THE MERCENARY'S TALE

Review

THE MERCENARY'S TALE - Lynn Lorenz

ISBN: 978-1-59632-634-7

February 2008

Erotic Historical Gay Romance - Novella

England - 17th century

Lord Drake is a mercenary, one of the best. Knowing how fragile life can be, Drake is a loner with few, if any, personal attachments. Drake plans to ride to the mountains of Foray, a town in England, in the morning, to offer his skill as a soldier for a good price. While sitting in a tavern that evening, Drake is surprised when a young man named Ansel approaches him. He asks Drake to train him. Ansel is also a mercenary of some skill, ready and willing to sign up for the upcoming battle between Foray and Istend for pay, but Ansel knows that his mercenary skills are considerably less than Drake's.

Ansel is blond and beautiful, and Drake who has never been attracted to a man before, finds himself drawn to Ansel. He hesitates to train Ansel, but finally, almost in spite of himself, agrees. On their journey to Foray, Drake and Ansel discover adventure and love. Once they arrive in Foray, Drake and Ansel part, burying their desire for one another, waiting to be together again, and desperately trying to survive the battles that each day they must fight.

THE MERCENARY'S TALE draws readers in from its first sentence. Drake and Ansel are two very different men. Drake is older, emotionally and physically more battled scarred, having seen much more death than Ansel. Drake knows that training can only do so much, but it does not ensure survival. When Ansel gets under Drake's skin he is revealed to be a man of deep passion and feeling, honorable, loyal, longing for a home yet unaware of it. Secondary characters are few, but are well placed within the story, adding more depth. Ms. Lorenz takes a chance half way through THE MERCENARY'S TALE, something that could turn off many readers. This plot point made me angry, briefly cursing Ms Lorenz, but as I continued to read the story, I realized all was not lost, and happily-ever-after was still very much a possibility

I highly recommend THE MERCENARY'S TALE, plenty of heat, sizzle, spice, and characters that readers will emotionally connect with and enjoy. Buy a copy of THE MERCENARY'S TALE today; it is worth it.

Nickole Yarbrough