The Innocent Auction

Publisher's Summary

London 1810.

Their love was a death sentence.

Deacon, Viscount Carlisle, was aware of the slums and gin-lanes of London. Just as he was aware of the underground traffic that furnished the brothels and bath houses with human innocents. He was also aware that the so-called justice system would hang the accused without much of an attempt at a defense, unless the unfortunate had deep pockets to pay for it.

He just hadn't expected to be directly involved in any of it.

It started with a plea for help and ended with forbidden love, the love between a Viscount and a stable-boy. An impossible love and a guarantee of the hangman's noose.

Will Deacon fight for Tom? Will he risk the death sentence and take that fight from the stately halls of his English mansion to the horrors of Newgate Prison and the slums of London?

Or will he realize that if he doesn't, death will be a welcome end to the loneliness of the sentence he is already living?

©2015 Susan Kellett (P)2017 Susan Kellett

Not to be missed!

This is actually the first audiobook we have enjoyed without reading the book first, and it was a great listen! Victoria Sue weaved a heart-aching love story and Joel Leslie adds so much to the story through his poignant narration.

Deacon, viscount Carlisle, lives his life in the upper echelon of society, but knows of the hardships of those less fortune than hm. What he is surprised to find is the underground auction houses, places where humans are bought and sold, and one night when going to pull his cousin our of one such place his find himself drawn to a young man on the auction block. Against his better judgement he purchases the young man, and sets him on a life on his country estate. 5 years later when the death of his father bring Deacon back to the country estate, he find himself meeting a very different person than the young youth he saved; Tom has grown up to be a man.

This book is great – we always like a historical romance, but the idea of the story is what makes it special. How Deacon and Tom have a relationship spanning over a years, but are re-introduced as adults is wonderful. The attraction they feel jumps off the page, and even with the trauma in Tom’s past life he sees Deacon only wants the best for him, even if it isn’t a life together. Life during this period is hard as well, sodomy is against the law, and life is treated as a commodity and The Innocent Auction heart-breaking shows what happens to those accused of the crime.

Victoria Sue creates characters that we fell in love with, that we rooted for and we cried with, but the real gem is the narration by Joel Leslie. Joel brings Deacon and Tom alive, gives voice to their heart-break and lets you fall in love along with them. Sometimes in m/m romance the characters all start to sound the same, but somehow Joel finds a way to keep everyone spate, and consistent through the whole narration.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

The Innocent Auction

I'm not usually a fan of historic romance, but this story is a pairing of an author I enjoy immensely and a narrator who can do just about anything with dialect. Therefore, I had to check it out. I'm so glad I did!
I enjoyed the descriptions of time and place, and I feel that I understand more about the classes that existed during this part of history. I was devastated by the side story of Deacon's beloved cousin, and I will never forget that his fate was acceptable during these days - and in too many places, still happens today.
Deacon and Tom were believable characters, and I hurt with and for them as the story progressed. I had no idea how they would be able to be together in the end. Thankfully, the author is brilliant, and she found a way.
I would recommend this book, as well as others by Victoria Sue. The narrator, Joel Leslie, is always a favorite, and he did a wonderful job with the differently-classed characters of both sexes. Overall, this is a beautiful love story in both writing and performance.
I received a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Made me so emotional!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Innocent Auction to be better than the print version?

In a way it really is better, and I normally don't say that, but the descriptions were so well done that I was drawn into the story. There were parts that made me cry and laugh and while I truly enjoyed reading the book, hearing it was a great experience.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! I couldn't listen in one sitting, but whenever I was able to, I had the story playing!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Such a great historical romance!

I don't read many historical romance but this was such great story. I love how Victoria Sue brings her characters love. The to have Joel Leslie to narrate the story just made it 100% better. I love these two together. With Victoria Sue amazing story telling and Joel Leslie amazing narration. Deacon and Tom story was brought to life in this audiobook. I loved every minute of it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

wonderful story

very well written. the story has more than one story line that all flows perfectly making for an interesting listen that you won't want to put down.
The narrator does an excellent job on the voices and is consistent through his reading

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I loved it!"

Would you listen to The Innocent Auction again? Why?
Absolutely! The performance was fantastic. I can't believe how well the narrator performed all of the different voices.

What did you like best about this story?
The depth of the story. There is so much more to i than just the forbidden love between Deacon and Tom. This is also a story about families of privilege and how obligations to marry and produce heirs impact a man who has no interest in women.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Victoria Sue’s writing kept me engaged throughout the entire story. I couldn’t wait to finish it and yet I was sad to come to the end. Thank goodness the next book in this series is available for me to read now.

Any additional comments?
I first read this book nearly a year ago and it was the first book I'd read by Victoria Sue. I quickly started reading the other books in her backlist. I'm not normally a huge fan of audio books but the narrator made this story come alive for me once again and brought back all of the feelings I had when I first read the story.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the book or the audio to everyone who enjoys M/M romance.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Romantic pay-off for doing a good thing

I loved this audiobook from author Victoria Sue with narrator Joel Leslie. Ms. Sue has shown herself to be a versatile writer of M/M romance. Her previous audiobook was a paranormal, shifter foray. The events of this ebook/audiobook start in the gritty dark side of London where innocents, many orphaned, poor, and/or homeless are kidnapped or otherwise forced into a black market where they are auctioned off to satisfy men's darker sexual desires. At a time when sodomy is a crime punishable by disgrace or even death, Deacon goes to one of these auctions in an attempt to save his cousin from an unexpected raid by authorities. When he sees a boy being abused and about to be sold, he steps forward to rescue the boy and then sends him away to his country estate to live. When they meet again later, attraction sparks in spite of the differences in their financial and social standing. However, true love will not be denied. Deacon struggles with his feelings for Tom in light of expectations regarding marriage and producing an heir. There is a kidnap and plenty of angst as the lovers try to figure out their futures, while striving to protect each other from the judgement of society. The resolution is a little too easy, perhaps, but only a miracle or unlikely series of events could bring them together. Overall, I loved it, and this is one book I will listen to again, even through the dark parts which are hard to bear. The love and devotion that shine through are more than worth the sadness.

As always, Mr. Leslie does a fantastic job voicing the characters and evoking the strong emotions portrayed in Ms. Sue's book.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

good historical romance

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that the story stayed true to the time period. I usually prefer my romances to have a more obvious & definite HEA but these characters get the best ending a same sex couple in their era could have ever hoped for.

What about Joel Leslie’s performance did you like?

Joel Leslie did a very good job on the accents & differentiating between the characters so you knew who was speaking.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were a couple definite moments that made me tear up a little, not going to give specifics as they would be a bit of a spoiler :)

Any additional comments?

Very good listen, would recommend.

I received a copy for an honest review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Entertaining

If you could sum up The Innocent Auction in three words, what would they be?

This is my first historical romance. I have honestly never had any interest in them, but this book was a pleasant surprise! Three words I would use to sum up the story, intense, captivating and hot!!

What other book might you compare The Innocent Auction to and why?

I haven't read anything close to this book.

What does Joel Leslie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The book was very intense! There were a few parts that my heart was racing. Her writing is really good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The first time deacon and Tom were intimate. I honestly didn't think it was going to happen, but when it did the scene didn't disappoint!💕💕

Any additional comments?

The story is set in 1810, Deacon rescues Tom from the "innocent auction". Fast forward a little while and there reunited. Being gay in the 1800s would get you killed, and they were both aware of that. This story isn't a "fluffy" romance by any means. It's intense and keeps you on your toes. Some scenes were a little hard to get threw, but overall it was a good book, I was very happy the way it ended. As for the narrator, Joel Leslie did an amazing job as always 😍I would definitely read more books by this author
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Thank God For Change.

This was a nice story. With fantastic narration. JL brought each character to life. The only complaint that I have is that the storyline was just a little to long, and what I mean by that is, some of the issues and situations could have been left out. I will not ruin it for anyone, but some of situation just dragged on. I stayed with it because I enjoyed it. The author has a great talent. I hope the next installment will come to adubile soon. I definitely recommend this book. Ms. Sue, PLEASE🙏 BRING TO ADUBILE.

Loved this book so much

London in the 1800s. If you were gay you could have been hung for lovingly someone of the same sex
Declan was a wealthy man, happy with his life almost.
One night he rush to help his best friend. This is how Declan met Tom (at the innocent Auction) these auctions are against the law. Tom was up for sale.
Years past when Declan returns to his family home, meets up with Tom after five years. So their story begins,Victoria Sue has awesome talent at the written word to make outstanding books. Joel Leslie has a voice that is awe inspiring great with the characters voices. A must listen to book. They get their hea