Guest Post | A Place in the World by Ellie Thomas

October 5, 2025October 3, 2025 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 2 Comments

The lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! Today, she’s gonna tell us about her latest release, A Place in the World.

Thank you so much, Ofelia, for having me back on the blog again! I’m Ellie, I write Historical MM Romance and today, I’m here to chat about my new release, A Place in the World.

This under-5k-word story is Book 8.5 in my Twelve Letters series, which seems slightly out of sync since Books 9 and 10, A United Front and A Period of Adjustment have already been released during the spring and summer respectively! However, A Place in the World was originally published in January as my contribution to the Love is All charity anthology from JMS Books, so it follows on neatly from Book 8, The Way Home.

The Way Home followed my established couple, Luc and Harry, to Essex to spend Christmas with Luc’s parents, hinting at the beginning of a rapprochement with Harry’s estranged parents in nearby Kent.

A Place in the World follows on from the events in the Way Home, with Luc and Harry now back in London and busy with their working lives as a musician and actor respectively.

This story is from Luc’s point of view as he ponders over his place in society and specifically the tight-knit and generally accepting theatre world to which he and Harry belong.

He casts his eye over the crowd in the tavern where he has arranged to meet Harry, acknowledging the variety of relationships and gender identities that are accepted amongst the theatre crowd but might be frowned on by wider society.

The heart of the story is about Luc and Harry’s relationship at a time where gay men could be persecuted, and how their relationship is accepted by the raffish theatre crowd. Although Luc and Harry aren’t interacting for most of the story, they are aware acutely of each other, showing the balance of opposites attract.

Harry holds court at the centre of a group of his fellow actors while Luc is content to remain on the fringes. Both men accept the differences in their personalities which confirms the strength of their love, whether they are in a crowd or at home alone together.

Blurb:

In the early spring of 1818, violinist Luc Gerrard completes a performance in a London concert hall and rushes away to meet his actor lover Harry Kent in a Covent Garden tavern.

Surrounded by members of the theatrical community, Luc ponders over a sense of belonging, something that eluded him growing up in rural Essex as the son of French émigrés, and having to hide his attraction to men.

Sitting in the tavern, surrounded by unconventional theatricals, Luc feels at ease with his current companions, and considers the close circle of men who have befriended him and his lover. Has Luc truly found contentment? And can he trust in the special affinity he feels for Harry?

Excerpt:

“What can I get you?” the harried barman asked without looking at Luc.

“A glass each of port and gin.”

A familiar voice called over Luc’s shoulder, “Make that two gins.”

Luc turned to face Harry, who grinned at him.

“If you’re buying, that is, Frenchie.”

He’s looking particularly handsome tonight, Luc thought. Harry’s fair skin was flushed with animation, a pleasing contrast to the deep smoky blue of his coat that brought out the copper tints in his fair hair and made his eyes seem more blue than green or grey.

“New coat?” Luc asked. “From Percy?”

“Daniel, this time,” Harry said, referring to their friend who managed a tailor’s establishment on Tottenham Court Road, rather than their aristocratic companion whose extensive wardrobe rivalled the shop’s stock. “A customer ordered the coat, paid for it and never collected it, despite several reminders. I can never believe the number of posh coves with more money than brains. Not that I’m complaining, since I benefit.”

So do I, Luc thought admiringly.

“It suits you,” he said. In the crowded pub, filled with friends, he could have quietly voiced his thoughts. You look so desirable. You take my breath away.

But Luc never found it easy to spontaneously utter his feelings, so he occupied himself with counting out coins to place on the bar.

Nevertheless, Harry must have caught something in his expression.

“You know how much I like you in concert black,” Harry muttered in his ear. “Severe and untouchable.” Harry was standing so close that Luc could feel the heat emanating from his body. “And I like you even better out of it.”

Luc blushed, his hand stilled on the counter.

Five years together, off and on, and he still has that effect on me.

Before they admitted their love for each other nearly two years ago, Luc had his fair share of passing dalliances, but found attraction to be short-lived. The desire he felt for Harry remained a steady flame rather than a brief candle.

Harry stepped back and said in a normal voice, “How did it go tonight? The concert, I mean.”

“Very well, I think. Will seemed pleased and the audience seemed to enjoy it.”

“Got to please the crowd, Frenchie.”

They smiled at each other in understanding of the basic rule of theatrical success.

“Harry!” A plaintive female voice called from across the tavern. “I’m dying of thirst here.”

“Can you make that another gin?” Harry asked the barman. Luc fumbled in his pockets for the extra coins.

“Thanks, Luc. I’ll get the next round. If I returned empty-handed, Clara would kill me. And that would ruin Shakespeare’s double death scene.”

“And the rest of the play,” Luc said drily.

“Come and join us,” Harry said, his head cocked in invitation. “Once you’ve paid your dues to Mr. Entwhistle.”

Book Links:

JMS Books :: Amazon :: UBL :: Add to Goodreads :: Add to Bookbub

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

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/elliethomas.bsky.social

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

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

Read Around the Rainbow | Comfort Reads

August 29, 2025September 24, 2025 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 1 Comment

It’s Read Around the Rainbow time! On the last Friday of every month, we’re a bunch of authors who blog on the same topic, and since we’re heading into autumn, we figured we’d tell you about our comfort reads this time around.

Up until a few years ago, I never reread books. Nowadays, I hardly pick up new ones LOL. Nah, that’s not true, but I reread a lot of books. It’s relaxing in a different way than reading new (to me) books. When the world is going up in flames, it’s comforting to be able to disappear into an alternative reality where you know what will happen.

So, what are my comfort reads? I have a few, and which I pick depends on what I’m in the mood for.

First out is probably The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles. I don’t know how many times I’ve read this book. Many. Maybe too many. Though it was a few months ago now, so maybe it’s time again LOL.

Next up in times of how many times I’ve read it is probably Frog by Mary Calmes, which is funny, because if you’d ask me, I’d say it’s much too sweet for me, waaayyy too cringy at times, and yet… But I have to be in a certain mood, or I’ll only roll my eyes.

Then we have the Hidden Species series by Louisa Masters. It’s another one I’ve read many times. I have them individually, and I have the box set, and while I do not listen to a lot of audiobooks, I’ve listened to Joel Leslie read these a few times as well. Sometimes I read on through the Here Be Dragons series, too, but not always.

If I need to laugh, I’ll read the In Darkness series by Alice Winters. Fair warning, this is over the top, so even though it’s a contemporary trilogy, don’t go into it expecting everyday life.

Another one I sneak in like once a year is Too Stupid to Live by Anne Tenino. Sam *sigh*

Those are probably my most frequently read stories, but the Big Bad Wolf series by Charlie Adhara is making its way up on this list. I only first read it last year, but I’ve read it a couple of times since then. I’ll read Think of England by K.J. Charles semi-regularly. And I’ve read the Spectral Files series by S.E. Harman twice in one year, so… maybe it deserves a spot too.

And look at that! We got ourselves a list post LOL

Check out which books are the others’ comfort reads!

Frog

Too Stupid to Live

Amazon

Think of England

Amazon

Guest Post | An Unlikely Alliance Box Set by Ellie Thomas

August 17, 2025August 13, 2025 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 2 Comments

The lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! She’s here to talk about An Unlikely Alliance, the box set, so keep on reading!

Thank you so much, Ofelia, for having me back on the blog again! I’m Ellie, and I write Historical MM Romance. I’m delighted to announce that the box set for my Regency London-set An Unlikely Alliance MMM trilogy is now on release!

This box set consists of An Unlikely Alliance, An Increasing Entanglement and An Uncommon Alignment, where Clem, Abe and Humphrey, three very different men in terms of character and status find mutual attraction and forge a lasting relationship to reach their HEA.

When we first meet Abe Pengelly in An Unlikely Alliance, we see him through the eyes of his occasional lover Clem. Tough-guy Abe holds court at the Old Red Lion Inn that straddles the Fleet Ditch with a long history of criminal confederacy.

Bur despite his swashbuckling appearance, complete with a red velvet coat harking back to the glory days of the tavern, Abe is already planning to transform himself into a respectable businessman.

Abe might have grown up on the streets as a brawler and semi-criminal, but his devotion to his mother, Lucy, means that he has no desire to be transported or to face the gallows. By his mid-twenties, Abe has moved away from fencing stolen goods to trading in information, which is how he meets Clem. Abe is not only attracted to Clem but over time, he’s developed an affection for him. However, his growing feelings for Clem don’t seem to further their relationship.

That changes when Humphrey enters the equation and the three men embark on a relationship. Abe finally feels he’s ready to settle down, to his mother’s delight. In An Increasing Entanglement, Abe’s plans to gradually ease into respectability are fast forwarded when Travers, a contact at the military headquarters of Horse Guards, offers him a job. Similarly, his personal life is upended by Clem’s abduction by his enemy and former employer Richard Farquarson. Since he confronted Farquarson on Clem’s behalf in the first story, Abe feels culpable for this development.

Apart from his mother, Abe is accustomed to being a lone wolf, and by the third story, An Uncommon Alignment, we watch him struggle with his change of circumstances. Instead of the freedom of the Old Red Lion, he is now an office worker with colleagues and has to tolerate their petty bullying due to a difference in social class.

He’s also no longer a single man. Abe is capable of deep-rooted loyalty but he’s used to keeping his own counsel and carefully guarding secrets. Abe has to learn not to make unilateral decisions where Clem and Humphrey’s happiness is concerned, and to function as part of a team, both professionally and personally. By the end of the third novella, Abe is no longer living life on the edge but has eased into a happy domestic life and a burgeoning career, with the support of the men he loves.

Blurb:

All three novellas in the MMM Regency An Unlikely Alliance trilogy by Ellie Thomas are compiled for this box set.

In these stories, bratty private secretary Clem, semi-criminal hard man Abe, and shy gentleman Humphrey discover that mutual passion leads to romance and even lasting love when they band together to defeat a mutual enemy.

Contains the stories:

An Unlikely Alliance: In Regency London, private secretary Clem encounters shy gentleman Humphrey with satisfying results. From then on, it seems natural to include Abe, Clem’s regular lover, in their frolics. Apart from willing bedfellows, Clem is used to being alone and unsupported. But will the alliance between the three men prove more substantial than mere passing pleasure?

An Increasing Entanglement: Clem, Abe and Humphrey are struggling to maintain their romantic connection in the hustle and bustle of Regency London. When one of their trio is threatened, will the others dash to his rescue? And might this be the making of their romance?

An Uncommon Alignment: In Regency London, Clem, Abe and Humphrey are spending the summer together, in the hope of consolidating their romance. But amongst the demands of everyday life, an old enemy reappears to threaten their harmony. Can the trio defeat Richard Farquarson for once and all? And might they find a way to remain together forever?

Excerpt:

Excerpt from An Unlikely Alliance:

Humphrey had tried and failed to forget the episode in the coffee house the week before. It wasn’t as though he had the excuse of no other distractions. He barely had a free minute given the number of house guests arriving for the start of the Season. There seemed to be a constant round of relatives expecting him to conduct them in the social round.

At Drury Lane Theatre, Humphrey was entirely distracted during a performance of Hamlet, simply because one of the supporting actors bore a faint resemblance to the man from the coffee house. Only then did he admit he was a lost cause. In conversation with his cousins afterwards, he tried to hide that he couldn’t remember a single scene from the play, even though he’d studied it at school.

So after dinner one evening, when he wasn’t required for an hour or two, he audaciously decided to beard his seducer in his den, or rather the Fleet Street tavern he frequented.

Humphrey was so flustered by his uncharacteristic decisiveness that he changed his waistcoat three times. Although the blond had seemed more interested in what lay beneath Humphrey’s clothing.

He eyed his modest supply of coats with trepidation. Is the green too sober, the blue too frivolous and the buff-coloured one too plain?

In the end, he solved the problem by closing his eyes and picking a garment at random. He didn’t dare glance at the mirror in case that prompted more equivocation.

When downstairs, Humphrey hesitated by the drawing room door, lured by comfortable congeniality versus the pursuit of illicit pleasure. One minute he was about to enter the room and in the next, he was haring out of the front door and down the steps to the street.

He calmed his pace when he reached Holborn, slowed by a steady trickle of early evening foot traffic that thickened as he made his way towards Fleet Street.

I’m just going for a quiet drink, he thought. He might not even be there.

Humphrey halted at the entrance to the tavern, his resolve failing him. His vacillation was overcome by pure coincidence. A group of men required access and their impetus carried him over the threshold. Humphrey removed his crown beaver hat and looked around the unevenly shaped room.

With a combination of disappointment and relief, he concluded that his quarry wasn’t present. Then he spotted him in a corner nook. A second glance proved that he was not alone.

Humphrey shifted from foot to foot. In any given social situation he was a reliable sort of fellow, or so Aunt Cece reassured him. But etiquette couldn’t guide him in this particular situation.

It didn’t help that the man seated beside his acquaintance was equally attractive; well-built and with deep olive toned skin. He made a pleasing contrast to the other’s fair slenderness. His massive build reminded Humphrey enticingly of a bare knuckle boxer in an exhibition bout at the Lyceum.

Humphrey was dawdling indecisively when the blond looked up. Humphrey was neatly hooked by that sultry grey gaze. The man nudged his friend. He whispered a few words in his ear, from which hung a gold hoop. The other man grinned and looked Humphrey up and down in a far too knowledgeable way.

Oh good heavens, has he told him? Humphrey felt hot and cold and flustered all at once. He didn’t know whether to be flattered, alarmed, or horrified. He stood stock still, to the annoyance of another patron, halted in the course of reaching the bar.

“Scuse me, squire.”

“Beg your pardon,” Humphrey said immediately. Unfortunately, his reflex response brought him in front of the table occupied by his coffee house companion.

“Care to join us?” The dark aspected man asked.

The invitation seemed to be loaded with meaning.