Review: Faire Protector (The Faire #2) by Madeleine Ribbon

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

It’s been almost a year since assassin Max chased his foster brother Devin onto the mystical Renaissance Faire grounds with orders to kill him. But the Faire has a mind of its own as does its small band of inhabitants and Max ended up a prisoner of the Faire and his soul captured in a magical amulet. Now its time for the Faire to return from its home in another dimension and take up residence in the Faire grounds in the present. During the past year, Max has changed profoundly and found friends amongst the villagers and Faire workers. Even his foster brother Devin has forgiven him and found love.

So now its time to return to the normal world and with Joryk’s help, they will smash the amulet and return Max’s soul and free will to him. Max is afraid that with the return of his soul, the worst of Max will return as well. Plus Kelderman, Max’s old crime boss, is still after Max and Max is afraid he will put the Faire and his friends in danger once they return.

Joryk, the Faire’s mage, has assigned Max to work with the Faire’s brew master, Shepherd, to keep Max busy until the amulet can be broken and out of sight of any of the crime bosses underlings looking for Max on the Renn grounds. But Shepherd wants nothing to do with Max, even as a worker helping him at the brewery. Shepherd thinks Max is the reason his cousin, Perry, got back into drugs, and Max has a past history as a drug dealer, no matter what Max tries to tell him. Even at odds, both men find the other attractive. With everything coming to a head, criminals on the hunt, an amulet to destroy and a soul to return, can love still find a way into the hardest of hearts?

I found Madeleine Ribbon’s stories when I read the first book in this series, Faire Fugitive, last year and fell immediately in love with both the characters and the premise behind the series. A lover of all things Renaissance Festival, the idea of a magical Renn Faire that disappeared into an enchanted dimension once the season was over, only to return the following year to sell it’s inhabitants wares and restock up on supplies needed, charmed me. A sort of Renn Faire Brigadoon! Only some of the Renn Faire workers are year around inhabitants and know the secrets of the Faire and Faire grounds, including the fact that the Faire has a mind and will of its own. That concept alone had me in thrall. But then Madeleine Ribbon added some vulnerable and fascinating characters and I was hooked!

Max was a villain, sort of, in the first story. Forced into becoming an assassin for the crime boss Kelderman, Max thought becoming a killer was the only way he could protect Devin who his boss wanted dead. Instead of killing Devin, Max would hunt him, scaring Devin into running over and over again. But Max also had to kill others on Kelderman’s orders and that ate at his soul until the voices in his head almost destroyed him. Only being captured by Joryk in the Faire grounds and having his soul taken away and imprisoned in a crystal amulet, saved Max. The year spent in the other dimension restored much of Max’s humanity and gave him peace even if he was left without free will and still a prisoner within the village boundaries. Ribbon’s descriptions of the magic of the other dimension and the places that Max seeks out as solace make it easy to understand how Max feels and the sanctuary it has provided.

But everything has its complications, including the soul spell that Joryk and the others didn’t fully understand. The repercussions of the spell are just being fully realized and that’s a huge part of this story and its most poignant element. Max is full of guilt for his past actions and the fear of the future once his soul returns haunts him. As it should. I loved that the author realizes that there should be weighty consequences for Max’ past actions. He destroyed peoples lives. And you can’t get off with a new life without paying the price of the pain and death you caused in the past. The ramifications will be as horrific as his deeds and Madeleine Ribbon’s scary descriptions are up to the task of making us feel what Max feels. Those scenes hit home with some hefty emotional power.

Yes, there is a romance here as well. A reluctant one at the start, given the personalities and histories involved. That a great choice because a case of instant love would definitely be out of place here. The relationship is a slow one, evolving over a period of 3 months, the duration of the Faire in present time. And the romance between Max and Shepherd is always a tenuous one. Given the circumstances, neither is sure how to go forward or even if that is possible. That’s a lovely realistic touch.

The story flows rapidly to its conclusion and I was left wanting to remain with the characters back in the land of shimmering birds and lights that chase each other through the ancient woods. Just as I was at the end of Faire Fugitive. Madeleine Ribbon has created a magical world that you won’t want to leave and filled it full of characters to love. I can only hope that there is another Faire story on the horizon. I know there is one Faire librarian in need of romance and a HEA. I hope he gets it and we get another story.

Cover Art by Fiona Jayde. Nice even if the dot over the “i” is placed directly over the cover model’s nipple!

Buy Links: Loose id ARe Amazon Faire Protector

Book Details;

ebook, 263 pages
Published July 1st 2014 by Loose Id (first published June 30th 2014)
ISBN139781623004064
edition languageEnglish
seriesThe Faire #2

Books in The Faire series to date:

Faire Fugitive (The Faire, #1)
Faire Protector (The Faire, #2)

Review: In Despair (Princes of the Blood #3) by Megan Derr

Rating 5 stars out of 5

Sixteen year old Prince Telmé Guldbrandsen has been groomed to become a Prince of the Blood and take over as Commander of the Legion. Equally young Korin is heir to the Reach of the House and the Temple of the Sacred Three. Expectations run high for him as well since it has been foretold that he will be the next High Priest. Telme’ and Korin are also engaged to each other, an unfortunate affair since neither boy can stand the other. Between the constant fighting and endless quarreling, the Halls of Castle Guldbrandsen have been ringing with shouts of anger and fists hitting flesh instead of calm and the silence of boys at their studies to the displeasure of the royal family and all the others around them.

Monsters and dark mages left over from the last war lurk all around the kingdoms. Princes of the Blood, and their fellow supernatural beings are the only things that stand between them and the remainder of humankind. But humans that will allow their children to be tested to see if they have the right percentage of Demon blood are few as are pure blooded humans. When found, they are brought to the Castle Guldbrandsen for testing and to strengthen ties through marriage. Just such an happening at Castle Guldbrandsen ends in a devastating and unthinkable event, leaving those still standing awash in grief and anger. Telme’ and Korin are Castle Guldbrandsen’s last hope but can they put aside their distrust and personal hatred long enough to save the kingdom and each other in the bargain?

In Despair marks the end of the Princes of the Blood trilogy by Megan Derr and I am so sad to get to the end of this marvelous tale of love, loss, and magic. From the beginning, Megan Derr made the fascinating and quirky decision to write this trilogy backwards. The first book, Of Last Resort (Princes of the Blood #1) takes place towards the end of the trilogy’s timeline, and each book thereafter moves the story back towards the beginning years and the history that is only hinted at in the first book. It’s a challenging and imaginative format and its has worked beautifully here.

In Despair starts out with the characters in deep despair, a state that will follow them into the past. Telme’ stands at the bedside of Koren who is terribly wounded from his fight with an angel from Of Last Resort. That momentous battle came at the end of the first story and it left Koren in a coma. Now as the trilogy comes to an end, Derr puts us down at Castle Guldbreandsen to get at glimpse at the lives of those impacted by that battle. While Telme’ waits at Koren’s bedside, he remembers back to when they were teenagers and at odds with each other. And from that time on, In Despair starts its own tale of war, black magic, loss and love.

Megan Derr is one of my favorite fantasy authors. In the Princes of the Blood trilogy she weaves together romance, action, adventure, fantasy and magic into stories that both the YA and adult readers will love. As with all her stories, we start off with some amazing world building. From Castle Guldbrandsen whose rulers have a very close connection to demons as well as all the fantasy beings that make up the incredible magic protectors of the realm, the army of mixed-blood beings known as the King’s Legion: dragoons, shadowmarch, sorcerers, titans…and of course, the Princes of the Blood. Derr has folded so many rich details and layers into this world. The trilogy starts after a cataclysmic war has occurred that brought forth all sorts of demons and set them loose in the world almost destroying it. While the war ended centuries ago, the aftermath has left demons scattered throughout the kingdoms, the human population with varying degrees of demon blood in them due to intermarriage, and necromancers others still trying to reopen the door’s to hell and start the war all over again. And with each story, Derr reveals more about the past through the characters battles in the present time and their interactions with each other.

In Despair is a standout from the other two stories in the trilogy in a number of ways. First, the characters here are the youngest of all the main characters whose tales and romance unfold in these three books. Telme’ and Koren are but sixteen (with Koren slightly younger than Telme’). Telme’ and Koren exhibit all the stubbornness, impetuousness, and capriciousness of youth. Quick to anger, unable to communicate, and equally quick to assume hurt and humiliation, these two young boys yet have the weight of the kingdom on their shoulders. Both are expected to assume two of the highest positions in Castle Guldbrandsen and neither has the maturity or knowledge needed to make that leap to power and responsibility. Sullenness and fights are the rule for both as are misunderstandings and punishment. Derr makes both boys come across so real, so human in their insecurities, pain, and anger. It is easy for the reader to see both sides of the picture for each teenager because it is such a recognizable stage of human growth. Between hormones and pushing back against parental expectations, Telme appears not only “bratty” as the adults term him but overwhelmed by the responsibilities he doesn’t want to assume. And the reader gets that too, particularly as becoming a Prince of the Blood means turning into a demon or half demon at a young age. By his behavior Telme has delayed the test but time is running out. Derr makes both boys so young in their mental and emotional development that we connect with them easily. Then she jerks their foundations out from under them and the tale really gets underway.

As with all marvelous coming of age stories that include high adventure and fantasy, it must also include the darkness of evil and absolute loss. As Castle Guldbrandsen falls under the destructive powers of both, Telme’ and Koren must pull together, grow up (somewhat) and assume the duties they have been avoiding. It’s a timeless, dramatic concept and Derr’s treatment of it and her characters growth is as compelling as they come. That’s possible because no matter what challenges these boys face or hurdles they must overcome, they remain the teenagers they are. They still make poor judgement calls, make assumptions about each other and the events that occur that adults with more experience would disregard, and suffer from the lack of practical knowledge and maturity that age would have given them. I love that there is no “instant adult” changeover in persona. No, these are still kids trying to fill adult shoes and mostly succeeding to mixed reviews from the grownups around them. How can you not empathize with a sixteen year old who has just kind of “saved the day” only to come back to adults who don’t like the way he did it? As an adult, you can see both sides but the teenager in you will be just as dumbfounded and angry as Telme’ is. That’s one of the real beauties of this story and this trilogy, Megan Derr tells it in such a way that we believe so deeply in these characters and their lives that we can see all sides to every argument and still come down on the side of youth and fragility no matter our own age.

At the end, Megan Derr brings the story back around to the time of the first story, Of Last Resort, with Telme’ still waiting to see if Koren lives. Her circle is complete, and her trilogy is almost over. All the characters from all three stories appear and their stories resolved in scenes and mentions of events happening inside the castle. Did I love the way In Despair ended? Absolutely. Do I recommend In Despair and the entire Princes of the Blood trilogy? Without question.

Of Last Resort, With Pride and In Despair will all be at the top of ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords Best of 2014 lists this year. Check them all out but read them in the order that Derr wrote them. It will make for some magical reading and leave you sighing for more at the end. Just like me.

Cover art by Aisha Akeju who is quickly becoming a new favorite artist of mine.

Buy Links: Less Than Three Press ARe Amazon In Despair

Book Details:

ebook
Published July 9th 2014 by Less Than Three Press
original titleIn Despair
ISBN139781620043233
edition languageEnglish
seriesPrinces of the Blood #3

Princes of the Blood Series include (written in reverse sequence)

Of Last Resort (Princes of the Blood #1)
With Pride (Princes of the Blood #2)
In Despair (Princes of the Blood #3)

Cover Reveal, Contest, & More! The Nesting Habits of Strange Birds by Charlie Descoteaux

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Check out the gorgeous cover of The Nesting Habits of

Strange Birds along with a blurb and excerpt below!!!

Author: Charley Descoteaux

Cover: D.W. Skinner (photographer), Paul Richmond (designer)

Dreamspinner Press

Pre-orders and The Trevor Project by Charlie Descoteaux

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First I’d like to thank Pride Promotions for arranging this tour, ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords for inviting me to visit their lovely space, and D.W. Skinner and Paul Richmond for my gorgeous cover!

I’ve been writing for a long time, but The Nesting Habits of Strange Birds is the first full-length novel I get to share with the world. During all the years I spent writing, and dreaming of the day when I could say I am a novelist, I also made plans.

I don’t set out to write political or message novels, but after growing up in the Bay Area in the 70s and spending my share of time in the trenches, it’s hard to separate the activist from the author. Like many other writers, I have trunk novels that will probably never see the light of day (you’re welcome ;)). Each of those trunk novels included a plan for giving a portion of any earnings to a relevant charity.

The two main characters in The Nesting Habits of Strange Birds, Phil and Lee, have both been touched by depression and suicide—and since The Trevor Project is one of my favorite national charities, it seemed like a good fit.

I’ll donate $1 for every pre-order of The Nesting Habits of Strange Birds to The Trevor Foundation, in support of their efforts to provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth.

Visit my blog for a running tally of pre-orders. I’ll update the tally every few days, and post the final total on August 11.

Thank you all for helping me raise awareness, and a little cash, for this very worthwhile cause!

Pre-order The Nesting Habits of Strange Birds through Dreamspinner Press. [Link]

Contest: Rafflecopter Prize: E-Copy of the book when it comes out. Use the link provided below to enter the contest. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press eBook Paperback

Book Name: The Nesting Habits of Strange Birds

Author Name: Charley Descoteaux
Author Bio:
Charley Descoteaux has always heard voices. She was relieved to learn they were fictional characters, and started writing when they insisted daydreaming just wasn’t good enough. In exchange, they let her sleep once in a while. Home is Portland, Oregon, where the weather is like your favorite hard-case writing buddy who won’t let you get away with taking too many days off, and in some places you can be as weird as you are without fear. As an out and proud bisexual and life-long weird-o, she thinks that last part is pretty cool.

Rattle my cages, I’d love to hear from you!

Author Links:

Blog
Facebook Author Page:
Twitter
Pinterest
Dreamspinner Author Page
Goodreads
e-mail: c.descoteauxwrites@gmail.com

Cover Artist: D.W. Skinner (photographer), Paul Richmond (designer)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Blurb:

All he ever wanted was to be a normal guy….

Phil Brask spends his days in the basement of his mentor’s Victorian home, converting legal documents into electronic format. When the pipe feeding the water heater bursts, Lee Redding arrives in the plumber’s truck and draws Phil away from the narrow focus of his computer and camera lens. Lee gives Phil hope for a life beyond the walls he’s constructed using the nesting habits of migratory birds and dense legal files, a guided tour through a world filled with romance and music…maybe even family. But there’s a reason Phil retreated behind those walls, why he panics at a simple touch.

Lee has a good life—working with his uncle and on his mother’s farm, playing bass in a horrible metal band, and hooking up when he pleases—but he’s always suspected something was missing. When he meets the hot photographer with the icy-blue eyes, he knows exactly what that something is. Phil isn’t like other guys, but neither is Lee beneath his carefree exterior. Maybe Lee’s the perfect guy to show Phil that everything doesn’t have to be done the hard way and “home” isn’t a four-letter word.

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Excerpt:

“Your pictures, they’re amazing.” Lee said, his voice calm and steady and filled with sincere awe. “What’s this in her beak?”

Lee carefully scrolled forward, and Phil realized Lee had thumbed through all the pictures from that morning and some from last evening as well. He’d been out of it longer than he thought.

“It’s a spiderweb. Hummingbirds use them to build their nests.”

Two sentences. Phil couldn’t remember when he’d last gotten two sentences out just the way he’d intended. He smiled and raised his eyes to Lee’s. They seemed to mirror what he was feeling. Relief; happiness; desire. The next thing he knew, Lee’s lips brushed his lightly. Phil trembled but didn’t pull away. Pride in his perfect speech along with the giddy feeling inspired by Lee’s smile allowed Phil to give in to desire, just for a moment, to take a chance it would end well. Lee leaned toward him, but not so their shoulders touched, and kissed him just a few seconds longer. He kept his mouth almost completely closed, but Phil tasted a hint of hot chocolate. Or maybe the heat came from Lee.

“Whoa,” Lee sighed as much as said.

 Tour Dates: 7/11/14
Tour Stops:
Parker Williams, Hearts on Fire, Emotion in Motion, Love Bytes, My Fiction Nook, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Jade Crystal, Smoocher’s Voice, Full Moon Dreaming, Lee Brazil, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Iyana Jenna, Amanda C. Stone, Tara Lain, Redz World, Because Two Men Are Better Than One, Fallen Angel Reviews, Romance the Night, Velvet Panic, Kimi-Chan, The Hat Party, MM Good Book Reviews, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Lee Brazil, Decadent Delights, Havan Fellows, Kimber Vale, EE Montgomery, Michael Mandrake, Cate Ashwood, Dawn’s Reading Nook
Rafflecopter Code

: a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Wonderful Fourth, A Beautiful Weekend and the Week Ahead!

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Our 4th of July BBQ went off without a hitch and the remnants of Hurricane Arthur brought us gorgeous weather with bright skies, low temperatures, and enough breeze to keep the bugs away. Perfection! Now today is rest, cleanup and leftovers! It’s going to be great! Hope everyone is having a marvelous weekend, whether you celebrated or not.

Here is how the week ahead is looking:

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Monday, July 7:

Secrets of Neverwood Anthology Book Tour/Contest
Merry Farmer’s Somebody to Love Book Tour/Contest
Jackie Nacht’s “Full Moon Torn”‏ Book Blast/contest

Tuesday, July 8:

Ethan Stone’s Vegas Hustle Book Tour/Contest
Somebody to Love by Merry Farmer (review

Wednesday, July 9:

On Tour with RJ Scott (contest)
Review: Neverwood Anthology

Thursday, July 10:

Review: Wolf Run by B.A. Tortuga

Friday, July 11:

Review: In Despair by Megan Derr
Cover Reveal by Charlie Descoteaux

Saturday, July 12:

Review: Faire Protector by Madeleine Ribbon

Review: Son of a Fish (Mended 2014 Daily Dose Anthology) by Kenzie Cade

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5 (rounded up to a 4)

Freelance journalist and romance author Sam Crowe’s life is full but quiet. With characters dancing around in his head and deadlines to meet, Sam doesn’t have much time for anything else outside of his apartment. But life has a change in store for Sam when a new renter appears on his doorstep.

High School Football coach and history teacher, Casey Sanders, picks winter as a time for a new job and a move into the third story apartment. But a slip on the ice brings the type of complications into his life he can appreciate when adorable Sam Crowe comes to his rescue when Casey sprains his ankle moving in.

An offer for help from Sam and temporary quarters in Sam’s apartment brings an instant heat and liking into the equation. Sam isn’t sure that it isn’t the medications when Casey starts in with the flattering words and flirting but Casey knows that the compassionate and cute Sam is the one he wants. Now all he has to do is convince Sam.

Son of a Fish is the debut short story from first time author Kenzie Cade. A part of Dreamspinner Press’ Daily Dose Anthology it charts the beginning of a romance between introspective Sam Crowe and outgoing, athletic Casey Sanders. They meet cute in front of their apartment building with Sam as an established resident on the first floor and Casey a new arrival with an apartment on the third.

An armful of boxes and an icy spot in front of the building result in a sprained ankle for Casey and a rescue by Sam. And Casey’s inability to make it up to his third floor apartment in his condition gives them both time to get to know each other much better to our delight and theirs. Cade’s dialog is charming and each character’s voice comes through clearly. The title comes from Casey’s idea of cursing without using offensive words, therefore son of a fish instead of son of a…well you get the idea. Started as a way to please an ailing mother, it is continued as a balm to his pain over her loss. It’s the little touches like that will pull you into the story even at such a short length. You just can’t help but like these two characters the more you get to know them, individually and as a pair.

This is a drama free zone. It’s a sweet, lighthearted, romance between two characters you will find charming. The jump into bed was lightning fast but attraction can work that way. At least there was no “instant love” involved.

I would love to see Kenzie Cade use this as a springboard for a longer story about these two to see how their romance evolved from such a meet cute beginning. Looking for a fun, quick read? Son of a Fish, the debut story by Kenzie Cade might just be the thing for you.

Buy Links: Dreamspinner Press Amazon All Romance (ARe)

Cover Art by Catt Ford, Cover is just as cute as the story.

Book Details:

ebook, 25 pages
Published June 1st 2014 by Dreamspinner Press (first published May 31st 2014)
edition languageEnglish
seriesMended 2014 Daily Dose Anthology

Review: Belligerent Beta (Pack Partners #2) by Poppy Dennison

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Beta Dan Keller always assumed he would take over the pack as Alpha if anything should happen to their leader. But when the dead Alpha’s son chooses a human to become Alpha and lead their pack, Dan wasn’t sure of his place in the pack or his position. With ex cop Lex Tompkins as Alpha and new pack members, there is a lot of adjusting to do by all. One of the youngest members is also one who is having the most problems. Nathan Ross, the Omega of the pack, has a troubled past that has not only made him a target to other wolves but left him unable to shift as well.

When Lex suggests to Dan that he needs to get more involved with pack members, become a true beta, Dan never anticipated that the one who needed him the most would be Nathan. But a broken down car and a offered ride gives Dan a chance to get to know Nathan and to his surprise he finds he likes the shy man hiding behind poor posture and long bangs. When trouble arrives in pack territory and local animals turn up dead, all clues points to Nathan as the culprit.

Will Nathan and Dan’s friendship and burgeoning romance be lost just as its getting started or will the belligerent beta find his true strength in time to protect a man he wants for his own?

This is such a cute series. Accidental Alpha, the first story, revolved around an ex cop Lex Tompkins who gets bitten by a neighbor’s toddler which turned him into a shifter and pack Alpha. The kid was/is adorable and the situation Lex found himself in was funny with a few serious elements attached. Belligerent Beta is a perfect title for Dan Keller who is still smarting at being passed over for Alpha and by a child no less. Dan is aloof, intimidating, and in a quandary over his role in the pack. The story picks up with the pack and Lex still adjusting to the new order and Lex’s new powers. Nathan, a young Omega wolf, in jeopardy in Accidental Alpha remains troubled here for an unknown yet hinted at reason.

Nathan’s character is a little shaky here. His history is one he only told to the last Alpha with hints of abuse or something equally horrific. He is naive or ignorant about shifter culture. And his inability to shift has caused him to withdraw even further into himself. I expected more from Nathan’s history than is revealed here. Either the reader still doesn’t have the whole story on Nathan or some of the implications were too overwrought, Either way I felt his character could have used some additional information or substance. Did that keep me from liking Nathan? Absolutely not. As someone in need of support and compassion, Nathan hits all the right buttons in order to connect with him. Who did I love? Well, that would be Dan. Big, gruff, isolated Dan. Dan is a character that you like the more he opens up and that happens as gradually as it can over 97 pages. And when Dan finally starts to get to know and get closer to Nathan its as cute as a puppy pile. That’s the best part of this story. It’s heartwarming and so sweet.

If you are looking for drama or angst here, you won’t find it. That element is almost completely missing from this story. Any hints of turmoil or large crisis such as we saw in the first story are just so much smoke or a quick reference to Lex’s continued adjustment to his new shifter status. This is a sweet, adorable romance.. The couple is endearing and they make a perfect pair. When you are finished, I think you will find you were happy you spent more time with this pack and their latest mate pairing. Poppy Dennison continues to flesh out her portrait of this pack and their members with each new story. I’m not sure who is next up in the series, but I can’t wait to find out.

Cover art by Wilde City Press. I would call that model a wonderful bear but this is about wolves after all.

Buy Links: Wilde City Press Amazon ARe

Book Details:

ebook, 97 pages
Published May 14th 2014 by Wilde City Press
original titleBelligerent Beta
ISBN139781925031008
edition languageEnglish
url http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/belligerent-beta/#.U2hU16JQ7sc
seriesPack Partners #2

Pack Partners Series:

Accidental Alpha (Pack Partners #1)
Belligerent Beta (Pack Partners #2)

Review: Forever Hold His Peace (The Crofton Chronicles #3) by Rebecca Cohen

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5 (rounded up to 5)

Anthony Redbourn, Earl of Crofton,and Sebastian Hewell have found happiness and love with each other during the perilous era of Queen Elizabeth. A marriage born out of politics and deception, Sebastian has to play the role of his twin sister, Bronwyn, as the wife of the Earl in order for them to be together. Just as they had adjusted to their married state and become a family than another threat arrives at Crofton Hall. Someone has started to spread rumors that Lady “Bronwyn” is a witch who used her powers to ensnare her rich husband. As the rumors gather momentum, small herbs and items used in witchcraft are planted to make sure that Bronwyn/Sebastian is investigated by the Sheriff. Such an accusation would ensure that Anthony and Sebastian’s deception would be uncovered when the Sheriff arrives to take “Bronwyn” off to jail, destroying them both.

While Anthony and Sebastian try to figure out who is behind the plot against them, they decide that they have no other course but to “lay Bronwyn to rest” sooner than they had anticipated. But first they have to delay the Sheriff’s investigation while beginning their own, and all the while planning Bronwyn’s final illness and funeral. With so much at stake, including their heads, will they be able to find a way to stay together long after “Lady Bronwyn” has been laid to rest?

The first two stories in the Crofton Chronicles were wonderful, somewhat frothy fare that I throughly enjoyed. Rebecca Cohen put her two main characters through a romantic romp while staying true to the period and the perilous politics found at Queen Elizabeth’s court. In The Actor and the Earl and Duty to the Crown, we have gotten to know and love actor Sebastian Hewell and the Earl of Crofton, Anthony Redbourne. First as their planned marriage was designed by court politics and Sebastian’s uncle. Sebastian’s decision to impersonate his identical twin sister, Bronwyn, was born out of desperation when she decided to elope with her blacksmith love. Astonishingly, Sebastian’s deception was met with delight by Anthony whose proclivities for men had to remain hidden. Their subsequent marriage and love surprised them both with its happiness and success while delighting us with all the obstacles and adjustments that had to be made by both men and the few staff in on the switch. From the wigs and corsets that plagued Sebastian to the gossips and maneuverings at court, all the details Cohen included just added depth and authenticity that was remarkable as it was subtle.

From the beginning of the Crofton Chronicles, Rebecca Cohen crafted a lively, entertaining romance that spread across two years. And while she was entertaining us with their lusty antics, jealous stages, and finally love, she was also educating, however gently, about the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First and the politics of that era. Court intrigue was only as far away as a pot of vermilion or ceruse, face paint favored by the Queen and demanded at court. The court and social intrigue seen was due to Anthony’s title and status as a Queen favorite. But the reader is also steeped in stage and plays of William Shakespeare as well as the construction of the Globe Theatre because of Sebastian’s profession as an actor. We are lucky to get both of their worlds and everything in between. It brought these stories to life just as assuredly it did Cohen’s characters. I loved all the minutiae and atmosphere as much as I did the characters. It never felt overdone. Instead it came across as an intelligent, marvelous bit of staging.

But unlike the first two novels, Forever Hold His Peace concerns the dissolution of a marriage through a “death” instead of two men in love adjusting to their union and deception. The first two were fun, and while danger was never far away, the romance and happiness were at the center. Not so here. Forever Hold His Peace is a much darker, sadder story. As it has to be. Sebastian and Anthony’s deception was never expected to last and always present was the idea that “Bronwyn” came with a time limitation. So their happiness was always a fragile thing. Now, someone has maneuvered Sebastian and Anthony into killing off Bronwyn sooner then they had anticipated. The plot that forces their hand is a ruthless and potentially deadly one. Rebecca Cohen’s knowledge of that era is displayed in the references to the herbal plants and roots that also have “witchcraft” overtones, like the mandrake. The very idea of witchcraft was taken seriously and the end result for the person identified as a witch was horrific.

There are so many plot threads at work here. The plan to force Anthony and Sebastian to get rid of Bronwyn, their investigation, and Bronwyn’s death. And finally Anthony’s revenge on the person behind it all. And overlaying it all, is the sadness and uncertainty of Sebastian and Anthony at their changing relationship and new status. I was surprised by how much this upset me even though I knew it was coming. From Sebastian’s maid/substitute mother Miriam saying goodbye to the idea of young William losing one more mother, I admit to weeping more than a few tears. But what really put me over the edge was the Epilogue.

Epilogues tend to be hit or miss with me. Either they miss the point of an epilogue entirely or they go too far. I am still trying to decide about the epilogue here. Part of me wants to think it went too far into the future giving me more than I wanted to know and another side of me is content to see how it all played out. I’m still thinking about it so I guess it did its job and then some.

Some elements here felt a tad long, such as intricacies of Anthony’s revenge plot and its resolution. It managed to reveal the opposition to Queen Elizabeth and the plots against her while discussing some of the issues that came from having a “virgin” Queen. I’m not sure it needed all that but enjoyed the information anyway. Still, Forever Hold His Peace is my favorite story of the series, for all its sadness and weight or maybe because of it. The characterizations felt deeper and more layered, perhaps because of the seriousness of the issues they were dealing with. Even Sebastian’s real sister Bronwyn came across more fully realized than ever before. The threat of death will do that. There is room to add to the Crofton Chronicles here as a new heir apparent appears at the end with all of Anthony’s appreciation of men intact. I would love to see Rebecca Cohen continue with the Croftons to see where it may take them, perhaps to the New World and beyond.

Whether that happens or not, I absolutely recommend The Crofton Chronicles to all lovers of m/m romance and m/m historical fiction. Read all the books in the order that they were written to see the romance begin, mature, and perhaps even end in a way. I loved these stories and think you will too. I’m still thinking about them, Anthony and Sebastian. So what does that tell you? They are a most memorable couple. Make your introduction to them today.

Book Details:

book, 200 pages
Published June 16th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press (first published June 15th 2014)
edition languageEnglish
url http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5090&cPath=55_462
seriesThe Crofton Chronicles #3

Cover art by Anne Cain. My favorite cover of the three stories, love the models and the emotion conveyed. Lovely.

Buy Links: Dreamspinner Press Amazon ARe

Books in The Crofton Chronicles:

The Actor and the Earl (The Actor and the Earl #1)
Duty to the Crown (The Actor and the Earl #2)
Forever Hold His Peace (The Crofton Chronicles #3)

On Tour: Interview with Rebecca Cohen on her latest release, Forever Hold His Peace

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ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords is happy to have Rebecca Cohen with us today to talk about her latest book Forever Hold His Peace and m/m fiction.

Contest: There is a Rafflecopter contest to go along with this book tour. The Rafflecopter Prize: E-Copy of the new book, “Forever Hold His Peace – Crofton Chronicles: Book Three. Visit here to enter.

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STRW Why did you choose to write M/M stories ?

RC: This might sound a little odd, but I wasn’t so much actively choosing to write M/M, but more a particular story worked better when the main male characters were lovers. In Servitude, my first published novel, my main character Lornyc has to serve a magical contract to another character called Methian. I tried several things, but once I wrote them as secret lovers, it all clicked into place. It took a long time to write Servitude (7 years from start to publication) and in the beginning I didn’t even realize there was such a thing as M/M as a specific genre, but I really enjoyed writing the dynamics between the male characters. Let’s just say I never looked back!

STRW: What was your inspiration for this particular story?

RC: Forever Hold His Peace is the final Crofton Chronicle and as with each of the other Elizabethan novels it is a nod to a specific Shakespeare play – for this one its Hamlet (or rather Laertes and Ophelia). Also you might recognise the title from the wedding service, and someone in the story really should’ve have held their peace over Sebastian and Anthony’s relationship. With this being the last in the series, I really wanted to give my boys a good sending off, so a happy ending was an absolute must.

STRW: What makes a character a hero to you?

RC:To me being a hero is not about grand gestures but doing what needs to be done, even in the face of adversity. Bravery comes in many forms, and sometimes it is the little things that can make a big impact on others. Sebastian in the Crofton Chronicles begins playing his sister to uphold his family’s honour. And despite the risk he could be executed if he was found out, he continues to play his role as Lady Crofton out of love for Anthony.

STRW: How much research to you do for any particular story?

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RC: I love research, having trained in a scientific discipline it’s a hard habit to break! And it’s a good job, as you can imagine the historical novels take a lot of work to get them right. But even for other genres I put the background work in too. For sci-fi and fantasy I like the premises to have recognisable concepts, even though they might not completely align with our universe or current scientific knowledge.

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STRW: Is there any specific genre of writing you don’t connect with and which ones are your favorite to write?

RC: I must admit that there is one genre that leaves me cold, and maybe it is because I’m a Brit, but I’ve never really connected with Westerns/cowboys. But when it comes to writing I have a terrible problem. I can’t stick to one genre – fantasy, historical, sci-fi, contemporary … I love to write them all. Each one has its challenges, but I love the freedom of high fantasy, and to some extent sci-fi, but the historical and contemporary genres also give me a buzz for creating something that can still be magical, but within the boundaries of our world.

Thank you, Rebecca, for stopping by today. An excerpt from Forever Hold His Peace and all the tour dates and stops (each with a different excerpt to read) is listed below.

Author Bio:

I’m a Brit abroad. Having swapped the Thames for the Rhine, I have left London behind and now live with my husband and baby son in Basel, Switzerland. I can often be found with a pen in one hand and a cup of Darjeeling in the other.

Forever Hold His Peace (final Crofton Chronicle novel) will be released June 2014 and Idolatry (sequel to Servitude) is due out Autumn 2014.

My current WIPs are Saving Crofton Hall (a modern Crofton spin off from the Elizabethan novels), Under Glass (a sci-fi novel) and Overly Dramatic (contemporary rom-com)… that should keep me busy for a while!

You can contact/follow Rebecca Cohen at the following:

Book Details:

Cover Artist: Anne Cain
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Blurb(s):

Sebastian Hewel has never been happier. But his life playing the role of his twin sister Bronwyn, the wife of Anthony Redbourn, Earl of Crofton, is about to change. Rumors abound that Bronwyn is using witchcraft to enthrall her husband, and false evidence has been found. Practicing witchcraft is a crime that could have Bronwyn brought in for questioning by the sheriff, and that would reveal Sebastian and Anthony’s secret.

Together they must decide whether it is time to lay Bronwyn to rest. Anthony intends to ensure that whoever implicated Bronwyn pays for the treacherous deed. Whatever happens, Sebastian and Anthony must prepare to face an unknown future together.

Buy Links: Dreamspinner Press Ebook DSP Print Amazon

As this is an excerpt tour, each blog will have their own unique excerpt. Visit each site and check them all out! The excerpt for ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords can be found at the end of the post.

Tour Dates: June 23 – July 7
Tour Stops:
June 23: Hearts on Fire, Parker Williams
June 24: 3 Chicks After Dark, MM Good Books
June 25: Amanda C. Stone, Pants Off Review
June 26: Love Bytes, Iyana Jenna
June 27: Havan Fellows, Kimi-Chan, LeAnn’s Book Reviews
June 30: My Fiction Nook, Tara Lain
July 1: Nephylim, Cate Ashwood
July 2: Jade Crystal, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
July 3: Elisa Rolle
July 4: The Hat Party
July 7: Prism Book Alliance

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Forever Hold His Peace book excerpt (NSW): The reader acknowledges that they are over the age of 18 if they continue reading… Continue reading “On Tour: Interview with Rebecca Cohen on her latest release, Forever Hold His Peace” →

In the Author Spotlight: Madeleine Ribbon on Faire Protector release (contest)

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In the Author Spotlight Today –

Madeleine Ribbon, author of the Ren Faire series

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I encountered Madeleine Ribbon through her first story, Faire Fugitive almost a year ago. Recently I sort of ran into her again and asked about how the series was doing, where the idea came from…those sorts of questions. My answer from Madeleine was that the sequel, Faire Protector, was getting ready for release shortly. That news prompted all kinds of anticipation and ideas, including having Madeleine Ribbon here to talk about the series inspiration behind Faire Fugitive and Faire Protector.

To help celebrate the release of Faire Protector, Madeleine has brought a book giveaway with her, a choice of either book to one lucky reader. To enter to win, leave your email address and a comment at the end of the post. As usual, must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Contest ends July 8 at midnight, Winner to be announced on July 9th!

The Maryland Renaissance Festival starts August 23, Chances are you can find both myself and Madeleine in attendance at some point in time. Wave a turkey drumstick or pint at us if we happen to walk on by….

A Trip to the Faire by Madeleine Ribbon

When I first started writing the Faire series, my entire goal was finding an excuse to get my ass into costume and flounce around any and every Renaissance festival I could manage to get my grubby little hands on. Luckily, all that Ren faire visiting (and subsequent note taking, because I had to justify ticket prices somehow) led to some perfectly reasonable ideas, and Devin and Max’s stories were born while I was in the midst of half-hour Shakespeare skits, jousting tournaments, bagpipe concerts, corsets, steak on a stake, and copious amounts of ale and mead.

A Renaissance faire is like the bastard child of a seventh-grade world history book and the most amazing circus ever. The festivals all try to recreate a romanticized version of history, and in doing so, they create a place that’s almost magical in its other-worldliness. At the faire, you can get lost in a new world for a day. You have a chance to marinade yourself in everyone else’s weirdness—and just about every sort of weird is acceptable there. My Faire takes these bits and kind of pushes them to the next level by making the magic real.

I gave the main characters for both Faire Fugitive and Faire Protector rather unfortunate histories, and since I didn’t want to go full-on angsty in this series, I needed something to balance the darker sides of the story out. Using the Ren faire has been a great way to create a peppy, wacky, unique, can’t-take-yourself-seriously environment to balance out the harsh realities of my characters’ lives.

BLURB:

Max’s soul has become a virtual slave to the magical Renaissance Faire, and he can’t leave the grounds. He’s very, very attracted to the Faire’s brewmaster, but Shepherd wants nothing to do with him. Shepherd thinks Max is the reason his cousin got back into drugs, and Max has a bad history—dealing, a prison term, and last but not least, a little four-year stint as the personal assassin of a drug kingpin. For once, Max didn’t do it, but Shepherd isn’t about to believe him.

When Max’s old boss becomes a threat, the Faire that had been his prison becomes his protection. Max hides out at the brewery. As he deals with Shepherd’s bad attitude, the physical and mental side effects of having his soul imprisoned, and guilt over the people he’s killed, he finds himself falling for the sexiest man to ever hate him. But the only way he can keep Shepherd is if he can find some sort of magical redemption for his past.

Buy Link: Loose id

Book Details:
Author: Madeleine Ribbon
Book 2 of the Faire series
Length: Novel, 90,000 words
ISBN: 978-1-62300-406-4
Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Contact Madeleine Ribbon:

Website: http://www.madeleineribbon.com
Twitter: @muddyribbon
Email: madeleine.ribbon@gmail.com
Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/MadeleineRibbon

More Winner Announcements , The Week Ahead at ScatteredThoughts and Happy Fourth of July!

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Happy Sunday All! This is the lead up to the 4th of July Celebration here in the US, so preparations are underway for picnics, barbecues, and gatherings of family and friends to celebrate our country. There will be parades and fireworks and sunburns and way too much food. I am having people over, family and friends, so we are working to get everything ready. Time is tight so may I wish all Americans here and abroad a Happy 4th! I hope you all have a wonderful time!

✰And as we celebrate our Independence this 4th of July a special shout out to all the warriors out there, all the veterans and all their support at home and abroad! A heartfelt thank you to you all for your sacrifice and duty. You are greatly appreciated and remembered.

✰One winner announcement this week:

Winners of the Amy Lane contest are:

Caelum: Winner of her choice of either yarn or ebook copy of Blackbird Knitting in a Bunny’s Lair
Rod B: Winner of the print copy of Granby Knitting Menagerie

Congratulations to Caelum and Rod B. Thanks to everyone who left comments and participated.

✰The Week Ahead in Reviews, Contest, and Author Interviews:

Monday, June 30: Unexpected Places by Bailey Bradford TB Tour/Contest

Monday, June 30: Book Blast: Wolf Run by B.A. Tortuga (tour/contest)

Tuesday, July 1: Author Spotlight: Madeleine Ribbon Interview and Book Tour (contest)

Tuesday, July 1: Book Blast: Havan Fellows’ Hidden Needs Book Tour/contest

Wed., July 2: On Tour with Rebecca Cohen and Forever Hold His Peace Book Tour/Contest

Wed., July 2: Review: Forever Hold His Peace by Rebecca Cohen

Thursday, July 3: Virtual Book Tour with Eric Thornton and “Absolute” (contest)

Thursday, July 3: Eden Winter’s Diversion Book Tour and Contest

Friday. July 4: Belligerent Beta by Poppy Dennison, Happy Fourth of July!

Saturday, July 5: Son of a Fish by Kenzie Cade

Saturday, July 5: June Summary of Reviews and Best June 2014 Covers

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