Duet

Title: Duet

Author: Eden Winters

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62380-360-5

Genre: {M/M} Historical/Contemporary Paranormal

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Scotland’s been conquered by England and their traditions outlawed, yet Laird Callaghan hires an Englishman as tutor for his young children. The action infuriates Aillil, the Callaghan heir, who hates everything English.

Malcolm Byerly left Kent, afraid his desire for men would be discovered. He wants to live in peace and to teach—and if he’s lucky, one of his students will show an interest in his beloved violin. He didn’t expect the anger from his student’s older brother or their attraction, but a love of music brings them together. Just as Laird Callaghan finds a way to force them apart, an expected threat turns them into a Scottish legend.

When violinist Billy Byerly arrives in Scotland for a concert at Castle Callaghan, he feels like he’s been there before. He’s at peace. It’s been nearly two hundred years and legend says when Aillil’s love is reborn and returns, the Lost Laird will rouse. Billy doesn’t know anything about ghosts but meeting Aillil will change everything.

Duet is by Eden Winters. Please note it was previously published but I don’t know if there have been changes made.  I guess the first thing you need to know is the story is told is two parts. The first is historical—it’s set in 1758 and follows the lives and loves of Malcolm and Aillil. The other is contemporary and is where Billy meets Aillil’s ghost.

I enjoyed this story. Both portions are well done but the historical half, where we get to know Aillil and Malcolm, is my favorite. The vivid descriptions of Scotland and its people, customs and problems with England during this period really brought the story to life. The plot flows smoothly, character personalities are fully developed and the inclusion of Malcolm’s violin and the Druidic customs are points of interest I truly enjoyed. Add Aillil’s unpleasant father and you have the perfect villain. The young brothers are wonderful and the scenes with them and Malcolm are touching.

I’ve read other ghost stories and the premise for this book is unique. Using violin music as the glue to pull Aillil and Malcolm together, and again for Aillil and Billy, is a great way to bring cohesion to the two time periods. While there’s plenty of love between Aillil and Malcolm, it’s filled with pain and angst, but never fear some Druids see no problem with them being together and are willing to help, which relates to the ghost part of the story. It’s a beautiful love story woven together to makes a wonderful whole and I’ll be reading it again.

Liquid Glass

Title: Liquid Glass
Author: Zathyn Priest
Publisher: Torquere Press
Publisher URL: http://www.torquerepress.com/

ISBN: 978-1-60370-922-4
Genre: [M/M] Contemporary/Historical
Rating: 4.5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Mystical Nymph

In the late 1850’s, the death of Viscount Eldon Davenport turned his home, Lillyport House, into one of the most haunted houses in England. After weeks of increasingly erratic behavior, the flamboyant young poet was purported to have committed suicide by a single gunshot to the head. His parents were said to have never recovered and it wasn’t long after his funeral that they sold the house and moved into another.

Famous reclusive painter Cameron McKenzie is a huge fan of Viscount Davenport’s’ poetry and when the opportunity arises, he purchases the house in secret and moves in. He doesn’t believe in the supernatural or ghosts until he hears screams, sees ice and blood he can’t explain, and then accidentally raises Eldon from the dead.

Suddenly having Eldon, a man who’s supposed to be dead, in his house means Cameron needs help. Now! In desperation, he turns to psychic Trudy. She’s determined to discover what happened in the past and figure out how to keep lovers Eldon and Cameron together in the present. Her ex-husband, Mal, on the other hand has an irrational hatred for Eldon, and is just as determined to return the reanimated young poet to the ground, permanently.

Liquid Glass is the latest release by author Zathyn Priest and it’s another winner. It’s a well-written and unusual look at reincarnation, witchcraft, murder, betrayal and a love that spans the centuries. The characters have very interesting and distinctive personalities, making it easy to keep them separated despite the complex plot and multiple viewpoints. In some books I’ve read, flipping from the past to the present can be annoying and confusing, but I’m happy to say, this isn’t the case with Liquid Glass. Mr. Priest moved the story from 1857 to the present and back again with flair and creativity, giving the plot the needed information about what happened to Eldon and how he wound up in the present. No matter what the century, the secondary characters are more than they seem on the surface and are vital to the plot.

The reincarnation portion of the story is complicated, which means paying attention to the details or you’re likely to get lost. I have to say I was impressed with Mr. Priest’s ability to artfully weave all the characters together, showing how the past and present influence each other. Another high point in the story is the vivid descriptions of life in Victorian England and how little parents interacted with their children.

Both Eldon and Cameron are intriguing in their own right, but Eldon’s wide-eyed excitement in everything present day is just darn fun to watch. Add in tenderness, passion, love and desire, and this M/M release has all the elements needed to hold a reader’s attention from the first page to the last. I look forward to the next release by this talented author.