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The Forest Lord #3.3
The Rescue and Other Tales
Three tales from the bestselling Forest Lord series, published in paperback for the first time.
THE ESCAPE
All he wanted was a quiet drink… It’s spring, 1323 AD, and John Little, notorious outlaw, seeks to forget his troubles in a Barnsley alehouse. He didn’t count on the place being packed to the rafters with drunk, belligerent Scottish mercenaries though. This stand-alone Forest Lord tale sees one of England’s favourite sons in a battle for his very life that will hugely entertain all lovers of action and adventure.
"A short tale of Little John that packs a wallop as vicious as his quarterstaff!" - Parmenion Book Reviews
THE PRISONER
When two lawmen - fabled former outlaws themselves - are sent to a snowy English village to arrest a rapist it seems a straightforward task, but is all as it first appears? Can Robin Hood and John Little complete the mission they've been given, or will their own innate sense of justice lead them down an unexpected path?
"A delightfully crafted, deceptively simple little glimpse of life in early 14th Century England." - 5 Stars, Steve Denton of Speesh Reads
THE RESCUE
When a faithful friend goes missing from an English village it's up to an unlikely hero to find out what's happened in this action-packed tale.
"Once again Steven A. McKay delivers a story that, although short, hits like an arrow in the guts." - Stuart S. Laing, author of Jezebel's Chains
THE ESCAPE
All he wanted was a quiet drink… It’s spring, 1323 AD, and John Little, notorious outlaw, seeks to forget his troubles in a Barnsley alehouse. He didn’t count on the place being packed to the rafters with drunk, belligerent Scottish mercenaries though. This stand-alone Forest Lord tale sees one of England’s favourite sons in a battle for his very life that will hugely entertain all lovers of action and adventure.
"A short tale of Little John that packs a wallop as vicious as his quarterstaff!" - Parmenion Book Reviews
THE PRISONER
When two lawmen - fabled former outlaws themselves - are sent to a snowy English village to arrest a rapist it seems a straightforward task, but is all as it first appears? Can Robin Hood and John Little complete the mission they've been given, or will their own innate sense of justice lead them down an unexpected path?
"A delightfully crafted, deceptively simple little glimpse of life in early 14th Century England." - 5 Stars, Steve Denton of Speesh Reads
THE RESCUE
When a faithful friend goes missing from an English village it's up to an unlikely hero to find out what's happened in this action-packed tale.
"Once again Steven A. McKay delivers a story that, although short, hits like an arrow in the guts." - Stuart S. Laing, author of Jezebel's Chains
80 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2017
491 people want to read
About the author
Steven A. McKay
52 books447 followersI was born in 1977, near Glasgow in Scotland and live in Old Kilpatrick with my wife and two young children. After obtaining my Bachelor of Arts degree I decided to follow my life-long ambition and write a novel. The Forest Lord series now has four novels, and various short spin-off tales.
My new book "The Heathen Horde" is the first in a brand series following Alfred the Great. It comes out on October 26 2023 so please check it out and pre-order if you can!
I play guitar and write all my books while listening to extreme metal.
In 2022 I started a podcast with fellow historical author Matthew Harffy. You can subscribe to Rock, Paper, Swords! on all the usual podcast outlets and also find the audio on Youtube every fortnight.
My new book "The Heathen Horde" is the first in a brand series following Alfred the Great. It comes out on October 26 2023 so please check it out and pre-order if you can!
I play guitar and write all my books while listening to extreme metal.
In 2022 I started a podcast with fellow historical author Matthew Harffy. You can subscribe to Rock, Paper, Swords! on all the usual podcast outlets and also find the audio on Youtube every fortnight.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 10, 2024
A short tale that forms part of McKay's "Forest Lord" series - and a familiarity with the series is always recommended when an author throws out something extra.
This tale features Matilda Hood (wife of Robin) and Marjorie (sister of Robin) as they get into a scrape that leads to ..... the rescue.
Enjoyable diversion.
This tale features Matilda Hood (wife of Robin) and Marjorie (sister of Robin) as they get into a scrape that leads to ..... the rescue.
Enjoyable diversion.
November 18, 2017
This is a collection of three tales which augment the Forest Lord series, finally available in paperback (and with luck, someday the latest The Abbey Of Death will be also!), written with the usual McKay touch of humour and at the same time, seriousness so the reader knows these are important stories and help put parts of the Forest Lord series in perspective.
All have been available before to those on McKay's mailing list - FREE!!! - but it's worth the few bucks the book costs to have them in book form. There's just something comforting about having a real book as opposed to reading it on a screen where, after a while, the eyes start to blur and words run together.
So, what do we have here? We get "The Escape" featuring everyone's favorite character from Robin Hood's band of merry men, Little John (or John Little if you prefer) battling Scottish mercenaries......"The Prisoner" features the famed outlaw himself, Robin Hood and once again, Little John, now reformed and acting in the capacity of lawmen after a suspected rapist......and to wrap things up, there's "The Rescue" which features Robin in a very, very, very minor role (he gets mentioned) and involves other characters. To say more would amount to spoiling the tale.
Three tales from a master storyteller which can be read in one sitting, or stretched out over a period of days - either way, it's a pleasant, delightful journey.
As to McKay's mailing list - you should sign up for it - he doesn't inundate you with massive mailings filling your Inbox on a daily basis, but will offer free stories occasionally (such as these) and he even gives things away! (Since I have all his books, I'd settle for an autographed bookmark and hope I get lucky enough to win one some day!)
If you haven't read the "Forest Lord" series, you're missing an exciting romp through Merrye Olde England and this collection, plus a couple of other small paperback issues, are guaranteed to keep you entertained.
All have been available before to those on McKay's mailing list - FREE!!! - but it's worth the few bucks the book costs to have them in book form. There's just something comforting about having a real book as opposed to reading it on a screen where, after a while, the eyes start to blur and words run together.
So, what do we have here? We get "The Escape" featuring everyone's favorite character from Robin Hood's band of merry men, Little John (or John Little if you prefer) battling Scottish mercenaries......"The Prisoner" features the famed outlaw himself, Robin Hood and once again, Little John, now reformed and acting in the capacity of lawmen after a suspected rapist......and to wrap things up, there's "The Rescue" which features Robin in a very, very, very minor role (he gets mentioned) and involves other characters. To say more would amount to spoiling the tale.
Three tales from a master storyteller which can be read in one sitting, or stretched out over a period of days - either way, it's a pleasant, delightful journey.
As to McKay's mailing list - you should sign up for it - he doesn't inundate you with massive mailings filling your Inbox on a daily basis, but will offer free stories occasionally (such as these) and he even gives things away! (Since I have all his books, I'd settle for an autographed bookmark and hope I get lucky enough to win one some day!)
If you haven't read the "Forest Lord" series, you're missing an exciting romp through Merrye Olde England and this collection, plus a couple of other small paperback issues, are guaranteed to keep you entertained.
August 4, 2017
Short stories can be a real hit or miss affair. The author has only so many words to tell the tale and sometimes it shows. Things are rushed, no character development and precious little storytelling.
However when they get it right you have a delicious escapade that neatly fills a coffee break and leaves you wanting more.
This definitely fits the latter category.
Once again Steven A. McKay delivers a story that, although short, hits like a arrow in the guts. For those who are familiar with his Forest Lord series they will know the main characters here who finally get the chance to shine in a tale of their own, and boy, do these girls seize their moment.
Without wishing to give anything away all I can say is that when I finished reading this I wanted to know what happens next. What fresh adventures will these young maidens get up to? And what mischief are they going to cause for their menfolk?
All in all a most enjoyable tale that delivers a much larger story than the word count would ever suggest.
However when they get it right you have a delicious escapade that neatly fills a coffee break and leaves you wanting more.
This definitely fits the latter category.
Once again Steven A. McKay delivers a story that, although short, hits like a arrow in the guts. For those who are familiar with his Forest Lord series they will know the main characters here who finally get the chance to shine in a tale of their own, and boy, do these girls seize their moment.
Without wishing to give anything away all I can say is that when I finished reading this I wanted to know what happens next. What fresh adventures will these young maidens get up to? And what mischief are they going to cause for their menfolk?
All in all a most enjoyable tale that delivers a much larger story than the word count would ever suggest.
November 13, 2017
I’m a big fan of Steven’s work and I’ve read each of the stories included in this bundle in kindle format previously. Why I’m I reviewing this bundle? Well I purchased 2 signed copies from the author, 1 for me and 1 for my dad (he loves the books too and Christmas is fast approaching). I can honestly say I’ve got all Steven’s books as paperback and always felt the collection wasn’t complete..This was a collection of tales I've been hoping would be released.
I’m going to try hard not to cover old ground..instead I’m going to focus on this version of the tales rather than the single editions and give an overall option.
What we get is a very neat and tidy looking book packed full of adventure. These are the kind of tales that really get me pumped up, short and full of action.
The tales themselves go side by side with the authors Forrest Lord series and are a perfect introduction to the author if you’ve never read his work and want to have a taster first.
One thing I particularly liked is the author included a suggested reading order, perfect for a long series if you are just starting out.
As much as I loved the main novels from McKay I think the shorts really show his talent. Providing such good stories in very few pages that really suck you in.
The Escape features our big friend Little John as the main character, it was a tale I’ve been bloody well waiting for but it was so worth it. 19 pages.. but that’s 19 pages of action and adventure. Little John has such a pleasing personality and the plot was perfect for the character.
The Prisoner again features Little John but this time Robin is here too 27 pages but you get a wallop of an ending!
The Rescue is the author’s way to let others have the limelight again as the focus shifts away from Robin once again, this time the girls play their part in an action packed, gory tale. I’m not going to spoil if for you but this tale shows the girls are just as tough as the boys.
The main thing a like about these tales is the author doesn’t lose any of the humour I’ve become used to from his longer works, if anything these books give a bit more dimension to the characters as the author focuses on individuals rather than Robin and his whole band of outlaws.
Short stories can easily go wrong, not enough plot, no real development and sometime you just find yourself thinking did this story really need written? Well that’s not this book. This collection hits the mark just as Robin’s arrow do!
Fantastic little collection that can be yours in time for Christmas, it’s the perfect quick read..let’s hope my dad agrees, he’s not tech savvy so I’m not worried this review will spoil the surprise on Christmas day ha.
Let's hope we see some more shorts from the author..I want to see The Abbey of Death in paperback too :)
I’m going to try hard not to cover old ground..instead I’m going to focus on this version of the tales rather than the single editions and give an overall option.
What we get is a very neat and tidy looking book packed full of adventure. These are the kind of tales that really get me pumped up, short and full of action.
The tales themselves go side by side with the authors Forrest Lord series and are a perfect introduction to the author if you’ve never read his work and want to have a taster first.
One thing I particularly liked is the author included a suggested reading order, perfect for a long series if you are just starting out.
As much as I loved the main novels from McKay I think the shorts really show his talent. Providing such good stories in very few pages that really suck you in.
The Escape features our big friend Little John as the main character, it was a tale I’ve been bloody well waiting for but it was so worth it. 19 pages.. but that’s 19 pages of action and adventure. Little John has such a pleasing personality and the plot was perfect for the character.
The Prisoner again features Little John but this time Robin is here too 27 pages but you get a wallop of an ending!
The Rescue is the author’s way to let others have the limelight again as the focus shifts away from Robin once again, this time the girls play their part in an action packed, gory tale. I’m not going to spoil if for you but this tale shows the girls are just as tough as the boys.
The main thing a like about these tales is the author doesn’t lose any of the humour I’ve become used to from his longer works, if anything these books give a bit more dimension to the characters as the author focuses on individuals rather than Robin and his whole band of outlaws.
Short stories can easily go wrong, not enough plot, no real development and sometime you just find yourself thinking did this story really need written? Well that’s not this book. This collection hits the mark just as Robin’s arrow do!
Fantastic little collection that can be yours in time for Christmas, it’s the perfect quick read..let’s hope my dad agrees, he’s not tech savvy so I’m not worried this review will spoil the surprise on Christmas day ha.
Let's hope we see some more shorts from the author..I want to see The Abbey of Death in paperback too :)
November 25, 2017
I had read two of these shorter Forest Lord stories before, but I discovered "The Rescue" here for the first time. These stories deliver on what could be considered Steven A. McKay trademarks: fast pacing and strong action. The Little John solo story, "The Escape", cleverly pits the outlaw against two outsiders who aren't overawed by the mystique locals attach to Robin Hood and his giant lieutenant with a clever twist at the end. "The Prisoner" takes place in a different phase of the saga when Robin and John are lawmen charged with conducting a charged criminal to the seat of justice, but nothing is quite as it seems. "The Rescue" follows Robin's wife and sister through an equally dangerous adventure of their own. All in all, this is a satisfying little collection and both closes the Forest Lord saga and whets the reader's appetite for McKay's next series.
April 22, 2023
A collection of three stories set in the Forest Lord world of Robin Hood and his band of merry men and thieves. The Prisoner, The Escape and The Rescue are the three stories in the collection and they each offer something a little different, with The Prisoner seeing Robin Hood and Little John now working for the law rather than running from it, escorting a prisoner back to Nottingham. The Escape centred on Little John and was an exciting story in its own right. My favourite of the collection however was The Rescue, which focused on the women in the Forest Lord series attempting a brave rescue of a canine friend.
July 31, 2017
A very small but wonderful to see something from the ladies side of the tale, sometimes you so entrenched in what Robin Hood and his men were doing that I would forget the ladies existed. Although gory in detail to the young dog saving his mistress, it was very well put and shows that a loyal pet can do good when the need comes.
April 19, 2023
A short story that follows the females of the Forest Lord series and their adventure to recover their stolen dog. It hits at the heart strings and is relatable but still retains that Forest Lord feel.
July 30, 2017
A great read, I look forward to reading more titles from this author.
May 7, 2021
Another great short story by Steven A. McKay that spins off of the Forest Lord tetralogy. I look forward to reading more from him!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews