Guest Post | A Yuletide Excursion

December 4, 2024November 28, 2024 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 2 Comments

The lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! Today, she’s here to talk about her story A Yuletide Excursion that’s out today. Welcome, Ellie!

Thank you, lovely Ofelia, for having me as a guest on your blog again. I’m Ellie, I write Historical Romance novellas, and I’m here today to chat about my new release, A Yuletide Excursion. This is my Advent Calendar story for JMS Books.

This fabulous event features a new release every day from December 1st – 24th and each story will be a free download from the JMS website on release day only. A Yuletide Excursion is released today, December 4th, so grab your free copy!

https://www.jmsbooksllc.com/

For this spin-off story, I’m back in the 17th century world of Owen and John, the MCs of Lucky John and Lucky in Love. Readers might well remember Cuthbert, the cheeky page with a kind heart who befriends John at the Palace of Whitehall. Now he gets his own romance!

In finding the right partner for Cuthbert, I remembered his initial attraction to stern no-nonsense Owen before John has a quiet word and sets firm boundaries. So I thought it would be fun to find a similarly serious man for some opposites attract romance. Lemuel Freeman fits the bill perfectly. He’s the brother of Lady Antonia, who recently married Owen’s older brother, Sir Lewis Montgomery. Lemuel and Cuthbert tag along on a Christmas road trip to Monmouthshire with the newlyweds to visit Owen and the rest of the family.

As you’ll read in the excerpt, Lemuel and Cuthbert get off to the worst possible start, when Lemuel accidentally comes across Cuthbert when he’s changing out of his wet clothes and happens to be naked. Quite the introduction! Lemuel is a reserved and self-disciplined man and is disturbed by his instant attraction to Cuthbert, especially as he assumes Cuthbert is frivolous, superficial and empty-headed.

Of course, we already know that Cuthbert has a heart of gold beneath the pleasure-seeking veneer. I thoroughly enjoyed developing the initial misunderstanding between these two men until they finally get the measure of each other. There’s no denying their mutual attraction, but to their surprise, they also complement each other in terms of personality. Stern, steady Lemuel gives Cuthbert some much-needed emotional security while Cuthbert brings some light relief and fun to Lemuel’s sober outlook. Taking part in a family Christmas celebration provides the perfect occasion for Cuthbert and Lemuel to fall in lasting love.

Blurb:

ayuletideexcursion In early Restoration London, Cuthbert Watson, a comely twenty-year-old page is in service to Sir Lewis Montgomery at the Palace of Whitehall. Cuthbert freely enjoys the dissolute pleasures of the newly established court of King Charles II and the great city of London.

During the winter of 1661, as the royal court empties for Christmas, Cuthbert dreads being left virtually alone. So when his friends Owen and John invite him to Monmouthshire for the festive season, Cuthbert jumps at the opportunity to accompany Sir Lewis and his new bride, Lady Antonia, for the long journey west.

On the first stage of their journey, Cuthbert falls foul of Mr. Lemuel Freeman, Lady Antonia’s stern twin brother, who condemns Cuthbert’s frivolous ways.

But does Lemuel’s disapproval hide an irresistible attraction? While these two very different men are thrown together over Christmas, might their mutual desire lead to a lasting romance?

Excerpt:

The weather hadn’t improved when they reached Hammersmith. Cuthbert had the dubious honour of standing in a muddy puddle while directing reverse operations with Sir Lewis’ baggage.

At least I don’t have to carry the lot by myself, he thought shouldering his bag while following the servants up the long garden to the back of the house.

Having been shown upstairs with any necessities, he unpacked what Sir Lewis required in the closet adjoining the marital bedroom.

This is a comfortable sort of house, Cuthbert concluded. The furnishings weren’t new but were highly polished and cared for, indicating the owners had little regard for fashion or other people’s opinions.

Sir Lewis was presumably downstairs, making himself pleasant to his new wife and her family, no doubt provided with warming refreshment.

Cuthbert presumed he was not immediately required. He took advantage of this respite by taking the opportunity to change into a dry set of livery, thankful that his travel bag was oiled and relatively waterproof.

In the privacy of the closet, he stripped briskly. To his dismay, he found that the rain had permeated his shirt to his chilled and goose-pimpled skin. The idea of pulling his dry shirt over his wet body was unappealing. Then he recollected the pile of towels in the bedroom near the wash bowl. Surely one won’t be missed. I can sneak it down to the kitchen to dry with the rest of my clothes.

Lulled into a sense of security by the prevailing silence of the upper floor, he scuttled into the bedroom on his mission. In the act of picking up a towel, the door opened before he had a chance to shield his nakedness.

“Sister, are you there?”

At this query, delivered in a north-country twang, a tall, blond gentleman appeared in the doorway. He halted immediately, presumably taken aback by finding a naked man in his sister’s bed chamber who was not her husband.

Cuthbert’s carnal instruction at court meant that he was unembarrassed by his state of undress. He was not particularly tall or muscular, but his slender compactness proved popular. He had been assured on numerous occasions that he shouldn’t be ashamed of what he had been endowed by God’s good grace.

In this instance, it crossed his mind to ponder if it was the correct form to make his bow while not wearing a stitch of clothing.

“Good day to you, sir,” he said chirpily. “I am Cuthbert, page to Sir Lewis. I got a soaking on our way here. I was changing into dry clothes before I reported to my master.”

Not that it’s any of your concern.

The gentleman didn’t appear reassured by Cuthbert’s explanation but stared at him with chilly disapproval.

Cuthbert was a few inches shorter, but he lifted his chin and met that gaze unflinchingly. He acknowledged that the gentleman, still youthful in his mid-twenties, was handsome in a rigid sort of way, with straight blond hair and cool grey eyes.

Well set up, too. Cuthbert admired those broad shoulders under his sober coat.

“I’ll leave you to cover yourself,” the man said coldly. “The sooner you’re attired in keeping with a respectable household, the better.”

He gave a self-satisfied nod and departed. Cuthbert was open-mouthed with indignation.

That stiff-rumped scold! It’s hardly my fault he strolled in when I happened to be bare-arsed.

As he briskly towelled himself, it occurred to Cuthbert that he might have just been introduced to the owner of the house. He grinned. An inauspicious meeting.

Cuthbert pulled his shirt over his head. Oh well, can’t be helped, he thought.

Just before the man’s mask came down, Cuthbert speculated if he had imagined a touch of colour in those high cheekbones or a glint of interest outweighing the surprise in those pale blue eyes.

A Yuletide Excursion AC pic

Book Links: Free download December 4^th only from JMS Books

https://www.jmsbooksllc.com/

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: 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

Guest Post | An Uncommon Alignment by Ellie Thomas

November 17, 2024November 13, 2024 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 1 Comment

The lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! This time she’s here to tell us a little about her latest release, An Uncommon Alignment. Welcome, Ellie!

An Uncommon Alignment WP 2

Thank you, lovely Ofelia, for having me as a guest on your blog again. I’m Ellie, I write Historical Romance novellas, and I’m here today to chat about my new release, An Uncommon Alignment. This is the third novella in my Regency MMM series, An Unlikely Alliance.

The first two stories, An Unlikely Alliance and An Increasing Entanglement, chart the passionate meeting of my threesome, Clem, Abe and Humphrey and how they band together in the face of a dangerous enemy. By the third and final story, An Uncommon Alignment, the emphasis shifts to focus on emotions to help my trio to reach their Happy Ever After.

Humphrey Atkinson, the gentleman of my threesome, is the most closeted of the men. In the previous two novellas, he starts to come to terms with his sexuality, encouraged by the more experienced Abe and Clem. Being a modest sort of chap, Humphrey spends these two stories feeling torn between not being able to believe his luck and undeserving of the burgeoning bond with Abe and Clem.

At least outwardly, by the third story, Humphrey is the most unchanged of by three characters. He doesn’t need to work and lives a comfortable existence in Bloomsbury’s Red Lion Square with his adoring aunt, making himself useful in her household. But inwardly, Humphrey is gaining confidence as his relationship with Clem and Abe progresses.

He is an invaluable support to Abe during Clem’s abduction in An Increasing Entanglement and by halfway through An Uncommon Alignment, he has the self-belief to stand up to Abe when he thinks he’s made a poor decision that affects Clem directly.

Humphrey might be less glamorous and colourful than his lovers, but it’s exactly that sense of steadiness and a solid moral compass that both men rely on increasingly. Humphrey is far too humble to admit that his instincts are rarely wrong. Humphrey’s honesty and consideration to others is his quiet superpower! And at last, he finds two special men to appreciate his sterling qualities for the foreseeable future.

Blurb:

anuncommonalignment After the adventures of the spring of 1808 in Regency London, while beginning to fall in love, Clem Metcalfe, Abe Pengelly and Humphrey Atkinson have the entire summer to consolidate their romantic relationship.

But change is already afoot. Abe has distanced himself from his criminal past, now gainfully employed at the military headquarters of Horse Guards, sifting through valuable information to further the cause of the long war against France.

Humphrey, at the whim of his beloved Aunt Cece, might have to depart from London and his lovers for the countryside together with the rest of high society.

And Clem is studying hard for his longed-for reinstatement at Oxford University in the autumn, which will inevitably mean leaving his lovers at a distance.

While the trio juggles their everyday routines, a shadow from the past reappears to threaten their harmony.

Can Clem, Abe and Humphrey thwart their mutual enemy for good? And might they finally have a chance to reach their happy ever after?

An Uncommon Alignment Promo 2

Excerpt:

Humphrey stripped down to his exercise breeches and hurried through to the main room of the gymnasium to find Abe already in the ring, wearing Humphrey’s spare pair of breeches, trying on a pair of mufflers or boxing gloves.

If Humphrey was awed by Abe when clad in evening dress, he was rendered speechless at the sight of his lover clad only in slim-fitting breeches, stockings and pumps, revealing the bronze skin that Humphrey loved to kiss and touch.

Humphrey admired Abe’s back view, with his thickly muscled shoulders, tapering to his trim waist. The breeches were like a second skin against his taut backside and thick thighs, the power of which Humphrey recalled too clearly for comfort for his equally brief clothing.

Humphrey was only dimly aware of another thick-set man entering the ring. With a final word of advice to Abe, Elias came to stand beside Humphrey.

“I wanted to gauge Mr. Pengelly’s measure,” he said, giving a nod to both men who were awaiting his signal.

They circled each other warily, neither of them keen to rush headlong into an exchange of blows. For such a big man, Abe was surprisingly light on his feet. As an amateur pugilist, Humphrey admired Abe’s deft, instinctive footwork that kept him out of reach of the other man’s fists. Clem would say he’s had enough practice running away from constables and night watchmen, Humphrey thought with an irreverent grin.

He approved of Abe’s basic tactics and that luscious physicality on full display, but at the same time, Humphrey was aware that this was a fresh aspect to his man.

There was no sign of the tender and passionate lover who reduced Humphrey and Clem to paroxysms of ecstasy, nor the domestic side of Abe in the role of a dutiful son, always respectful of his beloved mama. Or even the shrewd operator who had got the better of Farquarson, plotting to beard him in his den to acquire Clem’s references, and now using similar skills to protect his nation.

The version of Abe that Humphrey saw in the ring was a watchful hunter, bristling with aggression and honed instinct. Despite his better instincts, Humphrey was secretly thrilled by this display.

Abe shifted away from his opponent’s first approach, an easy parry to test Abe’s agility. The next move from his sparring partner was more disciplined and calculated. Abe sidestepped the blow as neatly as a cat, planting a jab to the man’s ribs.

At this signal, the more experienced fighter acknowledged that this was no soft-living gentleman who required gentle handling.

The fight began in earnest, both opponents seeming to take grim pleasure in each other’s well-matched strength. Despite his lover’s commitment to proceedings, Humphrey had the distinct impression that Abe was holding back. In a different place and in other circumstances, he could have made mincemeat of his opponent.

However, Abe seemed content to abide with the rules in these civilised surroundings, or at least picking them up swiftly as the fight progressed. After an exchange of blows, with honours even on both sides, the two men were locked in a pugilistic embrace with no clear outcome.

“Enough,” Elias called, clearly satisfied with the short exhibition. The fighters disengaged immediately. The sparring partner opponent clapped Abe on the shoulder in evident approval, saying something that made Abe grin.

The trainer beckoned imperiously to Abe.

Humphrey had a close view of Abe’s half-naked body, his torso gleaming with perspiration, his massive chest heaving with exertion.

“You know the basics, anyway,” Elias said with satisfaction.

“You’ll find I’m a quick learner when I put my mind to something.”

An Uncommon Alignment Promo 5

Book links:

Publisher :: Amazon :: UBL :: Add to Goodreads :: Add to Bookbub

Bio:

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

Guest Post | The Unquiet House by Ellie Thomas

October 27, 2024October 21, 2024 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 2 Comments

The lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! Today, she’ll share a little about her latest release, The Unquiet House. Welcome, Ellie!

Thank you, lovely Ofelia, for having me as a guest on your blog again. I’m Ellie, I write Historical Romance novellas, and I’m here today to chat about my brand new Halloween release. The Unquiet House is the second novella in my Regency Paranormal series and the sequel to The Monk’s Lair, the first story to feature my couple Christian and Sam.

Like the first story, The Unquiet House is told from the point of view of Christian Maxwell, a rather delicate young man with uncertain health with an unusual psychic gift. When he touches organic material like stone or wood, he is able to perceive the history and events that the object or building has experienced.

In The Monk’s Lair, Christian’s gift leads to a dangerous adventure for him and his new acquaintance Sam near the atmospheric ruins of Tintern Abbey on the Welsh borders. So in The Unquiet House, my challenge was to find a different but equally compelling setting.

As readers of my stories already know, I like to have a familiarity with the settings of my stories. If I can see a place clearly in my mind’s eye, then hopefully, I’ll be able to transfer that to the reader through my words.

So when I was visualising Haverford House, the ancient haunted manor in the story that Christian and Sam are requested to investigate in The Unquiet House, it seemed natural to base the building and history on Littlecote House, near Hungerford, where I passed many a weekend afternoon on guided tours as a child.

After so many visits, I can still recall the main rooms of Littlecote House, so it was fun to tweak my memories for Christian’s impressions. Naturally, many of the details are embellishment or pure fiction, but the basic layout consisting of the Elizabethan Great Hall and the Georgian Chinese Drawing Room, plus the magnificent Red Staircase are borrowed directly from Littlecote. Not forgetting the secret passages behind the walls of the house.

That’s not all! Although The Unquiet House isn’t precisely a ghost story, I borrowed one of Littlecote’s most famous ghosts, the lady who resides in the Haunted Bedroom. I gave her a different backstory for the encounter with Christian, but the bedroom and the landing can be found at Littlecote. Although I’ve never encountered an unquiet spirit on my many visits, I can verify that the temperature in this part of the house is distinctly chilly, which dissipates as soon as you move onto the next room.

I wanted a vivid and atmospheric backdrop for the twists and turns of Christian and Sam’s paranormal investigation and the continuation of their love story, and for this particular adventure, Littlecote House fitted the bill perfectly.

Blurb:

theunquiethouse

After barely surviving their terrifying encounter with the spectre of the hooded monk during the previous autumn, Christian Maxwell and Sam Gillespie have consolidated their romantic relationship and are starting to gain a reputation for dealing with the unknown.

For this reason, they receive an invitation to Haverford House in Wiltshire during the spring of 1817. The owners of the historic haunted manor house, Mr. and Mrs. Huxley, are being afflicted by a series of inexplicable incidents.

With his sensitivity to atmosphere, Christian is immediately alerted to danger. Yet, despite their best efforts, neither he nor Sam can discern the cause, although their search brings them closer as a couple and as a team. As sinister events develop, can our devoted duo unmask the culprit without putting themselves in danger?

The Unquiet House Promo 3

Excerpt:

Christian regarded the stolid group of middle-aged people surrounding Sam, including the extra vicar, with a darker shade to his complexion from the Caribbean sun. Sam had already struck up an animated conversation with the colonel’s lady. His face, shaded by candlelight into fascinating planes and hollows, was alight with interest. Christian was so distracted that he lost the thread of Mrs. Huxley’s discourse.

“You’ve met my husband, of course.”

Christian dragged his attention away from Sam to regard his host. “And near to him is Ernest Bell, a distant relative of mine. It’s very good of him to support us in our endeavours since our son Gordon returned to university after the Christmas vacation. Of course, Ernest’s very fond of the place. He was a regular visitor in my Cousin Grenville’s day.”

Christian placed Mr. Bell in his early thirties, somewhat younger than the Huxleys. There was little or no family resemblance to the fair and even-featured Mrs. Huxley. The man was dark haired and had a strong craggy face. He seemed completely at ease, conversing easily as though taking his cue from his hosts.

As the meal commenced, Mrs. Huxley was monopolised by the gentleman on her other side, allowing Christian to absorb the surrounding ambience. The candlelight flattered the diners and the ready supply of wine increased the merry flow of conversation.

The food is excellent, Christian thought, nibbling on a chicken leg. The dishes were removed by a small number of well-trained staff. The Huxleys clearly hadn’t stinted on the domestic sphere of their enterprise.

“Have you come far?”

A gruff male voice broke into Christian’s preoccupations.

“Not at all. Only the other side of the county,” he replied.

“We hail from Suffolk.”

Unprompted, the gentleman leaned over the lady sitting between them and launched into a treatise on the historic sights of that region. Thankfully, he required little in the way of a response. Without having to pay much attention, Christian simply interjected the occasional, “Oh really? How interesting.”

In such congenial surroundings, Christian almost forgot that he and Sam weren’t invited to enjoy the convivial atmosphere.

When the hair rose on the back of Christian’s neck, at first, he assumed it was due to a stray draught, understandable in such an ancient and large space. Rather than easing, the sensation continued to intensify. Christian felt his shoulders tense, as if braced for attack.

He felt a sudden burst of malice like a silent cackle of mocking laughter.

Again, he couldn’t place the source of ill-intent until a footman leaned between Christian and Mrs. Huxley to place a covered salver on the table.

As the servant reached across to lift the lid, Christian hissed, “Don’t!”

His voice was low, but his urgency transmitted to his hostess and the footman, who hesitated in mid-action.

Mrs. Huxley threw a startled glance towards Christian. However, her voice was calm as she said, “Take it away, please, Simon.”

The young server obeyed without question. Mrs. Huxley murmured, “Excuse me.” She accompanied the footman from the room without attracting any attention.

Christian’s collar felt constricting and the candlelight too bright for his strained nerves. He took a sip of wine to steady himself before he glanced around the table.

There was no discernible change in the level of chatter and general merriment. Christian attempted to focus in vain. He could no longer sense the slightest whiff of the ill-feeling that had vanished like a puff of smoke in a strong breeze.

He jumped at the light touch on his shoulder.

“May I borrow you for a moment?” Mrs. Huxley asked.

Christian turned to see that his hostess was pale, her eyes wide with alarm.

“Yes, of course.”

He rose to follow her, unnoticed except by Mr. Huxley, briefly hesitating in mid-comment, and Sam, who quickly looked up before resuming his discourse.

Christian followed the lady into the service region of the house. In a pantry, the silver salver sat alone on a shelf, guarded by the footman.

“I thought you ought to see this for yourself.”

Mrs. Huxley nodded to the footman, who lifted the lid without ceremony. Instead of the expected delicacy, on the gleaming silver platter lay a dead rat with a candied cherry in its mouth.

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