Historical
Ship of Dreams
By Kris Jones
Jun 16, 2009 - 4:08:56 PM

James sets foot on the luxury liner Titanic with one thing in mind--to fleece as many wealthy people as possible. His first-class ticket allows him entry into a world unimagined in his youth, developing his skills as a con man. Now he's good at judging people, and very good at gaining not only their confidence but some of their cash. He's dead broke when he boards, but he plans to be flush with money and trinkets when he disembarks in New York. When Southampton police follow him on board, he ducks into the first stateroom with an unlocked door. He's met by a startled man about his age, who unthinkingly lets Jack slip into his wardrobe and then allows himself to be pulled in, too. In such close quarters, the men recognize a spark of sensual electricity that surprises them both. Jack, the risk-taker, is ready to explore the feeling later, when the men see each other again. In fact, he seeks the other man out for just that purpose.

Will Woods is shocked when the man dashes into his room and pulls him into the wardrobe in order to avoid a police inspection, but he's stunned when their closeness sends waves of desire through him. This is not something that should be happening, not something he should feel--not for anyone, but especially not for another man. In just the next room, his widowed mother, frail from trying to recover from her husband's death, is sharing a room with his fiancée. He has responsibilities; he has duties to both women and to his family's name. Yet… He can't get Jack out of his mind. It doesn't help that Jack seems to appear everywhere Will is, or that each time they meet Jack takes their relationship a step farther. Will is torn in two between duty and desire.

The quick love that develops between Jack and Will culminates when Will finally makes the first and final move to solidify what they feel. His breaks his engagement. The men are ready to think about what will happen when they reach New York. Jack admits he's a better man when he's with Will, and he wants a lifetime with Will to prove it. Then, the ship strikes the iceberg and all plans are thrown into chaos. Women and children are saved first. Does Fate allow Jack and Will a taste of love only to (literally) sink their dreams along with the ship?

Because we all know when the Titanic sunk, and because the story starts at the Southampton boarding, the pacing of the story is fast and smooth. But what I enjoyed most about SHIP OF DREAMS is that Ms. Ryan wrote truly well-defined characters. Each was distinct--good, bad, haughty, sweet, greedy, cheerful. When we have a view of Titanic first-class passengers, they're often stereotyped as selfish and unfeeling. Not so, here. Jack really is a scoundrel, but he's not heartless. Will truly is good and caring, and he's written just that way, not wishy-washy or henpecked. This is a new twist on a well-known story, and one I enjoyed very much.