#Everette.... what if I exploded into fireworks

[tropicalcontinental]

All alone

[everly-kindred]

Eve’s Diary - Entry #97

Date: 2nd of July, 2028

Dear Diary, 

Well, summer is officially here and I have come back home. I can’t tell you how good it feels to be able to just sleep in, to linger and explore in my dreams, and then spend my days playing outside with Puck and Cornelius and the rats, from sunup to sundown. I have a nice stack of books to get through this summer, but I haven’t touched them yet because I just want to spend the first little bit not using my brain as much as possible. 

Little Lamplight has an event happening right now, I haven’t gone yet but I probably will. I want to say hi to my friends and see what’s going on! Anyways, let me catch you up on how the year ended before we talk about summer any more than I already have. 

Towards the end of exams, I had a really nice moment with Marigold and Everett where we danced and twirled in the rain until we were dizzy and then we just laid in it. It was very cathartic. I love the rain so much, I wish we’d get more thunderstorms. 

The Champion’s Feast happened, and there was smoked salmon which made me really happy, but then some drama happened. The Champions were supposed to give their speeches, but then they got interrupted when it came out that they had proof that their acting headmaster was the one behind Golovin’s murder, and then it was this whole thing and we had to evacuate the halls, there was something about that tall dark-haired Durmstrang girl being tortured and held hostage in his cabin on their ship? Anyways, the Ministry came and arrested him, there was a lot of fighting and anger. 

And then the next day was the task. There was this muddy bog sort of thing surrounding a forest, and at the center of the forest was a phoenix surrounded by a ring of fire. And there were so many traps! Lars got into the forest and the ring of fire first. The champions had to shed everything but their wand and the clothes on their back, but they didn’t know they were being followed by a pogrebin which prevented them from keeping forward. Lars’ revealed itself when he got frustrated and knelt down, so he eliminated it and moved forward. And then he went into this… Celestial, ethereal mirror world, where he encountered himself in a mirror and got asked all these personal questions. 

In the end, he couldn’t answer the questions properly and fought his way out. Then, he ended up at this bridge thing, where the cup was, and he got the cup before anyone else and then appeared in the sky with all these fireworks, so Durmstrang won in the end! Golovin’s ghost showed up and partied with his students, before vanishing at the end of the night, at peace I think! It was very emotional. 

Down below, where Elliott and Cardan were, though… Cardan had the hardest time getting into the forest, and Elliott couldn’t get past the phoenix because of his own pogrebin. Cardan ended up casting something on Elliott, and then the two started fighting. They all got taken back to their tents and… That was that! 

Slytherin ended up winning the house cup, though, and I’m actually quite happy about that. I think Elliott deserved that win, and I feel like he and Professor Rask do a really good job with the Slytherins. I hate seeing people perpetuate stereotypes about the houses, you know? Snakes are clever, and it made me really happy to see that cleverness put to work to bring their house pride! (Plus now I get to see the colour green every time I walk into the Great Hall and that makes me really happy, it’s my favourite colour.) 

Oh, I also started colouring my hair bright, unnatural colours even before school ended. It was pink for awhile, and now it’s blue. I didn’t get stopped by any professors or prefects or anything. Maybe I’ll keep doing this next year… We shall see. 

Anyways, we then said goodbye to the schools. There was… a lot of crying. It’s going to be so weird, going into next year without them. The school will feel… Emptier. Less interesting. I have a couple ideas for things to do to make things a little more fun, though. It’ll be interesting and… I can’t believe I’m going into my third year… And Mari and Talula and Bobby and that whole group are going into their fifth years. It’s wild to me. 

I sat with Bobby on the train ride home, and we ate candy and played exploding snap. I fell asleep on his shoulder. It was really nice, and we’re going to play Dungeons and Dragons this summer. Dad got me an adventurer’s guide book that he thought I’d like, so I might try my hand at being a dungeon master? It’s called Candlekeep Mysteries and it’s got a lot to do with the Feywild! So I’m really excited about it. And I want to go watch Bobby play rugby. 

Lately I’ve been reading a lot about the Fae and Irish mythology and lore about them, and I’ve been drawing a bit, too. I’m so glad that it’s summer. I feel like I can breathe again. I’m not sure what it was about this year that drained me as badly as it did, I didn’t really do anything. But maybe that’s what it was - I wasn’t drawing or writing or even really hanging out with my friends. I should try to change that next year, and maybe it’ll be better? 

Oh, there was one other thing, before I go. I had a really weird, vivid dream. It was like I was floating in the ocean, and I could see the moon in a clear sky. She was so huge, and it felt like the ocean was carrying me towards her. And then I started to sink, and I was very aware of a large creature being in the water with me, which is like, my nightmare. I hate swimming with creatures! So I started to panic, and then I started to drown, and there was all this loud crashing… I think there was other things happening, and it was so vivid at the time, but the memories broke into pieces the moment I woke up and kinda just faded away, instantly. 

I had more nightmares that night, too, but they felt different and I remembered them perfectly. I don’t want to talk about those, though. In a nutshell, it was just me being worried about Puck, but he’s perfectly fine and laying in bed with me. Anyways, it’s about time I get the day started, so I’m gonna go.

Much love, Everly

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[deadagainmaevepetre]

AU MEME 🔆the one where ev Actually adopts maeve featuring @evcravens & @julianaxcapulet​

It’s finally happening, and Maeve can hardly contain her excitement. She all but vibrates as she packs her things into a plastic suitcase, covered with so many stickers of rainbows and teddy bears and hearts that only a trace of pink peeks through. A happy hum fills the room as Maeve neatly folds her few clothes and tucks them in — families like clean and neat girls, Miss Juliana likes to say.

She wants, more than anything, to be liked by the Cravens. Maybe even loved, if she gets lucky.

“I hear you’re going home to your forever family today!” Juliana, one of the teachers at the orphanage, says. She’s bright and beaming as she stands in the doorway, as five-year-old Maeve bounces around the room.

“Yeah! Everett Craven, thirty six years old, a very nice and smart man who wants—“

“You know you didn’t have to memorize that, right, Maevey?” Juliana crinkles her nose with amusement and mild concern.

The little girl happily shrugs. “Do you think he’ll like me, Miss Juliana?”

With a look of melted butter on her face and a hand over her heart, Juliana solemnly replies, “I can’t imagine him not liking you, Miss Maeve.”

It’s been only two years since she was removed from her father’s care, but it’s been difficult for Maeve to bond with a family as many expected she would. A little too eager for one family’s taste, a little too talkative for another. The child stinks of desperation for love, trying to climb into their laps or asking them to brush her hair too soon. Each time Maeve gets close to winning over a family, her little body swells with hope and it explodes out of her, spilling onto the ground and scaring off yet another family.

But Everett Craven is different. She hasn’t met him at all. All she knows about him is that he’s thirty six years old, he is a very nice and smart man, and he wants to be a father enough that he doesn’t need to meet them beforehand. Maeve knows she’s lucky; she can already smell it on the air, like fresh cotton or daisies.

With her suitcase trailing behind her, Maeve walks with Juliana. She wants to hold Juliana’s hand, but she doesn’t want Everett Craven to think she loves Juliana more than him; already, she loves Everett Craven most.

When Everett Craven appears into view, Maeve looks up at Juliana and whispers fiercely, “You promise to visit?”

Juliana laughs as she waves a hand to Everett Craven. “Yes, Miss Maeve. I’ll visit.”

With her final goodbyes squared away, Maeve keeps her eyes locked on Everett Craven. Dad. Daddy. Father. Papa. Pops. She practices different ways to call him, but they don’t feel right on her tongue. All she tastes are the nerves bubbling up on her tongue, like when she tries to drink soda too fast. What if he doesn’t like her? What if he takes one look at her and decides she’s too small, or her hair is too curly, or she smiles too much or hugs too tight or smells funny or maybe her suitcase is too pink…

Julianna interrupts her panicked train of thought. “Maeve, this is Everett.” She runs her hand through Maeve’s hair as if she can read her mind and knows that the world will be alright.

Maeve looks up at Everett from beneath her lashes, suddenly shy. “Hi.”

Everett bends down until the two are eye-level. She does like his eyes; they’re a pretty color, light and blue. “Hi Maeve. I’m Everett.”

The question bursts out of her like a popped balloon: “Can I call you Dad?”

When Everett smiles, Maeve is immediately smitten. She likes the way his face lights up, though it’s not like fireworks or Christmas lights at all; more like something has switched on inside him, and the warmth is spilling out. Her jaw goes slack and her eyes grow round like marbles as she studies his face, trying to memorize this expression.

Someone happy to see her. Someone welcoming her home. It’s everything she’s ever wanted, and it’s better than she dreamt.

“Of course you can,” Everett — Dad — says.

“Are you ready to go now, Miss Maeve?” Juliana asks, reminding Maeve that she’s there at all. With Everett in front of her, it’s as if she’s speaking from miles and miles away.

She nods her head emphatically up and down. “Yes, I’m ready.”

“Thank you, Juliana.” Everett shakes her hand and the two talk about Big Adult Things as Maeve continues staring at Everett, wondering if this is it. If the sky is going to open up and pluck Everett from right in front of her, laughing at how easily a five year old girl can be tricked. Or if he’ll see one of the other girls behind her and change his mind, she looks more like him with blue eyes and pale skin…

But instead, Everett looks at her and holds out his hand. “Do you want to go home, Maeve?”

Without a second thought, Maeve grabs onto Everett and squeezes as hard as she can. “Yes. I’m ready to go home.”

[dispatchesfromromancelandia]

Dispatch #004: Happy book birthday to “SIX WEEKS WITH A LORD” by Eve Pendle | ARC review and interview

Grace Alnott is out of time. To save her younger brother from an abusive guardian, her merchant father’s will demands she must marry a peer. Handsome but destitute Everett Hetherington, Earl of Westbury agrees to her offer of a marriage of convenience but stipulates she must live with him for six weeks. No matter how honorable he seems she can’t allow him to get too close, because the aristocracy cannot be trusted.

Six weeks. Major Everett Hetherington, new Earl of Westbury, has exactly six weeks to convince the very independent Grace Alnott to spend the rest of her life with him. Despite her belief she doesn't belong in his world, he must tempt the alluring Grace into staying, because he has fallen for her. Hard. He just has to ensure she never discovers his secret.

Rarely do I come across a debut so skillfully crafted. This novel has got everything: impeccable historical research, nuanced portrayal of class privilege and the power of money, a slow burn romance between protagonists who are perfect for each other that inevitably explodes like fireworks.

The conflicts stems from the fact that Grace and Everett both enter the relationship with certain preconceived notions about their partner and they both take on the burden of responsibility for people in their lives. She craves independence and wishes to be put before anything else by her husband; he wants to maintain his family's good name and protect his wife. Oh, the angst!

The first half of the book focuses on them slowly building trust and getting to know each other while trying to figure out how to get out of trouble. The second half of the book turns sexy. Grace and Everett are developing feelings but both are stuck in the web of lies they'd set up. Have to admit, there was a time when I wasn't sure I could forgive Everett but the groveling made up for all the mistakes.

What I appreciate in this novel is the level of consent. Since Everett vowed to never claim marital rights, Grace is the one who needs to make the first step. While he always respected the boundaries and did everything to make her feel safe, he wasn't above teasing her to make sure she knows how desirable she was. Who knew a candlelit conversation in the middle of the night through closed door would be so romantic? And oh, their first kiss was so dreamy I twirled in delight :)

Most importantly, the prose was exquisite and the writing flows neatly. I was pleasantly surprised by the accuracy of historical context. This is exactly the type of historical romance that is up my alley.

I will say, if any kind of deceit or mentions of violence against women or children are dealbreakers for you, this might not a book for you and that is ok.

Now, let’s have a word with the author, Eve Pendle.

Thank you for chatting with me and congratulations on this terrific debut!

What made you want to write historical romance?

The first romance I ever read was a mills and boon historical called the autumn rose. Before that book, I remember rereading the tiny romantic parts in books, like when Achilles falls in love with a Trojan girl in a version of the Iliad that my parents had. Then there was whole books that gave me that sensation!

So I think a part of my love of historical romance is from that initial experience. Partly it's because I love history. I love to go to old houses and read about how women's lives were in the past (not wars and stuff, that's not for me).

But more than that, I think I find it difficult to suspend my sense of reality with contemporary romance. The people and the situations are too similar to things I see every day or on television, and those things aren't fun or romantic. But then, that's silly, because the past was NOT like it is in romances. I don't know. It's not a completely consistent viewpoint.

I think the most honest answer is, because I like it. I find it a nice fantasy place to spend time, with interesting problems that seem different to those today, but are at core the same emotional, moral, and social dilemmas.

What is your writing process like? What is your priority and what inspires you?

I'm a planner. I have spreadsheets and diagrams with character arcs, plot arcs, nesting of opening and closing of plot points, point of view for each scene, who is most affected, when new information is revealed... the whole lot. And in conjunction with that, I write on-the-fly. I write on a notes app on my phone most of the time, then edit in word or, more recently scrivener. Scrivener is good, but not organised enough for me. I need spreadsheets.

My priority is the emotional journey of the heroine. Which is deeply ironic, as most people seem to love my heroes. But at heart my stories are about scared, insecure heroines finding someone to love them. That's... not... a self-own... at all?

As for inspiration, I have no idea. Sitting down with the intention of working. Or often I ask, how is [character name] doing? And that will bring me back to a point in the story, maybe a conflict or maybe a happy moment, and I'll write about that. Sometimes (often) that means that particular scenes get written more than once, and I have to merge them together.

How is writing a novel different from a short story? Which one do you prefer?

A character in a short story cannot have too much sh*t to deal with - they need a HEA quickly, after all. So they're not as interesting to me, generally. I'm liking novellas at the moment. The short format means there is only space for the emotional core of the story. Two people, and how they are going to deal with their hang-ups to get to love each other fully. In a longer story there's a lot more room for other things besides the main romance and more complex feelings to develop.

Lightning round! Time for a few fun quick questions to get to know our protagonists a bit better:

If Grace and Everett were to travel abroad, where would they go?

Oh, this is really tricky. Grace would want to go to India because Everett talks about it, as he lived/worked there for a while. Everett wouldn't think that was a good idea, as he dislikes colonialism and knows Grace would be very cross at all the inequality and would lose her sh*t at the caste system.

They'd do better to stay at home, to be honest, as they've got enough to deal with. But if Grace wanted to go to India, they'd go to India. I can't guarantee it would end well, though.

Which books would they read together when they spend a quiet evening by the fireplace?

Grace loves Dickens, so they'd read him. He talks quite a bit about social issues, but he also is scathing in his portrayal of people.

What kind of pet would they adopt?

Whatever turned up.

What kind of sweets would Everett feed Grace?

Strawberries. Peaches. Cake.

What kind of a reader are you? What is your kryptonite when it comes to historical romance?

I'm a terribly fussy reader, but my absolute weakness is forced proximity and enemies to lovers with combustible sexual attraction. I have to physically restrain myself from buying marriage of convenience whenever I see it.

Any book recommendations you wish to bring to our attention?

Elizabeth Keysian is another UK historical romance author I've got to know through us being published with the same publisher. She is an awesome history buff, and writes perfectly balanced historical romances with a bit of angst, humor, details, and swoony heroes.

Would you care to share a bit about your next project?

I'm SO EXCITED about the charity Christmas historical romance anthology coming later this year. It's in aid of Planned Parenthood and they're all second chance romances. Five authors, including me, are involved. They're such wonderful stories, sweet, heartfelt, funny, and touching. If you'd like an email when it's available, you can sign up for my new releases email list and enter a draw to win an ebook copy of Six Weeks with a Lord.

Thank you 😘 ❤️

It was a pleasure!