Title: Gift of the Goddess
Author: Kaje Harper
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 9781627570541
Length: Short Story (50 pages)
Publisher: Storm Moon Press (September 20th, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Desperate times call for desperate measures. Garvin’s lover Nyle has been kidnapped by a band of soldiers in need of a smith. In the king’s army, that means he’ll serve until he’s dead, and Garvin will be damned if he’ll let that happen. But Garvin’s a small, slight man without the skills to follow and take on trained soldiers. For the first time in his life, Garvin prays to the Goddess for help, for enough guidance to get him to Nyle, so he can do whatever it takes to rescue the man he loves. And the Goddess answers him.
Product Link: http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Gift-of-the-Goddess.aspx
Review: Oh I loved this story, absolutely adored it. Set in a world where the king and his soldiers can take what they want, little boys are of no use even as they are talented, and gentleness exists in rare people, this story takes you on a lovely ride as it follows Garvin’s life.
Last son of a cruel father, Garvin is never appreciated for his skills, his ability to calm animals. He’s no strong, is even smaller than his sisters, and his value is nil in his household, until the day comes that he’s needed to control a wild horse, thus taken to join his father’s caravan. And that is the last time he sees his family for on the trip Garvin meets Nyle, a young smith, who literally saves him from his life and gives Garvin a place where not only he’s appreciated, he’s also loved.
His life from that moment on is a fairytale. Nyle works the forge, he works the house, field, and horses, and after work, they fall in the familiar parts of lovemaking. But you know what they say, when life is too good, you must expect something bad around the corner so that it doesn’t shock you when it comes. For shocked is what Garvin was when he found out their horses gone and Nyle along with them, signs of soldiers all over the place. And Garvin has two choices; succumb to sorrow for his lost man, or follow them and get what’s his back…
See the picture we get from this character is that of a fragile, vulnerable one, but it couldn’t be farther from reality. In fact, the surprises this character has for us are numerous and I was absolutely delighted reading about him, reading how he managed to save his beloved Nyle from six soldiers, how he got an answer from a Goddess herself, and how active he was in the relationship, what his role was. Garvin is fantastic, he’s smart, he’s determined, he’s sexy, and dare I say he’s a Dom..?
I just can’t say how much I enjoyed this story, how wonderful the balance between action plot and romance was. Or that between lovemaking scenes and pain-inducing ones that had you on your toes. Yup, loved it alright; this book is very well written and the emotions it evokes grip you and join you throughout this entire tale. Definitely recommended!