Medieval Tales

Title:  Medieval Tales

Author:  Saura Underscore

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  210 pages

Rating:  B List

Quad Shot of Love

Blurb:  When Duncan of the Gents leaves for the Crusades, he promises to return to his friend and lover, Adam Gordon, but he never does. Three years later, upon learning that Duncan died in an ambush, Adam travels to Jerusalem to join the Cross Knights, seeking revenge.

Wyon Eastman, Captain of the Cross Knights, meets Caliph Omar on the battlefield and in peace parliaments. But discovering the cruel, heartless infidel is human forces Wyon to struggle with growing romantic feelings and religious loyalties.

As the English army sweeps across the Holy Land to conquer Jerusalem for the Christians, four men fight for true love in uncertain times.

A Timeless Dreams title: While reaction to same-sex relationships throughout time and across cultures has not always been positive, these stories celebrate M/M love in a manner that may address, minimize, or ignore historical stigma.

Review: Medieval Tales is a story of two pairs of lovers. Firstly we are introduced to a lifelong friendship of love, loyalty and devotion with Duncan and Adam. Secondly a romantic tale of lovers who unexpectedly fall in love from opposite sides of the war.

Adam serves as Duncan’s servant from childhood to adulthood. Duncan is a lord and Adam is his most trusted loyal and devoted friend, when they are separated by family and war both experience heartbreak and sorrow. Adam’s elder brother sees their relationship as sin and believes their closeness will bring shame on his family, Adam’s brother sends Adam away, hoping Duncan will not find him and thus save Adam’s soul from Hell.

Duncan must leave for training and is unaware of Adam’s situation. On his return Duncan discovers, Adam missing, but he cannot leave for war without saying good-bye to his beloved friend. Duncan doesn’t give up and is determined to find his love. Eventually Duncan finds Adam, but their hearts are filled with sorrow again when Duncan has to leave for war. Adam swears he’ll never give up hope that they’ll be together one day, and he’ll pray every day for Duncan’s safe return.

Three years later when Adam learns of Duncan’s death, heartbroken he sets out to seek revenge. At first Adam appears to be the weaker of the two men, but his love for Duncan drives him on, with growing courage risking his own life to avenge the person most dearest to him.

Wyon is leading the Army now that Duncan had been killed. After months of treacherous travelling, Adam had finally found the camp, although looking a bit worse for wear he remained strong in his heart and mind and determined to fulfil his goal. Captain Wyon is impressed with the young man and allows Adam to join his army. Wyon is good to Adam, he gives him advice and looks out for him.

Omar Arab monarch, now at first I was dubious of Omar’s actions I wasn’t sure how genuine he was with Wyon, and I feared Wyon had been duped by Omar’s seduction. Omar is conceived to be monstrous and to be feared by all that know him. However he is none of those things, Omar is graceful, passionate and playful, and his love for his enemy, Captain Wyon is true.

Although I did enjoy this story, I did find in some parts that it dragged on a bit. I got that Duncan loved Adam and vice versa, and I felt their emotions and love leap from the pages, the descriptions were well written. It just became a little tiresome reading on going paragraphs of their love and desire for one another.

Reviewed by Teddy