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Brave
A destitute and uneducated young man living on the streets is knocked down by a car. The driver, Joseph, a wealthy and influential businessman, takes the young man into his home to better care for him. Thus begins Archie’s journey of self-discovery. Joseph employs a nurse, Nathan, to provide the care and a teacher, Anthony, to help the young man to learn how to read and write. Joseph’s personal assistant, Jacob, completes the principal cast of this story.
Archie and Nathan fall in love. For Archie, love is a both a word and a feeling which he has never known before.
However, what appears to be charity and compassion on the part of Joseph begins to take on an altogether different complexion and suddenly Archie and Nathan are in danger. Jacob tips them off to the threat and helps them to escape from Joseph’s house. Seeking refuge in the Comanche grasslands, Archie and Nathan meet Gus, an old Comanche warrior, who gives them sanctuary. Learning to ride and exploring the landscape of love is all-consuming, except for the nagging, burning question which was never answered; why had they needed to flee from Joseph and Anthony?
A puzzle, given to Archie by Jacob, once solved, leads them to a hoped for rendezvous with Jacob where the threat becomes both real and deadly. Joseph’s true motives for helping Archie are eventually revealed and all are thrown into mortal danger.
‘Brave’ is a metaphysical journey which borrows from the Comanche creation myth. The title 'Brave' was chosen to convey both the bravery of the main characters as they triumph over their respective demons and the bravery of the Comanche from whom I have drawn much inspiration, both for this and other stories.
'Brave' combines the three stories, 'Broken', 'Mended' and 'Demon Rider'. 'Broken' previously appeared in 'A Liberty Treasury Trio of Gay Romances'. 'Mended' and 'Demon Rider' were previously published as stand-alone titles.
Archie and Nathan fall in love. For Archie, love is a both a word and a feeling which he has never known before.
However, what appears to be charity and compassion on the part of Joseph begins to take on an altogether different complexion and suddenly Archie and Nathan are in danger. Jacob tips them off to the threat and helps them to escape from Joseph’s house. Seeking refuge in the Comanche grasslands, Archie and Nathan meet Gus, an old Comanche warrior, who gives them sanctuary. Learning to ride and exploring the landscape of love is all-consuming, except for the nagging, burning question which was never answered; why had they needed to flee from Joseph and Anthony?
A puzzle, given to Archie by Jacob, once solved, leads them to a hoped for rendezvous with Jacob where the threat becomes both real and deadly. Joseph’s true motives for helping Archie are eventually revealed and all are thrown into mortal danger.
‘Brave’ is a metaphysical journey which borrows from the Comanche creation myth. The title 'Brave' was chosen to convey both the bravery of the main characters as they triumph over their respective demons and the bravery of the Comanche from whom I have drawn much inspiration, both for this and other stories.
'Brave' combines the three stories, 'Broken', 'Mended' and 'Demon Rider'. 'Broken' previously appeared in 'A Liberty Treasury Trio of Gay Romances'. 'Mended' and 'Demon Rider' were previously published as stand-alone titles.
- GenresM M Romance
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2013
4 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Alp Mortal
171 books95 followersI'm English by birth, from the Isle of Wight, living in Newport, spending part of the year in the USA, co-managing The Carter Seagrove Project LLC - an independent publishing house, incorporated in the State of Indiana.
I was 51 years old in 2016. I only started writing in 2009, proving, I suppose, that it is never too late. I didn't think about publishing until late 2012, now, nearly four years later, I'm even more energized by the process than ever before.
I'm a qualified English teacher, specializing in teaching English as a second language (TEFL), though I don't do much of that now. In the distant past, I taught software skills. In the very distant past, I was a project manager on big IT projects and at the very beginning of my career, I was an Internal Auditor. I have degrees in Internal Auditing, Computer Auditing and Project Management. I'm studying for my degree in Sustainable Development at the moment. Renewable energy is what really interests me.
I'm a member of The Society of Authors, The Society for Editors and Proofreaders and The Independent Author Network.
I have no great philosophy except "energy follows intention" and "honour your gifts". These two principles keep me sane, very happy and exceedingly busy!
I am always very happy to receive your feedback. If you wish to contact me directly, please email me at: alpmortal@hotmail.com.
Visit the website, alpmortal.weebly.com, for updates on the next gay romantic story or crime thriller that I am working on.
Together with Chambers Mars, I am half of Carter Seagrove, author of Dust Jacket and The Inspector Fenchurch Mysteries.
Alp Mortal, Chambers Mars, Shannon M. Kirkland and Morgan Starr are The Carter Seagrove Project LLC - an independent book publisher. Find us at www.carterseagrove.weebly.com, on Twitter @carterseagrove and on Facebook www.facebook.com/thecarterseagrovepro....
I was 51 years old in 2016. I only started writing in 2009, proving, I suppose, that it is never too late. I didn't think about publishing until late 2012, now, nearly four years later, I'm even more energized by the process than ever before.
I'm a qualified English teacher, specializing in teaching English as a second language (TEFL), though I don't do much of that now. In the distant past, I taught software skills. In the very distant past, I was a project manager on big IT projects and at the very beginning of my career, I was an Internal Auditor. I have degrees in Internal Auditing, Computer Auditing and Project Management. I'm studying for my degree in Sustainable Development at the moment. Renewable energy is what really interests me.
I'm a member of The Society of Authors, The Society for Editors and Proofreaders and The Independent Author Network.
I have no great philosophy except "energy follows intention" and "honour your gifts". These two principles keep me sane, very happy and exceedingly busy!
I am always very happy to receive your feedback. If you wish to contact me directly, please email me at: alpmortal@hotmail.com.
Visit the website, alpmortal.weebly.com, for updates on the next gay romantic story or crime thriller that I am working on.
Together with Chambers Mars, I am half of Carter Seagrove, author of Dust Jacket and The Inspector Fenchurch Mysteries.
Alp Mortal, Chambers Mars, Shannon M. Kirkland and Morgan Starr are The Carter Seagrove Project LLC - an independent book publisher. Find us at www.carterseagrove.weebly.com, on Twitter @carterseagrove and on Facebook www.facebook.com/thecarterseagrovepro....
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 8, 2016
Magic, poetry, love: weaving a forever tapestry
How do I describe a tapestry whose warp and weft are made of magic, whose threads are poetry, and one that breathes fire like an eternal restless spirit?
Alp Mortal’s BRAVE is a rich weaving of myth, allegory, demon dreams and love—in short, it was for me a master work of the gay paranormal genre.
The young man Archie finds himself being tenderly cared for in the home of the man who has injured him in a car accident. His “keepers” are Joseph, the benefactor; Anthony, a tutor; Jacob, an associate of the benefactor; and Nathan, Archie’s nurse. Archie and Nathan fall in love. And then an invisible evil begins to pervade the place of healing.
The story is told in three parts, with point of view shifting in the third section.
Part one, a triumph of story telling, recounts the slow recovery of a broken man. Part two takes the reader on the flight of Archie and Nathan to Comanche country, where they are fleeing an evil menace, and where they join an old Comanche warrior named Gus. Part three tells the heart-jolting story of a Demon Rider, a metaphorical journey which is all too real.
I loved the slow awakening to love, as the patient and the nurse discover each other’s bodies and then their hearts. Mortal describes their first kiss, an experience that leads to much deeper craving. The language is almost breathless, always sensuous, building to a most satisfying climax. In fact, the slow meshing of these two men is brilliant, real, tender and touching. The sex is explicit without being smarmy or clichéd. Wonderful!
I was intrigued by the mystical power that allows Archie to look with his inner eye to produce towering artistic works of great value. I saw more and more clearly as the story progresses how the title BRAVE applies to the main characters. I felt my heart torn as the young man is seized by a demon that needs a kind of exorcist to release its deadly claws from his soul. And I felt a mounting terror and a sense of impending disaster as the evil man among these characters seeks to control and destroy through mind manipulation.
I only wish Mortal had written more about the warrior Gus in part two, rather than introducing him as though he was already an entrenched character. Long after I turned the last page, I still want to know how the men met him, and a little of his story. But perhaps the author is saving Gus’ backstory for another novel. I hope so!
I want all lovers of gay romance to read this book, a journey into the Comanche spirt of bravery, and a towering love story to satisfy even the most jaded reader. I also want to add a whole constellation of stars to this five-star story. Thanks, Alp. I am very happy to have met you through your splendid writing.
How do I describe a tapestry whose warp and weft are made of magic, whose threads are poetry, and one that breathes fire like an eternal restless spirit?
Alp Mortal’s BRAVE is a rich weaving of myth, allegory, demon dreams and love—in short, it was for me a master work of the gay paranormal genre.
The young man Archie finds himself being tenderly cared for in the home of the man who has injured him in a car accident. His “keepers” are Joseph, the benefactor; Anthony, a tutor; Jacob, an associate of the benefactor; and Nathan, Archie’s nurse. Archie and Nathan fall in love. And then an invisible evil begins to pervade the place of healing.
The story is told in three parts, with point of view shifting in the third section.
Part one, a triumph of story telling, recounts the slow recovery of a broken man. Part two takes the reader on the flight of Archie and Nathan to Comanche country, where they are fleeing an evil menace, and where they join an old Comanche warrior named Gus. Part three tells the heart-jolting story of a Demon Rider, a metaphorical journey which is all too real.
I loved the slow awakening to love, as the patient and the nurse discover each other’s bodies and then their hearts. Mortal describes their first kiss, an experience that leads to much deeper craving. The language is almost breathless, always sensuous, building to a most satisfying climax. In fact, the slow meshing of these two men is brilliant, real, tender and touching. The sex is explicit without being smarmy or clichéd. Wonderful!
I was intrigued by the mystical power that allows Archie to look with his inner eye to produce towering artistic works of great value. I saw more and more clearly as the story progresses how the title BRAVE applies to the main characters. I felt my heart torn as the young man is seized by a demon that needs a kind of exorcist to release its deadly claws from his soul. And I felt a mounting terror and a sense of impending disaster as the evil man among these characters seeks to control and destroy through mind manipulation.
I only wish Mortal had written more about the warrior Gus in part two, rather than introducing him as though he was already an entrenched character. Long after I turned the last page, I still want to know how the men met him, and a little of his story. But perhaps the author is saving Gus’ backstory for another novel. I hope so!
I want all lovers of gay romance to read this book, a journey into the Comanche spirt of bravery, and a towering love story to satisfy even the most jaded reader. I also want to add a whole constellation of stars to this five-star story. Thanks, Alp. I am very happy to have met you through your splendid writing.
April 17, 2019
Must read! On my favorite list to re-read every year.
If you like suspense, a well written plot, loveable characters, and a HEA, then read this book. First time reader of this author and I'm already a fan, eager to read more from Alp Mortal! Add this book to your must read list! 😊
If you like suspense, a well written plot, loveable characters, and a HEA, then read this book. First time reader of this author and I'm already a fan, eager to read more from Alp Mortal! Add this book to your must read list! 😊
May 21, 2019
Astounding. A love story like no other I have read.
Tender in the extreme but not sentimental. A love born out of tragedy, forged in conflict. Myth it may be but no less vital. A love story like no other you will have read. This Author can weave plot.
Tender in the extreme but not sentimental. A love born out of tragedy, forged in conflict. Myth it may be but no less vital. A love story like no other you will have read. This Author can weave plot.
September 2, 2016
Brave is the trilogy which brings together the three books of a series: Broken, Mended and Demon Rider.
This is one of the most intricately woven tales I have read of Mortal's and in all honesty it is far too intricate to review title by title in this review alone. As I have come to expect of this author, this is a well written and finely crafted story which asks only that you suspend disbelief and keep an open mind from the very first book to the end of the last as he takes us through the magic, myths and legends of the Comanche.
In the most simplistic of terms this is a story of deep and pure love; what it truly means to place trust in the one you love and if necessary having enough faith to surrender your life into their hands; and in this tale the lives of the two main protagonists, Nathan and Archie most assuredly do depend upon the love they share and their ability to trust and keep faith in each other at all costs.
What begins as a seemingly sweet, innocent journey towards self-discovery and falling in love soon becomes a tale of intrigue and murder as the myths and legends are revealed across the three books. Now Archie and Nathan are running for their lives; unaware that the greatest danger lies not behind but ahead.
I should also say that because the books within this trilogy are in their original format, the first book includes the first chapter of the second and the first chapter of the second book recaps on the last chapter of the first book; these are easily skipped!
This is one of the most intricately woven tales I have read of Mortal's and in all honesty it is far too intricate to review title by title in this review alone. As I have come to expect of this author, this is a well written and finely crafted story which asks only that you suspend disbelief and keep an open mind from the very first book to the end of the last as he takes us through the magic, myths and legends of the Comanche.
In the most simplistic of terms this is a story of deep and pure love; what it truly means to place trust in the one you love and if necessary having enough faith to surrender your life into their hands; and in this tale the lives of the two main protagonists, Nathan and Archie most assuredly do depend upon the love they share and their ability to trust and keep faith in each other at all costs.
What begins as a seemingly sweet, innocent journey towards self-discovery and falling in love soon becomes a tale of intrigue and murder as the myths and legends are revealed across the three books. Now Archie and Nathan are running for their lives; unaware that the greatest danger lies not behind but ahead.
I should also say that because the books within this trilogy are in their original format, the first book includes the first chapter of the second and the first chapter of the second book recaps on the last chapter of the first book; these are easily skipped!
January 16, 2016
You can read my full review on my blog. http://www.phetranovak.com/blog-seduc...
October 24, 2016
Brave
Very cool book. This is a very metaphysical book and very deep. Not a typical romance. I highly recommend it.
Very cool book. This is a very metaphysical book and very deep. Not a typical romance. I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews