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Two Tangled Tales
Originally included in the Tangle anthology (Blind Eye Books, 2008), Two Tangled Tales comprises “Lord Ronan’s Shoes” and “Remember” which slices of fun are sure to please fans of Ms. Amara’s romantic work.
Lord Ronan’s Shoes
Evander soon learned that his new master was a hard man, greatly feared by all who worked for him. The first piece of advice Evander received was from Lord Ronan’s butler and Master of Servants, Mr. Manfrey, who advised Evander never to make eye contact with the lord, as it would inevitably lead to a thrashing.
But unlike the other servants, Evander found it difficult to keep his eyes off Lord Ronan.
Remember
As I shaved, I noted a bite mark on my neck. I attempted to recall the moment, but the evening was already fading from my mind. The memories of my affairs, plagued by guilt, always seemed anxious to dispel themselves. It was a great pity, this failing memory of mine. I wanted to fall back on these dangerous affairs to last me through the long years of my impending marriage. And yet here I was, less that twelve hours past my latest sin, and I could hardly recall the gentleman’s face, let alone his intimate affections.
Lord Ronan’s Shoes
Evander soon learned that his new master was a hard man, greatly feared by all who worked for him. The first piece of advice Evander received was from Lord Ronan’s butler and Master of Servants, Mr. Manfrey, who advised Evander never to make eye contact with the lord, as it would inevitably lead to a thrashing.
But unlike the other servants, Evander found it difficult to keep his eyes off Lord Ronan.
Remember
As I shaved, I noted a bite mark on my neck. I attempted to recall the moment, but the evening was already fading from my mind. The memories of my affairs, plagued by guilt, always seemed anxious to dispel themselves. It was a great pity, this failing memory of mine. I wanted to fall back on these dangerous affairs to last me through the long years of my impending marriage. And yet here I was, less that twelve hours past my latest sin, and I could hardly recall the gentleman’s face, let alone his intimate affections.
61 pages, ebook
First published October 26, 2010
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 8, 2013
The first story in this ebook is funny, but a little clumsy in that -- there are good, solid bits to make you smile, like this one:
On the other hand, there's the bits where Lord Ronan starts basically fluttering at the wrist and cooing and such things. That story didn't feel genuine in emotion.
The second one, though, does: I liked it quite a lot. There were aspects I wasn't sure about (for example, the narration: the way it's presented makes you wonder exactly how stupid the main character is -- I think more subtlety of touch is required here, too), but the emotion caught me up enough that I reread it right away to appreciate it more. It's much more involving than the first story, in its bittersweet longing.
Amongst the many other preoccupations of the lord, beyond his extensive shoe collection, were his money (which he could never have enough of), his lands (which were never vast enough), his ex-wife (who was not dead enough), and his chess game (which he played by himself and therefore found little fault with).
On the other hand, there's the bits where Lord Ronan starts basically fluttering at the wrist and cooing and such things. That story didn't feel genuine in emotion.
The second one, though, does: I liked it quite a lot. There were aspects I wasn't sure about (for example, the narration: the way it's presented makes you wonder exactly how stupid the main character is -- I think more subtlety of touch is required here, too), but the emotion caught me up enough that I reread it right away to appreciate it more. It's much more involving than the first story, in its bittersweet longing.
November 4, 2016
I found the first story about a pair of magical shoes that turn a curmudgeon into a nice guy in love with his valet, a little dark. Probably more like fairy tales of old. The shoes start to take over his body and sounded kind of gross to be honest. But intent ends HEA of course.
The second is a man tasked by his future-MIL to find a magician who will find missing magical wedding rings. He doesn't want to marry the girl but must or lose his inheritance. He find a man he's instantly attracted to but he can never really remember. This happens over and over until the wedding day arrives and the truth comes out. It is fairly repetitious given the nature of the story, but it ends well with even the young lady getting her HEA. I enjoyed it.
The second is a man tasked by his future-MIL to find a magician who will find missing magical wedding rings. He doesn't want to marry the girl but must or lose his inheritance. He find a man he's instantly attracted to but he can never really remember. This happens over and over until the wedding day arrives and the truth comes out. It is fairly repetitious given the nature of the story, but it ends well with even the young lady getting her HEA. I enjoyed it.
October 28, 2010
3.5 stars
This story contains two stories previously released in print. As a fan of Astrid Amara, I'm happy when the two stories are released as ebook. Both stories have a feeling of "fairy tale" in it, like the story you read as a kid.
The first story, Lord Ronan's Shoes, tells a story about Evander, who works as Master of Shoes, and he spent his entire day caring for Lord Ronan’s extensive footwear collection. Lord Ronan is a hard man and greatly feared by his employees. One day, Evander meets an old crone who gives him a magic shoes. This magic shoes change Lord Ronan's attitude towards his employees and Evander. However, it also makes Lord Ronan's ill. What will Evander do, knowing that he starts to fall in love with his lord? ... I think the story is sweet. Reminds me of the classic "The Emperor's New Clothes". Of course, you can guess what happens in the end, still, it's a lovely fairy tale :)
The second story, Remember, tells a story about a young man, Alexander Clark. He is about to be married -- and his future mother-in-law asks him to find a magician by the name of Obscurity. Obscurity is reputed to be a magician of older arts that can find any objects, and Mrs. Tayler needs him to find a missing wedding ring. On his quest to find the magician, Alexander meets a very handsome man, Stephen Rander. He is taken to the man and they end up spending the night. However, Alexander cannot remember anything about the man the next day ... This story bears some repetition, but it's meant to be repetitive. There's a mystery on why Alexander seems to meet this handsome man, Stephen Rander, over and over again. Of course, because this story is taken from Alexander's point of view (using 1st person), the readers must encounter same description of the man, over and over again. It kinds of annoying after a while. Though the ending is pretty sweet and magical.
This story contains two stories previously released in print. As a fan of Astrid Amara, I'm happy when the two stories are released as ebook. Both stories have a feeling of "fairy tale" in it, like the story you read as a kid.
The first story, Lord Ronan's Shoes, tells a story about Evander, who works as Master of Shoes, and he spent his entire day caring for Lord Ronan’s extensive footwear collection. Lord Ronan is a hard man and greatly feared by his employees. One day, Evander meets an old crone who gives him a magic shoes. This magic shoes change Lord Ronan's attitude towards his employees and Evander. However, it also makes Lord Ronan's ill. What will Evander do, knowing that he starts to fall in love with his lord? ... I think the story is sweet. Reminds me of the classic "The Emperor's New Clothes". Of course, you can guess what happens in the end, still, it's a lovely fairy tale :)
The second story, Remember, tells a story about a young man, Alexander Clark. He is about to be married -- and his future mother-in-law asks him to find a magician by the name of Obscurity. Obscurity is reputed to be a magician of older arts that can find any objects, and Mrs. Tayler needs him to find a missing wedding ring. On his quest to find the magician, Alexander meets a very handsome man, Stephen Rander. He is taken to the man and they end up spending the night. However, Alexander cannot remember anything about the man the next day ... This story bears some repetition, but it's meant to be repetitive. There's a mystery on why Alexander seems to meet this handsome man, Stephen Rander, over and over again. Of course, because this story is taken from Alexander's point of view (using 1st person), the readers must encounter same description of the man, over and over again. It kinds of annoying after a while. Though the ending is pretty sweet and magical.
June 21, 2021
Enjoyable Stories
Two short but sweet stories in a fairy tale style. The concepts are interesting, well written and the characters likeable.
Two short but sweet stories in a fairy tale style. The concepts are interesting, well written and the characters likeable.
November 12, 2012
LOVED LOVED LOVED Ronan by the end of the first story, where he started to act like a ridiculously chirpy cheerleader.
/End gush, on to the review. The prose was an absolute delight to read, like this paragraph here:
Again, Astrid Amara combined a great fairytale-ish story with good prose and a sense of humor and made a wonderful tale for our reading pleasures.
The second story has a whimsical, bittersweet feeling to it instead. It evokes flurry snow-dotted streets, unhappy marriages, and the doomed-romance of loving someone you can't ever remember. All in all, a sad but lovely read with a happy ending.
Both tales are marvelous!
/End gush, on to the review. The prose was an absolute delight to read, like this paragraph here:
Amongst the many other preoccupations of the lord, beyond his extensive shoe collection, where his money (which he could never have enough of), his lands (which were never vast enough), his ex-wife (who was not dead enough), and his chess game (which he played by himself and therefore found little fault with).
Again, Astrid Amara combined a great fairytale-ish story with good prose and a sense of humor and made a wonderful tale for our reading pleasures.
The second story has a whimsical, bittersweet feeling to it instead. It evokes flurry snow-dotted streets, unhappy marriages, and the doomed-romance of loving someone you can't ever remember. All in all, a sad but lovely read with a happy ending.
Both tales are marvelous!
September 25, 2016
Lovely stories, short and sweet. The characters are presented in a way that's more convincing than I'd think possible for such short fairytale-like stories. The first one's got a bit of an anachronistic touch to it as well which makes it even funnier.
The only problem I've got with the first story is that, I believe strength is what makes you who you are. The strength to be who you are and to accept yourself for who you are. If Lord Ronan didn't have that before, I doubt the boots, by bringing out 'who he really is', would carry out his capacity for love. Wasn't his defining quality his lack of strength?
But then again, I think there is something being said about giving him the strength. So if that's what the boots are doing - allowing him to be strong, then yeah, I can see how it may work.
The only problem I've got with the first story is that, I believe strength is what makes you who you are. The strength to be who you are and to accept yourself for who you are. If Lord Ronan didn't have that before, I doubt the boots, by bringing out 'who he really is', would carry out his capacity for love. Wasn't his defining quality his lack of strength?
But then again, I think there is something being said about giving him the strength. So if that's what the boots are doing - allowing him to be strong, then yeah, I can see how it may work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2021
Two splendid magical tales. Enjoyable to read.
May 16, 2012
3.5 stars
July 17, 2011
4.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews