Eli Easton Goes Historical! THE LION AND THE CROW

Hi —

If you read my blogs or social media posts, you know i’m a huge fan of Eli Easton (also a friend!) Eli’s books never fail to enchant me. They have humor, sweetness, and depth all at the same time. So today when i opened my email from ARe and discovered Eli had a historical MM romance, i freaked! How did i not know this?  LOL. So i asked her for a blurb and cover to share with you. Even if you’re not typically a historical reader, i would suggest you give it a try. Tough to go wrong with Eli Easton. I’ll be reading it as soon as i emerge from the writing cave! Here’s The Lion and the Crow —

In medieval England, duty is everything, personal honor is more valued than life itself, and homosexuality is not tolerated by the church or society. 

Sir Christian Brandon was raised in a household where he was hated for his unusual beauty and for his parentage. Being smaller than his six brutish half-brothers, he learned to survive by using his wits and his gift for strategy, earning him the nickname the Crow. 

Sir William Corbett, a large and fierce warrior known as the Lion, has pushed his unnatural desires down all his life. He’s determined to live up to his own ideal of a gallant knight. When he takes up a quest to rescue his sister from her abusive lord of a husband, he’s forced to enlist the help of Sir Christian. It’s a partnership that will test every strand of his moral fiber, and, eventually, his understanding of the meaning of duty, honor, and love.

Excerpt:

THE KNIGHT wearing the red surcoat with the white lion over his armor reappeared in the late afternoon. He was competing in a joust against Christian’s brother, Sir Peter. The crier announced the stranger as Sir William Corbet. Christian had heard the name before. He thought the Corbets lived some distance southeast. Why had Sir William come so far for a modest tournament? Was he passing through and looking to win a few coins? Or was he possibly looking for a new lord? Would he be staying?

Christian had seen the knight’s face in the crowd on his way to the archery round, and it had stopped his heart and his common sense both, incinerated them in a whoosh like shavings of wood thrown on a flame. Even with his visor down, as it was now, Sir William drew attention effortlessly. He was tall and broad, strong and confident in the saddle. He rode sure and easy, and he handled the lance with restrained power. Peter was built like a stone wall, like most of Christian’s brothers, and he was one of their best jousters. But Sir William ducked Peter’s first charge easily and on the second hit Peter’s shoulder solidly with his lance and sent him tumbling from his horse.

William reined in his own mount and jumped to the ground, despite his heavy armor. He ducked under the center rope and helped Peter to his feet. Peter removed his helm, red-faced and breathless. Christian had a moment of fear. Peter had a foul temper, and he didn’t like to lose. But he acknowledged Sir William’s win with a nod and raised William’s hand to the crowd. William said something, and Peter laughed. The people approved, cheering them both loudly.

William took off his helmet and strode to the dais to receive his acknowledgment from Lord Brandon. He was magnificent.

Christian stood near the front of the dais, and he took in the sight of the Lion like a great draft. William had light brown hair, worn straight to just below the shoulders, serious and kind blue eyes, a square face, full lips, and a closely shaved beard. He looked tough—had the face of a man you wouldn’t want to cross. Yet there was honesty and a pleasing harmony in his expression that said he would never cross you. He was, in short, everything a knight was supposed to be—noble, powerful, and true. Christian had never seen his equal. Desire spiked in him, that dreaded, hot, heady, unwelcome feeling that betrayed and stung him, like an adder in his breast.

Christian realized he was staring openly. He silently cursed and looked around to be sure he hadn’t given himself away.

No one was looking at him.

Lord Brandon tossed the purse to Sir William. William caught it easily and bowed. His eyes flickered to Christian, and Christian dared a small smile and nod. A chill came over William’s face, and he turned his back—deliberately, it seemed—to face the crowd. He waved once more to the onlookers.

Christian felt the sting as if it were the swift slice of a bright-edged knife. He turned his head away in disappointment—only to find that someone was watching him after all. His brother Malcolm’s pinched and disapproving face stared at him from the back of the dais, his eyes hooded and far too knowing.

Available at ARe  and AMAZON and Dreamspinner Press

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