The White Rajah by Tom Williams

Blurb: Invalided out of the East India Company’s army, James Brooke looks for adventure in the South China Seas. When the Sultan of Borneo asks him to help suppress a rebellion, Brooke joins the war to support the Sultan and improve his chances of trading successfully in the area. Instead, he finds himself rewarded with his own country, Sarawak.

Determined to be an enlightened ruler who brings peace and prosperity to his people, James settles with his lover, John Williamson, in their new Eden. But piracy, racial conflict, and court plotting conspire to destroy all he has achieved. Driven from his home and a fugitive in the land he ruled, James is forced to take extreme measures to drive out his enemies.

The White Rajah is the story of a man, fighting for his life, who must choose between his beliefs and the chance of victory. Based on a true story, Brooke’s battle is a tale of adventure set against the background of a jungle world of extraordinary beauty and terrible savagery. Told through the eyes of the man who loves him and shares his dream, this is a tale of love and loss from a 19th century world that still speaks to us today.

About the author: Tom used to write books for business, covering everything from the gambling industry to new developments in printing technology. Now he writes about love and adventure in the 19th century, which is not nearly as well paid, but much more fun. Years ago, Tom visited Borneo and spent a couple of days living in the jungle with the Dyaks. He helped catch and kill a deer, discovered that he's a crack shot with a blowpipe and narrowly avoided eating a monkey. He came home with a sword that can take a man's head off and an abiding fascination for Sarawak and its history. Much, much later this resulted in The White Rajah. Tom lives in London and when he's not writing he likes to ski, dance tango or street skate. In fact, he'll do almost anything to avoid honest work.

Buy link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/White-Rajah-Historical-Brooke-Williamson-ebook/dp/B079VK7V34/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Get it now, only .99£ at Amazon UK! 

My review: Five stars - I've read several of Tom Williams's books, and I have enjoyed them very much. I started this and was caught up in a fantastic adventure and touching love story between two very different men. I had no idea that that James Brooke really existed, but I knew something about Borneo and it seemed entirely plausible that the Sultan would give him the kingdom of Sarawak to rule, making Brooke a white rajah! This is a beautifully written story. It's also well researched, and the historical knowledge of the far east is fascinating. A compelling tale. I highly recommend it!