wrote a sweet good-night story this time, you're mistaken! There are [ (hide spoiler)] TWISTS in this book, that brought me close to a heart-attack. It was MEAN. But I'm an experienced reader, I WAS prepared, because I KNOW, IF everything looks too good, the evil is on its way. The ending is beautiful, and moved me to tears of joy and happiness...How could it not be?!- The best written Gay Romance of 2014, remember? And that means... HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!! With these two brilliant historical novels Jeff Mann won a secure place in my heart.

• Even better book , and great as a follow up

  A very good follow up to the earlier book. It can be read as a stand alone book. Because the last book if you read it, you then need it as the follow book.

• This is an excellent‚ well-written story!

  Let me begin by saying that I'm a steadfast admirer of Jeff Mann's work. I've read a good deal of it in the last several years and I always find myself completely drawn into the narrative of his short stories and novels. "Salvation" is no exception. But allow me to make a suggestion: If you've not read Mann's "Purgatory‚" where Ian and Drew's story begins‚ read it first. You'll be very glad you did. "Salvation" is a very rewarding read on its own‚ but a reading of "Purgatory" beforehand adds to the richness and depth of the reader's experience. Now‚ on to "Salvation." The story elicits laughter and tears. It's beautifully written. Mann has a gift for dialogue that is very satisfying to the reader. Not a stilted conversation in the book! There are some odd conversations‚ granted‚ but they ring true. A truly picaresque novel (as was "Purgatory‚" to a lesser degree)‚ "Salvation" continues the story of Ian and Drew as they travel from the battlefields of the late Civil War toward what they hope will be home. During this journey‚ they endure hardship and hate from some and enjoy the generosity of others. It's a damned good story‚ well-told. But‚ pay attention to Mann's style as you read his book. There's humor as well as great sadness in his lines. His descriptions are key — a little reminiscent (to me‚ at least) of early Hemingway. But these descriptions are lush; and it's hard to miss the glorious metaphor of winter's end and spring's rebirth to underline the direction of the story. But make no mistake — blizzards have been known to occur in the spring! Novels like "Salvation" aren't written quickly and without effort. Writing historical fiction isn't easy; the research alone is a daunting chore. Mann's talent lies in the fact that he makes "Salvation" read as though he found it fully formed. I noticed another reviewer of this work indicated his wish for the possibility of a third book. And I agree with him that producing a third volume might well be a difficult task . . . but if the author sees fit to do so‚ I can promise you I'd read it! I've already said this‚ but it bears repeating: "Salvation" is a damned good story‚ well-told.

• A romance for history Buffs

  This romance is not for the faint of heart, as the historical details are graphic and realistic. Personally I really enjoyed that and was very happy the sequel was written so Drew and Ian could get their happily ever after

• This is the way historical gay romance SHOULD be written!

  For those of you tired of the harlequin-esque plots that are very often found when authors write historical gay romances, Salvation - and the first installment in this story, Purgatory - are must-reads. Rather than being the typical feminine and masculine pretty boys, Ian Campbell and his lover, Drew Conrad, are war-weary, battle-scarred, unshaven, lice-infested soldiers trying to make it to Ian's home in West Virginia after the closing events of Purgatory. (WHICH YOU MUST READ BEFORE SALVATION!!!) Both have felt attracted to men for many years, and both are only beginning to truly explore their own feelings, now that they have found a lover who shares such desires. Ian's desires are further complicated by the pleasure he feels when he sees strong men bound and helpless (Ian is small-built and envies larger men their strength) even though Ian is by no means cruelly masochistic, and would never actually harm his lover. Drew's own feelings are complex in that although he is the stronger of the two, he longs to submit to someone he can trust, such as Ian. If these men were alive today, they would probably be a part of the BDSM scene, if not as intensely as those who give BDSM a bad name. For them, such things are a matter of trust and love, rather than dominating someone just because they can. Because of this, these two books may not be to everyone's taste, but I've read reviews of Mann's novels written by those who aren't into BDSM and don't understand it, yet who can still appreciate the novels for what they are: well-written, poetic, often intensely spiritual stories that make a refreshing change from the usual historical gay romance fare. Both novels take place over a relatively short period of time (a few weeks total, which includes the end of the Civil War) yet they don't feel that way. Since this is wartime, much that is important to the plot can take place in a very few minutes. Although the two young men soon come to love each other intensely in the first novel, it doesn't feel forced or rushed. War itself is probably the excuse; as Ian's friend Jeremiah says, (in Purgatory) "Yes. But war...everything's faster, grander in war. it's like God's whetstone, sharpening our edges..." The events of Salvation bring Ian and Drew into contact with others like them - I won't say who because that would be spoilers - and it also makes mention of two other characters that fans of Jeff Mann may be familiar with from his short story, "Camp Allegheny." Religion is a major theme in the story, as both men consider themselves to be Christian, more or less, but have escaped what Drew calls the 'poisonous' aspects of faith that may have made them hate themselves for their desires. They discuss this often. The people that Ian and Drew meet on their journey to West Virginia are alternately helpful, despicable, dangerous, life-threatening, and in one case, mercurial: a woman helps them until she discovers their secret, then immediately turns against them and nearly gets them killed. Ian also gets a taste of what Drew went through when he was a prisoner of the Rebs when Ian is captured by Feds and has to be rescued by Drew. We also get to see more of Drew as his character is told through his own words and actions. In Purgatory, we mostly get to see him through Ian's eyes, while Drew is a helpless prisoner. But Drew is a free man in this story, with more power to act on his own behalf rather than depending on Ian, and through his actions, even Ian discovers new sides to his lover, as Drew is alternately shocked, disgusted and heartbroken by the behavior of his fellow Federals as they move through the South, and Drew does a great service to the people of the first hamlet they pass through, using his great strength and skills as a wrestler to save people who are (strictly speaking) his enemies from two men who are stealing from them. Drew's true compassion and liking for the people who are against his former cause, as well as Ian's ability to see Yankees as individual men rather than lumping them all under the title of 'enemy' makes them two of a kind, as well as setting them apart from other Rebels and Yankees; namely, one of the Federals who captures Ian and hates all Rebs because his brother was killed by one of them. The only problem I had with the story is a small one: although the ending is good, and would be fine if left alone, there is also just enough left unresolved, just enough future events and plans hinted at that if Mann wanted to, he could easily write a third installment of this story: What will happen when Ian's family learns Drew is a Yankee? Will Drew and Ian meet Drew's family in Pennsylvania, and what will happen then? Will they meet up again with their new like-minded friends? There is so much that could still happen that would make a good story, especially at this point in history, when the defeated Southerners are wondering what will happen to them now that they've lost the war, not to mention a certain very important assassination. I don't know if Mann has any such plans for another installment, but if he does, that's a book I'd place on pre-order!

Purchase links