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Fitzwarren Inheritance #1
The Psychic's Tale
"I curse you and your children's children, that you shall all live out your allotted years, and that those years shall be filled with grief and loss and betrayal, even as you have betrayed and bereaved me."
Four hundred years ago in rural England, a mob burned two men to death, but not before one of them, Jonathan Curtess, hurled a dreadful curse at the mob's leader, Sir Belvedere Fitzwarren. The curse has followed the family through the centuries, bringing grief and loss to each generation.
Mark Renfrew is a closeted psychic and openly gay. When his grandmother discovers a family link to a 17th century feud and a still-potent curse, she insists he investigates and do his best to end it. When he travels to the village of Steeple Westford, he meets and falls for Jack Faulkner, an archaeologist. He also meets the Fitzwarrens, who are facing yet another tragedy.
Then Mark learns that the man who cursed them had twisted the knife by leaving three cryptic conditions that would lift the curse, and he knows he has to try to break the curse his ancestor had set.
Books in this series...
Book 1- The Psychic's Tale by Chris Quinton
Book 2- The Soldier's Tale by RJ Scott
Book 3- The Lord's Tale by Sue Brown
Four hundred years ago in rural England, a mob burned two men to death, but not before one of them, Jonathan Curtess, hurled a dreadful curse at the mob's leader, Sir Belvedere Fitzwarren. The curse has followed the family through the centuries, bringing grief and loss to each generation.
Mark Renfrew is a closeted psychic and openly gay. When his grandmother discovers a family link to a 17th century feud and a still-potent curse, she insists he investigates and do his best to end it. When he travels to the village of Steeple Westford, he meets and falls for Jack Faulkner, an archaeologist. He also meets the Fitzwarrens, who are facing yet another tragedy.
Then Mark learns that the man who cursed them had twisted the knife by leaving three cryptic conditions that would lift the curse, and he knows he has to try to break the curse his ancestor had set.
Books in this series...
Book 1- The Psychic's Tale by Chris Quinton
Book 2- The Soldier's Tale by RJ Scott
Book 3- The Lord's Tale by Sue Brown
ebook
First published June 2, 2011
5 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Chris Quinton
47 books99 followersChris started creating stories not long after she mastered joined-up writing, somewhat to the bemusement of her parents and her English teachers. But she received plenty of encouragement. Her dad gave her an already old Everest typewriter when she was about ten, and it was probably the best gift she'd ever received – until the inventions of the home-computer and the worldwide web.
Chris's reading and writing interests range from historical, mystery, and paranormal, to science-fiction and fantasy, mostly in the male/male genre. She also writes male/female novels in the name of Chris Power. She refuses to be pigeon-holed and intends to uphold the long and honourable tradition of the Eccentric Brit to the best of her ability. In her spare time [hah!] she reads, embroiders, quilts and knits. In the past she has been a part-time and unpaid amateur archaeologist, and a 15th century re-enactor.
She currently lives in a small and ancient city in the south-west of the United Kingdom, sharing her usually chaotic home with an extended family, two large dogs, fancy mice, sundry goldfish and a young frilled dragon (Australian lizard) aka Trogdorina.
Chris's reading and writing interests range from historical, mystery, and paranormal, to science-fiction and fantasy, mostly in the male/male genre. She also writes male/female novels in the name of Chris Power. She refuses to be pigeon-holed and intends to uphold the long and honourable tradition of the Eccentric Brit to the best of her ability. In her spare time [hah!] she reads, embroiders, quilts and knits. In the past she has been a part-time and unpaid amateur archaeologist, and a 15th century re-enactor.
She currently lives in a small and ancient city in the south-west of the United Kingdom, sharing her usually chaotic home with an extended family, two large dogs, fancy mice, sundry goldfish and a young frilled dragon (Australian lizard) aka Trogdorina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 20, 2017
4 Stars
Other than the set-up being a bit overly dramatic (that spell-breaker is a mouthful, too), I'm really liking the first book to this trilogy. The town isn't all that well set - besides the castle/estate, a few buildings and whatnot are described - but these characters are so well-written, so 3-dimensional & engaging & likable and you can't help but cheer on these outsiders trying to help break the Fitzwarren Curse. The flashback/visions are cool as well.
Other than the set-up being a bit overly dramatic (that spell-breaker is a mouthful, too), I'm really liking the first book to this trilogy. The town isn't all that well set - besides the castle/estate, a few buildings and whatnot are described - but these characters are so well-written, so 3-dimensional & engaging & likable and you can't help but cheer on these outsiders trying to help break the Fitzwarren Curse. The flashback/visions are cool as well.
June 4, 2011
According to silver’s book details this is:
“Contemporary, Gay, Paranormal/Alternate World, Romance”
So that is what I was expecting when I started reading it.
Overall I really like the book it was 4.5 to 5 stars.
The paranormal/alternate world was good but not developed enough IMO. I really liked seeing Mark use his gift and the way the author described his special room was great, it was easy to visualize what mark was doing and how that kept him safe. I had some questions about the paranormal parts or wanted more explanations about them at first it seemed like everyone knew about/believed in mediums or psychics but then Jack didn’t know anything about any of that so I got confused with the world building at parts.
The Romance was not what I would consider romance. Mark and Jack meet have a mutual physical attraction. Then the next day they work together at Marks flat and one minute Jack is calling Mark all kinds of names and the next they are having sex. Then they work together some more and have more sex but there is never any relationship development. Besides knowing Jack is an archaeologist we don’t know anything about him. I guess I would have liked to see how Jack goes from seeming like he doesn’t even like Mark to loving him at the end. There are small details about there bond/connection with each other growing through subtle touching and Jack is supportive of Mark at the end but the reader never really sees how they got to that part of their relationship.
I really liked Alice and wish she would have been in the story more and would have liked to see her meet Jack.
The setup for the next two books was good and I look forward to reading them to see what happens next.
So that is what I was expecting when I started reading it.
Overall I really like the book it was 4.5 to 5 stars.
The paranormal/alternate world was good but not developed enough IMO. I really liked seeing Mark use his gift and the way the author described his special room was great, it was easy to visualize what mark was doing and how that kept him safe. I had some questions about the paranormal parts or wanted more explanations about them at first it seemed like everyone knew about/believed in mediums or psychics but then Jack didn’t know anything about any of that so I got confused with the world building at parts.
The Romance was not what I would consider romance. Mark and Jack meet have a mutual physical attraction. Then the next day they work together at Marks flat and one minute Jack is calling Mark all kinds of names and the next they are having sex. Then they work together some more and have more sex but there is never any relationship development. Besides knowing Jack is an archaeologist we don’t know anything about him. I guess I would have liked to see how Jack goes from seeming like he doesn’t even like Mark to loving him at the end. There are small details about there bond/connection with each other growing through subtle touching and Jack is supportive of Mark at the end but the reader never really sees how they got to that part of their relationship.
I really liked Alice and wish she would have been in the story more and would have liked to see her meet Jack.
The setup for the next two books was good and I look forward to reading them to see what happens next.
June 6, 2011
Does anyone else find it a bit weird and kind of awesome how one book kind of relates somehow to the one you read right after it? Like, in this book, Jack's last name is Faulker and in Left of Center (which is what I just read) Brandon's last name is Faulkner, too! Isn't it kind of creepy? That happens to me all the time! I notice a connection between what I 'just' read to what I'm reading 'now' all the time no matter if it's not by the same author or by the same publisher or even the same genre just that they inevitably have something in common. A name, place, secondary character, occupation, etc. Does anyone else notice that? I've been thinking about it for a few months now but never said anything. Lol
Okay, didn't mean to make that part of this review so now on to the REAL review! ^_^
I have to say, I found this a great start to a new series that was both enjoyable and entertaining.
I liked Mark right off the bat. I found it funny how he's a closet psychic but an openly gay man. I just find that funny because normally it's the gay part that's closeted. Lol. Jack took a little while to warm up to. At first, he seemed like just someone who wanted to get laid so when he'd called Mark it seemed like just a booty call but as the story goes on (and Jack finally believes Mark) he started to become more likeable because he was attentive and loving to Mark while initiating some intimate gestures when he didn't even realize it he was doing it.
I have to say, this book doesn't really revolve around the romance between Mark and Jack, it's there but it's more of a subtle romance vibe than an actual major part of the story. At least it didn't feel like romance was the main focus of the book. It revolves around the curse, learning about it while trying to figure out how to stop it's effects on the Fitzwarrens' and setting into motion the first part of how to break the curse. But like I said, the romance is there but it's not the main focus of the book. I still liked it because I found the curse and Mark's power quite fascinating especially when he was actually able to channel directly into what happened in the past. The details of Mark's Safe Room felt so real to me, I was able to envision what it actually looked like.
All in all, I loved the book. It was interesting to say the least and I'm looking forward to seeing where RJ Scott and Sue Brown take the series. Definitely recommended. :)
Okay, didn't mean to make that part of this review so now on to the REAL review! ^_^
I have to say, I found this a great start to a new series that was both enjoyable and entertaining.
I liked Mark right off the bat. I found it funny how he's a closet psychic but an openly gay man. I just find that funny because normally it's the gay part that's closeted. Lol. Jack took a little while to warm up to. At first, he seemed like just someone who wanted to get laid so when he'd called Mark it seemed like just a booty call but as the story goes on (and Jack finally believes Mark) he started to become more likeable because he was attentive and loving to Mark while initiating some intimate gestures when he didn't even realize it he was doing it.
I have to say, this book doesn't really revolve around the romance between Mark and Jack, it's there but it's more of a subtle romance vibe than an actual major part of the story. At least it didn't feel like romance was the main focus of the book. It revolves around the curse, learning about it while trying to figure out how to stop it's effects on the Fitzwarrens' and setting into motion the first part of how to break the curse. But like I said, the romance is there but it's not the main focus of the book. I still liked it because I found the curse and Mark's power quite fascinating especially when he was actually able to channel directly into what happened in the past. The details of Mark's Safe Room felt so real to me, I was able to envision what it actually looked like.
All in all, I loved the book. It was interesting to say the least and I'm looking forward to seeing where RJ Scott and Sue Brown take the series. Definitely recommended. :)
September 5, 2013
I purchased this book (new cover!) because I stumbled on the free short story, The Carpenter's Tale, and I was intrigued to know how closeted psychic Mark Renfrew met his lover, archeologist Jack Faulkner for the first time.
Alas, I wasn't feeling the romance *sad panda*. Mark and Jack met and there was instant-attraction, and within a blink of an eye, Jack called Mark his "sunshine" and accepted Mark and his psychic gift, and Mark was thinking of Jack meeting his grandmother ... so what, they practically move in together after few days?
I believe that there are people in this world who fall in love on first sight but when it comes to the books I'm reading, I prefer to read a relationship development rather than just accepting that they're in love within days. So I was not amused with that.
Having said that, I thought the way Mark using his psychic ability was fun -- he imagined a Safe Room where he could communicate with the ghost. I also liked Alice, Mark's grandmother, and I wish there was more scenes with her.
And, in terms of the mystery that surrounds this book in form of a curse, it was pretty interesting. However, since I bought the book only to read about Mark and Jack's first meeting, I wasn't planning to read the rest of the series. I will just believe that the curse is lifted in the end.
Alas, I wasn't feeling the romance *sad panda*. Mark and Jack met and there was instant-attraction, and within a blink of an eye, Jack called Mark his "sunshine" and accepted Mark and his psychic gift, and Mark was thinking of Jack meeting his grandmother ... so what, they practically move in together after few days?
I believe that there are people in this world who fall in love on first sight but when it comes to the books I'm reading, I prefer to read a relationship development rather than just accepting that they're in love within days. So I was not amused with that.
Having said that, I thought the way Mark using his psychic ability was fun -- he imagined a Safe Room where he could communicate with the ghost. I also liked Alice, Mark's grandmother, and I wish there was more scenes with her.
And, in terms of the mystery that surrounds this book in form of a curse, it was pretty interesting. However, since I bought the book only to read about Mark and Jack's first meeting, I wasn't planning to read the rest of the series. I will just believe that the curse is lifted in the end.
June 7, 2011
I loved the writing of this...Chris Quinton has a wonderful way with words that made this a very enjoyable read. I'm glad that we don't have to wait long for the next book because i'm hooked and can't wait for the other two stories. I think it's an interesting plot and look forward to the next book!
June 19, 2011
I have never read any of Chris Quinton's books before and this was an excellent start. I very much enjoyed this story both well written and engaging. This is the first part of a trilogy of books, The Soldiers Tale by RJ Scott (another excellent author) being the second one which I shall be buying in a few moments.
February 29, 2012
4.5 stars. My first Chris Quinton book and I am so glad to have given this author a try. The writing is smooth as glass and the story and romance fascinating. I have to admit that "breaking the family curse" is a favorite plot for me, as it gives the mystery a spooky feel. Generations have suffered from this curse, so there is an urgency to find a way to remove it.
Mark, a psychic, and Jack an archaeologist, are great together in the field and in the bedroom. The action in the story trying to solve the mystery was not overwhelmed with scene after scene of lovemaking, which made this reader very happy.
Our heroes have solved an important part of the mystery behind the curse, and leave us with a very nice HFN ending. On to the next book to see what happens next.
Mark, a psychic, and Jack an archaeologist, are great together in the field and in the bedroom. The action in the story trying to solve the mystery was not overwhelmed with scene after scene of lovemaking, which made this reader very happy.
Our heroes have solved an important part of the mystery behind the curse, and leave us with a very nice HFN ending. On to the next book to see what happens next.
January 26, 2013
You have to read all three, a) to have a novel of length and b) to see the outcome of the curse. Enjoyed the over-all story, but somehow all three books need padding. Everything happens too quickly. The sex scenes are superfluous, in fact I'd rather they weren't there most of the time. Perhaps its my age, but are all male, gay readers just interested in the sex scenes? They seem to take up more of the novel, whereas the story appears a tadge rushed in order to fill in before the next, drawn out sex scene. I'm beginning to think that the editors in this genre keep a sex scene writer in their offices just writing the sex paragraphs...."we'll insert one here....we'll insert one there".
July 18, 2012
Book- The Psychic’s Tale Part 1 of the Fitzwarren Inheritance
Author- Chris Quinton
Publisher- Silver Publishing (Novella)
Genre-Paranormal Rlements, M/M Romance
Rated- Mature
In the Autumn of 1644 Johnathan Curtiss cursed Belvedere Fitzwarren saying “I curse you and your children’s children, that you should live out your allotted years and those years shall be filled with Grief, loss and betrayal even as you have betrayed and bereaved me” Mark Renfrew reads these words as he visits his elderly grandmother Alice whose newest hobby is genealogy. Mark visits once a month, doing odd jobs and visiting his favorite lady. Alice tells him we are the descendants of the Curtiss line, an injustice was done and we have to help repair the damage that was done.
Grandma adores him and is always trying to find him “the guy” so he will have a happily ever after. This task she feels is just up Mark’s alley. Mark works as a research assistant for a very successful paranormal reality show called the Dominic Waldron Experience. Mark finds paranormal places for Waldron to work, as they set up cameras, scripts and such for a happy audience after Mark researches a new area. No one knows that Mark actually is a Psychic and he wants to keep it that way.
Steeple Westford where the curse was supposedly placed was about 50 miles away from his home base and only a 10 minute drive from his grandmothers. If the story panned out he might use it for a show. Steeple Westford turned out to be a large village with St Michaels Church at its center. Mark chose the Red Lion Inn for a nice lunch, a pint and to see the lay of the land. I wonder if his psychic ability planned that as well?????
Having lunch there as well is Jack Faulkner. Mark watches him with interest. He is about Marks age, very attractive and Mark wishes to find a way to talk to him. Since the young man has papers strewn all over the table it is a great opening. He finds Jack is an archeologist doing research himself in the area. Mark takes Jacks advice to see if there is a room at the inn to stay since he is there as well. It was a very nice easy meeting of the two and their attraction for each other began.
Mark’s talents become revealed. He has had these gifts for a very long time and he has tried to shield himself from his psychic self. He has had to do this alone as his father could not deal with it, as he had THE GIFT, and his mother left running for the hills between him being gay and his gift when he was 14.
We find the Curse is very real. Ms Quinton takes us through the town, to the castle of the Fitzwarren’s. We meet family members in town that this curse is affecting. The countryside is described in detail, and I feel the air, the buzzing flies and the sun as I read. I walk the paths with the two men looking for clues to help Mark and when he reads on stone from long ago how to remove this curse, I shudder for fear for both of them. The words When the one who reads the earth, joins with he who sees beyond ….That is certainly Mark and Jack….There meeting was cast in stone hundreds of years before….Goosebumps.
I loved the story, there is nothing that I did not like about it except I wanted more !!!! and cannot wait for Part 2 of The Fitzwarren Inheritance. Next is “ when the warrior and the healer stand to swear a sacred bond” Ms Quinton just let me know the release date and I will be there.
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Senior Reviewer and Review Chairperson for the Paranormal Romance Guild
Author- Chris Quinton
Publisher- Silver Publishing (Novella)
Genre-Paranormal Rlements, M/M Romance
Rated- Mature
In the Autumn of 1644 Johnathan Curtiss cursed Belvedere Fitzwarren saying “I curse you and your children’s children, that you should live out your allotted years and those years shall be filled with Grief, loss and betrayal even as you have betrayed and bereaved me” Mark Renfrew reads these words as he visits his elderly grandmother Alice whose newest hobby is genealogy. Mark visits once a month, doing odd jobs and visiting his favorite lady. Alice tells him we are the descendants of the Curtiss line, an injustice was done and we have to help repair the damage that was done.
Grandma adores him and is always trying to find him “the guy” so he will have a happily ever after. This task she feels is just up Mark’s alley. Mark works as a research assistant for a very successful paranormal reality show called the Dominic Waldron Experience. Mark finds paranormal places for Waldron to work, as they set up cameras, scripts and such for a happy audience after Mark researches a new area. No one knows that Mark actually is a Psychic and he wants to keep it that way.
Steeple Westford where the curse was supposedly placed was about 50 miles away from his home base and only a 10 minute drive from his grandmothers. If the story panned out he might use it for a show. Steeple Westford turned out to be a large village with St Michaels Church at its center. Mark chose the Red Lion Inn for a nice lunch, a pint and to see the lay of the land. I wonder if his psychic ability planned that as well?????
Having lunch there as well is Jack Faulkner. Mark watches him with interest. He is about Marks age, very attractive and Mark wishes to find a way to talk to him. Since the young man has papers strewn all over the table it is a great opening. He finds Jack is an archeologist doing research himself in the area. Mark takes Jacks advice to see if there is a room at the inn to stay since he is there as well. It was a very nice easy meeting of the two and their attraction for each other began.
Mark’s talents become revealed. He has had these gifts for a very long time and he has tried to shield himself from his psychic self. He has had to do this alone as his father could not deal with it, as he had THE GIFT, and his mother left running for the hills between him being gay and his gift when he was 14.
We find the Curse is very real. Ms Quinton takes us through the town, to the castle of the Fitzwarren’s. We meet family members in town that this curse is affecting. The countryside is described in detail, and I feel the air, the buzzing flies and the sun as I read. I walk the paths with the two men looking for clues to help Mark and when he reads on stone from long ago how to remove this curse, I shudder for fear for both of them. The words When the one who reads the earth, joins with he who sees beyond ….That is certainly Mark and Jack….There meeting was cast in stone hundreds of years before….Goosebumps.
I loved the story, there is nothing that I did not like about it except I wanted more !!!! and cannot wait for Part 2 of The Fitzwarren Inheritance. Next is “ when the warrior and the healer stand to swear a sacred bond” Ms Quinton just let me know the release date and I will be there.
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Senior Reviewer and Review Chairperson for the Paranormal Romance Guild
February 19, 2013
It's important to read all 3 in this trilogy. They are all short and follow right on the heels of one another, so you really do have to read all 3 to get the whole story. This one comes closest to standing on its own, but Mark and Jack's story is very much a central part of the next two books.
The Psychic's Tale is the first in the trilogy, and definitely the strongest. The romance takes a bit of a backseat to the mystery/ghost story but Mark and Jack make the best couple of the three, I think. They work together much better as a couple than those in the other books, and though they get together fast, their lust/love is well-written enough that they feel believable. The whole trilogy moves very quickly, I think all three books cover less than 4 weeks all together, so there is a lot of insta-lust followed by near insta-love. I minded it the least in this one, since Mark and Jack actually make sense together. The writing is great, the ghost-story gripping and intriguing, and the trilogy definitely starts off with a bang.
The Psychic's Tale is the first in the trilogy, and definitely the strongest. The romance takes a bit of a backseat to the mystery/ghost story but Mark and Jack make the best couple of the three, I think. They work together much better as a couple than those in the other books, and though they get together fast, their lust/love is well-written enough that they feel believable. The whole trilogy moves very quickly, I think all three books cover less than 4 weeks all together, so there is a lot of insta-lust followed by near insta-love. I minded it the least in this one, since Mark and Jack actually make sense together. The writing is great, the ghost-story gripping and intriguing, and the trilogy definitely starts off with a bang.
April 6, 2012
The Fitzwarren Inheritance series, three books written by three different authors focusing on an ancient curse. In Part 1, four hundred years ago, Sir Belvedere Fitzwarren caused two men to be put to death, supposedly to take over Jonathan Curtiss' estates. Curtess curses the Fitzwarren family as he is burned to death. Now in the present day, Mark Renfrew, a direct descendent of Curtess and a gifted psychic, is trying to discover how to break this vindictive curse that plagues the Fitzwarren family to this day. Will he be able to discover the whole story behind the curse? Is there anything he can do to break the curse and save current and future generations of the Fitzwareen family?
Others in the series: The Soldier's Tale by R.J. Scott, and The Lord's Tale by Sue Brown.
Highly recommended!
Others in the series: The Soldier's Tale by R.J. Scott, and The Lord's Tale by Sue Brown.
Highly recommended!
July 21, 2012
I enjoyed this start of a series with psychic Mark pushed by his Grandmother to break the curse one of his ancestors set on another family. While checking things out, he meets Jack, a free-lance archaeologist and connects with him, but when he tries to explain his abilities to Jack, he's less than impressed and it takes some time for him to believe Mark.I liked that even though he thought Mark was a bit "off" he stood by him until it became clear he wasn't making it up. It's left with a three part curse, the romance of Jack and Mark the first to help break the curse and two more books, each matching up a couple to break the curse written by different authors. An interesting technique.
December 20, 2014
Loved this little story, and am looking forward to reading the other two. While the relationship was clearly inst-love, I liked both of the characters, and the idea of the curse was intriguing to me. The setting was quite appealing, and the paranormal aspects of the story compelling.
August 7, 2013
Nice start to the trilogy and interesting characters all around. Looking forward to getting into the next one.
February 2, 2026
'The Psychic's Tale' written by Chris Quinton (Kindle)
I normally like Quinton's tales because they usually have some kind of quirky aspect to the plot, something unforseen yet crucial to the way the storyline plays out! This is no exception!
When I started reading this, for some reason I was unaware it was part of a trilogy. I'm unhappy with the way this trilogy is set up in Amazon because it is: Books 1 & 3 are free to read if you have a paid subscription to Kindle Unlimited (recently aquired this as so many books I've been wanting to read are only available in Kindle), BUT book 2 is only available PAID! Really? Come on guys!
Also, I was thinking there would be a resolution to the storyline...and there partially is, but a part of the curse problem is solved, but there are still two more aspects to go that are unresolved.
It would have been interesting to find out more about the family lineages and more written about the villagers, and all; some things were pretty vague.
All-in-all, I really liked the characters. Wish more attention was paid to their developing emotions, as it was a bit "insta-love" and didn't always jibe with the rest of the unfolding storyline. Still, I liked the unfolding of psychic abilities and the sweetness of trust.
Quinton writes wonderfully!
Welp...on to the next part of the tale! (grin)
I normally like Quinton's tales because they usually have some kind of quirky aspect to the plot, something unforseen yet crucial to the way the storyline plays out! This is no exception!
When I started reading this, for some reason I was unaware it was part of a trilogy. I'm unhappy with the way this trilogy is set up in Amazon because it is: Books 1 & 3 are free to read if you have a paid subscription to Kindle Unlimited (recently aquired this as so many books I've been wanting to read are only available in Kindle), BUT book 2 is only available PAID! Really? Come on guys!
Also, I was thinking there would be a resolution to the storyline...and there partially is, but a part of the curse problem is solved, but there are still two more aspects to go that are unresolved.
It would have been interesting to find out more about the family lineages and more written about the villagers, and all; some things were pretty vague.
All-in-all, I really liked the characters. Wish more attention was paid to their developing emotions, as it was a bit "insta-love" and didn't always jibe with the rest of the unfolding storyline. Still, I liked the unfolding of psychic abilities and the sweetness of trust.
Quinton writes wonderfully!
Welp...on to the next part of the tale! (grin)
September 11, 2020
What do you get when you have an old family curse, a psychic and an archaeologist? A great start to a wonderful series! The Fitzwarrens are an old aristocratic family cursed by another old family and Mark finds out from grandmother that his miserable old ancestor did the cursing. He is sent on a mission to right an old wrong and end the curse. Poor Mark! His surname is hated and cursed by the villagers when he shows up and something tragic happens to a member of the Fitzwarren family. After an initial meeting at the local pub with Jack, their relationship starts to evolve into something more and he tells Jack his secret. Of course, based on the curse, Mark and Jack solved the first part of the curse.
September 14, 2017
An intriguing start to a series. Psychic medium Mark discovers that 400 years ago, his ancestor put a curse on another family for all eternity. His grandmother insists that he find out if the curse is in effect and, to his horror, he discovers that it is. He then makes it his mission to break the curse before it can claim any more victims. Along the way, he meets archaeologist, Jack, and the two are instantly drawn to each other. I found the curse and the backstory interesting and look forward to reading the remaining two stories in the series to find out how they break it.
July 17, 2020
Not bad, but... it didn't really grab me. Too short, too undeveloped, too rushed.
I liked the central idea, but the whole thing felt hurried and the romance... well... it made no sense at all. If Jack wouldn't have been so furiously angry at Mark's gift, and if they wouldn't fall into bed at the very moment, maybe. But they knew each other for two days and they are in love? Sorry, I don't buy it.
I might read the next one, because, as I said, I liked the idea, and I liked the paranormal aspect of it. But I'm not in a rush.
I liked the central idea, but the whole thing felt hurried and the romance... well... it made no sense at all. If Jack wouldn't have been so furiously angry at Mark's gift, and if they wouldn't fall into bed at the very moment, maybe. But they knew each other for two days and they are in love? Sorry, I don't buy it.
I might read the next one, because, as I said, I liked the idea, and I liked the paranormal aspect of it. But I'm not in a rush.
July 31, 2022
His talent!
Wow, very different story to what I usually read. This is interesting. Like a murder mystery with two MM meeting in a lovely English village pub. So cosy. Can't wait to read the next two.
Wow, very different story to what I usually read. This is interesting. Like a murder mystery with two MM meeting in a lovely English village pub. So cosy. Can't wait to read the next two.
October 9, 2012
Mark Renfrew can see ghosts, he can even communicate with them to some extent. Depending on how you look at it, such a talent can be a gift or a curse; for the members of the Renfrew family, it has been either and both over the course of the centuries. As for Mark, it is a pressing urge he needs to give in to on a regular basis, but he learned to make the best of it. Using his abilities, Mark makes his living from sniffing out paranormal phenomena for a popular TV show, and he’s gotten really good at not giving away how he came to know about haunted houses or headless horsemen at crossroads.
Mark’s grandmother has a different kind of second sight. After finding out about a curse that one of the Renfrew family’s ancestors cast centuries ago, she sends Mark out to Steeple Westford where the adressées of said course, the Fitzwarren family, still reside.
At first, Mark thinks that nothing much can come of his grandmother’s moonstruck request that he help break the curse. In fact, he doesn’t believe in the curse at all. But the facts teach him better fast–the curse is real, and still in full swing; it has already taken the lives of two of the current generation of Fitzwarrens and is working hard on killing off the next. And it has brought the formerly wealthy Fitzwarren family to the brink of financial ruin. It’s high time that someone takes care of it, and who’d be better suited than a descendant of the original spell-caster, Jonathan Curtess? Even more so as one of the curse-lifting conditions, eerily enough, seems to apply to Mark himself and to Jack Faulkner, a young archaeologist who Mark meets and falls head over heels in love with in Steeple Westford.
But in order to lift the curse, three couples are required–gay couples, at that, and they have all to be together at the same time and place. In a small, remote town like Steeple Westford, really, what are the odds? With the Fitzwarren family’s misery in his sight, it’s hard for Mark to keep from helping fate along, even more so since he has already identified one half each of the other two couples. But they need to come together on their own account, and not only come together, but fulfill an unique task each. All Mark can do is working at solving the puzzle in silence, assisted by Jack’s love and faith and his grandmother’s wisdom.
The idea behind this story–a curse born of hate that can be lifted by fated lovers finding each other–isn’t really unheard of, but those three authors took it and gave it a delicious, gay twist. At the basis of the whole disaster is a gay love triangle: landowner Fitzwarren fell in love with warlock Curtess who then betrayed him with a peasant youth, which made Fitzwarren so angry that he had both the peasant and Curtess burned at the stake. Tangled into this is Curtess’ friend Joseph, a soldier, who threw a dagger through Curtess’ heart instead of letting him die from the flames, thus incurring both Fitzwarren’s and Curtess’s fury. From the three couples necessary to lift the curse, at least one part each needs to be related to at least one of the original key players.
In this book, Mark is a descendant of Jonathan Curtess. He and Jack are “the one who sees beyond” and “the one who reads the earth” from the curse-lifting prophecy. Their task is the easiest and the hardest at once; all they need to do as a couple is make a connection, but Mark also needs to work out the technicalities of how to break the curse, so to speak.
Historical facts and quirky bits of information were seamlessly woven into the narrative, as it is often the case in Chris Quinton’s books–one of the things I like so much with this author. As this book lays the groundwork for the other two, worldbuilding and the backstory of the curse take up much room. Due to the rather short format, this went to some extent at the expense of the romance. The relationship between Mark and Jack evolved fast, if not quite instantly; especially Jack showed a barely believable amount of acceptance for all the outlandish goings-on around Mark, a man who he’d come to care deeply for in a short amount of time but who he also barely knew.
However, Jack was such a pleasant and likable character that such little incredulities made barely a blip on my radar. He was careless and positive, affectionate and just a little bit dominating and just so exactly what Mark needed–the chemistry between the two of them, in and out of bed, was palpable and a joy to read. I’d just wished they’d been given more page space together. Luckily we get to meet them again in the next two books.
This was a delightful intro to a compelling story. Even though it brought the two main characters together in a committed and believably lasting relationship, it ended on a very open note, as the puzzle is far from solved and the course still in full, terrible force. On to the next in the series, R.J. Scott’s The Soldier’s Tale.
Full review on www.reviewsbyjessewave.com
Mark’s grandmother has a different kind of second sight. After finding out about a curse that one of the Renfrew family’s ancestors cast centuries ago, she sends Mark out to Steeple Westford where the adressées of said course, the Fitzwarren family, still reside.
At first, Mark thinks that nothing much can come of his grandmother’s moonstruck request that he help break the curse. In fact, he doesn’t believe in the curse at all. But the facts teach him better fast–the curse is real, and still in full swing; it has already taken the lives of two of the current generation of Fitzwarrens and is working hard on killing off the next. And it has brought the formerly wealthy Fitzwarren family to the brink of financial ruin. It’s high time that someone takes care of it, and who’d be better suited than a descendant of the original spell-caster, Jonathan Curtess? Even more so as one of the curse-lifting conditions, eerily enough, seems to apply to Mark himself and to Jack Faulkner, a young archaeologist who Mark meets and falls head over heels in love with in Steeple Westford.
But in order to lift the curse, three couples are required–gay couples, at that, and they have all to be together at the same time and place. In a small, remote town like Steeple Westford, really, what are the odds? With the Fitzwarren family’s misery in his sight, it’s hard for Mark to keep from helping fate along, even more so since he has already identified one half each of the other two couples. But they need to come together on their own account, and not only come together, but fulfill an unique task each. All Mark can do is working at solving the puzzle in silence, assisted by Jack’s love and faith and his grandmother’s wisdom.
The idea behind this story–a curse born of hate that can be lifted by fated lovers finding each other–isn’t really unheard of, but those three authors took it and gave it a delicious, gay twist. At the basis of the whole disaster is a gay love triangle: landowner Fitzwarren fell in love with warlock Curtess who then betrayed him with a peasant youth, which made Fitzwarren so angry that he had both the peasant and Curtess burned at the stake. Tangled into this is Curtess’ friend Joseph, a soldier, who threw a dagger through Curtess’ heart instead of letting him die from the flames, thus incurring both Fitzwarren’s and Curtess’s fury. From the three couples necessary to lift the curse, at least one part each needs to be related to at least one of the original key players.
In this book, Mark is a descendant of Jonathan Curtess. He and Jack are “the one who sees beyond” and “the one who reads the earth” from the curse-lifting prophecy. Their task is the easiest and the hardest at once; all they need to do as a couple is make a connection, but Mark also needs to work out the technicalities of how to break the curse, so to speak.
Historical facts and quirky bits of information were seamlessly woven into the narrative, as it is often the case in Chris Quinton’s books–one of the things I like so much with this author. As this book lays the groundwork for the other two, worldbuilding and the backstory of the curse take up much room. Due to the rather short format, this went to some extent at the expense of the romance. The relationship between Mark and Jack evolved fast, if not quite instantly; especially Jack showed a barely believable amount of acceptance for all the outlandish goings-on around Mark, a man who he’d come to care deeply for in a short amount of time but who he also barely knew.
However, Jack was such a pleasant and likable character that such little incredulities made barely a blip on my radar. He was careless and positive, affectionate and just a little bit dominating and just so exactly what Mark needed–the chemistry between the two of them, in and out of bed, was palpable and a joy to read. I’d just wished they’d been given more page space together. Luckily we get to meet them again in the next two books.
This was a delightful intro to a compelling story. Even though it brought the two main characters together in a committed and believably lasting relationship, it ended on a very open note, as the puzzle is far from solved and the course still in full, terrible force. On to the next in the series, R.J. Scott’s The Soldier’s Tale.
Full review on www.reviewsbyjessewave.com
April 2, 2025
This was a little rushed due to length, but the story of the curse was intriguing. The insta-love isn't my favorite, but I am curious where this series will go especially with the other books being written by other authors.
August 19, 2012
Reluctant Psychic, Mark Renfrew, works as a researcher for a phony paranormal investigative show. He adores his eighty-six year old grandmother, Alice, and faithfully visits her once a month. Alice is no pushover, she has a good mind, loves Mark, and wishes he could find a nice young man and settle down. Her newest hobby is genealogy and she has discovered that one of their ancestors, Sir Jonathan Curtess, placed a curse on the Fitzwarren family after Sir Belvedere accused him of witchcraft and unnatural practices. Alice feels it’s their responsibility to find a way to remove the curse. Not sure that he believes in the curse, or that there is anything they can do about it, Mark agrees to do research on it.
Taking himself off to the village where the curse took place, Mark finds a nice pub for lunch so he can get a feel for the area. While at lunch, Mark finds a way to talk to good looking archaeologist Jack Faulkner, who is in the area doing research as well. Jack suggests Mark check into the Inn above the pub, which just so happens to be where Jack himself is staying. After settling in, Mark takes himself off to the local cemetery, to see if he can find any evidence of the Curtess/Fitzwarren feud.
Mark will soon find not only is the curse real, but his gift may well be key in helping to break it. Along the way, he will also make a few friends and will try to figure out if his attraction to Jack is real or just a passing fancy.
The Psychic’s Tale is the first of three books planned to tell the story of the curse, and is a very good beginning. Set in the countryside of England, we get a glimpse of not only village life, but also the lives of the local gentry. Ms. Quinton’s descriptions of the village and surrounding countryside are so well written, that I felt like I had actually visited the Fitzwarren castle and the Red Lion pub.
This is a short novella and as such I didn’t expect to see much character development, but was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case. Mark and Jack are well fleshed out and there was a nice introduction to the members of the Fitzwarren family (who I’m assuming we will see more of in the next two stories).
I liked Mark from the moment I met him, he is not totally comfortable with his gift but has found a way to live with it and not let it take over his life. He is comfortably gay, he doesn’t flaunt it, but he doesn’t hide it either. I can’t wait to see if Jack manages to help him settle down. I also liked Jack from the beginning; he has a wicked little twinkle in his eye and seems to find enjoyment out of life. He likes his job; he too is comfortable with himself and is exactly what Mark needs. Phil and Charlie Fitzwarren seemed like “good people” and I’m hoping we are not done with them.
I enjoyed this little novella; my only complaint was it really was too short. I know it was the first of three books, but I would have liked to have had a little more time with Mark and Jack and felt a little cheated when I finished. Even though I would have liked more, Ms. Quinton does manage to pack a very good mystery/love story into this novella. There is a small amount of sex in the book, but it’s not really what the story is about, and it’s tastefully done. I loved my visit to this quaint little corner of England, and can’t wait to find out if Mark and company can bring an end to the curse.
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team
Taking himself off to the village where the curse took place, Mark finds a nice pub for lunch so he can get a feel for the area. While at lunch, Mark finds a way to talk to good looking archaeologist Jack Faulkner, who is in the area doing research as well. Jack suggests Mark check into the Inn above the pub, which just so happens to be where Jack himself is staying. After settling in, Mark takes himself off to the local cemetery, to see if he can find any evidence of the Curtess/Fitzwarren feud.
Mark will soon find not only is the curse real, but his gift may well be key in helping to break it. Along the way, he will also make a few friends and will try to figure out if his attraction to Jack is real or just a passing fancy.
The Psychic’s Tale is the first of three books planned to tell the story of the curse, and is a very good beginning. Set in the countryside of England, we get a glimpse of not only village life, but also the lives of the local gentry. Ms. Quinton’s descriptions of the village and surrounding countryside are so well written, that I felt like I had actually visited the Fitzwarren castle and the Red Lion pub.
This is a short novella and as such I didn’t expect to see much character development, but was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case. Mark and Jack are well fleshed out and there was a nice introduction to the members of the Fitzwarren family (who I’m assuming we will see more of in the next two stories).
I liked Mark from the moment I met him, he is not totally comfortable with his gift but has found a way to live with it and not let it take over his life. He is comfortably gay, he doesn’t flaunt it, but he doesn’t hide it either. I can’t wait to see if Jack manages to help him settle down. I also liked Jack from the beginning; he has a wicked little twinkle in his eye and seems to find enjoyment out of life. He likes his job; he too is comfortable with himself and is exactly what Mark needs. Phil and Charlie Fitzwarren seemed like “good people” and I’m hoping we are not done with them.
I enjoyed this little novella; my only complaint was it really was too short. I know it was the first of three books, but I would have liked to have had a little more time with Mark and Jack and felt a little cheated when I finished. Even though I would have liked more, Ms. Quinton does manage to pack a very good mystery/love story into this novella. There is a small amount of sex in the book, but it’s not really what the story is about, and it’s tastefully done. I loved my visit to this quaint little corner of England, and can’t wait to find out if Mark and company can bring an end to the curse.
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team
October 19, 2013
Because these three stories all work together to make one complete story, I'm reading all three of them together, back to back. Individually the book isn't that satisfying, but as a set, I'll be much happier with the overall plot of breaking the curse against the Fitzwarren family. The stories are all short (1-2 hour reads each), so you can read the whole thing in a day.
The curse has 3 parts which need to be broken (hence the 3 stories to cover each part). The first part sees Mark Renfrew, a psychic descendant of the man who placed the curse, seeking out the Fitzwarren family and the ghosts of their long dead ancestors to discover what really happened. He needs the help of an archaeologist who can discover the location of the original stone circle where two men were burned.
It's too short to get much into the characters. Mark is tired of being reviled for the whole psychic schtick whenever people find out about him, but as much as he wants Jack not to find out, it doesn't take long before the ghosts catch up to Mark. Jack isn't sure he believes, but he's not exactly a skeptic either. He just wants to make sure Mark is safe, because the nosebleeds and episodes weird him out.
It's a good start to the story, but there's obviously more to come to be a complete story.
The curse has 3 parts which need to be broken (hence the 3 stories to cover each part). The first part sees Mark Renfrew, a psychic descendant of the man who placed the curse, seeking out the Fitzwarren family and the ghosts of their long dead ancestors to discover what really happened. He needs the help of an archaeologist who can discover the location of the original stone circle where two men were burned.
It's too short to get much into the characters. Mark is tired of being reviled for the whole psychic schtick whenever people find out about him, but as much as he wants Jack not to find out, it doesn't take long before the ghosts catch up to Mark. Jack isn't sure he believes, but he's not exactly a skeptic either. He just wants to make sure Mark is safe, because the nosebleeds and episodes weird him out.
It's a good start to the story, but there's obviously more to come to be a complete story.
June 18, 2011
3.5 stars
The book suffers from being the first in the trilogy - it was necessary to create the setup for the entire story, explain the past and give us the glimpse of the future books. The book did all that, but the romance (or, more accurately, beginning of the romance) suffered. The protagonists were likable, but the connection between them simply wasn't convincing. While I cared about them individually (especially about Mark, cause he suffered due to his visions), I couldn't bring myself to care whether they would end up together or not. We will see some of the secondary characters in the future books, but I was sorry we didn't get more of Alice, Mark's grandmother.
The writing was good, as I've come to expect from Chris Quinton, especially descriptions of English countryside and Mark's visions. The concept is original and the book kept me interested, although paranormal aspects of it more than the romantic. Overall, this is a decent book, but perhaps some of the general info should have been spread through all three books, in order to give the characters more space. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
The book suffers from being the first in the trilogy - it was necessary to create the setup for the entire story, explain the past and give us the glimpse of the future books. The book did all that, but the romance (or, more accurately, beginning of the romance) suffered. The protagonists were likable, but the connection between them simply wasn't convincing. While I cared about them individually (especially about Mark, cause he suffered due to his visions), I couldn't bring myself to care whether they would end up together or not. We will see some of the secondary characters in the future books, but I was sorry we didn't get more of Alice, Mark's grandmother.
The writing was good, as I've come to expect from Chris Quinton, especially descriptions of English countryside and Mark's visions. The concept is original and the book kept me interested, although paranormal aspects of it more than the romantic. Overall, this is a decent book, but perhaps some of the general info should have been spread through all three books, in order to give the characters more space. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
February 5, 2017
Oh yes, enjoyed this a lot, and looking forward to the story continuing in the other two books.
I enjoyed Mark's psychic abilities, and his safe room was very visual. I'd have loved to read more about the research/back ground, especially the current Fitzwarrens. Maybe that will come in the following books. As it is a story told in 3 books I suppose a lot of what I would expect in the early part of a one book story, has to be spread out over the three.
Anyway, enjoyed Jack and Mark together, though they did move very fast (again, I think the downside of a three book story) and looking forward to seeing the others get their story.
I enjoyed Mark's psychic abilities, and his safe room was very visual. I'd have loved to read more about the research/back ground, especially the current Fitzwarrens. Maybe that will come in the following books. As it is a story told in 3 books I suppose a lot of what I would expect in the early part of a one book story, has to be spread out over the three.
Anyway, enjoyed Jack and Mark together, though they did move very fast (again, I think the downside of a three book story) and looking forward to seeing the others get their story.
June 10, 2011
This first book in the Fitzwarren Inheritance trilogy was ok. It dealt mainly with Mark Renfrew, a psychic, with familial connections to the 400 year old curse laid on the Fitzwarren family. Mark meets Jack Faulkner and the two fall for each other which leads to a partial lifting of the curse. The story could have flowed better if the sex scenes didn't break the story up. Both Mark and Jack were interesting characters as were the secondary characters. I'm hoping that book two will flow better now that the introduction to the curse has been made clear.
June 28, 2012
3.5 stars. This book, being a first part of a trilogy, actually didn't feel like a complete book on its own. Other than learning about the details of the curse and the tragedy surrounding it (which was well written. I think I was perhaps more concerned for the guys in the past than the ones in the present, and felt so sad for all involved), nothing's really concluded at the end.
I guess I'll need to read books 2 & 3 to get the whole story. I'll put them on my potential buy list, for when my to-read shelf gets more manageable.
I guess I'll need to read books 2 & 3 to get the whole story. I'll put them on my potential buy list, for when my to-read shelf gets more manageable.
July 5, 2011
An excellent start for The Fitzwarren Inheritance story arc. This story pushes all my little buttons - there's a PLOT far beyond 'will they won't they' and the protagonists are both likeable men. It's very good that there are also secondary characters who are interesting and a real world environment. I really like the way the backstory is leaked a drip at a time. This is fun.
On the The Soldier's Tale and thanks Chris, RJ and Sue for an exciting reading experience.
On the The Soldier's Tale and thanks Chris, RJ and Sue for an exciting reading experience.
July 12, 2012
The set up for the Fitzwarren Inheritance series. I liked it. I've never read a series that had a different author for each book. Mark goes to track genealogy for his grandmother when she finds a curse from their ancestor onto the Fitzwarren family. I wanted to know what happened. It was interesting how the curse came to be and the hurt it caused through the generations up to the current time. I couldn't wait to read book 2 to see if the curse could be lifted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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