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    The Horse Master of Shanhasson
    The Horse Master of Shanhasson
    The Horse Master of Shanhasson
    Ebook81 pages57 minutes

    The Horse Master of Shanhasson

    By Joely Sue Burkhart

    3/5

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    About this ebook

    After working in Her Majesty’s stables for five years, Jake is called into the palace under a veil of secrecy. The High Queen is ready to abdicate, and he’s her last hope of overcoming the Shadow that has haunted her.

    Thankfully, the Horse Master is bringing his whip.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJoely Sue Burkhart
    Release dateDec 20, 2011
    ISBN9781466172500
    The Horse Master of Shanhasson

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    Reviews for The Horse Master of Shanhasson

    3/5

    19 ratings2 reviews

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    • 3/5
      The first part was rather touching...but then it all happened too quickly. O_o

      For someone so damaged to have done a 180 so quickly wasn't...believable. But I really enjoyed the set up in the beginning.
    • 4/5
      This is a short prequel to Burkhart’s Blood and Shadow series. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this story. Mainly because the Queen has undergone a terrible ordeal, she was kidnapped and abused by her captor. Her closest councilors have tried to help her heal, namely by trying to replicate the sexual sadism her captor subjected her to. I know, when I got to that point I was very much thinking Nope, flouncey, flounce.

      I was concerned this was going to be a rape/exploitation story disguised as consensual BDSM erotica, but I decided to take a chance and keep reading to see if the author could pull this off. I'm happy to say she totally did. In fact, she not only makes this a very respectful representation of BDSM in a fantasy erotica, it had me gasping in shock and horniness.

      This is a lush fantasy world filled with court intrigue, pulse pounding sensuality and an exotic man, who harbor the blood of dragons in their veins. Jake uses the mindset of a horse master when he dominates his beautiful tortured queen. While this approach might prove extra sexy for fans of pony play, which I am not. It will not turn off those who aren’t into that kink. I found it very believable and clever way to explain the philosphy of modern BDSM play without shattering the fantasy of the world.

      Not gonna lie, I thought of the character Kahl Dorgo, from the tv show Game of Thrones while reading this sexy book. It worked for me. Yum!

    Book preview

    The Horse Master of Shanhasson - Joely Sue Burkhart

    The Horse Master

    Of Shanhasson

    A Blood & Shadows story

    PUBLISHED BY:

    Joely Sue Burkhart

    Copyright © 2011-2016 Joely Sue Burkhart

    Cover Art by http://www.darkimaginarium.com/

    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in print or electronic form without the express, written permission of the author.

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to any organization, event, or person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

    Adult Reading Material

    Keep up to date on future releases by signing up for my newsletter.

    After working in Her Majesty’s stables for five years, Jake is called into the palace under a veil of secrecy. The High Queen is ready to abdicate, and he’s her last hope of overcoming the Shadow that has haunted her.

    Thankfully, the Horse Master is bringing his whip.

    Check out more in the Blood and Shadows series:

    Table of Contents

    Dedication

    Chapter One

    Chapter Two

    Chapter Three

    The Rose of Shanhasson Excerpt

    Dedication

    For my Beloved Sister

    The gods have many faces and many names, yet no matter their guise, one eternal truth remains. Love is the greatest gift of all, and the greatest sacrifice. In every age and every country, they consign their Chosen to manifest their heart’s desire in the world, that all people may bear witness.

    Love’s sacrifice conquers even the blackest Shadow of evil.

    The Horse Master of Shanhasson

    By Joely Sue Burkhart

    ONE

    I’M RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

    Instead of mucking out stalls as he'd done for the last five years, Jake stood inside the shining white marble Palace. Again. Praying frantically, again, although for different reasons this time.

    Please, please, don't send me away. Not yet.

    A smartly-dressed servant opened the gleaming mahogany door and inclined his head. His lordship will see you now.

    Painfully aware of the manure and straw encrusting his boots, Jake hesitated. Even if the Lord Steward dismissed him, he would find another way to remain in Shanhasson until the last possible moment. Besides, he was proud of his work in Her Majesty's Royal Stables, even if that meant tracking horse droppings on the spotless marble.

    Jake smoothed the queued black tail of hair falling down his back to his thighs, pleased he’d decided to oil it just this morning. His hair was unusually long for the Green Lands, but he refused to cut it, even for the High Queen. Although if she were to ask, he would cut it, pride be damned.

    Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside the darkened room. The impressive display of wealth and treasures overwhelmed him. Shelf upon shelf of fine gilded books lined the walls. Leather chairs so supple they made his carefully oiled saddles look like peddler fare. In the center of the room loomed a massive desk larger than the tent in which Jake was born.

    The room was exactly as he remembered, although the man waiting for him looked as if he’d aged a lifetime instead of a few years.

    Without rising, the Lord Steward gestured to a chair before the desk. Please, take a seat. This discussion is rather…delicate. We might be here some time, and I would be pleased to offer you refreshment.

    Jake pulled his hair over his shoulder and perched very carefully on the chair. Wincing, he waited for the flimsy frame to explode, but the chair was made of sterner stuff than it appeared.

    The Lord Steward poured liqueur into a crystal glass and offered it until he accepted it. The fragile wisp of glass didn't shatter, either, despite his rough paws manhandling such finery. He didn't dare take a sip. Looking at the whiskey was pleasure enough. The darkly golden liquid reminded him of Her Majesty's hair, twisted and coiled at the base of her neck, gleaming like silk against the fine golden cloth of her riding gown.

    Dangerous pleasure, such thoughts, in more ways than one. Heat crackled inside him, a fire he dared not release. Fire enough to destroy this very Palace and all who lived here, including her.

    Throwing his head back, the Lord Steward drained his small portion of liqueur. As I said, this is a delicate matter. Whether you accept my proposal or not, I must demand your utmost discretion.

    Certainly, my lord.

    This is not something in which I would normally take a personal interest, but circumstances being as they may. . . Sighing, the Lord Steward poured himself another glass of liqueur, more this time.

    Dismay roiled in Jake's stomach, twisting the fire in his gut toward uncontrollable rage. Not yet, I can’t bear to leave yet!

    The rising heat and violent emotions told him he might have already waited too long. He should have returned to the desert months ago. I'm to be dismissed, then?

    Startled, the Lord Steward laughed shakily. Blessed Lady, no. We already owe you great honors that you refuse to accept. We certainly won’t dismiss you out of turn.

    Relief made him dizzy. At least in the stables he could take care of the horses, even the Queen's own mare. He’d have the chance to touch her boot while helping her mount, or receive one last glimpse of her face before he must leave her forever.

    The Lord Steward's gaze sharpened on Jake. Have you given much thought to your future?

    Serving Her Majesty is an honor, my lord. I wish only to remain in her service as long as possible, in whatever position she can make some small use of me.

    Indeed. The Lord Steward's

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