The Solstice Prince
Realms of Love Book #1
SJ Himes
SJ Himes
Gay Epic Fantasy
Romance
Audio Release: 04.30.18
Cover Illustration
and Design by Sarah Jo Chreene
Narrator:
Joel Leslie
BLURB
Rescued from slavers, healer
novice Jaime Buchanan finds himself alone and free in Pyrderi, a kingdom of
magic, mythical creatures, and a culture as open and kind as his homeland was
cruel and close-minded.
Despite his rescue, Jaime is not
left without scars, both mental and physical. Traumatized by his experience and
hiding his gift, Jaime struggles to earn his place in the kitchens of Angharad
Palace, the heart of Taliesin City. His former life as a student of the healing
arts leaves him at a disadvantage in the kitchens, and his damaged state is
becoming more apparent by the day.
One day, when necessity and fate
intervene, Jaime meets someone unexpected—Prince Maxim, youngest son of the
Pyrderian king, a sword master and a devastatingly kind man. Unaccustomed to
powerful people with compassion and heart, Jaime flees. A cascade of events
reveals Jaime’s hidden talents of healing, and he finds himself not in chains,
but at the beginning of a new life.
This swift change of fortune opens
Jaime up to new possibilities, including a smitten prince who cautiously courts
Jaime, easing him away from his fears and reminding him that compassion and
love can make him strong. The winter solstice is quickly approaching, and
Prince Maxim shows Jaime the enjoyment and excitement to be found in a land
that embraces the ice and cold, and the mysteries of all things magical. He
learns to see the man under the royal mantle, and Maxim is more than even Jaime
suspected.
The winter solstice is nigh when
tragedy strikes, and Jaime learns that his past of grief and sorrow can be a
pillar of strength for his solstice prince. If there is one thing that Jaime
believes above all else, it is in the healing power of love.
EXCERPT
His eyes were drawn to the wide
shoulders of Prince Maxim, the royal speaking quietly to a pair of full healers
in their silver and white robes, the edges trimmed in varying hues of green
that denoted their ranks and specialties. One of them saw Jaime hovering and
pointed towards him with a smile. Prince Maxim turned and grinned wide when he
saw Jaime. Jaime smiled back, flushing. The prince said his goodbyes and strode
across the room to him. Long legs, a trim waist, a broad chest, and strong
shoulders clothed in black leather pants and a brilliant white shirt, topped
with a long jacket in rich sky blue left Jaime at a loss for words. The prince
looked every inch the royal.
Prince Maxim was at his side before he
was ready, and Jaime shivered, skin tingling from head to toe when the prince
gave him a wide smile and offered his hand. Jaime found his much smaller hand
engulfed in the prince’s with his long fingers curling over, holding him
firmly. His face burned, and he ducked his head, hair falling over his eyes.
“Good morning, Jaime.”
“Good—good morning, Your Highness,” he
stammered back, and he gripped the hand holding his in an unconscious plea for
support.
He was holding hands with a prince. His
life had taken an unexpected twist.
“Please, call me Maxim,” the prince
offered, and Jaime gasped, shaking his head frantically. The prince was smiling
at him, somehow beyond patient.
“I wouldn’t dare! I couldn’t, Your
Highness,” Jaime burst out, heart racing again. “It’s not allowed.”
Prince Maxim drew closer, their joined
hands between them, and he gave Jaime a slow perusal, taking in his wide eyes,
flushed cheeks, and no doubt able to see the galloping pulse in his neck.
“There is no one to gainsay you for the privilege. I do not mind. Please, it
would be an honor for you to use my name.”
“Can I—can I think about it?” He
couldn’t believe he just said that, and he nearly bit the tip of his tongue off
snapping his mouth shut.
Prince Maxim chuckled and turned them
both, tucking Jaime’s hand in the crook of his elbow. “While you’re thinking
about it, how about I give you a tour of the castle? Something besides the
kitchens and servants’ halls? Would you like to see the library? Do you like to
read?”
“Master Eames wanted to talk to me…”
“I’ve been ordered to return you
promptly after midday by Master Eames, along with strict instructions not to
overdo it.” The prince’s charming grin never fell away, and he seemingly saw
nothing amiss in a healer ordering about a royal. Master Eames was a
distinguished healer, surely used to getting his own way, and Jaime had no
desire to run afoul of the healer’s orders either. Prince Maxim continued, “Now
what about some breakfast and then on to the library?”
“I love to read. I would love to see
the library.” The idea of the prince taking him to personally see anything was
spinning about in his mind, making him feel dizzy, and leaving him glad for the
strong hand holding onto his.
I'm a self-employed writer who stresses
out about the silliest things, like whether or not I got my dog the best kind
of snack and the fact my kindle battery tends to die when I'm at the best part
in a book. I write mainly gay romance, erotica, and urban fantasy, with
occasional forays into contemporary and paranormal. I love a book heavy on plot
and character evolution, and throw in some magic, and that's perfection. My
current series are: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer, Bred For Love (as Revella
Hawthorne), The Wolfkin Saga, and the epic fantasy romance series Realms of
Love. My last two novels in the Beacon Hill Sorcerer won 3rd Place in the Gay
Fantasy category for the 2016 Rainbow Awards.
I live in New Orleans, where the
personalities are big and loud and so are the bugs! New Orleans is rich in
cultural history, and the flavor and music of the City is impossible to hide.
Before that, I lived all over the United States: Tampa, Western Massachusetts,
Indianapolis, and on and on.... I'm a nomad, and I've yet to find a place that
calls to me strongly enough to become home. My faithful travel companions are
my dog Micah, the numerous voices in my head who insist they all get put on
paper, and the wind at my back.
Joel Leslie/Narrator
Joel Leslie is a UK transplant, growing
up with American parents in a British commonwealth. A classically trained actor with an MFA in
theatre from USC, he is often cast for his unique ability to deliver native,
authentic combinations of American and British sounds. His great range and ability to bring
characters to life with honesty, wit and versatility delights producers and
listeners alike.
He is proud to have a strong following
with m/m listeners and an ongoing relationship with some of the finest writers
in the genre. He loves that every day he
gets to share these beautiful, inspirational and empowering GLBT characters
with the world.
His authors have praised him as “a
narrator among narrators, a man whose ability to create different characters
rests on the power of his voice and his impeccable delivery,” and a “true
delight…" "his professionalism, good humor, and charm make him a
dream to work with,” "Anyone else would only be second best”.
Joel has consistent access to his home
studio for all production needs. When
not in the booth he spends his time chasing after two loquacious wiener dogs.
GIVEAWAY
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