Although this is never as lushly illustrated as when the scenes are underwater, and I find the depictions of underwater vehicles particularly lovely.   I like to imagine the artist wanted to live on a submarine as a child, and thus  had a fascination for them, explaining why these subs are so lovingly portrayed here. 

And while the art itself makes this well worth reading without a good story and hook, you get one on top of that.   This takes place in Marvel's past, and since present Marvel is our contemporary time, well, in the past.    It's before Namor has made himself known, and thus before Atlantis is known to be a real place. 

A Captain Marlowe and crew has been lost in their search for Atlantis, and Stein, a professional skeptic, is paid to go down with a crew and find Marlowe - and possibly Atlantis?   

This is nice, because it gives it a general arc, a feeling that something is to be accomplished or not, as well as providing a means of tension.   The crew believes in Namor and Atlantis and are deeply superstitious; Stein believes in only what he can see.   (He's so often called by his last name, and so rarely by his first, I can't even remember it.)

It's a little bit of a slow burn, but it's also built up so nicely that it flew by.   The art was also so amazing, that I didn't seem to notice it was as slow as it was: I was just enjoying the art!

I keep tumbling down rabbit holes, finding writers and artists I adore.   (This is, for example, by Milligan, through whom I'd found this artist.)  I keep adding things I want to read.   And while this is excellent, it's not quite as provoking as X-Force: It doesn't peel away the pretenses of humanity quite as much.  

Then again, it didn't depress the hell out of me, too, so I quite liked this as a change of pace for Milligan. 

'Mariner's Luck' is the second book in Kirby Crow's series 'Scarlet and the White Wolf' the main focus of this one seemed to be the development of Liall & Scarlet's relationship as they travelled to Liall's homeland. Scarlet has proven himself to be brave and courageous beyond measure as he comes to Liall's rescue on more than one occasion and Liall is no less fearless in his attempts to protect Scarlet from harm.

Unfortunately part of Liall's efforts to protect Scarlet involves keeping secrets and in a relationship that rarely, if ever, goes well. The romance between Liall and Scarlet flows throughout the story as a subtle steady undercurrent never really taking centre stage nor does it step off to the wings. It is a constant hum that drew me along and kept me wanting more. I like that this story is relying on an actual plot and interaction between the MC's to develop their relationship.

For me this was the connecting piece between where the story started in Scarlet's native land and where it will ultimately end in Liall's homeland or possibly beyond (I haven't read book 3 yet, so who knows?) and while the author could have chosen to do this in a few pages at the end of the first book or the beginning of the third book I really enjoyed the that this 4 month voyage was given more attention than that. A lot of Liall and Scalet's relationship happened on this voyage and I liked that it wasn't rushed or condensed into a few pages but given the time to unfold in a more believable manner.

I have little if any doubt that when I get done book 3 like so many of my friends who have read this series I will be clamoring for the next book, but at least I'll have lots of good company. I'm off to read book 3 because really the only thing I can add here is if you love fantasy and m/m works for you. YOU need to check this series out.

By: Chris Collett

Series: A Tom Mariner Mystery
ISBN: 9780727884343
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Publication Date: 01/01/2015
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 4 Stars

A special thank you to Severn House Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chris Collett’s latest crime mystery, DEAD OF NIGHT, A Tom Mariner Mystery delivers a suspenseful and fast-paced complex police procedural with some likable characters.

Birmingham Detective Inspector Mariner is undertaking one of his most difficult cases, as he has come to terms with the loss of his former partner, Anna and attempts to move forward with his new girlfriend in Cambridge. In addition to his busy and hectic schedule, he is taking care of his autistic foster child, Jamie.

As the book opens Grace Clifton goes missing; a teenage daughter of Councilor Bob Clifton, and he no doubt enjoys the kind of money and power that would make him a target for potential kidnappers, and Grace is an attractive young woman.

Could Grace have chosen to disappear or that someone closer to home knew where she was? Current council leader would have substantial influence over police budgets for the next twelve months, at a time when public spending had become a dirty phase. And this was a man with an established record of criticism of the police. A very challenging case, Tom then has to deal with her overbearing and wealthy father.

Elsewhere in the city Dominique is left alone, as her mother has not come home from work. When another young woman goes missing, the heat intensifies along with the suspense. Is a serial killer on their hands? Could these two cases be connected? A complex case, for a thrilling roller coaster ride.

This was my first book by Collett, and now so intrigued, want to go back and read some of the back story in the previous books in the series. I really enjoyed the author’s inspiration behind the story. Inspiration Behind the Book

I wish more authors would add this information at the ending of their books (if not included, I go searching the web), as I find it quite fascinating! You can read about Collett’s inspiration for the series (above link), and for DEAD OF NIGHT, in particular using multiple viewpoints, set in Birmingham, and how her characters began to emerge, with the central narrative linking them together and how it takes shape. In addition her expertise, working with children on the autistic spectrum.

I really enjoyed  detective Tom Mariner’s character, as he is sharp, with enough personal balance to make for an engaging read. I look forward to reading the previous books in the series and more from this British author.

Whenever I come to this poem the first thing that comes to mind is the song by Iron Maiden (unfortunately I don't think they did a video clip – which would have been awesome in its own right).

I am really tempted to spend the rest of this review talking about how as a teenager I loved Iron Maiden, and about how they were unfairly persecuted by the church because they released one song called 'Number of the Beast' (with an album of the same name), where in reality they just wrote some really cool songs with some really cool music. Okay, this particular song is based heavily on the poem, and probably would be more akin to a ballad as opposed to a song, but I am getting ahead of myself here because I probably shouldn't be talking about Iron Maiden. Still, I should at least display the cover for the single:

As I was looking through Google Images for this particular poster I noticed that a lot of the artwork relating to this particular poem was very dark, and in some cases bordering on the horrific. Take for instance this poster:

There is a very heavy spiritual element to it, but then again the poem itself has some very strong spiritual connotations, with ghost ships, curses, and of course the mariner being forced to live and watch all of his crew die of thirst one by one. In fact, a classic line 'water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink' comes from this poem (and not, as originally thought, from the Iron Maiden song).

I'm sure we all know the story about how a group of sailors travel to the south pole and get stuck in the ice and then along comes an albatross who leads them out of the ice only to have one of the sailors shoot it with a crossbow (to the horror of the rest of the crew considering the Albatross is a good omen to sailors, and killing one brings lots of bad luck). Sure enough, the ship become becalmed in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and one by one the crew drop dead until the silly sailor is the only one left alive. However, he ends up getting rescued (after a rain storm passes over to resupply his water) and then returns to England where he grabs some unsuspecting person at a wedding and proceeds to retell his story.

What I think is happening in this poem is that it is a reaction against the 'Age of Reason'. This was a period in Europe where philosophy was shifting from the sacred to the secular. Basically unless something could be proven empirically it is of no worth and of no interest. It was in effect the beginning of the end of the church, and of superstition (though as far as I am concerned the church is still alive and well today). The whole thing about the albatross is that it was superstition, and by shooting it with a crossbow the sailor is in effect thumbing his nose at superstition. As far as he is concerned, the age of superstition has passed and the age of reason has begun.

Coleridge, I suspect, is saying 'no it hasn't'. I don't necessarily think he is suggesting that we avoid black cats and look for four leaf clovers, but he is saying that despite the rise of the scientific method, we simply cannot discard the sacred, because not only is the sacred important to our past and gives us an identity, it also puts limits on morality. In effect, from what I gained from reading this poem, is that we dispense with the sacred code at our peril.

I marvel at the variety of human life. Right now, in my Southern Californian city, there are men and women who still make their living from the sea and still others setting sail to travel around the world for commerce of pleasure. 

Please enjoy these Contemporary Romances featuring non military sailors, yachtsmen, and mariners of all sorts.

To vote for the best of the best visit the Goodreads list:  Mariner: Sailor, Fisherman, Ship Captain in Contemporary Romance.

My lists are never in any particular order.

1. The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis

Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can'tcontrol-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.

2. A Great Catch by Michelle Jerott

Lucas Hall once made Tessa Jardine feel 200% female-and 100% foolish after he walked out of her life without a word. Now, the tall, heart-catchingly handsome former Coast Guard hero is back. But a painful tragedy stands between them, and no matter how determined Lucas is to regain her trust, Tessa's equally determined to resist him. If only she could forget the passion she'd found in his arms...

Tessa once set Lucas's world on fire, and he's willing to do anything to regain her love. Working tegether has created a tension too powerful to ignore, and reignited the desire that's too powerful to resist. And with each passing day, and each burning kiss, Lucas is determined to make Tessa believe in their future together-and to make her see him again as one great catch.

3. Purrfect Voyage by Ruth J. Hartman

Kitty Carter is used to getting into strange situations when she chases her cat, Arthur. But this latest escapade is just too much! When Arthur chases a mouse at the marina while she's doing research for her book, she follows him down the dock and onto a yacht. Not entirely her plan, since she falls down some stairs and hits her head, and wakes to find herself out to sea. And she and Arthur aren’t the only ones on board!

4. Undertow by Cherry Adair

Teal Williams is content with her career as a ship’s master mechanic—until Zane Cutter, the “Casanova of the Caribbean,” makes her an offer she can’t refuse: to climb on board with him for a real-life treasure hunt. Teal must help him dredge up a shipwrecked vessel containing an abundance of gold, silver, and emeralds—and she’ll claim part of the prize.

Zane needs a mechanic—not a lover—and Teal, who can also dive, is perfect for the job.  So it suits him just fine that Teal is completely immune to his charms…or so he tells himself.  But with a deadly enemy in their midst—one who’s silently edging closer—Zane and Teal sink into troubled waters. Trapped in the middle of a perilous sea, they have no one to turn to but each other as they face down a danger that runs unfathomably deep—and a passion that runs even deeper…

5. Jack & Jilted by Cathy Yardley

When his chef eloped with the masseuse, Captain Jack McCullough knew he'd have to pitch in to keep his four-star yacht afloat. Too bad he didn't know one end of the galley from the other, but he did have the looks, the charm and…the jilted bride?

Dodging caterers' bills instead of confetti, jobless Chloe Winton did what every suddenly-single woman should. She talked herself into taking the week-long honeymoon cruise her former fiancé had paid for. (Yes—for the whole week!) But when she meets the hot, sexy—do-gooding—captain, she's not sure the six days and seven nights will be enough!

6. Melting Into You by Tracey Alvarez

Big, sexy men who don't relate well to kids need not apply...
Kezia Murphy plays her widow card well. When you don't trust people not to let you down, it's easier to not get involved-and getting involved with a man who makes her skin sizzle just by looking at him would be una pazzia-crazy! Four years ago while Kezia's daughter, Zoe, battled leukaemia, a tragic accident stole her husband's life. Starting over in the little town of Oban where she's adopted into the close knit community on Stewart Island, Kezia and her daughter are all the family the other needs. Except Zoe yearns for more.

New Zealand's worst candidate for instant fatherhood...
Ben doesn't do gooey emotional stuff. He doesn't do cosy home and family. And he sure isn't the big teddy-bear Kezia Murphy, the woman he secretly fantasises about, thinks he is. So when Jade, his surprise eight-year-old daughter arrives on his doorstep, he's a D-minus student struggling to pass a crash-course in parenting.

They'll either melt or raze their lives to the ground...
When the sparks of attraction between Kezia and Ben fan into an inferno, Ben doesn't know how much longer the layers of resistance around his heart can resist melting into the gooey mess he fears.

7. It Takes Two  by Joanne Michael

Abby’s come to this small town in northern Quebec to research beluga whales. And her dog, Figgy, is all the company she’s interested in. But then she meets widowed captain Marc Doucette and his brokenhearted daughter. Turns out they may be exactly what she needs.

Too bad Marc’s dead set against everything Abby and her job represent. But can he keep up his stand once he sees how good Abby—and Figgy—are for his daughter? And can he deny that there might be other—more personal—reasons to change his mind?

8.  In Deep Waters by Melissa McClone

Long ago and far away...

...there was a world filled with light and laughter and love. But quakes buried the land deep below the sea. Slowly the people adapted to their new world. But a civil war broke out, forcing the king of Pacifica to send his four children far away, each with a guardian and a piece of the royal seal.

Twenty-five years later, it was time for the siblings to be reunited--and reclaim what was lost. Natural beauty Kayla Waterton had always avoided the sea--she'd sensed its secrets...and its danger. But a chance-of-a-lifetime search expedition for a sunken ship could lead to answers about her mysterious past...and passion in the arms of modern-day pirate Captain Ben Mendoza....

9. Love Overboard by Janet Evanovich

Love Overboard is a romantic tale about a handsome ship'scaptain; a wary wench from Jersey City; a hundred-year-old, two-masted schooner; and an entire town of shoemakers. There's some getting naked, some blueberry pie, more getting naked.

10. The Boy is Back in Town by Nina Harrington

There was a time when the devastatingly sexy Ethan Chandler left Marigold Chance blushing and tongue-tied but thankfully, that's all in the past. Now that the ice-cool international yachtsman has sailed smoothly back into her life, she's determined to show him that the ugly duckling's become a thoroughly modern swan—a beautiful, driven businesswoman with no time for him!

Yet Ethan seems equally determined to ruffle her perfectly groomed feathers and show her what she's been missing out on….