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The Accidental Turn #2.5
Arrivals
After seventeen years of adventuring, Bevel Dom and Kintyre Turn are finally returning home.
Forsyth Turn—brother to Bevel’s long-time questing partner and newly Paired lover—has left both Hain and a hell of a lot of responsibility behind. He’s bequeathed the Shadow's Mask and position of the king’s spymaster to Bevel, and the seat of Lysse Chipping to Kintyre. It’s a lot to take on, and it will mean an end to questing forever if they do.
But it might also mean a chance for Bevel and Kintyre to find a Happily Ever After of their own.
Unfortunately, Turn Hall seems to be infested with eligible young maidens out to snatch away the freshly returned Lord of Lysse, determined to destroy the fragile happiness that Bevel has built. Faced with more decisions than he was prepared for, Bevel battles with foes unfamiliar, making him wonder if life on the road really wasn't all that bad.
But if there's one thing Bevel Dom isn't afraid to do, it's fight for the man he loves.
An Accidental Turn novella set between The Untold Tale and The Forgotten Tale, Arrivals follows Kintyre Turn and Bevel Dom as they step into Forsyth’s vacated life and face the surprising responsibilities he’s left in his wake.
Forsyth Turn—brother to Bevel’s long-time questing partner and newly Paired lover—has left both Hain and a hell of a lot of responsibility behind. He’s bequeathed the Shadow's Mask and position of the king’s spymaster to Bevel, and the seat of Lysse Chipping to Kintyre. It’s a lot to take on, and it will mean an end to questing forever if they do.
But it might also mean a chance for Bevel and Kintyre to find a Happily Ever After of their own.
Unfortunately, Turn Hall seems to be infested with eligible young maidens out to snatch away the freshly returned Lord of Lysse, determined to destroy the fragile happiness that Bevel has built. Faced with more decisions than he was prepared for, Bevel battles with foes unfamiliar, making him wonder if life on the road really wasn't all that bad.
But if there's one thing Bevel Dom isn't afraid to do, it's fight for the man he loves.
An Accidental Turn novella set between The Untold Tale and The Forgotten Tale, Arrivals follows Kintyre Turn and Bevel Dom as they step into Forsyth’s vacated life and face the surprising responsibilities he’s left in his wake.
Unknown Binding
First published May 23, 2017
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64 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Frey
32 books208 followersFrey is an award-winning author and lapsed academic. She spent three years as the entertainment contributor on AMI Radio's Live From Studio 5 morning show, and was an occasional talking head in documentaries and on the SPACE Channel's premier chat show InnerSPACE. She holds a BA in Dramatic Literature and an MA in Communications Culture, and has lectured at conferences and conventions all around the world.
Her debut novel TRIPTYCH was nominated for two Lambda Literary Awards and garnered a place among the Best Books of 2011 from Publishers Weekly, and TIME AND TIDE was named one of The New York Times’ Best Romances of the Year.
She lives in Toronto where she is surrounded by houseplants, because she is allergic to anything with fur. Like her main character in NINE-TENTHS, she is also allergic to chocolate. But not wine.
Her debut novel TRIPTYCH was nominated for two Lambda Literary Awards and garnered a place among the Best Books of 2011 from Publishers Weekly, and TIME AND TIDE was named one of The New York Times’ Best Romances of the Year.
She lives in Toronto where she is surrounded by houseplants, because she is allergic to anything with fur. Like her main character in NINE-TENTHS, she is also allergic to chocolate. But not wine.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 30, 2017
One great installment in one of my top favorite series! It takes place between the two main books and follows Bevel and Kin as they try to become accustomed in their new lives. I loved every sweet, funny part of it!
July 10, 2017
4.5 Stars
Full review at Just Love
I am a big fan of The Accidental Turn series. If you haven’t read it but would like to know more, check out my review of the first two books here. When I finished reading The Forgotten Tale I wanted to know more of Kintyre and Bevel’s story so you can imagine my delight when I learned about these novellas.
Just as with The Untold Tale and The Forgotten Tale, Frey continues the story in the gorgeous world she has built. This is the stuff of epic fantasies but written for the modern reader. If high fantasy is your thing I urge you to consider giving these books a try. I found it effortless to get completely lost in the story as if I were one of the characters, adventuring, fighting evil-doers, and falling in love.
Okay so if you’ve gotten this far then you know that Bevel finally gets his man and oh, my dear Writer, it is everything I wanted and more. For me, this is an important novella because until now we don’t know any of the specifics on how everything went down between them. This book takes place between the first and second in the main series so, yes, there is still more story to tell but we’re going to have to wait until the series continues to get it.
I think I highlighted half of this book because it was so wonderful to see Bevel’s relief and pure joy at the fact that everything finally seems to be working out in his favor. Or is it? Once again, I really liked how Frey has incorporated real life hang ups into this fictional world. They’re finally settling down and Bevel doesn’t want to be the sidekick always doing things for Kin, but he does still want to feel needed. He’s not sure about being the Shadowhand but doesn’t want anyone to take the mask away. Poor Bevel Dom doesn’t seem to know how to express exactly what he wants and it shows just how much Kin deeply loves him with how patient and understanding he is in all of this. I really felt for Bevel as he tries to find his place as Kintyre’s equal partner in their new life together, and although I expected a lot of angst-ridden drama when Bevel does eventually get the words out I was pleased to see it remain drama-free for the most part.
After spending so many years on the road I thought it understandable that they would doubt their new positions and what gave me the faith to carry on was how in love they are with each other. It really felt like no matter what gets thrown their way, they’ll be able to figure it out.
Overall I think Frey does an incredible job of describing the details with vivid clarity. Between that, the worldbuilding and the unique storyline I feel this is an A+ series and I can’t wait to read more of it.
Full review at Just Love
I am a big fan of The Accidental Turn series. If you haven’t read it but would like to know more, check out my review of the first two books here. When I finished reading The Forgotten Tale I wanted to know more of Kintyre and Bevel’s story so you can imagine my delight when I learned about these novellas.
Just as with The Untold Tale and The Forgotten Tale, Frey continues the story in the gorgeous world she has built. This is the stuff of epic fantasies but written for the modern reader. If high fantasy is your thing I urge you to consider giving these books a try. I found it effortless to get completely lost in the story as if I were one of the characters, adventuring, fighting evil-doers, and falling in love.
Okay so if you’ve gotten this far then you know that Bevel finally gets his man and oh, my dear Writer, it is everything I wanted and more. For me, this is an important novella because until now we don’t know any of the specifics on how everything went down between them. This book takes place between the first and second in the main series so, yes, there is still more story to tell but we’re going to have to wait until the series continues to get it.
I think I highlighted half of this book because it was so wonderful to see Bevel’s relief and pure joy at the fact that everything finally seems to be working out in his favor. Or is it? Once again, I really liked how Frey has incorporated real life hang ups into this fictional world. They’re finally settling down and Bevel doesn’t want to be the sidekick always doing things for Kin, but he does still want to feel needed. He’s not sure about being the Shadowhand but doesn’t want anyone to take the mask away. Poor Bevel Dom doesn’t seem to know how to express exactly what he wants and it shows just how much Kin deeply loves him with how patient and understanding he is in all of this. I really felt for Bevel as he tries to find his place as Kintyre’s equal partner in their new life together, and although I expected a lot of angst-ridden drama when Bevel does eventually get the words out I was pleased to see it remain drama-free for the most part.
After spending so many years on the road I thought it understandable that they would doubt their new positions and what gave me the faith to carry on was how in love they are with each other. It really felt like no matter what gets thrown their way, they’ll be able to figure it out.
Overall I think Frey does an incredible job of describing the details with vivid clarity. Between that, the worldbuilding and the unique storyline I feel this is an A+ series and I can’t wait to read more of it.
May 26, 2017
Forsyth is gone, leaving the Mask behind for Bevel. The Viceroy has been defeated, leaving a sudden dearth of battles to fight. The Untold Tale is over, leaving behind Kintyre and Bevel to wander around until something new happens, until the Writer Writes something else. It's endings and tying up loose ends and all the mundane little things that need to be done, like returning items from the quest, resting, sleeping, eating, not getting kicked by the horse. Telling everyone that Forsyth is gone and Kintyre is retiring. The hero and his sidekick are going to attempt being domestic at Lysse without killing themselves and everyone around them (killing metaphorically, though overuse of eye-rolling and face-palming, that is) or going insane with boredom.
But it's mostly Bevel Dom finding his place in a world that has changed drastically. Who is he when he's not just a sidekick, not just the bard? (And how can he be a bard when he can't fully express everything he's overwhelmed with to Kin?) Who is he when he feels betrayed by his own nature? (As he says, why is the world so cruel as to make him love and want children he can never naturally have because he is a man in love with another man?) Who is he as Kin's Paired? (What to do with all these grabby noble women?) Who is he as the Lord's Consort? With all these new dynamics of domesticity, pairing, marriage, and the looming Shadow Hand, who is he really to Kin and how will this fragile relationship survive?
Arrivals begins with departures and ends with arrivals. It's an in-between kind of story, the anti-hero kind that tells you about what heroes do when they're not heroing. (They're busy having crises of identity and renegotiating relationships.)
Note: Doreen, you will hate this one. LOL
Other note: I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author!
But it's mostly Bevel Dom finding his place in a world that has changed drastically. Who is he when he's not just a sidekick, not just the bard? (And how can he be a bard when he can't fully express everything he's overwhelmed with to Kin?) Who is he when he feels betrayed by his own nature? (As he says, why is the world so cruel as to make him love and want children he can never naturally have because he is a man in love with another man?) Who is he as Kin's Paired? (What to do with all these grabby noble women?) Who is he as the Lord's Consort? With all these new dynamics of domesticity, pairing, marriage, and the looming Shadow Hand, who is he really to Kin and how will this fragile relationship survive?
Arrivals begins with departures and ends with arrivals. It's an in-between kind of story, the anti-hero kind that tells you about what heroes do when they're not heroing. (They're busy having crises of identity and renegotiating relationships.)
Note: Doreen, you will hate this one. LOL
Other note: I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author!
February 28, 2018
Arrivals is a short story that takes place between The Forgotten Tale and The Silenced Tale. I was excited when I read the blurb and found out that it was about Bevel and Kintyre. They have to be one of my favorite fictional couples. I couldn’t wait to see where this short story would take their relationship. I was not let down.
I liked Arrivals plotline. Bevel and Kintyre have taken over living in Turn Hall. Kintyre is learning that running Turn Hall is a lot more work than Forsyth led on. Bevel is lost. He feels out-of-place at Turn Hall. He is used to being Kintyre’s right-hand man. But the new Lord doesn’t need a right-hand man. Bevel soon has more to worry about than where he falls in Kintyre’s life. When word gets out that Kintyre has returned, women descend on Turn Hall. Women who were determined to marry Kintyre. But there are other developments. Developments that Bevel didn’t see coming. Developments that could change his relationship with Kintyre. Can Bevel deal with the unmarried women and the development? Will he fight for Kintyre’s affection? Or will he let doubt and fear destroy the happiness that he has finally found?
I felt bad for Bevel during the book. He was so insecure about Kintyre’s love. It made me sad to see him that way. It also made me sad that he seemed to float around Turn Hall, not sure what his role was. He did have an opportunity to take over Forsyth’s job as spymaster. He couldn’t bring himself to put on the Shadow Mask. After what he saw in The Forgotten Tale, I don’t blame him. The whole baby fever angle did make me laugh a bit.
I loved how Kintyre’s character matured. He went from being on the road with no care in the world to a Lord with many responsibilities. He also had to soothe Bevel almost continuously. It would have driven me nuts to have such an insecure partner. I felt he dealt that Bevel very graciously. He did surprise me a couple of times in the book with what he did for Bevel to ease his insecurities. The huge surprise that happened at the end of the book was surprising. I wasn’t expecting that person to show up. I thought that Kintyre did deal with it very well.
I loved the end of Arrivals. It was what I expected and that made me happy.
Pros of Arrivals:
A) More insight into Bevel and Kintyre’s life
B) The liberation of the Library Lion
C) Bevel and Kintyre’s love
Cons of Arrivals:
A) Bevel’s insecurities
B) Kintyre not being able to soothe Bevel
C) Bevel’s reaction to the surprise Kintyre got
I would rate Arrivals for Older Teens. There are some mild violence and mild sexual situations. Nothing is described in great detail but it is there. I would recommend that anyone over the age of 16 read this book. There is also no triggers.
I would like to thank L.M. Frey for allowing me to read and review Arrivals.
All opinions stated in this review of Arrivals are mine.
**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**
I liked Arrivals plotline. Bevel and Kintyre have taken over living in Turn Hall. Kintyre is learning that running Turn Hall is a lot more work than Forsyth led on. Bevel is lost. He feels out-of-place at Turn Hall. He is used to being Kintyre’s right-hand man. But the new Lord doesn’t need a right-hand man. Bevel soon has more to worry about than where he falls in Kintyre’s life. When word gets out that Kintyre has returned, women descend on Turn Hall. Women who were determined to marry Kintyre. But there are other developments. Developments that Bevel didn’t see coming. Developments that could change his relationship with Kintyre. Can Bevel deal with the unmarried women and the development? Will he fight for Kintyre’s affection? Or will he let doubt and fear destroy the happiness that he has finally found?
I felt bad for Bevel during the book. He was so insecure about Kintyre’s love. It made me sad to see him that way. It also made me sad that he seemed to float around Turn Hall, not sure what his role was. He did have an opportunity to take over Forsyth’s job as spymaster. He couldn’t bring himself to put on the Shadow Mask. After what he saw in The Forgotten Tale, I don’t blame him. The whole baby fever angle did make me laugh a bit.
I loved how Kintyre’s character matured. He went from being on the road with no care in the world to a Lord with many responsibilities. He also had to soothe Bevel almost continuously. It would have driven me nuts to have such an insecure partner. I felt he dealt that Bevel very graciously. He did surprise me a couple of times in the book with what he did for Bevel to ease his insecurities. The huge surprise that happened at the end of the book was surprising. I wasn’t expecting that person to show up. I thought that Kintyre did deal with it very well.
I loved the end of Arrivals. It was what I expected and that made me happy.
Pros of Arrivals:
A) More insight into Bevel and Kintyre’s life
B) The liberation of the Library Lion
C) Bevel and Kintyre’s love
Cons of Arrivals:
A) Bevel’s insecurities
B) Kintyre not being able to soothe Bevel
C) Bevel’s reaction to the surprise Kintyre got
I would rate Arrivals for Older Teens. There are some mild violence and mild sexual situations. Nothing is described in great detail but it is there. I would recommend that anyone over the age of 16 read this book. There is also no triggers.
I would like to thank L.M. Frey for allowing me to read and review Arrivals.
All opinions stated in this review of Arrivals are mine.
**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**
June 18, 2017
I know it’s a novella, but why does it have to be so short?
J.M. Frey very kindly sent me another one of her books and it was the second Accidental Turn novella that fits snugly between The Untold Tale and The Forgotten Tale of the meta-fantasy series.
Bevel Dom is once again an excellent narrator and you can’t help but become invested as he explores his place in the world and in the lives of the people around him after the events of book one. The new status of the relationship he’s in (I feel like spoiler if I’m more specific) leads to a novella of raw emotion as the new chapter of his life opens up.
I found myself reading a very realistic relationship that and had me rooting for both parties as the couple try their utmost best to adjust and please one another in their new life. Which of course equals cute gay romance goals.
It as drawn me back into the Accidental Turn world though and I’m not impressed I have to wait so long for The Silenced Tale later this year.
J.M. Frey very kindly sent me another one of her books and it was the second Accidental Turn novella that fits snugly between The Untold Tale and The Forgotten Tale of the meta-fantasy series.
Bevel Dom is once again an excellent narrator and you can’t help but become invested as he explores his place in the world and in the lives of the people around him after the events of book one. The new status of the relationship he’s in (I feel like spoiler if I’m more specific) leads to a novella of raw emotion as the new chapter of his life opens up.
I found myself reading a very realistic relationship that and had me rooting for both parties as the couple try their utmost best to adjust and please one another in their new life. Which of course equals cute gay romance goals.
It as drawn me back into the Accidental Turn world though and I’m not impressed I have to wait so long for The Silenced Tale later this year.
December 19, 2017
Although I have already read the first two novels in this rather unique chronicle (THE UNTOLD TALE and THE FORGOTTEN TALE), this interim story of Kintyre Turn and Bevel Dom adds richness to the series.
I am not a fan of the romance genre; however, that being said, I am a sucker for an honest to god love story with all its ups and downs, trials and tribulations, that in the end says one person truly loves another, no matter what. Herein is a love story for the ages along with one for our world today. Read this and revel in the joys and terrors of being in love with someone for so long and not being able to share those feelings. This is love as it should be… freely given, freely enjoyed.
I highly recommend this series to everyone who reads. It is fantasy and reality united by skillful storytelling. Do start with the first book (THE UNTOLD TALE) and follow that with ARRIVALS. Once you start this series, I guarantee that you will want to see this tale… accidental or not… through to the end.
I am anticipating reading book 3 in Accidental Turn series, THE SILENCED TALE, to see where the Writer takes them next.
P. S. Although identified here as The Accidental Turn #2.5, you should really consider it as #1.5 because, in the chronology of the series, it falls between books 1 and 2.
I am not a fan of the romance genre; however, that being said, I am a sucker for an honest to god love story with all its ups and downs, trials and tribulations, that in the end says one person truly loves another, no matter what. Herein is a love story for the ages along with one for our world today. Read this and revel in the joys and terrors of being in love with someone for so long and not being able to share those feelings. This is love as it should be… freely given, freely enjoyed.
I highly recommend this series to everyone who reads. It is fantasy and reality united by skillful storytelling. Do start with the first book (THE UNTOLD TALE) and follow that with ARRIVALS. Once you start this series, I guarantee that you will want to see this tale… accidental or not… through to the end.
I am anticipating reading book 3 in Accidental Turn series, THE SILENCED TALE, to see where the Writer takes them next.
P. S. Although identified here as The Accidental Turn #2.5, you should really consider it as #1.5 because, in the chronology of the series, it falls between books 1 and 2.
February 5, 2018
A surprisingly tender and thoughtful gay romance between Kintyre, a muscle-bound knight, and his sidekick Dom. Surprising because Kin and Dom were played strictly for laughs in the first book. This book kept the humor but fleshed out the characters beautifully.
January 11, 2018
This is the novella that was published in the spring of 2017 (I’m still behind on my reviews, if you can’t tell), and it takes place immediately following The Untold Tale. Like Ghosts, this story is told from Bevel Dom’s point of view, and about how his life is turned completely upside down. For years, he and Kintyre have saved the day, and then ridden off together towards their next adventure, possibly after sharing whatever damsel they have rescued. They sleep together, but only with a woman in between them. They return to Turn Hall, but only for a visit. They are partners for life, but the aren’t life partners. And maybe neither of them is really happy, but it’s The Way Things Are. And as a storyteller, Bevel always knows the way the story is supposed to go.
But now things really have changed. Forsyth is gone, with his Reader lover Pip, and someone needs to go back to Turn Hall and run things. To take care of the tenants, and the free schools Forsyth established, and be the local Lordling. And of course, to tell everyone back home that Forsyth will not be returning (maybe they’ll leave out the bits about how he’s left for another realm with a legendary creature though, that just gets complicated). There is no longer a Shadow Hand of the king, to run the kingdom’s intelligence service. And thanks to Lucy Piper, Kintyre and Bevel have finally declared themselves to each other–it’s not just sex, it’s love. It’s commitment. It’s hard and scary and confusing and what on earth does it all mean? I mean, they’re together, but they’re not married, and Kintyre needs an heir, and how will their relationship be different, and how should it be different, and should it be different, it’s been working for years, was it really working, but they’re not happy, are they happy, Kintyre just takes Bevel for granted, but now he’s doing things for Bevel and he’s doing them WRONG!
This is a story about how Happily Ever After is actually pretty complicated, and requires a whole lot of work to make sure that you both really are happy.
But now things really have changed. Forsyth is gone, with his Reader lover Pip, and someone needs to go back to Turn Hall and run things. To take care of the tenants, and the free schools Forsyth established, and be the local Lordling. And of course, to tell everyone back home that Forsyth will not be returning (maybe they’ll leave out the bits about how he’s left for another realm with a legendary creature though, that just gets complicated). There is no longer a Shadow Hand of the king, to run the kingdom’s intelligence service. And thanks to Lucy Piper, Kintyre and Bevel have finally declared themselves to each other–it’s not just sex, it’s love. It’s commitment. It’s hard and scary and confusing and what on earth does it all mean? I mean, they’re together, but they’re not married, and Kintyre needs an heir, and how will their relationship be different, and how should it be different, and should it be different, it’s been working for years, was it really working, but they’re not happy, are they happy, Kintyre just takes Bevel for granted, but now he’s doing things for Bevel and he’s doing them WRONG!
This is a story about how Happily Ever After is actually pretty complicated, and requires a whole lot of work to make sure that you both really are happy.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews