Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Alone, Andreas toils on a remote farmstead for a Spartan overlord. When a kryptes enters his world, Andreas fears for his life. The dread warriors stalk and kill helots—like Andreas' father—as part of their training.

Andreas sees only one way to save himself: he must tame the fearsome warrior.

But what began as self-preservation develops into attraction. Yearning for the company of someone other than his ferret, Ictis, Andreas decides to trust the Spartan warrior and risk the fate that claimed his father.

Born to rule by the sword, Theron sees the world as his and acts accordingly, taking everything Andreas offers and reaching for more. However, love between men in Sparta is considered shameful and requires either exile or suicide to redeem Sparta’s honor. Now, only the gods can save them from the terrible price Sparta extracts from men who desire other men.

First edition published by Dreamspinner Press, December 2014.

Book Review

Andreas lives a lonely life with only his ferret, Ictis, for a companion. As entertaining as Ictis can be, he's not much of a conversationalist. It's been four years since Andreas’s mother died and he longs for companionship. When a man begins sneaking around his cottage, Andreas should be frightened. It's most likely a Spartan, a sworn enemy of Andreas's and part of a group who killed his father; but Andreas needs company so badly that he takes a chance and starts leaving food out for him. Within a few days, they meet face-to-face and that begins a complicated relationship which defies all logic because of their backgrounds, but with love, everything is possible.

Andreas is an uncomplicated man. He lives simply and has all he needs to survive—his goat herd and his friendly ferret Ictis to keep him company. He is of marrying age, but has no interest in women. He can't see how a wife could be helpful and refuses to be tricked into marriage just for the sake of yielding to tradition. It's becoming harder and harder to avoid though, with his nearest neighbor's daughter having her sights set on him. When a stranger appears, he's frightened at first; but he and his nightly visitor, who he soon finds out is a Spartan named Theron, get to know each other, he begins to wonder if this could be an answer to his prayers for companionship. Even though they are supposed to be enemies, Andreas has incredibly strong physical and emotional feelings for Theron and his feelings are returned.

Knowing they are in an impossible situation, not only because they are so different, but that, unlike the rest of Greece, in Sparta two men having a physical relationship is forbidden, they realize they have to exert the utmost caution. Not only do they need to hide from Andreas's people, since Spartans are their enemies, but from the Spartans as well. The consequences will be dire if they are discovered. It's a push-me-pull-me relationship. Theron and Andreas fight their feelings knowing how dangerous their relationship is, but it seems to be impossible to stay away from each other. Theron leaves Andreas to keep him safe and Andreas feels hurt and used because Theron keeps leaving. When Theron is injured when trying to put a wounded deer out of its misery, unfortunately, Andreas’s efforts aren't enough to keep the wound from becoming infected. Andreas prays to the god Apollo, who is in charge of healing among other things, asking for healing for his lover. Apollo hears his pleas and takes away Theron's infection. It's still a while until he's ready to travel again. Andreas is torn between wanting him to feel better, yet not wanting him to leave. They both know eventually that day will come.

This book is an artful combination or Ancient Greek history and mythology and an enemies to lovers love story. Kayla has created a near impossible situation for her two lovers, giving the story lots of angst, but there is also hope as they look for a solution to their seemingly unsolvable situation. Kayla has seamlessly blended mythology into the story, with the gods, particularly Apollo, able to roam the earth along with the humans, unrecognized, but able to assist them when they need help. I feel I should warn you that it's a cliff-hanger, but it's also the first book in what appears to be an exciting series. I look forward to having many adventures with Theron and Andreas, and hanging out with the gods as well. If you enjoy Greek history, mythology, hot men having even hotter sex, and characters who are complex, damaged, but strong and very much in love, then you may like this book. Thanks, Kayla, for the history lesson and intriguing love story.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 317 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	25-October-2019
Price	$2.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Spartan-Love-Kayla-Jameth-ebook/dp/B07ZLLQ75B