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A Tryst of Fate

by H.C. Brown (Goodreads Author)

3.5 of 5 stars 3.50 · rating details · 56 ratings · 15 reviews

After inheriting a Georgian house in Berkley Square, London, Colt Daniels, millionaire art dealer, finds himself obsessed by a portrait of the home's former owner, Lord Alexander Swift. During a conversation with author, Jake Williams, Colt discovers Lord Swift and his cousin had mysteriously disappeared from the cellar one evening, shortly after Alexander's illicit affair...more

ebook, 171 pages

Published February 25th 2012 by Silver Publishing

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Sep 02, 2012 Barb Manning rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay-romance, historical-romance, paranormal-romance, romance-reviews

A Tryst of Fate is a gay romance novel by H. C. Brown that involves time travel. Millionaire art dealer Colt Daniels finds himself transported back to 1775. He explores the cellar of his newly restored London home after purchasing the portrait of Lord Alexander Swift, a man he's been fascinated by since he inherited his home.

Both Colt and Alexander are engaging characters and much of the action of the novel focuses on the two of them. Alexander is a lonely man suffering under the oppressive anti...more

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May 27, 2012 Carrie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 21, 2012 Lasha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: darkdivasreviews, historical, time-travel

3.5 stars

Time travel, historical romances are a classic favorite of mine, especially when the hero(ine) goes back in time, falls in love, but instead of staying in the past comes back to their own time period – hopefully bringing their lover with them. A Tryst of Fate takes that lovely trope and adds in a few elements I found to be utterly delightful.

Colt Daniels has been obsessed with Lord Alexander Swift ever since he inherited his house in London. Determined to win Lord Swift’s portrait in an...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Jadette Paige rated it 5 of 5 stars

The first time I read the blurb to this novel, I wanted to read the book. It so sounded like something I would love. I happen to adore time travel romances. What better than a time travel male/male romance. Be still my beating heart!

From the first page, I was completely immersed in Alex's and Colt’s story. The novel begins in the present with Colt buying the portrait of Lord Alexander Swift. He has inherited Alex’s home and has restored it with the painting being the final touch. Colt runs into...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Serena Yates rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

I like time travel books and reading about characters who suddenly find themselves in an unknown world without having left the planet. Trying to cope with strange clothing, customs and language can be an interesting experience, especially when still dealing with fellow human beings. For whatever reason the time travel happened in this book (the details remain appropriately shrouded in mystery), it went in both directions, giving me double the enjoyment.

Colt is a fairly typical inhabitant of the...more

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Apr 05, 2012 TheFountainPenDiva rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: characters-gay-heroes, characters-british-heroes, e-books-purchased, genre-m-m-romance

A Tryst of Fate had all the elements to be a great time-travel ghostly romance. Whenever I begin my reviews with those words, that’s pretty much an indicator the failed to deliver in some big way. This is one of those M/M romances that actually reads more like slash fiction, the fairy godmother of the M/M romance genre (even if some people are still unwilling to admit it).

I like gothic ghost stories about lovers trapped in time and who go back to find their missing piece of their souls. I love w...more A Tryst of Fate had all the elements to be a great time-travel ghostly romance. Whenever I begin my reviews with those words, that’s pretty much an indicator the failed to deliver in some big way. This is one of those M/M romances that actually reads more like slash fiction, the fairy godmother of the M/M romance genre (even if some people are still unwilling to admit it).

I like gothic ghost stories about lovers trapped in time and who go back to find their missing piece of their souls. I love when the past and the present collide. How would someone in the seventeenth-century feel about life in the twenty-first century? How would someone from the twentieth-century feel about the lack of plumbing? Now imagine both of these characters are gay males and it makes for a very intriguing premise. What would a gay man from the seventeenth-century think of seeing men and women walking in public holding hands and kissing or in some places able to marry? How would this man feel about all the societal and technological changes? How about the twenty-first century gay man who’s used to a lot more openness and freedom and not having to worry about being killed for loving another man? Or deal with the lack of hygiene and modern medical science?

Unfortunately, the premise is all that stands out in A Tryst of Fate. There’s just too much character fail and even more unforgivable, sex-fail. On the character fail, Colton Daniels, a wealthy art dealer just seems so bland. He’s filthy rich, handsome, and of course blessed with miracle abs of steel and a huge penis. His seventeenth-century love interest Lord Alexander Swift is that stereotyped poor weak man who needs the hunky hero to save him and love him. He’s described as thin and fey and foppish, which of course ignores a great deal of history about seventeenth-century upper-class males, whom, in spite of their attention to dress, were far from effeminate fops. I cringed every time Colt called Alex “sweet man” during the repetitive sex scenes in which we’re regaled over and over with how big Colt is (there’s a dirty joke here somewhere with the name “Colt”).

I don’t know why authors and editors of M/M romance just seem to ignore the fact that oil and latex DO NOT MIX. Major sex-fail. Using condoms with vegetable oil is grounds for this author to be permanently BANNED from writing another m/m romance.

Of course there’s all the hallmarks of bad M/M romance including the former male flame who tries to stem the tide of TWU WUV, lots of tears and recriminations between the two heroes and voila, the make-up sex scene which ends in wedding bells. Ho Hum.

There's a novel in a similar vein, Liquid Glass by Zathyn Priest. Read this book instead.(less)

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Feb 09, 2013 Gavin Stephenson-Jackman rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Tryst of Fate was a read that just would not stop. First let me say that I a love historical fiction done well and Ms Brown has combined history, romance, and fantasy in one here. Colt Daniels finds himself captivated by the portrait of Lord Alexander Swift who’s London home he has recently inherited and restored. Learning of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the dashing young Lord he follows the footsteps of the story to the wine cellar and is transported back in time where he find...more A Tryst of Fate was a read that just would not stop. First let me say that I a love historical fiction done well and Ms Brown has combined history, romance, and fantasy in one here. Colt Daniels finds himself captivated by the portrait of Lord Alexander Swift who’s London home he has recently inherited and restored. Learning of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the dashing young Lord he follows the footsteps of the story to the wine cellar and is transported back in time where he finds the man of his desire and puts the puzzle pieces together to transport the two of them back to the present.

I know it sounds very much like A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court premise, and maybe it is, but it is also written in such a way that it is hard to put down. It is not often that I find myself so wrapt in a book that I finish it in a single day but this was that kind of book. Once I had started chapter three I just could not put it down. Most of the historical descriptions of 1775 London have a great ring of truth.

To acknowledge that not everything was as rosey and we would like to believe is refreshing. Laws governing the handling and sale of many items were lacking by today’s standards and sanitation systems were nowhere near what they are now so the place did stink, and would surely offend our modern noses, just as would the smell of diesel emissions offend the noses of someone from the 18th century. The evolution of language through time is well played here and adds some comical twists and misunderstandings on both sides of time. So many of the words we use today have meanings never conceived of in the 18th century and new terms that did not exist at the time are so much part of our modern understanding.

I do feel that there was an over emphasis on the anti-sodomite ‘movement’ and the laws of the day. Yes, the penalties laid out in the Buggery Act of 1533 were severe but the law was not rigorously enforced. It was far more likely that you would find the ‘brothel’ would cater to all tastes and that most ordinary citizens would give a ‘tisk, tisk’ and just as happily look the other way. Discretion in public would be, and still is, necessary in most cities and towns even if the laws have changed.

Despite all, this is a great read. Fiction does not need to be accurate in all of its descriptions of history and this is, after all, a bit of fantasy as well. What makes this a great read? It allows you to lose yourself in the lives of the characters and to see the wonders of two time periods through their eyes, and see love between these men blossom and grow.(less)

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Apr 13, 2012 Michele Montgomery rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, for-review-bog

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This story by H.C. is what I classify as sugary sweet with a dash of angst and fun. The main character Colt Samuel is rich, very rich and what he wants he gets. It just so happens that he acquired an exquisite portrait of a man who at one time owned the home Colt inherits in London, his name Lord Alexander Swift. Well, a biography of sorts was done on the Lord and ends abruptly when the Lord disappeared one day never to be seen or heard from again. Apparently he disappeared when he was in his wi...more This story by H.C. is what I classify as sugary sweet with a dash of angst and fun. The main character Colt Samuel is rich, very rich and what he wants he gets. It just so happens that he acquired an exquisite portrait of a man who at one time owned the home Colt inherits in London, his name Lord Alexander Swift. Well, a biography of sorts was done on the Lord and ends abruptly when the Lord disappeared one day never to be seen or heard from again. Apparently he disappeared when he was in his wine cellar and though speculation had it that he ran off with his lover to America. However, there wasn’t any proof he ever made it and Colt decides to investigate this. What he can’t understand is how he manages to fall in love with the man in the portrait and how he becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to him.

Well, he took a flashlight with him to the darkened cellar and guess what that turns out to be? A time travel portal. In that he meets none other than Lord Alexander himself. What I found so much fun was seeing how a modern day man would behave in historic London and Colt did a wonderful job holding himself in check with the cheeky snobs in that era. He and Alexander fall in love almost from the start and the sweetness with how Colt treats him is just so adorable. Colt is a smart money man and a hell of a lover as well and Alexander is his from the start. They are just adorable together. Colt wants to bring the Lord back with him to the 21st century, as he does not want to lose him, and he knows staying in 1775 London can easily lead to his or their death because sodomy at that time was a crime.
During their last night in London in the year of 1775 they go out as cousins and one unfortunate event threatens their plans to escape to modern day London.

What I really loved reading was seeing how the men adjusted to each other’s era’s. I had a good giggle with Lord Alex quite a few times. I can just see him sitting so proper and speaking perfectly and there we have Colt who is as kicked back as I am. What a team.

Overall a cute read, not a complicated twisty plot at all. I do believe if you need something sweet with a tiny bit of angst this one will be good for you.(less)

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Mar 13, 2012 Julesmarie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, historical-fiction, comfort-reads

It might have had to do with my having read several really dark, depressing, painful-to-read books lately, but this book was just so light and fun and refreshing I couldn't help but love it.

It's just a very sweet story. Yes, disbelief must be suspended by more than just the time-travel premise: Alexander has a stranger appear in his house and says "hey, you look just like my lover who disappeared! What's that? You're from the future and you're in love with me? Well, shucks, you better hop right...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Kinny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: guilty-pleasure-pile, so-cute, loved-it, mm, time-travel

This is such a light read. I was worried about Alexander in the future because he really did not know how to get around. Good thing he never really suffered as he wielded that credit card like a pro! Hahaha..

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Feb 15, 2013 Hearts On Fire Reviews added it

Reviewed by: Gawain
Genre: M/M Historical
Rated: 4 hearts

Check out the review at: Hearts On Fire Reviews

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Feb 25, 2012 Meggie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, romance

This story is so absurd I simply couldn't enjoy the storyline. Even all the emotions between Colt and Alexander weren't reachable for a reader.

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Mar 04, 2012 Lily rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-romance

H.C. Brown was a new author for me, but I liked the premise of this book and decided to give it a try. Overall, it was a decent read that showed undeveloped potential. I kept thinking the content could have been improved significantly by more meaningful dialogue between the main characters, especially towards the end. Still, a nice enough story if you are aware what to expect.

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Feb 26, 2012 Veronica / V rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you picking this book hoping to read something witty, or you are hoping to gain extra brain cells, well, this is not for you.
If you are looking for a very simple love story, with a nice HEA then by all means this is for you.

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Mar 13, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review soon @ thefaeryromanticlibrarian.blogspot.com

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May 14, 2013 G-NOBODY-G marked it as to-read

May 11, 2013 glorybox6 rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 07, 2013 Ashlee added it · review of another edition

Apr 28, 2013 Heather Skye marked it as to-read

Shelves: waiting-to-be-read

Apr 17, 2013 Shannon marked it as maybe

Apr 15, 2013 Anna marked it as do-i-want-these

Apr 15, 2013 Boogie Wonder rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 13, 2013 B rated it 1 of 5 stars

Apr 13, 2013 Nanase marked it as to-read

Apr 09, 2013 Jennifer marked it as to-read

Mar 01, 2013 Geri marked it as to-read

Shelves: gang-bang-to-read

Feb 26, 2013 Ruth C. rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, too-terrible-to-finish, m-m

Feb 17, 2013 Gardenbear marked it as to-read

Feb 16, 2013 Cecilia Rodriguez rated it 4 of 5 stars

Feb 12, 2013 Mammarella marked it as maybe

Shelves: mm, mm-historical

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