Ansleigh’s Grotto

By J. T. Cheyanne

Synopsis

Dylan Matthews lives in a world of fantasy. As a video game designer, there are no limits on how far or wide his imagination could stretch. He loves his work and excels at bringing the visions in his head to a game console. The luck of his Irish heritage seems to touch him when his prototype Zombie ApoXalypse is bought days after he inherits a mansion in the heart of the Appalachian mountains. Life is indeed magical.
Ansleigh has waited centuries for one man, only to find him and then lose him due to his own inability to trust in their burgeoning love. The magick of Mother Earth flows within him and through him allowing him to nourish the Grotto where he makes his home. Yet, he yearns for the male that nurtures his soul. When the whims of Fate bring his Cosantoir back into his life, does he have the courage to accept his heritage?
As the fantasies in his head become reality and the monsters of nightmares crawl through the forest, can Dylan forgive broken promises to protect the Croi? There is no pause button when the Fae and human worlds collide. Will Dylan have what it takes to master the maze and win Ansleigh’s freedom?

Lis’ Review

The story of Ansleigh’s Grotto is full of magic, interesting characters, and a beautiful love story. Dylan is a man who seems to have a charmed life… he’s just inherited a wonderful estate, his work for the gaming company is well received and his career is taking off. Yet when he returns to claim his inheritance, he realizes that something.. or rather, someone, is missing from his life but he just can’t quite remember who.. or why.

The meeting with Ansleigh of the title is rather normal..he’s an employee on what is now Dylan’s estate. Just like Silas and Aggie, who work in the house that Dylan now calls home. But we soon learn everyone in this book has a bit of fae magic inside them and that’s where the fantasy world and the real world collide.. in a big way.

The story is short, but the detail is rich and what makes this book so special. JT Cheyanne paints a picture of the estate Dylan inherits with such detail and precision that when the trees begin to talk, and the wind becomes malevolent, it’s so believable because we’ve become immersed in this fae fantasyland. As we read, we see what Dylan sees, feel what he feels, even smell what he smells. We question and wonder right along with him. Just like the video games Dylan designs, we are drawn in with each description, each portrayal of emotion that before we know it, the struggle to regain the love between Dylan and Ansleigh is real. The battles between the Seelie and UnSeelie fae are real. And the antics of the sprites and elves are real.

Dylan and Ansleigh’s love story is sweet yet sexy and powerful. We cheer for them but it’s truly the other fantasy characters that give life to this story. Sprites who are the equivalent of a bickering Tinker Bell and Peter Pan, elves who hide their true identities in the guise of elderly servants, and the Taco Bell godfather voice who advises Dylan to “Live mas” brought humor and depth to the whole fantasy becomes reality story. The evil UnSeelie is just as well developed. Like the fae of myth, he is handsome to look upon, but rotten and deadly underneath. The author’s research of the Irish legends is detailed and believable, and she brings some of the more interesting creatures to life in this book.

Deep down, this is a love story that touches on themes we are all familiar with. Is the bond of love strong enough to overcome past mistakes? Is a newfound love worth fighting for? Is the realization that no matter what the obstacles thrown in the path, two people who love each other with all their hearts and souls will ultimately triumph in their desire and intent to be together? Both Dylan and Ansleigh struggle with these questions and ultimately discover that despite the paths they have traveled separately, despite what they thought they knew, coming together again brings answers to questions that can and do make their history complete. JT Cheyanne has created another winning love story that you don’t want to miss.

Author Bio:

J.T. Cheyanne resides in the beautiful state of Alabama. J.T. lives with her two sons and daughter. An avid reader since fourth grade, she has only just started writing her own stories. She also has several works in progress with a co-author. When she’s not writing, she enjoys coaching cheerleading in her local youth organization.

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