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The Pleasure Slave
Lucius Mettelus Carbo, once a legate on the rise in the Roman army, rescues a beautiful young prostitute, Varick, who immediately stirs him. However, Lucius doesn't believe anyone could want him, a man cursed by the gods with an ugly, twisted leg. He resists his attraction to the pleasure slave as they forge a tempestuous relationship, and Varick tries to convince Lucius that he desires his master despite the injury. Both men are fighting their fears as they strive toward a future together... a future in the shadow of the volcano Mount Vesuvius.
99 pages, ebook
First published January 12, 2010
About the author
Jan Irving
50 books197 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
romance author
Jan Irving has worked in all kinds of creative fields, from painting silk to making porcelain ceramics, to interior design, but writing was always her passion.
She feels you can’t fully understand characters until you follow their journey through a story world. Many kinds of worlds interest her, fantasy, historical, science fiction and suspense—but all have one thing in common, people finding a way to live together—in the most emotional and erotic fashion possible, of course!
Visit Jan's blog at http://jan-revealed.livejournal.com.
romance author
Jan Irving has worked in all kinds of creative fields, from painting silk to making porcelain ceramics, to interior design, but writing was always her passion.
She feels you can’t fully understand characters until you follow their journey through a story world. Many kinds of worlds interest her, fantasy, historical, science fiction and suspense—but all have one thing in common, people finding a way to live together—in the most emotional and erotic fashion possible, of course!
Visit Jan's blog at http://jan-revealed.livejournal.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 22, 2010
I have to say up front, that however my review seems to indicate the opposite, I did enjoy reading this book, and I recommend it to anyone who likes the era.
The story takes place in Pompei, and a quick glance at the date (July 79AD) will set the scene immediately. Volcano Day is on the way so we know our protags are going to be up against it. However, sadly (and this is the second time in recent months that I’ve read an under representation of a cataclysmic eruption) the eruption, when it does come, is more of a damp squib than a OMG WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE and the escape seems a little too easy, considering the rain of death that was going on.
Whilst I liked both protagonists, it was difficult to cheer them along, as I didn’t know if they even knew what they wanted. The emotions are kept very much in check, Lucius’ less so, but he keeps himself back because he doesn’t want to fall in love with a slave, and Varick’s point of view is only very lightly visited, so we don’t get into his head much at all. However, the romance is very readable, warm and arousing, and the sexual level worked well for the length of the book. I did feel that they cared for each other and that they needed to learn to trust each other, something that didn’t come easy for either of them.
The history is good and solid–the author even makes a note that she has, for her own timeline purposes, moved the destruction of Lucius’ regiment a few years, but that’s forgiveable, the best of historical novelists do that. I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book a lot, because I love learning things, and the history and destruction of Lucius’ regiment was fascinating. The descriptions of the town, the murals, the graffiti and the villas are convincing, and never once did I get jolted out of the story.
Historically, too, Lucius’ behaviour is very apt–he no longer considers himself a man. He’s injured, and therefore is no use (in his mind). His friends shun him and he hasn’t even taken prostitutes since his disfigurement because it reminds him of all the men and women he had – paid or otherwise – when he was whole. The stigma of falling in love with a slave is well described too. Shag your property by all means, but you run the risk of being laughed at if you become “indulgent with it.”
I never quite understood what happened to Lucius’ leg, though – it’s twisted and wasted but I’d have liked a bit more of what actually happened to him when he got lost during the Batavian rebellion.
It’s sometimes a frustrating read, because there seems to be something else going on under the surface which is never quite explained, and there are a couple of dialogue sections which entirely baffled me. Perhaps it’s due to the length restriction, but I feel that if the book had been perhaps 50 pages longer, it would have felt more complete.
At 90 or so pages (yes, it says 99 but of course many of those are introduction, cover, bio etc) I would have expected a little more story for my story, but at $3.99 it’s a pleasant read which will certainly fill an hour of your life and although may not set your world on fire, it shouldn’t disappoint.
The story takes place in Pompei, and a quick glance at the date (July 79AD) will set the scene immediately. Volcano Day is on the way so we know our protags are going to be up against it. However, sadly (and this is the second time in recent months that I’ve read an under representation of a cataclysmic eruption) the eruption, when it does come, is more of a damp squib than a OMG WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE and the escape seems a little too easy, considering the rain of death that was going on.
Whilst I liked both protagonists, it was difficult to cheer them along, as I didn’t know if they even knew what they wanted. The emotions are kept very much in check, Lucius’ less so, but he keeps himself back because he doesn’t want to fall in love with a slave, and Varick’s point of view is only very lightly visited, so we don’t get into his head much at all. However, the romance is very readable, warm and arousing, and the sexual level worked well for the length of the book. I did feel that they cared for each other and that they needed to learn to trust each other, something that didn’t come easy for either of them.
The history is good and solid–the author even makes a note that she has, for her own timeline purposes, moved the destruction of Lucius’ regiment a few years, but that’s forgiveable, the best of historical novelists do that. I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book a lot, because I love learning things, and the history and destruction of Lucius’ regiment was fascinating. The descriptions of the town, the murals, the graffiti and the villas are convincing, and never once did I get jolted out of the story.
Historically, too, Lucius’ behaviour is very apt–he no longer considers himself a man. He’s injured, and therefore is no use (in his mind). His friends shun him and he hasn’t even taken prostitutes since his disfigurement because it reminds him of all the men and women he had – paid or otherwise – when he was whole. The stigma of falling in love with a slave is well described too. Shag your property by all means, but you run the risk of being laughed at if you become “indulgent with it.”
I never quite understood what happened to Lucius’ leg, though – it’s twisted and wasted but I’d have liked a bit more of what actually happened to him when he got lost during the Batavian rebellion.
It’s sometimes a frustrating read, because there seems to be something else going on under the surface which is never quite explained, and there are a couple of dialogue sections which entirely baffled me. Perhaps it’s due to the length restriction, but I feel that if the book had been perhaps 50 pages longer, it would have felt more complete.
At 90 or so pages (yes, it says 99 but of course many of those are introduction, cover, bio etc) I would have expected a little more story for my story, but at $3.99 it’s a pleasant read which will certainly fill an hour of your life and although may not set your world on fire, it shouldn’t disappoint.
October 6, 2011
What I didn't like: Vapid and stereotypical, just your standard m/m pseudo-BDSM schundliteratur.
What I liked: It (the printed out text version) was light enough in weight not to chip the wallpaper when I threw it across the room.
What I liked: It (the printed out text version) was light enough in weight not to chip the wallpaper when I threw it across the room.
June 18, 2013
I'm in no way historian, so I can't point out any inaccuracies, but I absolutely loved this story! The wounded and troubled character, who think he isn't worth loving, is a great theme and here it was written just beautiful. Very touching and heartwarming story!
January 6, 2013
1. Fancy setting - 79AD Pompei. You can not beat that or you can if you put in 1883AD near Krakatoa.
2. Exsoldier with trauma mental and for bonus points some physical - former legate Carbo fulfill both
3. Sex slave - one included with deeply understanding nature and butt as tight as days before paycheck
4. Depression cured by sex
5. Happy ending - no barbecue for you under Vesuvius
Charming short novella. Once is enough. I will probably never reread it.
2. Exsoldier with trauma mental and for bonus points some physical - former legate Carbo fulfill both
3. Sex slave - one included with deeply understanding nature and butt as tight as days before paycheck
4. Depression cured by sex
5. Happy ending - no barbecue for you under Vesuvius
Charming short novella. Once is enough. I will probably never reread it.
January 10, 2022
I've just re-read this, and tbh I've read it so many times I've lost count. Its an old old favorite... and it's a 5-star read every. single. time.
Why? It's not due to historical accuracy etc etc... it's purely due to the fact that this is one of the most romantic and emotionally touching stories I've ever read. And the heat level is perfect.
It's just a gorgeous, touching, sensual, emotional little story and I lovelovelove it.
Why? It's not due to historical accuracy etc etc... it's purely due to the fact that this is one of the most romantic and emotionally touching stories I've ever read. And the heat level is perfect.
It's just a gorgeous, touching, sensual, emotional little story and I lovelovelove it.
May 15, 2010
A lovely story that does a great job at describing what life might have been like in Pompeii around 79 AD.
The characters of Lucius and Varick felt so real, I was sorry to let them go at the end of this much too short story.
The characters of Lucius and Varick felt so real, I was sorry to let them go at the end of this much too short story.
October 30, 2012
Very different than what I thought. The characters were rich but not overly absorbing - which was weird. I mean I just wanted them to get the hell out of dodge - I was worried they would not before that volcano blew. I liked the soldier who is mostly old in what he'd seen and tortured by what he now is. The slave who was so earnest but somehow realistic - really gave the emotion here. An o.k. length - I was happy there was an epilogue and I could see how the two men could fall into each other because of circumstance. Enjoyable!
July 10, 2012
Fluttering Thoughts:
World Building: The world is built slightly twisting the actual historical facts a bit. I didn't mind, really, I don't read historical for the history, never was such a fan of it per se, I read these for the stories. The atmosphere and the world felt right for the time frame.
Characters: Lucius was interesting, but something about him didn't really reach me. Varick on the other hand reached me a lot more, the two of them were interesting together, though I wouldn't say they had a lot of chemistry, it was this odd sort of chemistry where they're always on different sides of things or something, you know?
Plot: Nice to go with considering the novella length of the read. I felt it focused more on their interaction and relationship, which was fine by me. Short reads can be tricky to pull off, this one was nice.
Writing: Ok, though the tone of the narrative just didn't connect with me all the way.
Curb Appeal: I saw the cover on a list of titles and wanted to read this, so yeah, smexeh.
All in all, nice short read, though I wouldn't say I was swept off my feet it was entertaining. This is more of 2,5 rating then a full 3.
World Building: The world is built slightly twisting the actual historical facts a bit. I didn't mind, really, I don't read historical for the history, never was such a fan of it per se, I read these for the stories. The atmosphere and the world felt right for the time frame.
Characters: Lucius was interesting, but something about him didn't really reach me. Varick on the other hand reached me a lot more, the two of them were interesting together, though I wouldn't say they had a lot of chemistry, it was this odd sort of chemistry where they're always on different sides of things or something, you know?
Plot: Nice to go with considering the novella length of the read. I felt it focused more on their interaction and relationship, which was fine by me. Short reads can be tricky to pull off, this one was nice.
Writing: Ok, though the tone of the narrative just didn't connect with me all the way.
Curb Appeal: I saw the cover on a list of titles and wanted to read this, so yeah, smexeh.
All in all, nice short read, though I wouldn't say I was swept off my feet it was entertaining. This is more of 2,5 rating then a full 3.
April 28, 2012
This is a m/m novella about a Roman legate injured in the Batavian revolt (whose occurrence has been moved a bit forward in time) and a slave he buys from the brothel. It was better researched than a lot of Roman fiction, I'll give it that (I mean, aside from the naming issues and the part where the main character, who is definitely not a woman, uses "Ecastor"), but the characters had absolutely no characterization, I found all their motivation implausible, and mostly the whole thing was just dull, which is unfortunate. I really wanted to like this, too.
February 10, 2016
This is a pleasant and enjoyable read of Ancient Rome set in the time leading up to the destruction of Pompeii. The idea is intriguing but I think the story would have been better had it been told slower because at times it feels rushed. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I read The Pleasure Slave, sometimes the dialogue had a bit of a "now instead of then" feel but still extremely entertaining and a great addition to my Ancient Rome library.
June 15, 2014
OMG, This is a beautifully written story set in my favorite time period. Jan did an amazing job ensuring her reader stayed in that period throughout the story and fell in love with both Varick and Lucius.
September 16, 2011
The story was sweet but I don't enjoy any type of historical/past tense fiction. I didn't realize this book was set back in time until I started to read it.
July 26, 2021
I mostly found this book convoluted and somewhat confusing in it's writing.
Lucius is depressed, grim and inexpressive and I often did find his actions illogical and weird. Varick is more open in showing his feelings, but I found his characterization somewhat split and his feelings for Lucius mostly just existed, they where not really shown to grow.
The historical background is left rather blank, the MCs mostly sequestered in Lucius' near empty villa with no interaction. What we do get did not seem well researched, but I am no expert on that period.
I was just disappointed that the feelings between them where not explored better. The book actually does focus on their interactions, but they often feel stilted and both MC's rarely say what they mean or feel, so everything feels forced and off.
Lucius is depressed, grim and inexpressive and I often did find his actions illogical and weird. Varick is more open in showing his feelings, but I found his characterization somewhat split and his feelings for Lucius mostly just existed, they where not really shown to grow.
The historical background is left rather blank, the MCs mostly sequestered in Lucius' near empty villa with no interaction. What we do get did not seem well researched, but I am no expert on that period.
I was just disappointed that the feelings between them where not explored better. The book actually does focus on their interactions, but they often feel stilted and both MC's rarely say what they mean or feel, so everything feels forced and off.
February 29, 2024
Super disappointing, like it could have been a really emotional story of this soldier and slave finding new life together with the ominous backdrop of what we know happens to Vesuvius and maybe they could have even been separated at the 80% mark and then reunited at the end, and their could have been an actual epilogue as well. But it felt like the author was lazy and didn’t want to actually write this boon and so nothing about it was fleshed out or done well
February 14, 2018
Confusing formatting - one pov led into the next without a section break.
I wasn't feeling the love.
I wasn't feeling the love.
June 23, 2019
2.5 Stars
December 15, 2017
Not much of a short story set in ancient times with Pompeii about to explode. Needed a whole lot more to make it a real book.
April 21, 2020
NOT A PLEASURE TO READ...
What can I say about this little story?
First of all, it was too short to be a proper historical fiction, the text of the electronic version was big to make it look longer, but it didn't work. The vocabulary employed by the author in this book doesn't give any historical vibes. I think this is a can-do-better kind of story. If the author had any will to make the readers feel compassion for Lucius, I don't see where it is. And the personality of Varick doesn't fit the concept, he does neither act like a sexual slave in the Roman Empire nor does he act as a slave at all. I understand the "rebellious" cliché feature, but, even proud, there are emotional scars that a slave has to feel and keep, even buried. I didn't find them in this book.
Well, this is just a fiction but a fiction that is way too much different from reality comes out unrealistic. The emotions of Varick could have been better drawn.
Something did really bother me in the book. It put on full display the fact that the author didn't spend a minute doing some research. In the beginning of the book, the author says that the weather was hot enough for the black olives to fall from the trees. My question is: On which planet are you living, Author? The only sort of olives that can be harvested in warm weather (in the first weeks of fall) are green olives that are picked directly from the trees. The black olives are harvested much later, during the last weeks of fall and the first days of winter (depending on regions), most remain on the trees until the end of winter! I don't know any place where black olives fall from trees in summer, not in the Mediterranean countries, and definitely not in Italy where the story is supposed to take place. I know Italy very well, and the region of Campania like the back of my hand, you can believe me.
If something, as recent and actual as this, is mistaken, I let you imagine the historical disaster...
1 * star because of the dissatisfaction that this books leaves in me after the time I've spent reading it. I expected something different, better, and didn't find it anywhere.
Hold on! Pompeii 79AD? Can't beat the author's imagination *being sarcastic*. One can make mistakes, but making people pay to read them? NO.
What can I say about this little story?
First of all, it was too short to be a proper historical fiction, the text of the electronic version was big to make it look longer, but it didn't work. The vocabulary employed by the author in this book doesn't give any historical vibes. I think this is a can-do-better kind of story. If the author had any will to make the readers feel compassion for Lucius, I don't see where it is. And the personality of Varick doesn't fit the concept, he does neither act like a sexual slave in the Roman Empire nor does he act as a slave at all. I understand the "rebellious" cliché feature, but, even proud, there are emotional scars that a slave has to feel and keep, even buried. I didn't find them in this book.
Well, this is just a fiction but a fiction that is way too much different from reality comes out unrealistic. The emotions of Varick could have been better drawn.
Something did really bother me in the book. It put on full display the fact that the author didn't spend a minute doing some research. In the beginning of the book, the author says that the weather was hot enough for the black olives to fall from the trees. My question is: On which planet are you living, Author? The only sort of olives that can be harvested in warm weather (in the first weeks of fall) are green olives that are picked directly from the trees. The black olives are harvested much later, during the last weeks of fall and the first days of winter (depending on regions), most remain on the trees until the end of winter! I don't know any place where black olives fall from trees in summer, not in the Mediterranean countries, and definitely not in Italy where the story is supposed to take place. I know Italy very well, and the region of Campania like the back of my hand, you can believe me.
If something, as recent and actual as this, is mistaken, I let you imagine the historical disaster...
1 * star because of the dissatisfaction that this books leaves in me after the time I've spent reading it. I expected something different, better, and didn't find it anywhere.
Hold on! Pompeii 79AD? Can't beat the author's imagination *being sarcastic*. One can make mistakes, but making people pay to read them? NO.
January 19, 2011
Lucius is a Roman soldier, maimed during a defeat, who feels there is nothing left for him. He goes to a brothel in order to set up entertainment for a friends party. While there, he sees a Varick, a slave, being mistreated and steps in. He ends up buying Varick, and spends time resisting how he feels for the slave, thinking there is no way the beautiful slave could ever want a cripple. There are heartbreaking parts to the story, and a few instances of violence, but ended up being a great story.
January 6, 2014
One scarred ex-soldier.
One prostitute.
Some not very well developed setting with Vesuvius in the background.
Maybe I expected too much from such a short story, but I wanted something more complete. Instead I got bunch of separate scenes put together rather haphazardly. They didn't connect, there were gaps inbetween, the story didn't flow as it should but was choped into pieces.
It had potential but didn't deliver.
One prostitute.
Some not very well developed setting with Vesuvius in the background.
Maybe I expected too much from such a short story, but I wanted something more complete. Instead I got bunch of separate scenes put together rather haphazardly. They didn't connect, there were gaps inbetween, the story didn't flow as it should but was choped into pieces.
It had potential but didn't deliver.
February 1, 2014
This book would have been a lot better in my mind if the timeline was easier to keep in order. I think that fussing about was annoying enough that I got distracted from the story itself.
The story itself wasn't all that bad, should actually have been right up my alley but the book is so short there isn't time to show there relationship properly developing. Plus the ending! It was so abrupt!
The story itself wasn't all that bad, should actually have been right up my alley but the book is so short there isn't time to show there relationship properly developing. Plus the ending! It was so abrupt!
September 24, 2014
I thought this book had a promising start. It was good enough to continue reading to the end. The historical setting was interesting with an imminent natural disaster awaiting the protagonists. However I found the characters poorly developed and the story limited. I doubt that I would choose to read books by this author again as for me the writing lacks depth.
February 14, 2010
Couldn't quite suspend my disbelief over the time period & setting of the book, maybe because I'm so fascinated by the eruption of Vesuvius myself. Too many Discovery Channel flashbacks, LOL. Otherwise adored the story.
March 20, 2011
I'm not usually a fan of master/slave relations, but this one won me over. Character-driven story with a simple-yet-effective plot line and well researched historical context. Overall a very pleasant read.
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July 30, 2014Errr ko thích lắm ++ viết bị rời rạc quá phải dừng lại mấy đoạn mới hiểu hết nổi ++ diễn biến tâm lý nhân vật có lên mà chả có xuống mấy cảm giác như đi trên đường sỏi xóc loạn lên vậy -,- nhưng nội dung thì đc
May 14, 2011
Ha Pompei.
May 25, 2011
Very sweet and romantic :)
I think the author just forgot to mention what happened to the two household slaves towards the end, though.
I think the author just forgot to mention what happened to the two household slaves towards the end, though.
May 10, 2012
I found some of the time and scene shifts to be a little abrupt and jarring. Still a nice story with some hotness.
September 10, 2014
3.5 stars - Charming story. Really enjoyed it.
February 17, 2013
Entertaining, a detailed setting and moderately interesting characters. I enjoyed this book though it wasn't brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews