About Faire Grounds
Written by Willa Okati
161 pages / 62500 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-116-7, 1-60370-116-8
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, paperback
Gypsy wanderer Lightning has a problem. Actually, he has tons of them, from his responsibility as the leader of his Caravan to the fact that he has to find his soul mate before his fast approaching twenty-first birthday.
When he meets Traveler, a man he thinks is a Deserter of the Road, or a gypsy who has turned his back on the nomadic lifestyle he so loves, Lightning refuses to believe that he’s found what he’s been searching for. There’s no way that Traveler can be the \answer to the curse that will fall on his people. No way. So when the ancients insist that Traveler is the one, Lightning is less than thrilled.
Even if Lightning is willing to give it a try, Traveler has problems of his own. His past is full of intrigue and danger, forcing him to hide his true identity from Lightning. When his former life catches up with him, Traveler has to leave Lightning behind, and they might never find each other again.
Can Lightning get past his natural suspicion and the wounds of his childhood to make a life with Traveler? Will Traveler’s past mistakes cost them both their chance at happiness and bring more than one curse down upon their heads? Magic, mayhem and true love reign in this gypsy tale!
Review
Jodi Payne, author of Founder, writes: Lightning is young to be a pawn of Destiny, but his family is cursed. It has haunted generations of Gypsies before him, the magic of its spell is woven into the very walls of his caravan. Like his Guardians and those before him, he takes to the road to see the world, but also to find his one true love. He must recognize the man and seal their love before his twenty-first birthday or face the curse put upon his family long ago.
Traveler, in spite of his name, has settled on an island near the Mossy Rock Faire Grounds. His reasons for settling, and for leaving the road are his own, and he doesn't much care what the Gypsies or the Grounders, as the non-traveling folk are known, think of him. He's much more than meets the eye, however, and full of his own magic.
When Lightning arrives at the Faire Grounds, he gets a chilly welcome from the Grounders, who have grown to mistrust the Gypsies. Traveler tries to intervene, but Lightning is proud and snubs him. Still, in that brief encounter, something passes between them that neither of them can shake.
What happens after that is nothing short of marvelous. Every twist and turn, every magical moment, every obstacle overcome pulled me deeper into the story. Ms. Okati's world of Gypsies and Grounders, Kings and Princes, fable, lore and fairy tale magic is rich with detail and vibrant with colorful characters. As the forces of good struggle against the forces of evil, she masterfully weaves her heated love story into the fray, and I found myself on the edge of my seat, turning page after page, unable and unwilling to put the book down.
Faire Grounds is a joy to read and I highly recommend it.
Sample
Ah, but Lightning turned soft as a light spring rain when a man wrested the upper hand out of his proud grasp. Beneath the force of Traveler's kiss, his muscles, bow-string taut, melted like sweet beeswax candles. He moaned -- in despair or pleasure, Traveler couldn't tell -- and clung to Traveler, slender fingers digging in almost too hard.
Traveler didn't mind a bit of pain so long as he'd got his point across. As he growled and took Lightning by the back of his head, deepening their kiss, he suspected he might finally be making himself clear.
There was much and much he didn't understand about Lightning, aye. One thing remained for certain sure: he'd a desperate craving for the Gypsy youth.
Might even be, given the way Lightning went so pliant in Traveler's arms, he would have a chance to ease some of his hunger.
With an effort, Traveler reined in his passion enough to clear his lust-addled mind a touch. He'd not chance any blame or derision now, nay. If they did this, he needed to know Lightning wanted him for sure and certain. So he'd deal plainly as any Gypsy should, despite the temptation to just throw the lad down on the nearest cushion and have his way.