My beta reading buddy, Kayla Jameth, is next on my list of authors to be interviewed to coincide with the Dreamspinner release of "A Spartan Love". In preparation, I thought I'd revisit her previously published books, set in the same universe.
One character Prince , later King, Lykos, appears in all three.
Chronologically, her recently released free short story "Body Language" comes first. This can be downloaded from Smashwords here.
Body Language takes place in Lydia—a kingdom in Asia Minor (now part of modern Turkey) that was conquered by Cyrus the Great during the 6th century BC and became part of the Persian Empire.
Years later, Lykos, the son of the king of the Thracian city-state, Aenus, is travelling incognito through the conquered province. To avoid arousing questions as to why he is there, he is only accompanied by the Persian, Narses, a friend of his father. Hearing cries for help, the two men intervene. They are too late to save a merchant and his slave, but they arrive in time to prevent bandits slaying the third member of the party.
Kas recently lost his family and was grateful to be travelling under the protection of Tahmasp. Now the merchant is dead, his future is once more under threat. He would like nothing better than to remain with the handsome warrior, but how can he explain that to a man who speaks little but Greek?
By the time we see Lykos in "Alexios' Fate" (review below) he has inherited Aenus after his father's death. Along with two other nobles, he has arrived in the city of Dicaea to determine which of them will be chosen as the mentor of young Prince Alexios. Before this happens, fate in the form of the God, Apollo, intervenes.
How Alexios' escapes is wonderfully depicted in the book along with the love he has for his slave Galen.
One character Prince , later King, Lykos, appears in all three.
Chronologically, her recently released free short story "Body Language" comes first. This can be downloaded from Smashwords here.
Body Language takes place in Lydia—a kingdom in Asia Minor (now part of modern Turkey) that was conquered by Cyrus the Great during the 6th century BC and became part of the Persian Empire.
Years later, Lykos, the son of the king of the Thracian city-state, Aenus, is travelling incognito through the conquered province. To avoid arousing questions as to why he is there, he is only accompanied by the Persian, Narses, a friend of his father. Hearing cries for help, the two men intervene. They are too late to save a merchant and his slave, but they arrive in time to prevent bandits slaying the third member of the party.
Kas recently lost his family and was grateful to be travelling under the protection of Tahmasp. Now the merchant is dead, his future is once more under threat. He would like nothing better than to remain with the handsome warrior, but how can he explain that to a man who speaks little but Greek?
By the time we see Lykos in "Alexios' Fate" (review below) he has inherited Aenus after his father's death. Along with two other nobles, he has arrived in the city of Dicaea to determine which of them will be chosen as the mentor of young Prince Alexios. Before this happens, fate in the form of the God, Apollo, intervenes.
How Alexios' escapes is wonderfully depicted in the book along with the love he has for his slave Galen.
"496BC" also deals with King Lykos and is included in the MLR anthology "Lust in Time." This covers an episode a month later when Alexios, Galen and King Lykos are conveying a prophet to Delphi on Apollo's orders.
All of these are stand alone stories, but they do add into the wonderful world that Kayla is creating. A world that has, at its heart, the God, Apollo.
This world will be further enriched by the release of "A Spartan Love" the first of a trilogy starring Theron, a dreaded kryptes (think trainee Spartan warrior) and a local helot (type of peasant farmer) called Andreas.
Kayla takes her world building seriously and uses the books to explore the different relationship between men in that era. Galen is a slave and is basically the possession of Alexios. Andreas, as a helot is slightly above the rank of a slave in that his body is not owned by anyone, however his services are. Kas, the star of "Body Language" is a youth without a family and without protection. He is vulnerable in other ways. Alexos is an Erômenos (beloved pupil) but he also has to serve his Erastes (mentor), Lykos.
The world these men live in, their standards and beliefs are all skillfully woven into tales of love and devotion. While none of these three stories need to be read to appreciate "A Spartan Love", the books do give you a feel for the world building and Kayla's writing.
She may only be a relatively new author, but she sure has created some wonderful characters.
Kayla is participating in a Blog Hop to celebrate her upcoming release over the coming week, giving readers a chance to win a Gift Certificate from AllRomance eBooks valued at $15.
A copy of "A Spartan Love" will be given away in conjunction with her interview here on December 8th.
All of these are stand alone stories, but they do add into the wonderful world that Kayla is creating. A world that has, at its heart, the God, Apollo.
This world will be further enriched by the release of "A Spartan Love" the first of a trilogy starring Theron, a dreaded kryptes (think trainee Spartan warrior) and a local helot (type of peasant farmer) called Andreas.
Kayla takes her world building seriously and uses the books to explore the different relationship between men in that era. Galen is a slave and is basically the possession of Alexios. Andreas, as a helot is slightly above the rank of a slave in that his body is not owned by anyone, however his services are. Kas, the star of "Body Language" is a youth without a family and without protection. He is vulnerable in other ways. Alexos is an Erômenos (beloved pupil) but he also has to serve his Erastes (mentor), Lykos.
The world these men live in, their standards and beliefs are all skillfully woven into tales of love and devotion. While none of these three stories need to be read to appreciate "A Spartan Love", the books do give you a feel for the world building and Kayla's writing.
She may only be a relatively new author, but she sure has created some wonderful characters.
Kayla is participating in a Blog Hop to celebrate her upcoming release over the coming week, giving readers a chance to win a Gift Certificate from AllRomance eBooks valued at $15.
A copy of "A Spartan Love" will be given away in conjunction with her interview here on December 8th.
Alexios' Fate by Kayla JamethMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Kayla Jameth may be a new author but she writes the best sex scenes.
Reading this was a welcome change from my normal contemporary m/m reading as I was transported to Ancient Greece where sex between men was a normal part of society.
The author has done a great job of recreating that time, using just enough imagery to make you feel you are indeed back in that age without being overwhelmed. What's more I have it on good authority that the facts are correct.
The story also includes that other element so often present in Greek mythology, the intervention of Gods who interfere with the world and treat humans as their playthings.
The sex scenes are hot and fall naturally into the story line. The plot is good. All in all, I found it a very enjoyable read and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys m/m.
The book is the first of a series, but is very much able to be read as a stand alone. I'm looking forward to see what happens next.
View all my reviews
Don't forget to catch next week's interview with Kayla when a copy of
"A Spartan Love" will be given away to one lucky commentor.
"A Spartan Love" will be given away to one lucky commentor.
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