The lovely, Ellie Thomas is back! She’s here to talk about her latest release, Lucky in Love, so read on. Welcome, Ellie!
Thanks, lovely Ofelia, for having me as your guest again! I’m Ellie, and I write MM Historical Romance novellas. I’m popping in today to talk about my new release, Lucky in Love, the follow-up to last year’s Restoration story, Lucky John. Lucky in Love is in the 20% off new release sale at JMS Books until April 12th.
My first story about John and Owen, Lucky John, is set on the cusp of the Restoration in 1660. Owen Montgomery, a Royalist envoy, rescues John, a kitchen lad, from a miserable life at a country tavern and frequent beatings from the bad-tempered cook.
By the start of Lucky in Love, set in the autumn of 1661, Owen and John are very much an established couple and happily settled at Owen’s family home in Monmouthshire in anticipation of their HEA. For an author, there’s nothing like throwing a spanner in the works of romantic happiness!
Owen is summoned to London by his courtier brother, Lewis, and he’s reluctantly persuaded to take John with him. In this story, I was interested in exploring how a change of location and lifestyle impacted their relationship and understanding of each other – hopefully for the better!
The decadent royal court at The Palace of Whitehall in the reign of King Charles II couldn’t be more of a contrast to the simple country life they share on Owen’s Monmouthshire farmstead.
My intention in this story was to throw settled expectations up in the air. Owen has always been protective towards John since their first meeting, but can he acknowledge that, although accident-prone, John is perfectly capable of taking care of himself? The journey they engage on, both literally and figuratively, forces them to reappraise fixed views, especially Owen, who’s not the most mentally flexible of men.
In working through the issues that arise, despite some friction, Owen and John grow closer than they would have if they remained peacefully at home. That can only benefit their long-term relationship. However, it was great fun seeing them both weather the drama and adventures together!
Blurb:
Sequel to Lucky John
After years of exile during Commonwealth rule following the English Civil Wars, Owen Montgomery is home to stay in his Monmouthshire with John, the rescued kitchen lad who has become the light of Owen’s life.
Owen has enjoyed eighteen months of peace since his tenure as an official envoy on behalf of King Charles II. In the autumn of 1661, Owen is torn from his comfortable life by a summons from his brother, Lewis, a courtier close to the king. Owen is reluctant to take John to London, concerned about the impact of corruption and temptations of court life on such a well-meaning innocent. But how can he refuse John anything?
Owen reluctantly fulfils his duty to his brother while John gets to grips with the palace and its hazards. Can Owen continue to protect John from harm? Or might his constant vigilance stifle the man he loves?
Excerpt:
“When do we leave?”
John’s question cut across Owen’s preoccupation, causing his response to be sharper than intended.
“I’ll make plans to depart as soon as I can. I said nothing about you coming with me. There is no we.”
The hurt and dismay that crossed John’s face would have affected a more unfeeling man than Owen. He took a conciliatory step forward, but John had quickly recovered and stood his ground, his chin lifting in recognisable defiance.
“Then I’d better start your packing,” he said. His dignified exit was slightly marred by closing the door with more than necessary force.
Owen let out a huff of breath. This will not do, he thought. He shouldn’t have taken out his annoyance at his brother on John. It’s not his fault. Also, Owen didn’t need domestic strife on top of Lewis’ infuriating demands.
He folded the abandoned letter and tucked it into his clothing to scrutinise later. Then he proceeded about the more immediate business of placating John.
When he reached his bed chamber, John was kneeling on the floor beside the open clothes chest. A couple of Owen’s spare shirts were laid on the bed, next to Owen’s old army snapsack.
John’s apparent compliance was contradicted by the oilcloth bag strategically placed alongside.
Owen had bought this item to replace the inadequate cloth bundle which held John’s possessions after he rescued John from the miserable existence of a put-upon kitchen boy at a country inn. John had been thrilled by its similarity to Owen’s leather satchel that had carried important documents of office.
Owen had smiled at how John had puffed out his thin chest with pride the first time he had slung it over his shoulder in imitation of Owen. But now the bag, or rather the intent behind it, invoked a frown.
“I misspoke downstairs and meant no harm.”
John ignored this opening salvo and continued his task with unnerving concentration.
“It’s not that I don’t want you with me.”
“Then why are you leaving me behind? It’s not like we haven’t been to London before.”
Owen had taken up with John towards the end of his tenure as a messenger, so the lad had accompanied him on his few final assignments reporting to the capital. It was natural for John to assume that where Owen went, he would follow. But this is different, Owen thought.
He would be within his rights to admonish a household servant for questioning his judgment. John was far more than that and had always been so, at least in private. He might pull out the servant’s truckle bed at night from custom, but it was seldom occupied. Since their arrival the April before last, John had spent every night in Owen’s arms as though it was his rightful place. Owen wouldn’t have it any other way.
Unshed tears sparkled in John’s eyes. At any sign of distress from John, Owen felt like the worst kind of brute although he had never beaten him or even threatened to. God would strike off my hand if that ever crossed my mind.
He sat on the end of the bed. “If we were going anywhere but the royal court in London, then I would take you without hesitation.”
“Aren’t I good enough to come with you?”
“It’s the other way around,” Owen replied without hesitation. “It’s not a decent place. Palace life doesn’t suit us ordinary folk.” Owen recalled the heedless customs of the court in exile abroad. He reckoned such indulgent behaviour would have increased a hundred-fold since the king’s return to England.
John was unconvinced.
“You think I’d get into trouble.”
“I’m worried that you’ll be harmed.” John’s attention was caught by Owen’s emphatic statement. Before he could be interrupted, Owen expanded on his theme and concerns. “Some wine-sodden whoreson might lay his hands on you, heedless of your protests. Or you could fetch a thrashing for speaking out of turn.”
John regarded him frankly.
“Leaving me at home might ease your mind, but it won’t stop me worrying about you. Especially if the royal court is as perilous as you say.”
“I can take care of myself.”
John came to sit beside Owen, tracing his fingers over the scar on his back that lay beneath his shirt, evidence of Owen’s experience in battle.
“Evidence would suggest otherwise.”
Book Links:
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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: @e_thomas_author
Bluesky: @elliethomas.bsky.social
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19835510.Ellie_Thomas
Ofelia Grand 