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Trojan Men #1
Hector and Anatolius
Hector is a dutiful son and prince but he will not marry. He shirks his duty until the goddess Aphrodite weaves her magic on him, bringing a handsome youth named Anatolius into his life. Caught in her spell, they come together until Paris sets his sights on the young man and steals him away.
When fate gives them a second chance, only the help of the goddess can secure their happiness.
This is a gay (MM) romance novel set prior to the events of the Trojan War. It depicts romantic and sexual love between two men in a broadly tolerant society. It is part of a series on Trojan MM couples but can be read as a standalone story.
Recommended for lovers of angst, mythical Greek melodrama, and sweaty Trojan sex.
When fate gives them a second chance, only the help of the goddess can secure their happiness.
This is a gay (MM) romance novel set prior to the events of the Trojan War. It depicts romantic and sexual love between two men in a broadly tolerant society. It is part of a series on Trojan MM couples but can be read as a standalone story.
Recommended for lovers of angst, mythical Greek melodrama, and sweaty Trojan sex.
- GenresHistorical
ebook
First published May 9, 2016
1 person is currently reading
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About the author
Vanessa Mulberry
12 books16 followersVanessa Mulberry has been reading and writing since she learnt to read and write. She has been an MM romance reader for a decade now and took up writing the genre because she loves happy endings and, ahem, happy endings. Her hobbies include Gin and Tonic.
She lives in Buckinghamshire (which is significantly less posh than it sounds) with her long-suffering husband and their adorable daughter.
She lives in Buckinghamshire (which is significantly less posh than it sounds) with her long-suffering husband and their adorable daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 13, 2016
3.5 Stars ~ In her debut novella, Hector and Anatolius, Vanessa Mulberry gives an M/M twist to the legend of Hector, Trojan prince and Troy’s fiercest warrior. In Greek mythology, he was married to Andromache, a woman, so my reasons for choosing to read this book owe a lot to my curiosity for how the author would spin the relationship between Hector and Anatolius without dismissing Homer’s canon.
Hector’s characterization as considerate and noble is true to his legend, but tempering that he also comes off as petulant at times, especially in his relationship with Paris—the antagonist in the story—which is also true to legend but for reasons that fit this storyline in particular. There is a prophecy at work here, and fate will have her way whether the humans in her path wish to fulfill it or not. And it’s Paris who stands directly in the way of Hector getting what—or whom, rather—he wants.
Anatolius is our outlier here, the new player in this romantic legend. Prophesied to marry a prince of the Trojan royal family, Anatolius threw the fates a curveball by being born male. He and Hector meet under rather inauspicious circumstances, but their attraction to each other is immediate. There are some obvious and insurmountable obstacles to their being together, however. Not the least of which is that they are both men, which means what has been prophesied must be a mistake.
The gods are the background players in the story, though their actions and the consequences of their influence are felt, and are far reaching, especially that of the goddess Aphrodite who has gifted Paris with some bewitching qualities that wreak havoc on Hector and Anatolius’s budding relationship. This is the dramatic arc in the storyline—the effects of Paris’s machinations on Anatolius, and the sibling rivalry displayed in the ever present resentment Hector feels for Paris, the favored son.
Because this is a novella, there are time leaps used to get to the story’s resolution, and along the way there is a fair amount of emotional anguish—there’s lots of angst, in particular, when it comes down to the way in which the conundrum of the prophecy and its fulfillment plays out, but mixed in are also some sweet moments that help to lighten the overall tone of the story. I liked the way the author resolved things and feel it worked within the rules of its own mythology, which in turn made it an enjoyable little read.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Hector’s characterization as considerate and noble is true to his legend, but tempering that he also comes off as petulant at times, especially in his relationship with Paris—the antagonist in the story—which is also true to legend but for reasons that fit this storyline in particular. There is a prophecy at work here, and fate will have her way whether the humans in her path wish to fulfill it or not. And it’s Paris who stands directly in the way of Hector getting what—or whom, rather—he wants.
Anatolius is our outlier here, the new player in this romantic legend. Prophesied to marry a prince of the Trojan royal family, Anatolius threw the fates a curveball by being born male. He and Hector meet under rather inauspicious circumstances, but their attraction to each other is immediate. There are some obvious and insurmountable obstacles to their being together, however. Not the least of which is that they are both men, which means what has been prophesied must be a mistake.
The gods are the background players in the story, though their actions and the consequences of their influence are felt, and are far reaching, especially that of the goddess Aphrodite who has gifted Paris with some bewitching qualities that wreak havoc on Hector and Anatolius’s budding relationship. This is the dramatic arc in the storyline—the effects of Paris’s machinations on Anatolius, and the sibling rivalry displayed in the ever present resentment Hector feels for Paris, the favored son.
Because this is a novella, there are time leaps used to get to the story’s resolution, and along the way there is a fair amount of emotional anguish—there’s lots of angst, in particular, when it comes down to the way in which the conundrum of the prophecy and its fulfillment plays out, but mixed in are also some sweet moments that help to lighten the overall tone of the story. I liked the way the author resolved things and feel it worked within the rules of its own mythology, which in turn made it an enjoyable little read.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
May 19, 2016
I've always loved the stories of Greek mythology, so the fact that Hector and Anatolius is rooted there was already a big plus for me, and a large factor in why I wanted to read this story. The story is written with those ancient myths well in mind, and easily illustrates that period of history while creating a myth of its own.
I did think the encounter that first brought Anatolius to Hector's attention was a bit odd, and the explanation Anatolius offered was strange, but other than that the rest of the story settles in to become a tale that could easily be found alongside any other Greek myth that we already know.
The oddness of their first meeting aside, the relationship between Hector and Anatolius is careful yet has passion until the point when Hector's brother Paris breaks into the picture. Now, ordinarily I'd be incensed at how things played out once Paris was involved, but with the magic of the gods being thrown about, it gives explanation to these things--even if it's one that is not quite satisfying.
The resolution to their issues is a long time coming, and it's good to see that even with the passage of time Anatolius and Hector's feelings never really disappear. The solution to the issue of the two of them being men when Hector must marry to fulfill his duties is a bit convoluted, especially with Paris still around muddling things up, but in the end things work out and I was satisfied with the way things finally turned out.
This was a 3.5-star read for me, and a solid entry by Vanessa Mulberry for her debut. I look forward to seeing what else she comes up with in the future. I'd recommend Hector and Anatolius to M/M historical romance fans who like a bit of mythology in their reading, and would limit this to those 18+ for M/M sexual content.
I did think the encounter that first brought Anatolius to Hector's attention was a bit odd, and the explanation Anatolius offered was strange, but other than that the rest of the story settles in to become a tale that could easily be found alongside any other Greek myth that we already know.
The oddness of their first meeting aside, the relationship between Hector and Anatolius is careful yet has passion until the point when Hector's brother Paris breaks into the picture. Now, ordinarily I'd be incensed at how things played out once Paris was involved, but with the magic of the gods being thrown about, it gives explanation to these things--even if it's one that is not quite satisfying.
The resolution to their issues is a long time coming, and it's good to see that even with the passage of time Anatolius and Hector's feelings never really disappear. The solution to the issue of the two of them being men when Hector must marry to fulfill his duties is a bit convoluted, especially with Paris still around muddling things up, but in the end things work out and I was satisfied with the way things finally turned out.
This was a 3.5-star read for me, and a solid entry by Vanessa Mulberry for her debut. I look forward to seeing what else she comes up with in the future. I'd recommend Hector and Anatolius to M/M historical romance fans who like a bit of mythology in their reading, and would limit this to those 18+ for M/M sexual content.
June 22, 2016
You can read my review of “Hector and Anatolius” at my web site.
May 11, 2016
This was a well-written, enjoyable read. One of the things I most appreciated was the pacing. There was an instance where one character was listening to another's apology, and I was worried the matter would be resolved instantly, but it wasn't. The first character stayed hurt and mad for a time, and I was glad for that. It made the characters seem more real. It was a fun journey getting to walk along Hector and Anatolius. I also enjoyed the character Paris. I hope to read more from the author in the future!
July 9, 2016
This short story is am "M/M" romance story set in Troy. It is beautifully written and highly polished, though quite short. It seems to have disappeared from Amazon recently, so perhaps it is being revised.
Unfortunately, though the scene is portrayed beautifully and the idea is good, the male characters are the typical, highly sexualised, weirdly effeminate, flat and unrealistic characters typical of most of the M/M genre. I have said it before and I will say it again, gay men are not straight women in men's bodies.
Unfortunately, though the scene is portrayed beautifully and the idea is good, the male characters are the typical, highly sexualised, weirdly effeminate, flat and unrealistic characters typical of most of the M/M genre. I have said it before and I will say it again, gay men are not straight women in men's bodies.
July 6, 2016
Short and simple story set in Troy before the Trojan war. Nice writing but unfortunately another book that has a totally heterosexual relationship written as a gay one. One character, (Anatolius) completely feminine. Gay sex scenes clumsy and unrealistic.
August 12, 2016
A Good Romance
Hectort and Anatolius was a very interesting historical romance. I've always been interested in ancient history, and an m/m romance is even better. It was a good romance.
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Hectort and Anatolius was a very interesting historical romance. I've always been interested in ancient history, and an m/m romance is even better. It was a good romance.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews