DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS: Ellie Thomas

Our favorite  MM authors a.k.a. castaways are asked, what books, songs and luxury item would they take to a desert island?

This is a monthly series inspired by LezReviewBooks.com’s ‘Desert Island Books’, which in turn is based on BBC’s ‘Desert Island Discs’.

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Let’s welcome our November castaway, Ellie Thomas!

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DESERT ISLAND BOOKS:

Provoked by Joanna Chambers

Provoked, the first book in the wonderful Enlightenment series by Joanna Chambers was one of my first MM Historical romances. Joanna’s wonderful writing style and sure grasp of historical detail inspired me to start writing MM historical romance. The story, set in Edinburgh in 1822, begins with riveting high-stakes drama. It’s a wonderful mix of dangerous political intrigue and a romance between David and Murdo, two very different men from contrasting social classes. An absolute classic!

Think of England by K.J. Charles

I couldn’t possibly make a list including inspiring historical MM stories without mentioning K.J. Charles. I’ve read most of her backlist, but I picked Think of England for the desert island as I just can’t resist Archie and Daniel. This sumptuous tale of spy craft and villainy takes place in 1904, as tensions rise towards WW1. Straightforward ex-army officer Archie is the perfect foil for deliberately effete poet Daniel as the two men join forces at an increasingly sinister country house party. With some laugh-out-loud lines, moments of terrifying tension and a moving love story, this is a story to be relished over and again.

Pressure Head by J.L. Merrow

The first in The Plumber’s Mate series by J.L. Merrow, Pressure Head was also one of my first MM romances. I really did begin reading the genre in style! J.L. Merrow has written some wonderful historical stories too, but Pressure Head is a contemporary/paranormal romantic suspense story. The chatty, cheeky, conversational style, written from the POV of Tom Paretski, (the plumber of the title) entirely charmed me as he charts his way around an unwanted psychic gift and an encounter with an ex-crush and bully from his schooldays. I’m thrilled to say that J.L. Merrow recently mentioned there might be more to come in this wonderful and unapologetically British series. Can’t wait!

People Like Us by Ruby Moone

People Like Us, the second story in Ruby Moone’s Winsford Green series, contains the elements that inspire me in a historical romance. This wonderful Regency story isn’t about the aristocracy but two ordinary men, Arthur, a valet, who flees from his brutal master, and Joseph, a local blacksmith, who gives Arthur shelter. There’s a gorgeous sense of a specific place and time in this beautiful story where love conquers all.

Madison Square Murders by C.S Poe

I love all C.S Poe’s books, but her ongoing contemporary Momento Mori series about NYC Cold Case Detective Everett Larkin and his love interest Ira Doyle is irresistible. The detail in these stories is extraordinary, together with the quality of writing, as the complex romantic suspense story arc progresses from Madison Square Murders through the following three books so far. When I’m writing my historical stories, knee deep in research books and beginning to flag, C.S Poe’s example encourages me to keep going (despite my already crammed bookshelves) with the adage that there is no such thing as too much research!

The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer

There can’t be many authors who write Regency stories who aren’t influenced by Georgette Heyer’s M/F historical romances from the mid twentieth century. I read them voraciously as a teenager and gratefully acknowledge her influence. Times change and some attitudes expressed have no place in our modern world. But beyond that caveat, Heyer’s smooth writing style, sparkling wit, depth of characterisation and crisp dialogue have exemplified Regency Romance for the best part of a century. The Quiet Gentleman is one of my favourites, with an unlikely romance and a mystery subplot. I’ve read this delightful story so many times that my copy is falling apart!

DESERT ISLAND PLAYLIST:

Unlike many authors, I don’t write to music. I’m very easily distracted so I require silence! However, I love all kinds of music and am addicted to several different styles of partner dancing. So I’m sharing a selection of my favourite dance tunes with you, that I would boogie away to when I’m a castaway on the desert island.

LUXURY ITEM

Since I’m a pale-skinned Celt, my luxury item for the desert island would be a large container of sun cream of the highest possible factor! That way, I could re-read my inspirational books and dance along to my playlist without burning to a crisp!

ABOUT ELLIE THOMAS

Ellie Thomas lives by the sea. She comes from a teaching background and goes for long seaside walks where she daydreams about history. She is a voracious reader especially about anything historical. She mainly writes MM historical romance.

Ellie also writes historical erotic romance as L. E. Thomas.

​Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Amazon 

A big thank you to Ellie Thomas for joining us on this month’s Desert Island Castaways!

Check out our other Castaways:
Natalina Reis
V.L. Locey
 J.P. Jackson
A.E. Wasp
Elle Keaton.
Elouise East
J.K. Jones
Colette Davison
B.A. Tortuga
Casey Cox
Amanda Meuwissen
A.M. Johnson
Becca Seymour
Alexa Piper
Rick R. Reed
C.P. Harris
K.L. Hiers
A.E. Lister
S. Rodman
Kaje Harper
M.A. Church
Karenna Colcroft
Aiden Ainslie
J. Hali Steele
Kristian Parker
H.L. Day
D.K. Girl
Jackie Keswick
Crea Reitan
Beth Bolden
Chloe Archer
Paulina Ian-Kane
Sam Burns
David Lawrence
Lance Lansdale
Marshall Thornton
Joy Lynn Fielding

Hope you enjoyed this post. Don’t forget to check out next month’s Castaway.

What books would you take with you to a desert island?
What’s on your desert island playlist?
Who would you like to be the next Castaway?

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