“I loved this story. I didn’t expect the plot to suck me in quite as much as it did, but once the story started rolling I couldn’t put my Kindle down! The action was very hot, and the story had just enough heartbreak to make the ending all the more sweet.”
Amazon.com: Erin’s review of Levity (formerly Earthly Desires).
“This story is beautifully written, almost lyrical in its flow, like the fairy tales of yore. Of course, the evil witch came along and presented our heroes with an impossible choice. Without giving too much away, the characteristics and growth of both heroes made it possible for them to save the world and each other, and live happily ever after.
This was a light (ha!), fun, engaging story. Great for a beach read, a comfort read; one of those moments you want something you know will make you laugh, smile, and feel good.”
Amazon.com: jeayci’s review of Levity (formerly Earthly Desires).
Once upon a time, in what now feels like a kingdom far, far away, Leta Blake had never published a book. Her pal, Keira Andrews, said, “Let’s do a series of re-imagined fairy tales together and sell them to a publisher!” And Leta said, “Oh, wow! That sounds super fun!”
Thus, Leta eagerly set about scribbling her very first book. (Well, her very first book that didn’t turn into a four book series that still isn’t done yet.) She found inspiration for her leading man in George MacDonald’s fairytale The Light Princess. The idea of a beautiful prince lacking in physical and emotional gravity seemed too fun an opportunity to pass up.
Leta named her little book Levity and even managed to keep it under the word count the publisher required for a novella. Keira added her bits, and they were both quite pleased with the outcome. The publisher seemed to like it, too. Except they didn’t like the title. They said Levity wasn’t sexy enough, readers wouldn’t like it, no one would buy it, etc. So with tears in her eyes, Leta agreed to call the tale Earthly Desires.
Then came the publisher’s cover. It was dark and brooding, with headless, muscled torsos, and an ominous vibe. The publisher said, “Too bad, so sad!” when Leta and Keira argued, “This cover is really inappropriate for the book. It sets completely wrong expectations about what will be inside.” It can’t be stressed enough that Leta cried real tears over that cover. Hot, angry, sad tears.
(Leta’s first experience with dealing with a publishing house wasn’t very awesome. *ahem* This might have something to do with why she self-publishes now.)
Cue the passing of three years and the publisher finally gave Leta and Keira their rights back to this little story! (And the other stories in this series, too! The second tale, Rise, based on Jack & the Beanstalk, has been out since last spring. The third tale, Flight, based on The Twelve Dancing Princesses, will be re-released in October!) And it is with great joy that we announce the new (old) title and brilliant new cover for this sexy, silly, whimsical fairy tale!
May it live happily ever after!
THE END
Now Available
Available Now
“The early part of this story was charming and whimsical, and very, very sexy. What surprised me was how it actually became such a page-turner once the plot started moving, and how deeply invested I was in the resolution. Extremely well-done!” —
Amazon.com: Amelia C. Gormley “Amelia”‘s review of Earthly Desires (Tempting Tales, Book One).
This was a wonderful fairy tale, witty and whimsical, sexy and silly, surprisingly touching at times, laugh-out-loud funny at others, and when the plot really got rolling, a complete page-turner. — Amelia Gormley’s review
Beautifully told with heartwarming and likeable characters that really live and breathe off of the written page, Ascending Hearts is a story not to be missed! If you are a fan of fantasy/fairytale romances then this book is definitely one to be considered. — Gabbi’s review
This is the best rendition of the 12 dancing princesses fairy tale I’ve read. It’s very suspenseful and the storytelling is beautiful. [I’ts a] great romance with interesting characters. This is a must read for fairy tale lovers and those that like a hero struggling to get his love returned. — Cynthia’s review
Hooray! Another great review of The Light Princess from the National Theatre!
And, for what it’s worth, Keira’s and my book, Earthly Desires, is a m/m take on The Light Princess. The cover makes it look much more serious than it really is. It’s actually a whimsical read. I should make a post about that sometime. Anyway, yes.
If you enjoyed Keira’s and my latest book, Love’s Nest, don’t forget to check out the other gay fairy tales we’ve written! 🙂
What things does Leta love?
Tori Amos? CHECK
The Light Princess? CHECK. (In fact, I love it so much that Keira and I based our first m/m fairy tale, Earthly Desires, on the story. One prince floats, the other is bound to the earth.)
Musicals? CHECK
Angsty Love? CHECK
My beloved people, clearly I am meant to travel to London to see this at the National Theater! Clearly. Now, someone just convince my bank account of that!
Once, in opposing kingdoms lived a princess and a prince who had lost their mothers. Althea, unable to cry, became light with grief and floated, and so was locked away. Digby became so heavy-hearted that he could never smile, and so was trained as a warrior.
One day, he declares war. Althea is forced out of hiding and down to ground but, in defiance of her father, she escapes, only to encounter the solemn prince on contested land. Beside a lake the warring heirs begin a passionate and illicit affair. But for Althea to find real love, she must first confront the world’s darkness and face her own deepest fears.
I am truly, ridiculously excited by this! I cannot wait to see it! It’s starring the gorgeous Rosalie Craig! And Clive Rowe! I hear good things about them!
Just found a video of Rosalie singing old skool Tori. Interesting. It gets pretty dang good midway through. Hmmm.
Earthly Desires is on sale at All Romance eBooks! Only $2.80 after rebate! It’s a great time to pick up the first book in our Tempting Tales series because Book Two–Ascending Hearts–will be out January 2nd! Can’t really beat that price, either!
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Cursed as an infant with a lack of physical and emotional gravity, Prince Efrosin can’t keep his feet on the ground or his head out of the clouds. Laughing his way through life, he’s never been weighed down by love and lust.
Then one fateful day, his tenuous tie to the earth is severed and he blows away on the wind. He’s rescued by Dmitri, a handsome young woodsman who suffers from a mysterious curse of his own, and the two strangers are irresistibly drawn together. Experiencing sex and love for the first time, they dive into a delightfully sensual and passionate affair.
But the evil witch who cursed them is planning her ultimate revenge. Efrosin and Dmitri must fight to find their fairy tale ending and live happily ever after.
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Inspired by The Light Princess by George MacDonald.
Leta Blake 