The lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! She’s here to talk about her latest release, Heat of Stone, so keep on reading!

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, Heart of Stone, Book 3 in my Regency Paranormal novella series, this year’s Halloween story.

These novellas chart the opposites attract relationship between Christian Maxwell and Sam Gillespie, two young men in their early twenties. Christian suffers from delicate health, including debilitating headaches, and is very much an introvert. He also possesses an unusual psychic gift; an ability to recount the history of an object or building by touch.

Until he meets Sam, Christian keeps this gift to himself for fear of being thought mentally weak. However, extravert, curious Sam is fascinated by Christian’s abilities and encourages him to develop them during the first two stories, The Monk’s Lair and The Unquiet House.

In Heart of Stone, we see the growing trust between the young couple as Christian attempts to share his gift with Sam. But as well as closeness, Christian and Sam have challenges to meet when they join a lively house party of young people. Ebullient Sam is in his element surrounded by his peers, whereas Christian shrinks from so much company and starts to feel as though he is not enough for Sam.

As well as facing some peril from an unexpected foe, Sam and Christian struggle to accept their fundamental differences during the house party, surrounded by other people. However, for the sake of their burgeoning relationship, their true test is about acceptance and trust in each other, regardless of their superficial contrasts in character.

Blurb:

In the spring of 1817, Christian Maxwell is recovering at home in Wiltshire from a spate of illness following his adventures at Haverford House earlier in the year. Sam Gillespie, Christian’s constant companion in life and paranormal investigations, suggests a road trip to aid Christian’s recovery. They plan to visit friends and places from their previous adventures until reaching a house party at Chepstow on the Welsh borders.

During the journey, the bond between the couple seems stronger than ever. Once they reach their destination, exuberant Sam throws himself into socialising, while retiring Christian feels increasingly isolated despite being surrounded by conviviality. 

Might this be an indication that they are ultimately unsuited? Or will unexpected peril prove that the link between Christian and Sam is unbreakable? 

Excerpt:

For once, Christian took the lead.

In his view, Sam was the epitome of masculine capability. Christian was deeply grateful for Sam’s acceptance of his oddities. Although Sam chose to regard these abilities as special, Christian remained unconvinced they were worth desiring, let alone envying.

The pair crossed the boggy field beside the riverbank. As his feet sank into the oozing mud, Christian was grateful they had both worn stout boots for this part of the journey. They picked their way across to the great stone which appeared more substantial than the heavily pitted stone at Minchinhampton. The Broad Stone was merely misshapen by age and the elements, standing in a shallow pool of water.

“Are you willing to trust me?” Christian asked timidly as they stood within touching distance of the stone.

“In every conceivable way.”

“I have no idea if this will be successful.”

“We won’t know until we try.”

“Place your hand on the stone.”

Sam obeyed and cocked his head for further instructions.

“Spread your fingers.”

Christian placed his hand over Sam’s. He relished the contrast between the rough, cold stone and the warmth and vitality of Sam’s skin.

It was a heady sensation, being joined with Sam as the stone eagerly transmitted its long history. His impressions were slightly fainter than usual but no less vivid.

He opened his eyes, smiling widely, feeling alight from within. He was disappointed to see no answering smile from Sam.

“Nothing?”

Sam shook his head. “Oh well, it was worth an attempt. I suppose we should return to the shore.”

Christian had rarely seen Sam so dejected.

“Since we’re already here, why don’t we have another try? You’ve told me before that experiments rarely work the first time. Regard this as a scientific endeavour.”

Christian placed his hand on the stone, feeling the full force of reverberations.

“Put your hand over mine.”

Sam hesitated for an instant. Then Christian felt his tentative touch. He spread his fingers to allow Sam’s fingertips some contact with the stone. Sam’s palm was flat against the back of Christian’s hand, their fingers not quite meeting. Instead of being drawn into place memory, Christian applied himself to become a conduit for Sam.

He tried to transmit his impressions outwards. The traces of the ancient boar hunt, the generations of fishermen, how the stone had become part of the landscape as the river gradually carved out the ancient shoreline.

Finally, he opened his eyes with a shaky sigh.

Sam’s face was still, his eyelids closed, his face a picture of concentration.

Then as if sensing Christian’s waning focus, Sam’s hand shifted away.

His lips curved in a smile and his eyes opened, blazing bright blue with wonder.

“It worked?” Christian asked croakily.

“I’m sure I felt only a fraction of what you can perceive. All the same, it was quite remarkable. No text book could possible replicate the experience.” He added huskily, “Thank you for sharing your precious gift with me.”

With the stone as their witness, Sam raised Christian’s hand to his lips.

“You are a constant inspiration. I could wish for no better companion.”

Book Links:

Publisher :: 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

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