Lord Mettlebright’s Man. While chapters have been free to read since we began Jacques’ story back in 2018, with the move to publish (digital, print, and audio editions), I won’t be posting any more of the story here on the blog. To read the remainder (there are 700 chapters in total), grab a copy of the finished edition. It’s mostly intact. (I did some gentle edits to banish awkward Inktober prompts & to tweak some little contradictions.)

Abundant thanks to those who suggested prompts, left occasional comments, rose to Jacques’ defense, speculated about his future, and generally let this foppish, frivolous, forthright man win them over. And as always, thanks especially to those who read, rate, and review their purchased editions. For an indie author like me, that means the world.

Lord Mettlebright’s Man. Today’s the day! We’ve been spinning out Jacques’ story since 2018. Little by little, all those 100-word chapters have added up. Life is made up of moments, after all. Thank you to everyone who’s been reading along … and especially for those who didn’t really like Jacques at the beginning, yet found reasons for affection along the way. I’m proud of you.

He’s a flirt and a tease and a fop and a snob. And everyone’s favorite uncle.
Jacques Smythe brazens his way into Stately House and shows no sign of departing. Like it or not, Lord Mettlebright has himself a butler. **Unique format! A story in 100-word chapters that was originally serialized on forthright’s blog, beginning in 2018. Now complete! Set behind the scenes of the Amaranthine Saga, Jacques’ story begins immediately after the events of Bk1: Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox and concludes with the events leading up to Bk4: Mikoto and the Reaver Village. Cozy Fantasy. Slice-of-Life. Family.

Digital Release Day: June 4, 2023
Amazon | shelve on Goodreads 

Squee Post. If you need a place to react, confer, or kick up a fuss, this is the spot. I’ll enjoy your enthusiasm, I might be willing to clarify small points, but I reserve the right to evade questions that will be answered later in the Saga & Songs. ::twinkle::

[[[WARNING: HERE THERE BE SPOILERS]]]

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one with mastery.

614
Alternative Medicine

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the burly one.

613
Hard

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one who isn’t.

612
Have It All Out

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one who should have seen it coming.

611
Practically Strangers

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the winsome one.

610
Honorary Uncle

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one who’s been a stranger.

609
Calving

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one who took a liking.

608
Singlehanded

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one who’s hit double digits.

607
March

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the willing one.

606
Volunteer