GUEST POST :: Heart of Stone by Ellie Thomas #Excerpt #GuestPost
✨ GUEST POST ✨
Thank you so much, Addison, for having me back on the blog again! I’m Ellie, I write Historical MM Romance and today, I’m here to chat about my new release, Heart of Stone, Book 3 in my Regency Paranormal novella series and this year’s Halloween story.
This novella features the ongoing adventures of my firmly established couple Christian and Sam as they delve into a touch of spookiness and come across some very human malevolence.
Apart from showing the development of the relationship between my central couple, part of the fun of writing this series is describing the locations they visit and how they would have appeared in Regency times.
In Heart of Stone, Christian and Sam briefly return to Haverford House (the real-life Littlecote House) where the action took place in Book 2, The Unquiet House, and also Tintern Abbey where their first adventure occurred in The Monk’s Lair.
In the previous books, I’ve mentioned that Christian discovered his unusual psychic gift of being able to tap into place memory during a childhood trip to Stonehenge. This third story seemed the perfect opportunity to explore and build on that formative experience. During Heart of Stone, Christian and Sam not only visit Stonehenge but also a couple of other less internationally renowned standing stones on their journey to a house party in Chepstow on the Welsh borders.
I really enjoyed the research for these locations, not only to convey them to the reader but also to bring alive their history through Christian’s remarkable abilities.
Stonehenge is so iconic that the monument doesn’t need much explanation. However, as the monument is situated close to Christian’s childhood home, as well as being where he first discovered his abilities, it’s also very familiar to him.
I thoroughly enjoyed describing how Stonehenge must have appeared to Regency visitors. Not much different from today in some ways, but with far more leeway in terms of getting close up to the stones together with exploratory archaeological digs pitted around the monument!
As Christian and Sam travel across Gloucestershire, I had to have them visit the Long Stone in the picturesque town of Minchinhampton before they travel downriver on the Severn to the Broad Stone near the village of Tiddenham. Both these solitary standing stones have a fascinating local history. The Long Stone has an ancient association with healing, linked to the nearby spring and the Broad Stone was used by many generations of local fishermen to tether their boats to stop them drifting away.
As well as researching the traditions surrounding these locations, during the story, they each play a pivotal part in the growing closeness between Christian and Sam.
Heart of Stone
by Ellie Thomas
SERIES: Regency Paranormal (Book 3)
GENRE: Gay Historical Paranormal Spicy Romance
LENGTH: Novella / 20,884 Words / 101 Pages
HEAT RATING: 4 Flames
🛒 Purchase Links
Blurb
In the spring of 1817, Christian Maxwell is recovering at home in Wiltshire from a spate of illness following his adventures at Haverford House earlier in the year. Sam Gillespie, Christian’s constant companion in life and paranormal investigations, suggests a road trip to aid Christian’s recovery. They plan to visit friends and places from their previous adventures until reaching a house party at Chepstow on the Welsh borders.
During the journey, the bond between the couple seems stronger than ever. Once they reach their destination, exuberant Sam throws himself into socialising, while retiring Christian feels increasingly isolated despite being surrounded by conviviality.
Might this be an indication that they are ultimately unsuited? Or will unexpected peril prove that the link between Christian and Sam is unbreakable?
Excerpt
For once, Christian took the lead.
In his view, Sam was the epitome of masculine capability. Christian was deeply grateful for Sam’s acceptance of his oddities. Although Sam chose to regard these abilities as special, Christian remained unconvinced they were worth desiring, let alone envying.
The pair crossed the boggy field beside the riverbank. As his feet sank into the oozing mud, Christian was grateful they had both worn stout boots for this part of the journey. They picked their way across to the great stone which appeared more substantial than the heavily pitted stone at Minchinhampton. The Broad Stone was merely misshapen by age and the elements, standing in a shallow pool of water.
“Are you willing to trust me?” Christian asked timidly as they stood within touching distance of the stone.
“In every conceivable way.”
“I have no idea if this will be successful.”
“We won’t know until we try.”
“Place your hand on the stone.”
Sam obeyed and cocked his head for further instructions.
“Spread your fingers.”
Christian placed his hand over Sam’s. He relished the contrast between the rough, cold stone and the warmth and vitality of Sam’s skin.
It was a heady sensation, being joined with Sam as the stone eagerly transmitted its long history. His impressions were slightly fainter than usual but no less vivid.
He opened his eyes, smiling widely, feeling alight from within. He was disappointed to see no answering smile from Sam.
“Nothing?”
Sam shook his head. “Oh well, it was worth an attempt. I suppose we should return to the shore.”
Christian had rarely seen Sam so dejected.
“Since we’re already here, why don’t we have another try? You’ve told me before that experiments rarely work the first time. Regard this as a scientific endeavour.”
Christian placed his hand on the stone, feeling the full force of reverberations.
“Put your hand over mine.”
Sam hesitated for an instant. Then Christian felt his tentative touch. He spread his fingers to allow Sam’s fingertips some contact with the stone. Sam’s palm was flat against the back of Christian’s hand, their fingers not quite meeting. Instead of being drawn into place memory, Christian applied himself to become a conduit for Sam.
He tried to transmit his impressions outwards. The traces of the ancient boar hunt, the generations of fishermen, how the stone had become part of the landscape as the river gradually carved out the ancient shoreline.
Finally, he opened his eyes with a shaky sigh.
Sam’s face was still, his eyelids closed, his face a picture of concentration.
Then as if sensing Christian’s waning focus, Sam’s hand shifted away.
His lips curved in a smile and his eyes opened, blazing bright blue with wonder.
“It worked?” Christian asked croakily.
“I’m sure I felt only a fraction of what you can perceive. All the same, it was quite remarkable. No text book could possible replicate the experience.” He added huskily, “Thank you for sharing your precious gift with me.”
With the stone as their witness, Sam raised Christian’s hand to his lips.
“You are a constant inspiration. I could wish for no better companion.”
About the Author
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.
Thank you so much for having me as your guest again, lovely Addison! ❤️
It’s my pleasure! Happy Release Day! 🎉