The Young Man's Guide to Love and Loyalty: MM Alternate Historical Romance The Magic Emporium
LGBT Fantasy and Futuristic Historical Romance
Independently Published
March 11, 2021
218
Loyalty is Lieutenant Owain Morgan’s watchword—loyalty to England’s Queen Elizabeth XII, to her daughter the Princess of Wales, and to the Royal Navy in which he serves. When his loyalty leads him into danger, an unseen something—or someone—lends a helping hand. Is he imagining it? Could it be a guardian angel? Or is it someone—or something—else?
Enter the intriguing Benjamin Fletcher. Owain knows that sharing a drink and a steamy afternoon together doesn’t have to mean anything, but Benjamin’s quiet charm works its way into his heart…. Until Benjamin turns up in the Earl of Essex’s retinue, that same Earl who, rumor says, is angling to marry the Princess of Wales and make her power his own.
Every encounter with Benjamin binds Owain’s heart more tightly to this enigmatic man yet tests his loyalty to Queen and Country. Will Owain be forced to choose between love and loyalty?
The Young Man’s Guide to Love and Loyalty is part of the Magic Emporium Series. Each book stands alone, but each one features an appearance by Marden’s Magic Emporium, a shop that can appear anywhere, but only once and only when someone’s in dire need. This alternate history contains princesses, palaces, steam trains, fumbling lovers, and a guaranteed HEA.
Reviewed by Melissa Brus
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Some books pull you in with the tone and language used. This is one of those stories. Set in a fantasy history of England and Wales, this book takes the reader on an epic adventure of political intrigue interwoven with fairy magic. Merrick creates a world where almost nothing is what our main character, Owain Morgan, has always believed it was. The strength of this book is the revelations of the hidden fae world and the intricate plot against the crown that happens throughout the narrative. Just when Owain thinks he has something figured out, another piece of the mystery is revealed.
The romance portion of this book was less successful for me, but the rest of the fantasy was strong enough to carry me through. The ending was superbly done and tied up all the ends, leaving just enough that if there was a further adventure, I would definitely read more. In the information on the Magic Emporium world, it said this was Clara Merrick’s first MM story. Well, I for one hope it’s not the last!