Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings

The Wolf and the Wallflower | Devin Harnois

Wolves of the Ton #1

Release Date: February 22nd, 2023

Publisher: October Night Publishing

Cover Design: Kanaxa

Length: 73,000 words

Buy Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK

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Blurb

Lord Jasper Thorne is the most eligible bachelor of the season, but he chafes against the expectation to marry a suitable lady and forge a strong alliance for his pack. Acting polite and proper at balls makes him want to take his wolf form and flee into the woods. Then he meets shy wallflower Ambrose and suddenly social events are much more tolerable.

Ambrose Linfield is hopelessly smitten the moment he meets handsome, charming Jasper. They discuss books they aren’t supposed to be reading, chat with each other at balls when Jasper should be dancing with ladies, even shift together under the full moon.

When Ambrose takes a bold chance and Jasper discovers the truth of his own feelings, everything changes. Secret kisses and stolen moments consume them, but the end of the season draws closer. Soon Jasper will have to do his duty, unless both of them are willing to defy their parents, their packs, and all of society.

Excerpt

“Lord Thorne—” Ambrose managed before the man cut him off.

“Jasper, please.”

“Jasper.” And oh mercy, that name felt so good on his tongue, like the finest wine or decadent chocolate. Ambrose paused, struggling to remember what he was going to say. “You’re the son of a duke, his heir. I’m third in line to a minor baron. I’m barely qualified to even attend noble events, I’m in my fourth season, and everyone generally avoids me as best they can.”

Lord Thorne blinked, opened his mouth, started to say something, closed it. Then he tried again. “Are you saying we can’t be friends?”

That sounded rather bleak, and it brought back painful memories from childhood. “I’m saying we’re… mismatched.”

“Well, I don’t think so. I like you. If you don’t want to be friends, then just say so. But if you’re trying to, I don’t know, warn me off for the sake of my reputation or something”—Lord Thorne chuckled—“I think my reputation can handle it.”

Ambrose desperately wished he hadn’t stood up because his legs had gone weak. He sat back down, hoping it looked like acquiescence and not a necessary move to keep from falling over.

Lord Thorne watched him with a curious and slightly worried expression. “Truly, if you’d rather not, if you think it might draw too much attention to you… I’d be greatly disappointed, but I would understand.”

The fact that his most pressing concern was Ambrose’s comfort nearly stole his breath. He hadn’t even known Lord Thorne for a full day, and yet this man had more consideration for him than members of his own family. Lord Thorne was watching him expectantly, and Ambrose struggled to find something to say. “I would be honored to have you consider me a friend.”

Lord Thorne smiled warmly. “I already do. Can I call you Ambrose then?”

To hear his given name on Lord Thorne’s lips nearly undid him. It was said plainly enough, a request any friend might make to another when they wished to be more familiar, and yet it felt like a caress. Say it again, Ambrose thought, his heart pounding. “I… I would… I… yes,” he finally managed.

Lord Thorne—Ambrose couldn’t bring himself to think of him as Jasper—studied him for a moment. Then his expression eased. “Well, why don’t we go get those drinks? Then we can talk more about the subtext in Vogel’s operas.”

About The Author

Devin Harnois writes YA and Romance of the fantastical sort. Most of his books involve magic, monsters, and hope. Somehow they keep getting more queer. When he isn’t writing he spends too much time on Discord and plays a lot of Dragon Age.

In second grade he wrote his first story, a romance about two mice falling in love. He still has the original draft.

Social Media

Website: devinharnois.com

Twitter: @devinharnois

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4090299.Devin_Harnois