Release Blitz and Review: Ever After: Riley Hart and Christina Lee
Riley Hart and Chrisina Lee
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Release Date February 28, 2018
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?
***PLEASE NOTE: EVER AFTER is a romantic fairy tale—minus the magic—that features one compassionate prince, one brooding valet, and plenty of angsty forbidden love. It's loosely based on a certain treasured fairy tale in a wintery make-believe setting that wouldn’t be considered contemporary but also isn’t based on any specific time period and doesn't play by any traditional rules.
COVER DESIGN: JAY AHEER/ Simply Defined Art
Prince Merrick Davendall is being steered towards completing his royal duty or marrying a suitable lady and producing an heir. Unfortunately Merrick is not really interested in ladies. Otherwise he is the dutiful son and royal. He is kind, caring, funny, follows the rules, and has an affinity for the arts and charities.
Cassius Havendale grew up in opposite circumstances with his family always struggling to make ends meet. He is moody, jaded, stand-offish, easily annoyed, and resentful that some have it so easy while others do not. And now he is the sole provider for his mother and sisters. He needs his job with the royal family, and an unexpected promotion just means he can help even more, but it comes with some definite challenges.
The Prince and his new valet have to get used to working together. Cassius begins to see a new side to the royal obligations and makes some realizations about the man under the facade. While the Prince finds himself not only attracted to his valet, but also realizing that he is witty, caring, and loyal. They are tentatively trying to figure out how they can build trust and understanding, but not cross boundaries. But they both seem to have a bit of trouble keeping their attraction in check.
Cassius Havendale grew up in opposite circumstances with his family always struggling to make ends meet. He is moody, jaded, stand-offish, easily annoyed, and resentful that some have it so easy while others do not. And now he is the sole provider for his mother and sisters. He needs his job with the royal family, and an unexpected promotion just means he can help even more, but it comes with some definite challenges.
The Prince and his new valet have to get used to working together. Cassius begins to see a new side to the royal obligations and makes some realizations about the man under the facade. While the Prince finds himself not only attracted to his valet, but also realizing that he is witty, caring, and loyal. They are tentatively trying to figure out how they can build trust and understanding, but not cross boundaries. But they both seem to have a bit of trouble keeping their attraction in check.
Their lives are very different, but there are some similarities with them as well. They both have their responsibilities and duties. The risk would be great and they both have so much to lose.
It is hard to know what is most important. Love or duty? Being true to yourself or following expectations? Taking a chance or playing it safe?
This is an emotional, forbidden M/M fairy tale of the Prince and the commoner. They have dreams to be able to live free and be themselves, but they are smart enough to know that a Happily-Ever-After like that is not likely. My heart broke for these two men with such a strong connection, who loved hard and had to hide from everyone except each other...and knew that there would surely be an expiration date.
I enjoyed the captivating royal setting of Evergreen, the castle, the families, and friends. I was truly swept up in this wintry other-world where the time period was not clear. The themes and struggles are real and timeless. The characters come alive and we can see into their hearts and minds freely. It is a charming twist on the Cinderella tale and full of feels.
This is an emotional, forbidden M/M fairy tale of the Prince and the commoner. They have dreams to be able to live free and be themselves, but they are smart enough to know that a Happily-Ever-After like that is not likely. My heart broke for these two men with such a strong connection, who loved hard and had to hide from everyone except each other...and knew that there would surely be an expiration date.
I enjoyed the captivating royal setting of Evergreen, the castle, the families, and friends. I was truly swept up in this wintry other-world where the time period was not clear. The themes and struggles are real and timeless. The characters come alive and we can see into their hearts and minds freely. It is a charming twist on the Cinderella tale and full of feels.
I was gifted a copy.
“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.
Riley Hart
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. If she's not writing, you'll probably find her reading.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for every day.
Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.
Nyrae Dawn: Website | Facebook | Twitter |
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for every day.
Riley also writes young adult and new adult under the name Nyrae Dawn.
Nyrae Dawn: Website | Facebook | Twitter |
Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip balm, coffee, and kissing. Because everything is better with kissing.
She writes MM Contemporary as well as Adult and New Adult Romance. She believes in happily-ever-afters for all, so reading and writing romance for everybody under the rainbow helps quench her soul.
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