Title: Forlorn
Series: Wavesongs #2
Author: Elvira Bell
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: March 9, 2019
Length: 97300 words
Genre: Romance, age gap, historical, pirates, adventure, m/m romance, gay
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Synopsis
Nick Andrews is back in England. He is a broken man, living on the streets and trying to cope with everything he’s been through. Nick thinks that his life is over, but then Tom comes along. Tom, who is handsome and wealthy and intent on making his acquaintance.
Nick ends up as Tom’s valet, a position that brings him to the remote estate of Ravensleigh. At Ravensleigh, he soon realizes that Tom and his family have a past laden with shadows. Nick regrets coming there, but at the same time finds it harder and harder to resist Tom’s advances.
Then one night, a stranger arrives at Ravensleigh. And Nick’s world is turned upside down once more.
Warning: This book ends with a cliffhanger. The series as a whole will have a HEA ending.
Please note that the books in the Wavesongs series should be read in chronological order!
Wavesongs playlist
The Cardigans – You’re the Storm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMTLfChPzMc
A beautiful love song that always reminds me of Nick and Christopher and their relationship. The love described in the song is tumultuous, almost destructive—not necessarily good for the protagonist, but they can’t live without it. In this song love is a battleground, a war, which goes well with the dark and often violent world that Nick is drawn into when he meets Christopher.
Glasvegas – Stronger Than Dirt (Homosexuality Pt. 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmZyfnHxFnE
One of my favorite songs, that describes a relationship that is not accepted by the outside world, a love that is not recognized as such—but the protagonist knows what he’s feeling and knows that his relationship is just as real and pure as a heterosexual one. In the first Wavesongs book, Astray, Nick discovered his true self in a world where being gay was common and accepted by most people, but in Forlorn he’s back in England where sex with another man could get him hanged.
Troye Sivan – Seventeen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOuBqt3PbwE
A beautiful song that I discovered recently, and one that instantly reminded me of Nick and Christopher. Nick is twenty when they meet, so not quite as young as the song’s protagonist, but there is an age-gap of eleven years between them and even though Nick isn’t entirely inexperienced, Christopher is the first man he’s involved with. The lyrics are about discovering sex and being taught by someone with more experience—just as Nick is taught by Christopher at the beginning of their relationship.
Turisas – Hunting Pirates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejIjJdoIn6w
That one song that I listen to on repeat when I’m feeling down and I have no energy for writing. It’s just so piratey, and also makes me think of Vikings, which is always a good thing.
Handel – The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TGKJ9MgCOQ
I listen to classical music a lot when I’m writing, and this piece is one that I really associate with Forlorn. It reminds me of grand country houses and ladies strolling in the garden, of dancing and witty conversation. Listening to 18th century music really makes me feel closer to my characters and to the world they live in.
Two nights later, Arlington returns to the coffee house. He doesn’t show up until late—half an hour before closing he saunters in and sits himself down close to the fireplace. He takes a long look around the room, removing his hat and straightening the black ribbon holding the curls of his wig together at the neck. There’s only one other customer left, so Nick isn’t busy. He has no excuses.
“Just a little,” Arlington says as Nick starts pouring him coffee. “Too much of this late in the evenings and I get no sleep until morning.” He smiles. “How about you, Mr. Andrews? Is coffee to your taste?”
Nick looks down at his hands. “No.”
“How expected!” Arlington chuckles. His fingertips run over the brim of the cup, tracing the edge. “Have you tried it? Surely Mr. Goodall has offered you some?”
“Don’t want to,” Nick mutters, and hurries away. When he enters the back room with some dirty dishes Goodall is there, rummaging for something in a cupboard. The room is dim, and so small that there’s barely space for both of them.
“No good, that one,” Goodall says under his breath. As if Nick didn’t know already that Mr. Arlington is no good.
“Why?”
Goodall is quiet for a moment. “Oh, it’s rumors,” he says at last, getting to his feet. “Nothing for a young boy like you to hear.”
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Elvira Bell lives in Sweden and spends most of her time writing, reading or watching movies. Her weaknesses include, but are not limited to: vintage jazz, musicals, kittens, oversized tea cups, men in suits, the 18th century, and anything sparkly.
Elvira writes m/m fiction with a touch of romance and has a penchant for historical settings. She adores all things gothic and will put her characters through hell from time to time because she just loves watching them suffer. It makes the happy endings so much sweeter, after all.
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