What do you think?
Rate this book
Nathaniel
From the moment Taden rescues Nathaniel from the Sutherlin soldiers' torture, he finds himself caught in the gaze of the most beautiful eyes he's ever seen; amazing eyes that hold him thrilled and confused. The Sutherlins are planning to invade the beautiful Tahon Valley, but as Taden secrets Nathaniel from their reach, he finds himself drawn to the young man. Not only does he feel the urge to protect him, but he feels an ache he hasn't felt in many long years.
Nathaniel claims to be a traveler from a distant continent, saying he comes in peace. True or not, the youth has powers beyond anything Taden has seen -- control over men and animals and the very weather. Taden falls hard for the strange traveler, protecting him not only from the Sutherlins but from his own mistrustful people, who don't understand Nathaniel's powers and accuse him of being a witch ...
Nathaniel claims to be a traveler from a distant continent, saying he comes in peace. True or not, the youth has powers beyond anything Taden has seen -- control over men and animals and the very weather. Taden falls hard for the strange traveler, protecting him not only from the Sutherlins but from his own mistrustful people, who don't understand Nathaniel's powers and accuse him of being a witch ...
77 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 29, 2012
About the author
Dianne Hartsock
49 books391 followersAfter growing up in California and spending the first ten years of marriage in Colorado, I now live in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with my incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours I spend hunched over the keyboard letting my characters play.
I have to say, Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside, a fire crackles on the hearth inside, and a cup of hot coffee warms my hands, which kindles my imagination.
The intricate and fragile nature of the mind is always fascinating. Having worked with the public through various careers I’ve come to respect the resilience and strength of the human spirit. I’m always trying to capture that spirit in my writing.
Currently, I work as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for me. When not writing, I can express myself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
I have to say, Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside, a fire crackles on the hearth inside, and a cup of hot coffee warms my hands, which kindles my imagination.
The intricate and fragile nature of the mind is always fascinating. Having worked with the public through various careers I’ve come to respect the resilience and strength of the human spirit. I’m always trying to capture that spirit in my writing.
Currently, I work as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for me. When not writing, I can express myself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 22, 2012
Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/
I found this book to be a short, sweet love story marred only by insta-love. There is a small war going on between the Sutherlins and the Northerlins with the Sutherlins about to invade the Tahon Valley. Taden is patrolling the forest below the valley and comes upon two Sutherlin soldiers beating a prisoner. Taden saves the incredibly beautiful Nathaniel and brings him back to his camp. Taden quickly falls for Nathaniel but soon finds that Nathaniel is from another continent and can use magic which is outlawed here. Harried by the Sutherlins as a witch and chased by his cousin, Corin, Taden becomes Nathaniel's only solace and lover. Nathaniel is not a witch per se but has magical abilities which he would be hunted down and burned for in Taden's country. The sexual tension between Nathaniel, Taden and Corin was well played out and added a lot to the story. The war seemed to fade into the background as the love between the two men grew stronger and the sex picked up. I would have liked to learn more about Corin and Nathaniel's people and hopefully that will come in a sequel. The budding relationship between Maribel and Bryce could have been built upon also. This sexy romance story is a nice escape for a rainy afternoon.
I found this book to be a short, sweet love story marred only by insta-love. There is a small war going on between the Sutherlins and the Northerlins with the Sutherlins about to invade the Tahon Valley. Taden is patrolling the forest below the valley and comes upon two Sutherlin soldiers beating a prisoner. Taden saves the incredibly beautiful Nathaniel and brings him back to his camp. Taden quickly falls for Nathaniel but soon finds that Nathaniel is from another continent and can use magic which is outlawed here. Harried by the Sutherlins as a witch and chased by his cousin, Corin, Taden becomes Nathaniel's only solace and lover. Nathaniel is not a witch per se but has magical abilities which he would be hunted down and burned for in Taden's country. The sexual tension between Nathaniel, Taden and Corin was well played out and added a lot to the story. The war seemed to fade into the background as the love between the two men grew stronger and the sex picked up. I would have liked to learn more about Corin and Nathaniel's people and hopefully that will come in a sequel. The budding relationship between Maribel and Bryce could have been built upon also. This sexy romance story is a nice escape for a rainy afternoon.
April 19, 2012
3 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Taden is a lord who rescues a young man from enemy soldiers; he realizes later that the man has magic, which puts the man in danger in his land. But, the man is running from someone from his own land, who has paid the Sutherlin soldiers to capture him. Nathaniel is trying to get himself and his friend to safety, but can’t seem to escape, when Taden offers his help he begrudgingly accepts, but nothing goes well.
This is quite a well written little fantasy. Nathaniel is running from something in his past and his best friend Miranda has run with him, as she can help to keep him balanced. Taden runs across Nathaniel and rescues him and offers him help. This is a story that should have been very good or even great, but for me lacked reason. Reason? You ask. Yes, reason, I say. (lol I’m going insane). you see, as this book progresses, even though the descriptions are fantastic and the plot good the execution failed a bit for me, as we have people following others blindly for no reason and accepting capture and falling instantly in love and then we get implausible reasons as to why they are running in the first place and why they are being chased… it was as though the author couldn’t quite make up her mind about what the story-line was.
Want me to explain. Well, here goes. Nathaniel has killed someone by setting them on fire, because they were touching Miranda. Nathaniel runs and Miranda goes with… they end up in Taden’s land and Nathaniel hides Miranda before the soldiers capture them. Why do the soldiers want them? Well, because Nathaniel’s cousin wants Miranda (who left with Nathaniel because he is unstable and she keeps him calm). So, the cousin sets soldiers on them. Taden enters and Nathaniel takes advantage of the fact that the man fancies him. After Nathaniel and Miranda have fled, Taden for some reason goes with the cousin to find them. Sorry, but there is just too much going on for a novella. If it was a novel and had another hundred or so pages then it would have been more spread out and we could have made some sense out of some of the actions.
So other than that it is an interesting story, but just too much so I couldn’t enjoy it at all. There were also some places where more detail would have been welcome; background on Nathaniel’s land and people, why Taden’s people feared Nathaniel’s, why were Taden’s people at war with the Sutherlin’s… those are details that I wanted, not too much going on with the characters.
I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, hot sex, an interesting story-line and lots going on with action.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Taden is a lord who rescues a young man from enemy soldiers; he realizes later that the man has magic, which puts the man in danger in his land. But, the man is running from someone from his own land, who has paid the Sutherlin soldiers to capture him. Nathaniel is trying to get himself and his friend to safety, but can’t seem to escape, when Taden offers his help he begrudgingly accepts, but nothing goes well.
This is quite a well written little fantasy. Nathaniel is running from something in his past and his best friend Miranda has run with him, as she can help to keep him balanced. Taden runs across Nathaniel and rescues him and offers him help. This is a story that should have been very good or even great, but for me lacked reason. Reason? You ask. Yes, reason, I say. (lol I’m going insane). you see, as this book progresses, even though the descriptions are fantastic and the plot good the execution failed a bit for me, as we have people following others blindly for no reason and accepting capture and falling instantly in love and then we get implausible reasons as to why they are running in the first place and why they are being chased… it was as though the author couldn’t quite make up her mind about what the story-line was.
Want me to explain. Well, here goes. Nathaniel has killed someone by setting them on fire, because they were touching Miranda. Nathaniel runs and Miranda goes with… they end up in Taden’s land and Nathaniel hides Miranda before the soldiers capture them. Why do the soldiers want them? Well, because Nathaniel’s cousin wants Miranda (who left with Nathaniel because he is unstable and she keeps him calm). So, the cousin sets soldiers on them. Taden enters and Nathaniel takes advantage of the fact that the man fancies him. After Nathaniel and Miranda have fled, Taden for some reason goes with the cousin to find them. Sorry, but there is just too much going on for a novella. If it was a novel and had another hundred or so pages then it would have been more spread out and we could have made some sense out of some of the actions.
So other than that it is an interesting story, but just too much so I couldn’t enjoy it at all. There were also some places where more detail would have been welcome; background on Nathaniel’s land and people, why Taden’s people feared Nathaniel’s, why were Taden’s people at war with the Sutherlin’s… those are details that I wanted, not too much going on with the characters.
I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, hot sex, an interesting story-line and lots going on with action.
March 13, 2012
This gorgeous cover is a good match for Dianne Hartsock's latest work - Nathaniel - a story of adventure, political shenanigans, family differences, magic and one of the prettiest heroes ever!
Taden and Nathaniel initially seem to fall into the traditional manly protector / distressed ingenue pairing one sees in so many M/M romances. It's only later that one realises that Nathaniel is not quite as helpless as he appears and that it is Taden who is the vulnerable one. The settings and descriptions are lush, there are some interesting bit part characters and the basic premise of a new force entering a war zone is interesting. There are sex scenes but not so many as to overwhelm the plot.
I found the background - the war between the Sutherlin's and Taden's people - very interesting and would have liked to see more development in that area, also I would have liked to see more of the basis for the power displayed by Nathaniel's people. But this book is first and foremost a romance so it's right and proper that it should be focussed on the devotion of Taden to Nathaniel. I'm hoping for a sequel.
Taden and Nathaniel initially seem to fall into the traditional manly protector / distressed ingenue pairing one sees in so many M/M romances. It's only later that one realises that Nathaniel is not quite as helpless as he appears and that it is Taden who is the vulnerable one. The settings and descriptions are lush, there are some interesting bit part characters and the basic premise of a new force entering a war zone is interesting. There are sex scenes but not so many as to overwhelm the plot.
I found the background - the war between the Sutherlin's and Taden's people - very interesting and would have liked to see more development in that area, also I would have liked to see more of the basis for the power displayed by Nathaniel's people. But this book is first and foremost a romance so it's right and proper that it should be focussed on the devotion of Taden to Nathaniel. I'm hoping for a sequel.
April 4, 2012
The cover is beyond gorgeous. I think I’d want it just to look at the hunky men, lol, even if it wasn’t such a good story.
This is a short story at 23k but with the lush world building and all the events going on around the two men, you almost forget that point. The sex is hot enough to titillate but it doesn’t overpower the story, something I was concerned about with it’s size.
As I read, all my initial misgivings were put to rest and what unfolded was a devoted romance between Taden and Nathaniel. I think she could easily either expand this to a full length novel or (hope . . . hope) maybe a follow up / sequel?
Fun, sexy read for any that love M/M! Make sure you check out her two excerpts below – pun entended, (ღ˘◡˘ღ)
This is a short story at 23k but with the lush world building and all the events going on around the two men, you almost forget that point. The sex is hot enough to titillate but it doesn’t overpower the story, something I was concerned about with it’s size.
As I read, all my initial misgivings were put to rest and what unfolded was a devoted romance between Taden and Nathaniel. I think she could easily either expand this to a full length novel or (hope . . . hope) maybe a follow up / sequel?
Fun, sexy read for any that love M/M! Make sure you check out her two excerpts below – pun entended, (ღ˘◡˘ღ)
March 26, 2015
I was curious after reading the blurb and a few excerpts so I plunged right in to this new to me author's fantasy romance story between a non-magic human and magical human caught between both their worlds. The world and general plot was good as was the premise for the forbidden romance. The story was quick and was an insta-love sort. I wish it could have been teased out and developed better, but it was still an engaging read. I would love to see more books written in this setting and with maybe the enigmatic cousin as the hero.
March 23, 2012
2.5 *
One of the most important thing in a fantasy story is world building so we can understand what and why the characters behave certain ways. Such tall task needs enough space, especially if the world contains people of different groups and there's tension among them. Not only readers want to know what's going on, they also want to know the background stories of these people: why they hate each other, and so on.
When the story is romance, the requirements become very important so readers can identify with the MCs: the challenges they're facing, and so on.
Unfortunately, this book is lacking all of the above. I couldn't make myself care about the MCs. This book could have been beter if the story doesn't try to become mini Lord of the Ring given the limited space. Too many things happen, with main characters behave without clear motives to me.Had this been a longer book, they might work. The way it is now, they don't.
Ms. Hartsock's writing flows nicely, yet it doesn't help much with too many materials with limited space at hand.
One of the most important thing in a fantasy story is world building so we can understand what and why the characters behave certain ways. Such tall task needs enough space, especially if the world contains people of different groups and there's tension among them. Not only readers want to know what's going on, they also want to know the background stories of these people: why they hate each other, and so on.
When the story is romance, the requirements become very important so readers can identify with the MCs: the challenges they're facing, and so on.
Unfortunately, this book is lacking all of the above. I couldn't make myself care about the MCs. This book could have been beter if the story doesn't try to become mini Lord of the Ring given the limited space. Too many things happen, with main characters behave without clear motives to me.Had this been a longer book, they might work. The way it is now, they don't.
Ms. Hartsock's writing flows nicely, yet it doesn't help much with too many materials with limited space at hand.
March 24, 2012
One of the most important thing in a fantasy story is world building so we can understand what and why the characters behave certain ways. Such tall task needs enough space, especially if the world contains people of different groups and there's tension among them. Not only readers want to know what's going on, they also want to know the background stories of these people: why they hate each other, and so on.
When the story is romance, the requirements become very important so readers can identify with the MCs: the challenges they're facing, etc.
Unfortunately, this book is lacking all of the above. I couldn't make myself care about the MCs. This book could have been better if the story doesn't try to become a mini Lord of the Ring given the length. Too many things happen, with main characters behave without clear motives to me. Had this been a longer book, they might work. The way it is now, they don't.
Ms. Hartsock's writing flows nicely, yet it doesn't help much with too many materials with limited length.
When the story is romance, the requirements become very important so readers can identify with the MCs: the challenges they're facing, etc.
Unfortunately, this book is lacking all of the above. I couldn't make myself care about the MCs. This book could have been better if the story doesn't try to become a mini Lord of the Ring given the length. Too many things happen, with main characters behave without clear motives to me. Had this been a longer book, they might work. The way it is now, they don't.
Ms. Hartsock's writing flows nicely, yet it doesn't help much with too many materials with limited length.
March 31, 2012
What happens when a magical and a non-magical world come together? To find out you'll have to read Nathaniel. Courageous Taden is non-magical but has enough goodness to overcome that minor setback. Using his stealth and muscles he rescues an enigmatic young man called Nathaniel from the torturing clutches of the Sutherlin Army. This is the tale of Taden's quest to return Nathaniel to his rightful home across the sea and to keep him safe from Nathaniel's enemies and hoodwinking cousin (who can turn the hunkiest mortal into a quivering jelly of lust with one blink of his mind's-eye).
I have an idea that "Nathaniel" is just the tip of a long series of fascinating novels. It seems impossible that this is the only glimpse we're likely to see of a fascinating world that Ms Hartsock has conjured up. If she doesn't produce more, I'll sign a petition!
I have an idea that "Nathaniel" is just the tip of a long series of fascinating novels. It seems impossible that this is the only glimpse we're likely to see of a fascinating world that Ms Hartsock has conjured up. If she doesn't produce more, I'll sign a petition!
January 19, 2013
The world and implications are interesting, but ultimately unexplored. It was way too rushed and ended up reading more like PWP with excuse plot than anything. There was no real development, just progression.
I'd liked for the magical elements to be explored a little more; too much was shrouded under bigotry and "let's not talk about it" stupidity.
For Taden to just...do what he did at the end...that didn't make sense at all. He wasn't that type of person at all.
Nat was just a clusterfuck of issues, exacerbated by the lack of mention or exploration into the subject in the book.
There also seemed to be awkward skips, but I don't know if that's just the missing development or anything more.
I'll be generous with 2 stars since it DID have potential, albeit almost completely buried under the inundation of other crap...
I'd liked for the magical elements to be explored a little more; too much was shrouded under bigotry and "let's not talk about it" stupidity.
For Taden to just...do what he did at the end...that didn't make sense at all. He wasn't that type of person at all.
Nat was just a clusterfuck of issues, exacerbated by the lack of mention or exploration into the subject in the book.
There also seemed to be awkward skips, but I don't know if that's just the missing development or anything more.
I'll be generous with 2 stars since it DID have potential, albeit almost completely buried under the inundation of other crap...
July 18, 2012
Such beautiful beginning, such a waste of 100 pages... I think "WTF?" summarizes it the best.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews