Treasure

By: Kim Fielding

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 4 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

Julian Massey has always been sickly. When the young man's parents send him to the seaside town of Urchin Cove to recuperate, he finds himself stranded in a tiny cabin with only the quirky local inhabitants for company. Then a storm blows through, and he finds an unexpected discovery washed up on the beach: an unconscious man.

After stealing a treasure, Kit Archer is taken prisoner by a ruthless pirate, Captain Booth. When a storm hits the pirate ship, Kit is able to escape, but not without serious injuries. Jules nurses him back to health, and friendship grows into desire. But Captain Booth is bound to come in search of his treasure and the man who stole it.

In a world with dragons, sprites, and wizards, it's going to take more than a little magic for Jules and Kit to find lasting happiness together.

©2013 Kim Fielding (P)2016 Kim Fielding

Wonderful fairy tale

This book was originally released as free read in 2014. I loved it. This year it was re released as an audio book narrated by Joel Leslie. I didn't think I could love it more; I was wrong. This story is basically a fairy tale. Julian is an upper class man whose family doesn't think much of him and he doesn't think much of himself. While he is sent away to a small coastal town (think Hobbitown) to improve his health, he finds Kit washed up on his beach after a storm. Kit is a swashbuckler thief that is very comfortable with his attraction to men. They each bring something the other is lacking and together they make a wonderful whole. Unfortunately Kit also brings baggage into Julian's and the townsfolk's lives in the form of evil pirates. It is sweet, heartwarming and includes lots of romance as well as pirate action. Joel Leslie performance is fabulous. He really brought these characters to life and does a wonderful variety of British accents in his performance. Highly recommend.

Gay pirate beach read

This is a book that might best be enjoyed on a beach with a steady supply of fruity cocktails. It's a bit light and fluffy, but perfect vacation on a beach relaxing listen. The fantasy world is cute with domesticated dragons and imps providing atmosphere. Our lead character is convalescing at a beach front vacation spot from some vague ailment that honestly just sounds like depression from being surrounded by small minded bullying homophobes. He rescues an injured pirate and they quickly fall in love. Most of the book is a leisurely romance with a few mild sex scenes. There is some action near the end with the pirate's former shipmates, and if there'd been more action I'd have given the story five stars instead of four. The pace was just a little too leisurely and relaxed for my taste, but I still enjoyed it. Joel Leslie gives an excellent performance, as I have come to expect from previous novels.
I would read more books by Kim Fielding as well.

FANTASTIC!!!

I absolutely loved this story. Joel's narration transported me to another place and time and I loved every moment of it. This is such a beautiful story of selflessness, courage, acceptance and true love. Bravo, Joel and Kim!!!

Joel Leslie continues to impress!

Any additional comments?

Julian Massey's parents have sent him to the little seaside town of Urchin Cove for some much needed fresh air and (hopefully) recovery from another bout of sickness. When Julian finds a beautiful man who washed ashore after a terrible storm, he brings the stranger into his cottage and nurses him back to health.

But the stranger, Kit Archer, is a thief with a pirate hot on his heels who desperately wants not only the treasure Kit stole, but to punish Kit for stealing, escaping and damaging his pride.

As the two spend more time together Julian realizes Kit is definitely a thief...and he's stolen Julian's heart.

**QUOTE**
“I’ve never wished so badly that I were a better man. Because if I were, I would love you more fiercely than the moon loves the sea. I would breathe your air into my lungs, I would taste you with every meal. I would tie our hearts together with unbreakable bonds.”
He dropped his hands and took a step backwards. “But I am not a better man.”
Julian held fast to his dignity. He didn’t beg or cry. “I love you just as you are.”
**QUOTE**

This is a sweet, romantic, entertaining story set in a fantastic world filled with imps, and dragons, and magic. Where two men from hugely different background meet, fall in love, and save each other. There's a little danger, there's a little action, honestly there's really just a little bit for everyone in this story.

I continue to be impressed with Joel Leslie's narration performances. Joel uses almost all UK accents in Treasure and they blend seamlessly to offer a lovely narrative experience.

Excellent narration makes this story come alive!

Any additional comments?

I don't normally read fantasy, but I adore Kim Fielding and this book has been on my TBR forever. When I saw it released in audiobook with one of my favorite narrators, I knew it was time to finally read this one.

Very unique storyline with pirates and dragons and imps, oh my! I loved Julian and Kit. Julian is a sheltered, sickly, somewhat unexperienced man sent on holiday to Urchin Cove to get some fresh air and rest. After a terrible storm, Julian finds Kit washed up on the shore with severe injuries. As Julian nurses Kit back to health, they grow closer and Kit teaches him that loving a man doesn't make him a deviant.

The narration is very well done. Joel Leslie has quickly become an auto-buy for me. The range of character voices that he does makes a story like this come alive. Highly recommend!!


(I received a copy of this book from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.)

Love the setting

The narration – This is a review of another book narrated by Joel Leslie. If you haven’t given any of the audios he’s narrated a try yet, I strongly recommend you do. He is a master of voices, always creating a different sound for the main characters as well as the secondary ones. He can also emote so well, only making my connection with the characters even stronger.

The story – It’s often hard to create a completely satisfying story in the amount of pages allowed to a novella. I think Kim Fielding did a pretty good job especially having to create an alternative world. The story seems like it is set a couple hundred years ago, but it is a fantasy story so it might be a different world altogether, someplace out of our time. There are dragons that pull carriages, and imps that beg to be fed, reminding me of pigeons or squirrels. I thought the setting was very interesting and I wish it could have been explored even more.

Kit is a pirate who washes up on shore in front of Julian’s cottage. I like Kit, he has a seductive personality and gives Julian an experience he never thought he would have. He also does seem to care about Julian a lot and is there for him when it really matters. Julian, though is the star of this book for me. He comes to Urchin Cove from the city where he has been withering away with sickness. He changes there and slowly finds his strength, physical and mental. He is brave, kind, and loyal. I like them together, but I didn’t really get to feel their chemistry as much as I would have liked.

All in all, it’s an enjoyable book. It’s sweet and sexy with bouts of adventure and magic. If you are looking for a quick listen, I’d highly recommend it.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful adventure!

What a wonderful, whimsical and sexy tale! I fell in love with Julian, who became so brave and strong as the story went on. What a wonderful adventure Kit and Julian shared!

The narration of this story was absolutely perfect. Joel Leslie continues to impress me with his wide ranges of accents and voices. I loved all of the villager's accents. I loved Kit's voice most of all. He can call me "My love" anytime. I highly recommend this audiobook!

Another winning Joel Leslie performance

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Because of Joel Leslie's wonderful performance

What about Joel Leslie’s performance did you like?

Using British accents and making the characters all memorable

Any additional comments?

The story started out a little slow, and having dragons and other creatures were not really necessary to the story, just kind of thrown in. The main story was good, and Joel's performances and characterization's gave more life to many of the people who otherwise might have not been as memorable as Joel made them.

"Treasure" is definitely a treasure.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely. I liked this book, a LOT. I was worried at first because I'd committed to reviewing it and I was all "Oh, what if I don't like it? What's a polite way of saying good job but it sucks?!" Turns out I didn't have to figure out a way to be diplomatic. "Treasure" totally doesn't suck. It's a great story. Love the main characters, adore the villagers and the villain is a total douche. Actually, he's kind of scary/creepy. It works.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Julian. He's a sweetie pie. I really enjoyed watching him learn and grow, experience life and love.

What about Joel Leslie’s performance did you like?

A good book can be completely ruined by an, um, less than stellar narrator. No worries here. Joel Leslie does an awesome job. Great reader. Really brought the different characters to life. I'm definitely going to be checking on his other narrations.

If you could rename Treasure, what would you call it?

Hmm, I think, "The Fledgling". A reference to him being kicked out of his safe, stifling nest and going out on his own to learn life and make it on his own. Although I'm sure his parents didn't expect things to turn out as they did.

Any additional comments?

I will definitely be checking out more books by this author and reader. It was a very good experience.

Hot Swashbuckling At It's Best

Would you consider the audio edition of Treasure to be better than the print version?

Have not read the print version so can not compare. But audio of Treasure with Joel's superb voice renditions of Kit & Julian is so much more alive.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Treasure?

When Kit sneaks onto Captain Booth's ship to rescue Julian. Frightening but thrilling.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Julian finds Kit on the beach and decides to take him home with him. Such a touching and emotion part of the book.

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

Towards the end when Kit and Julian must choose to live and face the Captain and the Pirates. And their struggle to get to each other, save each other if they can.

Any additional comments?

OMG ! One of the best listens ever! Pirates, stolen treasure, magic, adventure and love, What more could you ask for?

Truly a Treasure

Such an adventure and wonderful fairy tale. Julian is thought to be a sickly young man by his Family. They send him to the sea side to recuperate. He makes friends in the village. After a storm he finds Kit washed up on the beach and nurses him back to health. This is where Julian's adventure begins. Wonderful story of pirates, love and adventure.

Joel Leslie is a great narrator. He is excellent at bringing out the emotions of a story and drawing the listener in. I love the way he portrays characters and their personalities.

Highly recommend this tale.

Kit and Julian

Kim has a wonderful story in a seaside town with Imps, Dragons and Wizards. Julian and Kit are sweet together. Joel's narration was wonderful

Sweet gay romance

Where does Treasure rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As I've read it three times already and I've only had it a couple of weeks, it looks like becoming a favourite.

What did you like best about this story?

The two lead characters

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The scene after the storm

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

It had many.

Any additional comments?

This was just a lovely story. The two lead characters were brilliant and their romance was beautiful. I really loved the way this was written. I'm not sure the fantasy element added anything to the story and I thought the language was a bit too flowery in places but I loved it nonetheless.