Just a Little Madness (The Brotherhood 7) by Merry Farmer
Genre | Gay / Historical / 19th Century / Actors/Entertainers / Royalty/Nobility / Romance / Mystery/Suspense/Thriller |
Reviewed by | Lena Grey on 19-February-2021 |
Genre | Gay / Historical / 19th Century / Actors/Entertainers / Royalty/Nobility / Romance / Mystery/Suspense/Thriller |
Reviewed by | Lena Grey on 19-February-2021 |
Opposites attract and sparks fly, but can they be contained?
Member of Parliament, Edward Archibald, lives in constant fear of being discovered as a gay man and having his life ruined because of it. He has avoided scandal in every way possible…until his brother runs off with a married duchess and kidnaps Lord Selby’s son and heir. As Selby's friend, Edward is called on to help with the investigation by contacting his brother. There’s just one small problem: The mission means he’s been thrown into close quarters with the object of his desire, actor Martin Piper.
Martin Piper loves life and isn’t afraid to enjoy it to the fullest. He can’t help but draw attention to himself in everything he does, particularly when he’s paired with stodgy politician, Edward, as they work to reunite Lord Selby and his son. But Martin can only pay attention to one thing—his fascination with and desire for Edward. He adores the man at first sight and relishes the opportunity to crack Edward’s shell to get to the sensuality he knows Edward is capable of.
But their mission veers wildly off-course and seems destined to fail, especially when their conflicting ideas about desire and discretion prove how different they are. Can they overcome their differences to complete their mission and enjoy an epic love story, or will passion drive them apart?
“Don’t let others box you into their idea of what they think you should be. A confined identity is a miserable way to exist...Trust that in living true to yourself, you will attract people that support and love you, just as you are.” ~ Jaeda deWalt
Martin Piper, of ‘Just a Little Madness’ by Merry Farmer, saves Edward Archibald from an embarrassing and potentially career ending situation. Edward is eternally grateful to the actor, whom he already admires after attending several plays in which he has acted. When he and Martin ‘team up’ to find a missing medallion, it thrusts Edward into inner turmoil.
The trip to recover the medallion involves a visit to Edward’s parents to discover if they know where Edward’s brother is. Edward has told Martin how badly his parents treat him and how, although he tries his best, they are never satisfied. Even though it was his brother, Ian, who ran away with another man’s wife, he is treated with the same disdain, as if he were an embarrassment. This visit allows Martin to observe this travesty firsthand.
At a dreadful dinner party given by his parents, Edward is debased and embarrassed by his father and ignored by the other people there. Martin’s effort to console him involves Edward giving in to his ‘base’ desires by letting Martin comfort and satisfy him. Unfortunately, they are interrupted by a maid. After that, they decide it would be best to leave. On the way back, Edward’s pocket is picked at the train station. Martin sees a man who he suspects is a private investigator, and who he surmises is working for Ian. Martin doesn’t mention it to Edward even when he concludes that the detective is the one who stole Edward’s wallet. When Edward discovers that Martin didn’t tell him about the man, who later accosts Edward wanting the medallion, he is furious. And, when Edward finds out that Martin has had the medallion in his pocket for some time, it adds insult to injury. They have an awful fight about it. The ‘honeymoon phase’ of what could have been a relationship seems to be over almost before it has begun.
Merry has a way with words that makes the time period in this series come to life. Her descriptions, not only of the customs and costumes of the stories, but also of the mentality of the era, jump right off the pages. Edward and Martin are another opposites-attract couple that only come together when they learn to compromise and overcome the set-in-their-ways parts of their characters. Thanks, Merry. This is a welcome and enjoyable addition to the ‘Brotherhood’ series.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been purchased by the reviewer.
Format | ebook |
Length | Novel, 264 pages |
Heat Level | |
Publication Date | 08-January-2021 |
Price | $4.99 ebook |
Buy Link | https://www.amazon.com/Just-Little-Madness-Brotherhood-Book-ebook/dp/B08P52VJ6M |