EVER AFTER
A GAY FAIRYTALE
RILEY HART & CHRISTINA LEE
M/M ROMANCE
RELEASE DATE: 02.28.18
COVER DESIGN: JAY AHEER/ Simply Defined Art
Blurb:
As next in line for the Evergreen crown, Prince Merrick Davendall’s future involves ruling, marriage, and producing an heir of his own. But he’s long been tormented by desires that are far from princely. Especially when the beautiful Cassius is promoted to be his new valet, and Merrick is struck by a longing like never before—a longing to know him far beyond royal and servant.
After his father’s passing, Cassius Havendale’s sole duty is to provide for his family. A promotion to serve a pampered prince is something he endures only for their sake. Surely Prince Merrick has no understanding of true suffering of the common people, nor could he possibly understand what it’s like to desperately desire something he cannot have.
Except the prince is not at all what Cassius imagined. Kind, humorous, and caring to those in need, he also shares Cassius’ affinity for the arts. In fact, Merrick understands his deepest vulnerabilities in a most remarkable way.
As their affection deepens, the underlying tension between them becomes unbearable and they’re unable to ignore it any longer. But when the queen prepares a lavish ball with all the eligible ladies in the land in attendance, Merrick must fulfill his obligations to his country, and Cassius has the needs of his family to consider. They’ve long known their stolen moments would have to come to an end, but are they ready to give up one another and the idea of a happily-ever-after?
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2EesPFd
REVIEW
4.5 Stars
I'm a fan of both authors individually and the previous collabs they've done together so I knew I just had to read this. First of all, the cover is phenomenal and it's the perfect image that set the visual image of magical fairytale for me. And a magical fairytale is exactly what these authors deliver.
The characters are beyond adorable. They were both super sweet and smitten from the moment they set eyes on each other. Prince Merrick and Cassius's journey was romantic, sexy and heartbreaking yet touching and absolutely beautiful. I loved that the authors made the Prince very humble despite his status. He showed compassion and he was very caring and loving. As was Cassiuss, who was also a very admirable man with the genuine love he had for his family and the things both MC's were willing to sacrifice for the sake of their family.
This is definitely a very magical fairytale that let's your mind wander and really escape off to a far away land. Very well written and I would absolutely recommend. Totally loved the magical make believe world with a pinch of modern. A great read from beginning to end.
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
EXCERPT
“Now you are all set,”
Cassius remarked, slipping the national Evergreen sash over Merrick’s neck and
adjusting it over his shoulder.
Merrick was entertaining the
Duke of Cairn this morning for brunch. The king would be joining them this
afternoon for ice fishing on the property. Apparently, the royal family of
Cairn were avid fishermen, and when the king mentioned it a few weeks back on
his visit, Merrick’s father told them about Evergreen’s abundance of freshwater
trout. Merrick did not exactly enjoy the sport, but Cairn was Evergreen’s
closest ally, and it was important to entertain them properly while they
discussed pressing matters, including Merrick’s royal visit to their lovely
countryside in the coming months.
“At breakfast I overheard the
cooks going on about how handsome the duke is,” Cassius mentioned casually as
he smoothed down Merrick’s coat and then picked at some lint on the lapel.
The change in topic threw
Merrick, and when he did not respond, Cassius glanced up curiously at him.
Merrick smirked as he wrapped his hands around Cassius’s waist and pulled him
closer. “You are jealous.”
“Of course not!” he declared
as his neck turned beet red. “I was only relaying the gossip in the castle.”
“Hmmm, that’s very peculiar
since you’ve never seemed to be affected by gossip before,” Merrick remarked,
backing him against the wardrobe, the innocent look in Cassius’s eyes
completely charming.
“What are you doing?” Cassius
asked, his gaze flashing toward the closed chamber door.
“I don’t give a flying fig whether
the duke is handsome or not. I have never paid him any mind.” Merrick kissed
his cheek. “What I do know is that a stunning man is standing before me,
driving me completely mad. And I long to take his prick into my mouth.”
Cassius gasped and swayed toward
him. Merrick wondered if Cassius felt just as feverish after spending such a
sweet and intense moment in the woods the other day. He only dreamed to know
more of him before it was too late.
“It is all I thought about
last evening after you left me in the parlor room with the conservation
committee,” Merrick added with a groan as he gripped the waistband of Cassius’s
trousers. “I want you in my bed every night. In my arms. But I know it is an
empty wish.”
“We…shouldn’t,” Cassius
replied in a gruff voice even as he sank against Merrick, his prick already
hard as the steel jousting stick on display in the Great Hall. “You make it
quite difficult to properly concentrate on my duties.”
Merrick drew back
immediately, searching Cassius’s eyes. “I am sorry. I do not want you to feel
any sort of regret.”
“Never.” Cassius grasped
Merrick’s hand and placed it against the bulge beneath his zipper. “But now I
shall go around all day with the front of my pants uncomfortably tight while
you socialize with the handsome duke.”
Merrick hissed and then promptly dropped to his knees before the
valet.
About the Authors
Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic, a lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together.
She loves reading, flawed characters, and hanging out with her husband and children, who she adores. She and her family live in Southern California, soaking up the sunshine while also missing seasons. Not a day goes by that she isn’t thankful she gets to wake up and do what she loves.
Life is good. Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.
Once upon a time, I lived in New York City and was a wardrobe stylist. I spent my days shopping for photo shoots, getting into cabs, eating amazing food, and drinking coffee at my favorite hangouts.
Now I live in the Midwest with my husband and son—my two favorite guys. I've been a clinical social worker and a special education teacher. But it wasn't until I wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper that I realized I could turn the fairytales inside my head into the reality of writing fiction.
I write Adult, New Adult, and M/M Contemporary Romance. I'm addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything. I believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.
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