The Archer’s Arrow

Title:  The Archer’s Arrow  (A Ren Faire Romance)

Author:  A.J. Marcus

Length:  210 pages

Rating:  B List

Quad Shot of Love

 

Blurb:  A Ren Faire Romance

Former Olympic archer Robin Lockwood quit competing and now runs an archery booth at the Ren Faire. He enjoys his unencumbered life with few attachments but lots of casual friends. Traveling across the country from fair to fair adds spice to his life.

John Aquitaine found acting in college and started a comedy show with his good friend, Pete. They are the “Perfect Princes,” and it helps John escape real life. The gypsy lifestyle lets him keep people at arm’s length until an arrow nearly hits him and he meets the handsome Robin Lockwood.

The flame between them sparks quickly, but the relationship is slowed when John’s dark past catches up with him. John’s Uncle Fred, the source of his horrible memories, appears at one of the Perfect Princes’ performances, and it upsets John so much he needs Robin to rescue him. Their love is tested again as Uncle Fred plans to finish what he started when John was a child.

 

Review:  I have had the honor of reading and reviewing the other books in the Ren Faire series. From the first book I have adored the concept of the nomadic Ren faire characters.  This book has the same feel good aspects with a unique landscape and struggles to find peace that the other books had as well.

John is an actor on the Ren faire circut. His family are his acting partner, Pete, and Pete’s wife. Always a bit of loner he enjoys the life he has made and hopes to find peace one day.

His past is haunting and abusive, but he has fought back to live a normal life. Or at least a life free and of his making.

Robin is an archer. After leaving behind his parents dream of olympic medals he now enjoys the freedom of his chosen nomadic life. Archery, camping, and men and he is happy. Then he meets John. They become friends, and then more. Robin sees a man worth the time to invest in. He sees a future in John, something he wasn’t sure his traveling ways would give him.

I think what I liked most about the interactions between John and Robin was their friendship and respect for each other. John had had enough trauma in his life and Robin wasn’t going to add to it. They move slow physically, they talk, they listen to one another. I’m not saying they weren’t affectionate and possessive even at times. But they both saw each others needs and tempered their actions to allow love to grow.

I’ve liked this entire series.  You get a bit of everything. Heat and affection, friendship and angst. Throw in a good bad guy and it makes everything interesting.

Reviewed by Beans