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The Broken
James guards his secrets.
Uncertain as to whom he can trust with his family's secrets, James Bradford has lived a lonely life since becoming Baron of Riverside. When he meets an equally enigmatic violinist named Sheamus, he begins to wonder if he's found someone with whom he can share everything.
Sheamus guards his body.
No one has ever shown Sheamus Flynn affection except his mother. That changes when he meets James, but Sheamus cannot trust him. Sheamus has been used by his master, Cade Edward, and he knows better than to believe James could ever love a mere servant.
They both guard their hearts.
Over the course of the 1876 Social Season they cautiously fall in love, only to be violently ripped apart by Edward. Defeating Edward's deceptions will require both of them to share long guarded secrets.
Can they trust each other?
This 30,000 word SPICY story contains BDSM elements, a male/male couple, and lots of music!
Uncertain as to whom he can trust with his family's secrets, James Bradford has lived a lonely life since becoming Baron of Riverside. When he meets an equally enigmatic violinist named Sheamus, he begins to wonder if he's found someone with whom he can share everything.
Sheamus guards his body.
No one has ever shown Sheamus Flynn affection except his mother. That changes when he meets James, but Sheamus cannot trust him. Sheamus has been used by his master, Cade Edward, and he knows better than to believe James could ever love a mere servant.
They both guard their hearts.
Over the course of the 1876 Social Season they cautiously fall in love, only to be violently ripped apart by Edward. Defeating Edward's deceptions will require both of them to share long guarded secrets.
Can they trust each other?
This 30,000 word SPICY story contains BDSM elements, a male/male couple, and lots of music!
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Stella Notecor
9 books7 followersI believe that love has no boundaries and we cannot help who we love. This belief is reflected in my stories which involve homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, transsexual, etc. characters. I refuse to limit myself to writing one sexuality. Instead, I write what the story requires, be it a straight, gay, or polyamorous relationship.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 29, 2012
I’m not sure if you can entirely trust that blurb, to be honest. It might be what the author thought she was writing, but it’s not how it came out for me.
I didn’t see the blurb until preparing this review, so it took me a long while to work out exactly when this story was set. Whilst I’m not a big fan of “London, XXXX” date at the top of the chapter, I do like a few grounding facts to help me. The date would sufficed in this case as I was about half way through before the era was clear.
It starts off at a party and there’s a waltz being played, so I’m thinking it couldn’t be pure Regency, because the waltz didn’t really take off until a bit later–but then they have a quadrille which confused me. It wasn’t until a good way into the book when I could hang a date on it, 1876, 20 years after the Indian Rebellion.
The thing is I wasn’t particularly enamoured of James. His idea of “cautiously falling in love” is to march up to Sheamus’s master (a man to whom Sheamus owes money and oddly cannot leave, like it’s some kind of slavery) and demand that he hand him over for the season, with nefarious purposes entirely in mind. It just so happens that Sheamus is being raped and abused (and these scenes are shown graphically in the book, so if that’s not your bag watch out) by his “master” and doesn’t really want to roll over for another man. However–of course he does, with hardly more than a “I’d rather not” and in no time at all they are weeping and wailing and declaring love to each other like the best of girlie men.
The whole scenario seemed weird. Why didn’t Sheamus just bugger off somewhere else and get a job and send Edward the money if he was so honourable? Or just bugger off. One could argue that he was “broken” but he doesn’t really come over that way to me.
I was disappointed, because for a moment it did seem like it might be a break from what is becoming the norm.
Being self-published it runs true to the expectation that I am now having with self-pubbed books that the editing is shoddy. Not the worst I’ve seen (that comes in my next review) but pretty dire. When will anyone bother to look up the difference between rain/reign/rein? It sometimes strikes me that perhaps these people have decided to self-publish because the book has been rejected. Perhaps they should stop and think why it’s been rejected. There’s nothing wrong with self publication, but I wish people would have more pride and put out the best product they possibly can.
OK, rant over.
There’s a lot of sex in this book, and as I mentioned above the rapes are pretty graphic. The author’s website tagline is “Love Knows No Boundaries and Neither Do I so that’s probably what she means. ” I would actually say there’s a bit too much sex, and there’s also some annoying secondary characters who seem to have no place in the story other than to SUFFER ALSO under the evil Snidely Whiplash.
James annoyed me to the last, as despite him declaring undying love for Sheamus promptly forgets all about him for weeks and Sheamus is in dire trouble when he does take the trouble to remember – oh yes- where’s that guy I love??
Not recommended–although some of the writing isn’t bad. It’s not a bad price, so you might want to try it.
August 13, 2012
Reviewed By BlackTulip for Booked Up
It is such a beautiful story, but I won't recommend it if you are depressed because it will not improve your mood. In my opinion it certainly is worthy of Dickens. The atmosphere is dark and bleak enough. It goes from very bad to worst before it gets better. There is a whirl of emotions and feelings here, good and bad. It will definitely move you!
Sheamus is a young man who has an incredible gift for music. He plays violin like a god. He has been quiet literally in the power of Sir Edward since he was twelve years old. His parents were travelers fleeing the great famine in Ireland, barely surviving with their music. After they died, Edward kept him and he was able to become the violinist he is now. But it was certainly not from the goodness of his heart. The young boy became his slave toy, utterly and completely at his mercy. Seventeen years later, things have not changed.
Edward is the worst despicable villain I have ever seen. He is such a hypocrite, a vicious and sadistic animal. He will not take no for an answer and will stop at nothing to obtain what he wants, not even murder! Shaemus is in hell but luckily enough he learned a long time ago to let the music in his head envelop him, removing himself from the outside world and Edward in particular.
Then one day he meets James, Baron of Riverside and their lives will never again be the same. Jame falls in love both with the man and the artist. He is the complete opposite of Edward. The only thing they have in common is that they like men. At first Sheamus won't be able to trust him or even less hope. He had never known tenderness or even love before, only with his mother but it was in another life. After a lot more hardship he will be able in the end to rescue him from his last and nearly deadly ordeal. Because of James, Sheamus will be able to become just himself. The monstrous Edward will pay for his numerous crimes. Hallelujah! sometime God is good. How many times have I wanted to kill him myself?!
The author provides us with a good description and understanding of Victorian society, "all rules and all hypocrisy". There are several minor young characters who have each one their own story that add a lot to the book. Not forgetting a murder mystery that began years ago in India and concern James' family. We discover at the end when the plot is revealed that Edward, who was also in India at the same time was a big part of it.
It's a very good book I just couldn't put it down last night! I give it a 4.5/5.
It is such a beautiful story, but I won't recommend it if you are depressed because it will not improve your mood. In my opinion it certainly is worthy of Dickens. The atmosphere is dark and bleak enough. It goes from very bad to worst before it gets better. There is a whirl of emotions and feelings here, good and bad. It will definitely move you!
Sheamus is a young man who has an incredible gift for music. He plays violin like a god. He has been quiet literally in the power of Sir Edward since he was twelve years old. His parents were travelers fleeing the great famine in Ireland, barely surviving with their music. After they died, Edward kept him and he was able to become the violinist he is now. But it was certainly not from the goodness of his heart. The young boy became his slave toy, utterly and completely at his mercy. Seventeen years later, things have not changed.
Edward is the worst despicable villain I have ever seen. He is such a hypocrite, a vicious and sadistic animal. He will not take no for an answer and will stop at nothing to obtain what he wants, not even murder! Shaemus is in hell but luckily enough he learned a long time ago to let the music in his head envelop him, removing himself from the outside world and Edward in particular.
Then one day he meets James, Baron of Riverside and their lives will never again be the same. Jame falls in love both with the man and the artist. He is the complete opposite of Edward. The only thing they have in common is that they like men. At first Sheamus won't be able to trust him or even less hope. He had never known tenderness or even love before, only with his mother but it was in another life. After a lot more hardship he will be able in the end to rescue him from his last and nearly deadly ordeal. Because of James, Sheamus will be able to become just himself. The monstrous Edward will pay for his numerous crimes. Hallelujah! sometime God is good. How many times have I wanted to kill him myself?!
The author provides us with a good description and understanding of Victorian society, "all rules and all hypocrisy". There are several minor young characters who have each one their own story that add a lot to the book. Not forgetting a murder mystery that began years ago in India and concern James' family. We discover at the end when the plot is revealed that Edward, who was also in India at the same time was a big part of it.
It's a very good book I just couldn't put it down last night! I give it a 4.5/5.
September 8, 2016
Sometimes the books that actually reach publication make me wonder if publishers can be bribed...this is one of those books...for your money you get...
- inaccurate historical context
- inaccuracies about clothing etc within the historical context
- poorly articulated, over-complicated, poorly resolved plot/s
- unrealistic portrayal of psychological reaction to a life of sexual abuse
- improbable portrayal of illness and magical healing in a time where people could die of the common cold
- predictable, unnecessary sub-plots
- jerky, clunky, awkward writing style
- spelling and grammatical errors
This book is poorly written and not one I would recommend. There is much better out there...if you are looking for historical romance/erotica, try Ava March...a much better reading experience.
- inaccurate historical context
- inaccuracies about clothing etc within the historical context
- poorly articulated, over-complicated, poorly resolved plot/s
- unrealistic portrayal of psychological reaction to a life of sexual abuse
- improbable portrayal of illness and magical healing in a time where people could die of the common cold
- predictable, unnecessary sub-plots
- jerky, clunky, awkward writing style
- spelling and grammatical errors
This book is poorly written and not one I would recommend. There is much better out there...if you are looking for historical romance/erotica, try Ava March...a much better reading experience.
October 30, 2012
I'm sure the book is fine, really, but after the lyrical prose of An Immovable Solitude, the writing just seemed elementary..
I think I was just looking for a more complex writing style/tone. I quit after 30%.
I think I was just looking for a more complex writing style/tone. I quit after 30%.
Want to read
May 14, 2012kindle freebie 5.14.12
October 20, 2012
This review was posted by me to Manic Reviews several months ago.
The Broken is a lovely, bittersweet, and ultimately soaring melody that will stay with me for a long time.
Stella Notecor tells the story of James Riverside, a member of the British aristocracy; and Sheamus Flynn, a violinist. James is a man who has a proclivity for other men, in an age (19th century) when such behavior was considered not just scandalous but criminal. Sheamus is a man forced to submit to the depraved and brutal rapes of Edward, a man who holds him as an indentured bondsman.
James manages to win Sheamus’ violinist talents for a few months, taking him to bed and board at his own manor. The two men soon begin a sensuous relationship that finally results in profound love of each man for the other. The sexual encounters are vivid and real, and the growing tenderness of their relationship slips gracefully as a bow skimming over the strings of a violin.
Without giving away the tense plot, I can say that when Edward discovers that the men are lovers, he unleashes such fury that Sheamus almost dies. He not only destroys Sheamus’ violin, he brutally cuts out his tongue. Now is the musician forever silenced.
But in the end, even silenced in one way, Sheamus can at last express his love to James, first physically, and at last with his surpassingly beautiful music.
If the book has some weaknesses, it would be the melodramatic action in some parts, and the somewhat unbelievable sexual escapades that the two men enjoy. I give it a 4 out of 5.
The Broken is a lovely, bittersweet, and ultimately soaring melody that will stay with me for a long time.
Stella Notecor tells the story of James Riverside, a member of the British aristocracy; and Sheamus Flynn, a violinist. James is a man who has a proclivity for other men, in an age (19th century) when such behavior was considered not just scandalous but criminal. Sheamus is a man forced to submit to the depraved and brutal rapes of Edward, a man who holds him as an indentured bondsman.
James manages to win Sheamus’ violinist talents for a few months, taking him to bed and board at his own manor. The two men soon begin a sensuous relationship that finally results in profound love of each man for the other. The sexual encounters are vivid and real, and the growing tenderness of their relationship slips gracefully as a bow skimming over the strings of a violin.
Without giving away the tense plot, I can say that when Edward discovers that the men are lovers, he unleashes such fury that Sheamus almost dies. He not only destroys Sheamus’ violin, he brutally cuts out his tongue. Now is the musician forever silenced.
But in the end, even silenced in one way, Sheamus can at last express his love to James, first physically, and at last with his surpassingly beautiful music.
If the book has some weaknesses, it would be the melodramatic action in some parts, and the somewhat unbelievable sexual escapades that the two men enjoy. I give it a 4 out of 5.
December 28, 2015
Geek confession first: I have spent *years* studying Victorian society during the time in which this narrative was set. Some of the historical detail is a little bit off, and parts of this story are slightly anachronistic. That being said, it was an enjoyable book. The protagonists were well drawn and sympathetic. The evil baronet was a true monster. The relationship between James and Sheamus was realistically developed and as a reader I was genuinely rooting for them. Plus I play the violin myself...I *have* to like this! A certain suspension of disbelief is necessary to fully engage with the set-up in Riverside's house (servants eating in the dining room?? whatever next!) even given that he was portrayed as unorthodox, but overall this was an engaging and enjoyable story, and I'll certainly be looking out for the author's next book. Recommended.
October 17, 2011
James falls in love with the music of violinist Sheamus, the servant of Cade Edward. James arranges for Sheamus to spend the Season at his home where they develop feelings for each other. When James has to go out of town, Edward calls Sheamus back to his estate. This is different from many romances. It's more graphic when telling about some of the abuse occurring but it does not detract from the story. It heightened my feeling of wanting James and Sheamus to work out. I liked them both. Cade Edward was a villian who I wanted to see destroyed.
October 29, 2011
Reviewed by Kerri: I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this novella.
I felt the author did a spot on job nailing the time period. The characters were not only engaging, but also refreshing.
There was a lot of attention paid to detail throughout the story and I was easily transported to another time. I liked that and I wondered why this author was new to me, and why I had not heard her name before?
If you're a lover of well-written romantic historicals this one should delight you. And at 99 cents, it's a steal!
A
I felt the author did a spot on job nailing the time period. The characters were not only engaging, but also refreshing.
There was a lot of attention paid to detail throughout the story and I was easily transported to another time. I liked that and I wondered why this author was new to me, and why I had not heard her name before?
If you're a lover of well-written romantic historicals this one should delight you. And at 99 cents, it's a steal!
A
August 4, 2011
The title of The Broken became so very clear as the story progressed; relationships and men are broken, but Stella Notecor does forge new ones.
With a mid-Victorian setting, she offers a Dickensian situation for Sheamus Flynn, a violinist trapped by debt to an unscrupulous baronet, Sir Cade Edward. James, Baron of Riverside, offers him a way out of the systematic degradation Sir Cade perpetrates, and if they could but stay together, things could be lovely, but of course, it's never that easy.
There are a number of secrets and plot threads running through this story – it's jam packed with the multiple elements of social intrigue familiar through Regency stories and probably not much changed sixty years later. Class distinctions are both rigorously adhered to and then blithely ignored – by the end of the story I was quite concerned for James ever being welcome by society again, as he stopped being concerned for maintaining appearances, though one prime revelation did play very heavily on bending class distinctions.
You have to feel for Sheamus – he's trapped by a bad master and has no idea what to expect from his new temporary master, and his fears that things could be equally bad seemed well founded to me – an element of their first sex play seemed extremely out of place. Tying up a man who may or may not really be consenting out of anything but fear isn't a great way to earn trust, though I could see it as trust had it appeared later on. The relationship managed to unfold off screen with a big jump in time between Sheamus and James' first encounter and when outside events speed up, and then the entire relationship is presented as an established fact. The story suffers for it: isn't this why we read romance? Sheamus suffers for it too; James does not know crucial things about Sheamus, very basic things that lovers would learn but an employer wouldn't care about, and it works to Sheamus' later harm. All of James' tenderness after the damage was done did not keep me from wanting to kick his aristocratic arse.
Aside from a couple of instances of modern slang, and one character's peculiar career aspirations, the story seems to stay in period, although a better scholar might note things I did not. The author acknowledges the class system and works it; a few places where things look really wrong have a use later. Unfortunately, the system allowed abuses – Sir Cade's mistreatment of Sheamus couldn't have happened in a more egalitarian system, and be warned, this part is not easy reading. After further consideration, I concluded part of this mistreatment was gratuitous.
A wide cast of secondary characters have their stories, which do weave back into the main plot by the end – things were wrapped up and the couple finally in a place where they could be happy. The story certainly engaged my every emotion, from fury to fear to appreciation. This is the only story I've seen from this author, but I could certainly read more.
With a mid-Victorian setting, she offers a Dickensian situation for Sheamus Flynn, a violinist trapped by debt to an unscrupulous baronet, Sir Cade Edward. James, Baron of Riverside, offers him a way out of the systematic degradation Sir Cade perpetrates, and if they could but stay together, things could be lovely, but of course, it's never that easy.
There are a number of secrets and plot threads running through this story – it's jam packed with the multiple elements of social intrigue familiar through Regency stories and probably not much changed sixty years later. Class distinctions are both rigorously adhered to and then blithely ignored – by the end of the story I was quite concerned for James ever being welcome by society again, as he stopped being concerned for maintaining appearances, though one prime revelation did play very heavily on bending class distinctions.
You have to feel for Sheamus – he's trapped by a bad master and has no idea what to expect from his new temporary master, and his fears that things could be equally bad seemed well founded to me – an element of their first sex play seemed extremely out of place. Tying up a man who may or may not really be consenting out of anything but fear isn't a great way to earn trust, though I could see it as trust had it appeared later on. The relationship managed to unfold off screen with a big jump in time between Sheamus and James' first encounter and when outside events speed up, and then the entire relationship is presented as an established fact. The story suffers for it: isn't this why we read romance? Sheamus suffers for it too; James does not know crucial things about Sheamus, very basic things that lovers would learn but an employer wouldn't care about, and it works to Sheamus' later harm. All of James' tenderness after the damage was done did not keep me from wanting to kick his aristocratic arse.
Aside from a couple of instances of modern slang, and one character's peculiar career aspirations, the story seems to stay in period, although a better scholar might note things I did not. The author acknowledges the class system and works it; a few places where things look really wrong have a use later. Unfortunately, the system allowed abuses – Sir Cade's mistreatment of Sheamus couldn't have happened in a more egalitarian system, and be warned, this part is not easy reading. After further consideration, I concluded part of this mistreatment was gratuitous.
A wide cast of secondary characters have their stories, which do weave back into the main plot by the end – things were wrapped up and the couple finally in a place where they could be happy. The story certainly engaged my every emotion, from fury to fear to appreciation. This is the only story I've seen from this author, but I could certainly read more.
February 4, 2012
The Broken is a story of two lonely men drawn together by the beauty of music. The Broken tells the tale of aristocrat James Bradford and virtuoso musician Sheamus Flynn, the Irish servant of another aristocrat, Cade Edward. The story is lovely in some aspects and horrific in others.
The early stages of the romance between James and Sheamus are a little too abrupt. The introductions are barely made before James has Sheamus in his bed. At other times, the novel slows down to torturous crawl. Scenes describing Sheamus' return to Edward's household and the consequences of that action take way too long to evolve.
Notecar's characters are sympathetic in their need for affection and companionship. James has lost much of his family in India, while Sheamus has been without love or support since the death of his mother during his childhood. As The Broken moves to its climax, Notecar paints some very vivid and painful imagery, as well as some very sweet scenes between James and Sheamus. The Broken earns 3 stars for the quality of the writing.
Review originally appeared on Blackraven's Reviews
Book Review by Creative Ink
The early stages of the romance between James and Sheamus are a little too abrupt. The introductions are barely made before James has Sheamus in his bed. At other times, the novel slows down to torturous crawl. Scenes describing Sheamus' return to Edward's household and the consequences of that action take way too long to evolve.
Notecar's characters are sympathetic in their need for affection and companionship. James has lost much of his family in India, while Sheamus has been without love or support since the death of his mother during his childhood. As The Broken moves to its climax, Notecar paints some very vivid and painful imagery, as well as some very sweet scenes between James and Sheamus. The Broken earns 3 stars for the quality of the writing.
Review originally appeared on Blackraven's Reviews
Book Review by Creative Ink
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