I really like gay romances where two men are forced together from circumstances beyond their control only to fall in love. This story was exactly that, but was also delivered with beauty and elegance.

The setting is never specifically revealed, but has a medieval feel to it which I liked. Jag was destined for the priesthood, but when his parents find themselves in dire financial straights, they must marry him off to save the family. Brace has always wanted a loving spouse, but despite his nobility, few families are willing to offer son when there is no hope of them begetting heirs. So, this opportunity with Jag is likely his only. But, Brace doesn't want the man forced into a marriage unwilling. He sends Jag a rare and enormously valuable pearl ring. Which he could sell and save his family. Brace has only one night to convince Jag that marrying him would be more worthwhile.

One feature that made this story so special was that it focuses soley on the couple. Though Jag's parents are mentioned, and a butler has a few lines, the entire story is Jag and Brace and their night together. We learn almost everything about the men directly from them (there are no flashbacks). This was quite refreshing. Their conversation is awkward at first, as the feel their way, but gets playful as they grow comfortable with one another. It was so realistic, yet never loses the element of fantasy. The sex was graphic, but also very sensual. Jag is a virgin, and Brace treats him with tenderness.

This novella has the prerequisite happy ending (for which I am profoundly grateful), but managed not to be flatly predictable. The story is part of a multi-author series called "A Calling of Souls." With this as an example of what to expect, I will definitely look for more, and also more of Espinoza's solo efforts. Highly recommended! ( )

First of all the setting: I would say a fantasy world... there are not high-tech elements to make it a futurist novel, and the only "modern" intrusion, is the presence of some plastic dildos... in the past there were dildos but they are made of wood, I believe. So yes, I will go for the fantasy.

Anyway, in this fantasy world, same sex marriage is not forbidden, even if it is not common for the simplest reason: wealthy families needs heirs and in a same sex marriage a natural heir is not possible. Jag is the last son of a once wealthy family; since he was born when all his other siblings were just betrothed or married, he was left with a decision: become a scholar or a priest. He set for priest and he was happy with the decision at 12 years old, but later one thing of priesthood left him "unsatisfied": chastity. Anyway he has never had a chance to be sexually active and so he really doesn't know what he is losing. He only knows that he dreams of the hard body of a man rather than that of a woman. So when financial problems push his family to negotiate an arranged marriage also for him, the only choice he is left is the gender of the betrothed... and he choices a man.

Jag has never seen before his betrothed and he fears the wedding night. He is not sure of what expecting, and since he is rather young, also the physical appearance of the man is a huge problem for him. And then, is he enough attractive for the other man? Jag is lithe and small, he has the body of a scholar and he only knows that his betrothed is a big man used to work outside. The more innocent problems swirl in his mind, the same questions a virgin maid would have in the same situation.

Brace lost the hope to find a suitable partner long ago. He prefers man and no noble family would allow him to marry one of his son. And now he has a last chance. But he doesn't want to marry a man compelled to take a decision he doesn't like. And so he sends to Jag a gift, a very rare pearl, worthy enough to buy back his freedom and allow to him and his family a comfortable future. With that pearl in his possession, if Jag will decide to marry him, he will do that only according to his real desire.

Brace is a good man; he has no problem to find a willing partner for a one night tryst, but he wants a long term relationship. He doesn't want an husband to fill his nights, he wants a man to fill his days. Brace is true and simple like the life he likes: his horses, his travels... More than a lover he needs a companion.

In the end, you would expected for Jag to be the brooding one, the scholar type, and instead Jag unveils to be a young man waiting to be freed, and Brace could be the key to his freedom.

The story is pretty classic, and in this case "classic" is the right term, since this novel has an old fashioned style, but it's also erotic, the sex scenes are good and explicit, but always in line with the mood of the novel, even if that plastic dildos make them a bit kinky.