Poison Marked by T.J. Nichols

Title: Poison Marked

Series: 2017 Advent Calendar Daily- Stocking Stuffers

Author: T.J. Nichols

Genre: Solstice, Fantasy 

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 12, 2017)

Length: Short Story (57 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥ 2 Hearts

Blurb: Kill his lover or disobey his king and instigate civil war?

As the feared court poison master, Nikko is sworn to do as his king bids. As the lover of the king’s nephew, Lord Rodas, Nikko must hide his affection or risk being labeled a traitor and punished. A former thief who clawed his way into the palace from the filthy streets, Nikko longs to be deserving of Rodas’s love.

A respected war hero, Rodas is in a delicate political situation. He is not the kingdom’s natural heir, though many support his claim over the wastrel, Prince Fortin. The last thing Rodas wants is war. His highest ambition is for Nikko to openly wear the jewels he’s bestowed on him as a public declaration of their love.

Neither man is prepared for the king to order Nikko to poison Rodas during the solstice feast or for the deadly intrigue they’re plunged into, which exposes their affair and rocks the foundations of the kingdom.

ISBN: 978-1-64080-297.1

Product Link: Dreamspinner Press

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: A thief turned poison master falls in love with the kings nephew. He knew that if it came about he would be in deep shit, so he hid it. Then the king told him to kill Rodas. Where as Rodas was suppose to marry someone with linage, but his love was with Nikko.

I do not even know where to begin with this book. It was not the right choice for a Christmas story at all. There was nothing Christmas about it. Just betrayal, poison, murder and well you get the picture. To top it off, the warrior would still have to marry a female and get her pregnant. Thank god that part was left out.

Even though it is a short story, the author did make it seem longer. For me if this book was actually longer and more to it, it would have turned out better. Although I am afraid that even with that potential, to me it just failed all the way around. I am sorry but this story definitely was not for me.