Kiss the Rain

Jewel Bonds #2

by Megan Derr

Selsor's only dream growing up was to be a mage, to bond with a warrior and drive back the monsters in the Territories, live the life his parents had so loved. His dreams falter, however, when he displays no magic despite possessing the ability to use it. Then his dreams are lost when, during an attack by bullies, he lashes out with uncontrolled magic and accidentally kills an innocent bystanders. His jewels are blackened, banning him forever from using magic, and Selsor is thrown out to survive on the streets as best he is able...

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Magic, Romance, Short Stories, Paranormal, Historical

47 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 22, 2011

About the author

Megan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.

meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr

Reviews

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice adventuring short. Has an underdog and a true believer, evil power-hungry villain, and a happy ending--what more could you want. It would have been fun to have a longer story, greedy, I know.

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were introduced to Selsor and Jehnonn in An Admirer. In that book, they were, respectively, already 'head' of the magi and soldier departments in the university. Here, technically the prequel, we learn about how they met first time. Selsor is considered a 'bad' magi student, while Johnann is in soldier school. (Some part of the story have been hinted in the Admirer's tidbids.)

I really enjoyed reading this book. Just love the world, the characters, and Ms. Derr's style of writing. Oh, there's no sex scene. The most they do is kissing.

[Relly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

Great follow up to the previous book. In this one we go back in time to when Selsor and Jenohn first met. I love the grumpy Selsor and his biting wit, Jenohn's easy going and carefree nature is a good balance. I felt for Selsor with the way he was bullied and treated by everyone around him, and it was great to see him learn about his new powers.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although listed as #2, Kiss The Rain is actually sort-of a sequel to An Admirer -- in that story, we were 'introduced' with names of Lord Jenohn, as head of the Combat, and his bond-mage, Master Selsor head of the Magic, at Royal University of Magic and Combat.

This story is taken place roughly almost 40 years before, when Jenohn and Selsor first met and how they ends up being bonded warrior-mage. The story itself is slightly darker, opened with a heartbreaking scene of Selsor being bullied and then, after a horrific accident, banished from the magic school.

I love Megan Derr's grumpy characters -- and Selsor has a reason for being one. People look down on him, see him only as a banished mage with blackened jewel. He is poor and he struggles survive without being able to use his magic.

So of course I'm in love with Jenohn, for being stubborn enough to dismiss Selsor's grumpy mood. He just marches in his own beat of drum, sort of dragging Selsor along to find the mystery behind the bad weather, bonding with Selsor so Selsor can use his magic again. Of course, the twist (Jenohn is actually the innocent bystander struck by Selsor's lightning, the reason why Selsor is banished ... all this time, Selsor thought he had killed the bystander) is kind of sweet.

So yes, other reviewers might complain for it being short. I don't mind. I love short stories ... especially when it's well written. Plus we all know that Selsor gets his HEA, for he is still bonded with Jenohn 40 years later *smile*

[Deeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite having read the short version in Magic and Mischief this still had me interested and I enjoyed the more detailed version.

Loved the interaction between Selsor and Jenohn.

Again not enough payback for me.

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selsor was kicked out of school for almost killing a fellow student, and has his stones blackend, so he cannot practice magic of any kind.
It doesn't matter that he was bullied and that it as an accident.
Now 3 years later he is suffering and unhappy scrubbing floors at an Inn.
When soldiers come in and one of them offers him a chance of a lifetime, not only will he earn enough money to leave the country but bonds with him and gives him his magic back. But it's not as simple as it seems, and the twist wasn't totally surprising but a very enjoyable story, and who doesn't love a stubborn grumpy Mage and a really nice and equally stubborn soldier.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting because I liked the story better than #1. There's better worldbuilding, and the soldier is great. It is, however, also a good one to read if you'd like practice in typo-hunting. I realize it's not worth their time to edit these old things, but I wish I could volunteer to do corrections for future readers.

One quibble: Many authors early on fall into the 'lone MC' pattern, treating non-important characters as a monolith of disapproval, as if an entire population, a university in this case, acts with one mind. It's book 1 and book 2. Is book 3 the same? Let's find out.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Brief review for the trilogy. Lovely high fantasy stories set in or around a college of magic, relatable likeable main characters, and a unique system of bejeweled bonding magic. The world building was a bit skimpy but expected for three such brief tales. Even reading around the standard early-Derr poor editing, I recommend this charming trio of short stories.

[Vivian ♪(┌・。・)┌ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oops. . . Never realised I didn't rate this on goodreads yet!

Anyway, short book so short review.
Better than the first (which I found adorable, but hilariously silly). There was more action and it was just more interesting in general. I really love series that have books that are interconnected yet not focused on the same characters! It just makes me go "Awww!! I saw you before! Omg how exciting!" or something equally stupid like that.

Anyway, this series is a pretty cute short read, but if you're expecting to suddenly learn some sort of life lesson through an epiphany which you had while reading this then you're in the wrong place. A good in-between-angsty-books book :)

[Milica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars...

If An Admirer was endearing, then Kiss the Rain was entertaining...you have one mage, sharp-tongued and fierce despite the hardships he went through in his life, one smart and cocky soldier and a mystery that needs to be solved. Not much in the way of romance, but if you read An Admirer you know how these two end up...Recommend it, though I didn't quite like it as the first one in the series.

[Sala Bim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. I found it to be sweet and satisfying. The writing wasn't amazing or intricate, but the story was nice and solid with sweet characters and a little bit of that stubbornness in a main character (which I quite liked)...I will agree that I wish it were longer and a bit more fleshed out, but I guess that is the talent of the writer, leaving me wanting more....It made me smile. Oh and I also enjoyed that it gave us the backstory for Selsor and Jehnonn.

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looks like I’m not reading them in order since I read this one first and then the admirer. Both characters are sweet. I felt bad for Selsor. Would’ve liked to see him face the university after being treated so badly.

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet and delicious, I loved it… But I also love the type of romance that was in this one. The self loathing boy that is abused and has the world against him, and the big burly hero that’s loved him from the beginning, he just didn’t know… “swoons”

There isn’t even any sex in this and I thought it was perfect.

Anywho this is a prequel to book 1, and I thought that played out very well, considering I usually don’t enjoy prequels.

[Shelba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but as per usual, could use some editing.

Also, what about your 50 silver coins?!

[LWM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too short.

Selsor and Jenohn are too cute, and they get better with age, which we got a glimpse of in Secret Admirer. Ms. Derr likes to write epilogue-like stories where she gives us characters set in other protagonists' lives, then explains how they got together in either a second or third book in the series. The first time she pulled this on me, I thought I had read them out of order; however, I've found this is a habit of hers.

Jenohn mysteriously and emphatically stands up.for Selsor, who has been living in obscurity and near-impoverished circumstances in a small village that's been placed under a sinister storm curse. Jenohn is one of Prince Alanci's royal guard, and hires Selsor to help investigate, claiming he needs Selsor's assistance because no one else will do. Jenohn also awakens Selsor's blackened jewels, which were taken from him when he had been accused of killing an innocent with lightning back when Selsor was a student. Selsor's jewels turned into the exact.shade of blue as Jenohn's eyes; they trace, discover, and destroy every magical storm drain in the village; and most importantly, Selsor and Jenohn retrieve every bit of Selsor's magic that.had.been stolen, and was continuing to be drained from Selsor by a power-hungry witch who has been misrepresenting himself in the village. Selsor as a student was a.formidable witch of untried power over storm elements. HIS power has been so strong and unusual no one at their school could identify or understand its magnitude or range when Selsor was a trainee/student, so, in fear, they cast him out when he ended up lashing out at bullies who attacked him. They claimed he had tried to cast.lightning, and something that was "like lightning" had hit Jenohn (yes! Turns out he was that.kid who got struck by Selsor's "accident). Neither had been allowed to see the other - Selsor had gone to live as a shamed outcast thinking he had killed that other boy, while Jenohn had lived, and gotten strong and healthy again, growing to become a Royal Guard. They come full circle, and Selsor learns to "Kiss the Rain" with his glorious, astounding control and power over the rain, thunder, lightning, and storms.

I really enjoyed this one, and, Ms. Deer got me to like it without any crazy, rampaging sex or near sex, only hints at something "more" between our protagonists! This was simply an interestingly whimsical tale of magic, gentlemanly soldiers much like knights of old, and a feisty, downtrodden but beautiful young man whose true love (Jenohn) never gave up on him. Five solid stars!

[L-D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in the Jewel Bonds series, but it actually comes chronologically before book #1, An Admirer. I Loved An Admirer when I read it and wanted to buy this one right away but hesitated due to the fact that it was $3.99 for a novella length story. But I'm very happy to have read it now. This was my favorite short story in the series - I liked it even better than An Admirer.

Selsor is a mage with "blackened" jewels, which means he is banned from using his magic. After his magic subconsciously lashes out in his defense when he is being bullied at school, Selsor fells an innocent bystander and is expelled from the school with his blackened jewels a stigma for all to see. For 3 years he ekes out a meager existence.

Three years later there is a strange weather pattern in his town that is threatening the houses and the people with flooding. The local mages are doing what they can to hold the waters at bay, but when that isn't enough, 6 soldiers are sent from the palace to help out.

I thought this was a fabulous story even though it was very short. I loved the characters and the story was rich and full and the plot was well-developed. Even though I am usually disappointed in shorts, I find that Miss Derr has more success than most authors with the ability to fully develop her short stories. This one exceeded my expectations. I really enjoyed it.

[DaisyGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 Stars

So, at the outset, I was slightly disappointed this story didn't continue where An Admirer left off, with Kaeck and Bellamy. It is the second book in the series but it actually precedes the events in An Admirer and involves another couple. That said, I enjoyed Selsor and Lord Jenohn. Yum. Selsor's story was heart-wrenching but Jenohn's love more than makes up for it.

Bottom line: Another winner by Megan Derr.

[Bookbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This, the second book in the "Jewel Bond" series, was even better than the first. More of a prequel, this book focuses on Selsor and Jenohn, 'deans', if you will, of their respective Mage & Soldier departments in An Admirer, and begins many years earlier when they were both still students at the school themselves.

My only complaint is that I so thoroughly enjoy the stories, I wish they were much, much longer!

[Usagi Tsukino · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's just one word to describe this book: A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!
I really, really loved this book! Too bad it's too short but, it really is worth reading it and like Jenohn would say "I'm always right". XD
Oh my... I have to read it again soon! Jenohn x Selsor =

[Lady*M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, but sooooo short. Prequel to An Admirer. I liked both Selsor, stubborn and strong in spite of all the bad things that happened to him, and Jehnonn, arrogant and persistent, but very good to and for Selsor. They were very cute together. Too bad the book wasn't longer, because I also wanted to know more about magic in this world (that was lacking in the previous book too). Good, but Derr can do better.

[Inamoena · Rating 5 out of 5]

5

[Nix Buttons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the second edition and later the first edition in the anthology Magic and Mischief. This is the third edition and differs slightly from the other two editions, but nothing major (there are STILL missing or wrong words, Derr's editing is STILL horrible, even in the third edition).
This is a prequel to An Admirer. It can be read as a standalone, though knowledge about mages and knights is beneficial: those with aptitude for magic can study it at university. In their third year they get jewels imbedded in their forhead and wrists and can truly practise magic once those have settled. Mages can have aptitude for either fire, earth, wind or water and can later go into research, go into the field with the knights, who get trained in the same university along the mages, and fight monsters, or can get postings in cities and villages for example. Knights and mages can also bond, which strengthens both parties and changes the colour of the mage jewels.. I very much enjoyed this short story and the characters, more than the first instalment.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes us back in time to Lord Selsor and Lord Jenohan when they were much younger. These two were introduced as professors and a bonded soldier/mage pair in the first book in the series. Story starts with Selsor when he's in school, constantly bullied for having abnormal magic and in the midst of being beaten up. Suddenly lighting flashes down from the sky, nearly killing someone and he's kicked out of school and his jewels blackened, as he's blamed for the disaster. Flash forward several years, Selsor has not had an easy time of it. And to top it off, there's been non-stop rain and it's about to get out of control of even the mage's spells...and it's clear that something hinky is going on. Along come several soldiers who want to try and solve the issue. One of them insists on Selsor's help, even bonding with him to give him his magic back. Thus begins their journey to solve the mystery.

World building here is really good. The rules are established, make sense on the whole and are followed. A description like mine doesn't do the detail in the story any justice. It is still a novella, but understanding of the world is pretty easy...especially if you've read the first book. I enjoyed the characters. Selsor especially is an intriguing character. The action does tend to go a little fast, downside of a novella and all that.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a prequel to "An Admirer."

Selsor was a student learning magic when an awful accident happens, and another student is seriously injured. As punishment, his jewels are blacked and he is dismissed from the academy, warned never to use his magic again.
Three years later Selsor is struggling to survive in a rural remote town. He's practically a slave for a tavern owner, cleaning in exchange for a place to sleep in the stable. One night, during a months long deluge of endless rain that's beginning to drown the area, soldiers come into the tavern. The blue eyes of one catches Sensor's attention, but he's dismissed for the night after the soldiers complain about the owner's abuse of Selsor. Later that night Jehnonn awakens Selsor. He's being impressed into the soldiers mission, and they really need their help trying to figure out how the weather is being magically generated, and more importantly, how.

This was okay. The magic here was a little unbalanced- there was something that didn't quite work for me. The story was paced well, but I felt their relationship was borderline insta-love, but the ending left things open for Selsor and Jehnonn to work on developing things.

Three stars.

[Susan Robey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiss the Rain is the second book (for now) in this series. This is a MM romance set in an universe of knights and mages.

I love this series and book and am writing reviews for all three. This is the second book but first chronologically. In this book we see Selsor and Jenhom as young mage/knight and how they bonded. In the first book, we see them as an established successful couple and in the third they are just referred to.

Selsor had been a poor (as in money) student but outstanding mage in his years at the mage academy. Due to an unfortunate accident he was not allowed to complete his studies. Jenhom finds him and persuaded Selsor to help in combating a problem with the weather.

Needless to say there is a HEA. But the way they get there is both interesting and fun. I love books about knights and dragons (no, unfortuanately not any real dragons in this one) and mages. This is a short read. In these unsettled times, it is both amusing and comforting to read books like this.

Highly recommended.

[Amy Chichi Hsiao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite many minor flaws in the narratives, Derr's depiction of frustration and unrelinquished love always got me.

One very interesting experience in reading this novella after finishing the first of the series is that I got to know what is going to happen to MCs years after (being bonded and working in the academy as top instructors) right from the beginning because of the names, and conclude that Jehnonn was the one Selsor struck with lightning because Bellamy mentioned that Jehnonn constantly scare people with Selsor casting lighting on people when pissed.. It's really a lot of fun, so much that I was happy to ignore the editing problems people often complain about Derr's early works.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Considering how short it is, the book could've definitely used more editing. Some info was given twice, which is even worse when looking at the total length of the story. A few awkward sentences, inconsistencies as to whether contractions or full phrases were used, a missing word here and there, rarely some oddly placed or missing punctuation.

The main character annoyed me a bit, and so did the love interest, but the story itself was interesting enough. I swear I didn't hate it, even if it sounds like I did, but I'm also not sure I'd recommend it.

[Megan | The Mood Read Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not gonna lie...I was not surprised by anything that happened in this book, but that did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying it. The world that Derr has built in this series is legitimately interesting, and I found myself wanting to know more about how the jewel bonds worked and their history.

I won't really explain much of the plot or anything here because it's a shorter story and the summary provided already tells you everything you need to know. However, I did want to mention how happy I was to learn the official backstory of Selsor and Jehnonn, who were introduced in the first story, making this book a prequel.

Anyway, cute and predictable, but that's the mood I was in.

[Yue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author can write the best magical worlds. This story was very good and nice developed, but as it always happens when I am reading them, I finish it wanting more. I like the magic here, the weather mage, the soldier, the story behind him, the nice chemistry between the leads, and of course I love to read about a grumpy, pretty guy being woo by the attractive, cool, grinning guy XD

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I adore this story (just wish the editing had been a bit better).
Selsor's story is more than a bit heart-breaking in the beginning. Jenohn is really amusing (a bit of a know-it-all, but it really works for him).

I do wish we got to see more of the team Jenohn was working with, I have a feeling seeing more of their adventures would have been amusing.