Showing posts with label m/m folktales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label m/m folktales. Show all posts

Release Day Spotlight: Callum's Fate by Dianne Hartsock

Callum's Fate Banner


Synopsis

In 1780, Scotland, following a harsh year of drought, Callum Mackenzie is forced from his father’s farm in the hopes of finding work.

But as fate would have it, Callum is lured onto the moors by the will-o-the-wisp. Lost in the dark, he falls into enchantment, encountering faeries and nymphs, until he stumbles into the arms of a licentious Barrow-Wight who lays claim to his soul.

Hearing his silent pleas, Donal sends Liam the gruagach (faery) to rescue Callum and bring him to his farm, a place of refuge from the Fae.

Callum is happy working on Donal’s farm, slowly falling in love with the beautiful, silver-haired gruagach.
Yet there’s something wrong in the nearby forest….

Despite Donal’s warnings, Callum is lured into the forest and becomes tangled in its magic, easy prey for the Barrow-Wight.

Will Liam be able to strike a deal with the Barrow-Wight to save Callum’s life, or has Callum found his last resting place instead?

Callum's Fate Dianne Hartsock Cover

Buy Links links

Don’t miss the sale on Amazon! 30% off for the first 48 hours after release.
WIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/callums-fate-by-dianne-hartsock/
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Callums-Fate-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01B383YP0/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Callums-Fate-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01B383YP0/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/Callums-Fate-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01B383YP0/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/Callums-Fate-Dianne-Hartsock-ebook/dp/B01B383YP0/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-callum039sfate-1973471-143.html

Video Trailer


Excerpt

Mists closed around him and hid the moon in a veil of cold grey. He came to a stumbling halt, fear pounding through him in time to the wild beat of his heart. As he caught his breath, he heard the unmistakable sound of flowing water, perhaps a creek winding through the heather. Callum gnawed his lips. Danger lurked on the water’s edge for an unwary man.
On the other hand, men built homes along the waterways and learned to guard against the faery folk. He sighed. Either choice spelled risk, but hunger and loneliness won out and sent him in search of the water’s path through the thick heath. 
The gray fog made it hard to see his way and he cursed when he stepped into the creek before he knew he’d come to it. An icy chill raced up his leg and he glanced around, feeling as if he’d been startled from a dream. The mists were gone, leaving the fields bright with moonlight. Faint music caught his ears and he spied several globes of light in the distance. Will-o’-the-wisp? He didn’t know, but the haunting melody tugged at his heart and he walked toward it, careful of his footing.

Callum's Fate 3D Cover 
It was caution that saved him before he made the fatal mistake of stepping into the faery ring that suddenly appeared at his feet. He might have become lost in their dark realm. He stared down, delighted with the brightly dressed wee folk fluttering and dancing in the circle of mushrooms. Laughter floated up to him and he smiled reflexively. Several of the pretty creatures spied him and flittered up to tug at his clothing with tiny hands. These were male, scantily dressed, and one saucy lad winked a bright eye and flew up to nibble at his lips.
Callum laughed and shooed them gently off. “I’m not fool enough to join you,” he told the three hovering near his face.

About the author

DIANNE HARTSOCK is the author of m/m erotic romance, both contemporary and fantasy, the psychological thriller, and anything else that comes to mind. Oh, and a floral designer. If she can’t be writing, at least she has the chance to create through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage to bring a smile to someone’s face.

Currently, Dianne lives in the Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play.

Social links

Website: https://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock
Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannehartsock
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannehartsock/


Book Review: Late Summer, Early Spring by Patricia Correll


Late Summer, Early Spring
by Patricia Correll
Dreamspinner Press
M/M Historical Fantasy/
Japan/Folktales/Supernatural
5 Stars
Review Copy from Netgalley

Blurb:

Hour of the Lotus

General Sho Iwata is devastated when the man he secretly loves, Prince Narita, is struck with a mysterious illness. Iwata's current lover, Hiroshi, is well aware of the general's unrequited passion. But that isn’t his biggest problem. His sister is Narita’s favourite consort, but Hiroshi believes she has been replaced by an imposter. When they discover the true cause of the illness, they will have to battle an ancient spirit and survive.

Fox Hunter

Lord General Iwata Sho sets out in search of the mysterious Fox Hunter. When he finds his former lover, Hiroshi, he discovers a changed man, scarred inside and out and consumed by vengeance. Together with Narita’s grown son Daigo, Iwata and Hiroshi pursue the malicious spirit as it leaves bloodshed in its wake. Iwata worries about what will become of Hiroshi when the fox is defeated—if Hiroshi’s revenge doesn’t kill him first.


Review:

I have to admit that I was drawn to this book by the beautiful cover of two Japanese samurai warriors, but it was the writing and the characters that made me stay drawn.

This book combines the two novellas Hour of the Lotus and Fox Hunter, but both go well together and could also stand on their own.

General Iwata has been in love with his Prince, Narita, but he also knows it will be forever unrequited, for Prince Narita loves only women. It's not overtly stated whether or not the prince knows about Iwata's love for him or not, but I think he probably does.

The prince is suffering from an unknown illness, something seems to be draining his life force and everyone in the palace is worried; from the wives and concubines to the soldiers in the Imperial army.

The prince's favourite concubine is a sister of Hiroshi, Iwata's current lover, which complicates matters somewhat. When Hiroshi insists that the woman purporting to be his sister is an imposter, Iwata believes him at once, for Hiroshi is not given to idle fancy.

The culprit is a kitsune - a fox shape-changer who has taken on the guise of the concubine in order to kill the prince.

The second book takes place eight years later, with Hiroshi having been gone those eight years trying to hunt down the fox and seek revenge.

I enjoy books that take you on a journey to undiscovered places and legends, and Late Summer, Early Spring, certainly does that. With vivid, lush descriptions, you can see, smell and hear everything the characters do. I also loved the names, such as the Nightingale Court for the wives and concubines. It conjured up something strange and exotic.

Hiroshi and Iwata are both troubled characters and you really feel for them. The love scenes are fade to black, but there is no doubt that the two of them are lovers and not just friends. Parts were bittersweet, but it was a wonderful story to get lost in for a few hours.

Perfect for fans of historical fantasy or paranormal stories.


 
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