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The Storyteller
Two men. One kingdom. A secret that could cost them everything…
Gareth has been bringing home strays to his thatch-roofed cabin since he was a young boy with his head in the clouds. Helping others is more than a hobby to him—the need to heal flows through his veins. Ellis is far from a helpless stray. His shoulders are broad enough to hold the weight of the kingdom that rests upon them. But when he’s captured by slave traders, he finds himself in need of help from an unlikely ally, loath though he is to accept it.
Neither of them expected to find the other, and neither of them meant to fall in love. It won’t just change their lives—it could change the fate of an entire kingdom. And each will be forced to gain everything he wants, or lose what the heart holds dearest…
Gareth has been bringing home strays to his thatch-roofed cabin since he was a young boy with his head in the clouds. Helping others is more than a hobby to him—the need to heal flows through his veins. Ellis is far from a helpless stray. His shoulders are broad enough to hold the weight of the kingdom that rests upon them. But when he’s captured by slave traders, he finds himself in need of help from an unlikely ally, loath though he is to accept it.
Neither of them expected to find the other, and neither of them meant to fall in love. It won’t just change their lives—it could change the fate of an entire kingdom. And each will be forced to gain everything he wants, or lose what the heart holds dearest…
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2012
1 person is currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Jenni Michaels
4 books8 followersSince she was a little girl, Jenni Michaels has loved making up stories, even if her sister was the only person there to hear them. She lives in Georgia with her husband, her son, a ridiculous mutt named Evie B, and a purple fish whose origins remain unclear.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 9, 2012
3.5 stars
Gareth is a (not-quite) physician who stumbles into a wounded Ellis in the wood. Ellis is not ordinary stray, he is actually a knight as well as the heir of Kingdom of Colwyn (since the King doesn't have children of his own). When Ellis returns to Colwyn, and Gareth follows him for the sake of his feeling for Ellis -- Gareth finds out more of his own family history.
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This is a new author for me (and it seems that this is her first book) -- so I take a chance when I bought this. The story is nice. While listed as historical, but I feel more comfortable listing this as some sort of fantasy with kingdom and magic.
The interaction between Gareth and Ellis is lovely -- and I'm quite happy that their sex scenes are quite muted (or even done behind the screen). I'm also glad that Ellis's trial in the hand of the slave traders is not present (it happens in the background, before the story happens)
Unfortunately, I still have questions regarding Ellis, which are not fully answered. Why does he seem reluctant with becoming an heir? Why does he feel angry when he finds out who Gareth actually is? Then what about his magic, that is said to be bound by the slave traders? The ending is a bit abrupt!
I don't completely love it, not feel enough emotion to get attached to the characters. But I like it okay, better than my own definition of so-so story, thus the 3.5 stars.
Gareth is a (not-quite) physician who stumbles into a wounded Ellis in the wood. Ellis is not ordinary stray, he is actually a knight as well as the heir of Kingdom of Colwyn (since the King doesn't have children of his own). When Ellis returns to Colwyn, and Gareth follows him for the sake of his feeling for Ellis -- Gareth finds out more of his own family history.
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This is a new author for me (and it seems that this is her first book) -- so I take a chance when I bought this. The story is nice. While listed as historical, but I feel more comfortable listing this as some sort of fantasy with kingdom and magic.
The interaction between Gareth and Ellis is lovely -- and I'm quite happy that their sex scenes are quite muted (or even done behind the screen). I'm also glad that Ellis's trial in the hand of the slave traders is not present (it happens in the background, before the story happens)
Unfortunately, I still have questions regarding Ellis, which are not fully answered. Why does he seem reluctant with becoming an heir? Why does he feel angry when he finds out who Gareth actually is? Then what about his magic, that is said to be bound by the slave traders? The ending is a bit abrupt!
I don't completely love it, not feel enough emotion to get attached to the characters. But I like it okay, better than my own definition of so-so story, thus the 3.5 stars.
November 22, 2012
Sweet fantasy romance told with a light touch. The world building was deft and satisfying, the protagonists complementary and there were some memorable secondary characters, including a strong and sensible young woman. My only quibble is that some important issues to do with the security of the kingdom were left unresolved, but I am hoping that there might be a sequel.
Whether there is a sequel to The Storyteller or not, I'm looking forward to reading Jenni Michaels' next offering.
Whether there is a sequel to The Storyteller or not, I'm looking forward to reading Jenni Michaels' next offering.
November 25, 2012
3.75 rounded off to 4 stars
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this little story. Even some unresolved plot issues didn't bother me that much. I'm thinking there has to be a sequel in the making, but even if that doesn't happen I was wonderfully entertained and quite satisfied with the ending.
And looking at the number of books I've started and abandoned lately, that's quite an achievement. ; P
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this little story. Even some unresolved plot issues didn't bother me that much. I'm thinking there has to be a sequel in the making, but even if that doesn't happen I was wonderfully entertained and quite satisfied with the ending.
And looking at the number of books I've started and abandoned lately, that's quite an achievement. ; P
August 6, 2013
Gareth lives alone in a small village in a small valley and he’s alone in the woods when a battered stranger faints at his feet. Softhearted healer that he is, Gareth risks breaking his back bringing the stranger to his cabin and tending to the strangers wounds. It’s not quite love at first sight but it is love after a fashion, so when stranger leaves, Gareth follows.
The title could refer to either of the main characters or a couple of the secondary characters introduced later when the past casts its shadow to the present.
This is a case of I wanted to like it more than I did.
I liked Kit and I liked Gareth, because they reminded me of other characters I’ve given my heart to. That is also the reason why I couldn’t round up the rating in the end. I couldn’t be quite sure if the story would stand on it’s own without the connections drawn to Merlin (BBC 2008) in my mind. There’s a knight, and there’s a physicians apprentice. There’s the tiny foster sister, there’s magic, there are four kingdoms instead of five… and there is my active imagination finding all these little “clues.”
The writing was well enough, maybe slightly too inexact for my tired mind. It’s either that or the editors were sleeping on the job. The disagreement at the end—and the characterisation that lead to it—felt somewhat manufactured and the resolution that followed was too quick. Still nice—nice is definitely a good word here—enough tale, at least for Merlin fans. Then again, why pay for a book when you can read stellar Merlin fanfic online for free.
The title could refer to either of the main characters or a couple of the secondary characters introduced later when the past casts its shadow to the present.
This is a case of I wanted to like it more than I did.
I liked Kit and I liked Gareth, because they reminded me of other characters I’ve given my heart to. That is also the reason why I couldn’t round up the rating in the end. I couldn’t be quite sure if the story would stand on it’s own without the connections drawn to Merlin (BBC 2008) in my mind. There’s a knight, and there’s a physicians apprentice. There’s the tiny foster sister, there’s magic, there are four kingdoms instead of five… and there is my active imagination finding all these little “clues.”
The writing was well enough, maybe slightly too inexact for my tired mind. It’s either that or the editors were sleeping on the job. The disagreement at the end—and the characterisation that lead to it—felt somewhat manufactured and the resolution that followed was too quick. Still nice—nice is definitely a good word here—enough tale, at least for Merlin fans. Then again, why pay for a book when you can read stellar Merlin fanfic online for free.
December 26, 2013
I love Fairytales and this one definitely has that feel to it.
Ellis is the heir to a kingdom, even if he isn't the child of the King.
When he stumbles in to Gareth's life, quite literally.
Gareth is a healer in his village, but since his Mother's death a few years before, he's been pretty much alone.
In the few days it takes for Ellis to recover and head back to his kingdom the two men have formed a deep affection for each other.
They both return to the kingdom and there things change for them, in immeasurable ways.
There is no on page sex, which added to the fairytale feel for me, as well as the magic component.
I liked it a lot, although why Ellis behaved like an asshat some of the times was never explained to my satisfaction.
Was he really just a jerk sometimes ( we all know, even the best guy has his asshat moments) or did it have some connection to the dark binding magic? And the last sentences in the blurb....well they were really never answered for me.
It ends a little too abruptly for me, with so many open questions, but I'm still really glad I read it and I would love to read more about them and Rosemund and have some of my questions answered.
Ellis is the heir to a kingdom, even if he isn't the child of the King.
When he stumbles in to Gareth's life, quite literally.
Gareth is a healer in his village, but since his Mother's death a few years before, he's been pretty much alone.
In the few days it takes for Ellis to recover and head back to his kingdom the two men have formed a deep affection for each other.
They both return to the kingdom and there things change for them, in immeasurable ways.
There is no on page sex, which added to the fairytale feel for me, as well as the magic component.
I liked it a lot, although why Ellis behaved like an asshat some of the times was never explained to my satisfaction.
Was he really just a jerk sometimes ( we all know, even the best guy has his asshat moments) or did it have some connection to the dark binding magic? And the last sentences in the blurb....well they were really never answered for me.
It ends a little too abruptly for me, with so many open questions, but I'm still really glad I read it and I would love to read more about them and Rosemund and have some of my questions answered.
October 17, 2012
3.5 stars [quite enjoyed it]
As mentioned by others, at the last page you want to turn to the next as it feels finished to early. Perhaps some stuff will be answered/told in a sequel?
As mentioned by others, at the last page you want to turn to the next as it feels finished to early. Perhaps some stuff will be answered/told in a sequel?
October 9, 2012
I enjoyed this, but it is in definite need of a sequel.
December 5, 2018
Did I ever tell you about the book I absolutely wasted two days reading? Like ive never read a book which had such bizarre combination of present day white people problems and manner of speech set in some other time and place. Such a mumbo jumbo of problems they could not even "figure out"? And then the phrase of we will sort everything out together. The end !?!?!?!
The two stars are for the beginning.
The two stars are for the beginning.
February 23, 2017
Justo cuando empieza a tener un poco más de emoción se acaba y te deja a medias.
October 11, 2012
Full disclosure: I'm friends with the author, and I adore her. But that mostly has no bearing on how much I loved this book. It's a historical magical fantasy story of two young men falling in love, and it's sweet and angsty without unnecessary plot devices just to add drama. There were a couple of minor typos (Gareth as Garth and saw as was), and a plot line or two not tied up at the end, which are the only reasons I'd give this book 4.5 stars instead of 5 if that were an option, and which give an obvious segue into a sequel that I'm reassured is coming. :) And I can't wait. Gareth and Ellis are wonderful characters. So are Rosamund, Sir Owen, and King Tallis. My favorite character is Edna, that classic servant who knows she's essentially family and therefore mothers/orders around the royals she serves, because they need it. I've been a fan of this author's words for even longer than we've been friends, and I'm so happy with the depth of her characters and her turns of phrase in this story, too. I kept highlighting and bookmarking on my kindle app. Her descriptions of scenery and clothing made me feel like I was right there.
December 3, 2012
I'm a huge fan of surprises I can't see coming, and there were actually a few of them in this story!
There were so many lovely things about this book. The setting, especially Gareth's house and then the castle, were described beautifully.
The characters, especially the main three, were also believably developed and sympathetic. I was really rooting for Ellis and Gareth through all of the twists and turns that they were put through. By the end, they've come so far together, and they're in such a new place that having the story end when it did made me sad. I wanted to be convinced that they were going to be okay, and I wasn't completely.
I would love for there to be a sequel, but as another reviewer said, even if there isn't I am glad I got to meet these characters and to spend some time in their world.
There were so many lovely things about this book. The setting, especially Gareth's house and then the castle, were described beautifully.
The characters, especially the main three, were also believably developed and sympathetic. I was really rooting for Ellis and Gareth through all of the twists and turns that they were put through. By the end, they've come so far together, and they're in such a new place that having the story end when it did made me sad. I wanted to be convinced that they were going to be okay, and I wasn't completely.
I would love for there to be a sequel, but as another reviewer said, even if there isn't I am glad I got to meet these characters and to spend some time in their world.
November 9, 2012
Easy, sweet read. Gay romance leaning on the erotic side, sort of historical though in a made-up kingdom. Main characters are great, the world it's set in interesting but felt like it could be expanded upon. Also, ending felt rushed OR hopefully there will be a sequel or series to support this story. Lovely writing style.
June 28, 2015
A short, rather sweet romance between a healer and a knight. It had some nice moments, but ended abruptly and felt like it would have benefited from being developed a bit further.
August 1, 2015
A sweet story with almost no angst. I loved the characters and, surprise, there were also women here I adored. Rare treat since most mm stories has either biches or no female characters at all.
October 22, 2016
This is the first time where I would hate a story. Who would end it like that? T^T I love it yes, but I felt betrayed, my heart broken and not because of a good reason.
June 22, 2021
I was lucky enough to read this as it was being written, and it's still just as lovely as it was then. <3
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews