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Greynox to the Sea #1
Treasure
Julian Massey has always been sickly. When the young man's parents send him to the seaside town of Urchin Cove to recuperate, he finds himself stranded in a tiny cabin with only the quirky local inhabitants for company. Then a storm blows through, and he finds an unexpected discovery washed up on the an unconscious man. After stealing a treasure, Kit Archer is taken prisoner by a ruthless pirate, Captain Booth. When a storm hits the pirate ship, Kit is able to escape, but not without serious injuries. Jules nurses him back to health, and friendship grows into desire. But Captain Booth is bound to come in search of his treasure and the man who stole it. In a world with dragons, sprites, and wizards, it's going to take more than a little magic for Jules and Kit to find lasting happiness together.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2013
21 people are currently reading
688 people want to read
About the author
Kim Fielding
175 books1,303 followersKim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
June 16, 2013
4.60 stars
So good its exactly what I wanted, a fantastic adventurous journey. Magical wizardry, pirates and delightful imps, keeping them sweet is the way to go. I enjoyed how the fantasy and especially the romance evolved, very beautiful. The storytelling is imaginative and builds up wonderfully. I loved the slow change in Julian, he starts off sickly and slightly weak, the seaside brings about a wondrous and healthy change. But the real difference starts when Kit arrives, suddenly Julian is galvanised into action, taking care of Kit brings about a much needed confidence boost. I adored these two gorgeous young men and once Julian lets loose he lavishes Kit with love, a sensual and romantic exploration, sighing dreamily here. Its a great story, I loved the prompt and the author depicts it amazingly well. Recommended.
So good its exactly what I wanted, a fantastic adventurous journey. Magical wizardry, pirates and delightful imps, keeping them sweet is the way to go. I enjoyed how the fantasy and especially the romance evolved, very beautiful. The storytelling is imaginative and builds up wonderfully. I loved the slow change in Julian, he starts off sickly and slightly weak, the seaside brings about a wondrous and healthy change. But the real difference starts when Kit arrives, suddenly Julian is galvanised into action, taking care of Kit brings about a much needed confidence boost. I adored these two gorgeous young men and once Julian lets loose he lavishes Kit with love, a sensual and romantic exploration, sighing dreamily here. Its a great story, I loved the prompt and the author depicts it amazingly well. Recommended.
June 12, 2013
Wonderful fantasy adventure with a delish romance. I totally dug it, but my review is hella biased for these reasons:
1) It’s based on my story prompt for the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries story event. I love adventure romances so jumped at providing a prompt for one (and loved pointing to some awesome art from the Japanese shounen ai light novel series Flesh and Blood.) The fact that Fielding grabbed the prompt MADE MY DAY since I was already familiar with her excellent blend of fantasy, adventure, and romance.
I thought she did an amazing job, keeping the spirit of the prompt of a sickly young man visiting the seaside, someone who loves adventures in books, and then finds his own adventure when he comes upon a half-drowned man on the beach.
She included that prompt and then went to town as our MC Julian heaves the half-drowned man into his cottage and takes care of him, only to find that this man has a checkered past and some unseemly ties to a dark pirate ship ghosting the coasts. But that dark past doesn’t matter as Julian and Kit learn more about each other, especially how they share some common desires, and soon, something deeper and more intimate.
Totally dug Julian's slow emergence from sickly lad with little self-worth to becoming a young man who feels comfortable in his body, standing up against scary enemies, and declaring his feelings for the somewhat shameless (yet still self-doubting) rogue Kit.
I loved the fantasy setting, with its mix of dragons that pull carts to wizards who garden to imps who loiter outside in hopes of getting food scraps. All those touches added a lot of color to the story (as well as some aid to our heroes when they most needed it.)
(I also appreciated the realistic touches that dotted this fantasy story with pirates, like if you get badly injured, you don't magically get better overnight, and that you occasionally have to do things like go pee. I always like it when authors add in those layers. It feels nicely weighted to reality.)
2) Another bias--There’s a lot of story! At over 38,000 words, Treasure is nicely long, and I love diving into a longer works. Here Fielding was able to give space for the characters, their developing romance, the action, and the sexy times. If I had a complaint, it’s that I could have read EVEN MORE. Because I’m greedy!
3) Which leads to another bias, as I mentioned, I LOVE ADVENTURE ROMANCE, whether it’s historical like Dash and Dingo, or Spy-time like The Chimera Affair, or mm-romancing-the-stone like Rarer Than Rubies or space adventures like Off World. It totally FLOATS MY BOAT, and Treasure thoroughly succeeded in hitting my adventure-pirates!-romance buttons.
4) It’s free-free-free! Which is always a great bonus. BUT, I would have been happy to buy this story, especially since it so successfully captured all the things that I love and look for in a great adventure romance story.
Thank you, Kim Fielding, for writing such a wonderful, swashbuckling romance! It’s a super fun story with wonderfully appealing characters, and I recommend it to anyone who, like me, enjoys their m/m romance blended with fantasy and adventure. It is Good Times.
You can read the story here at the MM Romance Group’s site.. There should be downloaded version available in a couple days here. :D
1) It’s based on my story prompt for the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries story event. I love adventure romances so jumped at providing a prompt for one (and loved pointing to some awesome art from the Japanese shounen ai light novel series Flesh and Blood.) The fact that Fielding grabbed the prompt MADE MY DAY since I was already familiar with her excellent blend of fantasy, adventure, and romance.
I thought she did an amazing job, keeping the spirit of the prompt of a sickly young man visiting the seaside, someone who loves adventures in books, and then finds his own adventure when he comes upon a half-drowned man on the beach.
She included that prompt and then went to town as our MC Julian heaves the half-drowned man into his cottage and takes care of him, only to find that this man has a checkered past and some unseemly ties to a dark pirate ship ghosting the coasts. But that dark past doesn’t matter as Julian and Kit learn more about each other, especially how they share some common desires, and soon, something deeper and more intimate.
Totally dug Julian's slow emergence from sickly lad with little self-worth to becoming a young man who feels comfortable in his body, standing up against scary enemies, and declaring his feelings for the somewhat shameless (yet still self-doubting) rogue Kit.
I loved the fantasy setting, with its mix of dragons that pull carts to wizards who garden to imps who loiter outside in hopes of getting food scraps. All those touches added a lot of color to the story (as well as some aid to our heroes when they most needed it.)
(I also appreciated the realistic touches that dotted this fantasy story with pirates, like if you get badly injured, you don't magically get better overnight, and that you occasionally have to do things like go pee. I always like it when authors add in those layers. It feels nicely weighted to reality.)
2) Another bias--There’s a lot of story! At over 38,000 words, Treasure is nicely long, and I love diving into a longer works. Here Fielding was able to give space for the characters, their developing romance, the action, and the sexy times. If I had a complaint, it’s that I could have read EVEN MORE. Because I’m greedy!
3) Which leads to another bias, as I mentioned, I LOVE ADVENTURE ROMANCE, whether it’s historical like Dash and Dingo, or Spy-time like The Chimera Affair, or mm-romancing-the-stone like Rarer Than Rubies or space adventures like Off World. It totally FLOATS MY BOAT, and Treasure thoroughly succeeded in hitting my adventure-pirates!-romance buttons.
4) It’s free-free-free! Which is always a great bonus. BUT, I would have been happy to buy this story, especially since it so successfully captured all the things that I love and look for in a great adventure romance story.
Thank you, Kim Fielding, for writing such a wonderful, swashbuckling romance! It’s a super fun story with wonderfully appealing characters, and I recommend it to anyone who, like me, enjoys their m/m romance blended with fantasy and adventure. It is Good Times.
You can read the story here at the MM Romance Group’s site.. There should be downloaded version available in a couple days here. :D
July 31, 2025
A slightly strange mixture of historical, pirates and fantasy story, but with interesting characters. Definitely an easy, amusing read for in between and available for free on the author's website.
Outhouse. Julian shuddered. “And where shall I bathe?”
She gave him a look as if he were something strange and exotic. “You’ve got the whole ocean right there. If the salt gets too much fer ya, just wipe it away. I think it’s good fer ya. It’s like pickles—salt keeps ya fresh longer.” 🤭💚🤭
Kit reached up and stroked his fingertips ever so gently across Julian’s cheek.
“When you read, you truly come alive,” Kit said, his voice slightly husky. “All those emotions come to the surface. You’re beautiful.” 🫠💕🫠
“Oil,” Kit confirmed cheerfully.
“Rose scented. Our nether regions shall smell like a garden.” 🤭🌹🤭
Outhouse. Julian shuddered. “And where shall I bathe?”
She gave him a look as if he were something strange and exotic. “You’ve got the whole ocean right there. If the salt gets too much fer ya, just wipe it away. I think it’s good fer ya. It’s like pickles—salt keeps ya fresh longer.” 🤭💚🤭
Kit reached up and stroked his fingertips ever so gently across Julian’s cheek.
“When you read, you truly come alive,” Kit said, his voice slightly husky. “All those emotions come to the surface. You’re beautiful.” 🫠💕🫠
“Oil,” Kit confirmed cheerfully.
“Rose scented. Our nether regions shall smell like a garden.” 🤭🌹🤭
July 21, 2019
This was truly the perfect beach read.
Set in a fantasy world that resembles Victorian England (except for dragons being used to pull carts and other fantasy creatures around every corner) this is the story of Julian who is a sickly city youth who is sent seaside to catch some much needed sea air and exercise to build up strength.
Alone with his books and the occasional chat with the quirky inhabitants of Urchin's Cove, Julian comes to enjoy his beach holiday.
Even more so when he finds a dashing swashbuckler washed ashore who needs a healing hand to nurse him back to life.
Kit Archer is a pirate fan's wet dream. A troubled and dark past brought him to Julian's doorstep and sharing body warmth with the shy young man is the ultimate way to a crushingly beautiful summer romance.
I loved this story. It was straightforward and gave you EXACTLY what you want from a beach read.
I totally enjoyed this. Kim Fielding writes fantasy so effortlessly, it absolutely amazes me.
5 stars!
Set in a fantasy world that resembles Victorian England (except for dragons being used to pull carts and other fantasy creatures around every corner) this is the story of Julian who is a sickly city youth who is sent seaside to catch some much needed sea air and exercise to build up strength.
Alone with his books and the occasional chat with the quirky inhabitants of Urchin's Cove, Julian comes to enjoy his beach holiday.
Even more so when he finds a dashing swashbuckler washed ashore who needs a healing hand to nurse him back to life.
Kit Archer is a pirate fan's wet dream. A troubled and dark past brought him to Julian's doorstep and sharing body warmth with the shy young man is the ultimate way to a crushingly beautiful summer romance.
I loved this story. It was straightforward and gave you EXACTLY what you want from a beach read.
I totally enjoyed this. Kim Fielding writes fantasy so effortlessly, it absolutely amazes me.
5 stars!
July 28, 2019
This was...truly a treasure.
*happy sigh*
It wasn’t just the romance but *swoon* it was so romantic!
It wasn’t just the awakening of Julian’s dormant heart and soul but *giddy cheer* it was amazing witnessing his transformation!
It was everything cobbled together.
The pirates.
The whimsical charm.
The tenderness and passion.
I was smitten...from the first page to the last.
I’m not usually big on quotes but this is worth sharing...
“I’ve never wished so badly that I were a better man. Because if I were, I would love you more fiercely than the moon loves the sea. I would breathe your air into my lungs, I would taste you with every meal. I would tie our hearts together with unbreakable bonds.”
Gahhhh!!!
Somebody, please help me up...I’ve slipped right out of my chair.
*happy sigh*
It wasn’t just the romance but *swoon* it was so romantic!
It wasn’t just the awakening of Julian’s dormant heart and soul but *giddy cheer* it was amazing witnessing his transformation!
It was everything cobbled together.
The pirates.
The whimsical charm.
The tenderness and passion.
I was smitten...from the first page to the last.
I’m not usually big on quotes but this is worth sharing...
“I’ve never wished so badly that I were a better man. Because if I were, I would love you more fiercely than the moon loves the sea. I would breathe your air into my lungs, I would taste you with every meal. I would tie our hearts together with unbreakable bonds.”
Gahhhh!!!
Somebody, please help me up...I’ve slipped right out of my chair.
June 17, 2013
Julian comes to Urchin Cove, a quaint little village, for a holiday. His doctor said how the fresh seaside air will be good for him. So Julian goes there -- he learns to cook, he reads, he befriends the townsfolk, he makes friends with the imps, as well. Then one day, as he walks on the beach, he finds with a washed-up man ...
----
This story is part of the Love Has No Boundaries event. And my, what a LOVELY story this is. It combines romance, fantasy, and adventure .. it has pirates, imps, magic ... and oh, so very well-written. Urchin Cove, for example, comes alive in these pages, and makes me want to visit this fantasy seaside town.
What I love the most about this is the personal journey of Julian; which is my kind of story. Julian starts off feeling uncertain about his own self-worth. He knows that he is weak and gets sick easily. He is not like his brothers, who works to get their own money. Julian's friends are his books. Julian does get lonely especially because he knows he is slightly different -- he is attracted to men, and those books Julian read say that such behavior is a deviant.
Until he comes to tend Kit (the washed-up man) back to health and falls in love with Kit. Julian grows strong and confident -- he even survives the pirates' kidnapping. Julian realizes that he IS worthy. Kit loves him. The townsfolk love him. The imps love him. Julian at the end of the story is a man who can held his head up high. And how I am proud for him.
The romance is slow-built (my kind of romance too) -- though at times I feel that it's a bit too slow (I want to get to the good bits quickly *lol*). There might be that bit or martyr-dom plot (that I sometimes find annoying), when Kit tells Julian to leave for his own good. But I don't find it as an issue here because, well, I can understand Kit's point-of-view here. Julian is a city boy and he doesn't really have the skill to battle with pirates.
All in all, a beautiful romance fantasy story. Definitely one of my early favorites from the event...
----
This story is part of the Love Has No Boundaries event. And my, what a LOVELY story this is. It combines romance, fantasy, and adventure .. it has pirates, imps, magic ... and oh, so very well-written. Urchin Cove, for example, comes alive in these pages, and makes me want to visit this fantasy seaside town.
What I love the most about this is the personal journey of Julian; which is my kind of story. Julian starts off feeling uncertain about his own self-worth. He knows that he is weak and gets sick easily. He is not like his brothers, who works to get their own money. Julian's friends are his books. Julian does get lonely especially because he knows he is slightly different -- he is attracted to men, and those books Julian read say that such behavior is a deviant.
Until he comes to tend Kit (the washed-up man) back to health and falls in love with Kit. Julian grows strong and confident -- he even survives the pirates' kidnapping. Julian realizes that he IS worthy. Kit loves him. The townsfolk love him. The imps love him. Julian at the end of the story is a man who can held his head up high. And how I am proud for him.
The romance is slow-built (my kind of romance too) -- though at times I feel that it's a bit too slow (I want to get to the good bits quickly *lol*). There might be that bit or martyr-dom plot (that I sometimes find annoying), when Kit tells Julian to leave for his own good. But I don't find it as an issue here because, well, I can understand Kit's point-of-view here. Julian is a city boy and he doesn't really have the skill to battle with pirates.
All in all, a beautiful romance fantasy story. Definitely one of my early favorites from the event...
September 21, 2024
4 Stars
Kim Fielding’s Treasure was a truly lovely read.
Set in a fantasy world that resembles Victorian England, this story follows city dweller Julian, a twenty-something who gets sent by his parents to a peaceful, beach-side town called Urchin’s Cove, where it is hoped that the fresh air and change of scenery will help with Julian’s lifetime of health ailments.
Although being sent away to a little cottage alone, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, is at first disagreeable to Julian, he soon finds his mood improved and health reinvigorated through his peaceful time living by the beautiful seaside.
One morning, after a storm hits, Julian comes across a badly injured man in the surf. Being the Good Samaritan that he is, Julian carries the stranger home, giving him shelter and doing all he can to help heal the man’s many wounds.
Upon waking, Julian learns that the name of his incapacitated guest is Kit Archer, a rogue and a thief who is being hunted by pirates for a misdeed that has them wanting his head. But despite Kit’s urging that he’s a no-good scoundrel, Julian is enthralled nevertheless, feeling drawn to Kit in ways he’s never allowed himself to feel drawn to anyone before.
As Julian and Kit grow closer, so does the threat of an impending pirate attack on Urchin’s Cove. The danger is real, but so are Julian’s feelings for Kit, who is willing to do anything, including risking his life, to keep Kit and the townspeople safe.
This story was so very sweet and deeply romantic, starting with some seriously tender hurt-comfort scenes that warmed my heart. There was also a good dose of adventure and excitement towards the end, too, that made Julian and Kit’s HEA all the more worth it because it was hard-won at great risk to their very lives.
This story was a real treat and now sits among some of my favourite Kim Fielding stories to date.
Kim Fielding’s Treasure was a truly lovely read.
Set in a fantasy world that resembles Victorian England, this story follows city dweller Julian, a twenty-something who gets sent by his parents to a peaceful, beach-side town called Urchin’s Cove, where it is hoped that the fresh air and change of scenery will help with Julian’s lifetime of health ailments.
Although being sent away to a little cottage alone, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, is at first disagreeable to Julian, he soon finds his mood improved and health reinvigorated through his peaceful time living by the beautiful seaside.
One morning, after a storm hits, Julian comes across a badly injured man in the surf. Being the Good Samaritan that he is, Julian carries the stranger home, giving him shelter and doing all he can to help heal the man’s many wounds.
Upon waking, Julian learns that the name of his incapacitated guest is Kit Archer, a rogue and a thief who is being hunted by pirates for a misdeed that has them wanting his head. But despite Kit’s urging that he’s a no-good scoundrel, Julian is enthralled nevertheless, feeling drawn to Kit in ways he’s never allowed himself to feel drawn to anyone before.
As Julian and Kit grow closer, so does the threat of an impending pirate attack on Urchin’s Cove. The danger is real, but so are Julian’s feelings for Kit, who is willing to do anything, including risking his life, to keep Kit and the townspeople safe.
This story was so very sweet and deeply romantic, starting with some seriously tender hurt-comfort scenes that warmed my heart. There was also a good dose of adventure and excitement towards the end, too, that made Julian and Kit’s HEA all the more worth it because it was hard-won at great risk to their very lives.
This story was a real treat and now sits among some of my favourite Kim Fielding stories to date.
October 28, 2019
This was super cute and super sweet. I couldn't tell if I was reading fantasy but I suppose I was since there was a wizard in the story. I still have no idea what an "imp" is. :-/
May 2, 2022
3.5
I liked this. It was sweet and fluffy and romantic in all the right places, and the worldbuilding was very nice considering the page-count, but compared to my other Fielding reads, the plot was a bit… silly? 🙊 I think there wasn’t enough conflict here to balance all the sweetness for me, and sometimes it dragged a little. (I’m sure it’s purely a ‘me’ issue again — lately, I just don’t enjoy reading the way I used to, and I’ve become so picky that I’d give Goldilocks a run for her money. 😩)
I actually found the baddie more interesting than either of the MCs, and quickly checked if the next book is about him (I may have a bad guy complex… 🙈), but alas. Anyway, I love Fielding’s writing, and will return to this series when I’m in the mood for more fluff.
I liked this. It was sweet and fluffy and romantic in all the right places, and the worldbuilding was very nice considering the page-count, but compared to my other Fielding reads, the plot was a bit… silly? 🙊 I think there wasn’t enough conflict here to balance all the sweetness for me, and sometimes it dragged a little. (I’m sure it’s purely a ‘me’ issue again — lately, I just don’t enjoy reading the way I used to, and I’ve become so picky that I’d give Goldilocks a run for her money. 😩)
I actually found the baddie more interesting than either of the MCs, and quickly checked if the next book is about him (I may have a bad guy complex… 🙈), but alas. Anyway, I love Fielding’s writing, and will return to this series when I’m in the mood for more fluff.
September 22, 2019
This story was a TREASURE! 👏👏What a delightful short audiobook AMAZINGLY narrated by Joel Leslie!!
Kim Fielding crafted a story in a world resembling Victorian England where fantastical creatures such as dragons pull carriages, wyverns deliver missives, and sprites scurry about the land.
Julian, a sickly and bookish young man is sent to the coast, Urchin Cove, to improve his health. For the first time ever, he is on his own taking care of himself in a solitary cottage on the beach.
On one of his daily walks, he comes across what appears to be a corpse. To his surprise, the man washed on his beach is alive, if injured.
Julian nurses the hunky, swoony, hot-as-a-romance-novel-cover-pirate stranger back to health.
Fast forward to SEX! VIRGIN SEX for Julian!!! Sooooo HOT! 🔥🔥🔥🔥!
Kit, the hunk, and Julian have CHEMISTRY!! Then we get a wee bit of a conflict plot-wise relating to Kit.
Swashbuckling alert! 😱😱 And cut to an HEA! ❤️❤️
I loved this! The only plot thread that didn’t get cleared up for me was why Julian’s health improved so much and why would his family just send him on his own when he’d always needed so much medical care.
I decided to ignore that loose thread and story-line niggle and just enjoy this ROMANTIC story! ❤️❤️❤️
Kim Fielding crafted a story in a world resembling Victorian England where fantastical creatures such as dragons pull carriages, wyverns deliver missives, and sprites scurry about the land.
Julian, a sickly and bookish young man is sent to the coast, Urchin Cove, to improve his health. For the first time ever, he is on his own taking care of himself in a solitary cottage on the beach.
On one of his daily walks, he comes across what appears to be a corpse. To his surprise, the man washed on his beach is alive, if injured.
Julian nurses the hunky, swoony, hot-as-a-romance-novel-cover-pirate stranger back to health.
Fast forward to SEX! VIRGIN SEX for Julian!!! Sooooo HOT! 🔥🔥🔥🔥!
Kit, the hunk, and Julian have CHEMISTRY!! Then we get a wee bit of a conflict plot-wise relating to Kit.
Swashbuckling alert! 😱😱 And cut to an HEA! ❤️❤️
I loved this! The only plot thread that didn’t get cleared up for me was why Julian’s health improved so much and why would his family just send him on his own when he’d always needed so much medical care.
I decided to ignore that loose thread and story-line niggle and just enjoy this ROMANTIC story! ❤️❤️❤️
November 12, 2013
4.5 Stars
Not sure what exactly I was expecting with this one but I didn't expect it to be FA or this good, that's fer sure! What... a pleasant surprise.
I do have weakness for dragons so I got a little
when I read that. Then Ms. Fielding gave me imps, wizards, mermaids, pirates & a bit of swashbuckling adventure, complete with a kidnapping & a battle! HOT DAMN!!!!!!!
Julian is a shy, petite, somewhat sickly young man who gets packed off to Urchin Cove by his parents under the auspices of gaining health & vitality. Julian is so lonely, it's become comfortable & he soon acclimates to his little cottage by the bay. One day after a rather harrowing storm he happens across Kit washed ashore. Somehow petite little Julian drags the much larger Kit back to the cottage & sets upon nursing him back to health. What happens next was "rather more adventure than he’d (Julian) expected to have".
Kit is a rogue & a ruffian with a dubious past. I won't give it all away but suffice to say Treasure has a double meaning. They soon embark on a relationship of sorts, both assuming they have only a brief amount of time together. Wouldn't ya know it, they develop real feelings for each other.
Then the adventure beginnings & the whole of Urchin Cove rallies around Kit & Julian. Good stuff! Even the imps get in on the action!
I can't say enough good things about the writing. It was engaging all around. I liked the fact that the Urchin Cove residents were portrayed as simple, hard working, good-hearted people who are plain spoken, a little bit country but friendly & welcoming. I loved both MCs & cared about them. I loved the fantasy aspects & the swashbuckling.
A very pleasant surprise indeed.
Not sure what exactly I was expecting with this one but I didn't expect it to be FA or this good, that's fer sure! What... a pleasant surprise.
I do have weakness for dragons so I got a little
when I read that. Then Ms. Fielding gave me imps, wizards, mermaids, pirates & a bit of swashbuckling adventure, complete with a kidnapping & a battle! HOT DAMN!!!!!!!
Julian is a shy, petite, somewhat sickly young man who gets packed off to Urchin Cove by his parents under the auspices of gaining health & vitality. Julian is so lonely, it's become comfortable & he soon acclimates to his little cottage by the bay. One day after a rather harrowing storm he happens across Kit washed ashore. Somehow petite little Julian drags the much larger Kit back to the cottage & sets upon nursing him back to health. What happens next was "rather more adventure than he’d (Julian) expected to have".
Kit is a rogue & a ruffian with a dubious past. I won't give it all away but suffice to say Treasure has a double meaning. They soon embark on a relationship of sorts, both assuming they have only a brief amount of time together. Wouldn't ya know it, they develop real feelings for each other.
I’ve never wished so badly that I were a better man. Because if I were, I would love you more fiercely than the moon loves the sea. I would breathe your air into my lungs, I would taste you with every meal. I would tie our hearts together with unbreakable bonds.
Then the adventure beginnings & the whole of Urchin Cove rallies around Kit & Julian. Good stuff! Even the imps get in on the action!
I can't say enough good things about the writing. It was engaging all around. I liked the fact that the Urchin Cove residents were portrayed as simple, hard working, good-hearted people who are plain spoken, a little bit country but friendly & welcoming. I loved both MCs & cared about them. I loved the fantasy aspects & the swashbuckling.
A very pleasant surprise indeed.
June 12, 2013
4.5*
I'm not normally a pirate/mercenary-loving kind of gal, but Kim Fielding has converted me.
This is a great freebie from the LHNB story picture-prompt. ( and it was a really nice picture )
Poor Julian, sickly and sort of bored. He lives at home where his mother hovers and his father and brothers tolerate
the 'weak and sickly small' youngest child. His solitary existence where all of his excitement and entertainment comes from the books he reads.
So the family ships him off to the seaside for some fresh air, he enjoys his solitude, but he also enjoys the villagers, feeds the imps and he does regain some of his health.
In this world, there are dragons, imps, wizards and all kinds of interesting creatures, and there are also ruffians and pirates and treasures..of all kinds.
But Julian hasn't experienced any of that excitement until a walk along the beach changes his life forever.
Kit is washed up on shore and Julian takes him in and nurses him back to health..and along the way, they fall for each other and into an adventure.
This one actually got my heart rate up, Julian is so brave and loyal, Kit is such a hero, the townspeople rock, and the sword fight has me reading as fast as I could..just to see what happens.
Oh what I wouldn't give for an epilogue...
I'm not normally a pirate/mercenary-loving kind of gal, but Kim Fielding has converted me.
This is a great freebie from the LHNB story picture-prompt. ( and it was a really nice picture )
Poor Julian, sickly and sort of bored. He lives at home where his mother hovers and his father and brothers tolerate
the 'weak and sickly small' youngest child. His solitary existence where all of his excitement and entertainment comes from the books he reads.
So the family ships him off to the seaside for some fresh air, he enjoys his solitude, but he also enjoys the villagers, feeds the imps and he does regain some of his health.
In this world, there are dragons, imps, wizards and all kinds of interesting creatures, and there are also ruffians and pirates and treasures..of all kinds.
But Julian hasn't experienced any of that excitement until a walk along the beach changes his life forever.
Kit is washed up on shore and Julian takes him in and nurses him back to health..and along the way, they fall for each other and into an adventure.
This one actually got my heart rate up, Julian is so brave and loyal, Kit is such a hero, the townspeople rock, and the sword fight has me reading as fast as I could..just to see what happens.
Oh what I wouldn't give for an epilogue...
October 1, 2016
I've truly liked everything I've ever read from Kim Fielding. I'm able to relate so easily with her writing style in way I don't want to put the book down until it's completed.
That was pretty easy with this one since it was really short, but still beautiful none the less.
That holiday cottage, Urchin Cove, sounds like the most wonderful place ever anywhere. A place, so far from civilization, where you could spending most of your time barely dressed. A place where you could find and heal a nearly drowned man on the beach, and 'shall find a man to love you. A man who deserves a treasure like you. A man who breathes your air into his lungs, tastes you with every meal. You shall find this beauty with him, and you shall be happy.'
The place, the villagers, the pirates, the creatures, and Julian&Kit grew on me and didn’t wanna leave them.
Oh my God, I could still smell their scent on that bedding.
This was exactly I needed, a romantically fabulous story with some strong erotic bits.
That was pretty easy with this one since it was really short, but still beautiful none the less.
That holiday cottage, Urchin Cove, sounds like the most wonderful place ever anywhere. A place, so far from civilization, where you could spending most of your time barely dressed. A place where you could find and heal a nearly drowned man on the beach, and 'shall find a man to love you. A man who deserves a treasure like you. A man who breathes your air into his lungs, tastes you with every meal. You shall find this beauty with him, and you shall be happy.'
The place, the villagers, the pirates, the creatures, and Julian&Kit grew on me and didn’t wanna leave them.
Oh my God, I could still smell their scent on that bedding.
This was exactly I needed, a romantically fabulous story with some strong erotic bits.
September 25, 2020
4.5 Stars
This gave me such a fairytale feel.
All the fantasy element is just this background presence. Not really an active participant but a part of the setting.
Primarely this really about a sickly man, Julian who is sent away by his wealthy and influential family to vacation/heal in a remote sea-side town. Urchin Cove gives life to Julian. All his worries of inadequacy and his sickly nature healed by his surroundings. And caring for a ship wrecked man, Kit, gives him unexpected purpose, happiness and adventure he'd never ventured to even hope for.
It's a gem of a story. Really lovely.
Hurt/Comfort/Healing
Small town vibes
Pirates
Magic
Dragons
For such a short story it's quite well rounded and fulfilling.
Highly recommend!
This gave me such a fairytale feel.
All the fantasy element is just this background presence. Not really an active participant but a part of the setting.
Primarely this really about a sickly man, Julian who is sent away by his wealthy and influential family to vacation/heal in a remote sea-side town. Urchin Cove gives life to Julian. All his worries of inadequacy and his sickly nature healed by his surroundings. And caring for a ship wrecked man, Kit, gives him unexpected purpose, happiness and adventure he'd never ventured to even hope for.
It's a gem of a story. Really lovely.
Hurt/Comfort/Healing
Small town vibes
Pirates
Magic
Dragons
For such a short story it's quite well rounded and fulfilling.
Highly recommend!
July 2, 2021
Romance, adventure, excitement and true love. Recommended.
June 16, 2021
This is a lovely heart warming adventure; the main character Julian really comes into his own over the course of the story. He starts of physically weak and a mix of over-protected and over-looked, his family care but don't see him. The change is gradual and better for it, by the end he's found his self worth and gained the respect and affection of those around him.
The romance is also slow paced, which I like; they get to know each other so by the time anything physical happens it means something. Kit's dialogue goes very flowery at times, a touch too effusive - especially for the capable mercenary/warrior type he's purported to be.
While the seaside town the story is set in is well rendered the world around remained vague. I had trouble at the beginning determining the genre; historical/fantasy/steampunk, the mention of dragons came out of the blue. It's not a big issue as I quickly fell into the story, just that some things weren't fully explored.
There's sword battles, pirates, magic, colourful imps, a village standing together as one and a love that makes both parties better and stronger people. The writing is engaging - though I'm curious, I've only read one other book by Fielding and I sense a theme - do all her characters pee so much?!
This is a book worth paying for - yet it's offered free - highly recommend it.
The romance is also slow paced, which I like; they get to know each other so by the time anything physical happens it means something. Kit's dialogue goes very flowery at times, a touch too effusive - especially for the capable mercenary/warrior type he's purported to be.
While the seaside town the story is set in is well rendered the world around remained vague. I had trouble at the beginning determining the genre; historical/fantasy/steampunk, the mention of dragons came out of the blue. It's not a big issue as I quickly fell into the story, just that some things weren't fully explored.
There's sword battles, pirates, magic, colourful imps, a village standing together as one and a love that makes both parties better and stronger people. The writing is engaging - though I'm curious, I've only read one other book by Fielding and I sense a theme - do all her characters pee so much?!
This is a book worth paying for - yet it's offered free - highly recommend it.
October 20, 2013
Gentle, mildly entertaining, sweet and.. a novella, no less! There's a lot to like about Fielding's contribution to the LHNB event. In a way, this story felt very Harlequin to me. Like I was reading a het romance rather than M/M. Maybe because I prefer my men (make that "peeps") to not converse in flowery roses are red, violets are blue clichés:
Not the kind of dialogue that makes me go squeee, but easily overlooked in a free, nicely-written story. I think the fantasy setting was rather unnecessary here and could've been avoided with a little more research. Instead, the setting felt very sickly youngster travels from London to Bath to me. And we have pirates too in our world, you know? A sense of reality could've provided Treasure with a bit of a much needed edge, maybe have lifted it from the occasional silliness and cheesiness it got stuck in. Especially the ending was Silly with a capital S.
A great read for hopeless romantics and M/M newbies!
"Because I cannot breathe without you. Without you, food has no taste, flowers no color. The morning birds cannot carry a tune. (...) It's as if I'm a ship and you're my home port. I'm a snail and you're my shell. I'm an --"
Not the kind of dialogue that makes me go squeee, but easily overlooked in a free, nicely-written story. I think the fantasy setting was rather unnecessary here and could've been avoided with a little more research. Instead, the setting felt very sickly youngster travels from London to Bath to me. And we have pirates too in our world, you know? A sense of reality could've provided Treasure with a bit of a much needed edge, maybe have lifted it from the occasional silliness and cheesiness it got stuck in. Especially the ending was Silly with a capital S.
A great read for hopeless romantics and M/M newbies!
July 14, 2016
***Audiobook***Narrated by Joel Leslie***I don't normally read fantasy, but I adore Kim Fielding and this book has been on my TBR forever. When I saw it released in audiobook with one of my favorite narrators, I knew it was time to finally read this one.
Very unique storyline with pirates and dragons and imps, oh my! I loved Julian and Kit. Julian is a sheltered, sickly, somewhat unexperienced man sent on holiday to Urchin Cove to get some fresh air and rest. After a terrible storm, Julian finds Kit washed up on the shore with severe injuries. As Julian nurses Kit back to health, they grow closer and Kit teaches him that loving a man doesn't make him a deviant.
The narration is very well done. Joel Leslie has quickly become an auto-buy for me. The range of character voices that he does makes a story like this come alive. Highly recommend!!
I received a copy of this book from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
Very unique storyline with pirates and dragons and imps, oh my! I loved Julian and Kit. Julian is a sheltered, sickly, somewhat unexperienced man sent on holiday to Urchin Cove to get some fresh air and rest. After a terrible storm, Julian finds Kit washed up on the shore with severe injuries. As Julian nurses Kit back to health, they grow closer and Kit teaches him that loving a man doesn't make him a deviant.
The narration is very well done. Joel Leslie has quickly become an auto-buy for me. The range of character voices that he does makes a story like this come alive. Highly recommend!!
I received a copy of this book from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2022
historical buddy read with Hugo
i loved the world building and the plotline, it was vivid and mesmerizing and i am jealous of Hugo - he listened to the audiobook and i can imagine it’s much more beautiful than reading it. and the dialogues are old-style (ofc) i liked it :) there were lots of cute moments they shared that made me awwh-ing <3
i really liked this, but there were some minor things that bothered me. well, not bother, just not up to my liking. the ex lover, the love development and all of those sweet nothings Kit said to Julian. it was cute, and i get where it came from, but to me, it didn’t really fit to the context and pace of the story.
i loved the world building and the plotline, it was vivid and mesmerizing and i am jealous of Hugo - he listened to the audiobook and i can imagine it’s much more beautiful than reading it. and the dialogues are old-style (ofc) i liked it :) there were lots of cute moments they shared that made me awwh-ing <3
i really liked this, but there were some minor things that bothered me. well, not bother, just not up to my liking. the ex lover, the love development and all of those sweet nothings Kit said to Julian. it was cute, and i get where it came from, but to me, it didn’t really fit to the context and pace of the story.
January 12, 2019
4.25 stars
Wished for more pages, wished for more detail, but what was there was utterly delightful and ever so charming. Voice actor Joel Leslie was superb.
Wished for more pages, wished for more detail, but what was there was utterly delightful and ever so charming. Voice actor Joel Leslie was superb.
March 15, 2016
"I've never wished so badly that I was a better man. Because if I were, I would love you more fiercely than the moon loves the sea. I would breathe your air into my lungs, I would taste you with every meal. I would tie our hearts together with unbreakable bonds."
A beautiful blonde man washes up on a beach.
I'm pretty sure you shouldn't need anymore convincing!!
But if you do.
This was ever so good. Julian and Kit were lovely and their relationship was sweet and had a nice slowish burn. The secondary characters, The Crabbottoms, were really lovely, especially Mrs Crabbottom. She is my kind of lady. The plot with the pirates was also enjoyable and lent a bit of action and excitement to proceedings. The only thing that threw me was the addition of dragons, imps, witches, mermaids and other supernatural creatures. Now I love my fantasy but these were just more or less mentioned in passing. I would have liked more world building but it is a novella and a free one at that so I couldn't expect full on world building. I for one would love to read more about Kit and Julian's adventures though and therefore get a more in dept look at their world.
A really great Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 4 read. So lucky to get so many great stories for free. I should start reading more of them!
"When you read, you truly come alive," Kit said, his voice slightly husky. "All those emotions come to the surface. You're beautiful."
A beautiful blonde man washes up on a beach.
I'm pretty sure you shouldn't need anymore convincing!!
But if you do.
This was ever so good. Julian and Kit were lovely and their relationship was sweet and had a nice slowish burn. The secondary characters, The Crabbottoms, were really lovely, especially Mrs Crabbottom. She is my kind of lady. The plot with the pirates was also enjoyable and lent a bit of action and excitement to proceedings. The only thing that threw me was the addition of dragons, imps, witches, mermaids and other supernatural creatures. Now I love my fantasy but these were just more or less mentioned in passing. I would have liked more world building but it is a novella and a free one at that so I couldn't expect full on world building. I for one would love to read more about Kit and Julian's adventures though and therefore get a more in dept look at their world.
A really great Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 4 read. So lucky to get so many great stories for free. I should start reading more of them!
"When you read, you truly come alive," Kit said, his voice slightly husky. "All those emotions come to the surface. You're beautiful."
June 12, 2013
Fabulous adventure stories. Filled with pirates, dragons, imps and assorted other fantasy fantasticalness! Nice heroic journey tale that evoked the same feelings I had as a preteen reading Terry Brooks while doing summer sailing.
Favorite quote:
Later, he would decide that fighting was like the dark reflection of sex: all thought lost in the pure physicality of one’s actions.
Favorite quote:
Later, he would decide that fighting was like the dark reflection of sex: all thought lost in the pure physicality of one’s actions.
February 17, 2023
Sweet.
3.75 stars
Unread books on my kindle: 62
3.75 stars
Unread books on my kindle: 62
January 12, 2019
3.5 stars
Well-written, like all Kim Fielding’s stories, this novella has a little bit of everything: mystery, adventure, self-discovery and romance, all wrapped-up in a fantasy historical world with pirates roaming the seas and carriages pulled by dragons.
I really liked Julian’s journey, he started as a sheltered, sickly young man and discovered he was much more than that, learning how to take his life in his own hands and being confident in his abilities and strength.
I couldn’t get past the eye-rolling induced by Kit’s declarations, though. He was mostly all right, except when he switched to this kind of talk:
Well-written, like all Kim Fielding’s stories, this novella has a little bit of everything: mystery, adventure, self-discovery and romance, all wrapped-up in a fantasy historical world with pirates roaming the seas and carriages pulled by dragons.
I really liked Julian’s journey, he started as a sheltered, sickly young man and discovered he was much more than that, learning how to take his life in his own hands and being confident in his abilities and strength.
I couldn’t get past the eye-rolling induced by Kit’s declarations, though. He was mostly all right, except when he switched to this kind of talk:
"Because I cannot breathe without you. Without you, food has no taste, flowers no color. The morning birds cannot carry a tune."It didn’t help that the first time he spoke in these terms was about , but I discovered it was too saccharine for my taste no matter the context.
October 21, 2020
Wizards, imps and pirates, oh my. What an adventure our poor, sickly Julian is in for. I wasn't expecting the fantasy aspect but was pleasantly surprised with how entertaining this story was. And Kit, the "corpse" Julian found on the beach and finally got to have S-E-X with. Yay. Julian got his HEA with his imperfect hero in the little town of Urchin Cove and realized he was much stronger than he anyone gave him credit for being. A lot packed into this little short and it was free. Unreal!
June 14, 2013
What an utterly charming little story! Julian, a bookish, lonely young man, finds a family in the quirky and magical people of Urchin Cove and love in the roguish adventurer, Kit. I loved the warmth and whimsy and gentle humour in this story.
It's a world I'd love to revisit.
Highly recommended!
It's a world I'd love to revisit.
Highly recommended!
July 30, 2013
Wow, not a short story, but a novella, with every bit of the true love I craved. Tension, lust, and imps make a wonderful story.
October 9, 2023
I've given this an A for narration and a B- for content at AudioGals.
I so enjoyed listening to Kim Fielding’s Farview a few weeks ago that I decided to back-track and listen to the novella that preceded it, Treasure. It’s a little gem of a tale that introduces listeners to the magical world of Greynox and Croftwell with its imps and wizards and dragon-drawn carriages
Julian Massey – a quiet, bookish young man who has suffered from poor health all his life – is sent by his family to the seaside town of Urchin Cove in order to take advantage of the restorative effects of the fresh, sea air. When he arrives at the holiday cottage rented for him, Julian is at something of a loss; he’s never had to look after himself before, so has to learn how to do simple tasks very quickly (I have to say that I found it odd he was sent there alone given his family’s worries for his health). But he does learn, surprising himself with the sense of achievement he feels and enjoying his new-found freedom from his family’s constant and suffocating concern, his books and his occasional chat with the quirky inhabitants of the nearby village. It’s not long before Julian begins to feel the benefit of the change of environment and the exercise.
He’s taking a walk on the beach the morning after a terrible storm when he sees what he first believes to be a bundle of rags lying on the sand; on closer inspection it turns out to be the body of a man. Having ascertained the man is still – if barely – alive, Julian somehow drags/carries him back to the cottage where he sees to the man’s wounds as best he can, cleans him up and makes him comfortable in his own bed, nursing the stranger through a bad fever. When the man eventually comes round, he tells Julian his story, giving his name as Kit Archer and telling him that after the death of his lover some years before, he joined the crew of a pirate ship well known in the village for plundering their shores – and that he’s stolen (and hidden) a treasure of great value from the pirate captain, who is now out for his blood.
Kit’s insistence that he’s a thief and a no-good scoundrel does nothing to deter Julian’s growing interest in him, however, as he finds himself feeling things for Kit that he’s never allowed himself to feel for anyone before. He’s long been aware that he’s attracted to men and has always believed it was something to be ashamed of, yet finds it impossible to be ashamed of his growing feelings for Kit.
Treasure packs a lot into its four hour running time. Alongside Julian’s journey of self-discovery and his romance with Kit, there’s danger and a bit of swashbuckling adventure before we get to the well-deserved HEA. The setting is well evoked and the story is beautifully written – if a little flowery in places – but Kit’s character is somewhat under-developed, and while it makes sense that Julian would fall for Kit quite quickly, the reverse isn’t true, especially as it at first seems Kit is still mourning his lost love. But I liked the way that getting to know each other and falling in love enables both men to find things within themselves they’ve never before realised they possess; Julian gives Kit a new sense of purpose, a desire to stop running and learn to be a better man, and learning to look after first himself, and then Kit, sees Julian gaining confidence in his abilities and discovering that he’s so much stronger than anyone – including himself – has ever given him credit for.
Whenever I listen to Joel Leslie, I know I can sit back and relax, secure in the knowledge that the narration will be both technically accomplished and well-acted with close attention paid to the emotional content of the story. Mr. Leslie performs with his customary skill and panache, using a considerable array of tone and accent to portray a small but distinctive cast of characters, from Julian’s landlady, the wonderful Mrs. Crabbottom, to the local wizard, and the dread Captain Booth. His characterisation of Julian is simply perfect, expertly capturing his innate kindness, his determination and his tenacity, and you can hear the wonder in his voice as he learns that it’s not wrong for him to love as he desires.
Even though there were a few small things that didn’t quite work for me (the ending feels overly convenient and Julian’s family just seem to disappear from the picture), Treasure is a charming, whimsical and expertly narrated story of growth, redemption and love, that’s definitely worth considering when you’re in the mood for something short and sweet.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals
I so enjoyed listening to Kim Fielding’s Farview a few weeks ago that I decided to back-track and listen to the novella that preceded it, Treasure. It’s a little gem of a tale that introduces listeners to the magical world of Greynox and Croftwell with its imps and wizards and dragon-drawn carriages
Julian Massey – a quiet, bookish young man who has suffered from poor health all his life – is sent by his family to the seaside town of Urchin Cove in order to take advantage of the restorative effects of the fresh, sea air. When he arrives at the holiday cottage rented for him, Julian is at something of a loss; he’s never had to look after himself before, so has to learn how to do simple tasks very quickly (I have to say that I found it odd he was sent there alone given his family’s worries for his health). But he does learn, surprising himself with the sense of achievement he feels and enjoying his new-found freedom from his family’s constant and suffocating concern, his books and his occasional chat with the quirky inhabitants of the nearby village. It’s not long before Julian begins to feel the benefit of the change of environment and the exercise.
He’s taking a walk on the beach the morning after a terrible storm when he sees what he first believes to be a bundle of rags lying on the sand; on closer inspection it turns out to be the body of a man. Having ascertained the man is still – if barely – alive, Julian somehow drags/carries him back to the cottage where he sees to the man’s wounds as best he can, cleans him up and makes him comfortable in his own bed, nursing the stranger through a bad fever. When the man eventually comes round, he tells Julian his story, giving his name as Kit Archer and telling him that after the death of his lover some years before, he joined the crew of a pirate ship well known in the village for plundering their shores – and that he’s stolen (and hidden) a treasure of great value from the pirate captain, who is now out for his blood.
Kit’s insistence that he’s a thief and a no-good scoundrel does nothing to deter Julian’s growing interest in him, however, as he finds himself feeling things for Kit that he’s never allowed himself to feel for anyone before. He’s long been aware that he’s attracted to men and has always believed it was something to be ashamed of, yet finds it impossible to be ashamed of his growing feelings for Kit.
Treasure packs a lot into its four hour running time. Alongside Julian’s journey of self-discovery and his romance with Kit, there’s danger and a bit of swashbuckling adventure before we get to the well-deserved HEA. The setting is well evoked and the story is beautifully written – if a little flowery in places – but Kit’s character is somewhat under-developed, and while it makes sense that Julian would fall for Kit quite quickly, the reverse isn’t true, especially as it at first seems Kit is still mourning his lost love. But I liked the way that getting to know each other and falling in love enables both men to find things within themselves they’ve never before realised they possess; Julian gives Kit a new sense of purpose, a desire to stop running and learn to be a better man, and learning to look after first himself, and then Kit, sees Julian gaining confidence in his abilities and discovering that he’s so much stronger than anyone – including himself – has ever given him credit for.
Whenever I listen to Joel Leslie, I know I can sit back and relax, secure in the knowledge that the narration will be both technically accomplished and well-acted with close attention paid to the emotional content of the story. Mr. Leslie performs with his customary skill and panache, using a considerable array of tone and accent to portray a small but distinctive cast of characters, from Julian’s landlady, the wonderful Mrs. Crabbottom, to the local wizard, and the dread Captain Booth. His characterisation of Julian is simply perfect, expertly capturing his innate kindness, his determination and his tenacity, and you can hear the wonder in his voice as he learns that it’s not wrong for him to love as he desires.
Even though there were a few small things that didn’t quite work for me (the ending feels overly convenient and Julian’s family just seem to disappear from the picture), Treasure is a charming, whimsical and expertly narrated story of growth, redemption and love, that’s definitely worth considering when you’re in the mood for something short and sweet.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals
October 14, 2013
Infinitely gentle and lovely-- a quiet gem. The world is vaguely sketched out, yet still able to appear wholesome and realistic whilst the writing is lovely and smooth. The romance was a steady flame; at times it nearly crossed into the realm of cheesy but it avoided that boundary well enough. Nearing the end, the climax and its conclusion was predictable enough (bordering on cheese) and somewhat idealistic, like that of a fairy tale, but it made me smile.
Rating: 3.5 hearty stars.
Rating: 3.5 hearty stars.
June 12, 2013
A terrific free story from Kim Fielding. I loved the bookish MC and his big adventure. The coastal setting was so well drawn I felt like I was there. The pirate action was intense and the romance was hot. Thanks, Kim!
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