David Jordan is a passenger on a ship traveling off the Barbary Coast near North Africa when pirates attack and take control of the ship. David fought them the best he could, but he was no match against them. Soon the passengers will be ransomed back to their families who can afford to pay. The ones who are not so lucky will be sold into slavery in Tripoli. Since David has no family to pay for his release, he fears that he will be a slave to those Turks who wouldn’t mind buying a handsome young man like himself.

Robert Charteris lives in Tripoli but abhors the slavery trade. He works for the Brothers of the Saviour, gathering information to help as many as he can who are being sold as slaves. But when he sees David up for sale, he can’t help feeling certain urges for a fine male specimen like David. He wants David badly, even though he still mourns the lover he lost and could never find, because he too was sold into slavery. He will buy David to save him, hoping David will aid him in his plight.

David is very confused about Robert because of the new found feelings he has for Robert. And when he catches Robert with men in passionate embraces and certain acts that David knows should only be performed between a man and a woman, he is even more confused because he wants to be with Robert that way. Robert would like nothing more than to make David his lover, but in order for that to happen he must gain David’s trust. David knows what Robert wants from his is forbidden, but his kisses and touch feels so right.

Beyond the Veil is a very interesting type of historical romance, mainly because it is a love story between two men in a very different type of setting. Stevie Woods takes many topics, such as slavery and sexual taboos, and has written a tale that really opens your mind. The relationship between Robert and David is a very mature one where both men communicate their feelings for one another. Robert is truly a wonderful character because he gives David enough time to come to grips about his feelings and the new world he in which he resides.

There are also some secondary characters that add to the story, such as the pirate captain Malik who falls for one of the female passengers he kidnaps and keeps with him. His own story, about how he came to be a pirate, is a very moving one and his relationship with Suzanna and even her brother Tom is just as appealing as Robert and David’s story. Beyond the Veil is one action packed historical you will not want pass up.

Reviewed by: Katie