Release Blitz + Giveaway: Heart of Egypt by Megan Slayer

 

Heart of Egypt by Megan Slayer

General Release Date: 18th October 2022

Word Count: 22,554
Book Length: NOVELLA
Pages: 93

GENRES:

EROTIC ROMANCE
GAY
GLBTQI
PARANORMAL

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Book Description

His heart has always belonged to the man he loves—a modern-day actor?

Thutmose knew from the moment he purchased the six-carat ruby that he had something special. So much so, he refused to turn the gem over to the Pharaoh. His punishment for his disobedience? Death and a curse. He shall wear the Heart of Egypt for eternity.

Second chances aren’t permitted—until Aiden touches his coffin.

Aiden Cory, star of the show Hunters, has no idea he’s stumbled on a mummy or the chance at finding true love. When he meets Thut, he’s head-over-heels. He doesn’t know about the Heart of Egypt, but he knows he’s attracted to Thut. There’s the minor problem of Thut being a mummy.

Can modern love save Thut from an ancient curse?

Excerpt

“The gift of this ruby is the gift of eternal love,” the merchant said. “Use and give of it wisely.”

Thutmose held the ruby and measured the weight in his hand. The large gem seemed so heavy against his skin, and so dark red. The color reminded him of blood. Of the deep connection between souls. He needed this ruby. “I shall have it.”

“The price is steep,” the merchant said. “You will pay with your life.”

Pay with his life…every peddler thought he could use that line as a threat because of Thutmose’s wealth. He wasn’t scared of curses or prices. He’d made quite the nice fortune for himself through his dealings with the Pharaoh and his land holdings. The price of this gem wasn’t out of his reach. “I shall have it.”

“Very well.” The merchant accepted Thutmose’s payment and bowed. “The gem is yours. Guard it with your life.”

What an odd thing to say. Thutmose wrapped the gem in a scrap of cloth, then tucked the bundle in the pouch he kept on a strip of leather around his neck. He nodded to the peddler before the man left his home.

Thutmose left his couch and strode to the window. The gem weighed heavy around his neck, but also felt like a part of him now. Like he’d never been without it.

His lover, Azizi, stood beside him and slid his arm around Thutmose’s waist. “My beloved.”

He embraced Azizi. “How was your rest?”

“Not well.” Worry lines crinkled at the corners of Azizi’s eyes. “The Pharaoh knows about us.”

“So?” The Pharaoh had taken a great many lovers. What did Thutmose’s love life matter to one so great?

“He has demanded your presence.” Azizi trembled. “And mine.”

“We will see him.” He didn’t understand Azizi’s hesitance. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Azizi balled his hands on Thutmose’s chest. “The Pharaoh has demanded a price for us to stay together.”

“He has our allegiance.” Didn’t he? “Have you lost faith in the Pharaoh?”

“I have not.” Azizi hesitated again. “The Pharaoh believes we have upset the gods, therefore have upset him.”

“How?”

“I know not.” Azizi touched the leather pouch. “Did you bring me a gift?”

“Not this time.” He wasn’t sure what he’d do with the precious gem, but he wasn’t ready to give it away. Did Azizi deserve such an expensive present? Thutmose wasn’t sure.

“You bought the gem,” Azizi said. “Is it as brilliant as I’m told?”

Why was Azizi so interested in the ruby? “It is.”

“You should give it as an offering to the Pharaoh. Maybe he will smile on us and allow us to be together,” Azizi said. “Maybe he will allow us into his personal confidences and we can attain a spot in the kingdom.”

“Is that what you want? For me to pay for us to be together?” He shouldn’t have to bribe the Pharaoh this way. Besides, the Pharaoh would never allow Azizi into the realm of the aristocracy, even through his connection to Thutmose—unless Azizi knew something more than he’d let on.

“The Pharaoh believes we should give him an offering.” Azizi let go of him. “Don’t you care about me? Enough to give up your precious gem? Will you help me become part of the inner circle? Or will you prevent me because…”

Thutmose paused. Did he? He didn’t want to give the ruby to anyone—not to buy the Pharaoh’s favor or to keep Azizi in his life. He wanted to be happy. To do that, he needed to get to the bottom of this. He didn’t understand what he’d done to upset the Pharaoh or to cause this problem. He served the Pharaoh diligently and never spoke out against the gods. Then again, he wasn’t sure what had brought on Azizi’s interest in becoming part of the aristocracy. Did he ever really love Thutmose? Was his association with Thutmose there only to improve his position in society? To get him closer to the Pharaoh? Thutmose hated having doubts, but he didn’t trust his lover. Not now.

“We shall see him today.” He’d get the situation handled once and for all.

“Very good, my beloved.” Azizi smiled, but the fear didn’t leave his eyes.

Thutmose never wanted to see his lover upset. He’d waited so long to find Azizi and refused to let anyone, even the Pharaoh, take him away. According to whisperings around the kingdom, the Pharaoh had many lovers of both sexes. Did he want another lover? Or did Azizi want something of the Pharaoh? That wouldn’t surprise Thutmose. Many of the workers and low born did anything possible to gain the favor of the kingdom.

The Pharaoh couldn’t have Azizi—not yet. But the conversation did irritate Thutmose. Why was Azizi so interested in the gem, too? What did he want with the ruby? He hated to wonder about his lover, but he’d learned so many others couldn’t be trusted. He didn’t want Azizi to be like them, but right now…he wasn’t sure.

Thutmose let go of his lover and gestured to his servants to leave. He and Azizi would speak to the Pharaoh at once and clear up this problem. The faster they did, the sooner they could get on with their lives.

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About the Author

Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Find out more about Megan on her website, and sign up for the newsletter here. You can also check out her Blog, Amazon Author Page, Bookbub and Instagram.

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: Cursed (A Balance of Magic #2) by Jackie Keswick

Author Jackie Keswick and Gay Book Promotions share new release info for Cursed (A Balance of Magic #2)! Read more about the paranormal friends to lovers novel and enter in the $10 Amazon gift card/ back list eBook giveaway!

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Cursed (A Balance of Magic #2)

Author: Jackie Keswick

Cover Artist: Jackie Keswick

Release Date: March 23, 2022

Genre: M/M Fantasy

Tropes: Friends to lovers, love vs. duty, soul mates, found family, worlds in peril, two against the world, hurt/comfort

Series Themes: the world is fragile, short-term decisions have long-term consequences, gifts are given for a reason

Heat Rating: 3 flames   

Length:  77 000 words

It is the second book in a trilogy.

The book does not end on a cliffhanger. Raijin and Sandro’s story ends on a HFN. The main story arc continues across all three books.

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Two friends. Two worlds. A selfish desire that threatens them both.

Blurb

Two friends. Two worlds. A selfish desire that threatens them both.

Raijin killed a witch and found himself cursed.

Sandro went to Raijin's aid and became an assassin's target.

Neither expected that they would trigger the biggest upheaval their world had seen in a thousand years.

And that it needed the love between them to lift the curse.

Cursed, the second book in the Balance of Magic series, is a slow-burn m/m fantasy romance featuring friends-to-lovers who become soulmates, irate death gods, curses, inept, narcissistic politicians, curious, compassionate witches, and a found family.

Excerpt 

France, Summer 1920

“Poplars and plane trees, beeches and birches, or a mountainside of firs.” Sandro stared into the bottom of his wine glass and tried to keep the misery at bay. “Is it really too much to wish for a few olive and lemon trees? I’ve not been near my grove in six years. Six years, Raijin!”

“I know.”

“What if they’ve dug it up?”

“Why would they?”

Sandro set the glass down. “To spite us,” he said.

Raijin stared at him.

“I know, I know. It’s not like me to think badly of people.” He waved a hand. “But what other interpretation is there for the way Tan Hao treats us? Every time we finish a task, he finds another one that keeps us from the base. Do you really think he does that to everyone?”

Raijin wisely kept his mouth shut.

Sandro was grateful. He’d never been a maudlin drunk, but the last six years had changed many things. Being prevented from visiting the only home he’d ever known… hurt. Even if he’d barely spent a day alone while the human world tore itself to pieces.

Maybe he shouldn’t complain. Especially not to Raijin. He hadn’t been home for far longer, but… He lifted a hand to summon the waiter and order another bottle of wine, when Raijin stopped him.

“Come along. I have an idea.”

“What kind?”

“The good kind.” Raijin smiled the soft, lopsided smile that Sandro had no defences against.

“Tell me.”

“In a moment.”

They paid for their meal and left the restaurant, wandering up the street towards their lodgings. They had their own courtyard garden, had food, and even wine, but Sandro had been too restless to stay home, and Raijin had indulged him.

“You’ve been doing that a lot lately.” He tried to express his gratitude.

“Doing what?”

“Indulging me. I’m… Ignore me.”

“Never.” Raijin unlocked the gate and ushered them into the place they’d made their base since the Armistice. It was clean, comfortable, and private. But it wasn’t home.

Sandro had no idea what Raijin meant to do, but he didn’t have to wonder long. As soon as he’d locked the gate behind them, Raijin took hold of his arm, opened the veil and tugged Sandro through.

Two steps later, scents of brine and citrus hit his nose. Soft, springy turf caressed his feet, and one look at the familiar trees had him fight back tears.

Raijin had brought them to the top of the Custodia base. Had given Sandro what he’d most needed: a visit to his grove of lemon trees.

If he could have touched all his trees at once, he’d have done so. Since he lacked that ability, he wrapped his arms around the nearest tree, and hummed.

The trees responded, impressions wrapping him up like a cloak: comings and goings, hot sun and sparkling raindrops, a storm from the east. Sandro soaked it all up like a starving man and shared his own experiences in turn.

After the first sharing was done, Sandro went from tree to tree, touching, checking, renewing his connection. When he joined Raijin at the centre of the grove and accepted the glass of wine Raijin had poured him, he hummed with green energy, his watcher sight as sensitive as it had never been before.

“I wish I could explain—” he began hesitantly.

Only for Raijin to wave it away. “It’s fine. You wanted to check on your family. I understand.”

Raijin wasn’t demonstrative.

But when he chose to make a point, he took Sandro’s breath away.

About the Author 

Jackie Keswick was born behind the Iron Curtain with itchy feet, a bent for rocks and a recurring dream of stepping off a bus in the middle of nowhere to go home. She's worked in a hospital and as the only girl with 52 men on an oil rig, spent a winter in Moscow and a summer in Iceland and finally settled in the country of her dreams with her dream team: a husband, a cat, a tandem, a hammer and a laptop.

Jackie loves unexpected reunions and second chances, and men who write their own rules. She blogs about English history and food, has a thing for green eyes, and is a great believer in making up soundtracks for everything, including her characters and the cat.

And she still hasn't found the place where the bus stops.

For questions and comments, not restricted to green eyes, bus stops or recipes for traditional English food, you can find Jackie Keswick in all the usual places

Blog/Website  |  Facebook group  |  Facebook page  |  Twitter 

Instagram  |  Newsletter Sign-up  |  TikTok  |  Patreon 

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Release Blitz + Giveaway: The Prince and the Ice King (Gemstone Kingdoms #1) by Amanda Meuwissen

Author Amanda Meuwissen and Gay Book Promotions host today's blitz for new fantasy romance, The Prince and the Ice King (Gemstone Kingdoms #1)! Discover more and enter in the back list eBook giveaway from the author!

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: The Prince and the Ice King

Author: Amanda Meuwissen

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Kris Norris

Release Date: August 3, 2021

Genre: Fantasy M/M Romance

Tropes: Fated love, enemies to lovers, cursed, slow burn

Themes: Destiny, fate, redemption, legend, overcoming prejudice

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length: 300 pages

It can be read alone but is the first book in a series. 

This is book 1 of Tales from the Gemstone Kingdoms.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon US  |   Amazon UK 

Dreamspinner

Only true love can melt a frozen heart.

Blurb

Every Winter Solstice, the Emerald Kingdom sends the dreaded Ice King a sacrifice—a corrupt soul, a criminal, a deviant, or someone touched by magic. Prince Reardon has always loathed this tradition, partly because he dreams of love with another man instead of a future queen.

Then Reardon’s best friend is discovered as a witch and sent to the Frozen Kingdom as tribute.

Reardon sets out to rescue him, willing to battle and kill the Ice King if that’s what it takes. But nothing could prepare him for what he finds in the Frozen Kingdom—a cursed land filled with magic… and a camaraderie Reardon has never known. Over this strange, warm community presides the enigmatic Ice King himself, a man his subjects call Jack. A man with skin made of ice, whose very touch can stop a beating heart.

A man Reardon finds himself inexplicably drawn to.

Jack doesn’t trust Reardon. But when Reardon begins spending long days with him, vowing to prove himself and break the curse, Jack begins to hope. Can love and forgiveness melt the ice around Jack’s heart?

Excerpt 

“Jack, is it? Far better than ‘Ice King,’ I suppose.”

The king frowned.

“I’ll call you Majesty until we trust each other. But on that day, I will call you Jack.”

“Is this a game to you?” The Ice King straightened. Reardon stood almost directly before the throne now, chilled and shivering but without any creeping frost on his hair or clothes. “What do you hope to accomplish?”

“My father is wrong for what he does, but seeing this curse on you makes me wonder if he is right about magic’s corruption, despite all the wonders it can do.”

“Magic alone did not curse us!” the king roared. “One person who wielded it did, and I brought her wrath upon me myself.”

That gave Reardon pause. There was so much he didn’t know. “You could tell me your story.”

“It is a long one, little prince, and I grow weary of your presence already.” He stood, crunching down the steps between Reardon and the throne and bringing a gust of icy wind with him.

Reardon sensed how close he was to death but stood his ground. “I only want to bring my people home.”

“And where are they supposed to go? Home, you say. The thief who almost lost her hands because she was starving, the man who lusted after the wrong noble’s son, your friend who has visions—do they have a home to go back to when their own people cast them out as villains?”

“I didn’t.”

“Good for you. You only cared once it finally affected someone you knew.”

Reardon’s fists clenched to be called a heartless coward, but he’d called himself worse this past year.

He also couldn’t overlook the example of a man and a noble’s son.

“I suppose you’ve taken in all the corrupted, haven’t you?”

“You call them corrupt”—the Ice King stomped another clawed foot closer—“yet ask for leniency?”

“I only speak as I was taught. I don’t agree with it. I don’t believe they’re corrupt. Not any of them. I don’t want to. If my father understood—”

“He’d still keep up the status quo. Your kingdom shuns what they don’t understand because of my curse, yet they don’t even remember the time before.”

“So tell me! Let me know the truth so we can learn from our past instead of continuing to repeat it.” Reardon stepped forward—too close, he knew—but like before, instead of reaching out and ending him, the Ice King backed away. “You’d really let them all go, wouldn’t you? If they wanted it?”

“They don’t, but you are welcome to ask them, including your friend.”

“Then I am not a prisoner either?”

“That is up for debate.”

If Barclay had seen Reardon’s death in his vision, it couldn’t be now. Not yet. “Give me the chance to prove I will go back and change things for the better. I’ll stay for as long as it takes, but once you believe me, once you know me and I know you, let me go.”

“And what if I never believe you? You’re the prince. You could bring an army to my door after learning my secrets.”

“If you never believe me… then you either have another servant or another statue to crush. But that means you take an audience with me every day.”

The king scoffed, turning to stomp back up to his throne and throw himself onto it with an elegant ease that should have been impossible. “Sounds frightfully dull.”

“Yes, I can see your calendar is quite full.”

He rumbled with laughter like a brewing winter storm.

For a long stretch of minutes, he stared at Reardon with his uniquely human eyes—different from his companions. The Ice King was more tied to his humanity, even if he’d lost the feeling of it in his heart, and more cursed and tortured because of it, perhaps.

Yet still he said, “Fine. But make no mistake, little prince, if you prove unworthy or attempt to betray me, I will not hesitate to turn you into frozen rubble like that thief.”

All Reardon could do was return his stare and wonder—What was this curse? Why had it been cast? And what had the king been like before it changed him and his kingdom? He had to know, even if a mysterious and frightening future stretched out before him.

Love, death, and blue eyes in a sea of white.

Whatever that might mean.

“You have a deal, Your Majesty.”

About the Author 

Amanda Meuwissen is a bisexual author, with a primary focus on M/M romance. As author of the paranormal romance trilogy The Incubus Saga and several other titles with various publishers, Amanda regularly attends local comic conventions for fun and to meet with fans, where she will often be seen in costume as one of her favorite fictional characters. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband, John, and their cat, Helga.

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Blog Tour + Giveaway: The Harp and the Sea by Lou Sylvre and Anne Barwell

Authors Lou Sylvre and Anne Barwell, along with IndiGo Marketing, make the final blog tour stop for The Harp and the Sea! The authors share their Jacobite fascination and inspiration from Doctor Who! Learn more about the historical fantasy and enter in the $10 NineStar Press credit giveaway!

Title: The Harp and the Sea

Author: Lou Sylvre and Anne Barwell

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: July 27, 2020

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 84200

Genre: Historical Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, historical fiction, fantasy, fated love, Scottish Isles, Jacobite revolt, Highlanders, action-adventure, magic, magical items, witch, curse, music, war/battles

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Synopsis

In 1605, Robbie Elliot—a Reiver and musician from the Scottish borders—nearly went to the gallows. The Witch of the Hermitage saved him with a ruse, but weeks later, she cursed him to an ethereal existence in the sea. He has seven chances to come alive, come ashore, and find true love. For over a century, Robbie’s been lost to that magic; six times love has failed. When he washes ashore on the Isle of Skye in 1745, he’s arrived at his last chance at love, his last chance at life.

Highland warrior Ian MacDonald came to Skye for loyalty and rebellion. He’s lost once at love, and stands as an outsider in his own clan. When Ian’s uncle and laird sends him to lonely Skye to hide and protect treasure meant for Bonnie Prince Charlie’s coffers, he resigns himself to a solitary life—his only companion the eternal sea. Lonely doldrums transform into romance and mystery when the tide brings beautiful Robbie Elliot and his broken harp ashore.

A curse dogs them, enemies hunt them, and war looms over their lives. Robbie and Ian will fight with love, will, and the sword. But without the help of magic and ancient gods, will it be enough to win them a future together?

Excerpt

The Harp and the Sea

Lou Sylvre and Anne Barwell © 2020

All Rights Reserved

1605 the Scottish Border Marches

Robert Ker of Cessford, Lord Roxburgh wielded nearly autonomous power at the turn of the 17th century as Warden of the Scottish Middle March. Often called the Debatable Lands, the Border Marches had rough and fluid application of law. A violent nature and loyalty to kin and ally were all the tools Cessford needed to enforce his judgements. His position made him a powerful man, and though he owed allegiance to Scott of Buccleuch, he marched mostly to his own drummer.

But in the year of Our Lord 1603, King James VI of Scotland became also James I of England, and set about unifying the two countries into Great Britain. His “pacification” of the Border Marches in truth meant abolishing the office of Warden, renaming all the Marches the Middle Shires, and killing enough Borderers to make the rest bend the knee. Having lost autonomy, Ker wormed and weaselled his way into the king’s courts at Whitehall and Edinburgh and commenced warring on the people of the March without mercy as a way to impress the monarch.

*

On a rain-soaked day in autumn, 1605, the rough men who served Ker of Cessford and King James Stuart shoved Robbie Elliot into a damp prison cell beneath Hermitage—a stark and haunted castle located almost dead centre in the Middle March, a place Robbie had once called home. When he heard the heavy oaken door thunk shut behind him, rattling the rusty iron chains and window bars, he fell to his knees in the filthy straw that lay scattered over the stone floor. He and a half-dozen others had been force-marched sixteen miles from Hawick, bound, handled rough, and prodded with sticks. Now Robbie tried in vain to find a few square inches of his body that didn’t cry out in pain.

“There’s water, Robbie.” The weak, high-pitched male voice came from the darkest corner of the cell, and it gave Robbie a start for he’d thought himself alone. “In the barrel there,” the man continued. “It’s clean enough.”

Robbie’s legs obeyed him after only a brief argument, and he stood and walked to the barrel. Dust and chaff floated on the top, but when he dipped the single iron ladle and brought the water to his lips, it had no foul smell. “I’ve had far worse,” Robbie said, and then drank.

When he’d slaked his thirst enough, he turned to his cellmate, who’d stepped out of the shadows. “How’d you come to be here, Keithen?”

“Same as you, I’d wager. I’d heard the warden’s men were on the march, and I meant to hide at my old da’s holding, east of Kelso. But I was caught no more than ten miles from Hermitage castle and strung along with five others—including your stepbrother Jem. We’d thought we’d go no further than the gallows on the hill, but they brought us here.”

“Jem? He’s here?”

“Alas, Robbie, he was a lucky one, for he’ll never see these cells. He fell on the trail, and the warden’s man kicked his head a mite hard. Snapped his neck.”

Robbie piled up some straw and sat, slumping back against the wall, his own head pounding as if he’d been the one kicked. Keithen, who tended to prattle on most of the time, stayed blessedly silent until Robbie spoke up a few minutes later. “Yes, probably lucky to die then, quick like that. Do you ken why they brought us here? What they’re planning for us?”

A sudden rattle of heavy keys beyond the door interrupted the prisoners’ conversation, and a single, crusted pot was pushed inside, its contents warm enough to steam in the perpetual cold of the below-ground keep.

Keithen said, “Porridge, or what passes for it,” and then got up and lumbered stiffly to fetch the pot.

Robbie realised all at once that his insides had gone so hollow he’d be happy to fill them with a brick if it was all he had, and he wasted no time. Given no utensils, the two men scooped the thick, sticky oatmeal with their hands, minding neither the slight burn nor extra flavour of the dirt and blood on their own skin. By the time they finished, Robbie had forgotten his last question entirely until Keithen answered it.

“I heard a couple English talking yesterday—their voices come down clearly through the shaft, just there.” He pointed at a corner of the ceiling, a black, empty rectangle amid the grey stone. “They said we’ll be marched to Carlisle, and wicked James himself, the king, travels there too. They’ll hang us all at once—for his entertainment.”

Robbie said nothing for a long while, his mind focused instead on whether he could find a way to die sooner rather than give the king his satisfaction. He could think of nothing short of refusing water or smashing his head against the stones, and he knew he wouldn’t do either. Although small in stature, he’d proven himself brave in battle when he was no more than fourteen, and he’d borne his wounds as well as any man. But courage has its limits, he thought, and the pain of drying to dust from the inside out or smashing my own skull is beyond mine.

At last he said, “Well, Keithen, some comfort. At least we’ll die among our own, and not alone.”

Author Visit

Thanks for hosting us today! 

I blame my fascination for the Jacobite Rebellion on Doctor Who.  During an adventure called The Highlanders the Doctor picks up a young Scot from the battle of Culloden called Jamie.  Since then I’ve been drawn to stories about the time period, including those by Mollie Hunter, and later on, Diana Gabaldon. 

I’d thought for a while, after cutting my historical fiction writing teeth on both world wars, that I’d love to set something in the Scottish Isles around the time of the second Jacobite Rebellion so The Harp and Sea was a perfect fit.  Not only is it an historical but also has a fantasy element and includes music.  As a musician, most of what I write includes music on some level, whether in the plot, or with characters who are musicians, or both.

The remoteness of the Isle of Skye made it the perfect setting for our story. Its isolation sets the scene for two men who are very much alone when their story begins but find their missing piece in each other.  Lou and I spent a lot of time making sure we had the historical parts of the story right.  Not only did we have to get our ducks lined up in 1745 but also in Robbie’s time and when he’d previously come ashore.  The geography of Skye also drove the story. It’s a beautiful yet desolate location with its own mythology and ghost stories. 

Having a Highlander in the mix was also a natural fit, considering the historical backdrop.  I must admit too, that I love a man in a kilt, so I was very keen to write Ian’s POV.  I loved the way Lou and I got to know him and Robbie as their story progressed.

As we started talking about the project, Ian came to life very quickly.  He’s partly based on a lot of characters I’ve read about over the years, but yet brings his own unique take on the role. His build and red hair might have been influenced by a certain Highlander in popular fiction, but he’s very much his own man.  Sent to Skye by his laird to safeguard treasure for the prince, he struggles with being cut off from his family and clan, yet is determined to do whatever it takes for the cause he feels very strongly about.  Ian is a man of strong emotions, yet has been badly hurt by what he thought was love before so is unwilling to offer his heart again. He’s also very practical and doesn’t believe in magic, which he’s secretly a little afraid of. 

All that changes when Robbie Elliott washes ashore. Ian is drawn to him, and soon realises that his need to keep Robbie safe is very much more than that.

Ian and Robbie’s story might be finished, but our fascination with the Isles and its history is far from over. We’re already planning the next story in the Magic in the Isles series. It will be set in another time, with different characters, but will also be set against the backdrop of the Scottish Isles, with a mix of history, music, and magic.

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Meet the Authors

Anne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with a cat with “tortitude” who is convinced that the house is run to suit her; this is an ongoing “discussion,” and to date, it appears as though Kaylee may be winning.

In 2008, Anne completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.

She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as “too many.” These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of “spare time” is really just a myth. She also hosts and reviews for other authors, and writes monthly blog posts for Love Bytes. She is the co-founder of the New Zealand Rainbow Romance writers, and a member of RWNZ.

Anne’s books have received honorable mentions five times, reached the finals four times—one of which was for best gay book—and been a runner up in the Rainbow Awards. She has also been nominated twice in the Goodreads M/M Romance Reader’s Choice Awards—once for Best Fantasy and once for Best Historical.

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Lou Sylvre loves romance with all its ups and downs, and likes to conjure it into books. The sweethearts on her pages are men who end up loving each other—and usually saving each other from unspeakable danger. It’s all pretty crazy and very, very sexy. As if you’d want to know more, she’ll happily tell you that she is a proudly bisexual woman—a mother, grandmother, lover of languages, and cat-herder—of mixed cultural heritage. She works closely with lead cat and writing assistant, the (male) Queen of Budapest, Boudreau St. Clair. She lives in the rainy part of the Pacific Northwest, and hearing from a reader unfailingly brightens the dreary weather. Find her through her links listed here, or drop her a line at lou.sylvre@gmail.com.

Tour Schedule

8/3 Joyfully Jay

8/4 Love Bytes

8/5 The Blogger Girls

8/6 Bayou Book Junkie

8/7 Boy Meets Boy Reviews

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