What do you think?
A Charm of Magpies #1.5
Interlude with Tattoos
A short story set just after the end of The Magpie Lord. Stephen Day and Lord Crane return to London. Neither is quite sure where their fledgling relationship is going. It seems unlikely that there can be much of a future for them, under the circumstances, with Stephen going back to work and Crane returning to China. Until they encounter an unexpected moment of magic...
14 pages, ebook
First published December 10, 2013
About the author
K.J. Charles
70 books13.1k followersKJ is moving to Storygraph.
KJ is a writer of romance, mostly m/m, historical or fantasy or both. She blogs about writing and editing at http://kjcharleswriter.com.
She lives in London, UK, with her husband, two kids, and a cat of absolute night.
Bluesky @kj_charleswriter.com
Join the lively Discord group at https://discord.gg/fmPTWSZfT6
Sign up to the (infrequent) newsletter at http://kjcharleswriter.com/newsletter
Please **do not** message me on Goodreads. I won't read it.
KJ is a writer of romance, mostly m/m, historical or fantasy or both. She blogs about writing and editing at http://kjcharleswriter.com.
She lives in London, UK, with her husband, two kids, and a cat of absolute night.
Bluesky @kj_charleswriter.com
Join the lively Discord group at https://discord.gg/fmPTWSZfT6
Sign up to the (infrequent) newsletter at http://kjcharleswriter.com/newsletter
Please **do not** message me on Goodreads. I won't read it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 518 reviews
June 28, 2018
It was a nice little story which came together with The Magpie Lord. It was cute and smutty and had some interesting tattoos changing masters.
December 4, 2013
So happy! Biggest, cutest, tease ever and frustratingly hot. Loved it, wanted more and can't get enough of Stephen, Crane and Merrick.
October 29, 2025
Charming. Hot, even if the promised scene then fades into black, but still enough text to make it outstanding. The tattoos... great... the ending is hilarious.
I’ve a very comfortable window seat in the sitting room, and a marvellous view, and it’s far too high up for anyone to see in. Not overlooked at all. 👀😳👀
I’ve a very comfortable window seat in the sitting room, and a marvellous view, and it’s far too high up for anyone to see in. Not overlooked at all. 👀😳👀
Read
December 4, 2013This is a short bonus feature, set a couple of days after the events of The Magpie Lord, as Stephen and Crane head back to London, and wonder where they go from here...
Written on the request of some Magpie readers - Vio, I'm looking at you ;) - as a small Christmas thank-you to all the people who enjoyed The Magpie Lord and were kind enough to buy it, review, hit me up on Twitter, or just read it with pleasure. Thank you all, and huge thanks to Susan Lee for the gorgeous cover.
(There's another free Magpie story, The Smuggler and the Warlord, available, and A Case of Possession comes out in January.)
Written on the request of some Magpie readers - Vio, I'm looking at you ;) - as a small Christmas thank-you to all the people who enjoyed The Magpie Lord and were kind enough to buy it, review, hit me up on Twitter, or just read it with pleasure. Thank you all, and huge thanks to Susan Lee for the gorgeous cover.
(There's another free Magpie story, The Smuggler and the Warlord, available, and A Case of Possession comes out in January.)
June 8, 2018
Simply put, this brief little story was just adorable, and so so well thought out. I don't know about you, but when I find a brand new OTP that makes me smile all day long, I want to see their "boring" interactions as well. Sure it's all nice and fine to be cool and dashing while stopping the end of the world, but the real challenge starts once the adrenaline subsides. What happens to the relationship when the exciting scenes are done?
Now, to be fair, there's no mundane dishwashing, or romantic grocery shopping to be had here. On the one hand, this is because Lucien is filthy rich with a manservant to handle all this. On the other hand, things are still very fragile in their relationship. Yet it's such a treat seeing them both battle their respective insecurities, each in their own way.
Score: 3.3 /5 stars
The ending, with Stephen's increasingly agitated letters was just brilliant, and sooooo melt-worthy. Just perfect, with hints of more throat-tingling moments ahead.
===============
Review of book 0.5: The Smuggler and the Warlord
Review of book 1: The Magipie Lord
Review of book 2: A Case of Possession
Review of book 2.5: A Case of Spirits
Review of book 3: Flight of Magpies
Review of book 3.5: Feast of Stephen
Now, to be fair, there's no mundane dishwashing, or romantic grocery shopping to be had here. On the one hand, this is because Lucien is filthy rich with a manservant to handle all this. On the other hand, things are still very fragile in their relationship. Yet it's such a treat seeing them both battle their respective insecurities, each in their own way.
Score: 3.3 /5 stars
The ending, with Stephen's increasingly agitated letters was just brilliant, and sooooo melt-worthy. Just perfect, with hints of more throat-tingling moments ahead.
===============
Review of book 0.5: The Smuggler and the Warlord
Review of book 1: The Magipie Lord
Review of book 2: A Case of Possession
Review of book 2.5: A Case of Spirits
Review of book 3: Flight of Magpies
Review of book 3.5: Feast of Stephen
December 5, 2013
a delight.
charles has that yummy sardonic goodness in her blood, apparently—there is no interaction between any of the three characters featured here that wasn't absolutely delicious.
characteristic wit, and the threat of dire consequences coming down the pike?
oh, yes.
charles has that yummy sardonic goodness in her blood, apparently—there is no interaction between any of the three characters featured here that wasn't absolutely delicious.
characteristic wit, and the threat of dire consequences coming down the pike?
oh, yes.
September 8, 2014
Crane’s lips were on his neck, curving into a smile against his skin. ‘Safe except from me, of course. Because I am going to have you now, here, just as I choose, in front of the whole world, and you are going to come so sweetly for me.’ He pressed his hips forward. ‘Aren’t you, Mr Day?’
And Stephen stared out at the world, with his lover at his back and nothing to hide behind, and whispered, ‘Yes, my lord.’
I could listen to Crane's toppy top talk all. day. long.
Daym that man does it for me.
This was a hot little tease and I loved seeing my boys again. Keep 'em coming, Ms. Charles!
And Stephen stared out at the world, with his lover at his back and nothing to hide behind, and whispered, ‘Yes, my lord.’
I could listen to Crane's toppy top talk all. day. long.
Daym that man does it for me.
This was a hot little tease and I loved seeing my boys again. Keep 'em coming, Ms. Charles!
December 4, 2013
4.5 stars
5,000 words of some of the SEXIEST content around. HOT DAMN, this was FUN!
More Crane...More Stephen...More Merrick!!!!
December 4, 2013
Written December 12, 2013
4.2 Stars - short and fun - slightly cheeky and a dash of paranormal mystery
The first novel, The Magpie Lord (my review) in this series was a great suprise. A mixture of mystery, paranormal phenomena, suspense and hot romance in a historic London / England. So very good.
"Interlude with Tattoos" is just a (very short) small morsel in the too long waiting for the second installment (A Case of Possession). Admittedly, it was way too short but I enjoyed in every case the few pages I got.
It's short but there is something new for Stephen Day in front of a window. The Magpies fly around and Lord Lucien Crane lose a tattoo. ...And of course, Crane's faithful henchman, Mr Merrick have opinions on just about everything, as usual. ~ I just love and admire these three cheeky gentlemen.
Giggling fun, very nicely steamy and really tempting until we can read the next novel in this interesting and, in my opinion, incredibly amusing series ("A Charm of Magpies").
I LIKE - belongs to the category: impossible not to like
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Free on Smashwords from December 10.
See The authors 'comments' about another short story and her mention of Vio. It's true, we have Vio to thank!
4.2 Stars - short and fun - slightly cheeky and a dash of paranormal mystery
The first novel, The Magpie Lord (my review) in this series was a great suprise. A mixture of mystery, paranormal phenomena, suspense and hot romance in a historic London / England. So very good.
"Interlude with Tattoos" is just a (very short) small morsel in the too long waiting for the second installment (A Case of Possession). Admittedly, it was way too short but I enjoyed in every case the few pages I got.
It's short but there is something new for Stephen Day in front of a window. The Magpies fly around and Lord Lucien Crane lose a tattoo. ...And of course, Crane's faithful henchman, Mr Merrick have opinions on just about everything, as usual. ~ I just love and admire these three cheeky gentlemen.
‘Crane's tounge ran from his ear down to delve under his shirt collar. “Four floors up, looking over the gardens and the river”, he murmured, breath hot on Stephen's skin. “And I do feel the urge to claim you in front of the world.”
Oh, God, yes, please do that, Please claim me.’
Giggling fun, very nicely steamy and really tempting until we can read the next novel in this interesting and, in my opinion, incredibly amusing series ("A Charm of Magpies").
I LIKE - belongs to the category: impossible not to like
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Free on Smashwords from December 10. See The authors 'comments' about another short story and her mention of Vio. It's true, we have Vio to thank!
December 5, 2013
This was like being the cat who got the cream...and getting an extra bowl for being good.
It was divine. It was decadent. It was Stephen and Crane...in London.
Just delicious.
And like always when I get to the end of K.J. Charles books...
December 4, 2013
This 5k proved how K.J. Charles can be SUCH A FRICKIN' TEASE!!!
I mean, it started with a promise of FLAMING-HOT-SMEXXY time, doing it against the window -- I was on the edge of my seat, AND THEN IT FADE TO BLACK!!
This was one of the case when I needed the smut, darn it!
Anyway, it was still a good 5k (AND FREE!) read. Beside the almost-but-never-make-it-on-page-sex *grumbles* we at least knew the origin of one of the tattoos . We also got another chance to see the delightful interaction between Crane and his servant, Merrick ...
... and of course something intriguing was happening with Crane's tattoo in related to Stephen. What is that? You have to read it yourself. Again, it's FREE.
I mean, it started with a promise of FLAMING-HOT-SMEXXY time, doing it against the window -- I was on the edge of my seat, AND THEN IT FADE TO BLACK!!
This was one of the case when I needed the smut, darn it!
Anyway, it was still a good 5k (AND FREE!) read. Beside the almost-but-never-make-it-on-page-sex *grumbles* we at least knew the origin of one of the tattoos . We also got another chance to see the delightful interaction between Crane and his servant, Merrick ...
‘If you’re going to be insolent, at least pour me coffee.’
‘It’s brewing. Like trouble.’
... and of course something intriguing was happening with Crane's tattoo in related to Stephen. What is that? You have to read it yourself. Again, it's FREE.
October 12, 2021
Only KJ Charles can make me give 4 stars to 16 pages short. But, how can I not love this when real magpie flies from tattoos during sex.😂😂
May 16, 2018
4.5
This was super hot and hilarious. I listened to this as an added bonus on the audio while out doing a bit of shopping and let’s just say the entire grocery store heard me burst out in laughter.
K.J Charles is super talented and the narrator did such a fine job on the story. I’m so glad this was included in the audio because I’m not the type to read the timbits of stories offered up in a series. It would have been such a shame to miss this.
This was super hot and hilarious. I listened to this as an added bonus on the audio while out doing a bit of shopping and let’s just say the entire grocery store heard me burst out in laughter.
K.J Charles is super talented and the narrator did such a fine job on the story. I’m so glad this was included in the audio because I’m not the type to read the timbits of stories offered up in a series. It would have been such a shame to miss this.
November 15, 2023
Really liked this one. 💘💘💘
June 1, 2018
***4.5 Stars***
Perfect 'epilogue' to The Magpie Lord!
Perfect 'epilogue' to The Magpie Lord!
June 26, 2018
This is the BEST way to get a freaking tattoo EVER!!!!
Hot, salacious, and funny short included in the newest edition of The Magpie Lord.
Hot, salacious, and funny short included in the newest edition of The Magpie Lord.
October 26, 2014
The fade to black bit made me bitch and moan for real, but other than that this was a delight of a short free snack in-between The Magpie Lord 1 and 2!
A bit of insight into how both Stephen and Lucien like to take their fling from here, amusing letters, witty banter (Oh Merrick, lol) and a dash of hotness.
Talk about wetting one's apetite! The sequel, please!
A bit of insight into how both Stephen and Lucien like to take their fling from here, amusing letters, witty banter (Oh Merrick, lol) and a dash of hotness.
"And I do feel the urge to claim you in front of the world."
Talk about wetting one's apetite! The sequel, please!
January 26, 2023
Esta es una historia corta que comienza desde que abandonaron la finca y lo que ha pasado entre la pareja desde entonces. Tambien, me imagino, nos muestra lo que pasa con la magia de Crane y la de Stephen cuando se juntan, y creo que eso debe formar parte del inicio del proximo libro.
Basicamente vemos la interaccion entre Crane y Stephen, ademas de las dudas de Stephen y de Merrick sobre una relacion entre ambos.
Basicamente vemos la interaccion entre Crane y Stephen, ademas de las dudas de Stephen y de Merrick sobre una relacion entre ambos.
December 4, 2013
3.5 stars
Far, far too short, not enough to satisfy the appetite while waiting on the sequel, but brilliantly written and fun, of course.
Far, far too short, not enough to satisfy the appetite while waiting on the sequel, but brilliantly written and fun, of course.
June 14, 2023
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
“It would seem that a gift is being forced upon you. I suggest you submit gracefully. I fear that, sometimes, you must simply take what you are given, like it or not.”
A simple yet steamy short story that reminds us that sometimes tattoos can be more than just skin-deep. 🤭 Light on the spice but still indulging in all the right sardonic flavors, this sweet read was a quick fun romp with Stephen and Crane, as they learn just how far-reaching their magical connection has become. 😁
Crane was his usual sardonic but passionate lover, who was more than eager to show just how much he wanted Stephen at every which way. And while Stephen was quite reluctant to indulge in his lover's many whims, once he caved into his inner desires, it was quite easy for him to say, 'Yes, My Lord'. 😳
Special shout-out to Merrick, the voice of reason, the calm behind the madness, the only one sensible enough to gently explain to Crane that his feelings for Stephen were something special and that the unique bond he shared with him is different than any other relationship he has ever had. 🤍🤍
“He’d been tumbled as often in the last two days as in the last two years, and they still hadn’t made it to a bed.”
Will they ever make it to the bed or are they destined to indulge in the throes of passion at every other place? 🥰
Time will tell... 😏
“It would seem that a gift is being forced upon you. I suggest you submit gracefully. I fear that, sometimes, you must simply take what you are given, like it or not.”
A simple yet steamy short story that reminds us that sometimes tattoos can be more than just skin-deep. 🤭 Light on the spice but still indulging in all the right sardonic flavors, this sweet read was a quick fun romp with Stephen and Crane, as they learn just how far-reaching their magical connection has become. 😁
Crane was his usual sardonic but passionate lover, who was more than eager to show just how much he wanted Stephen at every which way. And while Stephen was quite reluctant to indulge in his lover's many whims, once he caved into his inner desires, it was quite easy for him to say, 'Yes, My Lord'. 😳
Special shout-out to Merrick, the voice of reason, the calm behind the madness, the only one sensible enough to gently explain to Crane that his feelings for Stephen were something special and that the unique bond he shared with him is different than any other relationship he has ever had. 🤍🤍
“He’d been tumbled as often in the last two days as in the last two years, and they still hadn’t made it to a bed.”
Will they ever make it to the bed or are they destined to indulge in the throes of passion at every other place? 🥰
Time will tell... 😏
August 25, 2020
A short, hot and a cute bonus which kind of tells how the budding relationship between Crane and Stephen after the interesting ending of The Magpie Lord plays out, explaining and establishing their relationship (of sorts) for the second book to pick up from.
March 22, 2015
As opposed to the first book–which I rated 3 stars–this little story gets 4 stars from me! Why? Because it was lovely!!! As delicious as a bite of chocolate cake, melting on your tongue! I LOVED IT!
I stated quite clearly that I'm not a fan of birds, but guess what... I actually warmed up to the magpies tattoos! I thought they were gorgeous, and loved the letters which resulted ... They contained some hilarious one-liners!
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
I stated quite clearly that I'm not a fan of birds, but guess what... I actually warmed up to the magpies tattoos! I thought they were gorgeous, and loved the letters which resulted ... They contained some hilarious one-liners!
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
May 23, 2016
Could these two be any hotter?? Nope. The answer is No.
In this short story, just 2 days after the ending of book #1, Crane and Stephan return to London, but they have their doubts and insecurities about where they stand with each other. Stephan fears Crane's return to China and Crane fears that Stephan's profession will get in between them.
Beside this, they were Hot, Hot, Hot! Sooo HOWT!
Can't wait to read more about them.
In this short story, just 2 days after the ending of book #1, Crane and Stephan return to London, but they have their doubts and insecurities about where they stand with each other. Stephan fears Crane's return to China and Crane fears that Stephan's profession will get in between them.
Beside this, they were Hot, Hot, Hot! Sooo HOWT!
Can't wait to read more about them.
December 4, 2013
My god, what a wonderful treat this little book was! Crane is so damned sexy and Stephen is just so cute, they're the perfect couple. I still think the whole magpie/tattoo thing is a really great idea. I want my own one!
April 1, 2016
Read again November 2023
Loved this! And the idea of it!
What a brilliant little novella linking book 1 and 2 of the series! Loved finding out a bit more about the magpie tattoo moving from Lucien to Stephen. And their banter at the end made me really chuckle. Don't miss this free little gem!
Loved this! And the idea of it!
What a brilliant little novella linking book 1 and 2 of the series! Loved finding out a bit more about the magpie tattoo moving from Lucien to Stephen. And their banter at the end made me really chuckle. Don't miss this free little gem!
June 22, 2017
Interlude with Tattoo (A Charm of Magpies #1.5) is a short story set just after the end of The Magpie Lord and is included at the end of that book. Nice little follow-up.
I will very likely continue with this series.
I will very likely continue with this series.
January 10, 2014
"I have lost a tattoo."
Priceless! I laughed so hard while reading the last pages of this interlude.
I am loving Crane and Stephen more and more. So many questions.
When is the next volume coming out?
Priceless! I laughed so hard while reading the last pages of this interlude.
I am loving Crane and Stephen more and more. So many questions.
When is the next volume coming out?
June 8, 2018
This was included at the ned of the audiobook for book #1 and I found this was definitely short sweet and yet pretty amusing too. It's the start of the real relationship and we follow Crane and Stephen as they spend a night together and then say their goodbyes...at least until the magic draws them back together. 3*s overall :)
July 2, 2018
Real Rating: 3.5* of five
Charming, light, amusing. The story was included with my $1.99 Kindle purchase of The Magpie Lord, making it an outstanding entertainment value.
The story is essentially an episode of the previous book that simply didn't fit before that book's ending. It's got the wit and humor of the book and it's a very pleasant way to spend a few more minutes in the magical universe of the story.
Here's a thing: Until I started reading MM fantastical stories I was a resolute snarktastic judge of majgickq in books. Did not like it. Did not approve of it. So stupid, I grumbled, and whyinahellzit always stinkin' up my alternate history reads?!
Well, because no one much cares about actual history so expecting or even asking 'em to care about history's counterfactuals is a mug's game. And for most people the many-worlds hypothesis that quantum mechanics points towards means a free pass to imagine that majgickq works somewhere in the multiverse.
If it don't work here, it won't work there, and if it do work here someone point me at it cuz I want in. For majgickq to work it would need to take place in an alternate universe, not a world diverging from our own, a universe where for some reason majgickq doesn't violate the laws of physics. I mentally place all these stories into that alternate universe and move gaily forward with my reading.
But the real reason I came to the decision to do that was men. Not the big sweaty muscly ones dotting the beach behind my home *happy happy sigh* but the ones living their angsty lives and loving their HEA loves in the pages of escapist tales I hoover up like the baleen whale I so closely resemble as I age. I need these stories to counterbalance the Wreck of the Hesperus that was once my country.
#ReadingIsResistance to the kakistocracy's shitstains getting into my head. But the job gets tougher and tougher. So I go after more and more happyfluff. And that's a giant and valuable gift these stories give to me.
Charming, light, amusing. The story was included with my $1.99 Kindle purchase of The Magpie Lord, making it an outstanding entertainment value.
The story is essentially an episode of the previous book that simply didn't fit before that book's ending. It's got the wit and humor of the book and it's a very pleasant way to spend a few more minutes in the magical universe of the story.
Here's a thing: Until I started reading MM fantastical stories I was a resolute snarktastic judge of majgickq in books. Did not like it. Did not approve of it. So stupid, I grumbled, and whyinahellzit always stinkin' up my alternate history reads?!
Well, because no one much cares about actual history so expecting or even asking 'em to care about history's counterfactuals is a mug's game. And for most people the many-worlds hypothesis that quantum mechanics points towards means a free pass to imagine that majgickq works somewhere in the multiverse.
If it don't work here, it won't work there, and if it do work here someone point me at it cuz I want in. For majgickq to work it would need to take place in an alternate universe, not a world diverging from our own, a universe where for some reason majgickq doesn't violate the laws of physics. I mentally place all these stories into that alternate universe and move gaily forward with my reading.
But the real reason I came to the decision to do that was men. Not the big sweaty muscly ones dotting the beach behind my home *happy happy sigh* but the ones living their angsty lives and loving their HEA loves in the pages of escapist tales I hoover up like the baleen whale I so closely resemble as I age. I need these stories to counterbalance the Wreck of the Hesperus that was once my country.
#ReadingIsResistance to the kakistocracy's shitstains getting into my head. But the job gets tougher and tougher. So I go after more and more happyfluff. And that's a giant and valuable gift these stories give to me.
December 4, 2013
Loved it.
Some great character development for a short story and Crane's tattoos are fantastic. The conversation between Merrick and Crane had me laughing. This was snarky, sexy fun.
Some great character development for a short story and Crane's tattoos are fantastic. The conversation between Merrick and Crane had me laughing. This was snarky, sexy fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 518 reviews