Guest Post | The Misfit by Ellie Thomas

April 1, 2023March 26, 2023 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 2 Comments

Today, we have Ellie Thomas back on the blog! She’s here to talk about her newest release, The Misfit, so keep on reading!

The Misfit Promo 1

Thank you so much, lovely Ofelia, for having me as a guest on your blog today. I’m Ellie, and I write MM Historical Romance novellas. Today, I’m chatting about my new release, The Misfit, the fifth story in my Regency romp Twelve Letters series.

The four previous stories in the series, Twelve Letters, Queer Relations, Coming of Age and Gentlemen’s Agreement, deal with the lives and loves of my ensemble cast, Jo Everett and Daniel Walters, Captain Ben Harding and Doctor Edward Stephens and the Hon. Percy Havilland and Nathan Brooks.

Throughout the previous stories, these three couples have got together, overcome challenges and are well on their way to their happy ever after with their chosen partner. Although they have more stories to tell, the next of which is May Wedding, released on May 4th, it seemed the right time to start a spin-off story in The Misfit.

In Gentlemen’s Agreement, together with the main romantic storylines, I introduced a sub-plot involving our ensemble cast when they’re requested to foil a Napoleonic conspiracy amongst the highest echelons of society. As that develops, we come across Luc Gerrard.

A violinist from a French émigré background, Luc becomes passionately involved with older aristocrat James Beaufort, completely unaware that he is the villain of the piece and up to his neck in the Napoleonic plot.

At the end of that story, with the assistance of our ensemble cast, Luc is whisked away from England and the danger of his close association with the disgraced Beaufort. After some months away, he returns to England in early 1816, which is where The Misfit begins.

We learn more about Luc’s background, his motives and his burdens as we follow him to London to continue his profession as a musician at Covent Garden’s Drury Lane Theatre. Luc also encounters Harry, an actor at the theatre, his friend and former lover before Luc became embroiled with James Beaufort.

At first, life doesn’t necessarily run smoothly, so Luc needs a helping hand from his benefactors, our small society of gentlemen. In his absence, his casual relationship with Harry has altered, and this time around, with a little luck and some support from his new friends, the couple might find true love and their own happy ever after.

The Mistfit

themisfit At the start of 1816, Luc Gerrard is summoned home to rural Essex from his sanctuary in the West Indies due to a dangerous downturn in his mother’s health. When she recovers, Luc is determined to pick up his musical employment in London’s theatres, concert halls and ballrooms.
He receives support and even friendship from a surprising source, the circle of gentlemen who spirited him away from certain arrest due to his connection with his former lover and Napoleonic plotter, James Beaufort.
Luc juggles his pride and finances while attempting to gain an orchestral position at Drury Lane Theatre for the upcoming spring Season. Bittersweet memories are revived when he inevitably meets his longtime companion and sometime lover, Harry Kent. However, charming, easy-going casual Harry seems changed by Luc’s absence.
Can Luc re-establish his interrupted career with a little help from his new friends? And might he and Harry find a lasting connection?

Excerpt:

He embraced that unique combination of stale scent, smoking stage lights, linseed oil, and fresh-cut wood that indelibly signified the theatre, together with the continual bustle. In the daytime, the building was the domain of actors, musicians, stagehands, scenery builders, and seamstresses, amongst many other essential roles. By nightfall, the backstage workers melted into invisibility. Then the audience dominated as they spilled into the splendid auditorium by their thousands on a good night, braying from the pit or glittering with jewels from the tiered boxes surrounding the stage.

From the wings, Luc had a view of the space below the stage that housed the orchestra. A group of men assembled aimlessly, taking the opportunity to joke and banter. At their centre stood Mr. Henry Kent, an up-and-coming actor known as Harry to his many friends. At twenty-three, a few months younger than Luc, slightly broader and shorter, he was vital and magnetic, any stray beams of daylight glinting on his thick red-blond hair, the rich colour of a fox’s pelt in this darkened space.

Harry reached the punch line of his jest, causing his companions to roar with laughter. His jaunty pose showed off his high cheekbones, mobile smiling mouth, and a glint of sharp white teeth. Luc thought, as always, that Harry was the life and soul of the party, his easygoing demeanour belying the force of his theatrical ambitions. It was no secret that far from being city-born, Harry grew up on the Kent coast.

He’d exchanged the family surname of Smith for the title of his home county as a loftier stage name. But late at night, when in his cups, Harry divulged to Luc his youthful dread of being co-opted into the family oyster business back in Whitstable. This unbearable fate prompted his getaway to London and inclusion into the lowest ranks of the theatre company.

Harry was good fun, great drinking company, and an even better fuck. Luc should know from many nights spent in his bed when they both happened to be in the same part of town and at a loose end.

During Luc’s second season in the orchestra at Drury Lane, the newly inducted Harry had caught his eye. Given the return of interest and Harry’s charisma, Luc was tempted to be smitten with the dashing young actor. Harry was appreciative of Luc’s appearance in turn, undressing him like a present and savouring the secrets of Luc’s body as a rare treat. But even as they tumbled for the first time, Harry made his intentions clear.

“Let’s stay as friends who have a bit of fun together, eh, Frenchie?” He’d suggested with a confiding smile that took any sting from his words. “There’s enough dramatics and hysterics to be encountered treading the boards to wish for any more in between the sheets. If you’re content, I reckon this will suit us both.”

Luc had to admit that Harry had been proved correct. They were barely twenty and yet to establish a place in the performance pecking order. Neither of them had the leisure to embark on a romantic relationship, even if Luc felt so inclined.

Their intermittent casual liaison was frequently interrupted by Harry pursuing a promising patron or even a patroness at a pinch. He engaged all his considerable charm, transferring his sexual attentions to step up the next rung of the ladder to fame and fortune. Once that goal was achieved, and the sponsor had drifted on to fresh pastures, Harry cheerfully took up with Luc again. They both accepted the hard-fought scramble of theatre life, and Luc never doubted Harry’s genuine friendship, even when temporarily preoccupied with demanding patrons.

It wasn’t as though Luc lacked offers of consolation. Despite Luc’s opinion of himself as too gawky, intense, and beaky, it seemed that others shared Harry’s glowing opinion of Luc’s particular brand of striking dark looks.

Coming across free and easy Harry in the exuberant flesh was unexpectedly bittersweet, reminding Luc of simpler, happier times before Beaufort had swept into his life, bearing him almost to the brink of utter disaster.

The Misfit Promo 2

Book Links:

JMS Books :: Amazon :: Books2Read :: Add to Goodreads :: Add to Bookbub

About Ellie Thomas

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: @e_thomas_author

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

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

Guest Post | Chaos and Conjurations by K.L. Noone and K.S. Murphy

March 31, 2023March 25, 2023 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ Leave a comment

Today, we have K.L. Noone on a visit. They’ll be talking about their and K.S. Murphy’s story Chaos and Conjurations, so be sure to read on!

Guest Post

Hi there! K.L. Noone here – thank you to Ofelia for letting me drop in to tell you about my & K.S. Murphy’s new release – Chaos and Conjurations!

Chaos is the second in the Regency Magicians trilogy, which started with Spells and Sensibility. In the first book, Captain Henry Tourmaline of the Magicians’ Corps had just returned—wounded—from the fight against Napoleon, and in his search for a cure he found a larger conspiracy…and the Royal College of Wizardry’s new head librarian, Theo Burnett, young and powerful and complicated, someone who offers help, but also has a secret or two…and just might be the most fascinating person Henry’s ever met…

In book two, we pick up with Henry and Theo investigating—against orders—the magical conspiracy they’ve uncovered. They have no proof, other than what they’ve both seen, and the College simply wants to rebuild and pretend everything’s normal again, after the War…so Theo and Henry are on their own. Almost. With some help, or maybe interference, from friends. Including Theo’s brother. Who, as it happens, is a duke. And Henry and Theo will have to face questions of society, social class, and their future—if they have a future, with that looming threat to all of English magic…

With this one, we really wanted more action—both magical and of the enchanted bedroom toy variety!—and more drama (familial and otherwise!), but also more commitment, by the end: despite everything, Henry and Theo will choose each other. And we promise a happy ending, of course! And one more book to wrap everything up…

Here’s a bit more about Chaos and Conjurations! I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you enjoy all our Naked Gardening stories—I’m so excited to share this project with you all!

Buy Links:

JMS Books :: Amazon :: Barnes & Noble

Chaos and Conjurations

chaosandconjurations Captain Henry Tourmaline is having nightmares again. And this time he’s not even cursed.

But Henry’s worried. He might be healed — but the healing spell left his lover Theo in pain, their magic tangled together. They’ve uncovered an ominous plot — but, without evidence, the Royal College of Wizardry refuses to believe them. And Theo’s brother, the Duke of Baselton, wants to meet Henry — but also wants to introduce Theo to a wealthy baron, a more suitable match … who might possess more sinister intentions.

Theo Burnett tells himself he has no regrets. He’s in love with Henry, and a permanent magical headache isn’t too high a price to pay for Henry’s recovery. But he misses his peaceful life in the College Library, before he became entwined in cultists’ plots and perils. And now he’s got his brother to deal with, and a baron asking questions about him. And Theo’s last magical secret is about to come to light … explosively.

Together, Theo and Henry will face curses, cultists, and chaos … and their own emotions, as they fight for their magical happy ending.

Excerpt:

Henry nudged the plate of iced buns closer to Theo, as rain brushed the window-glass of the tower. “There’s more.”

“Oh … thank you, but no. Go on.” Theo had a final sip of tea, set his cup down. The rain made melancholy sounds, paper-thin patters across the College’s old stone and neat grass. “I’ve got to go and check on the Library. At last.”

Henry hesitated. Too many words, protests, pleas, snarled themselves across his tongue. Theo had slept beside him, the night before, in the familiar too-small bed in the familiar small tower. Theo had not reached out for him, but hadn’t objected when Henry put an arm around him, trying to draw him close.

Henry himself had not had a nightmare, but he thought that was probably just weariness. A long carriage journey, concern over Theo, a late-night arrival and a thunderstorm as they’d crossed the College grounds to Theo’s cozy home, where Theo’d once taken him up to the rooftop and kissed him for the first time as nighttime lights and torches and stars came out to glow …

“Don’t say it,” Theo said now. “Not again.”

“I know you’re feeling … better.” That wasn’t accurate, or not entirely. In one sense, yes. Recovered from the backlash, the physical exertion. Faithfully drinking Dom’s anti-headache tea. Nearly back to normal — as long as Henry himself refrained from putting strain on Theo’s magic.

“I am, and I can certainly manage inspecting our collections and ensuring that the Silver Scrolls are properly stored and not growing tarnished, and also examining the archival records.” Theo resettled a coat-cuff; he’d chosen pale green today, celadon under mist, with a creamy waistcoat bearing delicate pearl buttons. He looked beautiful, classical, and expensive. “I want to know who else might’ve been looking at those ledgers, and those sorts of draining-spells.”

Henry didn’t want to argue, and did it anyway. “Those texts can –”

“Hurt? Seduce? Entice? Yes, I’m aware.” An emotion flickered across Theo’s face, too fast for Henry to pin down. “I’m good at my profession. As are you.”

“I didn’t mean that,” Henry said helplessly. Once upon a time he’d known how to talk. How to charm. How to conjure up the right answers, often with a lopsided grin.

This was different. This was him and Theo.

He looked at Theo across the breakfast tray. Short, glorious, and stubborn, Theo looked right back. Unflinching.

Henry thought for a second, astonished, that he and Theo did not after all know each other well; that they’d known each other for a matter of weeks, most of which had involved heightened emotions and intense situations; that his heart was completely Theo’s, but he did not even know Theo’s favorite color or whether Theo knew how to ice-skate or might like to learn.

He knew he’d taken Theo’s life apart. And had that been a hint of relief, that Theo might reclaim some piece of that well-ordered librarian’s refuge? At last, Theo’d said. At last.

The rain grew louder, clamoring.

Henry took a breath, let it go. “Your assistants will be happy to see you, I’m sure.”

“I shudder to think of the state of my request box.” Theo got up, collected plates and his teacup, took them to the tower’s tiny kitchen. Over his shoulder, called back, “If you’ve finished, could you bring your cup? If not, I’ll get it later.”

Henry downed the rest of his tea in one gulp — hot and sweet, cinnamon and roses, it scorched his throat — and came over into the kitchen, where Theo was industriously cleaning plates. “Here.”

Theo half-turned, and smiled. His eyes were very green, and warmer than the chilly wet morning; Henry felt hope unfurl like springtime in his chest.

Guest Post | Gentlemen in Love by Ellie Thomas

March 4, 2023March 4, 2023 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ Leave a comment

Today, the lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! She’s talking tropes in her Regency box set, Gentlemen in Love, which is released today!!! Welcome, Ellie!

Regency Box Set - Promo 1

Thank you so much, lovely Ofelia, for having me as a guest on your blog today. I’m Ellie, and I write MM Historical Romance novellas. My first box set of previously published Regency stories is now on release, so in this blog, I’ll be chatting about the six stories in Gentlemen in Love.

In terms of popular MM Romance tropes, many of my stories contain an element of Hurt/Comfort. That’s particularly apparent in A Christmas Cotillion, where my MC Jonathan, forced by family obligation from his hermit-like existence, attends a Christmas country house party. Surrounded by merrymakers, he comes to terms with a painful past love affair, and his close proximity to local squire’s son Nick opens up the possibility for fresh romance.

Regency country house parties are an ideal setting for a Forced Proximity trope. In A Midsummer Night’s Magic, I couldn’t help but throw embittered estranged lovers Matthew and Crispin together at a Christmas gathering. In this Enemies to Lovers story, both men are trapped for several days due to a heavy fall of snow blocking all exits. Also, they are expected to socialise politely and even take part in a group recital of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Thank goodness a bit of supernatural twinkly love magic from Puck intervenes before Matthew actually kills Crispin!

The Enemies to Lovers trope also appears in One Summer Night. After an initial passionate encounter in a tavern alleyway in London, Martin makes all kinds of wrong assumptions about Will’s motives, casting him as a villain. It doesn’t help that Will is involved in a Fake Relationship and pretend engagement with his childhood best friend Imogen. Martin has no idea that neither of them is remotely romantically attached to the other. There is a sense of Opposites Attract about Martin and Will. Martin is upper middle class, steady, circumspect and prone to criticism, whereas Will is an impulsive, creative, free spirit. The differences between them cause Martin to misjudge Will while still desiring him. It was fun to untangle these knots of misunderstanding for their Happy Ever After.

There is another kind of Fake Relationship in A Marriage for Three when Anthony asks Charlotte to marry him, even though he is in a long-term relationship with his steward, Simon. Anthony’s proposal is purely pragmatic. As a wealthy landowner and a friend of Charlotte’s impoverished family, he autocratically sees marriage as a neat solution to help the people he cares for without any emotional considerations. Charlotte and Simon, far more sensitive than Anthony, have their reservations, especially when they start to develop feelings for each other. So having caused the situation, it’s up to Anthony to ensure the future happiness of his found family.

Opposites Attract is the dominant trope in The Thrill of the Chase, where shy, innocent Adrian is pursued around Regency Cheltenham by experienced rake Guy. I thoroughly enjoyed writing about the dynamic between these two, with Guy consistently ruining a potential moment of closeness with a crude suggestion, sending Adrian running for cover. For their relationship to develop, Adrian must learn to stand up for himself, and Guy has to rein in the cheesy lines and sexual expectations for some patience and consideration. Since Guy is an army captain, there’s an element of military romance.

In Shore Leave, Jacob is a Lieutenant in the British Navy, which also gives this story a touch of military romance. There’s a sense of Opposites Attract between Jacob, who is far more comfortable on board his ship than escorting his sister around fashionable Bath when he meets society beau Sebastian. But beneath his polished manners, Sebastian is emotionally reticent, and it’s up to both men to act upon their mutual attraction to blossom into lasting love.

Gentlemen in Love

gentlemeninloveboxset

In Regency England, whether about their daily business in London, attending a country house party or visiting a fashionable spa town, an array of gentlemen meet their match and attain a happy ever after.

Some couples find new love, while others rekindle a long-lost spark in this collection of six light-hearted MM Regency romances from Ellie Thomas, containing the following stories:

A Christmas Cotillion: Thirty-year-old Jonathan Cavendish has long given up any thought of romance. He grudgingly accompanies younger cousin Freddy to a Christmas country house party, as Freddy is infatuated with the lovely Belinda.

To his surprise, Jonathan catches the eye of Nick, a local farmer’s son. The initial attraction seems to be mutual, but can Nick break through Jonathan’s defences and teach him to love again?

A Marriage for Three: When Anthony Wallace proposes to Charlotte Grenville, she is shocked. Lottie has always seen him as an older brother, and she is also aware of his romantic devotion to his Anglo-Indian estate manager, Simon Walker. Should she accept this financial arrangement merely to support her ailing family? And will her growing attraction to Simon be a threat to all their happiness?

A Midwinter Night’s Magic: Matthew Lewis is trapped at a Christmas country house party by snowy weather and forced to take part in a reading of a Midsummer Night’s Dream. To make things worse, his lost love Crispin Marley, to whom he has sworn undying hatred, is among the guests. Can some fairy magic from Puck help the estranged couple to make amends for once and all?

The Thrill of the Chase: In 1813, when modest Adrian Lethbridge visits fashionable Cheltenham to help launch his young cousins into society, to his surprise, he catches the roving eye of Captain Guy Ransome. The ex-army officer is everything Adrian yearns to be; devilishly handsome, experienced and confident. So Adrian is in disbelief that the attraction is mutual. But can he summon the courage to act on his desires?

One Summer Night: After a passionate encounter with a stranger in an alleyway one summer night in 1801, Whitehall clerk Martin Dunne is shocked when he encounters the object of his desire at a society function, complete with a powerful father and a pretty bride-to-be. Is his seducer not to be trusted? And have Martin’s dreams of future encounters and possible romance crumbled to nothing?

Shore Leave: Jacob Longley, Naval Lieutenant, is all at sea in the fashionable Bath Spa. As he attempts to steer his younger sister Letty through the social whirl with a close eye on her reputation, his striking looks can’t help but catch the attention of the exquisite Sebastian Fforde. Will either man break through the other’s reserve? And could their mutual attraction blossom into love?

Regency Boxset Promo 7

Excerpt:

Excerpt from A Christmas Cotillion:

Mr Hammond’s chance came when Jonathan was on the dance floor, already partnered for the next dance. Belinda, for once, was unaccompanied but still standing up, as though eager to join in. Mr Hammond was near her, but unfortunately looking in the other direction.

Jonathan glanced over in helpless frustration, not wanting to abandon his young dance partner in the middle of the floor just as the music was about to start. As he again looked from one to the other, he caught the eye of the handsome farmer’s son. He was serving refreshments amongst those who had taken part in the last set of dances. He followed his direction of Jonathan’s scrutiny clearly with a sharply raised eyebrow.

As if receiving intelligence, he nodded at Jonathan decisively, put down his tray on a side table and eased the few yards through the gaggle of couples approaching the dance floor and tapped Mr Hammond on the shoulder.

Luckily, just then the music started and Jonathan saw his expressive face indicating a social dilemma. He nodded towards Belinda and then pointed to the momentarily abandoned tray as if explaining why he could not partner the young lady for himself. When all had been made clear to Mr Hammond, he received a grateful smile from the young man, as though Mr Hammond was doing the favour. He then turned back to collect the tray and offered the contents to the thirsty crowd.

It was neatly done, with Mr Hammond now obliged by his very good manners to ask the young lady to dance. Mr Hammond braced himself and made his way to Belinda, face flushed with embarrassment as though expecting a rebuff. Instead, he received her hand and a warm smile. Jonathan didn’t realize he was holding his breath until the couple reached the floor, unimpeded.

After a hectic country dance, Jonathan and his puffing partner retired from the fray. He was satisfied to see Mr Hammond and Belinda remain on the floor for the next set of dances, now conversing with apparent ease. As he looked at this with a feeling of pleasure, a glass of sparkling wine was placed in his hand with a murmured, “That was a good notion.”

He looked around in surprise to see the farmer’s son right next to him. Close up, his eyes were very blue indeed and his wide mouth was curved in that increasing familiar smile. Jonathan felt as tongue-tied as Mr Hammond had been previously in Belinda’s presence as he stiffly thanked the young man for his assistance. He seemed unfazed by Jonathan’s constraint.

“Just call me Cupid, or rather Nicholas, or even Nick, if you prefer,” he said with another dazzling grin, before turning gracefully to serve refreshments to the guests behind Jonathan.