What A Man Will Do For Love
Romance. What is it about that word that sets most men I know quivering in fear? Not all of them mind you, but enough that it makes me wonder if it’s a gender-linked trait to avoid hearts, flowers, and all things mushy.
Sometimes I wonder, “Is it so hard to make a small gesture?” Even just a grocery store bouquet would do. What about that rare man who makes the grand gesture without social prodding? Perhaps it’s the hopeless romantic in this female’s heart, but I’d like to think such men exist – the type of man who will sweep a woman off her feet without reminders like Valentine’s Day.
One of the advantages of being a writer is that I get to indulge in my love for the grand gesture without having to wait for someone else to do it. Not all of my male characters are sensitive romantics, but at least some of them are.
In “Hounds of Winter,” Devlin is a taciturn, but sensitive, man who lives deep in the forest with his beloved Faylinn. When Faylinn disappears in the bitter depths of winter, Devlin’s love for Faylinn drives him out into the treacherous night, where even the wind has teeth, to find his lady love. (Buy it here)
But restoring the status quo, even if it does mean fighting beasts of the other world, isn’t as grand a gesture as Mel Hippos makes in my short story “In the Land of Plenty.” You see, Mel is no ordinary man. He masquerades as one under the wide Montana sky, but he’s really one of four brothers who must ride forth to bring on the end of the world. His brothers want him to ride but he refuses for one reason, and one reason only – Janie. For the love of a woman he would stop the Apocalypse. How’s that for romantic? (Read it for free here)
So with Valentine’s Day not far past, and a little romance still hanging in the air, why don’t you curl up with Devlin and Mel, and see just how romantic a man can be if he just tries.
Click here for “Hounds of Winter”
Click here for “In the Land of Plenty”
Like what you saw? Read the rest of my Echelon shorts here.
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