by
*2024 Runner-Up : New England Romance Writers Reader's Choice Award - romance novella*
Jeweler Lachlan Beattie does the Renaissance Frolicke event each year; it’s the only time he sees costume designer Taran Kimura. Their vendor stalls have been on opposite sides of the site. Then the year’s event package arrives with a new map: now they’ll be side by side.
Taran sees the new map and considers sending a thank-you note to the management. Finally, no barriers to striking up a conversation with the sexy Scot. They’ve been eyeing each other for years. Taran’s almost fifty; it’s past time to step outside his comfort zone.
Lachlan makes the first move; Taran makes the second. Once they start talking, they never want to stop. They have six weekends to see how far their connection could go. By the end of the second, they both know they want forever.
What could possibly go wrong?
- 1 Read list
Publisher: JMS Books, LLC
Editors:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 5
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 46-65
Protagonist 2 Age: 46-65
Word Count: 36,000
Setting: Los Angeles
Languages Available: English
Lachlan
I started to turn away, my brain already running the checklist. Then remembered who I was talking to, and my manners. “Can I give you a hand with anything?”
Taran gazed at me as he took another sip of whatever was in his cup. Then his gaze dipped, just for a second, as if he were looking at my mouth. When he glanced up again his smile was the tiniest bit wicked. “Maybe later. Let’s get this show on the road.”
I think I said something. Did I say something? Christ, I hope I said something, rather than reversing myself like a speechless fucking automaton and jogging off back to my car. Honestly couldn’t tell you, though. All that was in my mind was: he flirted with me. Taran Kimura bloody flirted with me. The first time we spoke! First thing in the morning! Me looking as crap as I always did, and him as fine as he always did.
READ MOREHeaven help me, he was even better up close. All that black hair, shot with silver, pulled back in a sleek braid. Those bright brown eyes, set between winged eyebrows and high cheekbones, framed with the finest lines. From a few feet away I’d’ve said he was twenty years younger than me. From the distance we’d been talking (less than arm’s length) I’d revised that. He might be no more than five years younger; might even be older.
Though by any measure more good-looking than me, I suppose he wasn’t truly movie-star handsome. I didn’t care. I had twelve long days to look at him, and look I would.
****
Taran
Was I flirting? Had I actually pulled that off, first thing in the morning, first real conversation, without even one inhibition-lowering beverage under my belt? Did I really do that thing where I glanced at his mouth as if I was imagining a kiss?
I did.
I actually did that thing.
I could feel myself blush at the audacity of it, though fortunately not until Lachlan had jogged off in the direction of his car. Some guys look cute when they blush, getting that sweet pink cheek thing going; I look like a cartoon, red as an apple from my hairline to the top of my chest.
But I didn’t have to worry about it, because my dolly and my garment rack and all my boxes of stock didn’t care about my face. They just wanted me to not drop them in the dirt.
Getting stuff out of the car was by far the easiest part of the day, which was good, because my attention was definitely split. I couldn’t get over the fact that Lachlan came to talk to me. I mean, he really honestly obviously came to talk to me, because he passed everyone else along the way and didn’t stop for longer than it took to shake hands.
And I swear, I would’ve been happy just to make a new friend, but there was more going on than that. I might be shy, but I wasn’t the guy who would say oh, he’s not really interested in me, why would he be interested in me. We had some important stuff in common, based on the simple fact that we were both artists who exhibited at the Frolicke. I was reasonably certain that we were close to the same age. Now I knew that we both also had day jobs. And that we’d both wanted to get better acquainted. And that we, apparently without even thinking about it, stood closer to each other than any two straight men who were talking for the first time ever would.
COLLAPSEMaryann on Queeromance Ink wrote:This is the first time in recent years that I read a book straight through without stopping. I literally could not put this down! ‘Our Revels Now’ has everything I look for in a keeper: well-written with an interesting plot, a unique location, and fully developed characters in a real-life setting. The fact the men are in their fifties was a bonus as I love mature characters who make mature decisions.
Lachlan is a Scotsman who is retired military and a retired engineer, now doing metalwork and creative designs for a well-known jeweler, He is muscular and sturdy with a close-cropped haircut, a flair for the artistic, and a desire for commitment. Taran is Asian, an elementary teacher and seamstress, who designs clothing, tapestries, and other novelty items. His long hair, slender body, and light makeup make him appear a little fem, but not overly so, and he is a sweet, gentle man who is ready to settle down.
The two have never formally had a conversation and yet both have participated as vendors at the Renaissance Frolicke held in the LA area in stalls across from each other for years, apparently admiring the other from afar. This year, the wily organizers—who may have observed the potential attraction in past years—have placed their vendor stalls next to each other and the plan works. Both men take advantage of their closeness to strike up a conversation, then a friendship, and ultimately, a romance by the end of the first four weeks of the event.
The blurb asks “What could go wrong?” Rather than answer with the specifics of what did go wrong, I can honestly say I’m very impressed that the author came up with a believable incident to make Taran rethink his comfortable life, his profession, his artistic sewing ventures, and his growing relationship with Lachlan. And Lachlan, always calm and steady, a man who has moved through a few careers in life and is doing what he enjoys best now, knows he cares for Taran and is willing to wait until Taran sees the solution is right before his eyes.
The story is fast-paced, romantic, humorous, enjoyable, and intriguing. I love these characters so much I hate to say goodbye. I’m very impressed and most definitely will recommend this book to all my friends, especially those of us who appreciate a romance featuring personable and mature characters.
The annual Renaissance Frolicke is about to get started. The committee – Aja, Felice, Roger and Mark – have finalized and mailed the contracts for all the venders and acts. They have also made some very important changes with the venue and are all anxious to see how things turn out. Especially one thing that they’re keeping an eye on.
Scotsman Lachlan Beattie is fifty-five, and has lived and worked in LA for fifteen years. He retired from the RAF, where he served as an engineer. Now he works with Jan DeWitt of South Africa, who owns DeWitt Jewelry. He used to have a boyfriend, but struggled with getting into the dating world. Now he would really like to not be single and alone, and hopes to find a special someone. Lachlan’s booth for the Frolicke is the Dragon’s Forge, and he makes metalworkings with a Scottish flair.
Taran Kimura is Japanese, and close to his fifties, with an apartment in North Ridge. He’s a school teacher, artist, and loves cosplay. He’s excited about the upcoming Frolicke, and his booth Courtly Splendor, where he sells Japanese fabrics and costumes.
For four years at the Frolicke, the Dragon’s Forge and Courtly Splendor have been located across for each other. Lachlan and Taran have noticed each other every year, but never had the time to talk or get acquainted – they’ve always been too busy, with too many people to attend to and never enough time.
Now with the changes at the Frolicke, they find their booths next to each other, the chance they’ve both been thinking about. What will happen when they are finally able to get to know each other? Will it be what they both want, and desire?
Caluen creates a very sweet and romantic tale, with moments of drama, set in the heart of the workings of a renaissance fair. It’s fun to see behind the scenes – all the strategic planning and coordination that goes into these fairs, and what works and what doesn’t. I loved the names the author gave to each character’s booth.
And she goes deep with Lachlan and Taran, delving into their individual doubts and hopes for both the present and the future. Will they be able to make each others’ longtime dreams of love come true?
Our Revels Now is a very entertaining and quick read with two sweet characters, filled with banter, humor, serious moments, romance and love.
OUR REVELS NOW is a later-in-life, seize-the-day M/M romance featuring two artists.
