Novella
From Torquere Press
Available from Torquere Press, Amazon, Fictionwise, or ARe.
From Shayna at Joyfully Reviewed:
Emerald: Rewriting History was such a fun read that every time I think of it, I want to re-read Pierce and Tobin’s story. EM Lynley gives Emerald: Rewriting History a dazzling energy and I can’t help but smile thinking of the sparks that fly between Tobin and Pierce. For a snappy, sexy good time, look no farther than Emerald: Rewriting History. Joyfully Recommended! (Full review)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tobin Wyler is about to open the
most significant exhibit in his career as a curator, and everything is going
perfectly until he spots his former boyfriend chatting with his most important
contributor at the black-tie reception. It goes from bad to worse because not
only did Pierce Worthington once break Tobin's heart, but he's suspected of
being the elusive art thief known as Jaguar, and Tobin knows his target is the
highlight of the exhibit: an enormous emerald known as the Green Sorrow.
Pierce is torn about seeing Tobin again under these conditions. He is expected to obtain the emerald, but he knows it may damage Tobin's reputation. What Pierce doesn't expect is how quickly old feelings about Tobin rise to the surface. Hoping to ease Tobin's fears and spend time with him, Pierce offers to let Tobin keep a constant eye on him for the 36 hours leading up to the exhibits opening.
Thrown together again out of necessity laced with attraction, Tobin must figure out how to protect the emerald, his reputation, and his heart.
EXCERPT
Dickens had said
it much better than Tobin ever could: It was the best of times. It was the
worst of times. It summed the situation up nicely.
Maybe a bit melodramatic, but that was the first thought that
popped into Tobin Wyler's mind. Just when he thought he'd achieved the pinnacle
of his career -- higher than he'd expected -- everything was about to come
crashing down.
He'd been on Cloud Nine when he'd walked into to the
elegant private party, a mass of jewel-colored cocktail dresses and designer
tuxedoes to celebrate the imminent opening of his most important exhibition.
At Home with Royalty, a collection of antiquities and
artifacts used by royal families throughout the ages would open to the public
in two days. It would be the first time in over five hundred years all five
gems from the legendary Crown of Amsara would be reunited. The literal crowning
glory of the piece -- and of the entire exhibit -- was one of the largest
emeralds ever found: The Green Sorrow hadn't been seen for centuries, and Tobin
had not only located it, but convinced its owner, Sheikh Abdul-Shakur, to allow
it to be on public display.
With the hard work behind him, Tobin let his guard down
for the first time in months. Tonight's reception honored the private
collectors and curators of other museums whose pieces comprised the exhibit.
Tobin had a way of charming collectors and boards of directors -- male or
female -- into wanting to be part of art history and everyone he'd approached
had been thrilled to include their pieces in the exhibit, with a few notable
exceptions.
With a satisfaction that bordered on arousal, he noticed
the swarm of guests around the case containing the Crown of Amsara, murmuring in awe and
appreciation of the spectacular emerald.
As Tobin walked through the throng of guests, various
people came up to him with greetings of congratulations, double-cheeked
European kisses and one hotel room key slipped into a pocket, but he only gave
them a fraction of his attention. He had his eye and his mind on a tall
sandy-haired figure on the far side of the room.
From a three-quarter back view, the way the Italian-cut
tux fit him made Tobin want to get to know him, whoever he was. God how Tobin
loved what Italians could do with fabric; even when fully dressed you could
still know nearly everything you wanted about a man's body. Mmm.
Well, past Cloud Nine at this point, maybe even on Ten or
Eleven, Tobin had approached within ten feet of his target when the man turned
around. Tobin's mood immediately plummeted to earth, crashing into everything
on the way down, and landing with a very real gut-wrenching thud.
"Tobin!" Sheikh Abdul-Shakur's shout came from
behind Tobin's left shoulder, startling him. The sheikh grabbed Tobin,
practically dragging him up to the elegantly dressed man. "We've been
waiting for you to make an appearance! You know Pierce Worthington, don't
you?"
Tobin's brain hadn't processed this situation yet, leaving
him speechless.
"We're old... friends." Pierce broke the
silence. The considerable pause -- and the look of terror Tobin's
face probably displayed -- led the Sheikh to glance between the two men for a
few seconds before he nodded in understanding of words left unsaid.
Pierce Worthington here? Now? And with Tobin's most
important collector? Of course it had to happen sooner or later. They moved in
the same circles, it had been sheer luck (or had it?) they hadn't crossed paths
earlier. Tobin had to admit, occasionally he hoped he'd see Pierce again and
have a good excuse to speak with him. There couldn't be a worse place for the
meeting to happen than tonight. Because Tobin knew exactly why Pierce was here,now.
To steal the emerald.
Get your copy at Torquere Press, Amazon, Fictionwise, or ARe.
