The Gunroom 1. Bridgemont

The first book in what became the Bridgemont Saga and it is a fabulous introduction into life aboard an English warship.  Granger is a personable guy with a penchant for charming his way into intimate relationships and this is where it all started.  Please read the story comments that accompany this story.  While I originally came to GA for Arbour's CAP series, this series has also become a favorite that I love just as much! Mark Arbour has published 29 stories on site with  5.3 million words and counting.  

READ AND ENJOY!

The Gunroom introduces us to George Granger, son of the Earl of Bridgemont and a young junior officer in the Royal Navy. 

George is arguably the greatest single character to be found on the Gay Authors website. He is a man of integrity, who from a young age chooses the honorable course in all his actions. 

This is a tale that gives us insight into the lives of sailors, the workings of the Royal Navy and of an empire being formed. 

A wonderful read, brilliantly written. 

George Granger is the third son of the Earl of Bridgemont. Like other young aristocrats in similar position, George has to make his own way in the world. Sailing has been his passion since childhood. A loving child with a warrior's spirit, he obtains a commission in the Royal Navy. He begins his career at 15 years of age. 

The Gunroom is the story of his transition from an innocent teen to a swashbuckling young man. It is a compelling read set in the time leading up to the French Revolutionary War.  George's exploits are brilliantly written to give you the sense you are a part of his life, public and private.  You will not want to stop reading this adventure filled with passion and pride.

This is the story that started the Bridgemont saga; one of the two best that I have found on this site.  It has everything.  The writing is compelling, the pacing is perfect, the character development is first rate; and it manages to bring history alive.  

We are introduced to George Granger, an intrepid youth from an aristocratic family that finds his footing in the British navy.  We meet many who will influence his formative development in this revered institution but most of all we will see his drive to succeed.  

Just can't say enough about how wonderful this story and the saga it spawned as been and continues to be.

This has to be the best series that I have read on this site. When you start and you are drawn into this historical setting,  have a globe or Google map open along with Wikipedia! It will add so much more to the story. The author slowly teaches us about unusual facts of history and mores of the period. This Australian leant about "Jay Law" in Philadelphia USA, and the Winter Palace of St Petersburg in the time of the czars . Honestly,  dreamt of the protagonists and wished that I could play with George myself. Truly an amazing author,  I would pay for these books willingly and I would not normally be drawn to a setting of George the third,  but think "Bridgeton" meets "the Onedin Line" (bbc drama), 

Whilst waiting for the next update on Granger’s latest adventures, I decided to go back to the start.  This is a gem of a book, all the key points to the futre character development of George are here, an amazing achievement, frankly.  
This book is, obviously the place to start for new readers, but also a joy to revisit after nearly a million words later. 
Well done, Mark.