Today, the lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! She’s here to talk about An Increasing Entanglement, so read on!

Thanks for having me as your guest again, lovely Ofelia! I’m Ellie and I write MM Historical Romance. I’m here today to chat about my latest release, An Increasing Entanglement, book 2 in my MMM Regency series, An Unlikely Alliance. This sequel was written for JMS Books’ 14th anniversary, with the story taking place over a period of fourteen weeks.

In the first book, An Unlikely Alliance, I introduced my three characters, Abe, Clem and Humphrey. It was a fun challenge to explore how they might fit together romantically given the historical setting. In the sequel, An Increasing Entanglement, having introduced my trio, I had the opportunity to dig deeper into their personalities and explore their strengths and weaknesses. 

Abe Pengelly is the outward strong man of the trio. Brought up in the raucous melting pot of London’s Covent Garden, the only son of a courtesan, Abe flirted with criminality in his youth, establishing himself as a formidable figure. By the start of An Increasing Entanglement, Abe has fully embraced respectability, relinquishing his lair in the notorious Old Red Lion tavern, and is now an established investigator at the military headquarters of Horse Guards. 

All seems well in Abe’s life. He has found stable employment that won’t get him arrested or hanged, and he has finally found two special men to share his life, with the blessing of his beloved mother, Lucy. 

But when Clem is abducted by their mutual enemy, Richard Farquarson, redoubtable Abe finds himself at a loss. Love has made him vulnerable. His inability to snatch Clem from danger or to wreak immediate revenge on Farquarson causes deep self-doubt.

I found it fascinating to explore Abe’s vulnerability as a result of falling in love and to reveal that Abe is capable of deep and complex emotions at odds with his physical strength. It’s impossible for him to fight this inner battle alone. His challenge is to accept love and understanding. To achieve that goal, he must learn to rely on Clem and Humphrey. 

An Increasing Entanglement

In Regency London, during the Season, after a brief and steamy courtship, the relationship between threesome Clem, Abe and Humphrey holds much promise. 

But their busy routines and different lifestyles, as a professional secretary, society gentleman and an official informant to the military, interfere with their burgeoning romance.

Then sinister forces reappear to threaten their connection and even the life of one of the trio. 

Can these three band together to save the day and keep each other from peril? And given the chance, might they forge lasting happiness together?

Excerpt:

Abe entered the Ye Olde Cheddar Cheese tavern closer to eight o’clock than seven. Clem was sitting at their usual table, alone and forlorn. Abe cursed the informant who had delayed him.

Abe approached, attracting Clem’s notice. His aspect didn’t brighten. There was no teasing smile of welcome. 

Instead, Abe received a chilly glare. 

“You came then,” Clem said flatly.

Abe sat opposite his friend and lover. “Can I get you another drink?”

“If you like.”  

Clem’s glacial indifference continued when their gin was served together with a jug of water.

He said casually, “I was at the Old Red Lion yesterday to find you’d vacated your room. I thought you might have run out on us.” 

He took a swig of barely diluted gin, avoiding Abe’s eyes.

“I’m sorry, Clem. I should have let you know.”

If they had been in a less public place or one that catered solely for their kind, Abe would have covered Clem’s hand with his own.

“Yes, well, it’s not like you owe me an explanation.” Clem’s defensive posture said otherwise.

“Of course I do. It was remiss of me. I have been occupied with pressing matters, official-like.”

Clem’s body relaxed slightly. Abe hardly made it public that he was working for Horse Guards, but he had shared that confidence with his lovers. He eyed Abe warily under long light brown lashes, a distinct pout to his lush mouth. 

“You could have sent word to me.”

“Yes, I should have. I see that now. I didn’t mean to hurt you, Clem.”

“Who said I was hurt?” Clem’s indifferent words were at odds with his wounded expression.

“Just because I’ve been busy doesn’t mean that I haven’t been thinking of you. And Humphrey, too. I’ve missed you both.”

“Really?”

“I swear it.”

“Then it’s fortunate that I left a note for Humphrey to meet us here after he’s dined.” Clem’s narrow jaw clenched combatively.

He’s not letting me off lightly. At least he’s still talking to me and hasn’t flounced off in a huff, renouncing me forever.

It wasn’t the right moment to argue that either Clem or Humphrey could have taken the initiative earlier. Abe recognised that Humphrey was too self-effacing to make the first move. As for Clem, he’d learned the hard way to be sparing with his trust.

“I’m sorry,” Abe said sincerely. “I’ll say it a hundred times over if that will make amends.”

Abe was the first to admit that once he got the bit between his teeth, he could be ruthlessly single-minded. Apart from his mother, he’d never had to consider anyone’s feelings. Until now. 

That must change, he vowed.

“I’ll gladly apologise to Humphrey. I’ve neglected you both. You know what I’m like when I’m in full cry.”

There was a brief silence as the waiter topped up their glasses. 

“We all have our burdens,” Abe added. “You’re chained to your desk during the day, I’m no longer my own master and Humphrey has a flock of relatives to shepherd.” 

Clem smiled grudgingly. “Is that an excuse?”

“No, more a recognition of our circumstances. What say you if we make this our regular rendezvous? This is as good a place as any to meet every few days. That should avoid any further misunderstandings.”

“I thought you’d left me.”

Clem’s voice was so low that Abe’s strained to catch the words against the background noise of the narrow tavern. 

“I’d never abandon you, Clem. I may have many faults, but I’m no fool. I would never throw away such a treasure unthinkingly.”

Clem stared into his glass.

“Now I’ve found you and Humphrey,” Abe continued. “I won’t let go easily unless that’s your will.”

Clem gazed at Abe, his face unreadable. Then he glanced over Abe’s shoulder.

“You have an opportunity to repeat your abject apology. Humphrey’s coming this way.”

Books Links:

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8XL5QQV/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1

Universal Book Link:

https://books2read.com/u/bxPzqk

Publisher:

https://www.jms-books.com/ellie-thomas-c-224_420/an-increasing-entanglement-p-5138.html

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215579957-an-increasing-entanglement

Add to Bookbub:

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Bio:

Ellie Thomas lives by the sea. She comes from a teaching background and goes for long seaside walks where she daydreams about history. She is a voracious reader especially about anything historical. She mainly writes historical gay romance.

Ellie also writes historical erotic romance as L. E. Thomas.

Website: https://elliethomasromance.wordpress.com/

Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/8308047409266947

Twitter/X: @e_thomas_author

Bluesky: @elliethomas.bsky.social

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19835510.Ellie_Thomas

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ellie-thomas

Today, we have the lovely Ellie Thomas back on the blog. She’s here to tell us about her story, A Dash of Town Bronze. Welcome, Ellie!

Thanks for having me as your guest again, lovely Ofelia! I’m Ellie and I write MM Historical Romance. I’m here today to chat about my latest release, A Dash of Town Bronze.

This under-4k-word release consists of two Town Bronze bonus chapters I wrote for my newsletter subscribers, now published by JMS Books as a freebie. Nothing like a free read! These two stories were originally titled Not in the Petticoat Line and Country Matters.

The second story, Country Matters focuses on the couple in the first Town Bronze story, Jasper and Mortimer. This age-gap romance with a surprising spanking kink began in Town Bronze in the spring of 1812 and continued on in the background of Petticoats and Pantaloons (Book 2) and Impeccable Credentials (Book 3) in the autumn and winter of the same year.

I wanted to give Jasper and Mortimer a hint of an HEA and so Country Matters seemed the ideal opportunity. There are plenty of obstacles for this couple. The nearly twenty-year age gap, which older partner Mortimer is deeply conscious of, and the fact that, until he met Mortimer and discovered his propensity for spanking, twenty-one-year-old Jasper considered himself a ladies’ man.

The four months of the Regency Season in London where they meet and start their relationship, wasn’t long enough for either man to overcome his reservations. In London, their differences are obvious; age, connections, sophistication and manners. Mortimer has all of those qualities and Jasper almost none.

But in Country Matters, when Mortimer invites Jasper to his home to break his journey on the way to his parents’ estate for Christmas, their similarities are revealed. They are both countrymen at heart with the same interests and values. These common interests are at the heart of this romantic short story, giving a firm foundation for the years to come.

A Dash of Town Bronze

These two under-2k-word stories are bonus chapters for the Town Bronze novella trilogy. In these short scenes, two out of the three couples in the ensemble cast deepen their romances, together with the guest appearance of Nathan Brooks from Twelve Letters. 

Barney and Ross/Rose from Pantaloons and Petticoats, Book 2 in the series, snatch some precious time together at lunchtime in a busy coffeehouse.

Then Jasper and Mortimer from Book 1, Town Bronze have their long-awaited chance for a happy ever after, away from the distractions of London and their friends’ love lives.

Excerpt:

Sir Mortimer Cleverly felt unduly gratified, regarding the young man sitting at his fireside as though he belonged there. 

At the end of London’s autumn Season, it felt like a natural progression to invite Jasper to Gloucestershire to break his journey home. 

Their bond had strengthened over several months since their first inauspicious meeting. Mortimer was persuaded they would benefit from some days alone together, away from the constant bustle of London.

Previously, Mortimer had conducted his fleeting affairs with sufficient tact that avoided unpleasantness and unwelcome notoriety. Yet, he acknowledged the situation with Jasper was entirely unprecedented. Despite his considerable experience, Mortimer was subject to an emotional pull that surprised him by its strength. 

Nearly twenty years Mortimer’s junior, Jasper was very green when he’d arrived in London last spring, unleashed from the constraints of formal education and his overprotective parents. Since then, he had started to find his feet amongst the hazards of the social whirl with a distinctly coltish grace that occasionally faltered. 

Looking over at Jasper, far more comfortable in a country sitting room than a Mayfair ballroom, Mortimer smiled to see the younger man so at ease.

“Yes, you need attention, too,” Jasper crooned at Pepper, one of Mortimer’s house dogs, pawing at his knee. Pepper licked his face, making Jasper laugh, while Mungo, the aged terrier, nudged his hand for an ear scratch.

I needn’t have worried, Mortimer thought with a smile, watching the show of indulgence towards his household pets.

Once Jasper had accepted his last-minute request, Mortimer fretted that he had made a mistake. Rather than furthering their relationship, being thrown into each other’s company without the distractions of the city might bring their differences into sharp relief.

He had momentarily forgotten that Jasper, like Mortimer, was a true countryman. When they arrived at Mortimer’s estate, his guest displayed an easy confidence he lacked in town. 

Proving to be a more than competent horseman, he’d ridden around the fields, making intelligent comments about the lie of the land. Similarly, Jasper had approached the outdoor and domestic staff with just the right degree of familiarity. He was capable of conversing with Mortimer about everyday landowning concerns, from rotating the crops to animal welfare, as though he was born to it.

Which indeed he was, Mortimer acceded. It was easy to surmise that the Goodhew establishment in nearby Worcestershire didn’t differ greatly from this estate in terms of land management. 

The expedient absence of Mortimer’s sister-in-law and his young nieces, which had prompted the invitation, had made his and Jasper’s togetherness complete. 

Once the household retired for the night, Mortimer navigated the darkened corridor to Jasper’s room. More often than not, Jasper was awake, awaiting the specific stimulation that gave him such intense relief. But sometimes, he was already slumbering when Mortimer slid into bed beside him. Jasper snuffled in his sleep and instinctively rolled towards Mortimer, seeking his body warmth, nestling into him in the most disarming manner. 

Mortimer confessed himself as captivated by that unconscious trust as much as by the lissom body in his arms.

“A penny for your thoughts, Tim?”

Jasper was smiling as he continued to make a fuss of the dogs.

Book Links:

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Dash-Town-Bronze-Ellie-Thomas-ebook/dp/B0CW1G9MW7/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1

Universal Book Link:

https://books2read.com/u/bWyY0W

Publisher:

https://www.jms-books.com/ellie-thomas-c-224_420/a-dash-of-town-bronze-p-5121.html

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214380369-a-dash-of-town-bronze

Add to Bookbub:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/a-dash-of-town-bronze-by-ellie-thomas

Bio:

Ellie Thomas lives by the sea. She comes from a teaching background and goes for long seaside walks where she daydreams about history. She is a voracious reader especially about anything historical. She mainly writes historical gay romance.

Ellie also writes historical erotic romance as L. E. Thomas.

Website: https://elliethomasromance.wordpress.com/

Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/8308047409266947

Twitter/X: @e_thomas_author

Bluesky: @elliethomas.bsky.social

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19835510.Ellie_Thomas

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ellie-thomas