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Songs of the Amaranthine #4
Governed by Whimsy
His whims drove off her predecessors. Her whimsy drives him to distraction.
To Ambrose P. Merriman, a stage actor who’s gained acclaim on three continents, reaver escorts are more trouble than they’re worth. Easy-come, easy-go, he hardly bothers to learn their names anymore. But the director and producer of their theater troupe, who are already dancing on the fringes of acceptability, won’t risk losing their independence by neglecting this duty to the In-between.
Reaver Greta Demerara comes with suspiciously excellent references, but by the time the Evernhold brothers realize she’s carrying considerably more baggage than anyone bothered to mention, the train’s already left the station. What’s more, it’s quickly apparent that Greta’s no easier to deal with than their star. It’s either a game of cat and canary or a courtship. And Ambrose would give almost anything for a look at the script.
To Ambrose P. Merriman, a stage actor who’s gained acclaim on three continents, reaver escorts are more trouble than they’re worth. Easy-come, easy-go, he hardly bothers to learn their names anymore. But the director and producer of their theater troupe, who are already dancing on the fringes of acceptability, won’t risk losing their independence by neglecting this duty to the In-between.
Reaver Greta Demerara comes with suspiciously excellent references, but by the time the Evernhold brothers realize she’s carrying considerably more baggage than anyone bothered to mention, the train’s already left the station. What’s more, it’s quickly apparent that Greta’s no easier to deal with than their star. It’s either a game of cat and canary or a courtship. And Ambrose would give almost anything for a look at the script.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2020
18 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Forthright .
38 books551 followersa teller of tales with a fondness for unlikely friendships, wary alliances, unexpected upshots, hard-won trust, diverse cultures, found family, local legends, and folksome things. Author of the Immortal Holmes series, paranormal mysteries with a steampunk aesthetic set in an alternate history & the romantically-inclined Amaranthine Saga, with all of its attendant short stories & serials.
As a reader, this account is where I rate and review manga.
As a reader, this account is where I rate and review manga.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 5, 2020
Reaver Greta Demerara is sent to a new community certain that this is her last chance. Will she be welcomed?
Why I started this book: I'm always eager for more Forthright. Such a fun and gentle series.
Why I finished it: Everything I wanted it to be... except long. Sometimes, I'm too greedy.
Why I started this book: I'm always eager for more Forthright. Such a fun and gentle series.
Why I finished it: Everything I wanted it to be... except long. Sometimes, I'm too greedy.
October 2, 2024
Loved reading this book, it was a bit harder getting into, but once I did, it was so good!
*First Read August 15th, 2022*
Loved this story, I loved these characters, and I hope we see them again!
*First Read August 15th, 2022*
Loved this story, I loved these characters, and I hope we see them again!
April 5, 2020
Really enjoyed getting to meet this theatrical troupe. An "intentional clan". That is, this group of people has chosen to be together, rather than the usual clan situation where you normally are either born or marry into the clan.
My chief complaint about this tale was that it was too short. I was enjoying it so much that I definitely did not relish seeing it have to come to an end.
So, I, for one, hope that sometime in the future the author Forthright returns to these characters to give us the next chapter in this theatrical troupe's tale!
Highly recommended for urban fantasy and shapeshifter fans!
My chief complaint about this tale was that it was too short. I was enjoying it so much that I definitely did not relish seeing it have to come to an end.
So, I, for one, hope that sometime in the future the author Forthright returns to these characters to give us the next chapter in this theatrical troupe's tale!
Highly recommended for urban fantasy and shapeshifter fans!
April 10, 2020
As always, an enjoyable read. Forthright has her own unique writing style that I greatly enjoy and her characters are always interesting and original. I especially like Greta. A little scatterbrained at times when her attention is caught by pretty shinies and she doesn’t like long-winded explanations. I feel like I can totally relate to that. lol
I only rated it four stars just because I felt the price point was set a little high for what essentially amounts to a short story. Less than 100 pages long and read in a couple of hours. Her full-length novels cost the same and are much longer reads. Speaking of which, I’m greatly looking forward to the next novel in this series.
I only rated it four stars just because I felt the price point was set a little high for what essentially amounts to a short story. Less than 100 pages long and read in a couple of hours. Her full-length novels cost the same and are much longer reads. Speaking of which, I’m greatly looking forward to the next novel in this series.
April 7, 2020
3.5 stars, and expensive for such a short story.
I love anything in this Amaranthine world and this book brought unexpected tears to my eyes, but I had a hard time getting into the story. I need to re-read these so I get a refresher.
Greta- to have children (are they just used for breeding?) and not be bonded- I wish this was explained more.
The fabrics and fripperies were fun to imagine and gave it a decadent feel, and I do love the intimacy that these characters share.
I love anything in this Amaranthine world and this book brought unexpected tears to my eyes, but I had a hard time getting into the story. I need to re-read these so I get a refresher.
Greta- to have children (are they just used for breeding?) and not be bonded- I wish this was explained more.
The fabrics and fripperies were fun to imagine and gave it a decadent feel, and I do love the intimacy that these characters share.
April 6, 2020
so cute! Loved very very much this, as well as the others in the serie.eagerly waiting for the next ; and rereading the rest!
April 8, 2020
An absolute delight. The last page just destroyed me.
April 13, 2020
i just love this series!
April 13, 2020
A lovely little story, that feels almost to short.
April 17, 2020
Loved it! I've enjoyed all of forthright's books and am sad when I have to finish them
April 23, 2020
Loved the reveal at the end!
July 20, 2020
Loved this too. I'm loving these Songs of the Amaranthine stories, I hope there are more to come.
January 17, 2021
Skipped through most of it. Not quite my cuppa.
March 31, 2022
This wasn't the worst of the group of 4 stories, but still had queerbaiting that has become a glaring problem with this authors writing.
December 19, 2022
TW: Sexual assault
I put off reading this one forever even though I like a lot of other books by the author. A review on another website mentioned that there was possible sexual assault/lack of consent due to intoxication, which scared me off.
There is an instance of sexual assault that occurs just before the story begins and is discussed and alluded to throughout the story, however, it is not framed as normal, acceptable, or OK. Like all the author's other works, it's a sweet and gentle story at its heart.
I put off reading this one forever even though I like a lot of other books by the author. A review on another website mentioned that there was possible sexual assault/lack of consent due to intoxication, which scared me off.
There is an instance of sexual assault that occurs just before the story begins and is discussed and alluded to throughout the story, however, it is not framed as normal, acceptable, or OK. Like all the author's other works, it's a sweet and gentle story at its heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2020
Nice read
I like books that tell the early stories in a series. This is one of those. I would have liked more of a story of the main characters coming together, but it was sweet and I needed that.
I like books that tell the early stories in a series. This is one of those. I would have liked more of a story of the main characters coming together, but it was sweet and I needed that.
December 13, 2025
So far, this is my least favorite of the Songs of the Amaranthine. It just seemed like Greta wasn't all that connected to the people around her. I just didn't find there to be any chemistry between her and Ambrose.
July 11, 2022
All I have to say is that I need more of Forthright's writing. Also, I need a story about Hisoka; he intrigues me and I need to learn more about him.
March 11, 2021
Another lovely story
Another lovely entry to the amaranthine saga. Reading Forthright’s tales is like cuddling up in a warm blanket before a cozy fire.
Another lovely entry to the amaranthine saga. Reading Forthright’s tales is like cuddling up in a warm blanket before a cozy fire.
November 14, 2021
We need more whimsy in this world, and this book provides it. It made me happy.
February 17, 2024
Songs of the Amaranthine book 4
Another quick novell. This focused on reaver Greta and persnickety actor Ambrose. Loved Canary and Catalin also.
Another quick novell. This focused on reaver Greta and persnickety actor Ambrose. Loved Canary and Catalin also.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews