Title: Dash and Dingo
Author: Catt Ford and Sean Kennedy
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publisher URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
ISBN: 978-1-61581-067-3
Genre: {M/M} Historical Adventure
Rating 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Mystical Nymph
It’s 1934, and Henry Percival-Smythe is a quiet and unassuming man who loves his job as a researcher in the archives section at Ealing College in London. He’s also gay, in the closet, has a disapproving titled father, few friends and is obsessed with the Thylacine, better known as The Tasmanian Tiger. The strange mammal’s been hunted to near extinction by the Tasmanian government, but Henry’s certain a few might still exist and he wants to be the man to find them.
When Dingo Chambers arrives unexpectedly from Australia, Henry doesn’t know what to think of the loud, boisterous and overbearing man, who charges in and tries to take over his life. The man even hangs a new moniker on Henry within minutes of their initial meeting…Dash, for the hyphens between the two portions of his last name. Dingo’s determined to save the remaining Thylacine and he wants Henry to help him, and won’t take no for an answer. It doesn’t take long for Henry to realize that what Dingo wants, Dingo gets.
To my knowledge, Dash and Dingo is the first book co-authored by Catt Ford and Sean Kennedy and I hope it won’t be their last. In fact, I’ve heard rumors that this book is the first in a new series featuring the adventuresome duo and if true, I can’t wait for the new release.
As much as I like Dingo, Henry is a more interesting character, which is why it made sense for most of the story to be told in his viewpoint. After being raised in a straight-laced household, he surprises himself by going off on an exotic adventure of a lifetime. His personality has the most growth potential and I loved his huge sense of wonder with everything he learns and experiences while with Dingo on their travels. And grow Henry did. The authors did a wonderful job, and at a believable pace, changing him from a timid lonely mouse into a hardy explorer, with a devoted lover.
The authors have done an equally wonderful job of world-building. They skillfully made 1934 come alive with great descriptions and vivid details, giving the reader a good look into the society of the day, unfair aboriginal treatment and the difficulty traveling, whether by freight plane or ship. Having always been interested in history, Dash and Dingo was a gem and was not only well-written and plotted…it was fast-paced, fun and filled with lively dialogue.
Despite their obvious love of Dingo, one thing I did question was the Chamber’s family ready acceptance of his sexual preference, especially considering the era in which the book takes place. It just seemed a little too easy but then we never see what happened initially, so all might not have been as smooth as it appears here. As secondary characters, Dingo’s family are wonderful additions to the storyline and give it depth, love and Dash the sense of belonging he’d never felt in his own family. And Dingo…he was willing to share anything he had with Dash; his family, body and his life.
Author: Catt Ford and Sean Kennedy
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publisher URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
ISBN: 978-1-61581-067-3
Genre: {M/M} Historical Adventure
Rating 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Mystical Nymph
It’s 1934, and Henry Percival-Smythe is a quiet and unassuming man who loves his job as a researcher in the archives section at Ealing College in London. He’s also gay, in the closet, has a disapproving titled father, few friends and is obsessed with the Thylacine, better known as The Tasmanian Tiger. The strange mammal’s been hunted to near extinction by the Tasmanian government, but Henry’s certain a few might still exist and he wants to be the man to find them.
When Dingo Chambers arrives unexpectedly from Australia, Henry doesn’t know what to think of the loud, boisterous and overbearing man, who charges in and tries to take over his life. The man even hangs a new moniker on Henry within minutes of their initial meeting…Dash, for the hyphens between the two portions of his last name. Dingo’s determined to save the remaining Thylacine and he wants Henry to help him, and won’t take no for an answer. It doesn’t take long for Henry to realize that what Dingo wants, Dingo gets.
To my knowledge, Dash and Dingo is the first book co-authored by Catt Ford and Sean Kennedy and I hope it won’t be their last. In fact, I’ve heard rumors that this book is the first in a new series featuring the adventuresome duo and if true, I can’t wait for the new release.
As much as I like Dingo, Henry is a more interesting character, which is why it made sense for most of the story to be told in his viewpoint. After being raised in a straight-laced household, he surprises himself by going off on an exotic adventure of a lifetime. His personality has the most growth potential and I loved his huge sense of wonder with everything he learns and experiences while with Dingo on their travels. And grow Henry did. The authors did a wonderful job, and at a believable pace, changing him from a timid lonely mouse into a hardy explorer, with a devoted lover.
The authors have done an equally wonderful job of world-building. They skillfully made 1934 come alive with great descriptions and vivid details, giving the reader a good look into the society of the day, unfair aboriginal treatment and the difficulty traveling, whether by freight plane or ship. Having always been interested in history, Dash and Dingo was a gem and was not only well-written and plotted…it was fast-paced, fun and filled with lively dialogue.
Despite their obvious love of Dingo, one thing I did question was the Chamber’s family ready acceptance of his sexual preference, especially considering the era in which the book takes place. It just seemed a little too easy but then we never see what happened initially, so all might not have been as smooth as it appears here. As secondary characters, Dingo’s family are wonderful additions to the storyline and give it depth, love and Dash the sense of belonging he’d never felt in his own family. And Dingo…he was willing to share anything he had with Dash; his family, body and his life.
Please be aware that the ending of the book when our villain takes a more active role…well, it’s pretty gruesome, so take this as a warning.
